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The production of biodegradable food packaging with innovative characteristics is a current challenge that contributes to sustainable development and guarantees greater consumer safety. Thus, this review reports the general characteristics of jambu, highlighting the nutritional and medicinal importance, the rich composition of bioactive compounds and, mainly, the advances in the application of the plant as a multifunctional material for food packaging. The possibility of using jambu in active and "intelligent" films was identified. The addition of bioactive compounds to films can influence the physical, biochemical and sensory properties of foods, increasing the shelf life of packaged products, in addition to adding more economic value to the plant. According to the knowledge obtained by the authors of this review, information about the potential application of bioactive compounds from jambu in the development of films for biodegradable packaging will be presented for the first time in this review. Therefore, this study will provide researchers, food scientists and academics with a more comprehensive understanding of sustainable food packaging, with a focus on active and "intelligent" properties, contributing to the development of future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dermatitis is skin disorder that is complicated by recurrent infections of skin by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Spilanthol is an active constituent of Spilanthes acmella, which possess strong anti-bacterial properties. The purpose of this study was to develop a herbal emulgel for the treatment of dermal bacterial infections, as microscopic organisms have created solid resistance against anti-microbials. Methods: Emulgels were prepared and characterized for parameters such as physical examination, rheological studies, spreading coefficient, bio-adhesive strength measurement, extrudability study, antibacterial activity, FTIR analysis, in vitro drug dissolution, and ex vivo permeation studies. Result: With a statistically significant p-value = 0.024, 100% antibacterial activity was observed by F4 against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli (mean ± S.D) (25.33 ± 0.28, 27.33 ± 0.5, and 27 ± 0.5). However, maximum antibacterial effect 100% formulations produced zones of inhibitions against E. colip-value = 0.001. The mean zone of inhibition produced by F4 was greatest among all at 26.44 ± 0.37 mm (mean ± S.D). The F4 formulation produced a maximum percentage dissolution, permeation, and flux of 86.35 ± 0.576, 55.29 ± 0.127%, and 0.5532 ug/cm2/min, respectively. Conclusions: The present study therefore, suggests the use of S. acmella extract and olive oil containing emulgel for treating bacterial skin infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Acmella pectinata D.Sheela, C.Pinkie & K.V.Durga, sp. nov. (Asteraceae: Asteroideae) was described and illustrated from Western Ghats of India. It is allied to A. uliginosa (Sw.) Cass. but differs in flower, pollen and achene characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on the potential use of Spilanthes acmella in enhancing the healing process following periodontal surgeries. Topics include its analgesic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, its potential applications in periodontal care, and the development of natural formulations such as mouthwashes and mucoadhesive dressings to improve healing and minimize post-surgical complications.

Mosquito-borne diseases are a major public-health concern worldwide. The development of resistance in mosquitoes to the existing larvicides and the associated-risks necessitates the exploration of novel molecules to control vector-borne pathogens. This study demonstrates that N-alkylamides [2 E ,4 E -N-isobutyl-undeca-2,4-diene-8,10-diynamide ( 1 ) and 2 E ,4 E ,8 Z ,10 E -N-isobutyl-dodeca-2,4,8,10-tetraenamide ( 2 )] of Acmella ciliata exhibit biocidal action against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. The LC 50 for 1 and 2 were 44.19 and 18.28 ppm against Aedes larvae, and 30.89 and 11.75 ppm against Culex larvae, respectively. We further observed that the chain length, degree of unsaturation, and terminal methylation influence the larvicidal efficacy of N-alkylamides. HPLC-assisted quantification revealed that the content of both 1 (19.01 mg/g) and 2 (68.55 mg/g) was maximum in the flowers of A. ciliata . Thus, this study concludes that N-alkylamides are promising alternatives to control mosquito larvae and can be used as standard for quantitation in test samples.

