Biological activities ofPrunella vulgarisextract

Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Effects of Prunella vulgaris in Experimental Acute Inflammation

Prunella vulgaris (PV) is one of the most commonly used nutraceuticals as it has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition of PV and its in vivo antioxidant properties. A phytochemical analysis measuring the total phenolic content (TPC), the identification of phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD-ESI, and the evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant activity by the DPPH assay of the extract were performed. The antioxidant effects on inflammation induced by turpentine oil were experimentally tested in rats. Seven groups with six animals each were used: a control group, the experimental inflammation treatment group, the experimental inflammation and diclofenac sodium (DS) treatment group, and four groups with their inflammation treated using different dilutions of the extract. Serum redox balance was assessed based on total oxidative status (TOS), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total thiols, and an oxidative stress index (OSI) contents. The TPC was 0.28 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/mL extract, while specific representatives were represented by caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, dihydroxybenzoic acid, gentisic acid, protocatechuic acid, rosmarinic acid, vanillic acid, apigenin-glucuronide, hesperidin, kaempferol-glucuronide. The highest amount (370.45 μg/mL) was reported for hesperidin, which is a phenolic compound belonging to the flavanone subclass. The antioxidant activity of the extracts, determined using the DPPH assay, was 27.52 mmol Trolox/mL extract. The PV treatment reduced the oxidative stress by lowering the TOS, OSI, NO, and MDA and by increasing the TAC and thiols. In acute inflammation, treatment with the PV extract reduced oxidative stress, with lower concentrations being more efficient and having a better effect than DS.

Anti-Tumor Effects and Toxicity Reduction Mechanisms of Prunella vulgaris: A Comprehensive Review

PURPOSE

To investigate and systematically describe the mechanism of action of Prunella vulgaris (P. vulgaris) against digestive system tumors and related toxicity reduction.

METHODS

This study briefly describes the history of medicinal food and the pharmacological effects of P. vulgaris, focusing on the review of the anti-digestive tumor effects of the active ingredients of P. vulgaris and the mechanism of its toxicity reduction.

RESULTS

The active ingredients of P. vulgaris may exert anti-tumor effects by inducing the apoptosis of cancer cells, inhibiting angiogenesis, inhibiting the migration and invasion of tumor cells, and inhibiting autophagy. In addition, P. vulgaris active ingredients inhibit the release of inflammatory factors and macrophages and increase the level of indicators of oxidative stress through the modulation of target genes in the pathway to achieve the effect of toxicity reduction.

CONCLUSION

The active ingredients in the medicine food homology plant P. vulgaris not only treat digestive system tumors through different mechanisms but also reduce the toxic effects. P. vulgaris is worthy of being explored more deeply.

Network pharmacology to explore the molecular mechanisms of Prunella vulgaris for treating thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy that has rapidly increased in global incidence. Prunella vulgaris (PV) has manifested therapeutic effects in patients with TC. We aimed to investigate its molecular mechanisms against TC and provide potential drug targets by using network pharmacology and molecular docking.

METHODS

The ingredients of PV were retrieved from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systematic Pharmacology Database. TC-related gene sets were established using the GeneCard and OMIM databases. The establishment of the TC-PV target gene interaction network was accomplished using the STRING database. Cytoscape constructed networks for visualization. Protein-protein interaction, gene ontology and the biological pathway Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analyses were performed to discover the potential mechanism. Molecular docking technology was used to analyze the effective compounds from PV for treating TC.

RESULTS

11 active compounds and 192 target genes were screened from PV. 177 potential targets were obtained by intersecting PV and TC gene sets. Network pharmacological analysis showed that the PV active ingredients including Vulgaxanthin-I, quercetin, Morin, Stigmasterol, poriferasterol monoglucoside, Spinasterol, kaempferol, delphinidin, stigmast-7-enol, beta-sitosterol and luteolin showed better correlation with TC target genes such as JUN, AKT1, mitogen-activated protein kinase 1, IL-6 and RELA. The gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes indicated that PV can act by regulating the host defense and response to oxidative stress immune response and several signaling pathways are closely associated with TC, such as the TNF and IL-17. Protein-protein interaction network identified 8 hub genes. The molecular docking was conducted on the most significant gene MYC. Eleven active compounds of PV can enter the active pocket of MYC, namely poriferasterol monoglucoside, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, vulgaxanthin-I, spinasterol, stigmast-7-enol, luteolin, delphinidin, morin, quercetin and kaempferol. Further analysis showed that oriferasterol monoglucoside, followed by tigmasterol, were the potential therapeutic compound identified in PV for the treatment of TC.

CONCLUSION

The network pharmacological strategy integrates molecular docking to unravel the molecular mechanism of PV. MYC is a promising drug target to reduce oxidative stress damage and potential anti-tumor effect. Oriferasterol monoglucoside and kaempferol were 2 bioactive compounds of PV to treat TC. This provides a basis to understand the mechanism of the anti-TC activity of PV.

Prunella vulgaris L.: An Updated Overview of Botany, Chemical Composition, Extraction Methods, and Biological Activities

Prunella vulgaris L. (PV) is a well-known renewable drug resource full of different groups of biologically active substances with a wide range of pharmacological actions and applications in medicine. In this review, we present an updated comprehensive overview of the botany, extracting methods, chemical composition, and pharmacological activity of different parts of PV extracts. As a result of this review, it was found that chemical composition of PV depends on various factors ranging from the part of the plant to the method of extraction. We also highlight extraction methods that have not been previously used for obtaining PV extracts and may have high scientific interest. With this review, we hope to guide present and future professionals and provide possible previously unexplored areas to find new solutions associated with PV plant.

Network Pharmacology Analysis, Molecular Docking, and In Vitro Verification Reveal the Action Mechanism of Prunella vulgaris L. in Treating Breast Cancer

Background

Prunella vulgaris L. is effective in the treatment of breast cancer (BRCA); however, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of treatment of BRCA by P. vulgaris using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, and to verify the experimental results using human BRCA MDA-MB-231 cells.

Methods

Active components and action targets of P. vulgaris were determined using the TCMSP™, SwissTarget Prediction™, and TargetNet™ databases. GeneCards™ and OMIM™ provided BRCA targets. After obtaining common targets, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING™ database, and Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were conducted using the Xiantao™ academic database. Cytoscape™ was used to construct "single drug-disease-component-target" and "single drug-disease-component-target-pathway" networks. The Human Protein Atlas™ was used to determine protein expression levels in BRCA cell lines. AutoDock tools™ were used to carry out molecular docking for the first 10 targets of quercetin and the PPI network. Finally, the abovementioned results were verified using cell experiments.

