Antiinflammatory effects in THP-1 cells treated with verbascoside

The hydroxytyrosol-typed phenylpropanoidglycosides: A phenylpropanoid glycoside family with significant biological activity

Hydroxytyrosol-typed phenylpropanoid glycosides (HPGs), composed of phenylethanol and various complex oligosaccharides, are widespread and abundant in different plant, and have a diverse range of biological activities. All HPGs reported previously have been isolated from natural sources, and most of them showed significant bioactivities, such as anti-inflamatory, anti-cancer, cytoprotection, neuro-protective effects, enzyme-inhibitory, anti-microbial effects, and cardiovascular activity. The goal of this review is to summarize the structures of HPGs reported over the past few decades, as well as to introduce their pharmacological effects. We also introduce the possible relationship between the structures of HPGs and their source plants, as well as the structure-activity relationships of some important activities. This review will serve as a resource for future research into this class of compounds, and demonstrate their potential value.

Verbascoside: comprehensive review of a phenylethanoid macromolecule and its journey from nature to bench

Polyphenolic compounds are among the most widely researched compounds for various therapeutic applications. However, naturally occurring phenylethanoid glycosides are least explored under this class of compounds. One such phenylethanoid glycoside, verbascoside (Vb), abundantly found among 200 species of 23 families, has gained recent attention due to its wide-spectrum therapeutic properties such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, skin-protective, and anti-cancer. Despite having multiple therapeutic benefits, due to its large size, the compound has poor bioavailability for oral and topical applications. To meet these limitations, current research on Vb focuses on delivering it through nanoformulations. Presently, most developed formulations are liposome based for various applications, such as corneal epithelial wound healing, anti-neuropathic, anti-wrinkle, anti-hyperalgesia, atopic dermatitis, alopecia, and cutaneous wound healing. Multiple studies have confirmed the least acute and sub-acute toxicity for Vb. Few clinical studies have been performed for the therapeutic application of Vb to manage COVID-19, nephropathy, platelet aggregation, chronic primary glomerulonephritis, and acute hepatitis. Recent studies have shown the immense therapeutic potential of Vb in wound healing, dermatitis, neuroprotection, and anti-cancer activities, which creates a need for developing novel formulations for their respective uses. Long-term toxicity studies and techniques for scaling up Vb production by biotechnological approaches should be emphasized.

Modulation of innate immunity related genes resulting in prophylactic antimicrobial and antiviral properties

BACKGROUND

The innate immunity acts during the early phases of infection and its failure in response to a multilayer network of co-infections is cause of immune system dysregulation. Epidemiological SARS-CoV-2 infections data, show that Influenza Virus (FLU-A-B-C) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are co-habiting those respiratory traits. These viruses, especially in children (mostly affected by 'multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children' [MIS-C] and the winter pandemic FLU), in the aged population, and in 'fragile' patients are causing alteration in immune response. Then, bacterial and fungal pathogens are also co-habiting the upper respiratory traits (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans), thus contributing to morbidity in those COVID-19 affected patients.

METHODS

Liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry using the quadrupole orbital ion trap analyser (i.e., UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) was adopted to measure the polyphenols content of a new nutraceutical formula (Solution-3). Viral infections with SARS-CoV-2 (EG.5), FLU-A and RSV-A viruses (as performed in BLS3 authorised laboratory) and real time RT-PCR (qPCR) assay were used to test the antiviral action of the nutraceutical formula. Dilution susceptibility tests have been used to estimate the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration (MIC and MBC, respectively) of Solution-3 on a variety of microorganisms belonging to Gram positive/ negative bacteria and fungi. Transcriptomic data analyses and functional genomics (i.e., RNAseq and data mining), coupled to qPCR and ELISA assays have been used to investigate the mechanisms of action of the nutraceutical formula on those processes involved in innate immune response.

RESULTS

Here, we have tested the combination of natural products containing higher amounts of polyphenols (i.e., propolis, Verbascum thapsus L., and Thymus vulgaris L.), together with the inorganic long chain polyphosphates 'polyPs' with antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal behaviours, against SARS-CoV-2, FLU-A, RSV-A, Gram positive/ negative bacteria and fungi (i.e., Candida albicans). These components synergistically exert an immunomodulatory action by enhancing those processes involved in innate immune response (e.g., cytokines: IFNγ, TNFα, IL-10, IL-6/12; chemokines: CXCL1; antimicrobial peptides: HBD-2, LL-37; complement system: C3).

CONCLUSION

The prophylactic antimicrobial success of this nutraceutical formula against SARS-CoV-2, FLU-A and RSV-A viruses, together with the common bacteria and fungi co-infections as present in human oral cavity, is expected to be valuable.

Phenolic Composition of Crataegus monogyna Jacq. Extract and Its Anti-Inflammatory, Hepatoprotective, and Antileukemia Effects

Crataegus monogyna (C. monogyna) is a prominent plant used in Moroccan traditional medicine. This study investigated the phenolic composition and the anti-inflammatory, the hepatoprotective, and the anticancer activities of a hydroethanolic extract of C. monogyna leaves and stems. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography identified the phenolic profile. The in vitro anticancer activity was evaluated using the MTT assay on HL-60 and K-562 myeloleukemia cells and liver (Huh-7) cell lines. The anti-inflammatory effect was assessed in vivo using carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. The hepatoprotective effect at 300 and 1000 mg/kg doses against the acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity on rats was studied for seven days. Additionally, molecular docking simulations were performed to evaluate the extract's inhibitory potential against key targets: lipoxygenase, cytochrome P450, tyrosine kinase, and TRADD. The extract exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against K-562 and HL-60 cells, but not against lung cancer cells (Huh-7 line). The 1000 mg/kg dose demonstrated the most potent anti-inflammatory effect, inhibiting edema by 99.10% after 6 h. C. monogyna extract displayed promising hepatoprotective properties. Procyanidin (-7.27 kcal/mol), quercetin (-8.102 kcal/mol), and catechin (-9.037 kcal/mol) were identified as the most active molecules against lipoxygenase, cytochrome P450, and tyrosine kinase, respectively. These findings highlight the untapped potential of C. monogyna for further exploration in treating liver damage, inflammation, and leukemia.