Due to continuous rise in antibiotic resistance, there is a need for alternative treatment options to reduce the levels of oral pathogens for the maintenance of oral as well as overall health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial potential of tinctures of Spilanthes oleracea and propolis, Nigella seed oil, and an ethanolic extract of black garlic on microorganisms involved in oral diseases. Both the minimum inhibitory concentration assay and the minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration assay were used in this study. Inhibition effects against total human salivary bacteria were also determined. Our results show that all of the preparations tested had potent antimicrobial activities. When measured 10 min after exposure, even low concentrations of the propolis tincture were found to have killed more than 99% of salivary bacteria, whereas Spilanthes tincture and black garlic extract killed more than 90% and Nigella seed oil more than 60% of the pathogens. This suggests that all preparations are promising candidates for the use in oral health care products and that all have the potential to control biofilm associated infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spilanthes acmella Murr. (S. acmella) has been used traditionally in India and Sri Lanka to treat various inflammatory diseases. However, the anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mechanism of action of S. acmella are unclear. The present study assessed the anti-inflammatory properties of methanol extracts of S. acmella (MSA) in murine macrophages. MSA (≤300 μg/ml) inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages through transcriptional inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the LPS-induced prostaglandin E2 production and cyclooxygenase-2 expression were inhibited by MSA (300 μg/ml). MSA treatment inhibited interleukin (IL)-6 production and decreased the mRNA expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and IL-1β. In addition, no significant inhibition in tumor necrosis factor-a production was detected. Inhibitory effects of MSA on the production of inflammatory mediators were mediated by reduced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB. The LPS-induced phosphorylation of transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1, an upstream kinase of both MAPKs and NF-κB, was also inhibited by MSA treatment. Taken together, MSA inhibits the excessive inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated murine macrophages by inhibiting the phosphorylation of MAPKs and κB-NF, implicating S. acmella in the treatment of severe inflammatory states based on its ethnopharmacological importance and its anti-inflammatory properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the pioneer work reporting on simple procedure for synchronized determination and quantification of two biologically active N -alkylamides, (2 E ,6 Z ,8 E )- N -isobutyl-2,6,8-decatrienamide (spilanthol) and (2 E ,4 Z )- N -isobutyl-2,4-undecadiene-8,10-diynamide (UDA), using in vitro callus cultures from flower-heads of Spilanthes paniculata . The extracts were purified using preparative thin layer chromatography (TLC) and finest separation of compounds was optimized using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Eventually, N -alkylamides were validated by mass spectrometry. Linearity curve with its regression coefficients (R 2 ) obtained for both these alkylamides was 0.99. While spilanthol was quantified using tentative standard dodeca-2( E ),4( E )-dienoic acid due to the non-availability of commercial standard and the precision of a developed method was evaluated in terms of relative standard deviation by measuring inter- and intra-days variation 3.52% and 1.74%, respectively. Similarly, calibration curve was obtained for the compound UDA isolated from flower-head explants from field grown parental plant with its inter- and intra-day RSD values as 4.33% and 3.61%, respectively. With this protocol, a very high yield of 2.23 mg/g of spilanthol and 4.30 mg/g dry weight (DW) of UDA, was obtained, simultaneously, from callus cultures. Flower-heads from parent plants, used as control, showed negligible amount of spilanthol and quantity of UDA was marginally higher than that in callus cultures. The highly stable biotherapeutic spilanthol and UDA with m / z 222 and m / z 230, respectively, showed retardation of malaria parasite development through blockage at ring stage of erythrocytic schizogony and ultimately lead to parasite death. The effect on parasite was additive. This study signifies the utility of in vitro cell cultures for therapeutic compound production, throughout the year, at higher yield for down-stream applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spilanthol presents anesthetic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory capacities, as well as anti-microbial and insecticidal activities. In this work, the supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2 ) extraction kinetics of spilanthol from jambu flowers was studied by changing the solvent density (700–900 kg m −3 ) at different temperatures (323–343 K). Spilanthol was isolated from the obtained extracts by TLC and identified/quantified by GC-FID/MS. The highest global extraction yield (∼9%) was obtained at 900 kg m −3 and 343 K, while the highest spilanthol yield and selectivity (2.6% and 34.6%, respectively) were obtained at 800 kg m −3 and 343 K. Indirect values for the solubility of spilanthol in scCO 2 were estimated from the spilanthol extraction kinetic curves and ranged between (0.7–2.6) × 10 −3 g spilanthol /L CO2(PTN) . The high selectivity of the extraction process for spilanthol achieved in the present work indicates potential advantages of using scCO 2 to obtain spilanthol from S. acmella . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Spilanthes Americana flower has been commonly used in the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis through the fraction of the flower extract on yellowish oil, which has often been diluted in vaseline or alcohol. The objective was identify and compare the chemical composition of the flowerhead and the extract of Spilanthes americana flower diluted in vaseline and alcohol. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out to make the chemical identification of the flower head of Spilanthes americana and the extract diluted in vaseline and alcohol, which was subjected to the process of Infrared Spectroscopy by Fourier Transform. Results: Characteristic functional groups of spilanthol were identified in the flowerhead of Spilanthes americana and the extract diluted in vaseline and alcohol, which correspond to the chemical formula N-isobutyl-2,6,8-decatrienamide such as linear aliphatic hydrocarbon, gem-dimethyl group, carbonyl group and disubstituted unsaturated alkenes. The analysis permitted the identification of different functional groups in different samples. In the pure sample of Spilanthes Americana, the presence of a secondary amine, a nitro group, an ester, a nitrite and nitrate and sulfur in the form of aromatic sulfonamide was determined. In the spectra of the sample of the pure solid and the extract diluted in vaseline, disubstituted unsaturated alkenes with isomery trans were observed, while in the extract diluted in alcohol a configuration cis was found. Conclusion: The spectroscopic analysis evidenced the presence of characteristic functional groups of compound spilanthol, which modified the trans isomery of the pure sample and the one diluted in vaseline cis in the extract prepared in alcohol. Finally, common compounds to the three sulfur samples and an organic ester functional group were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spilanthes paniculata is a rich source of therapeutic polyunsaturated fatty acid amides. This report established the cell cultures from leaf-disc explants of Spilanthes paniculata as an alternative method of cell biomass utilization and conservation of natural plant resources. Furthermore, a methodology to maximize the production of a prime N -alkylamide, Deca-2 E ,6 Z ,8 E -trienoic acid isobutylamide (spilanthol), from in vitro cell cultures was optimized using statistical tools. Placket-Burman (PB) design was applied to identify the significant nutrient media constituents. Among the five variables tested, Murashige and Skoog (MS) major salts, sucrose, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and N6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), were found to have significant effect on spilanthol production. The optimal concentrations of the four variables were determined using central composite design (CCD), which is widely used response surface methodology (RSM) design. The most suitable concentration of variables for spilanthol production were, 1½ MS, 5% sucrose, 4.82 µM BAP and 1.8 µM 2,4-D. At these optimal parameters, the maximum yield of spilanthol was obtained experimentally as 2.81 mg/g DW, which was found to be very close to its predicted value of 3.72 mg/g DW. The developed mathematical model was found to fit well with the experimental data by which the higher production of metabolite was achieved as compared to non-optimized media constituents. Before optimization, the callus cultures and leaves from parental plant (control) yielded 1.75 mg/g DW and 0.26 mg/g DW spilanthol, respectively. Thus, by using statistical model, it is possible to understand the existence of interactions between variables and their effect on maximizing the production of therapeutic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spilanthes ciliata ( S. ciliata ) is a perennial herb of global importance owing to its luscious source of bioactive fatty acid derived amides known as N- alkylamides. It finds application in skin creams, mouth gels and toothpastes. Despite multifaceted applications, a major limitation associated for its commercial application is the scarcity of contamination free plant source, fluctuations in active metabolites due to variation in extraction procedures, and lack of rapid qualitative method for alkylamide profiling. In the current work, attempts were made to 1) optimize conditions for mass propagation of contamination free plants of S. ciliata by tissue culture using leaf discs as explants, 2) establish an optimum extraction ratio of plant/solvent (w/v) for maximum elution of alkylamides and 3) develop a rapid method for qualitative estimation of alkylamide from in vitro raised plants in comparison with that of the field grown counterpart by using LC-Q-TOF (HRMS). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first qualitative report on alkylamide profile of micropropagated whole plant of Spilanthes . The correlation pattern reported in this study may form the basis for using tissue culture raised plantlets of S. ciliata as potential source of bioactive alkylamides on industrial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the waxy extract of jambu flowers, Spilanthes acmella as an anaesthetic for fish, using juvenile tambaqui Colossoma macropomum as a model. The times to induction and recovery after short-term anaesthesia were evaluated by concentration-response trials and secondary stress responses. Juveniles were placed in aquaria containing five different concentrations of jambu extract (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 mg L − 1 ) and the times of anaesthetic induction and recovery were determined. Sham control fish and fish exposed to ethanol-added water were used as controls. The secondary stress responses of fish following anaesthesia with jambu extract (20 mg L − 1 ) were investigated through an assessment of whole blood variables: glucose, ions (Na + , K + , and Ca ++ ), osmolality, haematocrit (Htc), haemoglobin (Hb), partial pressures of CO 2 ( p CO 2 ) and O 2 ( p O 2 ), bicarbonate concentration (HCO 3 − ), and pH. Deep anaesthesia was observed at all concentrations tested in this study. The use of 20 mg L − 1 of this extract is recommended for rapid induction (< 3 min) and uneventful recovery (< 5 min) from deep anaesthesia; while the concentration of 2 mg L − 1 is sufficient to promote sedation. Only transient changes in secondary stress responses were observed in tambaqui during recovery, with most parameters returning to initial values within 48 h post-anaesthesia. Therefore, the extract of jambu flowers may be considered an efficient anaesthetic for tambaqui and other fish species. Statement of relevance This is the first study using extract of Jambu, Spilanthes acmella as an anaesthetic for aquatic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver disease is one of the major causes for morbidity and mortality, which affect humans of all ages from time immortal. Plants remain an important source of new drugs, new drug leads, and new chemical entities. Herbal plants such as Silybum marianum, Taraxacum officinale, and Spilanthes ciliate are belonged to Asteraceae family which have been utilized as medicines for thousands of years for the treatment of various liver diseases. To perform a literature review on hepatoprotective plant, principles belong to the family of Asteraceae or Compositae. Due to their effectiveness, herbal plants have been used in the treatment of liver diseases for a long time. A number of medicinal plants belonging to the family or Asteraceae exhibit antioxidants and hepatoprotective effects and are currently available in the market for the treatment of various hepatic ailments. Undoubtedly, these plant principles have been reported to work as antioxidants, scavenging free radicals, and stabilizing properties. Hence, the present review is aimed to discuss about various anti-hepatotoxic potentials of these medicinal plants that have been tested against various experimentally induced hepatotoxicity models. The aim is to perform a literature review on hepatoprotective plant principles belonging to the family of Asteraceae or Compositae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant known as "silver button" (Spilanthes urens Jacq) is a wild species from Las Antillas: Cuba, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. In the East of Cuba is used by farmers in some places to ease dental ailments. The organ of the plant used by farmers is the flower. Some surveys made to effect also demonstrated the utility of the leaves, but do not refer to anesthetic indications. However, it argues that using flowers the effect is numbing, almost anesthetic. Qualitative characterization leaves and flowers of this species by phytochemical screening were performed. Different types of metabolites are found: triterpenoids, steroids, coumarins, reducing sugars, free amino acids, amines, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids and polyuronides. Due to the versatile properties including anesthetic, an alkaloids extracting process was carried out, and yield yellow solids but in greater quantity for the flowers. After was applied Banford Systematic March to classify these alkaloids. The result gave positive for test that classifies the compound (or compounds) as indole derivatives. Thin layer chromatography for clues to the degree of purity of