Results

We obtained 11 active components, 198 targets, and 179 common targets, including DUOX2, MET, TOP2A, and ERBB3. The results of KEGG pathway analysis screened 188 related signaling pathways and indicated the potential key role of PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathways in the antibreast cancer process of P. vulgaris. The results of molecular docking showed that the first 10 targets of quercetin interacted well with the protein network. Cell experiments showed that quercetin effectively inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells by regulating apoptosis and cell cycle, which may be partly related to the MAPK signaling pathway.

Conclusion

Synergistic effects of multiple components, targets, and pathways on the anti-BRCA activity of P. vulgaris could provide a theoretical basis for further study on its complex anti-BRCA mechanism.

Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Quality Control of Xiasangju: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula

As a traditional Chinese herbal formula, Xiasangju (XSJ) is widely used in China for antipyresis and influenza treatment. However, XSJ still fails to have a comprehensive summary of the research progress in the last decade. This review summarizes the advanced research on the extraction process, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, and quality control of XSJ. Current research mainly focuses on quality control and the pharmacological effects of single herbs and active ingredients, but many pharmacological mechanisms of the formula are unclear. The development of active ingredients reflects the active characteristics of triterpenes, phenolic acids and flavonoids, but the hepatotoxicity of Prunella vulgaris L. has not been taken into account. XSJ has extensive historical practical experiences, while systematic clinical trials remain lacking. Therefore, it is necessary to study the active ingredients and define the mechanisms of XSJ to develop multiple applications, and further studies on the dose range between its hepatoprotective activity and hepatotoxicity are necessary to improve the safety of the clinical application. In this review, the current problems are discussed to facilitate the reference basis for the subsequent research on the development of XSJ and future application directions.

Pentacyclic triterpenoids from spikes of Prunella vulgaris L. with thyroid tumour cell cytostatic bioactivities

Five new triterpenoids, including four ursane types (1-4) and one oleanane type (5), together with 15 known ursane types pentacyclic triterpenoids (6-20) were isolated from the fruit spikes of Prunella vulgaris L., a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Their structures were elucidated based on IR, HR-ESI-MS, and NMR spectroscopic data. The SW579 cell line was used to evaluate anti-thyroid cancer activities of (1-20). The results indicated that (7-9), (16), and (19) exhibited apparent inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 25.73-71.41 μM (cisplatin as positive control, IC₅₀ 14.49 ± 0.97 μM). Network pharmacology and molecular docking were also used for the prediction of the synergistic actions and the underlying mechanisms. Accordingly, four potential targets have been characterized.

Mentheae (Nepetoideae - Lamiaceae) from the Itatiaia National Park, Brazil

Abstract This study details the floristic diversity of Mentheae (Lamiaceae - Nepetoideae) from the Itatiaia National Park, the first Protected Area in Brazil. Among the 30 species of Lamiaceae cited for the Park, we recorded 15 species belonging to Mentheae arranged in seven genera: Cunila (2 spp.), Hedeoma (1 sp.), Hesperozygis (1 sp.), Lepechinia (1 sp.), Prunella (1 sp.), Rhabdocaulon (1 sp.), and Salvia (8 spp.). The region presents significant diversity, considering the 62 native species of Mentheae recorded in the Brazilian Southeast. The species are distributed in the Park’s different vegetation types, mostly in shaded areas of the ombrophilous forests or throughout high-altitude grasslands. We provide a complete description for each species and an identification key, as well as comments on species distribution, habitat, morphological variation, and phenology.

Prunella vulgaris can improve the pregnancy outcomes of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis rats by inhibiting Th1/Th17 immune responses

Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT), one of the most common autoimmune diseases among women of reproductive age, is closely associated with reproductive failure and other obstetric complications. However, effective clinical strategies for the management of pregnant women with AIT are limited. It has been shown that Prunella vulgaris (PV), a traditional herbal medicine, can ameliorate AIT and other common thyroid disorders. Therefore, using an experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) rat model, we investigated the potential effects of PV on AIT-related pregnancy outcomes. According to the administered dose of PV, EAT rats were randomly divided into the untreated EAT and PV-treated EAT groups. We found that thyroid peroxidase antibody and thyroglobulin antibody serum levels and the inflammatory infiltration of the thyroid were reduced in all PV-treated groups. Increased splenic Tgfb1 mRNA levels and Treg cell proportions were associated with decreased Th1/Th17 cell proportions, and Ifng mRNA levels were reduced in rats that received low and medium doses of PV. Moreover, in the low-dose PV group, fetal development retardation and placental injuries were reversed. Overall, our findings indicated that PV could alleviate AIT and improve pregnancy outcomes in EAT rats by downregulating Th1/Th17 immune responses and inducing Treg cell proliferation.

Association Between Traditional Herbal Diet and Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Risk: A Prospective Cohort Study in Southern China

Introduction

Prospective evidence for herbal diet and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) development is absent. We therefore evaluated the associations of herbal soup and herbal tea with NPC in a prospective cohort study in southern China.

Methods

Based on an NPC screening cohort established in 2008-2015, information on herbal diet consumption, potential confounding factors, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody levels were collected from 10,179 individuals aged 30-69 years in Sihui city, southern China. Cox regression models were performed to examine herbal diet with NPC risk, and logistic regression models were used to examine herbal diet with EBV reactivation.

Results

During a median of 7.54 years of follow-up, 69 participants developed NPC. Herbal soup consumption was associated with decreased NPC risk, with HRs of 0.31 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.15-0.62) for the highest intake frequency and 0.29 (95% CI: 0.16-0.51) for a longer duration. However, herbal tea was not significantly associated. Moreover, we identified herbal soup was inversely associated with EBV seropositivity among all the participants at baseline, with the adjusted ORs being 0.78 (95% CI: 0.65-0.93) for immunoglobulin A antibodies against EBV capsid antigens (VCA-IgA) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.64-0.91) for nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1-IgA) in those with the highest frequency and 0.70 (95% CI: 0.59-0.84) for VCA-IgA and 0.64 (95% CI: 0.54-0.77) for EBNA1-IgA in those with the longer duration. Inverse associations were also observed in non-NPC individuals.

Conclusions

With inhibition of EBV reactivation by plants, herbal soup could significantly decrease the risk of NPC in endemic areas.

Bioassay-Guided Isolation of an Abetiane-Type Diterpenoid from Prunella vulgaris That Protects against Concanavalin A-Induced Autoimmune Hepatitis

Prunella vulgaris is a widely used edible Chinese medicinal plant. In the present study, two new abietane-type diterpenoids, abietoquinones A (1) and B (2), were isolated from this plant by an immunosuppressive bioassay-guided isolation procedure. Their structures were elucidated unambiguously by NMR spectroscopic analysis, single-crystal X-ray crystallography, and electronic circular dichroism calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 bear a cyclohex-2-ene-1,4-dione moiety, which is uncommon among abietane diterpenes. Also, abietoquinone A (1) suppressed murine splenocyte proliferation and decreased the production of proinflammatory cytokines induced by concanavalin A (Con A) in vitro. In Con A-challenged mice, preinjection with 1 significantly ameliorated liver injury. Additionally, abietoquinone A (1) exhibited inhibitory activities against the proliferation of murine splenocytes and human T cells induced by anti-CD3/anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).

