Proteomic analysis of the pathophysiological process involved in the antisnake venom effect of Mucuna pruriens extract

An assessment of potential nutritive and medicinal properties of Mucuna pruriens: a natural food legume

Mucuna pruriens belongs to the Fabaceae family and is ordinarily known as velvet bean, in English cowitch and Hindi Kawaanch. The restorative quality of this bean makes it an excellent component in pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications. Apart from high protein and starch content, these beans contain (l-Dopa) 3, 4-dihydroxy-l-phenylalanine, which exhibits several medicinal properties. However, it is poisonous when ingested by ruminants. The obstruction to the advancement of Mucuna as nutrition or food is the nearness of antinutrients, which are high as opposed to other uncommon vegetables. Also, this legume is considered as a future restorative herb because of its anticholesterolemic, anti-Parkinson, antioxidant, antidiabetic, sexual enhancing, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antivenom activities. It also exhibits anticancer activities, but very few studies have been done. The seeds of Mucuna pruriens also contain a vast range of phytochemical constituents such as alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, reducing sugars, and tannins, which provide an avenue to explore it for wider applications. This review sheds light on the possible mechanism of action of Mucuna pruriens on some diseases (hypoglycemia, Parkinson's disease, microbial diseases and tumor). and also fills the gap in the studies of Mucuna pruriens. and Further more in vitro and in vivo studies should be done to explore the potential of these seeds against many diseases, its application as a food source, its antinutrient, and harmful properties as well as its nutraceutical perspective.

Ethnomedicinal plants used for snakebite treatments in Ethiopia: a comprehensive overview

Traditional medicine plays an important role in the daily lives of people living in rural parts of Ethiopia. Despite the fact that Ethiopia has a long history of using traditional medicinal plants as an alternative medicine source, there is no checklist compiling these plants used for snakebite treatment. This review collected and compiled available knowledge on and practical usage of such plants in the country. A literature review on medicinal plants used to treat snakebites was conducted from 67 journal articles, PhD dissertation and MSc theses available online. Data that summarize scientific and folk names, administration methods, plant portion used for treatment and method of preparation of recipes were organized and analyzed based on citation frequency. The summarized results revealed the presence of 184 plant species distributed among 67 families that were cited for treating snakebite in Ethiopia. In this literature search, no single study was entirely dedicated to the study of traditional medicinal plants used for the treatment of snakebite in Ethiopia. Most of the species listed as a snakebite remedy were shrubs and climbers (44%) followed by herbs (33%) and trees (23%). Fabaceae was the most predominant family with the greatest number of species, followed by Solanaceae and Vitaceae. Remedies are mainly prepared from roots and leaves, through decoctions, infusions, powders and juices. Most remedies were administered orally (69%). The six most frequently mentioned therapeutically important plants were Nicotiana tabacum, Solanum incanum, Carissa spinanrum, Calpurnia aurea, Croton macrostachyus and Cynodon dactylon. Authors reviewed the vegetal substances involved in snakebite management and their action mode. In addition to screening the biologically active ingredients and pharmacological activities of these plant materials, future studies are needed to emphasize the conservation and cultivation of important medicinal plants of the country.

Differentially expressed plasma proteins of β-thalassemia/hemoglobin E patients in response to curcuminoids/vitamin E antioxidant cocktails

OBJECTIVE

Iron overload and oxidative stress are the major causes of serious complications and mortality in thalassemic patients. Our previous work supports the synergistic effects of antioxidant cocktails (curcuminoids or vitamin E, N-acetylcysteine, and deferiprone) in treatment of β-thalassemia/Hb E patients. This further 2-DE-based proteomic study aimed to identify the plasma proteins that expressed differentially in response to antioxidant cocktails.

METHODS

Frozen plasma samples of ten normal subjects and ten β-thalassemia/Hb E patients at three-time points (baseline, month 6, and month 12) were reduced the dynamic range of proteome using ProteoMiner kit and separated proteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Differentially expressed proteins were identified using tandem mass spectrometry. Several plasma proteins were validated by ELISA and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Thirteen and 11 proteins were identified with altered expression levels in the curcuminoids- and vitamin E cocktail groups, respectively. The associations between vitronectin (VTN) expression and total bilirubin levels, as well as between serum paraoxonase/arylesterase 1 (PON1) expression and blood reactive oxygen species were observed. Validation results were consistent with proteomics results.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

These plasma proteins may provide better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of antioxidant cocktails in thalassemic patients.

