Scientific validation of the medicinal efficacy of Tinospora cordifolia

Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles from Tinospora cordifolia Leaf Extract: Evaluation of Their Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Antibacterial, and Antibiofilm Efficacies

The use of metal nanoparticles is gaining popularity owing to their low cost and high efficacy. We focused on green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Tinospora cordifolia (Tc) leaf extracts. The structural characteristics of Tc nanoparticles (TcAgNPs) were determined using several advanced techniques. Pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, were evaluated through in vitro studies. In the results, the change in sample color from yellow to brown after adding silver nitrate revealed the synthesis of TcAgNPs, and the UV-visible spectrum confirmed their formation. X-ray diffraction studies showed the presence of reducing agents and the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles. Fourier-transform infrared spectra revealed the existence of essential secondary metabolites, which act as reducing/capping agents and stabilize the nanoparticles. The size of the TcAgNPs was small (range 36-168 nm) based on the measurement method. Their negative zeta potential (-32.3 mV) ensured their stability in water suspensions. The TcAgNPs were predominantly spherical, as evidenced from scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Atomic absorption spectroscopy data further revealed the conversion of silver nitrate into silver nanoparticles, and thermogravimetric analysis data showed their thermal stability. The TcAgNPs showed significant DPPH/ABTS radical scavenging ability in a concentration-dependent manner (25-100 µg/mL). Membrane lysis assays showed an effective anti-inflammatory activity of the TcAgNPs. Furthermore, the TcAgNPs showed potent antibacterial effects against multidrug-resistant bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus). The TcAgNPs treatment also exhibited antibiofilm activity against bacterial strains, in a concentration-dependent manner. Our findings demonstrate the structural characteristics of green-synthesized TcAgNPs using advanced techniques. TcAgNPs can be developed as potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial drugs.

Immunomodulatory properties of Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) leaves and its applications in value-added products

In Ayurvedic texts, Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) have been known as the most potent and important medicinal product. Giloy leaves have been used for centuries to cure various ailments and diseases in the human body. This review highlights that giloy leaves have immunomodulatory properties and can be used to develop functional food products. The current review focuses on the phytochemical composition of giloy leaves, and the mechanism for their immunomodulatory action highlighting specific pathways including NF-kB pathway and interleukin modulation. Giloy leaves possess antioxidant activity and induce apoptosis of cells in the immune response. Studies have shown the potential of incorporating giloy leaves into a wide range of value-added products, such as beverages, biscuits, and herbal formulations, to bridge traditional knowledge with modern functional food production. A comparison of traditional and modern giloy-based products demonstrates their benefits and drawbacks, showing that traditional techniques can be combined with modern scientific developments to improve medicinal efficacy. Although giloy leaves-based products show promising potential, further research is necessary to ascertain their effectiveness.

Antioxidant, Alpha-Amylase Inhibitory and Hypoglycemic Activity of Smallanthus sonchifolius Leaves from Nepal: An Integrated In Vitro, In Vivo, and In Silico Approach

In 2019, diabetes mellitus affected 9.3% of the global population and accounted for one in nine adult deaths. Plant-based antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals, mitigate oxidative stress, and significantly prevent diabetes and its complications. This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant, alpha-amylase inhibitory, in vivo oral hypoglycemic, and in silico antidiabetic potential of Smallanthus sonchifolius (S. sonchifolius) leaf extract. Mice (n = 25) were divided into five groups after a 16-h fast with access to water. The groups received distilled water (normal control), metformin (100 mg/kg, standard), or S. sonchifolius ethanolic extract at 100, 250, or 500 mg/kg to compare the antidiabetic potential of the extract with that of the control. Fasting blood glucose levels were measured in tail vein blood before the experiment and at 30, 60, and 120 min post-administration to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of the extract and standard drug. The ethanolic extract exhibited dose-dependent alpha-amylase inhibition (IC50 value 0.136 mg/mL) and significant hypoglycemic effects, reducing blood glucose levels similar to those of the standard drugs voglibose and metformin. The maximum blood glucose reduction was 17.99% and 15.74% in the normal and glucose-loaded mice, respectively, at 500 mg/kg within 120 min. In silico analysis shows, polymatin B and chlorogenic acid demonstrating the highest binding affinity of -8.2 and -7.2 kcal/mol, respectively, in PPAR-γ (3G9E). Polymatin B and chlorogenic acid showed strong binding affinities of -7.3 and -7.5 kcal/mol, respectively, in alpha-amylase (4W93). These findings indicate that S. sonchifolius possesses significant hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties, suggesting its potential as an antidiabetic agent, warranting further clinical research.

Genotypes of Sechium spp. as a Source of Natural Products with Biological Activity

The genus Sechium P. Br. (Cucurbitaceae) includes ten species, two of which are edible. The inedible genotypes are in a fragile ecological niche, since they are not used by rural inhabitants. A rescue and genetic crossing program was designed to identify uses that favor their conservation due to their content of bioactive secondary metabolites (Sm) for health. Fruits of S. compositum (wild type), hybrid H-D Victor (inedible), and S. edule var. nigrum spinosum (edible) were evaluated by extraction methods such as juice and oven drying to determine the yields of Sm, with in vivo evaluations of liver damage. The dried biomass (40 °C) extracted with ethanolic and methanolic procedures showed lower Sm content than the juice (fresh biomass). More than 90% of phenolic acids and cucurbitacins in the extracts were degraded, possibly due to the drying time (oven). Biological activity showed that nigrum spinosum and HD-Victor have fewer toxic metabolites than S. compositum. The hybrid H-D Victor is of reduced cytotoxicity, showing the advantages of hybridization with wild types. Phytochemical and biological activity characterization may contribute to the conservation of genotypes and become a source of bioactive natural products.

Evaluation of Sodium Chloride Concentrations on Growth and Phytochemical Production of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. in a Hydroponic System

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L., commonly known as the ice plant, is a halophyte recognized for its exceptional salinity tolerance. This study aimed to determine the optimal NaCl concentration for promoting plant growth, D-pinitol, and other phytochemicals in M. crystallinum cultivated in a hydroponics system. Seedlings of M. crystallinum were transplanted into a hydroponic system and subjected to different NaCl concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mM) in the nutrient solution. To evaluate the plant’s response to salinity stress, measurements were conducted on growth parameters, chlorophyll and carotenoid levels, total flavonoid and polyphenol contents, and DPPH scavenging activity. The optimal NaCl concentration for growth was found to be 200 mM, at which the shoot fresh and dry weights were highest. Additionally, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were maximized at 200 mM NaCl, with a subsequent decrease at higher concentrations. The highest DPPH scavenging activity was observed in the 200 mM NaCl treatment, which correlated with increased levels of total flavonoids and polyphenols. These results indicated that optimizing NaCl concentration can enhance the antioxidant activity of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. The D-pinitol content also peaked at 200 mM NaCl treatment, further supporting its role osmotic adjustment under salinity stress. M. crystallinum exhibited enhanced antioxidant production and cellular protective functions at 200 mM NaCl, which optimized its biochemical defense mechanisms and helped maintain physiological functions under salinity stress. These findings provide valuable insights for agricultural and biological applications, particularly in cultivating M. crystallinum for its bioactive compounds.

