Chemical Composition and Allelopathic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antiacetylcholinesterase Activity of Fish-mint (Houttuynia cordataThunb.) from India

Deep integration of metabolome and transcriptome characterizes alkaloid metabolism in Houttuynia cordata

Alkaloids are the main medicinal components in Houttuynia cordata. In this study, two accessions 6# and 7# of H. cordata underwent thorough metabolomic analyses to identify and quantify alkaloid phytometabolites. It turned out that the alkaloid types were largely similar between 6# and 7#, and the identified 81 alkaloids could be divided into nine structural classes. However, the content of alkaloids in the two accessions was quite different. According to transcriptome data, a total of 114 differentially expressed genes related to alkaloid metabolism were screened. The alkaloid synthesis pathway of the two varieties was mainly different in the isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis and indole alkaloid biosynthesis; four genes A22110063c_transcript_59323, A22110063c_transcript_60118, A22110063c_transcript_51672 and A22110063c_transcript_48784 were highly expressed in 7#, which could be key candidate genes of alkaloid metabolism and warrant further analysis. These results provide a reference for the medicinal application of H. cordata and breeding alkaloid rich varieties.

Impacts of Plu kaow (Houttuynia cordata Thunb.) Ethanolic Extract on Diabetes and Dyslipidemia in STZ Induced Diabetic Rats: Phytochemical Profiling, Cheminformatics Analyses, and Molecular Docking Studies

The increasing prevalence of diabetes and dyslipidemia poses significant health challenges, impacting millions of people globally and leading to high rates of illness and death. This study aimed to explore the potential antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects of Plu kaow (Houttuynia cordata Thunb.) ethanolic extract (PK) in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats, focusing on its molecular mechanisms. Diabetes was induced in fasting Long Evans rats using streptozotocin (65 mg/kg b. w.), with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg/day) used as the standard experimental drug. The treated groups received oral supplementation of PK (500 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. The study evaluated blood glucose levels, lipid status, body weight, liver, kidney, and heart function biomarkers, antioxidant activity, and histological examination of various organs. Additionally, untargeted metabolomics, cheminformatics, and molecular docking were employed to elucidate the probable mechanisms of action of PK. Based on metabolomic profiling data, the PK was found to contain various putative antidiabetic agents such as kaempferol 7-neohesperidoside, isochlorogenic acid C, rutin, datiscin, and diosmin and they have been proposed to significantly (p < 0.001) reduce blood glucose levels and modulated hyperlipidemia. PK also improved the tested liver, kidney, and heart function biomarkers and reversed damage to normal pancreatic, liver, kidney, and heart cells in histological analysis. In conclusion, PK shows promise as a potential treatment or management option for diabetes and hyperlipidemia, as well as their associated complications in diabetic rats.

Synergistic antifungal mechanism of cinnamaldehyde and nonanal against Aspergillus flavus and its application in food preservation

Aspergillus flavus colonization on agricultural products during preharvest and postharvest results in tremendous economic losses. Inspired by the synergistic antifungal effects of essential oils, the aims of this study were to explore the mechanism of combined cinnamaldehyde and nonanal (SCAN) against A. flavus and to evaluate the antifungal activity of SCAN loading into diatomite (DM). Shriveled mycelia were observed by scanning electron microscopy, especially in the SCAN treatment group. Calcofluor white staining, transmission electron microscopy, dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate staining and the inhibition of key enzymes in tricarboxylic acid cycle indicated that the antifungal mechanism of SCAN against A. flavus was related to the cell wall damage, reactive oxygen species accumulation and energy metabolism interruption. RNA sequencing revealed that some genes involved in antioxidation were upregulated, whereas genes responsible for cell wall biosynthesis, oxidative stress, cell cycle and spore development were significantly downregulated, supporting the occurrence of cellular apoptosis. In addition, compared with the control group, conidia production in 1.5 mg/mL DM/cinnamaldehyde, DM/nonanal and DM/SCAN groups were decreased by 27.16%, 48.22% and 76.66%, respectively, and the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contents decreased by 2.00%, 73.02% and 84.15%, respectively. These finding suggest that DM/SCAN complex has potential uses in food preservation.

iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis reveals the effect of ribosomal proteins on essential-oil accumulation in Houttuynia cordata Thunb

Houttuynia cordata Thunb., also known as Yuxingcao in Chinese, occupies a pivotal role in Asian traditional medicine and cuisine. The aerial parts and underground stems of H. cordata exhibit remarkable chemical diversity, particularly in essential oil. Nevertheless, the mechanisms regulating essential oil biosynthesis in H. cordata remain unclear. In this study, we present a quantitative overview of the proteomes across four tissues (flower, stem, leaf, and underground stem) of H. cordata, achieved through the application of the isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ). Our research findings indicate that certain crucial ribosomal proteins and their interactions may significantly impact the production of essential oils in H. cordata. These results offer novel insights into the roles of ribosomal proteins and their associations in essential oil biosynthesis across various organisms of H. cordata.

