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Ponciri Fructus is a crude drug obtained from the dried immature fruits of Poncirus trifoliata (L). Raf. (Syn. Citrus trifoliata L.). This study aims to compile and analyze the ethnomedicinal uses, bioactive constituents, and pharmacological activities of Ponciri Fructus. Various online bibliographic databases namely, SciFinder, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were used for collecting information on traditional uses, biological activities, and bioactive constituents. Concerning ethnomedicinal uses, Ponciri Fructus is extensively used in traditional Korean, Chinese, and Kampo medicines to mitigate allergic reactions, inflammation, edema, digestive complications, respiratory problems, spleen-related problems, liver complications, neuronal pain, hyperlipidemia, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular problems, hernia, sinusitis, and insomnia. Several studies have shown that Ponciri Fructus is a major source of diverse classes of bioactive compounds namely flavonoids, terpenoids, coumarins, phytosterols, and alkaloids. Several in vivo and in vitro pharmacological activity evaluations such as antidiabetic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antimelanogenic, gastroprotective, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects have been conducted from Ponciri Fructus. However, scientific investigations focusing on bioassay-guided isolation and identification of specific bioactive constituents are limited. Therefore, an in-depth scientific investigation of Ponciri Fructus focusing on bioassay-guided isolation, mechanism based pharmacological studies, pharmacokinetic studies, and evaluation of possible toxicities is necessary in the future.

Background: Ponciri Fructus, a crude drug consisting of the dried immature fruits of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf., is a popular folk medicine used for the treatment of allergy and gastrointestinal disorders in Korea and China. In this study, the anti-adipogenic activity of extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes., Methods: Dried immature fruits were extracted and fractionated into n -hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n -butanol and water-soluble fractions. The ethanol extract and fractions were tested for anti-adipogenic activity in the 3T3-L1 cell line. The active fractions ( n -hexane and EtOAc fractions) were further subjected to chromatographic techniques to isolate and identify active compounds. Furthermore, the isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-adipogenic activity., Results: Altogether, seven compounds, including two flavonoids, one phytosteroid and four coumarin derivatives, were isolated. Ethanol extract, n -hexane fraction, EtOAc fraction and three isolated compounds (phellopterin, oxypeucedanin and poncirin) showed significant anti-adipogenic activity as observed by reduced lipid deposition in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. Further, oxypeucedanin downregulated the key adipogenic markers, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors proteins γ (PPAR- γ ), sterol response element binding proteins-1 (SREBP-1), CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins- α (C/EBP- α ), adipocyte-specific lipid binding proteins (FABP-4), adipocyte fatty acid binding proteins (aP2), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and leptin., Conclusion: This study indicated that the ethanol extract, hexane fraction and ethyl acetate fraction of P. trifoliata fruits possess strong anti-adipogenic activity, containing the active compounds such as phellopterin, oxypeucedanin and poncirin. Further research is recommended to explore their efficacy and safety in animal and clinical models.

α -Amylase is an enzyme involved in the breaking down of large insoluble starch molecules into smaller soluble glucose molecules. Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tirveng. (syn. Randia dumetorum (Retz.) Lam., Family: Rubiaceace) has been used as traditional medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal problems, skin diseases, and diabetes. In this context, we studied the in vitro α -amylase inhibiting properties of methanol extracts of leaves and bark of C. spinosa . The methanol extract of bark was further fractionated into hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate, and water-soluble fractions, and their α -amylase inhibitory activity was evaluated. In silico molecular docking and ADMET analysis of several compounds previously reported from the bark of C. spinosa were also performed. The in vitro α -amylase inhibition activity assay of the dichloromethane fraction of extract of bark (IC 50 : 77.17 ± 1.75  μ g/mL) was more potent as compared to hexane and ethyl acetate fractions. The in silico molecular docking study showed that previously reported compounds from the stem bark such as balanophonin, catunaregin, β -sitosterol, and medioresinol were bounded well with the active catalytic residue of porcine pancreatic α -amylase indicating better inhibition. The ADMET analysis showed the possible drug-likeness and structure-activity relationship of selected compounds. These compounds should be studied further for their potential α -amylase inhibition in animal models., Competing Interests: The authors declare no potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Deepak Timalsina et al.)

Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. (Syn.: Eclipta alba (L.) Hassak, Family: Asteraceae) is an important medicinal plant in the tropical and subtropical regions. It is widely used in treating various diseases of skin, liver and stomach in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and other countries. The main aim of this review was to collect and analyze the available information on traditional uses, phytoconstituents, and biological activities of E. prostrata . The scientific information was collected from the online bibliographic databases such as Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, SciFinder, etc. and books and proceedings. The active phytochemicals were coumestan derivatives, phenolic acid derivatives, flavonoids, triterpenoid and steroid saponins, substituted thiophenes, etc. Various extracts and isolated compounds of E. prostrata showed a wide range of biological activities such as antimicrobial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective and hair growth promoting activities. Relatively a few studies have been performed to reveal the exact phytoconstituents responsible for their corresponding pharmacological activities. Future studies should focus on detailed mechanism based studies using animal models and clinical studies.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel. (Combretaceae), commonly known as "Gubeish" in Sudan, is a small shrub abundant in semi-desert areas of the Sudano-Sahelian zone. It is widely used in African traditional medicine as a tonic and for the treatment of many complications such as respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders, microbial and parasitic infections., Aim of the Review: The aim of this review is to critically analyze the reports on the traditional uses, ethnopharmacological studies, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of G. senegalensis., Methods: Scientific information on G. senegalensis was retrieved from the online bibliographic databases (e.g. like MEDLINE/PubMed, SciFinder, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, Elsevier, SpringerLink). Other scientific information was acquired from secondary resources including books and proceedings, library catalogs, and dissertations., Results: G. senegalensis is reported to be widely used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases in many African countries. Most of these studies are reported from Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sudan. Phytochemical studies have revealed the presence of a total of 46 compounds belonging to major phytochemical classes namely; phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and triterpenes. Among them, galloylquinic acid derivatives and flavonoids are the most frequently reported constituents. The extracts and compounds have shown diverse biological activities including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiprotozoal activities and activities against gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders., Conclusion: G. senegalensis is widely used in most African traditional medicine systems and used among African people for the treatment of many diseases. Although there are many reports on its biological activities, most of these studies are based on in vitro systems and only very few are based on in vivo systems. Also, some of these pharmacological data are insufficient and lack essential parameters such as proper positive and negative controls, and calculating the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. From these studies, it is difficult to assess the future clinical potential of this plant without detailed studies in animal models or in humans. Similarly, there are not many reports on the action mechanism of the extracts and compounds. Future studies should focus to explore the therapeutic potential of G. senegalensis with advance experimental protocols and cutting-edge technologies., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) is a medicinal plant widely used in various traditional systems of medicine and as a food supplement. It has been traditionally used by Native Americans as a coloring agent and as medicinal remedy for common diseases and conditions like wounds, digestive disorders, ulcers, skin and eye ailments, and cancer. Over the years, goldenseal has become a popular food supplement in the USA and other regions. The rhizome of this plant has been used for the treatment of a variety of diseases including, gastrointestinal disorders, ulcers, muscular debility, nervous prostration, constipation, skin and eye infections, cancer, among others. Berberine is one of the most bioactive alkaloid that has been identified in different parts of goldenseal. The goldenseal extract containing berberine showed numerous therapeutic effects such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, neuroprotective (anti-Alzheimer's disease), cardioprotective, and gastrointestinal protective. Various research finding suggest the health promoting effects of goldenseal components and their extracts. However, few studies have also suggested the possible neurotoxic, hepatotoxic and phototoxic activities of goldenseal extract and its alkaloids. Thus, large randomized, double-blind clinical studies need to be conducted on goldenseal supplements and their main alkaloids to provide more evidence on the mechanisms responsible for the pharmaceutical activity, clinical efficacy and safety of these products. Thus, it is very important to review the scientific information about goldenseal to understand about the current scenario., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Anacardium plants have received increasing recognition due to its nutritional and biological properties. A number of secondary metabolites are present in its leaves, fruits, and other parts of the plant. Among the diverse Anacardium plants' bioactive effects, their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities comprise those that have gained more attention. Thus, the present article aims to review the Anacardium plants' biological effects. A special emphasis is also given to their pharmacological and clinical efficacy, which may trigger further studies on their therapeutic properties with clinical trials., (Copyright © 2020 Salehi, Gültekin-Özgüven, Kirkin, Özçelik, Morais-Braga, Carneiro, Bezerra, Silva, Coutinho, Amina, Armstrong, Selamoglu, Sevindik, Yousaf, Sharifi-Rad, Muddathir, Devkota, Martorell, Jugran, Cho and Martins.)