The Magic Velvet Bean of Mucuna pruriens

Mucuna pruriens (Fabaceae) is an established herbal drug used for the management of male infertility, nervous disorders, and also as an aphrodisiac. It has been shown that its seeds are potentially of substantial medicinal importance. The ancient Indian medical system, Ayurveda, traditionally used M. pruriens, even to treat such things as Parkinson's disease. M. pruriens has been shown to have anti-parkinson and neuroprotective effects, which may be related to its anti-oxidant activity. In addition, anti-oxidant activity of M. pruriens has been also demonstrated in vitro by its ability to scavenge DPPH radicals and reactive oxygen species. In this review the medicinal properties of M. pruriens are summarized, taking in consideration the studies that have used the seeds extracts and the leaves extracts.

Protein characterization of protein bodies from cotyledons of Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC

Seeds of Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. (Fabaceae) were analyzed for protein composition of protein bodies isolated from cotyledons. Protein bodies were successfully separated by Lympholyte and those of dry seeds, observed by scanning electron microscope, were elliptical or spherical in shape with a diameter of 5-12 μm. Protein content in dry seed protein bodies was 10.6 mg/g dry weight. Globulin was the largest protein fraction isolated (62.5 %), followed by albumin (18.3 %), glutelin (15.8 %) and prolamin (3.4 %). The prolamin fraction and high glutelin content are uncommon in legumes. SDS-PAGE of albumins, globulins, prolamins and glutelins provided different band numbers and molecular weights under reducing and non reducing conditions and suggested that the albumin fraction is rich in disulphide bonds.

Effects of Mucuna pruriens protease inhibitors on Echis carinatus venom

The medicinal plant Mucuna pruriens, with reputed anti-snake venom properties has been reported to contain a kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor. This study was undertaken to further evaluate the protease inhibitory potential of gpMuc, a multiform glycoprotein, and other protein fractions from M. pruriens seeds against trypsin, chymotrypsin, Echis carinatus snake venom, ecarin and thrombin. The results showed that gpMuc inhibited both trypsin and chymotrypsin activities and was thermally stable, maintaining its trypsin inhibitory activity at temperatures of up to 50°C. Its structural conformation was also maintained at pH ranges of 4-7. Immunoreactivity study confirms that it contains protease-recognizing epitope on one of its isoforms. The whole protein extract of M. pruriens seeds inhibited prothrombin activation by ecarin and whole E. carinatus venom, and also thrombin-like activity using chromogenic assay.

Plasma biomarkers of mouse aging

Normal aging is accompanied by a series of physiological changes such as gray hair, cataracts, reduced immunity, and increased susceptibility to disease. To identify novel biomarkers of normal aging, we analyzed plasma proteins of male mice longitudinally from 2 to 19 months of age. Plasma proteins were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified using mass spectrometry (MS), MS/MS and liquid chromatography MS/MS. We found that many plasma proteins exist as multiple isoforms with different masses and/or charges. Thirty-nine protein spots (corresponding to six distinct proteins) have been identified, 13 of which exhibited significant changes with age. For example, several proteins increased significantly during aging including one isoform of transthyretin, two isoforms of haptoglobin, and three isoforms of immunoglobulin kappa chain. Conversely, several proteins decreased significantly during aging including peroxiredoxin-2, serum amyloid protein A-1, and five isoforms of albumin. Identification of these proteins provides new biomarkers of normal aging in mice. If validated in humans, these biomarkers may facilitate therapeutic interventions to identify premature aging, delay aging, and/or improve healthspan of the elderly.

The belonging of gpMuc, a glycoprotein from Mucuna pruriens seeds, to the Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor family explains its direct anti-snake venom activity

In Nigeria, Mucuna pruriens seeds are locally prescribed as an oral prophylactic for snake bite and it is claimed that when two seeds are swallowed they protect the individual for a year against snake bites. In order to understand the Mucuna pruriens antisnake properties, the proteins from the acqueous extract of seeds were purified by three chromatographic steps: ConA affinity chromatography, tandem anionic-cationic exchange and gel filtration, obtaining a fraction conventionally called gpMucB. This purified fraction was analysed by SDS-PAGE obtaining 3 bands with apparent masses ranging from 20 to 24 kDa, and by MALDI-TOF which showed two main peaks of 21 and 23 kDa and another small peak of 19 kDa. On the other hand, gel filtration analysis of the native protein indicated a molecular mass of about 70 kDa suggesting that in its native form, gpMucB is most likely an oligomeric multiform protein. Infrared spectroscopy of gpMucB indicated that the protein is particularly thermostable both at neutral and acidic pHs and that it is an all beta protein. All data suggest that gpMucB belongs to the Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor family explaining the direct anti-snake venom activity of Mucuna pruriens seeds.