An Overview on the Conservative Management of Endometriosis from a Naturopathic Perspective: Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic and debilitating disease, which affects millions of young women worldwide. Although medicine has incontestably evolved in the last years, there is no common ground regarding the early and accurate diagnosis of this condition, its pathogenic mechanisms, and curative treatment. Even though the spontaneous resolution of endometriosis is sometimes possible, recent reports suggested that it can be a progressive condition. It can associate chronic pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, infertility, or malignant degenerescence. Conventional treatments could produce many side effects, and despite treatment, the symptoms may reappear. In recent years, experimental evidence suggested that plant-based medicine could exert beneficial effects on endometriosis and endometriosis-related symptoms. This study aims to highlight the pharmaceutical activity of phytochemicals and medicinal plants against endometriosis and to provide a source of information regarding the alternative treatment of this condition. Methods: For this review, we performed a research using PubMed, GoogleScholar, and CrossRef databases. We selected the articles published between January 2000 and July 2020, written in English. Results: We found 17 medicinal plants and 13 phytochemicals, which have demonstrated their beneficial effects against endometriosis. Several of their biological activities consist of antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory effects, and oxidative-stress reduction. Conclusion: Medicinal herbs and their bioactive compounds exhibit antiangiogenic, antioxidant, sedative and pain-alleviating properties and the effects recorded until now encourage their use for the conservative management of endometriosis.

The Antitumour Effect of Prunella vulgaris Extract on Thyroid Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

Prunella vulgaris, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used to treat various benign and malignant tumours for centuries in China. In our previous studies, Prunella vulgaris extract (PVE) was shown to promote apoptosis in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) cells. However, whether other mechanisms are involved in the antitumour effect of PVE in thyroid cancer (TC) cells remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the antiproliferative and antimigratory effects of PVE on TC cell lines both in vitro and in vivo. First, the TPC-1 and SW579 human TC cell lines were screened by MTT assay for their high level of sensitivity to PVE. Then, the results of cell growth curve and colony formation assay and cell cycle analyses, wound healing, and migration assays demonstrated that PVE inhibited the proliferation and migration of TPC-1 and SW579 cells. Moreover, the antitumour effect of PVE was verified in a subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumour model. Next, MKI67, PCNA, CTNNB1, and CDH1 were screened by qRT-PCR for their significantly differential expression levels in xenograft tissue with and without PVE treatment, and expression of MKI67, PCNA, and CDH1 was verified by Western blot. Finally, an integrated bioinformatics analysis containing protein-protein interaction network, KEGG pathway, and GO analysis was conducted to explore more potential antitumour mechanisms of PVE. In summary, PVE could inhibit the proliferation and migration of TC cells both in vitro and in vivo, which may have been achieved by modulation of the expression of MKI67, PCNA, and CDH1. These data suggest that PVE has the potential to be developed into a new anticancer drug for the treatment of TC.

Antibacterial and antitumor activity of the species Prunella vulgaris L

Background: Prunella vulgaris L., known as self-healing herb, is a widely spread species in the spontaneous flora with beneficial effects on human health, a fact proven in particular by Asian researchers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antitumor activity and the antibacterial effect on different bacterial strains, including multidrug-resistant ones, depending on the type of solvent used (aqueous, hydroalcoholic), the plant product taken into consideration (spike inflorescence, leaf), its quantity and the concentration of active principles.

Material and method: For screening of antimicrobial susceptibility, both minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined on Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Providencia stuartii, Pseudomonas aeruginosai, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus species, including reference strains and hospital strains. Leaves and flower extracts (aqueous and 70% methanolic) were first assessed, and the one with the best antibacterial potential was further tested as a concentrated extract. The antitumor activity was determined on MDA-MB-231 breast adenocarcinoma cells and on a non-tumor cell line, MCF-10A breast epithelial cells by means of Alamar blue technique and Scratch assay.

Results: Inflorescence extracts showed better bacteriostatic effects than leaf extracts on most bacteria, in both aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts. The concentrated extract of spike inflorescence showed measurable activity with good effects on Gram-positive bacteria, but also on multidrug-resistant Gram-negative ones. The 70% methanolic extract of the species Prunella vulgaris L. (spike inflorescence) demonstrated a concentration-dependent cytotoxic and anti-migratory activity on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, while affecting the non-tumor cell line less.

Conclusions: The results suggest that Prunella vulgaris extracts present antibacterial potential in the complementary treatment of multidrug-resistant infections. The extract from the spike inflorescence of Prunella vulgaris L. produced a dose and time-dependent reduction in cell viability and migration, eliciting a stronger effect on the breast adenocarcinoma cell line.

Invivo hepatoprotective potential of extracts obtained from floral spikes of Prunella vulgaris L

BACKGROUND

Prunella vulgaris, commonly known as self-heal, has been extensively used in the traditional system of medicines. The plant has been found to contain a number of bioactive molecules including those having radical scavenging property which indicates its potential for the treatment of those diseases which are induced by free radical damage like drug-induced hepatotoxicity.

OBJECTIVE

The current study was undertaken to investigate the flavonoid and total phenolic content and evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of various extracts obtained from floral spikes of P. vulgaris.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Flavonoid and otal phenolic contents were obtained from the standard curves of Gallic acid as per the reported methods. The extent of hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol (500 mg/kg b.w, p.o daily for 14 days), hepatoprotective potential of extracts (200 mg/kg b.w/day, orally) and standard drug silymarin (50 mg/kg b.w/day, orally) were evaluated by analyzing various biochemical parameters like Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase, Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Total Proteins, Total and Direct Bilirubin and detailed histopathology of rat livers.

RESULTS

Methanolic extract showed higher quantity of flavonoids and total phenolic content followed by ethanolic, hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts. Treatment of rats with extracts showed a highly significant reduction in the enzyme activities of Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase, Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase, Alkaline Phosphatase, and serum levels of Total, Direct Bilirubin (P < 0.01) and highly significant elevation in Total Proteins (P < 0.01) when compared with the toxic control group. This was further confirmed by histopathological evaluation, where almost normal hepatic architecture or very less hepatic damage was observed in groups treated with extracts and silymarin compared to paracetamol treated group. Results from biochemical and histopathological evaluation indicated that among the extracts methanolic extract was most effective.