Neuroinflammation and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Potentials of a Spiroketal-Enol Ether Polyyne Isolated from Artemisia pallens Wall. ex DC

Artemisia pallens Wall. ex DC (Asteraceae) is cultivated for the production of high-value essential oil from its aerial biomass. In this study, the chemical composition of the root (crop-residue) essential oil was investigated for the first time, using column-chromatography, GC-FID, GC-MS, LC-QTOF, and NMR techniques, which led to the identification of twenty constituents, with isolation of (E)-2-(2',4'-hexadiynylidene)-1,6-dioxaspiro [4.5]dec-3-ene (D6). The D6 was evaluated in vitro for neuroinflammation and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential. It showed inhibition of neuroinflammation in a concentration-dependent manner with significant inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. D6 did not have any significant effect on the viability of the cells at the therapeutic concentrations. D6 also has shown acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential (51.90±1.19 %) at the concentration of log 106  nM. The results showed that D6 has a potential role in the resolution of neuroinflammation, and its acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential directs further investigation of its role in the management of Alzheimer's disease-related pathogenesis.

Houttuynia Cordata Thunb.: A comprehensive review of traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology and safety

BACKGROUND

Houttuynia Cordata Thunb. (H. cordata; Saururaceae) is a medicine food homology plant that is grown in many Asian countries. Its main phytochemical constituents are volatile oils, flavonoids, polysaccharides and alkaloids. It has considerable clinical applications and health benefits.

PURPOSE

This paper reviews the existing literatures and patents, summarizes the phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, safety and economic botanical applications of H. cordata, and provides a reference for systematic study of the pharmacological effects of H. cordata, improvement of quality standards and further development of its medicinal resources.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of literature and patents on H. cordata and its active ingredients published before June 2023 was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and China Knowledge Network.

RESULTS

H. cordata is not only edible and medicinal but also used in various aspects of daily life such as fermented beverages, nutraceuticals, feed and cosmetics. The main phytochemical constituents of H. cordata are volatile oils, flavonoids, organic acids and alkaloids. Several in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical trials have found that H. cordata extracts possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, hepatoprotective and renal, immunomodulatory and potent antiviral effects. The mechanisms of expression of these pharmacological effects are related to the blood-brain barrier, lipophilicity, cAMP signaling and skin permeability, including blocking the MAPK signaling pathway, inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and IL-1β, and activating the AMPK pathway.

CONCLUSION

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the progress of research on the traditional applications, botany, chemical composition, pharmacological effects and safety of H. cordata and discusses for the first time the economic botanical aspects, which were not explored in the previous reviews. H. cordata has a wide range of bioactive substances whose therapeutic potential has not been fully exploited, and it could provide a new non-toxic approach to many diseases. This traditional medicinal food plant should receive more attention and in-depth research in the future.

Bacteriocin-Producing Enterococcus faecium OV3-6 as a Bio-Preservative Agent to Produce Fermented Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Beverages: A Preliminary Study

Microbial contamination affects the quality of the fermented Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (H. cordata) beverage (FHB). The present study aimed to assess the bio-preservative property of Enterococcus faecium OV3-6 (E. faecium OV3-6) during the production of FHB. The antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus and the survival of E. faecium OV3-6 were studied. Then, FHB fermentation was performed with different preservatives (non-preservative, E. faecium OV3-6, cell-free supernatant of E. faecium OV3-6, and nisin) with and without representative pathogens. The maximum antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and B. cereus was observed after 18 h of cultivation in an MRS medium. E. faecium OV3-6 was used as a starter to produce the FHB, and the strain survived up to 48 h in the fermented beverage. E. faecium OV3-6 and its cell-free supernatant inhibited the growth of E. coli, Salmonella, B. cereus, and S. aureus in the stimulated FHB. The non-preservatives and nisin-containing FHB showed inhibition against Gram-positive pathogens. The FHB treated with E. faecium OV3-6 was rich in lactic acid bacteria, and the product was at an acceptable level of pH (less than 4.3). Certain limitations were identified in the study, such as lack of nutritional, metabolomics analysis, and safety and consumer acceptability of FHB. The results suggested that E. faecium OV3-6 could be used as a bio-preservative to produce fermented plant beverages (FPBs).