the product was applied. Finally the UV-visible spectroscopy to get an idea of the presence of the indole ring spectra was recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new type of single quadrupole mass spectrometric detector was implemented in transdermal research. The local skin pharmacokinetic properties of the plant N -alkylamides (NAAs) pellitorine and anacycline, present in an Anacyclus pyrethrum extract, and spilanthol, present in a Spilanthes acmella extract were investigated. This single quad MS detection method showed great advantages compared to the traditional UV detector. The NAAs could be identified and quantified in the samples with an ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)–single quad MS detection system, even if they were not separated, which is a requirement when using an UV–detector. Another advantage of the UPLC–MS system is that lower limit of detection values could be obtained allowing a more accurate and precise determination of the experimental lag time in the in vitro skin permeation experiments. To conclude, this single quad MS detector coupled to UPLC is a useful analytical tool with improved performance compared to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)–UV for biomedical-pharmaceutical purposes in transdermal research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of combination of punica granatum peel extract, spilanthes paniculata flower extract and selenium in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in mice. Group A was used as control and Group B was used as diabetic control (STZ, 40mg/kg for 3 days, i.p.). A placebo was given to both the group orally. Metformin (120mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally as standard drug to Group C. Ethanolic peel extract of punica granatum (EPP 600mg/kg, p.o.) was administered to group D, (EPP) in combination with ethyl acetate extract of spilanthes paniculata flower (EAS) was administered to group E (EPP 300mg/kg, p.o. + EAS 200mg/kg, p.o.), Sodium selenite was given with combination of herbal extract (EPP 300 mg/kg, p.o.+ EAS 200mg/kg, p.o. + Se 0.3mg/kg, i.p.) to group F. STZ was given in multiple low doses of 40mg/kg, i.p. for 3 consecutive days & hyperglycemia was observed on 7th day. Blood glucose was determined on 0th, 7th, 14th, and 21st day. Diabetic mice in all group showed significant (P<0.01) increase in serum blood glucose as compared to control animals. Blood glucose level of animals treated with metformin & herbo-mineral combination lowers the glucose level significantly (P<0.01) as compared to diabetic control. The herbo-mineral combination shown significant (P<0.01) increase in the antioxidant enzymes Catalase, SOD, GSH and reduction in MDA & NO levels as compared to diabetic control. Thus, the present study indicates decreased blood glucose level & significant improvement in the biomarkers of oxidative stress by using the combination of sodium selenite with herbal extracts. The results confirm that the herbo-mineral combination is not only useful in controlling blood glucose level but also helps to prevent oxidative stress induced damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An isoprenylated flavonoid was isolated from the aerial parts of the Spilanthes calva D.C. The structure of the isolated compound was ascertained by UV, IR, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR and mass analyses. The structure was elucidated as 6-(3-methylbut-1-enyl)-5,7-dimethoxy-4′-hydroxy flavone. The isolated compound was further evaluated by in vitro xanthine oxidase enzyme activity. Molecular docking study was carried out to establish the binding mode of isolated compound in the inhibitor-binding cavity of enzyme. The isoprenylated flavonoid was found to be possess potent xanthine oxidase inhibition activity with an IC 50 of 16.56 μM. Molecular docking study revealed that the potent action of the compound was due to the hydrogen bonding to ALA 1079 and π–π stacking interaction with PHE 914 in the inhibitor-binding cavity of xanthine oxidase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spilanthes paniculata Linn. (Asteraceae) is a well-known plant for its folklore use in toothache and throat infection. The methanol extract of S. paniculata was investigated for it's probable antinociceptive activity by hot plate, acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin test. The extract at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight showed significant (p<0.001) and dose-dependent antinociceptive activity in all three models used. This indicates the existence of both central and peripheral mechanisms of antinociceptive action of the extract. All the experimental results suggest that the methanol extract of S. paniculata contains constituents having antinociceptive properties and support its popular folkloric uses in the management of pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous and ethanol extracts of this