Angiopteris helferiana C.Presl is a gigantic fleshy-type fern, belonging to Marattiaceae family. In previous study, we reported the potent anti-adipogenic and anti-inflammatory activities of ethylacetate (EtOAc) and n -butanol (BuOH) fractions of methanol extract of rhizomes of A. helferiana . In continuation, in this study, we report the isolation, characterization, and bioactivity analysis of principle bioactive compounds in these fractions. (-)- epi -Osmundalactone ( 1 ) and angiopteroside ( 2 ) were isolated from EtOAc and BuOH fractions, respectively. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of NMR spectroscopic data. The quantification study using UPLC revealed the contents of compounds 1 and 2 in the dried rhizome to be 1.54% and 3.2%, respectively. These compounds were evaluated for their anti-adipogenic and anti-inflammatory activities using 3T3-L1 and RAW 264.7 cells, respectively. Compound 1 (2.5 µg/mL) and 2 (20 µg/mL) inhibited the lipid production by 35% and 25%, respectively. Regarding the anti-inflammatory activity, compound 1 (5 µg/mL) inhibited the nitrite production by nearly 82%. In conclusion, the presence of potent anti-adipogenic and anti-inflammatory compounds in A. helferiana indicate its potential role in the use of herb-based treatment for obesity and other related diseases.

Background: Mangifera indica L. (mango), a medicinal plant rich in biologically active compounds, has potential to be used in disease-preventing and health-promoting products. The present investigation reveals and uncovers bioactive metabolites with remarkable therapeutic efficiency from mango (family: Anacardiaceae) seeds., Results: Biological activity was determined by antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer assays, and metabolite profiling was performed on gas chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-QTOF-MS) and liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) platforms. Validation of active metabolites was carried out by in silico molecular docking (Molinspiration Cheminformatics Server and PASS). Extracted and identified metabolites were screened; 54 compounds associated with various groups were selected for the in silico interaction study., Conclusions: Molecular docking revealed lead molecules with a potential binding energy score, efficacy and stable modulation with a selected protein domain. Investigation, directed by in vitro and in silico analysis, confirms mango seeds as an excellent source of potential metabolites as a therapeutic agent. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Chronic neuroinflammation is reported to be associated in the progression of many neurodegenerative diseases and there is an increasing interest for the natural products as neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory agents. In present research, we evaluated the potential inhibitory effects of extract, fractions, and isolated compounds from Citrus 'Hebesu' on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses using BV-2 murine microglial cells. The dried methanol extract (CH) was suspended in water and partitioned with hexane and ethyl acetate to give hexane soluble (CHH), ethyl acetate soluble (CHE), and water soluble (CHW) fractions. The extract (CH) and fractions CHH and CHE inhibited the expression of mRNA encoding pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β. CHE and CHH were further purified by various column chromatographic methods to obtain hesperidin (1), tangeretin (2), 5-hydroxy-6,7,8,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone (3), 3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-heptamethoxyflavone (4), nobiletin (5), 3,4,5-trimethoxy-trans-cinnamic alcohol (6), and meranzin hydrate (7). Among them, three polymethoxyflavonoids, 3, 4, and 5 significantly inhibited the expression of IL-1β mRNA. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Citrus 'Hebesu' is a local cultivar in Hyuga City, Miyazaki prefecture, Japan and its immature fruits are consumed with different food recipes. Till now, there is no detailed study on the chemical constituents and anti-neuroinflammatory activity of this cultivar. In this study, seven compounds were isolated from the peels of immature fruits. Methanol extract, hexane, and ethyl acetate fractions and three polymethoxyflavonoids showed a significant inhibitory activity against expression of IL-1β mRNA. Consumption of peels of Citrus 'Hebesu' might play important role in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, however, detailed mechanism based in vivo studies are necessary in future for providing more scientific evidences., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Transthyretin-related amyloidosis is a slowly progressive disorder caused by deposition of insoluble amyloid plaques formed by fibrillization of mutant or defective transthyretin (TTR) monomers that leads to neurodegeneration and organ failure. Thus, any compound exhibiting TTR amyloid formation inhibitory activity or TTR amyloid fibril disrupting activity might be a potential candidate for the development of therapies for these disorders. Our aim in this study was the evaluation of the TTR amyloid fibril disrupting potential of extracts of leaves and immature fruits of two Juglans plants, i.e., Juglans mandshurica var. sachalinensis and Juglans mandshurica var. cordiformis . The TTR amyloid fibril disrupting activity was measured by Thioflavin-T (ThT) assay and PROTEOSTAT ® Protein aggregation assay methods. A fifty percent acetone extract of the fruits of Juglans mandshurica var. cordiformis showed strong amyloid fibril disrupting activity, and was further fractionated using different solvents. Ethyl acetate and n -butanol fractions showed significant activity in both assays. Syringic acid was isolated and identified as main compound in both of these fractions; however, it did not show any activity. Furthermore, some of the previously reported compounds from Juglans plants including naphthoquinone derivatives and phenolic compounds were evaluated to identify the potential bioactive compounds. Among them, juglone, a naphthoquinone derivative showed promising activity. However, juglone also showed strong cytotoxicity in HEK293 cells. Thus, future studies should focus on the isolation and identification of naphthoquinone derivatives or other compounds from Juglans plan ts with potent bioactivity and low cytotoxicity.