Overview of Phytochemical Composition of Brassica oleraceae var. capitata Cultivars

The Brassicaceae family includes a wide range of horticultural crops of economic and traditional importance, consumed either fresh, cooked, or fermented. Cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata) is one of the most important crops of the family. The present review analyzes the most important phytochemicals present in cabbage, focusing on variation of phytochemical composition between cultivars of B. oleraceae var. capitata f. alba, B. oleraceae var. capitata f. rubra, B. oleraceae var. capitata f. acuta, and B. oleraceae var. capitata f. sabauda. Cabbage form and cultivars significantly affect phytochemical compositions. B. oleraceae var. capitata f. rubra cultivars are generally great sources of phenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins, whereas B. oleraceae var. capitata f. alba cultivars display the highest concentration of glucosinolates; nevertheless, their levels are also dependent on the specific cultivar. B. oleraceae var. capitata f. acuta cultivars may be considered advantageous due to their high glucosinolate content and consistent phytochemical composition. Recognizing the benefits of specific cultivars can be valuable for consumers seeking a healthier lifestyle, as well as for scientists aiming to enhance cultivars through breeding programs or use plants' extracts to produce high quality pigments and dietary supplements.

An in silico molecular docking, ADMET and molecular dynamics simulations studies of azolyl-2H-chroman-4-ones as potential inhibitors against pathogenic fungi and bacteria

Antimicrobial resistance is a major global threat. In an attempt to discover new compounds with improved efficiency and to overcome drug resistance, a library of 3960 compounds was designed as conformationally rigid analogues of oxiconazole with 2H-chroman-4-one, azole and substituted phenyl fragments. The antifungal and antibacterial activity of the compounds was evaluated using molecular docking studies in the active site of six fungal and four bacterial proteins to establish the binding affinity of the designed ligands. In-silico ADME and Lipinski's rule were used to establish the drug-likeness properties of the compounds. This study revealed that all the designed compounds had a high binding affinity with the target proteins and formed H-bond and π-π interactions. The identified hits have been subjected to molecular dynamics simulations to study protein-ligand complex stability. This study has led to the identification of important compounds that can be developed further as therapeutic agents against pathogenic fungi and bacteria.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Proteomic Analysis of HepG2 Cells Reveals FAT10 and BAG2 Signaling Pathways Affected by a Protease Inhibitor from Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f. and Thoms Stem. Extract Among the Different Plant and Microbial Samples Analyzed

Objectives

Dysregulation of proteolysis underlies diseases like cancer. Protease inhibitors (PIs) regulate many biological functions and hence have potential anticancer properties. With this background, the current study aimed to identify the PI from natural sources such as plants and microbes against trypsin (a protease), which was assayed against casein, using an ultraviolet spectrophotometer-based methodology.

Materials and Methods

PI extracted from a few plants and microbial samples were screened for their PI activity against trypsin. The PI from the most promising source in our study, Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f. and Thoms. stem, was partially purified using ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by dialysis. The PI activity of the partially purified inhibitor was analyzed against chymotrypsin and collagenase enzymes, and the cytotoxic effect of the PI was checked on HepG2 (liver carcinoma) cells by MTT- [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide]- assay. Liquid Chromatograography Mass Spectrometry -based proteomic studies were performed on HepG2 cells to understand the signaling pathways affected by the PIs in the liver cancer cell line.

Results

Among the samples tested the PIs from T. cordifolia stem extract had the highest inhibitory activity (72.0%) against trypsin along with cytotoxicity to HepG2 cells. After partial purification by 80.0% ammonium sulfate precipitation, PI had increased inhibitory activity (83.0%) against trypsin and enhanced cytotoxicity (47.0%) to HepG2 cells. Proteomic analysis of the PI-treated HepG2 cells revealed that BAG2 and FAT10 signaling pathways were affected, which may have caused the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation.

Conclusion

PI from T. cordifolia stem has promising anticancer potential and hence can be used for further purification and characterization studies toward cancer drug development.

Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy): An insight on the multifarious pharmacological paradigms of a most promising medicinal ayurvedic herb

Medicinal herbs are being widely accepted as alternative remedies for preventing various diseases especially in India and other Asian countries. However, most plant-based herbal medicines are not yet being scientifically accepted worldwide. "Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook.F. & Thomson", one of the most promising plant species of Tinospora known as "Giloy" or Guduchi that is used in several traditional medicines in treating diseases e.g., metabolic and immune disorders, diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases, has been widely investigated. Varieties of bioactive phytochemical constituents isolated from the stem, root and whole plant of T. cordifolia have been identified. In the last two decades, the diverse pharmacological activities of T. cordifolia have been continuously studied. Due to its therapeutic efficacy in immune modulation, it could be effective in viral and other diseases treatment as well. A medicinal plant could be well-suited not only for the treatment of target site but also for boosting the body's immune system. As an alternate source of medication, medicinal herbs are continuously showing better compatibility with the human body with minimal side effects than other therapies. Keeping this in mind, the present review highlights the pharmacological potential of T. cordifolia against various diseases.

Elucidating the chemical profile and biological studies of Verbascum diversifolium Hochst. extracts

The present study was designed to evaluate the chemical composition, antioxidant, enzyme inhibition and cytotoxic properties of different extracts from aerial parts of V. diversifolium (family Scrophulariaceae), a plant that is native to Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. Six extracts, namely, hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), ethanol (EtOH), 70% EtOH, and water (aqueous) were prepared by maceration. The EtOH extract was predominated by the presence of rutin (4280.20 μg g-1) and p-coumaric acid (3044.01 μg g-1) while the highest accumulation of kaempferol-3-glucoside (1537.38 μg g-1), caffeic acid (130.13 μg g-1) and 4-hydroxy benzoic acid (465.93 μg g-1) was recorded in the 70% EtOH, aqueous, and EtOAc extracts, respectively. The EtOH (46.86 mg TE/g) and 70% EtOH (46.33 mg TE/g) extracts displayed the highest DPPH radical scavenging result. Both these extracts, along with the aqueous one, exerted the highest ABTS radical scavenging result (73.03-73.56 mg TE/g). The EtOH and 70% EtOH extracts revealed the most potent anti-AChE (2.66 and 2.64 mg GALAE/g) and anti-glucosidase (1.07 and 1.09 mmol ACAE/g) activities. The aqueous extract was the most efficacious in inhibiting the proliferation of prostate cancer (DU-145) cells with an IC50 of 8.71 μg/mL and a Selectivity Index of 3.7. In conclusion, this study appraised the use of V. diversifolium aerial parts as a potential therapeutic source for future development of phytopharmaceuticals that target specific oxidative stress-linked diseases including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease among others.