How to Naturally Support the Immune System in Inflammation-Essential Oils as Immune Boosters

Efficient functionality of the immune system is needed to fight against the development of infectious diseases, including, among others, serious recurrent chronic infections. Research has shown that many modern common diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases and cardiovascular diseases, e.g., thromboembolism, cancer, obesity, or depression, are connected with inflammatory processes. Therefore, new, good stimulators of the immune system's response are sought. They include synthetic compounds as well as biological preparations such as lipopolysaccharides, enzymes, bacterial metabolites, and secondary metabolites of plants, demonstrating a multidirectional effect. Essential oils are characterized by many invaluable activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulating. Essential oils may stimulate the immune system via the utilization of their constituents, such as antibodies, cytokines, and dendritic cells. Some essential oils may stimulate the proliferation of immune-competent cells, including polymorphonuclear leukocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and B and T lymphocytes. This review is focused on the ability of essential oils to affect the immune system. It is also possible that essential oil components positively interact with recommended anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial drugs. Thus, there is a need to explore possible synergies between essential oils and their active ingredients for medical use.

Synergistic effects of combined cinnamaldehyde and nonanal vapors against Aspergillus flavus

This study evaluated the synergistic antifungal effects of vapor-phase natural agents against Aspergillus flavus with an aim to prevent fungal contamination in agricultural products. Screening different combinations of natural antifungal vapor agents using the checkerboard assay revealed that the cinnamaldehyde and nonanal (S_CAN) blend could exert the strongest synergistic antifungal activities against A. flavus, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.03 μL/mL, which caused a 76 % decrease in fungal population compared to when each agent was used separately. Subsequent gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis demonstrated that the cinnamaldehyde/nonanal combination was stable and no effects on their individual molecular structures. S_CAN at 2 × MIC completely inhibited the fungal conidia production and mycelial growth. The calcofluor white (CFW) and dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining assays showed that S_CAN treatment could accelerate the destruction of cell wall integrity and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in A. flavus. Moreover, pathogenicity assay indicated that in contrast to separate treatment with cinnamaldehyde or nonanal, S_CAN could cause a decrease in the production of A. flavus asexual spores and AFB1 on peanuts, which verified its potential synergistic activity against fungal propagation. In addition, S_CAN effectively preserves the organoleptic and nutritional properties of stored peanuts. Overall, our findings strongly indicated that the cinnamaldehyde/nonanal combination is a potentially significant antifungal agent against A. flavus contamination during the postharvest storage of peanuts.

Pharmacological Effects of Houttuynia cordata Thunb (H. cordata): A Comprehensive Review

Houttuynia cordata Thunb (H. cordata) is a rhizomatous, herbaceous, and perennial plant widely distributed in Asia. It has multiple chemical constituents, such as alkaloids, essential oils, phenolic acids, and flavonoids used against various health problems. The essential oils and flavonoids are the main components of H. cordata that play an essential role in disease treatment and traditional health care. Moreover, the leaves and stems of H. cordata have a long medicinal history in China. In addition, H. cordata is used against several health issues, such as cold, cough, fever, pneumonia, mumps, and tumors, due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, and anti-tumor effects. It protects organs due to its anti-inflammatory activity. H. cordata regulates immunity by enhancing immune barriers of the oral cavity, vagina, and gastrointestinal tract, and shows broad-spectrum activity against liver, lung, breast, and colon tumors. However, there are some gaps to be filled to understand its pathways and mechanisms. Mechanisms such as its interaction with cells, cell membranes, and various drugs are important. Studies in relation to the blood–brain barrier, lipophilicity, cAMP signaling, and skin permeability, including pharmaceutical effects, will be very useful. This review includes the biological and pharmacological activities of H. cordata based on up-to-date research.