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The genus Vanda (Family: Orchidaceae) comprises about 73 species mainly distributed in Southeast Asia. Plants belonging to this genus are being used in the traditional medicine systems in Asian countries specially in India, Nepal, China and Bangladesh., Aim of the Review: The aim of this work was to review the scientific work about medicinal orchids of the genus Vanda regarding their traditional uses, reported bioactive components, and pharmacological activities., Materials and Methods: The information related to traditional uses, pharmacological activities, and bioactive compounds was systematically collected from the scientific literature databases including SciFinder, Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar, published books and conference proceedings., Results: The literature survey revealed diverse traditional uses of different species of Vanda, mainly against indigestion, wounds, hepatitis, dyspepsia, bronchitis, piles, rheumatism, and bone fracture. However, only few of them are investigated scientifically for their chemical constituents and pharmacological activities. Bioactive compounds including eucomic acid derivatives, phenanthrene derivatives and other phenolic compounds are reported from Vanda species. Different extracts were so far evaluated for number of pharmacological activities including neuroprotective, anti-aging, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, membrane stabilizing, wound healing and hepato-protective activities., Conclusion: Vanda spp. are of much significance as ornamental flowers, but also used widely in traditional medicines and have potential for their diverse pharmacological activities. However, many members of the genus Vanda need further detailed studies regarding chemical constituents and mechanism-based pharmacological activities. Similarly, further studies should also focus on the conservation, cultivation and sustainable utilization of these species., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The active compound (E)-1-(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)butadiene (DMPBD) isolated from the rhizomes of Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. has potent anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. Although DMPBD is one of the promising drug candidates for phytomedicine, its limited stability impedes its widespread use. For the development of new drugs, the assessment of their chemical stability is essential, ensuring they maintain their properties within specified limits throughout the period from production until use., Objective: In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the stability of DMPBD under various conditions, including different solvents, temperatures, and lighting conditions, to identify the factors affecting stability and optimize the storage and handling conditions., Methodology: DMPBD samples subjected to the different conditions tested were monitored by quantitative 1 H NMR (qHNMR), using an internal standard for the determination of the absolute quantity of DMPBD as a function of time and the changes thereof within 1 month., Results: Significant decomposition of DMPBD was observed in chloroform-d 1 , whereas its content remained constant in methanol-d 4 . The content of DMPBD was maintained upon storage at temperatures below 4°C, both as methanolic solution and in the crude extract. Exposure to light had a slight negative impact on its contents. Some degradation products could be identified as resulting from O 2 -induced cleavage of the diene moiety., Conclusions: For pharmacological/therapeutic applications, DMPBD should be stored in the form of the crude extract or as a purified material in methanolic solution. Ideally, the storage temperature should be below 4°C and O 2 should be excluded., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes are steadily increasing worldwide. In Sudan, there are a variety of plant species used traditionally for the treatment of diabetes, obesity and other symptoms which need to be validated through scientific studies for their claimed traditional uses. Therefore, in the current study, the free radical scavenging activity, α-glucosidase inhibitory and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities of 70% ethanol and water extracts of eighteen Sudanese medicinal plants were investigated using various in vitro assays. Moreover, the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were assessed for the bioactive plant extracts., Methods: Eighteen plants were selected on the basis of their traditional uses and extracted with 70% ethanol and water to obtain thirty-six extracts. The obtained extracts were screened using different in vitro bioassays namely, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, α-glucosidase inhibitory and pancreatic lipase inhibitory assays. Furthermore, the active plant extracts were investigated for their cytotoxicity and genotoxicity on HeLa cell line using HCS DNA Damage Assay., Results: Both 70% ethanol and water extracts of Acacia nilotica, Ziziphus spina-christi, Abrus precatorius, and Geigeria alata along with the 70% ethanol extract of Martynia annua showed potent free radical scavenging activity. Regarding the α-glucosidase inhibition assay, both extracts of Acacia nilotica, Ziziphus spina-christi, Geigeria alata, and Cyperus rotundus showed potent activity. In general, 70% ethanol extracts were more potent compared to water extracts with exception of Cordia sinensis and Cymbopogon proximus, for which water extracts also showed potent enzyme inhibitory activity. Similarly, water extracts of Acacia nilotica and Ziziphus spina-christi showed potent inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase enzyme. Some of the extracts also showed significant genotoxicity and cytotoxicity at the concentration range used for bioactivities., Conclusion: The extracts of Acacia nilotica, Ziziphus spina-christi, Geigeria alata, Martynia annua and Abrus precatorius exhibited an appreciable range of activity on antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory assays.

Euphorbiaceae is a large family of dicotyledonous angiosperms with diverse genera including Euphorbia prostrata (E. prostrata). Current research has provided scientific evidence for traditional uses of E. prostrata against diverse pathological conditions such as anti-hemorrhoidal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, wound healing, antioxidant, antibacterial, leishmanicidal, antitumor activity, and so on. The phytochemical screening has revealed the presence of glycosides, phytosterols, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, and anthraquinones with chemical structures elucidation of their respective compounds. The uniqueness of such multifactorial compounds present in this species endorses it as the potent therapeutic or prophylactic choice for several fatal diseases. Although ethnomedical applications served as a significant citation for pharmacology, the molecular mechanism has not been reviewed yet. The present paper provides a comprehensive review of research outcomes, pharmacology, toxicology, and molecular signaling of phytochemicals of E. prostrata species as a reference for relevant researchers. The study of bioactive compounds in crude extracts and fractions, the demonstration of primary mechanisms of pharmacology, along with the addition of toxicity, and clinical trials, should be conceded in depth. This review underlines the E. prostrata species that can be a promising phytomedicine since we are committed to excavating more intensely into their pharmacological role., (© 2023. The Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

A new phenolic compound, 4-dehydrochebulic acid-1,6-dimethyl ester (2) was isolated from the leaves of Sapium insigne (Royle) Benth. ex Hook. fil. (Euphorbiaceae) along with three known compounds gallic acid (1), brevifolin carboxylic acid (3) and fraxin (4). Structures of those compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data.

