Bioactives from medicinal herb against bedaquiline resistant tuberculosis: removing the dark clouds from the horizon

Tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial ailment that primarily affects the lungs and is brought on by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). An antimycobacterial medication called bedaquiline (BQ) is specified to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Despite its contemporary use in clinical practice, the mutations (D32 A/G/N/V/P) constrain the potential of BQ by causing transitions in the structural conformation of the atpE subunit-c after binding. In this study, we have taken the benzylisoquinoline alkaloids from thalictrum foliolosum due to its antimicrobial activity reported in prior literature. We used an efficient and optimized structure-based strategy to examine the wild type (WT) and mutated protein upon molecule binding. Our results emphasize the drastic decline in BQ binding affinity of mutant and WT atpE subunit-c complexes compared to thalirugidine (top hit) from thalictrum foliolosum. The decrease in BQ binding free energy is due to electrostatic energy because nearly every atom in a macromolecule harbors a partial charge, and molecules taking part in molecular recognition will interact electrostatically. Similarly, the high potential mean force of thalirugidine than BQ in WT and mutant complexes demonstrated the remarkable ability to eradicate mycobacteria efficiently. Furthermore, the Alamar blue cell viability and ATP determination assay were performed to validate the computational outcomes in search of novel antimycobacterial. Upon closer examination of the ATP determination assay, it became apparent that both BQ and thalirugidine showed similar reductions in ATP levels at their respective MICs, presenting a potential common mechanism of action.

Toxins in Botanical Drugs and Plant-derived Food and Feed - from Science to Regulation: A Workshop Review

In September 2022, the 3rd International Workshop on pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and related phytotoxins was held on-line, entitled 'Toxins in botanical drugs and plant-derived food and feed - from science to regulation'. The workshop focused on new findings about the occurrence, exposure, toxicity, and risk assessment of PAs. In addition, new scientific results related to the risk assessment of alkenylbenzenes, a distinct class of herbal constituents, were presented. The presence of PAs and alkenylbenzenes in plant-derived food, feed, and herbal medicines has raised health concerns with respect to their acute and chronic toxicity but mainly related to the genotoxic and carcinogenic properties of several congeners. The compounds are natural constituents of a variety of plant families and species widely used in medicinal, food, and feed products. Their individual occurrence, levels, and toxic properties, together with the broad range of congeners present in nature, represent a striking challenge to modern toxicology. This review tries to provide an overview of the current knowledge on these compounds and indicates needs and perspectives for future research.

Decoding active compounds and molecular targets of herbal medicine by high-throughput metabolomics technology: A systematic review

Clinical experiences of herbal medicine (HM) have been used to treat a variety of human intractable diseases. As the treatment of diseases using HM is characterized by multi-components and multi-targets, it is difficult to determine the bio-active components, explore the molecular targets and reveal the mechanisms of action. Metabolomics is frequently used to characterize the effect of external disturbances on organisms because of its unique advantages on detecting changes in endogenous small-molecule metabolites. Its systematicity and integrity are consistent with the effective characteristics of HM. After HM intervention, metabolomics can accurately capture and describe the behavior of endogenous metabolites under the disturbance of functional compounds, which will be used to decode the bioactive ingredients of HM and expound the molecular targets. Metabolomics can provide an approach for explaining HM, addressing unclear clinical efficacy and undefined mechanisms of action. In this review, the metabolomics strategy and its applications in HM are systematically introduced, which offers valuable insights for metabolomics methods to characterizing the pharmacological effects and molecular targets of HM.

Medicinal herbs, especially Hibiscus sabdariffa, inhibit oral pathogenic bacteria

OBJECTIVES

Medicinal herbs are plants with potential medicinal and health benefits. In recent years, they are being increasingly used as a treatment alternative owing to their effectiveness against various diseases. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of 15 medicinal herbs on causative bacteria for dental caries and periodontal disease.

METHODS

This study evaluated the effects of the extracts of 15 medicinal herbs on growth and biofilm formation in five oral pathogenic bacterial strains. The herbs were processed into extracts, and bacterial strains were cultured. Then, bacterial growth and biofilm formation were assessed using various methods. Finally, the extract of the herb Hibiscus sabdariffa (hibiscus) was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

Incubation of bacteria with the herbal extracts showed that hibiscus exerted a significant inhibitory effect on all the oral pathogenic bacterial strains evaluated in this study. In addition, the pigment delphinidin-3-sambubioside, which is found in hibiscus extract, was identified as a particularly important inhibitory component.

CONCLUSIONS

These results lay the ground work for the potential development of novel therapeutic or preventive agents against dental caries and periodontal disease, two major oral diseases.