Spilanthes calva DC is widely used in folk medicine in South India for treating various parasitic diseases. In vitro anthelmintic activities of crude aqueous and alcoholic extract of aerial parts of the plant was investigated to provide experimental evidence for its use in folk medicine. Investigations of in vitro anthelmintic efficacy were evaluated separately on adult Pheretima posthuma and Ascaridia galli compared with Albendazole. Ethanol extract showed more anthelmintic activity than aqueous extract. Six compounds were isolated from ethanol extract compounds 3, 4 and 6 showed significant anthelmintic activity with LC50 values of 12, 11, 9.9 and 11.47, 10.56, 8.35 respectively against both the worms. The oral LD50 of the aqueous and ethanol extracts estimated in mice is greater than 5000mg/kg. Molecular docking studies were carried out for compound 6 by using ArgusLab 4.0.1. and Molegrow 2012.2.5.0 generated the enzyme binding interaction which suggested the lactone ring attained a non-coplanar conformation with benzisoxazole can contribute two significant hydrogen bonding interaction with Tyr 50 and Gln 134. This could be attributed to the slight structural resemblance with Albendazole and hydrogen bonding, π-π and non-polar interactions towards the inhibitor-binding cavity of the β-tubulin enzyme. Our study shows ingredients in S. calva DC ethanol extract contains an effective anthelmintic composition that could potentially developed as a promising plant origin anthelmintic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the antioxidant and anthelmintic activities ofSpilanthescell cultures. Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 5.0 μMN6-benzylaminopurine, 1.0 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 1.0 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid was found to be the best medium to induce dedifferentiation from the leaf cells and for further maintenance of the callus cultures. These cell cultures andin vivoleaves were subjected to solvent extraction by hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water, and their extraction yield and total phenolic contents were evaluated. The antioxidant activity of extracts was determined by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging assay. The methanol extracts ofin vitrocallus andin vivoleaf showed an apparent antioxidant activity and their IC50values were 1342.9 and 1085.1 μg/ml, respectively. The anthelmintic efficacy of the extracts was also tested using live trematode (fluke) parasites of cattle as the model test material. The aqueous extract of dedifferentiated callus showed a strong anthelmintic activity, which was higher than the activity of the water extract of the field-grown plant. The results of this study verify the potential ofSpilanthesas a reservoir of bioactive agents and also substantiate the value of callus cultures as a new source of anthelmintic and antioxidant compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous natural products have pharmacological activity such that many biologically active compounds have led to the development of cancer chemotherapy drugs. Spilanthes acmella (Asteraceae) is widely cultivated in the State of Pará, Brazil, being employed in folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, insecticide, and larvicidal properties. However, its cytotoxicity and influence on actin cytoskeleton organisation in tumour cell lines are practically nonexistent. We have verified the cytotoxicity of a hydroethanolic extract of the inflorescence of S. acmella, and examined its effects on the cytoskeleton of tumour cells. Decreasing concentrations of the extract (250, 500 and 1,000 µg/mL) were given to cultures of neoplastic cells (HEp-2). Cytotoxicity was assessed by the MTT test, and the influence on cytoskeleton organisation was examined by fluorescence microscopy. The IC50 of the hydroethanolic extract was 513 µg/mL, confirming the data obtained from the MTT assay that gave high cytotoxicity. The actin cytoskeleton arrangement of HEp2 cells at 500 and 1,000 µg/mL showed depolymerisation of the filaments, causing loss of morphology and consequently compromising cell adhesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spilanthes spp. are popular, over-the-counter remedies; they are sold over the internet under various names and are widely used in traditional medicine in various cultures. This review will summarize the important reports on the ethnopharmacology, botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties as described in the literature from recent years (1920 to 2013). Spilanthes spp. are used for more than 60 types of disorders. They are reported to contain a number of biologically active phytochemicals, although a large number of ethnopharmacological uses have been documented; only a few of these species have been investigated for their chemical and biological activities. The studies are carried out mainly on Spilanthes extracts