Quality and Metabolomics Analysis of Houttuynia cordata Based on HS-SPME/GC-MS

Houttuynia cordata is a medicinal and edible plant with a wide biological interest. Many parts were discarded due to various modes of consumption, resulting in resource waste. In this study, a comprehensive study was conducted on various edible indicators and medicinal components of Houttuynia cordata to understand its edible and medicinal value. The edible indexes of each root, stem, and leaf were determined, and the metabolites of different parts were investigated using the headspace solid-phase micro-extraction technique (HS-SPME-GC-MS). The differential metabolites were screened by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and clustering analysis. The results of the study showed that the parts of Houttuynia cordata with high edibility values as a vegetable were mainly the roots and leaves, with the highest vitamin C content in the roots and the highest total flavonoids, soluble sugars, and total protein in the leaves. The nutrient content of all the stems of Houttuynia cordata was lower and significantly different from the roots and leaves (p < 0.05). In addition, 209 metabolites were isolated from Houttuynia cordata, 135 in the roots, 146 in the stems, 158 in the leaves, and 91 shared metabolites. The clustering analysis and OPLS-DA found that the parts of Houttuynia cordata can be mainly divided into above-ground parts (leaves and stems) and underground parts (roots). When comparing the differential metabolites between the above-ground parts and underground parts, it was found that the most important medicinal component of Houttuynia cordata, 2-undecanone, was mainly concentrated in the underground parts. The cluster analysis resulted in 28 metabolites with up-regulation and 17 metabolites with down-regulation in the underground parts. Most of the main components of the underground part have pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antiviral, which are more suitable for drug development. Furthermore, the above-ground part has more spice components and good antioxidant capacity, which is suitable for the extraction of edible flavors. Therefore, by comparing and analyzing the differences between the edible and medicinal uses of different parts of Houttuynia cordata as a medicinal and food plant, good insights can be obtained into food development, pharmaceutical applications, agricultural development, and the hygiene and cosmetic industries. This paper provides a scientific basis for quality control and clinical use.

Houttuynia cordata Thunb: An Ethnopharmacological Review

Houttuynia cordata Thunb (H. cordata; Saururaceae) is widely distributed in Asian regions. It plays an important role in traditional health care and disease treatment, as its aboveground stems and leaves have a long medicinal history in China and are used in the treatment of pneumonia and lung abscess. In clinical treatment, it can usually be combined with other drugs to treat dysentery, cold, fever, and mumps; additionally, H. cordata is an edible plant. This review summarizes detailed information on the phytochemistry and pharmacological effects of H. cordata. By searching the keywords “H. cordata and lung”, “H. cordata and heart”, “H. cordata and liver”, and “H. cordata and inflammation” in PubMed, Web of Science and ScienceDirect, we screened out articles with high correlation in the past ten years, sorted out the research contents, disease models and research methods of the articles, and provided a new perspective on the therapeutic effects of H. cordata. A variety of its chemical constituents are characteristic of medicinal plants, the chemical constituents were isolated from H. cordata, including volatile oils, alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Flavonoids and volatile oils are the main active components. In pharmacological studies, H. cordata showed organ protective activity, such as reducing the release of inflammatory factors to alleviate lung injury. Moreover, H. cordata regulates immunity, enhances the immune barriers of the vagina, oral cavity, and intestinal tract, and combined with the antibacterial and antiviral activity of its extract, effectively reduces pathogen infection. Furthermore, experiments in vivo and in vitro showed significant anti-inflammatory activity, and its chemical derivatives exert potential therapeutic activity against rheumatoid arthritis. Antitumour action is also an important pharmacological activity of H. cordata, and studies have shown that H. cordata has a notable effect on lung tumour, liver tumour, colon tumour, and breast tumour. This review categorizes the biological activities of H. cordata according to modern research papers, and provides insights into disease prevention and treatment of H. cordata.

Comparison of Essential Oils of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. from Different Processing Methods and Harvest Seasons Based on GC-MS and Chemometric Analysis

Houttuyniae Herba (HH) refers to the dried aerial part of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (DHC) or the fresh whole grass of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (FHC), where DHC are harvested in summer and FHC around the year. However, harvest seasons and processing methods (i.e., medicinal parts and drying process) might affect the quality of HH. To compare the essential oils (EOs) of DHC and FHC and their two harvest seasons, GC-MS analysis combined with chemometric analysis was applied. The results showed that the oil yield of FHC (0.076 ± 0.030%) was higher than that of DHC (0.038 ± 0.029%), and oil yield was higher in summer than in autumn (0.044 ± 0.029% for DHC1, 0.036 ± 0.028% for DHC2, 0.084 ± 0.026% for FHC1, and 0.067 ± 0.033% for FHC2, respectively). Moreover, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) successfully distinguished the chemical constituents of DHC and FHC oils. Additionally, according to orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), eleven components were selected as chemical markers for discriminating DHC and FHC, and two and four chemical markers for discriminating two harvest seasons of DHC and FHC, respectively. Among these markers, the average contents of α-pinene, limonene, β-phellandrene, α-terpineol, 4-tridecanone, and ethyl decanoate were higher in FHC oils. In contrast, the average contents of nonanal, 1-nonanol, β-cyclocitral, n-hexadecanoic acid, and octadecanol were higher in DHC oils. Additionally, the contents of 4-tridecanone and ethyl decanoate were both higher in DHC1 oils than in DHC2 oils. Moreover, the contents of β-myrcene and β-phellandrene were higher in FHC1 oils, while the contents of 2,6-octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, acetate, and (z)-phytol were higher in FHC2 oils. For these reasons, this study provides a scientific basis for quality control and clinical medication.