Investigation of Antioxidant Activity, Myco-Chemical Content, and GC-MS Based Molecular Docking Analysis of Bioactive Chemicals from Amanita konajensis (Agaricomycetes), a Tribal Myco-Food from India

In humans, a wide range of health disorders have been induced due to an imbalanced metabolism and an excess generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Different biological properties found in mushrooms seem to be the reason for their customary use as a favourite delicacy. Therefore, exploration of wild edible mushrooms as a source of various biological compounds is gaining much importance today. Amanita konajensis, one of the underutilized macrofungi popularly consumed in Eastern India, demands a systematic study of its medicinal values. The study aims to explore the myco-chemical contents of A. konajensis ethanolic extract (EtAK1) and screen their antioxidant potency through various in vitro assays. GC-MS analysis identified the chemical components of EtAK1. Further, structure-based virtual screening of the identified compounds was analysed for drug-like properties and molecular docking with the human p38 MAPK protein, a potent targeting pathway for human lung cancer. The morpho-molecular features proved the authenticity of the collected mushroom. The screening assays showed that EtAK1 was abundant in flavonoids, followed by phenolics, β-carotene, and lycopene, and had strong antioxidant activity with EC50 values of 640-710 μg/mL. The GC-MS analyses of EtAK1 identified the occurrence of 19 bioactive compounds in the mushroom. In silico analysis revealed that anthraergostatetraenol p-chlorobenzoate, one of the compounds identified, displayed high binding affinity (ΔG = -10.6 kcal/mol) with human p38 MAPK. The outcome of this study will pave the way for the invention of myco-medicine using A. konajensis, which may lead to a novel drug for human lung cancer.

Protective effects of macromolecular polyphenols, metals (zinc, selenium, and copper) - Polyphenol complexes, and different organs with an emphasis on arsenic poisoning: A review

For the potential health benefits and nutritional value, polyphenols are one of the secondary metabolites of plants that have received extensive research. It has anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity-reducing properties in addition to a high antioxidant content. Macromolecular polyphenols and polysaccharides are biologically active natural polymers with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. Arsenic is an ecologically toxic metalloid. Arsenic in drinking water is the most common way people come into contact with this metalloid. While arsenic is known to cause cancer, it is also used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The treatment's effectiveness is hampered by the adverse effects it can cause on the body. Oxidative stress, inflammation, and the inability to regulate cell death cause the most adverse effects. Polyphenols and other macromolecules like polysaccharides act as neuroprotectants by mitigating free radical damage, inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) production, lowering A42 fibril formation, boosting antioxidant levels, and controlling apoptosis and inflammation. To prevent the harmful effects of toxins, polyphenols and pectin lower oxidative stress, boost antioxidant levels, improve mitochondrial function, control apoptosis, and suppress inflammation. Therefore, it prevents damage to the heart, liver, kidneys, and reproductive system. This review aims to identify the effects of the polyphenols in conjugation with polysaccharides as an ameliorative strategy for arsenic-induced toxicity in various organs.

The Antibacterial Effect of Tinospora Cordifolia (Guduchi) and Its Role in Combating Antimicrobial Resistance

Objective

Tinospora cordifolia, often known as "Guduchi," has a variety of medicinal characteristics, including those that are anti-diabetic, ant-iinflammatory, anti-periodic, anti-arthritic, anti-oxidant, anti-allergic, and anti-stress. Drug development projects face significant obstacles because of the rapid rise in antimicrobial drug resistance in the world healthcare system and the introduction of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. In order to combat the MDR infections isolated from patients' bodies, the current study was conducted to evaluate and investigate the antibacterial capabilities of Tinospora cordifolia.

Methods

Using the agar well diffusion method, Tinospora cordifolia extracts (aqueous, chloroform, and ethanol) were tested for their antibacterial effectiveness against 30 MDR pathogens, and the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration. To determine whether there were any medicinally useful and significant bioactive ingredients in the plant extract, phytochemical analysis was performed.

Results

In comparison to the aqueous extract which had little effect, the antibacterial activity of ethanol and chloroform extracts exhibited a potential antimicrobial effect against most of the tested bacterial isolates. Phytochemical analysis of Tinospora cordifolia extract showed alkaloids, carbohydrates, phytosterols, saponins, tannins, proteins, flavonoids, and terpenoids.

Conclusions

Our findings show that Tinospora cordifolia plays a potential role in combating the antimicrobial resistance of clinical isolates.

Plant Polyphenols and Their Potential Benefits on Cardiovascular Health: A Review

Fruits, vegetables, and other food items contain phytochemicals or secondary metabolites which may be considered non-essential nutrients but have medicinal importance. These dietary phytochemicals exhibit chemopreventive and therapeutic effects against numerous diseases. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites found in vegetables, fruits, and grains. These compounds exhibit several health benefits such as immune modulators, vasodilators, and antioxidants. This review focuses on recent studies on using dietary polyphenols to treat cardiovascular disorders, atherosclerosis, and vascular endothelium deficits. We focus on exploring the safety of highly effective polyphenols to ensure their maximum impact on cardiac abnormalities and discuss recent epidemiological evidence and intervention trials related to these properties. Kaempferol, quercetin, and resveratrol prevent oxidative stress by regulating proteins that induce oxidation in heart tissues. In addition, polyphenols modulate the tone of the endothelium of vessels by releasing nitric oxide (NO) and reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation to prevent atherosclerosis. In cardiomyocytes, polyphenols suppress the expression of inflammatory markers and inhibit the production of inflammation markers to exert an anti-inflammatory response. Consequently, heart diseases such as strokes, hypertension, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease could be prevented by dietary polyphenols.

Two New Compounds from Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus and Their In Vitro Antioxidant Activities

Two new compounds named 4,4'-bis(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)biphenyl (1) and spirostane-25(27)-en-2α,3β-diol-3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl(1→3)-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→4)-β-D-galactopyranoside (2) were isolated from n-butanol extraction part of 80% ethanol extract of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus. Alongside these, ten known compounds (3-12) were also identified, including a flavonoid glycoside (3), seven steroids (4-10), a nucleoside (11), and a phenylpropanoid glycoside (12) were found. Notably, compounds 3-6 were isolated from this plant for the first time. The structures of all compounds were confirmed using high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), 1D, and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Some of these compounds showed strong antioxidant activity, and compound 1 demonstrated the most potent reduction of ferric ions (Fe3+) with an IC50 value of 0.59 ± 0.18 mg/mL. Compounds 2 and 3 exhibited the highest scavenging activity against superoxide anion radicals (O2-·) with an IC50 value of 0.02 ± 0.01 mg/mL. Additionally, compound 3 displayed substantial scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) with IC50 values of 0.21 ± 0.17 mg/mL and 0.02 ± 0.01 mg/mL, respectively. The discovery of these two new compounds is a reference for identifying Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus quality markers. Moreover, their exceptional antioxidant activity offers a promising avenue for uncovering novel natural antioxidants.