Evaluation of the anti-nociceptive profile of essential oil from Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) in acute and chronic pain models

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant native to Mediterranean regions and found in other parts of the world. Extracts and essential oil from this widely cultivated culinary medicinal herb are used in traditional medicine to manage a variety of disorders that include epilepsy and pain.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To assess the anti-nociceptive potentials of Melissa officinalis essential oil (MO) and probe the involvement of adrenergic, opioidergic, serotonergic and potassium adenosine triphosphate (KATP) mechanisms in its anti-nociceptive effects.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We employed formalin-, acetic acid and hot plate-induced nociception to study the acute anti-nociceptive effects of MO. The sciatic nerve injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain was utilized to study the anti-nociceptive effects of MO on chronic pain. Effects of MO on anxiety, cognitive deficits, oxidative stress and inflammation in the CCI rats were evaluated on elevated plus maze, open field test, novel object recognition, oxidative stress parameters and pro-inflammatory cytokines, respectively. The possible mechanism(s) of MO's anti-nociceptive effects were elucidated using prazosin, yohimbine, propranolol, glibenclimide, naloxone and metergoline, which are acknowledged antagonists for α1-, α2- and β-adrenergic, potassium adenosine triphosphate (KATP), opioidergic and serotonergic systems, respectively.

RESULTS

MO significantly attenuated acetic acid- and formalin-induced nociception; prolonged the mean reaction time of rats on hot plate before and following sciatic nerve chronic injury (CCI). MO ameliorated anxiety, cognitive deficits and oxidative stress, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and produced a near total restoration of injured sciatic nerves in CCI rats. Naloxone, metergoline and glibenclimide significantly blocked, while prazosin, yohimbine and popranolol failed to block the anti-nociceptive effects of MO in formalin-induced nociception.

CONCLUSIONS

MO contains biologically active compounds with potential anti-nociceptive properties that modulate KATP, opioidergic and serotonergic pathways. These support the development of bioactive compounds from MO as anti-nociceptive agents.

Chymotrypsin and Trypsin Inhibitory Activity of Some Medicinal Plants Collected from Rize (Türkiye)

In this research, the evaluation of in vitro chymotrypsin and trypsin inhibitory activities of ten plant species collected from Rize were aimed, and fractions that showed strong activity were analyzed through HPLC. Daphne pontica L. and Mentha longifolia (L.) L. were found to have the highest chymotrypsin inhibitory activities (87.75 and 84.24 % inhibition). Similarly, the highest trypsin inhibitory activity was observed in D. pontica (%99.93 inhibition), followed by Sambucus ebulus L. flowers (87.47 % inhibition). Extracts showing strong enzyme inhibition were fractioned and subjected to activity tests. The highest chymotrypsin inhibitory activity was observed in the n-hexane fraction of D. pontica (%80.70 inhibition), while the highest trypsin inhibitory activity was found in the n-butanol fraction of S. ebulus (%86.81 inhibition). HPLC studies determined that the 80 % ethanol extract of D. pontica and its dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions contained umbelliferone. It was found that chlorogenic acid was present in the 80 % ethanol extracts of S. ebulus flowers. M. longifolia was found to contain chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, luteolin-7-glucoside, and rosmarinic acid. M. longifolia has been identified as the plant exhibiting the highest antioxidant activity in ABTS and CUPRAC tests, consistent with its high phenolic and flavonoid content.

Screening of traditional medicinal plant extracts and compounds identifies a potent anti-leishmanial diarylheptanoid from Siphonochilus aethiopicus

Available anti-leishmanial drugs are associated with toxic side effects, necessitating the search for safe and effective alternatives. This study is focused on identifying traditional medicinal plant natural products for anti-leishmanial potential and possible mechanism of action. Compounds S and T. cordifolia residual fraction (TC-5) presented the best anti-leishmanial activity (IC50: 0.446 and 1.028 mg/ml) against promastigotes at 48 h and less cytotoxicity to THP-1 macrophages. These test agents elicited increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines; TNFα and IL-12. In infected untreated macrophages, NO release was suppressed but was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in infected cells treated with compound S. Importantly, Compound S was found to interact with LdTopoIIdimer in silico, resulting in a likely reduced ability of nucleic acid (dsDNA)-remodelling and, as a result, parasite proliferation in vitro. Thereby, Compound S possesses anti-leishmanial activity and this effect occurs via a Th1-mediated pro-inflammatory response. An increase in NO release and its inhibitory effect on LdTopoII may also contribute to the anti-leishmanial effect of compound S. These results show the potential of this compound as a potential starting point for the discovery of novel anti-leishmanial leads.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Variations of the fungal microbiome in Corydalis Rhizoma with different collection areas, processing methods, and storage conditions