Introduction: The development of tyrosinase inhibitors is a hot research topic. Recently, the Chinese herb Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews, commonly named as Cortex Moutan (CM), was reported as being capable of reducing melanogenesis. We developed an A2058 human melanoma cell model to test the safety and efficacy of tyrosinase inhibition. The aim was to further clarify the bioactivities of CM extracts and paeonol for the purpose of skin whitening., Methods: The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, and in vitro tyrosinase inhibitory effects of water and ethanol CM extracts were determined. Cellular inhibitions of tyrosinase and melanin production were also evaluated., Results: Water and ethanol CM extracts were both shown to have strong DPPH scavenging abilities in a dose-dependent manner. The polyphenol content was higher in the ethanol CM extract compared to the water extract, while the flavanone content was comparable. Kinetic analyses revealed that the ethanol CM extract and paeonol are noncompetitive tyrosinase inhibitors. The cellular melanin content and l-DOPA oxidation assays demonstrated that the ethanol CM extract was an appropriate alternative whitening agent to paeonol and arbutin in ultraviolet-induced A2058 human melanoma cells., Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that a human cell model is more suitable for determining tyrosinase activity than mouse cell models for determining cellular tyrosinase activity and melanin production. The ethanol CM extract was also confirmed as a promising ingredient in sun protection and skin whitening cosmetics. Future work should focus on melanogenesis-related gene expressions., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: This study was exclusively focused on the documentation and cross-cultural evaluation of ethnomedicinal knowledge (EMK) within the diverse linguistic groups of Kohistan situated between the Himalayan and Hindukush Mountain ranges in the north Pakistan. Methods: Data were gathered during the field survey (May 2022 to July 2023) through group conversations, semi-structured interviews, and on-site observation. Venn diagrams were employed to illustrate the comparative assessment of EMK, and different ethnobotanical indices were utilized to examine the data. Results: A total of 96 wild medicinal plant species (MPs) belonging to 74 genera and 52 botanical families were documented. The most reported MPs belong to the family Polygonaceae (11 species), followed by Asteraceae (9 species) and Lamiaceae (8 species). The ethnomedicinal uses of Leontopodium himalayanum, Pedicularis oederi, Plocama brevifolia, Polypodium sibiricum, Pteridium esculentum, Sambucus wightiana, Solanum cinereum, Teucrium royleanum, Rhodiola integrifolia, Aconitum chasmanthum were reported for the first time in this region. Among the reported taxa herbaceous species were dominated (72%), followed by trees and shrubs (17% and 10%, respectively). Digestive problems (40 taxa and 114 use reports) and skin disorders (19 taxa and 549 use reports) were the most cited disease categories, whereas M. communis, M. longifolia, Ajuga integrifolia, Ziziphus jujuba, and Clematis grata exhibited the highest percentage fidelity levels. Out of 109 documented medicinal uses, a mere 12 were shared across all linguistic groups, and Bateri emerges as a notable outlier with the highest number of medicinal uses. In addition, a significant homogeneity was noted in the reported botanical taxa (61 species) among different linguistic groups. However, since the last decade biocultural heritage of Kohistan is facing multifaceted risks that need urgent attention. Conclusion: Our findings could be valuable addition to the existing stock of ethnomedicinal knowledge and may provide ethnopharmacological basis to novel drug discovery for preexisting and emerging diseases prioritizing detailed phytochemical profiling and the evaluation of bioactive potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Initiation of ART among people living with HIV (PLWH) having a CD4 count ≤ 350cells/µl, produces poor immunological recovery, putting them at a high risk of opportunistic infections. To mitigate this, PLWH on ART in Uganda frequently use herbal remedies like Artemisia annua and Moringa oleifera, but their clinical benefits and potential antiretroviral (ARV) interactions remain unknown. This study examined the impact of A. annua and M. oleifera on CD4 count, viral load, and potential ARV interactions among PLWH on ART at an HIV clinic in Uganda. Methods: 282 HIV-positive participants on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with a CD4 count ≤ 350cells/µl were randomized in a double-blind clinical trial to receive daily, in addition to their routine standard of care either; 1) A. annua leaf powder, 2) A. annua plus M. oleifera, and 3) routine standard of care only. Change in the CD4 count at 12 months was our primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included changes in viral load, complete blood count, and ARV plasma levels. Participants were followed up for a year and outcomes were measured at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Results: At 12 months of patient follow-up, in addition to standard of care, administration of A. annua + M. oleifera resulted in an absolute mean CD4 increment of 105.06 cells/µl, (p < 0.001), while administration of A. annua plus routine standard of care registered an absolute mean CD4 increment of 60.84 cells/µl, (p = 0.001) compared to the control group. The A. annua plus M. oleifera treatment significantly reduced viral load (p = 0.022) and increased platelet count (p = 0.025) and white blood cell counts (p = 0.003) compared to standard care alone, with no significant difference in ARV plasma levels across the groups. Conclusion: A combination of A. annua and M. oleifera leaf powders taken once a day together with the routine standard of care produced a significant increase in CD4 count, WBCs, platelets, and viral load suppression among individuals on ART. A. annua and M. oleifera have potential to offer an affordable alternative remedy for managing HIV infection, particularly in low-resource communities lacking ART access. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03366922. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a critical pro-inflammatory cytokine, and its abnormal production is associated with several immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID). Biological anti-TNF-α therapy includes treatment with monoclonal antibodies such as infliximab which have proven successful and are well-tolerated in most patients. Unfortunately, some patients may not respond to therapy (primary non-responders) or may lose sensitivity to the biological agent over time (early and late secondary non-responders). Natural products can reduce inflammation and act synergistically with small molecules or biologics, although evidence remains limited. This study aimed to investigate whether complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) could play a role in infliximab non-responders. Reportedly, cinnamon can help manage chronic inflammatory conditions owing to its anti-inflammatory properties. Methods: We studied the synergistic effects of cinnamon and infliximab in vitro using a two-step approach. First, we investigated whether cinnamon and infliximab act synergistically. Second, we selected conditions that supported statistically significant synergy with infliximab and studied the mRNA expression of several genes involved in non-response to infliximab. We used aqueous cinnamon extract (aCE) from Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Cinnamomum loureiroi and bioactive trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA), cinnamic acid (CA), and eugenol to study the synergy between infliximab and aCE/bioactive compounds using bioassays in fibroblast (L929) and monocytic (U937) cell lines, followed by qPCR for molecular-level insights. TCA, C. cassia aCE, and C. zeylanicum aCE demonstrated a dose-dependent synergistic effect with infliximab. Moreover, we saw differential gene expression for adhesion molecules, apoptotic factors, signaling molecules, and matrix remodelers in presence and absence of aCE/bioactives. Results: CAM supplementation was most effective with C. cassia aCE, where a synergistic effect was observed for all the tested genes specifically for MMP-1, BcL-xL, Bax and JAK2, followed by TCA, which affected most of the tested genes except TLR-2, MMP1, MMP3, TIMP-1, and BAX, and C. zeylanicum aCE, which did not affect ICAM-1, VCAM-1, TLR-2, TLR-4, MMP1, MMP3, TIMP-1, and STAT3. Conclusion: In conclusion, cinnamon acted synergistically with infliximab to mitigate inflammation when used as an extract. Purified bioactive TCA also showed synergistic activity. Thus, aCE, or cinnamon bioactive may be used as a CAM to improve patients' quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Because Aloe polysaccharides, to some degree, determine the high biological activity of the plant, the development of an ophthalmic dosage form based on these compounds is an important and promising field of pharmacology. Material and Methods: We determined relative and absolute expression of the intercellular adhesion marker CD54+ and autoagression marker CD5+ in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with acute non-infectious uveitis and those with acute viral keratitis before and after incubation with Aloe polysaccharide extract and Aloe Liquid Extract. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (10 patients with non-infectious uveitis) and group 2 (17 patients with viral keratitis). Mean patient age plus or minus standard deviation was 49.87 ± 3.89 years. Control group was composed of 20 healthy donors of a similar age. Purpose: to investigate in vitro the levels of expression of CD 5+ (a molecular marker of autoimmune activation) and CD 54+ (a molecular marker of intercellular adhesion), in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with non-infectious uveitis and viral keratitis before and after incubation with Aloe polysaccharide extract and Aloe Liquid Extract. Results: In both groups of patients, relative and absolute expressions of CD 5+ and CD 54+ in the peripheral blood lymphocytes were significantly increased compared to healthy controls. After incubation with Aloe polysaccharide extract and Aloe Liquid Extract, the relative expression of CD5 in the peripheral blood lymphocytes in group 1 decreased 1.6 times and 1.9 times (to 15.4 ± 1.7% and 13.4 ± 2.1%), respectively. After incubation with Aloe polysaccharide extract, the expression of СD54+ in the peripheral blood lymphocytes in both groups of patients decreased 1.4 times, and this decrease was statistically significant. After incubation with Aloe Liquid Extract, the expression of СD54+ in both groups decreased 1.5 times, and this decrease was statistically significant, too. Conclusion: Aloe polysaccharide extract and Aloe Liquid Extract have significant immunomodulating effect, which was indicated by the normalization of relative expression of intercellular adhesion and autoaggression markers in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with non-infectious uveitis and viral keratitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer is a significant global health issue, resulting from uncontrolled cell division leading to abnormal cell or tissue growth. Traditional chemotherapeutic techniques have investigated a wide variety of pharmaceutically active molecules despite their poor bioavailability, quick renal clearance, inconsistent distribution, and unavoidable side effects. Green synthesis, unlike chemical methods, prioritizes eco-friendliness and cost-effectiveness. Using natural sources like plant extracts, it minimizes environmental impact, reduces costs, and aligns with sustainability goals. Operating under milder conditions, it consumes less energy compared to traditional approaches. Green synthesis is a highly promising and efficient method for producing nanoparticles due to its versatility and scalability. Main body: Nanotechnology is making progress in cancer treatment because of nanoparticles' tiny size, large surface area, adaptability, and functionality, as well as their potential to induce apoptotic pathways and fast penetration or internalization into cancer cells. Biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles using plant or microbe extracts is attracting attention to replace toxic chemicals with phytochemicals that can act as reducing, capping, or stabilizing agents and improve metallic nanoparticles biocompatibility, antitumor, and antioxidant properties. This review focuses on biosynthesized metallic nanoparticles and their anticancer effects on breast, prostate, skin, cervical, colorectal, lung, and liver cancer. Conclusion: Biosynthesis of nanoparticles for cancer therapy stands at the forefront of innovative and sustainable approaches. Despite challenges, ongoing research demonstrates the potential of biosynthesis to revolutionize cancer nanomedicine, emphasizing the need for continued exploration and collaboration in this rapidly advancing field. Overall, this review offers a comprehensive understanding of the most recent developments in biosynthesized metallic nanoparticles for the treatment of cancer as well as their potential future applications in medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the past two decades, the correlation between oxidative stress and a variety of serious illnesses such as atherosclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Alzheimer disease (AD) and cancer has been established. Medicinal plants and their derived phytochemicals have proven efficacy against free radicals and their associated diseases. The current work was aimed to evaluate the phytochemical constituents of Rhamnus pentapomica R. Parker via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) and its antioxidant and anti-glioblastoma potentials. Methods: The bioactive compounds were analysed in Rhamnus pentapomica R. Parker stem bark extracts by GC–MS analysis, and to evaluate their antioxidant and anti-glioblastoma effects following standard procedures. The stem bark was extracted with 80% methanol for 14 days to get crude methanolic extract (Rp.Cme) followed by polarity directed fractionation using solvents including ethyl acetate, chloroform, butanol to get ethyl acetate fraction (Rp.EtAc), chloroform fraction (Rp.Chf) and butanol fraction (Rp.Bt) respectively. Antioxidant assay was performed using DPPH free radicals and cell viability assay against U87 glioblastoma cancer cell lines was performed via MTT assay. Results: In GC-MS analysis, thirty-one compounds were detected in Rp.Cme, 22 in Rp.Chf, 24 in Rp.EtAc and 18 compounds were detected in Rp.Bt. Among the identified compounds in Rp.Cme, 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-methyl ester (7.73%), Octasiloxane (5.13%) and Heptasiloxane (5.13%), Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (3.76%) and Pentadecanoic acid, 14-methyl-, methyl Ester (3.76%) were highly abundant.. In Rp.Chf, Benzene, 1,3-dimethyl- (3.24%) and in Rp.EtAc Benzene, 1,3-dimethyl-(11.29%) were highly abundant compounds. Antioxidant studies revealed that Rp.Cme and Rp.EtAc exhibit considerable antioxidant potentials with IC50 values of 153.53 μg/ml and 169.62 μg/ml respectively. Both fractions were also highly effective against glioblastoma cells with IC50 of 147.64 μg/ml and 76.41ug/ml respectively. Conclusion: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of important metabolites which might be active against free radicals and glioblastoma cells. Various samples of the plant exhibited considerable antioxidant and anti-glioblastoma potentials warranting further detailed studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Okhaldhunga is a hilly district with fragile socioeconomic conditions, limited access to health care, social stigma, and poor resource management, where most people rely on medicinal plants for primary health care. The use of medicinal plants for primary health care varies with socioeconomic attributes. Following the intra-cultural analysis, we documented and tested the hypothesis that use of medicinal plants in Champadevi, Okhaldhunga, Nepal, depends on socioeconomic variables. Methods: We interviewed 224 respondents, 53.12% female and 46.88% male, including 31 Brahmin, 157 Chhetri, 13 Dalit, and 23 Janajati, and conducted three focused group discussions and seven key informant interviews to record the ethnomedicinal plants used in Champadevi rural municipality, Okhaldhunga District. The relative frequency of citation (RFC) was computed to know the importance of the species. A generalized linear model (GLM) was used to see the relationship between medicinal plants reported with the sociocultural variables, which include age, gender, occupation, education, ethnicity, and religion. Results: We documented 149 medicinal plants, including 69 herbs, 22 shrubs, nine climbers, 48 trees, and one parasitic plant, belonging to 68 families and 130 genera, and used to treat 48 distinct diseases and ailments. Plant parts, leaf, and digestive disorders were frequently treated during healing. Curcuma angustifolia was the most cited species with RFC 0.9554. The respondents' knowledge of medicinal plant use varied significantly with age (p = 0.0001) and occupation (p = 0.003). Changes in land use, population decline of medicinal plant species, and unsustainable harvesting practices constituted the local threats to medicinal plants and associated knowledge. Elders died without passing on their knowledge to the younger generations during sociocultural transformation, and youth disinterest coupled with the free availability of allopathic medicine led to knowledge erosion. Conclusions: The use of medicinal plants in Champadevi, Okhaldhunga, was significantly depended on two socioeconomic variables age and occupation. Ethnomedicinal plants are essential in the primary healthcare system in Nepal; however, their availability and practices are declining. Thus, plans regulating land use change and human migration, acknowledging traditional healthcare practices, and raising awareness of the significance of traditional medical practices as complementary healthcare practices should be strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic kidney disease is a syndrome defined as the continuous change of renal structure, considered as one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. In the past few decades, dietary flavonoids and their derivatives have been proved as potential drugs to control chronic kidney