Antioxidant Activity of Flavonoids and Phenolic Acids from Dodonaea angustifolia Flower: HPLC Profile and PASS Prediction

Background. Dodonaea angustifolia is a known medicinal plant across East Arica. The flower of D. angustifolia is not well investigated in terms of phytochemistry and biological activities. This study aims to investigate the presence of flavonoids and phenolic acids in the flower of D. angustifolia and its antioxidant activity. Methods. Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out using the standard protocols. Antioxidant activity evaluation using DPPH assay and total phenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) determinations in the flower extract were compared with the values of the leaf extract. UHPLC-DAD analysis was managed to develop the profile of the flower extract. Prediction of biological activity spectra for substances (PASS) was done using an online server for antioxidant and related activities. Results. Preliminary phytochemical screening and TPC and TFC values confirmed the presence of flavonoids and phenolic acids. From the HPLC analysis of flavonoids, quercetin, myricetin, rutin, and phenolic acids such as chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, and syringic acid were detected and quantified. The biological activity spectrum was predicted for the detected and quantified polyphenols. Conclusions. D. angustifolia flower is a rich source of flavonoids and phenolic acids, which are extractable and can be checked for further biological activity. It was possible to identify and quantify phenolic compounds through HPLC analysis in the methanol extract of D. angustifolia flower. The PASS biological activity prediction results showed that there were stronger antioxidant activities for the identified flavonoids. Future work will emphasize the isolation and characterization of active principles responsible for bioactivity.

A review on the gastrointestinal protective effects of tropical fruit polyphenols

Tropical fruits are popular because of their unique, delicious flavors and good nutritional value. Polyphenols are considered to be the main bioactive ingredients in tropical fruits, and these exert a series of beneficial effects on the human gastrointestinal tract that can enhance intestinal health and prevent intestinal diseases. Moreover, they are distinct from the polyphenols in fruits grown in other geographical zones. Thus, the comprehensive effects of polyphenols in tropical fruits on gut health warrant in-depth review. This article reviews, first, the biological characteristics of several representative tropical fruits, including mango, avocado, noni, cashew apple, passion fruit and lychee; second, the types and content of the main polyphenols in these tropical fruits; third, the effects of each of these fruit polyphenols on gastrointestinal health; and, fourth, the protective mechanism of polyphenols. Polyphenols and their metabolites play a crucial role in the regulation of the gut microbiota, increasing intestinal barrier function, reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors and regulating immune function. Thus, review highlights the value of tropical fruits, highlighting their significance for future research on their applications as functional foods that are oriented to gastrointestinal protection.

Giloy: a potential anti-COVID-19 herb with propitious pharmacological attributes: a short review

Plant-based medicine actually restores the balance in the body instead of treating the source of the disease. The strain of coronavirus (SAR-CoV-2) going to be more serious due to the lack of a reliable treatment option. Holistic treatment for this disease is in the form of Ayurveda as traditional medicine. As the infection of coronavirus is spreading like a wildfire, so the one way to fight is 'immunity'. Building immunity is the only way to stay safe and healthy and prepared themselves for the ongoing pandemic. In the current scenario, good immunity safeguard us from disease progression and prevention from this deadly virus. Giloy herb came into the limelight after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic due to its immunomodulatory and antiviral activity. The genome sequencing of Giloy is proved to be a breakthrough for controlling the COVID-19.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Various Organic Extracts from Apocynum hendersonii (Hook.f.) Woodson

Apocynum hendersonii is a traditional medicinal plant used primarily as tea. It has a potential health benefit from its rich bioactive substances. This study investigated the reactivity of solvents of different polarities (ethanol, ethyl acetate, n-hexane, methanol, and water) extracts of the A. hendersonii leaf. The phytochemical composition of the extracts was evaluated using a Fourier Transform Infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), UHPLC-MS, and Higher Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The result revealed the presence of medicinally important bioactive constituents, including phenols, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. Methanol extracts exhibited the highest flavonoid contents (20.11 ± 0.85 mg QE/g DW) and the second-highest in terms of phenolic (9.25 ± 0.03 mg GAE/g DW) and polysaccharide (119.66 ± 2.65 mg GE/g DW). It also had the highest antioxidant capacity with 60.30 ± 0.52% and 4.60 ± 0.02 µmol Fe²⁺ per g DW based on a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), respectively. Ethanol extract displayed the maximum antibacterial action against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and the highest inhibition activity against the enzymes tyrosinase and acetylcholinesterase, followed by methanol extract. The principal component analysis revealed a positive correlation between the constituents, bioactivities, and extracts. The overall result showed A. hendersonii as a rich natural source of antimicrobial and antioxidant bioactive compounds and may be used for future applications in pharmaceuticals and food industries.

Bio-active components in medicinal plants: A mechanistic review of their effects on fish growth and physiological parameters

World population is increasing at a tremendous rate so is the demand for animal-based protein. Aquaculture is a promising industry that has the potential to supply high quality protein for mankind with minimum environmental impact. In the past decade, aquaculture practices have been shifting from extensive to intensive culture. To achieve maximum production per unit area, high stocking densities are maintained in intensive aquaculture. If not managed properly, this may lead to stress in fish. Fish under stress condition show decreased growth, suppressed appetite, weakened immunity and increased susceptibility to infections. Chemicals, vaccines and antibiotics are used for the treatment of diseased fish. Use of synthetic chemicals, vaccines and antibiotics is not sustainable because pathogens develop resistance against them and they have high residues. Moreover, certain chemicals used for the treatment of fish diseases are not safe for humans therefore, are banned in some countries. Plant parts and their extracts are used in traditional medicines to cure many diseases and to improve health of mankind. In aquaculture industry, use of plants and their derivatives in fish feed to improve health status of fish is increasing. Several plants improve growth and overall health status of fish, some provide protection against pathogens by improving the immune system while others increase appetite by direct action on neuro-endocrine axis of fish. This review provides an in depth and up to date information about use of medicinal plants and their derivatives to improve growth and physiological status of fish and their possible mechanism of action.

An ethnopharmacological review on the therapeutical properties of flavonoids and their mechanisms of actions: A comprehensive review based on up to date knowledge

Flavonoids -a class of low molecular weight secondary metabolites- are ubiquitous and cornucopia throughout the plant kingdom. Structurally, the main structure consists of C6-C3-C6 rings with different substitution patterns so that many sub-classes are obtained, for example: flavonols, flavonolignans, flavonoid glycosides, flavans, anthocyanidins, aurones, anthocyanidins, flavones, neoflavonoids, chalcones, isoflavones, flavones and flavanones. Flavonoids are evaluated to have drug like nature since they possess different therapeutic activities, and can act as cardioprotective, antiviral, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, and also work against Alzheimer's disease and others. However, information on the relationship between their structure and biological activity is scarce. Therefore, the present review tries to summarize all the therapeutic activities of flavonoids, their mechanisms of action and the structure activity relationship.

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Latest updated ethnopharmacological review of the therapeutic effects of flavonoids.