Acteoside and isoacteoside alleviate renal dysfunction and inflammation in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute kidney injuries through inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a sudden loss of renal function with a high mortality rate and inflammation is thought to be the underlying cause. The phenylpropanoid components acteoside (ACT) and isoacteoside (ISO), which were isolated from Cistanche deserticola Y.C.Ma, have been reported to have preventive effects against kidney disorders. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties and protective mechanisms of ACT and ISO. In this investigation, kidney function was assessed using a semi-automatic biochemical analyzer, histopathology was examined using Hematoxylin-Eosin staining and immunohistochemistry, and the concentration of inflammatory cytokines was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. In addition, using Western blot and q-PCR, the expression of proteins and genes connected to the NF-κB signaling pathway in mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AKI was found. The findings showed that under AKI intervention in LPS group, ACT group and ISO group, the expression of Rela (Rela gene is responsible for the expression of NFκB p65 protein) and Tlr4 mRNA was considerably elevated (P<0.01), which led to a significant improvement in the expression of MyD88, TLR4, Iκ-Bɑ and NF-κB p65 protein (P<0.001). The levels of Alb, Crea and BUN (P<0.001) increased along with the release of downstream inflammatory factors such as IL-1β, IL-6, Cys-C, SOD1 and TNF-α (P<0.001). More importantly, the study showed that ISO had a more favorable impact on LPS-induced AKI mice than ACT. In conclusion, by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway, ACT and ISO could relieve renal failure and inflammation in AKI, offering a fresh possibility for the therapeutic management of the condition.

Altered metabolic profiles and targets relevant to the protective effect of acteoside on diabetic nephropathy in db/db mice based on metabolomics and network pharmacology studies

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) was a major cause of end-stage renal failure and a common microvascular complication in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Acteoside (ACT) was the main ingredient extracted from the leaves of Rehmannia glutinosa, which had the functions of entering the lung, moisturizing the skin and relieving itching, nourishing yin and tonifying the kidney, cooling blood, and stopping bleeding. ACT had attracted worldwide interest because of its therapeutic effects on DM and its complications.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To clarify the metabolic profiles and targets of ACT in db/db mice based on metabolomics and network pharmacology studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Db/db mice were used to observe the biochemical indices and histopathological changes in the kidney to evaluate the pharmacological effects of ACT on DN. Untargeted metabolomics studies were performed to investigate by UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS on urine, serum, and kidney samples. The key targets and pathways were analyzed by network pharmacology. For the pathways enriched by untargeted metabolomics, targeted metabolomics by UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS was performed in kidney samples for validation. Sensitive biomarkers in kidney samples were evaluated. The effect of ACT on the improvement of DN from the perspective of metabolism of small molecules in vivo was described.

RESULTS

ACT could delay the progression of DN and improve the degree of histopathological damage to the kidney. The pathways were focused on amino acid metabolism by untargeted metabolomics. Through network pharmacology analysis, the effect pathways were related to signal transduction, carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid metabolism and mainly affected the endocrine and immune systems. Amino acid metabolism was disturbed in the kidney of db/db mice, which could be callback by ACT, such as tryptophan, glutamine, cysteine, leucine, threonine, proline, phenylalanine, histidine, serine, arginine, asparagine by targeted metabolomics.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, this study provided strong support for ACT on DN treatment in clinics. Meanwhile, the Rehmannia glutinosa was used fully to raise the income level of farmers economically, while achieving the social benefit of empowering rural revitalization.

Natural Products for the Prevention and Treatment of Common Cold and Viral Respiratory Infections

The common cold is generally considered a usually harmless infectious disease of the upper respiratory pathway, with mostly mild symptoms. However, it should not be overlooked, as a severe cold can lead to serious complications, resulting in hospitalization or death in vulnerable patients. The treatment of the common cold remains purely symptomatic. Analgesics as well as oral antihistamines or decongestants may be advised to relieve fever, and local treatments can clear the airways and relieve nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, or sneezing. Certain medicinal plant specialties can be used as therapy or as complementary self-treatment. Recent scientific advances discussed in more detail in this review have demonstrated the plant's efficiency in the treatment of the common cold. This review presents an overview of plants used worldwide in the treatment of cold diseases.

Dietary Supplementation with Boswellia serrata, Verbascum thapsus, and Curcuma longa in Show Jumping Horses: Effects on Serum Proteome, Antioxidant Status, and Anti-Inflammatory Gene Expression

Intense exercise can cause inflammation and oxidative stress due to the production of reactive oxygen species. These pathophysiological processes are interdependent, and each one can induce the other, creating a vicious circle. A placebo-controlled blind study was carried out in show jumping horses (n. 16) to evaluate the effects of a commercial dietary supplement (Dolhorse® N.B.F. Lanes srl, Milan, Italy) containing Verbascum thapsus leaf powder (1.42%), Curcuma longa (14.280 mg/kg), and Boswellia serrata (Roxb ex Colebr) (14.280 mg/kg) extracts. Before and after 10 days of dietary supplementation, blood samples were collected to evaluate the protein levels, antioxidants, and inflammatory responses by proteomic analysis or real-time Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (real-time RT-PCR). A total of 36 protein spots, connected to 29 proteins, were modulated by dietary supplementation, whereas real-time RT-PCR revealed a significant downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1α (p < 0.05) and interleukin-6 (0.005), toll-like receptor 4 (p < 0.05), and IKBKB (p < 0.05) in supplemented sport horses. Immunoglobulin chains, gelsolin, plasminogen, vitamin D binding protein, apolipoprotein AIV, and filamin B were overexpressed, whereas haptoglobin, α-2-HS-glycoprotein, α2-macroglobulin, afamin, amine oxidase, 60S acidic ribosomal protein, and complement fragments 3, 4, and 7 were reduced. No effect was observed on the antioxidant defense systems. The present results suggest this phytotherapy may reinforce the innate immune responses, thus representing a valid adjuvant to alleviate inflammation, which is a pathophysiological process in sport horses.