and a few metabolites substantiate the uses of these plants in traditional medicine. Well-conducted pharmacological studies are still needed for several traditional indications, and the mechanisms of action by which the plant extracts and the active compounds exert their pharmacological effects remain to be studied. They are predominantly used as extracts in personal care products, traditional medicines, and the pharmaceutical and culinary areas. Suggestions are made regarding some of the possible mechanisms of action as to how the known compounds may exert their biological activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spilanthes acmella Murr. has a plethora of highly valuable biologically active compounds and has been listed as one of the important medicinal plants of the world. However, no perceptible biotechnological advances have been made for this genus to exploit or enhance its utility. To nullify the effect of seasonal variations, the present report is the first attempt to establish in vitro cell suspension cultures and to evaluate the production of spilanthol from them, a key component of the plant responsible for most of its pharmaceutical activities. The study examined the biomass growth in relation to the consumption of major nutrients and sucrose, agitation speed and dynamic change in pH. Results indicated that the consumption of phosphate resulted in the onset of decline phase in cultures. Spilanthol production was observed to be growth associated and maximum production occurred on the 15th day. Among the carbon sources, the highest production of spilanthol as 91.4 µg g DW was recorded in the medium supplemented with sucrose, followed by glucose which produced 56.8 µg g DW of spilanthol. Spilanthol could not be detected in fructose containing medium. Maximum viable cultures were obtained at a rotation speed of cells at 120 rpm. This study signifies the utility of Spilanthes suspension cultures for biosynthesis and constant production of spilanthol, throughout the year. The results of present study are useful for further scale-up process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spilanthes acmella (Asteraceae) is an endangered ornamental cum medicinal annual herb. This study reports on the effect of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae and Acaulospora laevis) applied either alone or in combination on post-transplanting performance of micropropagated S. acmella. Complete plantlets of S. acmella were raised by direct organogenesis from nodal explants on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with various cytokinins. S. acmella plantlets responded to all three mycorrhizal treatments in a significantly different way. G. mosseae enhanced the survival rate of S. acmella plantlets to 100%. Plant height, plant spread, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, biomass production, and chlorophyll content were significantly higher in AM inoculated plantlets as compared to the uninoculated ones. This clearly demonstrates that AM inoculation not only improved the survival rate of micropropagated plantlets but also their growth and biomass yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The study revealed, for the first time, accumulation of spilanthol, an antiseptic alkylamide, in in vitro cultures of Spilanthes acmella Murr., a medicinal plant of immense commercial value. To achieve this, in vitro shoots were regenerated via direct organogenesis from leaf-disc explants of Spilanthes. Shoots were induced in the presence of N6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) alone or in combination with either α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) or Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in Murashige and Skoog medium. The best treatment for shoot regeneration was MS+BAP (5.0μM)+IAA (5.0μM), which promoted adventitious shoot proliferation in >82% cultures with an average of 5.3 shoots per explant. Regenerated shoots rooted spontaneously with a frequency of 100% on half strength MS medium (major salts reduced to half strength) containing 50gl−1 sucrose. The plantlets were acclimatized successfully with 90% survival rate. Additionally, ploidy stability of the regenerated plants was assessed by flow cytometry which showed that all investigated plants had the similar ploidy as that of the mother plant. For spilanthol identification, peaks eluted from HPLC were analyzed by mass spectrometry with its characteristic fragmentation pattern. For quantification studies, calibration curve was generated, which revealed a higher amount of spilanthol content (3294.36±12.4μg/gDW) in the leaves of in vitro plants compare to those of in vivo plants (2703.66±9.6μg/gDW of spilanthol). An efficient multiplication frequency, ploidy stability and enhanced spilanthol accumulation ensure the efficacy of the protocol developed for this industrially important medicinal plant. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]