Effects of snake venom proteases on human fibrinogen chains

BACKGROUND

Proteomic approach is an effective method to study changes in human plasma proteome. Coagulopathies are commonly encountered in victims of viper envenomation which were treated with an administration of immunoglobulin. Unfortunately, this treatment shows significant risk to the patient due to an anaphylactic reaction. Since Echis carinatus Venom (EV) toxins mainly acts both directly and indirectly on fibrinogen, we planned to establish a suitable analysis of its beta (FIBB) e gamma (FIBG) chains. This study will help us to understand the mechanism of envenomation and to find alternative treatments other than the common treatment with the administration of IgG.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We evaluated the EV proteolytic activity on whole human plasma proteome from the blood of an healthy volunteer. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) using mini-gel was performed to analyse EV effects on the differents fibrinogen chains.

RESULTS

Changes in whole plasma proteome were focused on fibrinogen beta and gamma chains after EV incubation. Protein spots were detected and analyzed using ImageMaster 2D Platinum software. Results were represented as mean +/- standard deviation (mean+/-SD) with p<0.05 as a statistically significant value. 2-DE gel analysis showed that some spots of FIBB disappeared and some spots of FIBG decreased.

CONCLUSION

We found that the proteomic approach is a valid method in studying in-depth causes of different diseases, in particular those are involved in coagulopathies linked with proteins like fibrinogen from victims of viper envenomation.

The protective effect of Mucuna pruriens seeds against snake venom poisoning

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The seed, leaf and root of Mucuna pruriens have been used in traditional medicine for treatments of various diseases. In Nigeria, the seed is used as oral prophylactics for snakebite.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To study the protective effects of Mucuna pruriens seed extract against the lethalities of various snake venoms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were pre-treated with Mucuna pruriens seed extract and challenged with various snake venoms. The effectiveness of anti-Mucuna pruriens (anti-MPE) antibody to neutralize the lethalities of snake venoms was investigated by in vitro neutralization.

RESULTS

In rats, MPE pre-treatment conferred effective protection against lethality of Naja sputatrix venom and moderate protection against Calloselasma rhodostoma venom. Indirect ELISA and immunoblotting studies showed that there were extensive cross-reactions between anti-MPE IgG and venoms from many different genera of poisonous snakes, suggesting the involvement of immunological neutralization in the protective effect of MPE pre-treatment against snake venom poisoning. In vitro neutralization experiments showed that the anti-MPE antibodies effectively neutralized the lethalities of Asiatic cobra (Naja) venoms, but were not very effective against other venoms tested.

CONCLUSIONS

The anti-MPE antibodies could be used in the antiserum therapy of Asiatic cobra (Naja) bites.

A novel serine protease from the snake venom of Agkistrodon blomhoffii ussurensis

A novel serine protease, ABUSV-SPase, was isolated to homogeneity for the first time from Chinese Agkistrodon blomhoffii ussurensis snake venom, and its enzymatic and structural properties were characterized by multiple techniques. ABUSV-SPase is a stable monomeric protein with a molecular mass of 26,752.6a.m.u. It reacts optimally with its substrate Nalpha-tosyl-l-arginine methyl ester (TAME) at pH 7.0 and 41 degrees C. ESI-MS/MS analysis indicates that ABUSV-SPase is a new serine protease, sharing peptide homologies with various snake venom serine proteases, especially the snake venom thrombin-like enzymes of this group, and serine protease precursors. It is a zinc-containing protein, and although zinc is not essential for activity, its replacement by various divalent metal ions, including Mg2+, Mn2+, and Ca2+, increases the TAME hydrolysis activity of the enzyme. The intrinsic fluorescences of Tyr and Trp residues of ABUSV-SPase have emission wavelengths red-shifted by 12.8nm and 3.6nm from those of free Tyr and Trp, respectively. The zinc ion increases the hydrophobicity of the environment of the Trp residues, increases the thermostability of the protein, and affects the protein secondary structure to stabilize the enzyme, but appears to have no direct role in its esterase hydrolysis activity.