Corydalis Rhizoma (CR, Yanhusuo in Chinese) has been widely used as an analgesic in herbal medicine and functional food. Cases of fungal and mycotoxin contamination in CR have been reported. In this study, the composition and diversity of fungal microbiome in CR samples from four herbal markets and two processing methods were investigated by DNA metabarcoding. Variations of the fungal microbiome in CR during cold and conventional storage were monitored. Results showed that Aspergillus was the dominant genus and saprotroph was the dominant trophic mode. Six potential toxigenic fungi, namely, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus ostianus, Aspergillus terreus, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium oxalicum, and Trichothecium roseum, were detected. Differences in fungal composition and diversity among various groups based on collection areas and processing methods were also observed. Moreover, the relative abundance of dominant genera in CR samples stored at different temperatures was significantly different and changed with storage time. This study is the first to reveal the influence of collection areas, processing methods, and storage conditions on the fungal microbiome in CR, which was expected to provide a basis for control strategies of fungal contamination in the industrial chain of CR.

Effect and Safety of Herbal Medicine Foot Baths in Patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Multicenter Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect and safety of foot baths with Tangbi Waixi Decoction (TW) in treating patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

METHODS

It is a multicenter double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Participants with DPN were recruited between November 18, 2016 and May 30, 2018 from 8 hospitals in China. All patients received basic treatments for glycemic management. Patients received foot baths with TW herbal granules either 66.9 g (intervention group) or 6.69 g (control group) for 30 min once a day for 2 weeks and followed by a 2-week rest, as a therapeutic course. If the Toronto Clinical Scoring System total score (TCSS-TS) ⩾6 points, the patients received a total of 3 therapeutic courses (for 12 weeks) and were followed up for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was change in TCSS-TS score at 12 and 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes included changes in bilateral motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) of the median and common peroneal nerve. Safety was also assessed.

RESULTS

Totally 632 patients were enrolled, and 317 and 315 were randomized to the intervention and control groups, respectively. After the 12-week intervention, patients in both groups showed significant declines in TCSSTS scores, and significant increases in MNCV and SNCV of the median and common peroneal nerves compared with pre-treatment (P<0.05). The reduction of TCSS-TS score at 12 weeks and the increase of SNCV of median nerve at 24 weeks in the control group were greater than those in the intervention group (P<0.05). The number of adverse events did not differ significantly between groups (P>0.05), and no serious adverse event was related with treatment.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of TW foot baths was safe and significantly benefitted patients with DPN. A low dose of TW appeared to be more effective than a high dose. (Registry No. ChiCTR-IOR-16009331).

A review of preclinical evidence of Cryptolepis nigrescens (Wennberg) L. Joubert. and Bruyns., Prosopsis africana (Guill. and Perr.) Taub. and Pterygota macrocarpa K. Schum. traditionally used to manage tumours in Ghana

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cancer stands as one of the leading causes of death worldwide according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and it has led to approximately 10 million fatalities in 2020. Medicinal plants are still widely used and accepted form of treatment for most diseases including cancer in Ghana. This review presented Cryptolepis nigrescens (Wennberg) L. Joubert. and Bruyns., Prosopsis africana (Guill. and Perr.) Taub. and Pterygota macrocarpa K. Schum. as medicinal plants that are traditionally used to treat tumour growth, amongst other diseases, in the Ashanti region of Ghana.

AIM OF REVIEW

This paper aims to present a comprehensive review on the botanical description, ecological distribution, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical composition and ethnopharmacological relevance of C. nigrescens, P. africana and P. macrocarpa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The review covers works published between 1962 and 2023 from various countries. Published books, thesis, scientific and medical articles on C. nigrescens, P. africana and P. macrocarpa were collected from the following databases: 'Scopus', 'Science Direct', 'Medline', 'PubMed', 'Research Gate' 'Google Scholar, and 'Springer link' using the keywords.

RESULTS

Phytochemical analysis of C. nigrescens, P. africana and P. macrocarpa revealed the presence of some prominent bioactive compounds such as convallatoxin, 7,3,4-trihydroxy-3-methoxyflavanone and dioxane, respectively. Plant extracts and isolated compounds of these medicinal plants exhibited a wide range of ethnopharmacological activities including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, cytotoxic, antimalarial, antipyretic, haematinic, hepato-protective, aphrodisiac and antihypertensive properties.