Sodium houttuyfonate: A review of its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular protective effects

There is an almost unlimited interest in searching and developing new drugs, especially when we are in an era that are witnessing more and more emerging pathogens. Natural products from traditional medicines represent a large library for searching lead compounds with novel bioactivities. Sodium houttuyfonate is such one bioactive compound derived from Houttuynia cordata Thunb which has been employed in traditional medicine for treating infectious and inflammatory diseases. Sodium houttuyfonate has demonstrated multiple kinds of pharmacological effects, including antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular protective activities, which are discussed here to provide insights into our understanding of the pharmacological effects of SH and the underlying mechanisms.

Effects of houttuynia cordata thunb. on rhinosinusitis by nasal irrigation: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The herba Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (HC) has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral effects. Through nasal irrigation, the related preparation of HC is beneficial for treating rhinosinusitis or promoting recovery after an endoscopic sinus surgery. However, it remains controversial whether nasal irrigation with HC preparation can provide evidence-based clinical benefits for rhinosinusitis patients.

METHODS

With reference to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), 8 databases are perused to perform a methodical investigation of nasal irrigation with HC preparation and health-related results amongst rhinosinusitis patients. The main research purpose is to determine the influence of PRISMA standards on medical results pertaining to rhinosinusitis patients, including quantitative symptom recording and effective rate. With reference to the Cochrane Handbook, quality assessment of qualified papers is conducted using the Cochrane Risk Assessment Tool.

RESULTS

The results will be publicised through a peer-reviewed journal publication.

CONCLUSION

The results of the systematic review will summarise evidences for the efficacy of nasal irrigation with HC preparation in rhinosinusitis treatment.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Since this study involves a methodical investigation of issued medical papers, ethical authorisation and informed patient consent are not necessary.

Chemical Composition and Determination of the Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oils in Liquid and Vapor Phases Extracted from Two Different Southeast Asian Herbs-Houttuynia cordata (Saururaceae) and Persicaria odorata (Polygonaceae)

Essential oils obtained via the hydrodistillation of two Asian herbs (Houttuynia cordata and Persicaria odorata) were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC–FID). Additionally, both the liquid and vapor phase of essential oil were tested on antimicrobial activity using the broth microdilution volatilization method. Antimicrobial activity was tested on Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria—Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Seratia marcescense and Bacillus subtilis. Hydrodistillation produced a yield of 0.34% (Houttuynia cordata) and 0.40% (Persicaria odorata). 41 compounds were identified in both essential oils. Essential oils contained monoterpenes and their oxidized forms, sesquiterpenes and their oxidized forms, oxidized diterpenes, derivates of phenylpropene and other groups, such as, for example, aldehydes, alcohols or fatty acids. Both essential oils were antimicrobial active in both vapor and liquid phases at least in case of one bacterium. They expressed various antimicrobial activity in the range of 128–1024 μg∙mL⁻¹, 512–1024 μg∙mL⁻¹ in broth and 1024 μg∙mL⁻¹, 512–1024 μg∙mL⁻¹ in agar, respectively. Research showed new interesting information about P. odorata and H. cordata essential oils and demonstrated that both essential oils could be possibly used in the field of natural medicine or natural food preservation.

Antibacterial Activity and Metabolomics Profiling of Torch Ginger (Etlingera elatior Jack) Flower Oil Extracted Using Subcritical Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

The aim of this study was to identify the bioactive compound and evaluate the antibacterial activity of torch ginger flower oil extracted using subcritical carbon dioxide. The antibacterial activity was evaluated in agar diffusion assay, while MIC and MBC were determined using the microdilution broth assay. The essential oil was subjected to metabolomics profiling using GC-MS and 1H-NMR techniques. The results demonstrated strong antibacterial activity towards Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. The MIC values were 0.0625, 0.25, and 0.25 mg/mL, and the MBC values were 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/mL towards S. typhimurium, S. aureus, and E. coli, respectively. A total of 33 compounds were identified using GC-MS including 15 compounds (45%) known for their antimicrobial activity. In addition, sixteen metabolites were identified using NMR analysis and 8 out of the sixteen metabolites (50%) have antibacterial activity. The extracted oil demonstrated broad range for antibacterial activity and has high potential for applications in pharmaceutical and food industries. Practical Applications. The oil extracted from the torch ginger flower was found very stable and has promising applications as antibacterial agent for food and pharmaceutical industries.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Gut Microbiome: Their Respective and Concert Effects on Healthcare