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Flavonoids are attracting attention because of their therapeutic properties.

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Flavonoids are valuable candidates for drug development against many dangerous diseases.

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This overview summarizes the most important therapeutic effect and mechanism of action of flavonoids.

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General knowledge about the structure activity relationship of flavonoids is summarized.

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Substitution of chemical groups in the structure of flavonoids can significantly change their biological and chemical properties.

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The chemical properties of the basic flavonoid structure should be considered in a drug-based structural program.

Acute Sleep Deprivation-Induced Anxiety and Disruption of Hypothalamic Cell Survival and Plasticity: A Mechanistic Study of Protection by Butanol Extract of Tinospora cordifolia

Since sleep is a key homeostatic phenomenon of the body, therefore understanding the complex etiology of the neurological outcome of sleep deprivation (SD) such as anxiety, depression, cognitive dysfunctions, and their management is of utmost importance. The findings of the current study encompass the neurobehavioral as well as hormonal, and neuroinflammatory changes in serum and hypothalamus region of the brain as an outcome of acute SD and their amelioration by pre-treatment with butanol extract of Tinospora cordifolia. SD group animals showed anxiety-like behavior as evident from Elevated Plus Maze data and higher serum cortisol levels, whereas, pre-treatment with B-TCE showed anxiolytic activity and also reduced cortisol levels which was corroborated by an increase in leptin and insulin levels. Further, SD induced elevation of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and MCP-1 and subsequent activation of astroglial cells in the hypothalamus was suppressed in B-TCE pre-treated animals. The current findings suggest that besides the cortical structures, hypothalamus region's synaptic plasticity and cell survival are adversely impacted by acute SD. Further active ingredients present in B-TCE may be useful for the management of SD-induced anxiety, systemic inflammation, and neuroinflammation by targeting hypothalamic BDNF-TrkB/PI3K-Akt pathways.

Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers: Protection mechanisms and strategies against oxidative stress-related diseases

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers (Menispermaceae) is a Mediterranean herb, used in Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani, and folk medicines. The herb is also used in conventional medicine to treat oxidative stress-related diseases and conditions, including inflammation, pain, diarrhea, asthma, respiratory infections, cancer, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The taxonomy, botanical classification, geographical distribution, and ethnobotanical uses of T. cordifolia, as well as the phytochemical compounds found in the herb, the toxicology of and pharmacological and clinical studies on the effects of T. cordifolia are all covered in this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To gather information on T. cordifolia, we used a variety of scientific databases, including Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. The information discussed focuses on biologically active compounds found in T. cordifolia, and common applications and pharmacological activity of the herb, as well as toxicological and clinical studies on its properties.

RESULTS

The findings of this study reveal a connection between the use of T. cordifolia in conventional medicine and its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anticancer, immunomodulatory, and other biological effects. The entire plant, stem, leaves, root, and extracts of T. cordifolia have been shown to have a variety of biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective impact. Toxicological testing demonstrated that this plant may have medicinal applications. T. cordifolia contains a variety of biologically active compounds from various chemical classes, including alkaloids, terpenoids, sitosterols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Based on the reports researched for this review, we believe that chemicals in T. cordifolia may activate Nrf2, which leads to the overexpression of antioxidant enzymes such as CAT, GPx, GST, and GR, and thereby induces the adaptive response to oxidative stress. T. cordifolia is also able to reduce NF-κB signalling by inhibiting PI3K/Akt, activating AMPK and sirtuins, and downregulating PI3K/Akt.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that the pharmacological properties displayed by T. cordifolia back up its conventional uses. Antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antidiabetic, nephroprotective, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective activities were all demonstrated in T. cordifolia stem extracts. To validate pharmacodynamic targets, further research is needed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of the known compounds against gastrointestinal diseases, inflammatory processes, and microbial infections, as immunostimulants, and in chemotherapy. The T. cordifolia safety profile was confirmed in a toxicological analysis, which prompted pharmacokinetic assessment testing to confirm its bioavailability.

Metabolomic Profiling and Immunomodulatory Activity of a Polyherbal Combination in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Mice

The study was aimed to develop a characterized polyherbal combination as an immunomodulator containing Phyllanthus emblica L., Piper nigrum L., Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, and Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers. Through response surface methodology (RSM), the ratio of aqueous extracts of four plant materials was optimized and comprised 49.76% of P. emblica, 1.35% of P. nigrum, 5.41% of W. somnifera, and 43.43% of T. cordifolia for optimum immunomodulatory activity. The optimized combination showed antioxidant potential and contains more than 180 metabolites, out of which gallic acid, quercetin, ellagic acid, caffeic acid, kaempferitrin, and p-coumaric acid are some common and significant metabolites found in plant extracts and in polyherbal combination. Treatment with the polyherbal combination of different doses in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice significantly (p < 0.01) enhanced the subsets of immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells (60%), B cells (18%), CD4 cells (14%), and CD8 cells (7%). The characterized polyherbal combination exhibited potent immunomodulatory activity, which can be further explored clinically for its therapeutic applicability.

Polyphenols inhibiting MAPK signalling pathway mediated oxidative stress and inflammation in depression

Depression is one of the most debilitating psychiatric disorders affecting people of all ages worldwide. Despite significant heterogeneity between studies, increased inflammation and oxidative stress have been found in depression. Oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of depression. In the current review, we discussed the markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in depressive disorder and the association between these markers and the antidepressant treatment. The role of natural polyphenols in regulating various cell signaling pathways related to oxidative stress and inflammation has also been reviewed. The inhibitory effect of polyphenols on several cell signaling pathways reveals the vital role of polyphenols in the prevention and treatment of depressive disorder. Understanding the mechanism of polyphenols implicated in the regulation of cell signaling pathways is essential for the identification of lead compounds and the development of novel effective compounds for the prevention and treatment of depressive disorder.

Origin and Function of Structural Diversity in the Plant Specialized Metabolome

The plant specialized metabolome consists of a multitude of structurally and functionally diverse metabolites, variable from species to species. The specialized metabolites play roles in the response to environmental changes and abiotic or biotic stresses, as well as in plant growth and development. At its basis, the specialized metabolism is built of four major pathways, each starting from a few distinct primary metabolism precursors, and leading to distinct basic carbon skeleton core structures: polyketides and fatty acid derivatives, terpenoids, alkaloids, and phenolics. Structural diversity in specialized metabolism, however, expands exponentially with each subsequent modification. We review here the major sources of structural variety and question if a specific role can be attributed to each distinct structure. We focus on the influences that various core structures and modifications have on flavonoid antioxidant activity and on the diversity generated by oxidative coupling reactions. We suggest that many oxidative coupling products, triggered by initial radical scavenging, may not have a function in se, but could potentially be enzymatically recycled to effective antioxidants. We further discuss the wide structural variety created by multiple decorations (glycosylations, acylations, prenylations), the formation of high-molecular weight conjugates and polyesters, and the plasticity of the specialized metabolism. We draw attention to the need for untargeted methods to identify the complex, multiply decorated and conjugated compounds, in order to study the functioning of the plant specialized metabolome.