disease. There also seems to be a relationship between the intake of dietary flavonoids and nephropathy incidence. This study reviews the metabolism and bioavailability of plant flavonoids with different structures and their multifunctional role in inhibiting chronic kidney disease. The alleviating effect of plant flavonoids in chronic kidney disease is attributed to several mechanisms, including reduction of oxidative stress, immune modulation anti-inflammation, renal fibrosis inhibition, anti-apoptosis, and regulating gut flora. It also discussed how plant flavonoids regulate the intestinal flora of chronic kidney disease patients and further improve renal health through the gut-kidney axis. In addition, the products and development prospect of plant flavonoids are also introduced. The main sources of flavonoids and their related mechanisms in the treatment of chronic kidney disease [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Panax japonicus C.A. Meyer (Zhujieshen) is widely used in traditional medicine as a tonic hemostatic and anti-inflammatory agent in China, Japan, and Korea. Furthermore, it is used as an important substitute for ginseng roots by minority ethnic groups in China. The purpose of this review is to summarize the latest research on Zhujieshen in recent years, aiming at providing a systematic overview of the current knowledge, and perspectives for future research and exploitation. Main body: This review examines the research advances in botanical profile, phytochemicals, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and authentication of Zhujieshen. Various compounds have been reported as active components, mainly including saponins, volatile oils, and polysaccharides. Pharmacological investigations have demonstrated that Zhujieshen is an important herb with significant bioactivities, such as anti-inflammatory, hepato-protective, cardio-protective, neuro-protective, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-thrombotic and immunomodulatory activities. Conclusion: Currently, research on Zhujieshen is in the preliminary stages, and further research is required to understand the active compounds present and mechanisms of action. We hope that this comprehensive review of Zhujieshen will serve as a background for future research and exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Berberis lycium is an indigenous plant of Pakistan that is known for its medicinal properties. In the current study, we investigated the anti-Alzheimer's effect of berberine isolated from Berberis lycium. Methods: Root extract of B. lycium was subjected to acetylcholinesterase inhibition assay and column chromatography for bioassays guided isolation of a compound. The neuroprotective and memory improving effects of isolated compound were evaluated by aluminium chloride induced Alzheimer's disease rat model, elevated plus maze (EPM) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests., Levels of dopamine and serotonin in rats brains were determined using HPLC. Moreover, western blot and docking were performed to determine interaction between berberine and β-secretase. Results: During fractionation, ethyl acetate and methanol (3:7) fraction was collected from solvent mixture of ethyl acetate and methanol. This fraction showed the highest anti-acetylcholinesterase activity and was alkaloid positive. The results of TLC and HPLC analysis indicated the presence of the isolated compound as berberine. Additionally, the confirmation of isolated compound as berberine was carried out using FTIR and NMR analysis. In vivo EPM and MWM tests showed improved memory patterns after berberine treatment in Alzheimer's disease model. The levels of dopamine, serotonin and activity of antioxidant enzymes were significantly (p<0.05) enhanced in brain tissue homogenates of berberine treated group. This was supported by decreased expression of β-secretase in berberine treated rat brain homogenates and good binding affinity of berberine with β-secretase in docking studies. Binding energies for interaction of β-secretase with berberine and drug Rivastigmine is -7.0 kcal/mol and -5.8 kcal/mol respectively representing the strong interactions. The results of docked complex of secretase with berberine and Rivastigmine was carried out using Gromacs which showed significant stability of complex in terms of RMSD and radius of gyration. Overall, the study presents berberine as a potential drug against Alzheimer's disease by providing evidence of its effects in improving memory, neurotransmitter levels and reducing β-secretase expression in the Alzheimer's disease model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Artemisiae Scopariae Herba (ASH) has been widely used as plant medicine in East Asia with remarkable antitumor activity. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Methods: This study aimed to construct a multi-disciplinary approach to screen topoisomerase I (topo I) inhibitors from ASH extract, and explore the antitumor mechanisms. Bioaffinity ultrafiltration-UFLC-ESI-Q/TOF-MS/MS was used to identify chemical constitution of ASH extract as well as the topo I inhibitors, and in silico docking coupled with multiple complex networks was applied to interpret the molecular mechanisms. Results: Crude ASH extract exhibited toxicogenetic and antiproliferative activities on A549 cells. A series of 34 ingredients were identified from the extract, and 6 compounds were screened as potential topo I inhibitors. Docking results showed that the formation of hydrogen bond and π-π stacking contributed most to their binding with topo I. Interrelationships among the 6 compounds, related targets and pathways were analyzed by multiple complex networks model. These networks displayed power-law degree distribution and small-world property. Statistical analysis indicated that isorhamnetin and quercetin were main active ingredients, and that chemical carcinogenesis-reactive oxygen species was the critical pathway. Electrophoretic results showed a therapeutic effect of ASH extract on the conversion of supercoiled DNA to relaxed forms, as well as potential synergistic effect of isorhamnetin and quercetin. Conclusions: The results improved current understanding of Artemisiae Scopariae Herba on the treatment of tumor. Moreover, the combination of multi-disciplinary methods provided a new strategy for the study of bioactive constituents in medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paris polyphylla Smith (Melanthiaceae) is a medicinal plant for treating inflammatory, cancer, and liver-related diseases. Information on in vivo hepatoprotective effects of P. polyphylla rhizome extract has not been reported in the literature. The purpose of this study is to determine the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of P. polyphylla rhizome extract in cyclophosphamide-induced hepatic damaged mice. The beneficial effects on the liver of P. polyphylla extract have been evaluated through biochemical indicators (AST, ALT). Antioxidant activity was assessed by measuring levels of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant glutathione (GSH). A histopathological examination was also performed. P. polyphylla extract had DPPH free radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 389.15 ± 9.09 μg/mL, 164.06 ± 8.32 μg/mL, respectively. Simultaneously, ALT, AST, and MDA contents decreased, whereas that of liver GSH of mice increased when they received oral doses of 0.75 and 1.5 mg/g. Histopathological analysis of the liver revealed a significant hepatoprotective effect of P. polyphylla extract (1.5 mg/g) with evidence that no histopathological damage was found, there was a reduction in lipid changes, and the degree of necrosis in the cells was reduced. The findings in my control study are evidence of the hepatoprotective potential of P. polyphylla extract, indicating that it might be used to prevent and treat liver-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impatiens genus comprises several species important for agriculture and food industries, ethnobotany, and research in pharmacology, phytochemistry, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences. In this paper, a systematic review of ethnobotanical uses, bioactivities discovered, and research applications reported for Impatiens plants and their major bioactive constituents are presented aiming to provide an integrative comprehension of relevance of the genus in the mentioned fields and to give guidance for the further research of unexplored or poorly investigated species of this genus. Through this review, an update on this expanding area of research is also provided. According to revisited information, most of bioactive compounds are phenolics, phytosterols, triterpenoids, and peptides. There is a wide spectrum of applications investigated for Impatiens plants extracts and their bioactive metabolites, however, in most cases, they are related to their antimicrobial, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti-anaphylactic, and antioxidant properties. Further efforts are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Impatiens plants extracts and bioactive compounds to get a complete perspective of their potential applications. Most plants from Impatiens genus with ethnobotanical interests have been poorly studied, therefore, more research of them will