Studies on the metabolism and mechanism of acteoside in treating chronic glomerulonephritis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Acteoside (ACT) is the main ingredient derived from the leaves of Rehmannia glutinosa (Dihuangye). Dihuangye has the function of clearing heat, replenishing qi and activating blood, nourishing yin and tonifying kidney in traditional Chinese medicine. Recent studies have demonstrated that Dihuangye can be used to treat nephritis and ACT is a promising antinephritic agent.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To clarify the metabolites of ACT in biological samples and investigate the renoprotective effect and mechanism of ACT in rats with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the biotransformation of ACT in rat biological samples was clarified by quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. The metabolites were validated by urine samples in nephropathy model rats. The effect of ACT and its metabolites was evaluated by glomerular podocyte injury due to high glucose. Based on an analysis of the ingredients in vivo, the potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of CGN were investigated by using network pharmacological analysis and molecular docking. Then, the renoprotective effect and mechanism of ACT were determined in rats in a passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) model.

RESULTS

A total of 49 metabolites of ACT were detected and identified. Meanwhile, 21 metabolites were detected in nephropathy model rats. ACT was absorbed rapidly and transferred from the kidney, and the metabolites were eliminated via urine. The whole process lasted approximately 8 h. ACT had a significant protective effect on glomerular podocytes damaged by high glucose and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid might be the main metabolite of ACT underlying its functions in vivo. The network pharmacology and molecular docking results showed 84 ACT-CGN targets, among which MAPK1, HRAS, AKT1, EGFR, and others were a highly correlated. In the PHN rat model, ACT significantly reduced the 24-h urine protein and serum creatinine concentrations, suppressed the leukocyte CD18 expression levels, decreased the serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels and tended to reduce serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels. ACT significantly reduced the platelet aggregation rate and inhibited the proliferative activity of splenic lymphocytes in response to the mitogen concanavalin A. Meanwhile, ACT inhibited transforming growth factor-β and fibronectin expression in renal tissues and dose-dependently inhibited TNF-α and IL-6 production in RAW264.7 mouse macrophages at doses ranging from 1.8 to 1330 μg/mL.

CONCLUSIONS

ACT had therapeutic effects on PHN rats, and its mechanism might be related to the inhibition of intercellular or intercellular-matrix adhesion, suppression of inflammatory response, regulation of immune function, improvement of tissue hemodynamics and hemorheology, and relief of fibrotic lesions.

Isolation, characterization and anticancer activity of secondary metabolites from Verbascum speciosum

Herein, two iridoid glucosides aucubin (1) and ajugol (2), and two phenyl ethanoids, verbascoside (3) and poliumoside (4) were isolated from the methanol extract of the aerial parts of Verbascum speciosum and used to study about their anticancer activity for the first time. The structures of all compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic data (IR, 1D and 2D NMR, LC-TOF/MS). Antiproliferative activities of Aucubun (1) and Verbascoside (3) were tested against A-549 (human colon cancer), MDA-MD-453 (human breast cancer) and 3T3-L1 (mouse fibroblast)cell lines by XTT assay. In addition, the anticarcer mechanism of action of aucubin (1) was investigated on MDA-MB-453 cells for the first time. XTT result showed that both applied compounds exhibited antiproliferative effect at different dose ranges depending on the cancer type, as well as selectivity between cancer and healty cell lines. Flow cytometry analyzes revealed that aucubin (1) exerts its cytotoxic effect in MDA-MB-453 cells by directing cells to early apoptosis and inhibiting the P13K/AKT signaling pathway.

Mitochondrial Aging and Senolytic Natural Products with Protective Potential

Living organisms do not disregard the laws of thermodynamics and must therefore consume energy for their survival. In this way, cellular energy exchanges, which aim above all at the production of ATP, a fundamental molecule used by the cell for its metabolisms, favor the formation of waste products that, if not properly disposed of, can contribute to cellular aging and damage. Numerous genes have been linked to aging, with some favoring it (gerontogenes) and others blocking it (longevity pathways). Animal model studies have shown that calorie restriction (CR) may promote longevity pathways, but given the difficult application of CR in humans, research is investigating the use of CR-mimetic substances capable of producing the same effect. These include some phytonutrients such as oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, epigallo-catechin-gallate, fisetin, quercetin, and curcumin and minerals such as magnesium and selenium. Some of them also have senolytic effects, which promote the apoptosis of defective cells that accumulate over the years (senescent cells) and disrupt normal metabolism. In this article, we review the properties of these natural elements that can promote a longer and healthier life.

Therapeutic Plants with Immunoregulatory Activity and Their Applications: A Scientific Vision of Traditional Medicine in Times of COVID-19

The progression of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in humans heavily depends on the patient's overall health status, especially on its immunoregulatory capacity. Different plants and plant-derived preparations (infusions, encapsulated, etc.) have been used as immunoregulators, several of them with scientific support. Nevertheless, due to the composition complexity of such plant-derived preparations, the molecular and physiological mechanisms involved in their beneficial effects remain, in some cases, unclear. In this review article, the most reported plants used in traditional medicine to enhance immunoregulatory capacity are presented, and their effect on the innate immune response is discussed and correlated with their respective phytochemical profile. Understanding how the plant phytochemical profile relates to the observed impact on the innate and adaptative immune response is fundamental to designing plant-derived co-treatments to lessen the symptoms and favor the recovery of COVID-19 patients. In this regard, we propose a prospective guideline for using plants and plant-derived preparations as co-treatments for COVID-19 (and similar viral infections), which could be helpful in the context of the worldwide effort to end the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Extracts and Major Constituents Derived from Stachytarpheta indica Linn. Leaves and Their Potential Implications for Wound Healing