CONCLUSION

The present review on C. nigrescens , P.africana and P. macrocarpa provided a credible summary of the ethnopharmacological research conducted on these medicinal plants till date. The data also highligted the potential therapeutic profiles of these plants in Ghana that could serve as foundation for future studies. Additionally, the information significantly supported the traditional and commercial use of these plants among the people.

CF-LIBS based elemental analysis of Saussurea simpsoniana medicinal plant: a study on roots, seeds, and leaves

The plant Saussurea Simpsoniana, which has been used in traditional medicine for its biocompatibility and abundant nutrients, offers a wide range of remedies. Local communities effectively utilize medicines derived from the plant's roots to treat various ailments such as bronchitis, rheumatic pain, and abdominal and nervous disorders. In this study, we present an elemental analysis of the chemical composition (wt%) of this medicinal plant using the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique. In the air atmosphere, an Nd:YAG (Q-switched) laser operating at a wavelength of 532 nm is utilized to create plasma on the sample's surface. This laser has a maximum pulse energy of approximately 400 mJ and a pulse duration of 5 ns. A set of six miniature spectrometers, covering the wavelength range of 220-970 nm, was utilized to capture and record the optical emissions emitted by the plasma. The qualitative analysis of LIBS revealed the presence of 13 major and minor elements, including Al, Ba, C, Ca, Fe, H, K, Li, Mg, Na, Si, Sr, and Ti. Quantitative analysis was performed using calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS), ensuring local thermodynamical equilibrium (LTE) and optically thin plasma condition by considering plasma excitation temperature and electron number density. In addition, a comparison was made between the results obtained from CF-LIBS and those acquired through energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis.

Wound Healing Effect of Lippia sidoides and Myracrodruon urundeuva Nanogel

Wound healing is a natural regenerative response to tissue injury and the conventional treatments consists of the use wound dressings with local administration of medicines, but, in some cases, are only partially effective and limited by toxicity or ineffective anti-microbial protection. Medicinal plants such as Lippia sidoides and Myracrodruon urundeuva have shown interesting pharmacological activities, allied to this, the association of these medicinal plants and nanotechnology, could mean an advantage in relation to classical approach. This study investigated the effect of a nanogel loaded with Lippia sidoides essential oil and Myracrodruon urundeuva extract (NAA) in an excisional wound healing model in rats. Animals were anesthetized and skin wounds were made using a metal punch. The groups were treated with vehicle, NAA or collagenase gel, for 7, 14 or 21 days and then sacrificed for tissue analysis. NAA did not show acute dermal irritation, further significantly reduced (p<0.05) the final wound area, accelerated the wound contraction and organization of collagen in the group treated for 14 days. The data presented here demonstrate the therapeutic potential for the use of nanotechnology associated with medicinal plants and provides evidence that corroborate with the use of L. sidoides and M. urundeuva as healing medicinal plants.

Molecular Identification of Fungal Endophytes of Medicinal Plant Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad as a Medicinal Plant: Role of Tissue Type and Sampling Location on the Diversity

Endophytic fungi are an important group of organisms in association with plants which are able to colonize all plant internal tissues and improve their fitness. The present research aims to isolate and identify endophytic fungi of Citrullus colocynthis plant and then investigate the effects of sampling location and tissue type on the fungal endophyte diversity of this plant. To do so, a sampling program was done in 11 geographically isolated C. colocynthis growing areas of Hormozgan province, Iran. For molecular identification of endophytic fungi of C. colocynthis, the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS4), as a universal DNA barcode marker for fungi, was amplified using primer sets. Totally, 12 taxa (Alternaria solani, Cladosporium halotolerans, Setosphaeria rostrata, Aspergillus niger, A. allahabadii, A. terreus, A. occultus, A. cristatus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Talaromyces purpureogenus, Fusarium sp., and Pseudozyma flocculosa) were isolated. Our findings also showed that the diversity of fungal endophytes isolated from C. colocynthis was affected by the tissue type and sampling site. Accordingly, the leaves and seeds were found to have the highest and lowest rates of endophyte colonization and richness in all sampling seasons, respectively. Simpson's diversity index of 0.8165 in root tissue indicated the high diversity of endophytes in this organ. In addition, Shannon's diversity index in the root (1.846) was higher than that in the other organs. The highest Shannon's and Simpson's indices were observed in Khoon Sorkh and Minab regions. Generally, at least two factors (region and type of tissue) played the most important roles in determining the composition of fungal endophytes in C. colocynthis.