CONCLUSION

From the results, it can be concluded that the extracts obtained from floral spikes of P. vulgaris possess highly significant hepatoprotective activity which could be attributed to its radical scavenging potential and hepatic regeneration. This is further authenticated by the presence of phenolic and flavonoids which are known to possess radical scavenging properties.

Phytotherapy in endometriosis: an up-to-date review

Endometriosis is a benign gynecological disease which symptoms can provide a severe impact on patient's quality of life with subsequent impact on psychological well-being. Different therapeutic strategies are available to treat this disease, such as surgery, hormonal therapies, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Nevertheless, the efficacy of conventional medical treatments is limited or intermittent in most of the patients due to the associated side effects. Therefore, a woman with endometriosis often search for additional and alternative options, and phytotherapy might be a promising alternative and complementary strategy. Different medicinal plants, multicomponent herbal preparations, and phytochemicals were investigated for pharmacological proprieties in endometriosis therapy. In most of the cases, the effect on endometriosis was related to phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids reporting anti-inflammatory, proapoptotic, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory functions. Moreover, some phytochemicals have been related to a strong phytoestrogenic effect modulating the estrogen activity. Although promising, available evidence is based on in vitro and animal models of endometriosis with a limited number of well-performed clinical studies. There are almost none randomized control trials in this area. Therefore, properly constructed clinical trials are mandatory to achieve more conclusive results about the promising role of phytotherapy in the management of endometriosis.

Uncovering Active Ingredients and Mechanisms of Spica Prunellae in the Treatment of Colon Adenocarcinoma: A Study Based on Network Pharmacology and Bioinformatics

BACKGROUND

As a well-known herb used in the treatment of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), Spica Prunellae (SP) shows favorable clinical effect and safety in China for many years, but its active ingredients and therapeutic mechanisms against COAD remain poorly understood. Therefore, this study aims to uncover active ingredients and mechanisms of SP in the treatment of COAD using a combined approach of network pharmacology and bioinformatics.

METHODS

A comprehensive approach mainly comprised of target prediction, network construction, pathway and functional enrichment analysis, and hub genes verification was adopted in the current study.

RESULTS

We collected 102 compounds-related genes and 3549 differently expressed genes (DEGs) following treatment with SP, and 64 disease-drug target genes between them were recognized. In addition, a total of 25 active ingredients in SP were identified. Pathway and functional enrichment analyses suggested that the mechanisms of SP against COAD might be to induce apoptosis of colon cancer cells by regulating PI3K-Akt and TNF signaling pathways. Recognition of hub genes and core functional modules was performed by constructing protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, from which TP53, MYC, MAPK8 and CASP3 were found as the hub target genes that might play an important part in therapy for COAD. Subsequently we further compared the differential expression level and assessed the prognostic value of these four hub genes. These result of verification suggested that SP exerted therapeutic effects against COAD via a PPI network involving TP53, MYC, MAPK8 and CASP3.

CONCLUSION

In this study, active ingredients and mechanisms of SP in the treatment of COAD were systematically discussed, which provided the foundation for further experimental studies and might act to promote its appropriate clinical application.

Influence of Herbal Medicines on HMGB1 Release, SARS-CoV-2 Viral Attachment, Acute Respiratory Failure, and Sepsis. A Literature Review

By attaching to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) protein on lung and intestinal cells, Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) can cause respiratory and homeostatic difficulties leading to sepsis. The progression from acute respiratory failure to sepsis has been correlated with the release of high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1). Lack of effective conventional treatment of this septic state has spiked an interest in alternative medicine. This review of herbal extracts has identified multiple candidates which can target the release of HMGB1 and potentially reduce mortality by preventing progression from respiratory distress to sepsis. Some of the identified mixtures have also been shown to interfere with viral attachment. Due to the wide variability in chemical superstructure of the components of assorted herbal extracts, common motifs have been identified. Looking at the most active compounds in each extract it becomes evident that as a group, phenolic compounds have a broad enzyme inhibiting function. They have been shown to act against the priming of SARS-CoV-2 attachment proteins by host and viral enzymes, and the release of HMGB1 by host immune cells. An argument for the value in a nonspecific inhibitory action has been drawn. Hopefully these findings can drive future drug development and clinical procedures.

Evaluation of the level of biomolecules isolated from date palm seeds (Phoenix dactylifera) and in vitro Antioxidant property

Date palm fruits and by-products such as seeds are a source of various elements with significant nutritional values like fibres, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids and phenolic compounds. The experimental part was carried out on date palm seeds from Bent Kbala cultivar, the chemical composition of the organic fraction was determined using the method of UV-visible spectrophotometer, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). The results revealed the presence of catechic tannins and approximately 17 phenolic compounds, including two compounds, which were identified for the first time in the date palm sub-product, especially in seeds such as naringenin and rutine. The assessment of the antioxidant potential shows that date palm seeds have a significant potential compared to standard antioxidants commonly used in cosmetics and neutraceutics industries.

Protective effect of Prunella vulgaris var. L extract against blue light induced damages in ARPE-19 cells and mouse retina

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of leading causes that induce severe visual impairment and loss in the elderly. Previous studies have suggested that blue light (BL) could induce retinal degeneration, which is a major cause of the onset and development of severe AMD. In the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, A2E, a lipofuscin fluorophore, is accumulated with aging. When A2E is exposed to BL, it is easily oxidized to A2E-epoxides, leading to oxidative stress and inflammatory response in retina. The aim of this study was to investigate protective effect of Prunella vulagris (P.V) extract against oxidative stress and inflammation caused by BL, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms in the cultured RPE cells and balb-c mice. In both model studies, P.V extract activated NF-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf-2)/hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway, followed by inhibition of ROS/MDA production, GSH depletion and reduction in SOD activity. Furthermore, P.V extract inhibited upregulation of inflammatory related genes (interlukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF A)) and BL induced RPE cell death, determined by cell viability and histological analyses. The mechanism of protection against inflammation by P.V extract involves inhibition of nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-kB) along with degradation of NF-kB inhibitor alpha (IkB alpha). The results suggest that P.V extract could be a potential intervention to prevent the onset and development of severe AMD.