Wounds of various types continue to have a severe socioeconomic impact on the cost of health care. Globally, there has been increased interest surrounding the identification of bioactive compounds that promote or modulate the wound healing process. Stachytarpheta indica Linn. is traditionally used to heal wounds and relieve inflammation; however, the theorised pharmacological properties have not yet been scientifically validated. In this study, dried and ground plant leaves were extracted with water and methanol, which were then subjected to various analyses. The antimicrobial activity of the plant extracts and isolated compounds was determined using well diffusion assays, while the minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined with a colorimetric assay. Morphological changes of human keratinocytes in response to plant extracts were observed with differential interference contrast microscope imaging. Cell viability, proliferation, and migratory effects post-treatment with the plant extracts were also evaluated via colorimetric cytotoxicity assays and a real-time cell analyser protocol. Anti-inflammatory effects of plant extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated by flow cytometry and cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzyme inhibition assays. Three active compounds, i.e. ipolamiide, verbascoside and iso-verbascoside, were isolated from S. indica leaves. Verbascoside demonstrated broad-range antibacterial activity and imposed strong inhibition at 9.77 μg/mL against Staphylococci spp. S. indica extracts (0.1-0.2 mg/mL) were shown to improve human keratinocyte proliferation up to 60% and induce morphological changes by producing cytoplasmic projections at concentrations higher than 0.4 mg/mL. Plant extracts (6.25-100 μg/mL) and individual compounds (3.125-50 μg/mL) elicited strong anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the expression of interleukin-8 and inhibiting cyclooxygenase-1 and 5-lipoxygenase enzymes. Collectively, these results indicate that plant extracts and isolated compounds derived from S. indica have the potential to inhibit bacterial growth, promote tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation, hence, potentially providing the basis for a novel therapeutic for the treatment of wounds.

Duranta erecta Linn: A critical review on phytochemistry, traditional uses, pharmacology, and toxicity from phytopharmaceutical perspective

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Duranta erecta Linn. belonging to the Verbenaceae family is widely used in the traditional systems of medicines practiced in Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Brazil. The ethnomedicinal application as vermifuge, febrifuge, diuretic, anti-parasitic, and anti-malarial are well documented. D. erecta is also a significant source of phenylethanoid glycoside known as acteoside-a drug in clinical trials for IgA nephropathy patients.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

This review aims to critically highlight the existing studies on D. erecta, including its botanical authentication, geographical distribution, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties. Critical discussion is focused on the overview and gap in knowledge for future research. Additionally, the clinical significance of its major secondary metabolite, i.e., acteoside, has also been discussed with emphasis on biosynthesis, distribution, pre-clinical, and clinical outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Professional research data from 1963 to 2021 appeared in scholarly journals, and books were retrieved from scientific database platforms viz. Sci-Finder, PubMed, CNKI, Science Direct, Web of Science, Wiley, Google Scholar, Taylor and Francis, Springer, and Scopus. The chemical structures for all the phytomolecules were validated using Sci-finder and first-hand references. While plant name and synonyms were corroborated by "The Plant List" (www.theplantlist.org).

RESULTS

D. erecta and its key metabolite acteoside display various biological actions like antimalarial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, antinephritic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and antiviral properties. Acteoside literature analysis shows its presence in different stages of clinical trials for anti-nephritic, hepatoprotective, and osteoarthritic activity. The phytochemical review of D. erecta exhibited 64 compounds that have been isolated and identified from D. erecta, such as iridoid glycosides, phenylethanoid glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, phenolics, terpenoids, and saponins. The other significant secondary metabolites responsible for its medicinal properties are acteoside, durantol, pectolinaringenin, repenins, scutellarein, and repennoside.

CONCLUSION

Duranta erecta is one of the Verbenaceae plants, widely used in ethnomedicines having various phytochemicals with understandable pharmacological actions mainly confined at the crude extract level. However, further bioactivity-guided or fingerprint-assisted studies are required to validate the ethnomedicinal uses, concerning cellular and molecular mechanisms, quality standardization, and safety with respect to its bioactive constituent(s). Therefore, the present review identified the gap in the research on scientific validation of Duranta based ethnomedicines and may provide critical information for the development of phytopharmaceuticals/Phyto-cosmeceuticals.

The Anti-Tumor Efficacy of Verbascoside on Ovarian Cancer via Facilitating CCN1-AKT/NF-κB Pathway-Mediated M1 Macrophage Polarization

Background

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of gynecological cancer-related mortality. Verbascoside (VB) is a phenylpropanoid glycoside from Chinese herbs, with anti-tumour activities. This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanism of VB on OC.

Methods

OC cell lines SKOV3 and A2780 were used in this study. Cell viability, proliferation, and migration were measured using CCK-8, clonogenic, and transwell assays, respectively. Apoptosis and M1/M2 macrophages were detected using flow cytometry. The interaction between VB and CCN1 was predicted by molecular docking. The mRNA expression of CCN1 was detected by RT-qPCR. The protein levels of CCN1, AKT, p-AKT, p65, and p-p65 were determined by western blotting. A xenograft mice model was established for in vivo validation.

Results

VB inhibited OC cell proliferation and migration in a dose-dependent manner, and promoted apoptosis and M1 macrophage polarization. VB downregulated CCN1 and inhibited the AKT/NF-κB pathway. LY294002, an AKT inhibitor, potentiated the anti-tumour effects of VB. CCN1 overexpression weakened the anti-tumour effects of VB and VB + LY294002. In vivo experiments verified that VB inhibited tumour growth and promoted M1 polarization, which is regulated by the CCN1-mediated AKT/NF-κB pathway.

Conclusion

VB triggers the CCN1-AKT/NF-κB pathway-mediated M1 macrophage polarization for protecting against OC.