Polyphenols Targeting MAPK Mediated Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic, autoimmune disorder, predominantly symmetric, which causes joint inflammation, cartilage degeneration and bone erosion, resulting in deformity and the loss of physical function. Although the management of RA has steadily improved, the pathophysiological mechanism is incompletely elucidated, and therapeutic options are still limited. Due to shortcomings in the efficacy or safety profiles of conventional RA therapies, therapeutic alternatives have been considered. Therefore, natural extracts containing polyphenolic compounds can become promising adjuvant agents for RA global management, due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and apoptotic properties. Polyphenols can regulate intracellular signaling pathways in RA and can generate different immune responses through some key factors (i.e., MAPK, interleukins (ILs 1 and 6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), nuclear factor light k chain promoter of activated receptor (NF-κB), and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK)). The critical function of the Toll like-receptor (TLR)-dependent mitogen-activating protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in mediating the pathogenic characteristics of RA has been briefly discussed. Oxidative stress can trigger a change in transcription factors, which leads to the different expression of some genes involved in the inflammatory process. This review aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on the efficacy of polyphenols in mitigating RA by inhibiting signaling pathways, suggesting future research perspectives in order to validate their use.

A Brief Overview of Potential Treatments for Viral Diseases Using Natural Plant Compounds: The Case of SARS-Cov

The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the more general global increase in viral diseases, has led researchers to look to the plant kingdom as a potential source for antiviral compounds. Since ancient times, herbal medicines have been extensively applied in the treatment and prevention of various infectious diseases in different traditional systems. The purpose of this review is to highlight the potential antiviral activity of plant compounds as effective and reliable agents against viral infections, especially by viruses from the coronavirus group. Various antiviral mechanisms shown by crude plant extracts and plant-derived bioactive compounds are discussed. The understanding of the action mechanisms of complex plant extract and isolated plant-derived compounds will help pave the way towards the combat of this life-threatening disease. Further, molecular docking studies, in silico analyses of extracted compounds, and future prospects are included. The in vitro production of antiviral chemical compounds from plants using molecular pharming is also considered. Notably, hairy root cultures represent a promising and sustainable way to obtain a range of biologically active compounds that may be applied in the development of novel antiviral agents.

Antioxidant Activity and Healthy Benefits of Natural Pigments in Fruits: A Review

Natural pigments, including carotenoids, flavonoids and anthocyanidins, determine the attractive color of fruits. These natural pigments are essential secondary metabolites, which play multiple roles in the whole life cycle of plants and are characterized by powerful antioxidant activity. After decades of research and development, multiple benefits of these natural pigments to human health have been explored and recognized and have shown bright application prospects in food, medicine, cosmetics and other industries. In this paper, the research progress of natural fruit pigments in recent years was reviewed, including the structural characteristics and classification, distribution in fruits and analysis methods, biosynthetic process, antioxidant capacity and mechanism, bioaccessibility and bioavailability, and health benefits. Overall, this paper summarizes the recent advances in antioxidant activity and other biological functions of natural fruit pigments, which aims to provide guidance for future research.

Grape polyphenols supplementation for exercise-induced oxidative stress

Exercise induces free radicals’ overproduction and therefore, an enhancement of oxidative stress, defined as an imbalance between the production of reactive species and the intrinsic antioxidant defense. Redox activity of reactive species plays an important and a positive role on exercise adaptation, but these species at very high concentrations have detrimental effects. As a result, the use of antioxidant supplements for reducing oxidative stress can be an effective health strategy to maintain an optimal antioxidant status. In this sense, grapes are an important source of natural antioxidants due to their high content in polyphenols. They have shown antioxidant potential benefits for the reduction of intense exercise effect in athletes of different sport disciplines. Consequently, it is plausible to hypothesize that a strategic supplementation with grape based products may be a good approach to mitigate the exercise induced oxidative stress. The goal of this review is to present the state of the art of supplementation effects with grape beverages and grape extracts on the oxidative stress markers in athletes. The data of polyphenolic dosages, participant characteristics and exercise protocols are reported.

The Effects of Flavonoids in Cardiovascular Diseases

Flavonoids are metabolites of plants and fungus. Flavonoid research has been paid special attention to in recent times after the observation of their beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. These favorable effects are exerted by flavonoids mainly due to their antioxidant properties, which result from the ability to decrease the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, thus improving the lipid profiles. The other positive effect exerted on the cardiovascular system is the ability of flavonoids to produce vasodilation and regulate the apoptotic processes in the endothelium. Researchers suggested that these effects, including their anti-inflammatory function, are consequences of flavonoids' potent antioxidant properties, but recent studies have shown multiple signaling pathways linked to them, thus suggesting that there are more mechanisms involved in the beneficial effect of the flavonoids on the human body. This review aims to present the latest data on the classification of these substances, their main mechanisms of action in the human body, and the beneficial effects on the physiological and pathological status of the cardiovascular system.

Complementation of ROS scavenging secondary metabolites with enzymatic antioxidant defense system augments redox-regulation property under salinity stress in rice

The RP-HPLC based comparative quantification of some important redox sensitive phenolic acids and flavonoids revealed overall greater elicitation of chalcone synthase related flavonoid biosynthetic pathway, concomitant with the greater utilization of cinnamic acid for the seedlings of the salinity resistant rice cultivar Patnai as compared to susceptible cultivar IR29 grown under post imbibitional salinity stress (PISS). When compared, the cultivar Patnai further exhibited significantly better antioxidant-coupled redox-regulation by up regulating ascorbate-glutathione pathway and reducing the expression of oxidative deterioration under PISS as compared to its counterpart, the cultivar IR29. A model for redox homeostasis in which complementation of action of ROS scavenging secondary metabolites with enzymatic antioxidant defense at metabolic interface necessary for maintenance of the redox homeostasis to combat salinity stress has been proposed.

The Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Intestinal Protective Effects of Baicalin-Copper in Deoxynivalenol-Challenged Piglets

The present study was performed to evaluate the antioxidant and intestinal protective effects of baicalin-copper on deoxynivalenol-challenged piglets. Forty weaned piglets were randomly divided into four groups and assigned to different diets: (1) basal diet (Con), (2) 4 mg/kg deoxynivalenol of basal diet (DON), (3) 5 g/kg baicalin-copper of basal diet (BCU); and (4) 4 mg/kg deoxynivalenol + 5 g/kg baicalin‐copper of basal diet (DBCU). The results showed that the ADFI and ADG of piglets in the DON group were markedly lower than those in the Con group, but the ADFI and ADG of the DBCU group were not significantly different from those of the Con group. In piglets fed a DON-contaminated diet, dietary supplementation with BCU significantly decreased the mRNA levels of P70S6K, 4E-BP1, and HSP70 in the liver, the protein expression of HO-1 in the jejunum, and the expression of p-Nrf2 and p-NF-κB in the ileum but increased Mn-SOD activity in serum. Dietary supplementation with BCU increased jejunal maltase, ZIP4 and MT mRNA levels, and serum concentrations of Arg, Val, Ile, Leu, Lys, and Tyr in DON-contaminated piglets. In summary, BCU can alleviate the growth impairment induced by DON and enhance antioxidant capacity and nutrition absorption in piglets fed DON-contaminated diets.