Evaluation of the potential of endophytic Trichoderma sp. isolated from medicinal plant Ampelopsis japonica against MRSA and bioassay-guided separation of the anti-MRSA compound

Endophytic fungi have been recognized as a valuable source for the production of biologically active compounds with potential applications in various domains. This study aimed to isolate endophytic fungi from Ampelopsis japonica (Thunb.) Makino and assess their anti-MRSA activity. Meanwhile, chromatographic separation techniques were applied to analyze the constituents of endophytic fungal secondary metabolites. The isolate BLR24, which exhibited strong inhibition activity against MRSA, was identified as Trichoderma virens based on morphological characteristics and ITS sequence analyses. The ethyl acetate extract of BLR24 (EA-BLR24) showed good anti-MRSA activity with the MIC and MBC values of 25 μg/mL and 50 μg/mL, separately. The inhibition of biofilm formation was up to 34.67% under MIC concentration treatment. Meanwhile, EA-BLR24 could significantly reduce the expression of biofilm-related genes (icaA, sarA, and agrA) of MRSA. Based on LC-MS/MS analysis, twenty compounds in EA-BLR24 could be annotated using the GNPS platform, mainly diketopiperazines. The anti-MRSA compound (Fr.1.1) was obtained from EA-BLR24 by bioassay-guided fractionation and determined as gliotoxin. The results indicated that endophytic Trichoderma virens BLR24 isolated from the medical plant A. japonica roots could be a promising source of natural anti-MRSA agents. Endophytic fungal secondary metabolites are abundant in biologically active compounds. Endophytic fungi from medicinal plants could be a source yielding bioactive metabolites of pharmaceutical importance.

UPLC-Q-TOF-MS profiling of Viola stocksii Boiss. and evaluation of aphrodisiac potential and risk factors associated with erectile dysfunction

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Viola stocksii Boiss. locally known as makhni or makhanr booti, is an important medicinal food plant with multiple therapeutic applications, including erectile dysfunction (ED). It is mixed with butter and used for boosting energy and sexual health in the subcontinent.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

This study was designed to evaluate the chemical composition, aphrodisiac potential and effect of V. stocksii on the risk factors associated with ED.

METHODOLOGY

The hydroethanolic extract of V. stocksii (HEEVS) was prepared through the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique. The chemical composition was evaluated using preliminary phytochemical screening and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis. Metals and minerals analysis was performed by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The aphrodisiac activity of HEEVS was evaluated using an in vivo aphrodisiac model established in male albino rats and the effect on various sexual parameters such as mount, intromission, ejaculation frequencies and mount, intromission, ejaculation latencies, postejaculatory interval, penile reflexes and serum hormone concentration were analyzed. The effect of HEEVS on various risk factors associated with ED, including prostate cancer (PC), bacterial infections, diabetes and obesity, was evaluated using various in vitro assays. Moreover, four compounds were selected from the UPLC-Q-TOF-MS profile and evaluated for in silico computational analysis against phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) for possible interaction.

FINDINGS

The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites in HEEVS, while 58 compounds were tentatively identified in the UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis. Various important minerals and metals such as zinc, calcium, cadmium and magnesium were detected in the atomic absorption spectrometry analysis. The in vivo aphrodisiac evaluation showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the mount, intromission and ejaculation frequencies and a decrease in the mount, intromission latencies and post-ejaculatory intervals at a dose of 300 mg/kg. A marked (p < 0.05) increase was observed in the concentration of serum testosterone and luteinizing hormones in HEEVS treated animals with a significant increase in total penile reflexes. The extract displayed significant anti-prostate cancer activity and a potential antibacterial spectrum against E. coli and S. aureus, with MIC50 values of 215.72 μg/mL and 139.05 μg/mL, respectively. Similarly, HEEVS was found active towards pancreatic lipase (67.34 ± 1.03%), α-glucosidase (3.87 ± 0.54 mmol ACAE/g d.w.) and α-amylase (6.98 ± 1.63 mmol ACAE/g d.w.). The in silico docking study presented a potential interaction between the selected compounds and residues of the active site of PDE-5.

CONCLUSION

This report highlights the aphrodisiac potential of V. stocksii and provides experimental support for its traditional use in ED with an attenuative effect on the risk factors associated with ED. Moreover, the chemical composition displayed the presence of functional phytoconstituents and minerals in HEEVS and paves the way for the isolation of compounds with potent aphrodisiac activity.