GC-MS-based metabolomics research on the anti-hyperlipidaemic activity of Prunella vulgaris L. polysaccharides

Prunella vulgaris polysaccharides (PVPs) have a variety of biological activities, but the mechanism and extent of their anti-hyperlipidaemic effect remain unclear. In vitro, PVPs had a significant inhibitory effect on angiotensin (Ang II)-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. A metabolomics approach based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and chemometrics was established in this study to evaluate the anti-hyperlipidaemic activity of PVPs in a high-fat Sprague-Dawley rat model. In vivo, PVPs could significantly reduce the weight gain and the increases in serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-C and non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-C levels observed in rats fed a high-fat diet; they could also significantly increase serum GSH-Px activity, reduce the content of MDA and TNF-α and decrease abdominal fat volume in rats. Furthermore, PVPs exerted a repairing effect on morphological and structural damage in liver tissue cells in hyperlipidaemic rats fed a high-fat diet. PVPs improved lipid metabolism disorder in rats. Alanine, threonine, succinic acid, proline, inositol and arachidonic acid levels in the serum were considered potential biomarkers involved in amino acid, glucose, energy and lipid metabolism. Therefore, PVPs may interfere with hyperlipidaemia through anti-lipid peroxidation effects, attenuation of inflammation and regulation of glucose, amino acid, energy and lipid metabolism.

Rosmarinic inhibits cell proliferation, invasion and migration via up-regulating miR-506 and suppressing MMP2/16 expression in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. However, therapeutic strategies for the treatment of pancreatic cancer are still limited. Therefore, it is urgent for us to develop novel effective therapies for pancreatic cancer. In this study, we explored the effects of rosmarinic acid on pancreatic progression and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. Rosmarinic acid significantly suppressed cell viability, cell growth, cell invasion and migration as well as epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of pancreatic cancer cells, and induced cell apoptosis in pancreatic cells. In addition, rosmarinic acid significantly up-regulated the expression of miR-506 in pancreatic cancer cells, and knockdown of miR-506 attenuated the suppressive effects of rosmarinic acid on cell growth, cell invasion and migration and EMT, and prevented the enhanced effects of rosmarinic acid on cell apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. Mechanistically, the luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-506 targeted the 3' untranslated region of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/16, and miR-506 overexpression and rosmarinic acid treatment suppressed the expression of MMP2/16 in pancreatic cancer cells. Overexpression of MMP2/16 attenuated the inhibitory effects of rosmarinic acid on pancreatic cell invasion and migration. In vivo studies showed that rosmarinic acid dose-dependently suppressed tumor growth of pancreatic cancer cells, and increased the expression of miR-506, while suppressed the expression of MMP2/16 and Ki-67 in dissected tumor tissues from xenograft nude mice. Collectively, our results for the first time revealed the anti-tumor effects of rosmarinic acid in pancreatic cancer, and the anti-tumor effects of rosmarinic acid were via regulating the miR-506/MMP2/16 axis in pancreatic cancer.

Do recent research studies validate the medicinal plants used in British Columbia, Canada for pet diseases and wild animals taken into temporary care?

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

There are insufficient safe and effective treatments for chronic pain in pets. In cases such as osteoarthritis there is no commercially available cure and veterinarians use NSAIDs to manage pain. Pet owners may have to plan for a lifetime of plant-based treatment for the conditions that lead to chronic pain in pets. Phytopharmacotherapies have the advantage of being less toxic, cheap or free, readily available, are more likely to be safe for long-term use and have the potential to reset the immune system to normal functioning.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To examine the recently published medicinal plant research that matches unpublished data on ethnoveterinary medicines (EVM) used for pets in Canada (British Columbia) to see if the EVM data can provide a lead to the development of necessary drugs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 2003 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 60 participants who were organic farmers or holisitic medicinal/veterinary practitioners obtained using a purposive sample. A draft manual prepared from the data was then evaluated by participants at a participatory workshop that discussed the plant-based treatments. A copy of the final version of the manual was given to all research participants. In 2018, the recently published research matching the EVM data was reviewed to see if the EVM practices could serve as a lead for further research.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Medicinal plants are used to treat a range of conditions. The injuries treated in pets in British Columbia included abscesses (resulting from an initial injury), sprains and abrasions. Dogs were also treated with medicinal plants for rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain and articular cartilage injuries. More than 40 plants were used. Anal gland problems were treated with Allium sativum L., Aloe vera L., Calendula officinalis L., Plantago major L., Ulmus fulva Michx., Urtica dioica L. and Usnea longissima Ach. Arctium lappa, Hydrangea arborescens and Lactuca muralis were used for rheumatoid arthritis and joint pain in pets. Asthma was treated with: Linum usitatissimum L., Borago officinalis L., Verbascum thapsus L., Cucurbita pepo L., Lobelia inflata L., and Zingiber officinale Roscoe. Pets with heart problems were treated with Crataegus oxyacantha L., Cedronella canariensis (L.) Willd. ex Webb & Berth, Equisetum palustre L., Cypripedium calceolus L., Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex Lawson, Humulus lupulus L., Valeriana officinalis L., Lobelia inflata L., Stachys officinalis (L.) Trev., and Viscum album L. The following plants were used for epilepsy, motion sickness and anxiety- Avena sativa L., Valeriana officinalis, Lactuca muralis (L.) Fresen., Scutellaria lateriflora L., Satureja hortensis L., and Passiflora incarnata L. Plants used for cancer treatment included Phytolacca decandra, Ganoderma lucidum, Lentinula edodes, Rumex acetosella, Arctium lappa, Ulmus fulva, Rheum palmatum, Frangula purshiana, Zingiber officinale, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ulmus fulva, Althea officinalis, Rheum palmatum, Rumex crispus and Plantago psyllium. Trifolium pratense was used for tumours in the prostate gland. Also used were Artemisia annua, Taraxacum officinale and Rumex crispus. This review of plants used in EVM was possible because phytotherapy research of the plants described in this paper has continued because few new pharmaceutical drugs have been developed for chronic pain and because treatments like glucocorticoid therapy do not heal. Phytotherapuetic products are also being investigated to address the overuse of antibiotics. There have also been recent studies conducted on plant-based functional foods and health supplements for pets, however there are still gaps in the knowledge base for the plants Stillingia sylvatica, Verbascum thapsus, Yucca schidigera and Iris versicolor and these need further investigation.

Plant morphology, physiological characteristics, accumulation of secondary metabolites and antioxidant activities of Prunella vulgaris L. under UV solar exclusion

Background

Prunella vulgaris L. has been an important medicinal plant for the treatment of thyroid gland malfunction and mastitis in China for over 2000 years. There is an urgent need to select effective wavelengths for greenhouse cultivation of P. vulgaris as light is a very important factor in P. vulgaris growth. Here, we described the effects of natural light (control) and UV solar exclusion on the morphological and physiological traits, secondary metabolites contents and antioxidant activities of P. vulgaris.