be useful to validate their use, to verify their safety and to isolate their main bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) is known to cause genital herpes a well-characterized sexually transmitted disease among humans. Although there are a couple of antiviral drugs available, poor adherence toward the treatment makes it more complicated. Recent reports on HSV drug resistance due to mutations have paved the way for the search of new antivirals required to control rising new virus infections. Objectives: The objective of this study was to screen the antiviral property of Coccinia indica ethanolic leaf extracts over the HSV-2 strain. Subjects and Methods: C. indica ethanolic extracts were assessed for anti-HSV-2 properties by the standard in vitro microtissue culture assay. Results: The results presented the least concentration of 75 µg of C. indica ethanolic leaf extract inhibited 100% of HSV-2 propagation and 50 µg inhibited around 60% of virus and showed a residual titer of 1008 ± 004 at day 5. Conclusion: The C. indica ethanolic extracts exhibited a significant antiviral activity against the HSV-2 virus in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study implements a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling approach to predict the effect of hydrastine and berberine, two major alkaloids present in goldenseal extract, on pharmacokinetics of imatinib and bosutinib. Methods: PBPK models of hydrastine and berberine were developed in the Simcyp Simulator (version 17), integrating prior in vitro knowledge and published clinical pharmacokinetic data. The models account for reversible and irreversible (mechanism-based) inhibition of CYP3A enzymes as well as inhibition of the P-glycoprotein transporter. Inhibitory potencies of hydrastine and berberine on imatinib and bosutinib were estimated based on in vitro inhibition of metabolite formation. Results: The PBPK models provided reliable estimates on the magnitude of interactions due to co-administration of goldenseal extract or high-dose berberine on substrates of CYP3A enzymes (midazolam, indinavir and cyclosporine) and P-glycoprotein (digoxin). PBPK simulations predicted a moderate twofold increase (5th to 95th percentiles of prediction of 1.4–3.1) in systemic exposure (AUC) of bosutinib when co-administered with clinically relevant doses of goldenseal extract. A high dose of berberine (300 mg thrice daily) was also expected to affect bosutinib exposure, albeit to a lesser extent than that predicted with goldenseal (AUC ratio of 1.3, 5th to 95th percentile: 1.1–1.6). Conversely, the corresponding effects on imatinib exposure are unlikely to be of clinical importance (predicted AUC ratios of 1.0–1.2). Conclusion: PBPK model-based predictions highlighted potential clinically significant interactions between goldenseal extract and bosutinib, but not imatinib. Dose adjustment may need to be considered if co-administration is desirable. These findings should be confirmed with optimally designed controlled drug interaction studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Natural phenolic compounds and Phenolics-rich medicinal plants are also of great interest in the management of diabetes. The current study was aimed to analyze phenolics in P. hydropiepr L extracts via HPLC-DAD analysis and assess their anti-diabetic potentials using in-vitro and in-silico approaches. Methods: Plant crude methanolic extract (Ph.Cme) was evaluated for the presence of phenolic compounds using HPLC-DAD analysis. Subsequently, samples including crude (Ph.Cr), hexane (Ph.Hex), chloroform (Ph.Chf), ethyl acetate (Ph.EtAc), butanol (Ph.Bt), aqueous (Ph.Aq) and saponins (Ph.Sp) were tested for α-glucsidase and α-amylase inhibitory potentials and identified compounds were docked against these target enzymes using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software. Fractions were also analyzed for the nutritional contents and acute toxicity was performed in animals. Results: In HPLC-DAD analysis of Ph.Cme, 24 compounds were indentfied and quantified. Among these, Kaemferol-3-(p-coumaroyl-diglucoside)-7-glucoside (275.4 mg g− 1), p-Coumaroylhexose-4-hexoside (96.5 mg g− 1), Quercetin-3-glucoronide (76.0 mg g− 1), 4-Caffeoylquinic acid (58.1 mg g− 1), Quercetin (57.9 mg g− 1), 5,7,3′-Trihydroxy-3,6,4′,5′-tetramethoxyflavone (55.5 mg g− 1), 5-Feruloylquinic acid (45.8 mg g− 1), Cyanidin-3-glucoside (26.8 mg g− 1), Delphinidin-3-glucoside (24 mg g− 1), Quercetin-3-hexoside (20.7 mg g− 1) were highly abundant compounds. In α-glucosidase inhibition assay, Ph.Sp were most effective with IC50 value of 100 μg mL-1. Likewise in α-amylase inhibition assay, Ph.Chf, Ph.Sp and Ph.Cme were most potent fractions displayed IC50 values of 90, 100 and 200 μg mL-1 respectively. Docking with the α-glucosidase enzyme revealed top ranked conformations for majority of the compounds with Kaemferol-3-(p-coumaroyl-diglucoside)-7-glucoside as the most active compound with docking score of − 19.80899, forming 14 hydrogen bonds, two pi-H and two pi-pi linkages with the Tyr 71, Phe 158, Phe 177, Gln 181, Arg 212, Asp 214, Glu 276, Phe 300, Val 303, Tyr 344, Asp 349, Gln 350, Arg 439, and Asp 408 residues of the enzyme. Likewise, docking with α-amylase revealed that most of the compounds are well accommodated in the active site residues (Trp 59, Tyr 62, Thr 163, Leu 165, Arg 195, Asp 197, Glu 240, Asp 300, His 305, Asp 356) of the enzyme and Cyanidin-3-rutinoside displayed most active compound with docking score of − 15.03757. Conclusions: Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of highly valuable phenolic compounds, which might be responsible for the anti-diabetic potentials of the plant samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although Guiera senegalensis is used as a dewormer in ethnoveterinary health care in Nigeria, its anthelmintic potential has not been validated. Hence, this work investigated the in vitro anthelmintic potential of G. senegalensis extracts on two Caenorhabditis elegans strains: Bristol N2 (wild type/ivermectin susceptible) and DA1316 (ivermectin resistant). Results: Aqueous and methanol extracts of G. senegalensis were tested against the motility of the L4 larvae at two exposure periods of 24 and 48 h and found to be active against the C. elegans strains. Motility of C. elegans DA1316 was reduced to 18.6% and 8.3% by aqueous and methanol extracts, respectively, at 2.0 mg/ml after 48 h, whereas that of C. elegans DA1316 treated with ivermectin (0.02 µg/ml) remained above 95%. The motility of C. elegans Bristol N2 was reduced to 16.6% and 7.2% by aqueous and methanol extracts, respectively, at 2.0 mg/ml after 48 h and ≤ 2.7% by ivermectin (0.02 µg/ml). Activity of the plant extracts was concentration and time dependent. Conclusions: This work confirms the anthelmintic activity of G. senegalensis and its effectiveness against ivermectin-resistant nematodes, thus validating its ethnoveterinary use as an animal dewormer in Nigeria and pharmacological potential as a source of anthelmintic compounds against ivermectin-resistant nematodes. There is, however, the need for in vivo studies to confirm the in vitro efficacy of the extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder is the most common form of dementia globally. Several studies have suggested alteration in the gut microbiota and HSV-1 infection as contributing factors to the development of the disease. As at now, there are no AD attenuating agents and AD pharmacotherapy is focused on managing symptoms while plants used in ethnomedicine remain potential sources of drugs for the treatment of the condition. Here, we reviewed published databases for African ethnomedicinal plants and functional foods of African origin that are used in the management of AD-related phenotypes, treatment of herpes simplex virus -1 (HSV-1) and/or improvement of gut microbiota. A total of 101 unique plant species and 24 different types of traditionally prepared African functional foodstuff were identified. Of the 101 identified plant species, 50 species serve as functional foodstuffs. Twenty-three (23) of the ethnomedicinal plant families were successfully identified for the treatment and management of AD-related phenotypes and age-related dementia. Eighteen (18) African plant species from 15 families were also identified as potent remedies for HSV-1; while many African wild fruits (3 species), roots and tubers (7 species), leafy vegetables (14 species), and seaweeds (26 species) were functional foods for modifying AD-related phenotypes. It was concluded that African medicinal plants are potential sources of both AD attenuating agents and phytocompounds that may be used against HSV-1 infection and alteration of gut microbiota. Additionally, a number of African functional foods are important sources of prebiotics and probiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: According to the recent global cancer statistics, breast cancer is the leading cause of deaths among women with 2.3 million new cases globally. Likewise, cervical cancer is also among the leading causes of mortality among women. Polygonum hydropiper is traditionally known for its cytotoxic effects and several bioactive cytotoxic compounds were isolated from it. This study was aimed to isolate potential anticancer compounds from its most potent fractions