Voltammetric techniques for low-cost on-site routine analysis of thymol in the medicinal plant Ocimum gratissimum

The composition of essential oils varies according to culture conditions and climate, which induces a need for simple and inexpensive characterization methods close to the place of extraction. This appears particularly important for developing countries. Herein, we develop an analytical strategy to determine the thymol content in Ocimum Gratissimum, a medicinal plant from Benin. The protocol is based on electrochemical techniques (cyclic and square wave voltammetry) implemented with a low cost potentiostat. Thymol is a phenol derivative and was directly oxidized at the electrode surface. We had to resort to submillimolar concentrations (25-300 μM) in order to minimize production of phenol oligomers that passivate the electrode. We worked first on two essential oils and realized that in one of them the thymol concentration was below our detection method. These results were confirmed by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. Furthermore, we optimized the detection protocol to analyze an infusion made directly from the leaves of the plant. Finally, we studied whether the cost of the electrochemical cell may also be minimized by using pencil lead as working and counter electrodes.

Purification and structural characterization of two polysaccharides with anti-inflammatory activities from Plumbago zeylanica L

Plumbago zeylanica L., a traditional Chinese medicine, has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, and it is critical important to explore the chemical compounds and evaluate their biological actions from the medicinal plant. However, the chemical structure and biological activities of polysaccharides from P. zeylanica. were still poorly understood. In this study, two water-soluble polysaccharides named WPZP-2-1 and WPZP-2-2 were purified from P. zeylanica L. Chemical and spectroscopic tests showed that the main chain of WPZP-2-1 was →4)-α-D-GalpA-(1 → 2)-α-L-Rhap-(1→, and the branch chain was galactose or arabinose. The main chain of WPZP-2-2 was composed of →4)-α-D-GalpA-(1 → 2)-α-L-Rhap-(1→, and the O-2 and O-3 of →4)-α-D-GalpA had a small amount of acetylation. In addition, in vitro test showed that WPZP-2-1 and WPZP-2-2 significantly improved the inflammatory damage of LPS + IFN-γ-induced THP-1 cells via reducing the protein levels of CD14, TLR4 and MyD88, thereby promoting IL-10 expression and inhibiting the mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-1β. Those findings indicated that WPZP-2-1 and WPZP-2-2 from the plant should be served as the potential anti-inflammatory agents.

[Study on changes of Styrax varieties]

Styrax is a commonly used imported traditional Chinese medicinal material in China. It was introduced to China in the Han Dynasty and was first described as a traditional Chinese medicine in Miscellaneous Records of Famous Physicians(Ming Yi Bie Lu). In this paper, by combing ancient and modern Chinese and foreign herbal medicine books and modern literature, combined with the results of field investigations on the origin of Styrax, the changes of Styrax involving the name, quality evaluation, origin, place of origin, and harvesting and processing were systematically verified. The results show that since ancient times, the origin and place of origin of Styrax have been unclear. The medical scientists of all dynasties in China have evaluated the quality of Styrax from four aspects: texture, viscosity, odor concentration, and color. The varieties of Styrax changed twice. The first change may have occurred during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and the base changed from Styrax officinalis to Liquidambar orientalis. The second change was in modern times, and the base changed from L. orientalis to L. styraciflua. At the same time, the place of origin changed for the first time, from Turkey, Syria, and other countries in southern Asia Minor to Honduras, Guatemala, and other countries in Central America and southern North America. This paper studied the historical evolution of Styrax in terms of quality evaluation, origin, place of origin, character, and harvesting and processing. At the same time, it summarized the application of Styrax in the western countries, which can provide a historical basis for the further development and utilization of Styrax.

The toxicological analysis of lead impurities in traditional herbal medicinal product with Thymi herba (Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus zygis L.) from pharmacies in Poland: the impurity profile and comprehensive toxicological risk assessment

Traditional herbal medicinal products (THMP) with Thymi herba (Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus zygis L.) are very popular among the European population. The idea of our study was the toxicological analysis of lead impurities in THMP with Thymi herba obtained from Polish pharmacies. For this purpose, we prepared the impurity profiles and comprehensive toxicological risk assessment. The Pb impurity profiles show lead impurities in all samples investigated (in the range: 2.15-6.99 μg/L). The estimations of Pb impurities in the single dose (32.25-105.01 ng/single dose) and in the daily dose (64.50-210.00 ng/day) were based on the posology recommended by the manufacturers. All the results obtained meet the standards of the ICH Q3D (R1) guideline on elemental impurities according to the levels of Pb. It can be concluded that all investigated THMPs with Thymi herba available in Poland should not represent any health risk to adults.