Results

The results showed that UV solar exclusion resulted in remarkable alterations to morphological and biomass traits; significantly reduced the chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents; significantly enhanced the ratio of chlorophyll a to b; and significantly increased the carotenoid and anthocyanin contents in P. vulgaris. UV solar exclusion significantly increased the catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities and slightly decreased the glutathione (GSH) content. UV solar exclusion significantly increased the soluble sugar and H₂O₂ contents and increased the soluble protein content but significantly decreased the proline content and slightly decreased the MDA content. The secondary metabolite contents (total phenolics, rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, hyperoside, ursolic acid and oleanolic acid) and in vitro antioxidative properties (DPPH· and ABTS·⁺scavenging activities) were significantly increased in P. vulgaris spicas under UV solar exclusion. Additionally, the total polysaccharide and total flavonoids contents were slightly increased by UV solar exclusion. The salviaflaside content was significantly reduced by UV solar exclusion.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that P. vulgaris activates several antioxidant defence systems against oxidative damage caused by UV solar exclusion.

Initial treatment combined with Prunella vulgaris reduced prednisolone consumption for patients with subacute thyroiditis

Background

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a self-limited disease commonly treated with prednisolone (PSL). The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of the new treatment protocol which consisted of PSL and Prunella vulgaris (PV) to reduce the dosage and incidence of side effects from PSL.

Methods

Data regarding the patients with SAT treated at the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University between September 2013 and May 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients treated with PSL only or a combination of PSL and PV were divided into two groups.

Results

In total, 87 patients were included. Patients treated with PSL and PV showed a similar remission rate to the patients who received only PSL. The recurrence rate (4.4% vs. 9.5%) and incidence of transient hypothyroidism (2.2% vs. 4.8%) were similar between the two groups (P=0.350 and P=0.517, respectively). Only two cases of a mild skin rash were recorded, and these were related to the use of PV.

Conclusions

The combination of low-dose PSL as a treatment choice for SAT was both effective and safe.

Plant-derived medicines for treatment of endometriosis: A comprehensive review of molecular mechanisms

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease with inflammatory lesions at extra-uterine sites, causing pelvic pain and fertility reduction. Conventional therapies primarily focus on reducing systemic levels of estrogens; however, they do not have desirable effectiveness and possess considerable side effects. Therefore, there is a growing interest in the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of endometriosis. In this paper, electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library and Google Scholar were searched to obtain any studies evaluating any herbal products in the management of endometriosis. Data were collected from 1980 to 2018. Most of studies investigating the effect of herbal medicines in endometriosis were in vitro and animal and only three clinical trials were found; one on Pinus pinaster bark extract (Pycnogenol) and two on Chinese herbal formulas. The studies on phytochemicals had mostly focused on polyphenolic compounds (epigallocatechin-3-gallate, genistein) and sesquiterpenes (β-caryophyllene, parthenolide). Various molecular mechanisms of action have been involved in beneficial effects of herbal medicines and phytochemicals including anti-inflammatory (via reduction of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin -1, interleukin -6, interleukin -8, transforming growth factor-beta, tumor necrosis factor-α, nuclear factor-kappa B, growth factors, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), antioxidant (through downregulation of hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species and upregulation of superoxide dismutase), anti-proliferative and apoptotic (via enhancing Bcl-2-associated X protein/ B-cell lymphoma-2 and caspase3, 8 and 9 activity), anti-angiogenic (by downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors/ vascular endothelial growth factor), anti-invasive (via decreasing expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and matrix metalloproteinases), immunomodulatory, and estrogen modulating activities. So, medicinal plants seem to be a valuable source for identifying new drugs for treatment of endometriosis; however, since most of studies are preclinical, further clinical trials are required to achieve more conclusive results.

Inhibitory Effects of Prunella vulgaris L. Extract on 11β-HSD1 in Human Skin Cells

Glucocorticoids are a risk factor for age-induced skin structure and function defects, and the glucocorticoid-activating enzyme, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1), represents a promising therapeutic target. Prunella vulgaris L. (PV) is a perennial and an edible herbaceous plant normally cultivated in Asia and Europe. A recent study demonstrated a broad range of biological activities of PV including immune modulatory, antiviral, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic. However, little is known about the inhibitory effect of PV on 11β-HSD1. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Prunella vulgaris L. extract (PVE) and the underlying mechanism of 11β-HSD11 inhibition. Consistent with these results, cortisol levels were also reduced by PVE in vitro. The cortisone-induced translocation of glucocorticoids receptor (GR) was also attenuated. In addition, PVE inhibited a cortisone-mediated decrease in collagen content in skin. Collectively, these results suggest the beneficial effects of PVE in maintaining skin integrity.

Oral Administration of Prunella vulgaris L Improves the Effect of Taxane on Preventing the Progression of Breast Cancer and Reduces Its Side Effects

We aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of Prunella vulgaris L (PVL) combined with taxane for treatment of patients with breast cancer (BC). The main ingredients of PVL were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In the experiment, 424 patients with BC were evenly assigned into two groups: experimental group (EG, oral administration of PVL and taxane) and control group (CG, oral administration of placebo and taxane). The primary endpoint was pathologic complete response (pCR), which was evaluated using Miller and Payne system. The secondary endpoints included adverse events (AE) and overall survival (OS), which were evaluated by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event version and Kaplan-Meier curves, respectively. Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy of PVL. Estrogen receptor (ER) status was also measured. The main side effects were compared between the two groups. The main ingredients of PVL were caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid, which both exert anti-tumor properties. The average follow-up time was 41 months. Eighteen and 31 patients dropped out from EG and CG, respectively. Overall, pCRs were detected in 94 cases (25.1%), comprising 61 cases (31.4%) from EG and 33 cases (18.2%) from CG (P < 0.05). PVL treatment improved the pCR rate and OS time compared with those in CG (P < 0.05). The 3-year OS rates were 86.5 and 77.2% in patients from EG and CG, respectively (P < 0.05). Moreover, ER status was associated with pCR rate and could be an independent prognostic factor in BC. Moreover, treatment with PVL prevented side effects, namely, neutrophil-reduced fever and anemia caused by chemotherapy. Hence, chemotherapy using PVL and taxane could be a safe and effective treatment for patients with BC. PVL may be a potential adjuvant medicine for BC treatment.

Prophylactic effect of rosmarinic acid on tracheal responsiveness, white blood cell count and oxidative stress markers in lung lavage of sensitized rats

BACKGROUND

Rosmarinic acid (RA) as an active component of several medicinal plants, has shown anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. In this study, the effect of RA on tracheal responsiveness (TR), lung inflammatory cells, oxidant biomarkers in sensitized rats were evaluated.

METHODS

TR to methacholine and ovalbumin (OVA) as well as total and differential white blood cell (WBC) count and levels of nitrogen dioxide, nitrate, malondialdehyde, thiol, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured in control (group C) rats, sensitized animals to OVA and given drinking water alone (group S), S groups receiving drinking water containing three concentrations of RA (0.125, 0.250 and 0.500 mg/mL) and dexamethasone (1.25 μg/mL), (n = 6 in each group).