Advances in systems biology, particularly based on the omics approaches, have resulted in a paradigm shift in both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the gut microbiome research. In line with this paradigm shift, the importance of TCM and gut microbiome in healthcare, as well as their interplay, has become clearer. Firstly, we briefly summarize the current status of three topics in this review: microbiome, TCM, and relationship of TCM and microbiome. Second, we focused on TCM's therapeutic effects and gut microbiome's mediation roles, including the relationships among diet, gut microbiome, and health care. Third, we have summarized some databases and tools to help understand the impact of TCM and gut microbiome on diagnosis and treatment at the molecular level. Finally, we introduce the effects of gut microbiome on TCM and host health, with two case studies, one on the metabolic effect of gut microbiome on TCM, and another on cancer treatment. In summary, we have reviewed the current status of the two components of healthcare: TCM and gut microbiome, as well as their concert effects. It is quite clear that as the holobiont, the maintenance of the health status of human would depend heavily on TCM, gut microbiome, and their combined effects.

Elevated Bioactivity of Ruta graveolens against Cancer Cells and Microbes Using Seaweeds

Human cancer and pathogenic microbes cause a significant number of deaths every year. Modulating current sources of natural products that control such diseases becomes essential. Natural algae, such as Ascophyllum nodosum and Ecklonia maxima, can modulate the metabolic processes as well the bioactivities of Ruta graveolens L. The R. graveolens plants were subjected to nine soil drenches of A. nodosum (7 mL L−1), E. maxima (7 mL L−1), or both extracts. Morphological performance, gas exchange parameters, and essential oils (EOs) composition (GC-MS) were studied and the bioactivity was assessed against several cancer cells and pathogenic bacteria or fungi. Treatment with A. nodosum + E. maxima seaweed extracts (SWE) led to the highest morphological performance and gas exchange parameters. The highest antiproliferative, apoptotic, and caspase-3/7 activities of EO were against HeLa in SWE mixture treated plants. The best EO antimicrobial activities were obtained against Staphylococcus aureus and Penicillium ochrochloron. SWE mixtures treated plants showed the best bioactivities against microbes and cancer cells. The highest abundance of 2-undecanone (62%) and 2-nonanone (18%) was found in plants treated with SWE mixtures and caused the best anticancer and antimicrobial effects. Seaweed mixtures act as natural elicitors of pharmaceutical industries and favored 2-undecanone and 2-nonanone in R. graveolens.

Exploration of Medicinal Plants as Sources of Novel Anticandidal Drugs

BACKGROUND

Human infections associated with skin and mucosal surfaces, mainly in tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world. During the last decade, there have been an increasing numbers of cases of fungal infections in immunocompromised patients, coupled with an increase in the number of incidences of drug resistance and toxicity to anti fungal agents. Hence, there is a dire need for safe, potent and affordable new antifungal drugs for the efficient management of candidal infections with minimum or no side effects.

INTRODUCTION

Candidiasis represents a critical problem to human health and a serious concern worldwide. Due to the development of drug resistance, there is a need for new antifungal agents. Therefore, we reviewed the different medicinal plants as sources of novel anticandidal drugs.

METHODS

The comprehensive and detailed literature on medicinal plants was carried out using different databases, such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct and all the relevant information from the articles were analyzed and included.

RESULTS

Relevant Publications up to the end of November 2018, reporting anticandidal activity of medicinal plants has been included in the present review. In the present study, we have reviewed in the light of SAR and mechanisms of action of those plants whose extracts or phytomolecules are active against candida strains.

CONCLUSION

This article reviewed natural anticandidal drugs of plant origin and also summarized the potent antifungal bioactivity against fungal strains. Besides, mechanism of action of these potent active plant molecules was also explored for a comparative study. We concluded that the studied active plant molecules exhibit potential antifungal activity against resistant fungal strains.

Essential Oils and Their Natural Active Compounds Presenting Antifungal Properties

The current rise in invasive fungal infections due to the increase in immunosuppressive therapies is a real concern. Moreover, the emergence of resistant strains induces therapeutic failures. In light of these issues, new classes of antifungals are anticipated. Therefore, the plant kingdom represents an immense potential of natural resources to exploit for these purposes. The aim of this review is to provide information about the antifungal effect of some important essential oils, and to describe the advances made in determining the mechanism of action more precisely. Finally, the issues of toxicity and resistance of fungi to essential oils will be discussed.