Verbascoside potentiates the effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on the induction of apoptosis and oxidative stress via the Abl-mediated MAPK signalling pathway in chronic myeloid leukaemia

Verbascoside (Verb) may exhibit potential antitumour activities in leukaemia. The present study investigated the effect of Verb, in combination with imatinib (IM), dasatinib (Das), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and TNF, on cell survival, Abl expression, apoptosis, oxidative stress and the MAPK pathway in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) cells. Cell viability was determined using the WST-8 assay in K562 and R-K562 cells treated with Verb and/or IM, Das, LPS and TNF. Apoptosis and DNA damage in CML cells was detected by caspase-3 and comet analysis. The protein levels of Abl (Phospho-Tyr412), and total/phosphorylated p38, JNK and ERK in CML cells were analysed using a Colorimetric Cell-Based Assay. Oxidative stress was examined using total antioxidant and oxidant status assays. Treatment with Verb and/or tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), LPS and TNF resulted in a significant decrease in the Tyr-412 phosphorylation of Abl in K562 and R-K562 cells. In addition, cotreatment with Verb and IM or Das additively induced apoptosis by activating caspase-3 levels in both cell lines. Activation of p38 and JNK can result in growth arrest and cell death, whereas ERK stimulation results in cell division and differentiation. The present study demonstrated that cotreatment with Verb and TKIs suppressed phosphorylated-ERK1/2, whereas the levels of phosphorylated-p-38 and phosphorylated-JNK were significantly elevated by Verb and/or IM, Das, LPS and TNF, thus suggesting that Abl and Src inhibition could be involved in the effects of Verb on MAPK signalling in R-K562 cells. Furthermore, Verb elevated reactive oxygen species levels additively with TKIs in both cell lines by increasing the oxidant capacity and decreasing the antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, anti-leukemic mechanisms of Verb may be mediated by Abl protein and regulation of its downstream p38-MAPK/JNK pathway, caspase-3 and oxidative stress in CML cells.

Plant-Based Support of Respiratory Health during Viral Outbreaks

Respiratory viruses are linked to major epidemic events that have plagued humans through recorded history and possibly much earlier, ranging from common colds, influenza, and coronavirus infections to measles. However, difficulty in developing effective pharmaceutical solutions to treat infected individuals has hindered efforts to manage and minimize respiratory viral outbreaks and the associated mortality. Here we highlight a series of botanical interventions with different and often overlapping putative mechanisms of action to support the respiratory system, for which the bioactive pharmacophore was suggested and the initial structure-activity relationships have been explored (Bupleurum spp., Glycyrrhiza spp., Andrographis spp.), have been proposed with uncertainty (Echinacea spp., Zingiber spp., Verbascum spp., Marrubium spp.), or remained to be elucidated (Sambucus spp., Urtica spp.). Investigating these metabolites and their botanical sources holds potential to uncover new mediators of the respiratory health outcomes as well as molecular targets for future break-through therapeutic interventions targeting respiratory viral outbreaks.

Health-promoting and disease-mitigating potential of Verbascum thapsus L. (common mullein): A review

Medicinal plants represent rich sources of traditional medicines and numerous currently used medicines are either directly or indirectly derived from plants. Verbascum thapsus L. (great mullein or common mullein), a medicinal herb indigenous to northern Africa, western and central Asia, and Europe, has been brought to the Americas and Australia. It has been used as a medicine for lung, skin and throat disorders and has a long history of therapeutic importance, particularly as an astringent and calming agent. Presently, the dried leaves, flowers, various plant extracts and flower oil are used in several formulations within Indian traditional medicine. An extract taken from the roots is useful in minimizing toothache, and it also relieves stiffness and seizures. V. thapsus contains a wide variety of phytoconstituents, such as flavonoids, iridoid, phenylethanoid and phenylpropanoid glycosides, saponins, as well as vitamin C and minerals. The most valuable constituents are coumarin and hesperidin, which possess healing properties. Emerging literature based on experimental studies on V. thapsus demonstrates various biological and pharmacological properties, including antiviral, antioxidant, analgesic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, hypnotic, antibacterial, antifungal, as well as anticancer activities. The present review provides an updated, comprehensive, and critical evaluation of various health-promoting and disease-mitigating properties of V. thapsus.

Anxiolytic Effect and Improved Sleep Quality in Individuals Taking Lippia citriodora Extract

The current fast-moving, hectic lifestyle has increased the number of individuals worldwide with difficulties in managing stress, which in turn is also affecting their sleep quality. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to assess a natural plant-based dietary supplement comprised of lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora) extract, purified in phenylpropanoids, in alleviating stress and improving quality of sleep. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted for 8 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout period. Both validated questionnaires and functional tests were performed during the study, whereas questionnaires were used after the washout. As a result, the group taking the lemon verbena extract significantly reduced their perception of stress after 8 weeks, which was corroborated by a significant decrease in cortisol levels. After the washout period, the subjects reported to present even lower stress levels, due to the lasting effect of the ingredient. As for sleep quality, the subjects taking the supplement reported feeling better rested, with a stronger effect observed in women. Sleep tracking using a wearable device revealed that the supplement users improved their times in the deeper stages of sleep, specifically their percentage of time in deep sleep and REM. In conclusion, lemon verbena extract purified in phenylpropanoids is revealed as a natural solution to help individuals to improve their stress and sleep quality.

Influence of soil pollution on the morphology of roots and leaves of Verbascum thapsus L

The impact of inorganic pollutants in the zone of industrial wastewater settling tanks (South of Russia) was studied. The levels of Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd were determined for Verbascum thapsus L., which are part of the mesophilic succession of wild plants in the studied technogenically polluted territory. The bioavailability of heavy metals (HM) for plants from transformed soils has been established. Anatomical and morphological features in the tissues of the plants affected by HM were analyzed using light-optical and electron microscopic methods. Contamination of the soil cover with Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd has been established with maximum content of Zn. It was revealed that the HM content in the V. thapsus plants exceeded the maximum permissible levels (Russian state standard): Zn by 23, Pb by 2, Cr by 31 and Cd by 3 times. The lower level of HM content in the inflorescences of mullein plants in comparison with the root system, stems and leaves indicates the resistance of generative organs to technogenic pollution. In the root and leaves of the V. thapsus, the anatomical and ultrastructural observation were carried out using light-optical and transmission electron microscopy. Changes in the ultrastructure of plants under the influence of anthropogenic impact have been revealed. The most significant changes of the ultrastructure of the polluted plants were found in the cell organelles of leaves (mitochondria, plastids, peroxisomes, etc.) including spatial transformation of the thylakoid system of plastids during the metal accumulation by plants, which may determine the mechanism of plant adaptation to technogenic pollution.