Flavonoid biosynthetic pathways in plants: Versatile targets for metabolic engineering

Plants, fungi, and microorganisms are equipped with biosynthesis machinery for producing thousands of secondary metabolites. These compounds have important functions in nature as a defence against predators or competitors as well as other ecological significances. The full utilization of these compounds for food, medicine, and other purposes requires a thorough understanding of their structures and the distinct biochemical pathways of their production in cellular systems. In this review, flavonoids as classical examples of secondary metabolites are employed to highlight recent advances in understanding how valuable compounds can be regulated at various levels. With extensive diversity in their chemistry and pharmacology, understanding the metabolic engineering of flavonoids now allows us to fine-tune the eliciting of their production, accumulation, and extraction from living systems. More specifically, recent advances in the shikimic acid and acetate biosynthetic pathways of flavonoids production from metabolic engineering point of view, from genes expression to multiple principles of regulation, are addressed. Specific examples of plants and microorganisms as the sources of flavonoids-based compounds with particular emphasis on therapeutic applications are also discussed.

Applications of Tea (Camellia sinensis) and its Active Constituents in Cosmetics

Studies on the cosmetic applications of plant extracts are increasingly appearing in the scientific literature, which is due to the growing popularity of skincare products around the world. In the light of the observed changes, a return to natural treatment and skincare with cosmetics free of harmful substances or toxic preservatives is visible. Currently, tea extracts, due to their rich composition and various biological actions, play an important role among the dietary supplements and cosmetics. This review is intended to collect the reports on the properties of the tea plant, its extracts and preparations in cosmetology: for skin care products and for the treatment of selected dermatological diseases. Particular attention is paid to its antioxidant, anti-hyaluronidase, anti-inflammatory, slimming, hair-strengthening, photoprotective and sealing blood vessels properties.

Evaluation of the combinatorial effect of Tinospora cordifolia and Zingiber officinale on human breast cancer cells

The present study was aimed to investigate the anticancer potential of the combination treatment of Tinospora cordifolia (TC) and Zingiber officinale (ZO) using network pharmacology approach. In silico analysis of the anticancer activity of TC + ZO was carried out using Cytoscape 3.2.0 software to elucidate the mechanism. The MTT assay confirms the combination of TC and ZO is more active (IC₅₀; 2 μg ml^-1) as compared to TC (509 μg ml^-1) and ZO (1 mg ml^-1) alone in MCF-7 cells. The TC + ZO combination treatment inhibits DNA synthesis, migration, and induces apoptosis in MCF-7 cells as compared to TC and ZO alone at a concentration of 1 µg ml^-1. TC + ZO combination treatment arrested cell cycle significantly at the G₀/G₁ phase. The proposed synergistic activity of the two herbs in the treatment of several cancers was correlated with an appropriate associated target/s, based on the pharmacological network. Interestingly, when both the plants used in combination, were found to regulate a total of 16 genes in 27 types of cancers. Further, ALOX5, MMP2, and MMP9 genes were identified as major targets which are responsible for the TC + ZO anticancer activity. According to merged and sub-networks of source-bioactive, bioactive-target, target-disease of TC, ZO alone and their combination; MMP9 was selected for validation purpose. The real-time PCR analysis confirmed that the TC + ZO combination treatment significantly down-regulated MMP9 mRNA expression by fivefold via up-regulation of its downstream target ER-α by 3.5-fold. In conclusion, the network analysis and in vitro validation confirmed the potent synergistic activity of TC + ZO combination treatment in breast cancer.

Dietary Polyphenols-Important Non-Nutrients in the Prevention of Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases. A Systematic Review

The improvement of the social and economic conditions of society has eliminated the threat of death from the majority of infectious diseases. However, the rapid progress of civilization has created new possibilities for the appearance of factors with adverse effects for the health of society. This has led to increased morbidity from certain diseases, the presence of which had not been observed several centuries ago. Chronic noncommunicable diseases (e.g., cancers, cardio-vascular disorders, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases) result from an inappropriate relationship between people and their environment. The common characteristic for all chronic diseases is a “new” form of inflammation, very often called metaflammation, which is considered as a subclinical, permanent inflammation. As a result, metabolic cascade, including cellular oxidative stress, atherosclerotic process, and insulin resistance, occurs, which slowly generates significant deterioration in the organism. Polyphenols are the major group of non-nutrients, considering their diversity, food occurrence, and biological properties. The current review aims to present a wide spectrum of literature data, including the molecular mechanism of their activity and experimental model used, and summarize the recent findings on the multitude of physiological effects of dietary polyphenols towards the prevention of several chronic diseases. However, despite several studies, the estimation of their dietary intake is troublesome and inconclusive, which will be also discussed.

Health Benefits of Polyphenols and Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Diseases

Oxidative stress and inflammation play a critical role in the initiation and progression of age-related ocular abnormalities as cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration. Therefore, phytochemicals with proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, such as carotenoids and polyphenols, could be of benefit in these diseases. We searched PubMed and Web of Science databases for original studies investigating the benefits of different carotenoids and polyphenols in age-related ophthalmic diseases. Our results showed that several polyphenols (such as anthocyanins, Ginkgo biloba, quercetin, and resveratrol) and carotenoids (such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and mezoxanthin) have shown significant preventive and therapeutic benefits against the aforementioned conditions. The involved mechanisms in these findings include mitigating the production of reactive oxygen species, inhibiting the tumor necrosis factor-α and vascular endothelial growth factor pathways, suppressing p53-dependent apoptosis, and suppressing the production of inflammatory markers, such as interleukin- (IL-) 8, IL-6, IL-1a, and endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule-1. Consumption of products containing these phytochemicals may be protective against these diseases; however, adequate human data are lacking. This review discusses the role and mechanisms of polyphenols and carotenoids and their possible synergistic effects on the prevention and treatment of age-related eye diseases that are induced or augmented by oxidative stress and inflammation.

Preventive Effect of Naringin on Metabolic Syndrome and Its Mechanism of Action: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), which consists of cluster of conditions, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and visceral obesity, is affecting population worldwide. Studies have shown that plant derived flavonoids have the ability to alleviate MetS. Naringin is a type of glycoside flavonoid found in most plant and it plays a critical role in the treatment of MetS due to its antioxidant activity and ability to regulate cytokines.

METHODS

A systematic review was done to study the effects of naringin on the metabolic diseases using electronic databases which include Ovid and Scopus using specific descriptors published from the year 2010 till present to provide updated literature on this field. The articles were assessed and chosen based on the criteria in which the mechanisms and effects of naringin on different metabolic diseases were reported.