Chemical Composition, Phytotoxic, Antimicrobial and Insecticidal Activity of the Essential Oils of Dracocephalum integrifolium

The present investigation studied the chemical composition of the essential oils extracted from Dracocephalum integrifolium Bunge growing in three different localities in northwest China and evaluated the phytotoxic, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities of the essential oils as well as their major constituents, i.e., sabinene and eucalyptol. GC/MS analysis revealed the presence of 21-24 compounds in the essential oils, representing 94.17-97.71% of the entire oils. Monoterpenes were the most abundant substances, accounting for 85.30-93.61% of the oils; among them, sabinene (7.35-14.0%) and eucalyptol (53.56-76.11%) were dominant in all three oils, which occupied 67.56-83.46% of the total oils. In general, phytotoxic bioassays indicated that the IC₅₀ values of the oils and their major constituents were below 2 μL/mL (1.739-1.886 mg/mL) against Amaranthus retroflexus and Poa annua. Disc diffusion method demonstrated that the oils and their major constituents possessed antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Candida albicans, with MIC values ranging from 5-40 μL/mL (4.347-37.712 mg/mL). The oils, sabinene and eucalyptol also exhibited significant pesticidal activity, with the mortality rates of Aphis pomi reaching 100% after exposing to 10 μL oil/petri dish (8.694-9.428 mg/petri dish) for 24 h. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the chemical composition, phytotoxic, antimicrobial and insecticidal activity of the essential oils extracted from D. integrifolium; it is noteworthy to mention that this is also the first report on the phytotoxicity of one of the major constituents, sabinene. Our results imply that D. integrifolium oils and sabinene have the potential value of being further exploited as natural pesticides.

Houttuynia cordata Thunb. and its bioactive compound 2-undecanone significantly suppress benzo(a)pyrene-induced lung tumorigenesis by activating the Nrf2-HO-1/NQO-1 signaling pathway

Background

Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer-related deaths, with a high incidence and mortality in both sexes worldwide. Chemoprevention has been the most effective strategy for lung cancer prevention. Thus, exploring novel and effective candidate agents with low toxicity for chemoprevention is essential and urgent. Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (Saururaceae) (H. cordata), which is a widely used herbal medicine and is also popularly consumed as a healthy vegetable, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antitumor activity. However, the chemopreventive effect of H. cordata against benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P)-initiated lung tumorigenesis and the underlying mechanism remain unclear.

Methods

A B[a]P-stimulated lung adenocarcinoma animal model in A/J mice in vivo and a normal lung cell model (BEAS.2B) in vitro were established to investigate the chemopreventive effects of H. cordata and its bioactive compound 2-undecanone against lung tumorigenesis and to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

Results

H. cordata and 2-undecanone significantly suppressed B[a]P-induced lung tumorigenesis without causing obvious systemic toxicity in mice in vivo. Moreover, H. cordata and 2-undecanone effectively decreased B[a]P-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction and further notably protected BEAS.2B cells from B[a]P-induced DNA damage and inflammation by significantly inhibiting phosphorylated H2A.X overexpression and interleukin-1β secretion. In addition, H. cordata and 2-undecanone markedly activated the Nrf2 pathway to induce the expression of the antioxidative enzymes heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1). Nrf2 silencing by transfection with Nrf2 siRNA markedly decreased the expression of HO-1 and NQO-1 to diminish the reductions in B[a]P-induced ROS overproduction, DNA damage and inflammation mediated by H. cordata and 2-undecanone.

Conclusions

H. cordata and 2-undecanone could effectively activate the Nrf2-HO-1/NQO-1 signaling pathway to counteract intracellular ROS generation, thereby attenuating DNA damage and inflammation induced by B[a]P stimulation and playing a role in the chemoprevention of B[a]P-induced lung tumorigenesis. These findings provide new insight into the pharmacological action of H. cordata and indicate that H. cordata is a novel candidate agent for the chemoprevention of lung cancer.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1255-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Diversity, knowledge, and valuation of plants used as fermentation starters for traditional glutinous rice wine by Dong communities in Southeast Guizhou, China

BACKGROUND

Beverages prepared by fermenting plants have a long history of use for medicinal, social, and ritualistic purposes around the world. Socio-linguistic groups throughout China have traditionally used plants as fermentation starters (or koji) for brewing traditional rice wine. The objective of this study was to evaluate traditional knowledge, diversity, and values regarding plants used as starters for brewing glutinous rice wine in the Dong communities in the Guizhou Province of China, an area of rich biological and cultural diversity.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were administered for collecting ethnobotanical data on plants used as starters for brewing glutinous rice wine in Dong communities. Field work was carried out in three communities in Guizhou Province from September 2017 to July 2018. A total of 217 informants were interviewed from the villages.