Anticancer effects of acteoside: Mechanistic insights and therapeutic status

Cancer, the uncontrolled proliferation and metastasis of abnormal cells, is a major public health issue worldwide. To date, several natural compounds have been reported with their efficacy in the treatment of different types of cancer. Chemotherapeutic agents are used in cancer treatment and prevention, among other aspects. Acteoside is a phenylethanoid glycoside, first isolated from Verbascum sinuatum, which has demonstrated multiple effects, including antioxidant, anti-epileptic, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antihypertensive, and anti-leishmanial properties. This review gathered, analyzed, and summarized the literature on acteoside and its anticancer properties. All the available information about this compound and its role in different types of cancer was collected using different scientific search engines, including PubMed, Scopus, Springer Link, Wiley Online, Web of Science, Scifinder, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Acteoside is found in a variety of plants and has been shown to have anticancer activity in many experimental models through oxidative stress, apoptosis, anti-angiogenesis, anti-invasion, anti-metastasis, synergism with other agents, and anti-proliferative effects through modulation of several pathways. In conclusion, acteoside exhibited potent anticancer activity against different cancer cell lines through modulating several cancer signaling pathways in different non- and pre-clinical experimental models and thus could be a strong candidate for further clinical studies.

Syringa microphylla Diels: A comprehensive review of its phytochemical, pharmacological, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological characteristics and an investigation into its potential health benefits

BACKGROUND

Syringa microphylla Diels is a plant in the family Syringa Linn. For hundreds of years, its flowers and leaves have been used as a folk medicine for the treatment of cough, inflammation, colds, sore throat, acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, early liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, and oesophageal cancer.

PURPOSE

For the first time, we have comprehensively reviewed information on Syringa microphylla Diels that is not included in the Pharmacopoeia, clarified the pharmacological mechanisms of Syringa microphylla Diels and its active ingredients from a molecular biology perspective, compiled in vivo and in vitro animal experimental data and clinical data, and summarized the toxicology and pharmacokinetics of Syringa microphylla Diels. The progress in toxicology research is expected to provide a theoretical basis for the development of new drugs from Syringa microphylla Diels, a natural source of compounds that are potentially beneficial to human health.

METHODS

The PubMed, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Web of Science, SciFinder Scholar and Thomson Reuters databases were utilized to conduct a comprehensive search of published literature as of July 2021 to find original literature related to Syringa microphylla Diels and its active ingredients.

RESULTS

To date, 72 compounds have been isolated and identified from Syringa microphylla Diels, and oleuropein, verbascoside, isoacteoside, echinacoside, forsythoside B, and eleutheroside B are the main active components. These compounds have antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, and their safety and effectiveness have been demonstrated in long-term traditional applications. Molecular pharmacology experiments have indicated that the active ingredients of Syringa microphylla Diels exert their pharmacological effects in various ways, primarily by reducing oxidative stress damage via Nrf2/ARE pathway regulation, regulating inflammatory factors and inducing apoptosis through the MAPK and NF-κB pathways.

CONCLUSION

This comprehensive review of Syringa microphylla Diels provides new insights into the correlations among molecular mechanisms, the importance of toxicology and pharmacokinetics, and potential ways to address the limitations of current research. As Syringa microphylla Diels is a natural low-toxicity botanical medicine, it is worthy of development and utilization and is an excellent choice for treating various diseases.

Research Progress in Chinese Herbal Medicines for Treatment of Sepsis: Pharmacological Action, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacokinetics

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection; the pathophysiology of sepsis is complex. The incidence of sepsis is steadily increasing, with worldwide mortality ranging between 30% and 50%. Current treatment approaches mainly rely on the timely and appropriate administration of antimicrobials and supportive therapies, but the search for pharmacotherapies modulating the host response has been unsuccessful. Chinese herbal medicines, i.e., Chinese patent medicines, Chinese herbal prescriptions, and single Chinese herbs, play an important role in the treatment of sepsis through multicomponent, multipathway, and multitargeting abilities and have been officially recommended for the management of COVID-19. Chinese herbal medicines have therapeutic actions promising for the treatment of sepsis; basic scientific research on these medicines is increasing. However, the material bases of most Chinese herbal medicines and their underlying mechanisms of action have not yet been fully elucidated. This review summarizes the current studies of Chinese herbal medicines used for the treatment of sepsis in terms of clinical efficacy and safety, pharmacological activity, phytochemistry, bioactive constituents, mechanisms of action, and pharmacokinetics, to provide an important foundation for clarifying the pathogenesis of sepsis and developing novel antisepsis drugs based on Chinese herbal medicines.

Verbascoside inhibits paraquate-induced pulmonary toxicity via modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and DNA damage in A549 cell

Paraquat (PQ), one of the most frequently used herbicides, can cause serious health problems in an exposed individual. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of verbascoside (VB), a phenylpropanoid glycoside from lemon verbena, against PQ-induced A549 cell injury with a particular focus on the possible molecular pathways involved. A549 cells were exposed to PQ (300 µM) and different concentrations of VB (12.5, 25, and 50 µM). Cell viability, ROS content, the level of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and GPx) and inflammatory markers (IL-6 and TNF-α), as well as 8-OHdG, were detected using MTT assay and an ELISA kit. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were performed to measure the levels of caspase3 and NF-κB mRNA and protein expression. Exposure of cells to PQ caused viability loss and ROS increase. PQ also increased the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and 8-OHdG and decreased the antioxidant enzymes content. PQ treatment resulted in cell death by increasing the gene and protein expression level of caspase 3 and NF-κB. Treatment with VB notably increased cell survival, antioxidant enzymes activity, which concomitantly attenuated ROS, NF-κB and inflammatory mediator production. VB also inhibited apoptosis expression markers. These results indicated that VB could protect A549 cells against PQ induced cell injury by attenuation of ROS and inflammatory marker production and modulation of antioxidant enzymes. VB efficiently suppressed increased NF-κB and caspase-3 activity and formation of 8-OHdG and ultimately improved cell viability. Therefore, VB may be useful in the development of a new therapy for PQ-induced pulmonary toxicity.