RESULTS

Thirty-four articles were identified which referred to the studies that correspond to the previously stated criteria. Subsequently after screening for the articles that were published after the year 2010, finally, 19 articles were selected and assessed accordingly. Based on the assessment, naringin could alleviate MetS by reducing visceral obesity, blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid profile and regulating cytokines.

CONCLUSIONS

Naringin is an antioxidant that appears to be efficacious in alleviating MetS by preventing oxidative damage and proinflammatory cytokine release. However, the dosage used in animal studies might not be achieved in human trials. Thus, adequate investigation needs to be conducted to confirm naringin's effects on humans.

Comparative transcriptome among Euscaphis konishii Hayata tissues and analysis of genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and accumulation

BACHGROUND

Euscaphis konishii Hayata, a member of the Staphyleaceae Family, is a plant that has been widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and it has been the source for several types of flavonoids. To identify candidate genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and accumulation, we analyzed transcriptome data from three E. konishii tissues (leaf, branch and capsule) using Illumina Hiseq 2000 platform.

RESULTS

A total of 91.7, 100.3 and 100.1million clean reads were acquired for the leaf, branch and capsule, respectively; and 85,342 unigenes with a mean length of 893.60 bp and N50 length of 1307 nt were assembled using Trinity program. BLASTx analysis allowed to annotate 40,218 unigenes using public protein databases, including NR, KOG/COG/eggNOG, Swiss-Prot, KEGG and GO. A total of 14,291 (16.75%) unigenes were assigned to 128 KEGG pathways, and 900 unigenes were annotated into 22 KEGG secondary metabolites, including flavonoid biosynthesis. The structure enzymes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis, such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase, cinnamate 4-hydroxylase, 4-coumarate CoA ligase, shikimate O-hydroxycinnamoyltransferase, coumaroylquinate 3'-monooxygenase, caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase, chalcone synthase, chalcone isomerase, flavanone 3-hydroxylase, flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase, flavonoid 3',5'-hydroxylase, flavonolsynthese, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase, anthocyanidinreductase, leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase, leucoanthocyanidin reductase, were identified in the transcriptome data, 40 UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT), 122 Cytochrome P450 (CYP) and 25 O-methyltransferase (OMT) unigenes were also found. A total of 295 unigenes involved in flavonoid transport and 220 transcription factors (97 MYB, 84 bHLH and 39 WD40) were identified. Furthermore, their expression patterns among different tissues were analyzed by DESeq, the differentially expressed genes may play important roles in tissues-specific synthesis, accumulation and modification of flavonoids.

CONCLUSION

We present here the de novo transcriptome analysis of E. konishii and the identification of candidate genes involved in biosynthesis and accumulation of flavonoid. In general, these results are an important resource for further research on gene expression, genomic and functional genomics in E. konishii and other related species.

The Immunomodulatory and Anti-Inflammatory Role of Polyphenols

This review offers a systematic understanding about how polyphenols target multiple inflammatory components and lead to anti-inflammatory mechanisms. It provides a clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms of action of phenolic compounds. Polyphenols regulate immunity by interfering with immune cell regulation, proinflammatory cytokines' synthesis, and gene expression. They inactivate NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) and modulate mitogen-activated protein Kinase (MAPk) and arachidonic acids pathways. Polyphenolic compounds inhibit phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases/protein kinase B (PI3K/AkT), inhibitor of kappa kinase/c-Jun amino-terminal kinases (IKK/JNK), mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) which is a protein complex that controls protein synthesis, and JAK/STAT. They can suppress toll-like receptor (TLR) and pro-inflammatory genes' expression. Their antioxidant activity and ability to inhibit enzymes involved in the production of eicosanoids contribute as well to their anti-inflammation properties. They inhibit certain enzymes involved in reactive oxygen species ROS production like xanthine oxidase and NADPH oxidase (NOX) while they upregulate other endogenous antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione (GSH) peroxidase (Px). Furthermore, they inhibit phospholipase A2 (PLA2), cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) leading to a reduction in the production of prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes (LTs) and inflammation antagonism. The effects of these biologically active compounds on the immune system are associated with extended health benefits for different chronic inflammatory diseases. Studies of plant extracts and compounds show that polyphenols can play a beneficial role in the prevention and the progress of chronic diseases related to inflammation such as diabetes, obesity, neurodegeneration, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases, among other conditions.

A study of antimicrobial activity of polyphenols derived from wood

Due to the spreading and increasing drug resistance of pathogens, the search for novel antibiotics is becoming ever more important. Plant-derived polyphenols are a vast and promising class of compounds with a potential to fight infectious diseases. Still, they are not routinely used in clinical practice. No reports on the in vivo studies of these compounds have been presented. The aim of our work was to compare the antimicrobial activity of resveratrol (stilbene), dihydroquercetin and dihydromyricetin (flavonols) extracted from the bark and wood of conifers against the dermatophytes Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Using the radial diffusion assay, we established that dihydroquercetin, resveratrol and dihydromyricetin exhibit high activity against S. aureus even at the smallest possible concentrations of 0.22, 0.15, and 0.15 mM, respectively. In contrast, the highest achievable concentrations of these compounds in the solutions (21.5, 15.5 and 15.0 mM for dihydroquercetin, resveratrol and dihydromyricetin, respectively) have no effect on the growth of P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. These findings suggest that polyphenols derived from conifers could have a potential to be used as a medicine for topical application to treat bacterial infections of the skin caused by S. aureus.

Phytochemical, Free Radical Scavenging and Antifungal Profile of Cuscuta campestris Yunck. Seeds

This work was conceptualized with the goal to investigate the phytochemical, free radical scavenging and antifungal profile of Cuscuta campestrisYunck. seeds. Total phenolics, amino acid and carbohydrate contents were evaluated in ethanolic, acetone and chloroform extract. Effective antioxidant activity was evaluated throughout seven antioxidant methods. The antifungal activity was assessed against eight fungal strains and Candida albicans. The results showed total phenol, flavonoid, flavonols and phenolic acids contents in amount of 1.51 - 6.35 mg GAE/mL, 78 - 425 μg RU/mL, 1.04 - 2.98 mg QU/g and 12.01 - 30.58 μg CAE/mL, respectively. The total amino acids and carbohydrates content ranged from 8.29 to 185.45 μg Gly/mL and from 0.05 to 0.12 μg Glu/mL. The ethanolic extract showed the best antioxidant activity in phosphomolybdenum, DPPH free radical scavenging, ferric reducing power and lipid peroxidation assays. The best activity in ferrous ion chelating and H₂ O₂ assays had the acetone extract, whereas the best hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was observed with the chloroform extract. The ethanolic extract at a concentration of 6 mg/mL proved to be the most effective antimycotic, since it inhibited the growth of all tested fungi except Penicillium verrucosum. The obtained results indicate that C. campestris seeds could be attributed to a potential source of natural antioxidants in food and pharmaceutical products.