Diversity, molecular phylogenetics, and antibiotic biosynthetic potential of endophytic Actinobacteria isolated from medicinal plants in Nigeria

Actinobacteria that are found in nature have enormous promise for the growth of the pharmaceutical sector. There is a scarce report on the antimicrobial activities of endophytic Actinobacteria from Nigeria. As a result, this study evaluated the Actinobacteria isolated from Nigerian medicinal plants in terms of their biodiversity, phylogenetics, and ability to produce antimicrobial compounds. Following accepted practices, Actinobacteria were isolated from the surface-sterilized plant parts. They were identified using 16S rRNA sequencing, microscopic, and morphological methods. The cell-free broth of Actinobacteria isolates was subjected to antimicrobial assay by agar well diffusion. Molecular evolutionary and genetic analysis (MEGA) version X was used for phylogenetic analysis, and the interactive tree of life (iTOL) version 6.0 was used to view the neighbour-joining method-drawn tree. A total of 13 Actinobacteria were recovered, belonging to three genera including 10 strains of Streptomyces, 2 strains of Saccharomonospora, and only 1 strain of Saccharopolyspora. They showed inhibitory activity against several bacterial pathogens. The phylogenetic tree generated from the sequences showed that our isolates are divergent and distinct from other closely related strains on the database. Further, optimization of the antibiotic production by selected Saccharomonospora sp. PNSac2 was conducted. It showed that the optimal conditions were the ISP2 medium (1-2% w/v salt) adjusted to pH of 8 at 30-32℃ for 12-14 days. In conclusion, endophytic Actinobacteria dwelling in Nigerian soils could be a promising source of new antibiotics. Future research is warranted because more genomic analysis and characterization of their metabolites could lead to the development of new antibacterial medicines.

Comprehensive Review on Herbal Medicine: Emphasis on Current Therapy and Role of Phytoconstituents for Cancer Treatment

INTRODUCTION

Cancer poses a significant public health challenge in both developed and developing nations, with a rising global incidence of patients facing the threat of death due to abnormal cell proliferation.

AIM

Review explores the utilization of different parts of herbal medicinal plants and their active pharmaceutical constituents in the prevention and treatment of various types of cancer.

METHODOLOGY

Various anticancer medicinal plants have been identified, demonstrating their therapeutic effects by inhibiting cancer-stimulating enzymes and hormones, activating DNA repair processes, boosting the synthesis of protective stimulants, reducing the formation of free radicals, and enhancing individual immunity. Data for this study were gathered from diverse online bibliographic and databases, including Google, Google Scholar, Mendeley, Springer Link, Research Gate, and PubMed.

RESULT

Herbal drugs have a huge contribution to the inhibition of the progression of cancer.A large volume of clinical studies has reported the beneficial effects of herbal medicines on the survival, immune modulation, and quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients, when these herbal medicines are used in combination with conventional therapeutics.

CONCLUSION

The latest medicines for the clinical purpose (Above 50 %) are derived from herbal products. Furthermore, combination of these herbs with nanotechnology shows promise in treating specific carcinomas.

Integrated traditional herbal medicine for recurrent urinary tract infection treatment and follow-up: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) with pathogenic strain resistance leading to a high recurrence rate affect health quality and have become a high-priority issue due to the economic burden on the health care system.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the supportive benefits of traditional herbal medicines (THMs) for the treatment and prevention of recurrent UTIs through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Systematic searches of databases, including PubMed/Medline, the Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), were conducted to collect eligible studies for meta-analysis. The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials that investigated UTI recurrence using THM treatment.

RESULTS

The results of 22 studies showed that THM treatment led to significantly fewer UTI events in the experimental group than in the control group (OR = 0.348; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.257 to 0.473; p < 0.001). Seventeen studies reported UTI events during the follow-up period, and the recurrence rate was lower in the experimental group than in the control group (OR, 0.326; 95% CI, 0.245-0.434; p < 0.01). Subgroup analysis further showed that compared to antibiotics alone, treatment with THM plus antibiotics significantly reduced UTI events in the acute phase (OR = 0.301; 95% CI = 0.201 to 0.431; p < 0.001) as well as in the follow-up period (OR = 0.347; 95% CI = 0.241 to 0.498; p < 0.001). However, THM treatment alone was not superior to antibiotics in the acute treatment phase (OR = 0.540; 95% CI = 0.250 to 1.166; p = 0.117) or in the follow-up period (OR = 0.464; 95% CI = 0.111 to 1.951; p = 0.295). Herbal ingredients for recurrent UTI events also showed benefits compared to placebo treatment in the acute phase (OR = 0.337; 95% CI = 0.158 to 0.717; p = 0.005) and during follow-up (OR = 0.238; 95% CI = 0.139 to 0.409; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

THM combined with antibiotics is helpful for people with acute UTIs and for reinfection prevention. THMs alone, although less effective for recurrent UTIs, could be considered a therapeutic alternative to antibiotics.