RESULTS

Increased TR to methacholine and OVA, total WBC count, percentages of eosinophils, monocytes, neutrophils and levels of oxidant biomarkers but decreased other measured parameters were observed in group S compared to group C. Percentages of lymphocytes and antioxidant biomarkers were significantly increased but other measured parameters were significantly decreased in S group treated with dexamethasone and in rats treated with the two higher concentrations of RA compared to S group. The effect of RA medium concentration on percentage of eosinophils and RA high concentration on total WBC count and percentages of eosinophils and lymphocytes, were significantly higher than those of dexamethasone.

CONCLUSION

These results showed the concentration-dependent effect of RA on tracheal responses, lung inflammatory cells and oxidant-antioxidant parameters which was comparable to that of dexamethasone at used concentrations in sensitized rats.

In silico analysis of natural compounds targeting structural and nonstructural proteins of chikungunya virus

Background: Chikungunya fever presents as a high-grade fever during its acute febrile phase and can be prolonged for months as chronic arthritis in affected individuals. Currently, there are no effective drugs or vaccines against this virus. The present study was undertaken to evaluate protein-ligand interactions of all chikungunya virus (CHIKV) proteins with natural compounds from a MolBase library in order to identify potential inhibitors of CHIKV. Methods: Virtual screening of the natural compound library against four non-structural and five structural proteins of CHIKV was performed. Homology models of the viral proteins with unknown structures were created and energy minimized by molecular dynamic simulations. Molecular docking was performed to identify the potential inhibitors for CHIKV. The absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) toxicity parameters for the potential inhibitors were predicted for further prioritization of the compounds. Results: Our analysis predicted three compounds, Catechin-5-O-gallate, Rosmarinic acid and Arjungenin, to interact with CHIKV proteins; two (Catechin-5-O-gallate and Rosmarinic acid) with capsid protein, and one (Arjungenin) with the E3. Conclusion: The compounds identified show promise as potential antivirals, but further in vitro studies are required to test their efficacy against CHIKV.

A tyrosine aminotransferase involved in rosmarinic acid biosynthesis in Prunella vulgaris L

Rosmarinic acid (RA) and its derivants are medicinal compounds that comprise the active components of several therapeutics. We isolated and characterised a tyrosine aminotransferase of Prunella vulgaris (PvTAT). Deduced PvTAT was markedly homologous to other known/putative plant TATs. Cytoplasmic localisation of PvTAT was observed in tobacco protoplasts. Recombinantly expressed and purified PvTAT had substrates preference for L-tyrosine and phenylpyruvate, with apparent K m of 0.40 and 0.48 mM, and favoured the conversion of tyrosine to 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate. In vivo activity was confirmed by functional restoration of the Escherichia coli tyrosine auxotrophic mutant DL39. Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated antisense/sense expression of PvTAT in hairy roots was used to evaluate the contribution of PvTAT to RA synthesis. PvTAT were reduced by 46-95% and RA were decreased by 36-91% with low catalytic activity in antisense transgenic hairy root lines; furthermore, PvTAT were increased 0.77-2.6-fold with increased 1.3-1.8-fold RA and strong catalytic activity in sense transgenic hairy root lines compared with wild-type counterparts. The comprehensive physiological and catalytic evidence fills in the gap in RA-producing plants which didn't provide evidence for TAT expression and catalytic activities in vitro and in vivo. That also highlights RA biosynthesis pathway in P. vulgaris and provides useful information to engineer natural products.

Spica Prunellae extract suppresses the growth of human colon carcinoma cells by targeting multiple oncogenes via activating miR-34a

Spica Prunellae is the spike of the herb Prunella vulgaris L. in traditional Chinese medicine which is often used for the treatment of various cancers including colorectal cancer. In the present study, we found that a key tumor suppressor, microRNA-34a (miR-34a) is involved in the antitumor activity for Spica Prunellae. Human colon carcinoma HCT-8 cells treated with an ethanol extract of Spica Prunellae (EESP) had significantly decreased cell proliferation and viability, in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis with Annexin V/PI staining analysis revealed that EESP treatment could induce apoptosis of HCT-8 cells. The level of miR-34a was upregulated in HCT-8 cells following EESP treatment, whereas expression levels of its target genes Notch1, Notch2 and Bcl-2 were downregulated. Inhibition of miR-34a rescued the expression of these target genes. These results revealed that Spica Prunellae can suppress the growth of HCT-8 cells by targeting Notch1, Notch2 and Bcl-2 via activation of miR-34a.

Therapeutic effects of rosmarinic acid on airway responses in a murine model of asthma

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is an active component of a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Previously, we reported that RA exerted a strong anti-inflammatory effect in a mouse acute lung injury model. Therefore, we hypothesized that RA might also have potential therapeutic effects in a murine model of asthma. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-asthmatic activity of RA and explored its possible molecular mechanisms of action. Female BALB/c mice that had been sensitized to and challenged with ovalbumin (Ova) were treated with RA (20mg/kg) 1h after challenge. The results showed that RA greatly diminished the number of inflammatory cells and the production of Th2 cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF); significantly reduced the secretion of total IgE, Ova-specific IgE, and eotaxin; and markedly ameliorated airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) compared with Ova-induced mice. Histological studies further revealed that RA substantially decreased inflammatory cells infiltration and mucus hypersecretion compared with Ova-induced mice. Moreover, our results suggested that the protective effects of RA were mediated by the inhibition of JNK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. Furthermore, RA treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the mRNA expression of AMCase, CCL11, CCR3, Ym2 and E-selectin in lung tissue. These findings suggest that RA may effectively delay the development of airway inflammation and could thus be used as a therapy for allergic asthma.

Prunella vulgaris L. active components and their hypoglycemic and antinociceptive effects in alloxan-induced diabetic mice

Prunella vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae) (PV) is a herbaceous plant traditionally utilized in management of diabetes and it has immunomodulatory activity. In this study, acute and subchronic antidiabetic, in-vivo antioxidant and antinociceptive effects of PV were evaluated in alloxan-induced type 1 diabetes (T1D) in a mouse model. Bio-guided fractionation, isolation, RP-HPLC, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR identification of the active components responsible for PV effects were determined. RP-HPLC analysis showed that PV contained rosmarinic acid (RA) 4.5%, caffeic acid (CA) 9.8% and p-coumaric acid (pCA) 11.6%. Bio-guided fractionation showed that PV most active fraction was rich in caffeic acid, hence named, caffeic acid-rich fraction (CARF). RP-HPLC, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR experiments showed that CARF contained CA (93.4%) and RA (6.6%). CARF reduced blood glucose levels and improved in-vivo oxidative-stress. It also inhibited the carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes (alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase) and reduced HbA1c levels more significantly (p≤0.05) than that of PV and equivalent amounts of CA or RA. For longer times, CARF had significantly (p≤0.05) increased serum-insulin, ameliorated thermal hyperalgesia and tactile allodynia more significantly (p≤0.05) than the effects of PV and equivalent amounts of CA or RA. Moreover, the tested compounds showed potential restoration of the lipid peroxide levels. Consequently, CARF and PV observed increase in serum-insulin, attenuation of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, and their antioxidant potentials might be responsible for their antidiabetogenic and antinociceptive properties. In conclusion, CARF isolated from PV could be a potential therapeutic agent to ameliorate T1D and related complications.