Potential of Olive Oil Mill Wastewater as a Source of Polyphenols for the Treatment of Skin Disorders: A Review

Current trends toward naturally occurring compounds of therapeutic interest have contributed to an increasing number of studies on olive oil phenolics in the treatment of diseases with oxidative and inflammatory origins. Recent focus has been on olive oil wastewater, which is richer in phenolic compounds than olive oil itself. In this review, we present findings demonstrating the potential use of olive mill wastewater in dermatology. Particular attention is given to compounds with proven benefits in topical pharmacology: caffeic and ferulic acids, tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol, verbascoside, and oleuropein. The review is divided into different sections: inflammatory skin diseases, microbial effects, wound healing in addition to the antimelanoma properties of olive mill waste phenolics, and their potential in sun protection agents. There is strong evidence to support further studies into the valorization of this abundant and sustainable source of phenolic compounds for use in dermatology and dermo-cosmetic preparations.

Adolescents and primary herpetic gingivostomatitis: an Italian overview

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the therapies administered to Italian adolescents with primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (PHGS)

Methods

The medical records of 74 adolescents with PHSG were reviewed. The following data were recorded: age, gender, day of onset, type of treatment, lesions’ severity, pain scoring, eating, and drinking ability. The oral examination was performed at the first evaluation (T0) and after one week (T1).

Results

All patients showed up at the first visit at least 48 h after the onset of symptoms. No patient was prescribed an antiviral therapy. An antibiotic therapy was prescribed in order to prevent secondary bacterial infections. Fifteen patients had been treated with non alcoholic chlorhexidine rinses (group A), 29 patients with non alcoholic chlorhexidine rinses plus hyaluronic acid gel (group B); 30 patients with non alcoholic chlorhexidine rinses plus Mucosyte® (group C). A significant improvement of the pain scoring and lesions’ severity was noted in group C.

Conclusion

In Italian adolescents, PHGS is diagnosed at least 48 h after onset and the antibiotic therapy is widely prescribed in order to prevent overinfections. Among topical therapies, an association of verbascoside and sodium hyaluronhate seems to favour a faster healing.

Direct and Indirect Antioxidant Effects of Selected Plant Phenolics in Cell-Based Assays

Background: Oxidative stress is a key factor in the pathophysiology of many diseases. This study aimed to verify the antioxidant activity of selected plant phenolics in cell-based assays and determine their direct or indirect effects. Methods: The cellular antioxidant assay (CAA) assay was employed for direct scavenging assays. In the indirect approach, the influence of each test substance on the gene and protein expression and activity of selected antioxidant enzymes was observed. One assay also dealt with activation of the Nrf2-ARE pathway. The overall effect of each compound was measured using a glucose oxidative stress protection assay. Results: Among the test compounds, acteoside showed the highest direct scavenging activity and no effect on the expression of antioxidant enzymes. It increased only the activity of catalase. Diplacone was less active in direct antioxidant assays but positively affected enzyme expression and catalase activity. Morusin showed no antioxidant activity in the CAA assay. Similarly, pomiferin had only mild antioxidant activity and proved rather cytotoxic. Conclusions: Of the four selected phenolics, only acteoside and diplacone demonstrated antioxidant effects in cell-based assays.

Antioxidant and Pro-Oxidant Capacities as Mechanisms of Photoprotection of Olive Polyphenols on UVA-Damaged Human Keratinocytes

A wide variety of polyphenols are reported to have considerable antioxidant and skin photoprotective effects, although the mechanisms of action are not fully known. Environmentally friendly and inexpensive sources of natural bioactive compounds, such as olive mill wastewater (OMWW), the by-product of olive-oil processing, can be considered an economic source of bioactive polyphenols, with a range of biological activities, useful as chemotherapeutic or cosmeceutical agents. Green strategies, such as the process based on membrane technologies, allow to recover active polyphenols from this complex matrix. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant, pro-oxidant, and photoprotective effects, including the underlying action mechanism(s), of the ultra-filtered (UF) OMWW fractions, in order to substantiate their use as natural cosmeceutical ingredient. Six chemically characterized UF-OMWW fractions, from Italian and Greek olive cultivar processing, were investigated for their antioxidant activities, measured by Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), LDL oxidation inhibition, and ROS-quenching ability in UVA-irradiated HEKa (Human Epidermal Keratinocytes adult) cultures. The photoprotective properties of UF-OMWW were assayed as a pro-oxidant-mediated pro-apoptotic effect on the UVA-damaged HEKa cells, which can be potentially involved in the carcinogenesis process. All the UF-OMWW fractions exerted an effective antioxidant activity in vitro and in cells when administered together with UV-radiation on HEKa. A pro-oxidative and pro-apoptotic effect on the UVA-damaged HEKa cells were observed, suggesting some protective actions of polyphenol fraction on keratinocyte cell cultures.

The Therapeutic Effect and In Vivo Assessment of Palmitoyl-GDPH on the Wound Healing Process

The standard treatment of open wounds via the direct usage of therapeutic agents is not without limitations with respect to healing. Small peptides can create a favorable milieu for accelerating the healing of wounds. This study presents the potential of a novel fatty acid conjugated tetrapeptide (palmitic acid-glycine-aspartic acid-proline-histidine; Palmitoyl-GDPH) in alleviating wound healing. Tetracycline was employed as a standard control drug following its significance in wound healing including biologically active and antimicrobial effects. The peptide in liquid form was applied on to a 4 cm² full thickness wound surgically induced at the dorsum of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. The in vivo wound treatment with Palmitoyl-GDPH for eighteen days, histologically demonstrated an almost perfect healing exhibited by increased re-epithelialization, enhanced collagen deposition, and diminished scar formation compared to the controls. In addition, the well-developed epidermal-dermal junction and ultimate stimulation of hair follicle-growth in the Palmitoyl-GDPH treated group indicated the wound to have healed as functionally viable tissues. In general, the much lower hemogram values in the Palmitoyl-GDPH group indicated that the ongoing healing is en route to an earlier recovery. Additionally, the liver, kidney, and pancreas function biomarkers being within normal limits indicated the relatively non-toxic nature of Palmitoyl-GDPH at the used dosage. These results indisputably supported the great potential of this newly synthesized Palmitoyl-GDPH to be used as an effective therapeutic agent for wound healing (this actually means creating a new wound).