Herbal compounds as promising therapeutic agents in precision medicine strategies for cancer: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The field of personalized medicine has gained increasing attention in cancer care, with the aim of tailoring treatment strategies to individual patients for improved outcomes. Herbal medicine, with its long-standing historical use and extensive bioactive compounds, offers a rich source of potential treatments for various diseases, including cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To provide an overview of the current knowledge and evidence associated with incorporating herbal compounds into precision medicine strategies for cancer diseases. Additionally, to explore the general characteristics of the studies included in the analysis, focusing on their key features and trends.

SEARCH STRATEGY

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from multiple online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL-EBSCO. The search strategy was designed to identify studies related to personalized cancer medicine and herbal interventions.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Publications pertaining to cancer research conducted through in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, employing natural products were included in this review.

DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently applied inclusion and inclusion criteria, data extraction, and assessments of methodological quality. The quality assessment and biases of the studies were evaluated based on modified Jadad scales. A detailed quantitative summary of the included studies is presented, providing a comprehensive description of their key features and findings.

RESULTS

A total of 121 studies were included in this review for analysis. Some of them were considered as comprehensive experimental investigations both in vitro and in vivo. The majority (n = 85) of the studies included in this review were conducted in vitro, with 44 of them specifically investigating the effects of herbal medicine on animal models. Additionally, 7 articles with a combined sample size of 31,271 patients, examined the impact of herbal medicine in clinical settings.

CONCLUSION

Personalized medication can optimize the use of herbal medicine in cancer treatment by considering individual patient factors such as genetics, medical history, and other treatments. Additionally, active phytochemicals found in herbs have shown potential for inhibiting cancer cell growth and inducing apoptosis, making them a promising area of research in preclinical and clinical investigations. Please cite this article as: Tayeb BA, Kusuma IY, Osman AAM, Minorics R. Herbal compounds as promising therapeutic agents in precision medicine strategies for cancer: A systematic review. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(2): 137-162.

Influence of socio-demographic factors on medicinal plant knowledge among three selected ethnic groups in south-central Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

The influence of socio-demographic variables was widely explored to evaluate their impact on indigenous and local ethnobotanical knowledge. However, the studies conducted in Ethiopia mainly focused on rural areas. They were limited to exploring and documenting ethnobotanical knowledge and the associated impacts of socio-demographic variables in rural-urban interface areas among ethnic groups. Hence, this study aimed to document plant-based indigenous and local ethnomedicinal knowledge and the associated impacts of socio-demographic variables among selected three ethnic groups in south-central Ethiopia.

METHODS

Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 189 key informants, floristic species inventories, and field observations. Quantitative approaches were used to evaluate the use values (UV) of the most important medicinal plants, the informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), relative popularity level (RPL), and rank-order priority (ROP). Statistical tests were applied to evaluate the influences of socio-demographic factors and associations between variables on local ethnobotanical knowledge across ethnic groups in different informant categories.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the mean number of medicinal plants reported among age categories. There was also a positive association between the respondent's age and plant knowledge acquisition. Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex Delile, Albizia gummifera C.A.Sm., Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Aloe macrocarpa Tod., Gymnanthemum amygdalinum (Delile) Sch.Bip., Calpurnia aurea (Aiton) Benth, and Allium sativum L. had the highest use values among ethnic groups. The highest informant consensus factor values were recorded for circulatory system disorders (0.68) followed by febrile illness and reproductive organ complications (0.66 each) across the three studied ethnic groups. The highest FL, RPL, and ROP values were noted for Lactuca inermis Forssk., Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod., Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, Allium sativum L., Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck, Ricinus communis L., Schinus molle L., Antiaris toxicaria (J.F.Gmel.) Lesch., Brucea antidysenterica J.F.Mill., Echinops kebericho Mesfin, Ocimum jamesii Sebald, Afrocarpus falcatus (Thunb.) C.N.Page, Searsia natalensis (Bernh. ex Krauss) F.A.Barkley, and Ricinus communis L. across ethnic groups in the study areas, which showed the conformity of knowledge on species curing potential and their prevalent uses.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed that the ethnic groups of Gedeo, Oromo, and Sidama have considerable indigenous and local ethnobotanical knowledge practices. Statistical analysis shown high variation in the acquisition of local ethnobotanical knowledge among age groups, which boosted our understanding of the effects of socio-demographic factors on the local ethnobotanical knowledge dynamics. Thus, this finding advocates for efforts to repair the observed generation gap via continued professional support and educating local communities to preserve traditional knowledge and practices through systematic documentation.