Rosmarinic Acid Attenuates Airway Inflammation and Hyperresponsiveness in a Murine Model of Asthma

Rosmarinic acid (RA) has numerous pharmacologic effects, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. This study aimed to evaluate the preventive activity of RA in a murine model of asthma and to investigate its possible molecular mechanisms. Female BALB/c mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (Ova) were pretreated with RA (5, 10 or 20 mg/kg) at 1 h before Ova challenge. The results demonstrated that RA markedly inhibited increases in inflammatory cells and Th2 cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), significantly reduced the total IgE and Ova-specific IgE concentrations, and greatly ameliorated airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) compared with the control Ova-induced mice. Histological analyses showed that RA substantially decreased the number of inflammatory cells and mucus hypersecretion in the airway. In addition, our results suggested that the protective effects of RA might be mediated by the suppression of ERK, JNK and p38 phosphorylation and activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Furthermore, RA pretreatment resulted in a noticeable reduction in AMCase, CCL11, CCR3, Ym2 and E-selectin mRNA expression in lung tissues. These findings suggest that RA may effectively delay the progression of airway inflammation.

Polyphenols from Erythrina crista-galli: Structures, Molecular Docking and Phytoestrogenic Activity

OBJECTIVES

The current study aimed at exploring the secondary metabolites content of Erythrina crista-galli aqueous methanol extract and assessing its phytoestrogenic and cytoprotective activities.

METHODS

Isolation of the compounds was carried out using conventional chromatographic techniques. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated based on the UV, NMR spectral data along with their mass-spectrometric analyses. The phytoestrogenic activity was evaluated in-silico and in vitro using the Arabidopsis thaliana pER8: GUS reporter assay and the proliferation-enhancing activity of MCF-7 cells.

KEY FINDINGS

Phytochemical investigation of E. crista-galli aqueous methanol extract resulted in the isolation and identification of five flavonoids. The plant extract and its fractions showed significant estrogenic activities compared to controls.

CONCLUSION

Five flavonoids were identified from E. crista-galli aqueous methanol extract. To the best of our knowledge, among these flavonoids, apigenin-7-O-rhamnosyl-6-C-glucoside was isolated for the first time from nature. Moreover, luteolin-6-C-glucoside was isolated for the first time from this plant. The plant revealed promising phytoestrogenic activities. This gives rationale to some of its pharmacological properties and suggests additional phytoestrogenic effects, which have not been reported yet.

Effects of different water management options and fertilizer supply on photosynthesis, fluorescence parameters and water use efficiency of Prunella vulgaris seedlings

Background

Prunella vulgaris L. is a medical plant cultivated in sloping, sun-shaded areas in China. Recently, owing to air-environmental stress, especially drought stress strongly inhibits plant growth and development, the appropriate fertilizer supply can alleviate these effects. However, these is little information about their effects on P. vulgaris growing in arid and semi-arid areas with limited water and fertilizer supply.

Results

In this study, water stress decreased the photosynthetic pigment contents, inhibited photosynthetic efficiency, induced photodamage in photosystem 2 (PS2), and decreased leaf instantaneous WUE (WUEi). The decreased net photosynthetic rate (Pn) under medium drought stress compared with the control might result from stomatal limitations. However, fertilizer supply improved photosynthetic capacity by increasing the photosynthetic pigment contents and enhancing photosynthetic efficiency under water deficit. Moreover, medium fertilization also increased WUEi under the two water conditions, but fertilizer supply did little to alleviate the PS2 photodamage caused by drought stress. Hence, drought stress was the primary limitation in the photosynthetic process of P. vulgaris seedlings, while the photosynthetic characteristics of the seedlings exhibited positive responses to fertilizer supply.

Conclusions

Appropriate fertilizer supply is recommended to improve photosynthetic efficiency, enhance WUEi and alleviate photodamage under drought stress.

Characterization of the inhibitory effect of an extract of Prunella vulgaris on Ebola virus glycoprotein (GP)-mediated virus entry and infection

Currently, no approved antiviral therapeutic is available for treatment or prevention of Ebola virus (EBOV) infection. In this study, we characterized an EBOV-glycoprotein (GP) pseudotyped HIV-1-based vector system in different cell cultures, including human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human macrophages, for the screening of anti-EBOV-GP agent(s). Based on this system, we demonstrated that an aqueous extract (CHPV) from the Chinese herb Prunella vulgaris displayed a potent inhibitory effect on EBOV-GP pseudotyped virus (EBOV-GP-V)-mediated infection in various cell lines, including HUVEC and macrophage. In addition, our results indicated that CHPV was able to block an eGFP-expressing Zaire ebola virus (eGFP-ZEBOV) infection in VeroE6 cells. The anti-EBOV activity of CHPV was exhibited in a dose-dependent manner. At a 12.5 μg/ml concentration, the CHPV showed a greater than 80% inhibition of EBOV-GP-V and eGFP-EBOV infections. Likewise, our studies suggested that the inhibitory effect of CHPV occurred by binding directly to EBOV-GP-Vs and blocking the early viral events. Interestingly, our results have shown that CHPV was able to enhance the anti-EBOV activity of the monoclonal antibody MAb 2G4 against EBOV-GP. Overall, this study provides evidence that CHPV has anti-EBOV activity and may be developed as a novel antiviral approach against EBOV infection.

Anti-allergic Inflammatory Triterpenoids Isolated from the Spikes of Prunella Vulgaris

Twelve known triterpenoids (1–12) and two steroids (13 and 14) have been isolated from the spike of the plant Prunella vulgaris. Among them, 2α,3α,23-trihydroxyursa-12,20(30)-dien-28-oic acid (10) was isolated for the first time from this plant. All isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and release of histamine in human mast cells. β-Amyrin (5), 10, and euscaphic acid (12) showed suppression of histamine release with percentage inhibitions of 46.7, 57.9, and 54.2%, respectively. In addition, 5 and 10 showed strong inhibition of TNF-α and IL-6 in the test for pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our results suggest that compounds 5 and 10 largely contribute to the anti-allergic inflammatory effect of P. vulgaris.