and evaluate their anticancer potentials. Methods: Based on our earlier studies, active fractions including chloroform and ethyl acetate were subjected to column chromatography for isolation of compounds. Chemical structures of isolated compounds were confirmed via 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectrometry. Purified compounds were tested for cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells (MCF-7), cervical cancer cells (HeLA) and NIH/3T3 fibroblasts cells cultures using MTT assy. Anti-angiogenic potentials of isolated compounds were evaluated via chorioallantoic membrane assay. Anti-tumor studies were done using Agrobacterium tumefaciens induced potato tumor assay. Furthermore, to understand the binding modes of Isolated compounds, molecular docking was performed against EGFR, HER2 and VEGFR using MOE as docking software. Results: Two bioactive compounds PH-1 (4-methyl-5-oxo-tetrahydrofuran-3-yl acetate) and PH-2 (methyl 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoate) were purified from the active fractions. In cytotoxicity studies, PH-1 exhibited highest cytotoxicity against HeLA cells with 87.50% lethality at 1 mgmL−1 concentration and LD50 of 60 µgmL−1. Likewise, PH-2 showed 82.33% cytotoxicity against HeLA cells with LD50 of 160 µgmL−1. Similarly, PH-1 and PH-2 exhibited LD50 of 170 and 380 µgmL−1 respectively. Moreover, PH-1 and PH-2 were also very potent cytotoxic compounds against NIH/3T3 cells with 81.45 and 85.55% cytotoxicity at 1 mgL−1 concentration and LD50 of 140 and 58 µgL−1 respectively. Isolated compounds exhibited considerable anti-angiogenic potentials with IC50 of 340 and 500 µgL−1 respectively for PH-1 and PH-2. In anti-tumor assay, PH-1 and PH-2 exhibited 81.15 and 76.09% inhibitions with LD50 of 340 and 550 µgL−1 respectively. Both compounds selectively binds with EGFR and HER2 receptors with low binding energies. Both compounds exhibited stronger interactions with VEGFR through binding pocket residues Lys868, Val916 and Asp1046. Conclusions: Both compounds cause considerable cytotoxicity against cancer cells. The anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor results suggests additional tumor suppressive properties. Docking analysis suggests that these compound not only has the ability to bind to EGFR and HER2 but also equally binds to VEGFR and may act as potential anti-angiogenic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, two medicinal plants from Africa, namely Bersama abyssinica Fresen. and Scoparia dulcis L., were extracted using ethyl acetate, methanol, and water. The antioxidant, enzyme (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase, lipase, and tyrosinase) inhibitory action, and phytochemical profiles of extracts of Bersama abyssinica and Scoparia dulcis were determined. The aqueous (180.62 and 61.81 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract, for B. abyssinica and S. dulcis respectively) and methanol (75.21 and 57.81 mg rutin equivalent/g extract, for B. abyssinica and S. dulcis, respectively) extracts contained high concentrations of phenolic and flavonoids, respectively. The ethyl acetate extracts of both plants were potent inhibitors of α-glucosidase and tyrosinase. Several phytochemical groups were determined by HPLC-MS/MS. The study tend to suggest that B. abyssinica and S. dulcis are potential candidates for the development of novel therapeutical agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Bergenia species are perennial herbs native to central Asia, and one of the most promising medicinal plants of the family Saxifragaceae which are popularly known as 'Pashanbheda'. The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant and α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase, tyrosinase, elastase, and cholinesterases inhibition potential of Bergenia pacumbis of Nepali origin collected from the Karnali region of Nepal. Methods: The sequential crude extracts were made in hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water. Antioxidant activities were analyzed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay. The α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase, tyrosinase, elastase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition were analyzed by the 3,5-Dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSA), p-Nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (p-NPG), 4-nitrophenyl butyrate (p-NPB), l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), N-Succinyl-Ala-Ala-p-nitroanilide (AAAPVN), acetylthiocholine, and butyrylcholine as a respective substrate. The major metabolites were identified by high performance liquid chromatography with electron spray ionization- quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) profiling. Results: Our results revealed the great antioxidant ability of crude extract of B. pacumbis in ethyl acetate extract against both DPPH (IC50 = 30.14 ± 0.14 μg/mL) and ABTS (IC50 = 17.38 ± 1.12 μg/mL). However, the crude methanol extract of B. pacumbis showed the comparable enzymes inhibitions with standard drugs; α-amylase (IC50 = 14.03 ± 0.04 μg/mL), α-glucosidase (IC50 = 0.29 ± 0.00 μg/mL), lipase (IC50 = 67.26 ± 0.17 μg/mL), tyrosinase (IC50 = 58.25 ± 1.63 μg/mL), elastase (IC50 = 74.00 ± 3.03 μg/mL), acetylcholinesterase (IC50 = 31.52 ± 0.58 μg/mL), and butyrylcholinesterase (IC50 = 11.69 ± 0.14 μg/mL). On the basis of HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS profiling of metabolites, we identified major compounds such as Bergenin, Catechin, Arbutin, Gallic acid, Protocatechuic acid, Syringic acid, Hyperoside, Afzelechin, Methyl gallate, Paashaanolactone, Astilbin, Quercetin, Kaempferol-7-O-glucoside, Diosmetin, Phloretin, and Morin in methanol extract which has reported beneficial bioactivities. Conclusion: Our study provides a plethora of scientific evidence that the crude extracts of B. pacumbis from Nepalese origin in different extracting solvents have shown significant potential on inhibiting free radicals as well as enzymes involved in digestion, skin related problems, and neurological disorders compared with the commercially available drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bombax ceiba is used traditionally to treat bone disorders, rheumatism, and joint pain. The aim of the study is to carry out osteogenic activity in-vitro and anti-osteoporotic activity in-vivo of stem bark of B. ceiba in surgical ovariectomy model in female rats. Methods: Plant drug: B. ceiba stem bark was extracted with solvents petroleum ether and methanol using Soxhlet extraction. In-vitro osteoblastic proliferation study was performed using UMR-106 cell lines. Both the extracts were undergone to acute toxicity study as per OECD423 guidelines. Female Wistar albino rats 180-240 g were used ( n = 6). Surgical ovariectomy was performed under anesthesia to induce bone porosity and loss in all animals except normal control and sham control. Each extract was administered at two dose level: 100 and 200 mg/kg and the standard Raloxifene was given at 1 mg/kg orally for 28 days. The phytochemical study of both the extracts was performed using HPLC and HPTLC. Results: A significant osteoblast cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity were observed with B. ceiba extracts in UMR-106 cell lines. Surgical removal of ovaries produced significant ( p < 0.05) decline in bone mineral density, bone breaking strength, serum ALP, calcium, phosphorus, and estradiol level and marked bone tissue destruction in histology. Administration of petroleum ether and methanolic extract for 28 days significantly ( p < 0.05) ameliorated the consequences of ovariectomy induced bone porosity and restored the normal architecture of bone, as compared to OVX control. The phytochemical screening of both the extracts were also carried out. The quantification of phytoconstituents showed the presence of β-sitosterol and lupeol in petroleum ether extract, whereas the lupeol is also quantified in the methanolic extract. The presence of gallic acid was quantified in methanolic extract using HPLC. Conclusion: B. ceiba: stem bark ameliorated the state of bone fragility and fracture possibly due to estrogenic modulation, as also confirmed by in-vitro osteogenic activity which may be due to the presence of lupeol, gallic acid and β-sitosterol constituents of the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The roots and rhizomes of various species of the perennial herb licorice (Glycyrrhiza) are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of several diseases. In experimental and clinical studies, licorice has been shown to have several pharmacological properties including antiinflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidative, antidiabetic, antiasthma, and anticancer activities as well as immunomodulatory, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective effects. In recent years, several of the biochemical, molecular, and cellular mechanisms of licorice and its active components have also been demonstrated in experimental studies. In this review, we summarized the new phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological data from recent experimental and clinical studies of licorice and its bioactive constituents after our previous published review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]