RESULTS

A total of 60 plant species were identified to be used as starters for brewing glutinous rice wine, belonging to 58 genera in 36 families. Asteraceae and Rosaceae are the most represented botanical families for use as a fermentation starter for rice wine with 6 species respectively, followed by Lamiaceae (4 species); Asparagaceae, Menispermaceae, and Polygonaceae (3 species respectively); and Lardizabalaceae, Leguminosae, Moraceae, Poaceae, and Rubiaceae (2 species, respectively). The other botanical families were represented by one species each. The species used for fermentation starters consist of herbs (60.0%), shrubs (23.3%), climbers (10.0%), and trees (6.7%). The parts used include the root (21.7%), leaf (20.0%), and the whole plant (16.7%). Findings indicate a significant relationship between knowledge of plants used as fermentation starters with age (P value < 0.001) and educational status (P value = 0.004) but not with gender (P value = 0.179) and occupation (P value = 0.059). The species that are most used by informants include Pueraria lobata var. montana (Lour.) van der Maesen (UV = 1.74; Leguminosae), Actinidia eriantha Benth. (UV = 1.51; Actinidiaceae), Oryza sativa L. var. glutinosa Matsum (UV = 1.5; Poaceae).

CONCLUSION

This study highlights that while most of the Dong informants continue to use a diverse range of plants as a fermentation starter for brewing glutinous rice wine, knowledge of these plants is being lost by the younger generations. Documentation of traditional ethnobotanical knowledge and outreach is thus needed to conserve biocultural diversity in the rural Dong communities in southern China.

In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils Against Salmonella enterica Serotypes Enteritidis and Typhimurium Strains Isolated from Poultry

Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis and S. enterica serotype Typhimurium are frequently present among poultry and are associated with outbreaks of human salmonellosis. The study investigated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs) obtained from Aloysia triphylla, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cymbopogon citratus, Litsea cubeba, Mentha piperita, Syzygium aromaticum against S. Enteritidis and S. Thyphimurium strains previously isolated from poultry. A 1:1 mixture of C. zeylanicum and S. aromaticum was also tested. The activity of all compounds was evaluated against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly used as probiotic. The highest antibacterial activity was observed for C. zeylanicum (minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 1.26 mg/mL to 0.63 mg/mL), S. aromaticum (MICs from 2.637 mg/mL to 0.164 mg/mL) and the mixture (MICs from 1.289 mg/mL to 0.322 mg/mL). No activity was recorded against S. cerevisiae. The results suggest a possible use of C. zeylanicum and S. aromaticum, alone or in combination, in the farm environment for disinfection and in poultry diet, combined with S. cerevisiae administration, for an integrated approach to avoid Salmonella intestinal colonization.

Therapeutic potentials of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. against inflammation and oxidative stress: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (Family: Saururaceae) is an herbaceous perennial plant that grows in moist and shady places. The plant is well known among the people of diverse cultures across Japan, Korea, China and North-East India for its medicinal properties. Traditionally the plant is used for its various beneficial properties against inflammation, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, muscular sprain, stomach ulcer etc. Oxidative stress and inflammation were found to be linked with most of the diseases in recent times. Many ancient texts from Chinese Traditional Medicine, Ayurveda and Siddha, and Japanese Traditional medicine have documented the efficacy of H. cordata against oxidative stress and inflammation.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review aims to provide up-to-date and comprehensive information on the efficacy of H. cordata extracts as well as its bioactive compounds both in vitro and in vivo, against oxidative stress and inflammation MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant information on H. cordata against oxidative stress and inflammation were collected from the established scientific databases such as NCBI, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Elsevier, and Springer. Additionally, a few books and magazines were also consulted to get the important information.

RESULTS

Herbal medicines or plant products were traditionally being used for treating the oxidative stress and inflammation related diseases in diverse communities across the world. Scientifically, H. cordata has shown to target several signaling pathways and found to effectively reduce the oxidative stress and inflammation. Phyto-constituents such as afzelin, hyperoside and quercitrin have shown to reduce inflammation both in vitro and in vivo models. These molecules were also shown to have strong antioxidant properties both in vivo and in vitro models.

CONCLUSIONS

H. cordata extracts and its bioactive molecules were shown to have both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. As both in vitro and in vivo studies were shown that H. cordata did not have any toxicity on the various model systems used, future clinical studies will hopefully make an impact on the future direction of treating inflammation-related diseases.