Photoprotective Activity of Buddleja cordata Cell Culture Methanolic Extract on UVB-irradiated 3T3-Swiss Albino Fibroblasts

The research on compounds exhibiting photoprotection against ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a matter of increasing interest. The methanolic extract of a cell culture of Buddleja cordata has potential photoprotective effects as these cells produce phenolic secondary metabolites (SMs). These metabolites are attributed with biological activities capable of counteracting the harmful effects caused by UVR on skin. In the present work, the methanolic extract (310–2500 µg/mL) of B. cordata cell culture showed a photoprotective effect on UVB-irradiated 3T3-Swiss albino fibroblasts with a significant increase in cell viability. The greatest photoprotective effect (75%) of the extract was observed at 2500 µg/mL, which was statistically comparable with that of 250 µg/mL verbascoside, used as positive control. In addition, concentrations of the extract higher than 2500 µg/mL resulted in decreased cell viability (≤83%) after 24 h of exposure. Phytochemical analysis of the extract allowed us to determine that it was characterized by high concentrations of total phenol and total phenolic acid contents (138 ± 4.7 mg gallic acid equivalents and 44.01 ± 1.33 mg verbascoside equivalents per gram of extract, respectively) as well as absorption of UV light (first and second bands peaking at 294 and 330 nm, respectively). Some phenylethanoid glycosides were identified from the extract.

A Review of Plant Extracts and Plant-Derived Natural Compounds in the Prevention/Treatment of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury is one of the major drawbacks of mortality and causes significant short/long-term neurological dysfunction in newborn infants worldwide. To date, due to multifunctional complex mechanisms of brain injury, there is no well-established effective strategy to completely provide neuroprotection. Although therapeutic hypothermia is the proven treatment for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), it does not completely chang outcomes in severe forms of HIE. Therefore, there is a critical need for reviewing the effective therapeutic strategies to explore the protective agents and methods. In recent years, it is widely believed that there are neuroprotective possibilities of natural compounds extracted from plants against HIE. These natural agents with the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and neurofunctional regulatory properties exhibit preventive or therapeutic effects against experimental neonatal HI brain damage. In this study, it was aimed to review the literature in scientific databases that investigate the neuroprotective effects of plant extracts/plant-derived compounds in experimental animal models of neonatal HI brain damage and their possible underlying molecular mechanisms of action.

Gastroprotective effects of both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Lemon verbena leaves against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats

OBJECTIVES

Regarding Lemon verbena gastroprotective effects, we investigated the protective effects of Lemon verbena extracts on reducing gastric ulcer induced by indomethacin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats received aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Lemon verbena (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg), zileuton (100 mg/kg), montelukast (10 mg/kg), or 1% Tween 80 in presence or absence of indomethacin (100 mg/kg).

RESULTS

Indomethacin produced stomach ulcer and increased neutrophils percentage and MDA level compared with the control group (P<0.001). Co-administration of indomethacin and zileuton, montelukast and ethanolic (200 mg/kg) (P<0.001), aqueous extract (200 mg/kg) (P<0.05) reduced ulcer compared with the indomethacin group (P<0.001). Ethanolic extracts (100 and 200 mg/kg) and aqueous extract (200 mg/kg) reduced the MDA level (P<0.001). Ethanolic (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) and aqueous extracts (200 mg/kg) significantly decreased neutrophils percentage compared with the indomethacin group (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Aqueous and particularly ethanolic extracts of Lemon verbena have protective effects on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers.

The anti-inflammatory properties of Acanthus Ebracteatus, Barleria Lupulina and Clinacanthus Nutans: a systematic review

This appraisal is comprised of the inflammatory studies that have been conducted on Clinacanthus nutans, Acanthus ebracteatus, and Barleria lupulina. The review aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the supporting and contradictory evidence on each plants' anti-inflammatory properties, whilst addressing the gaps in the current literature. The databases used to obtain relevant studies were Google Scholar, ResearchGate, PubMed and Nusearch (University of Nottingham). A total of 13 articles were selected for this review. A. ebracteatus was found to suppress neutrophil migration and weakly inhibits chronic inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, B. lupulina and C. nutans were shown to possess very similar anti-inflammatory properties. The studies on C. nutans indicated that its anti-inflammatory effect is strongly related to the inhibition of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Moreover, several phytoconstituents isolated from B. lupulina were shown to activate the anti-inflammatory Nrf2 pathway. Overall, all the studies have provided evidence to support the use of these plants as anti-inflammatory herbal remedies. However, their exact mechanism of action and the responsible phytoconstituents are yet to be established.

Biological effects of verbascoside and its anti-inflammatory activity on oral mucositis: a review of the literature

Oral mucositis is among the most common tissue toxicities associated with both cytotoxic cancer regimens and head and neck radiotherapy. Current management of oral mucositis might comprise growth factors and cytokines, anti-inflammatory agents, anesthetics, analgesics, antimicrobial and coating agents, cryotherapy and mucosal protectants. Despite its long history and its impact on patients, there are currently no effective options for the prevention or treatment of mucositis. In recent years, more attention has been focused on the role of natural drugs. Verbascoside belongs to the phenylpropanoid glycosides family. Several biological properties have been described, such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumor and antioxidant. Verbascoside, particularly when in solution with polyvinylpyrrolidone and sodium hyaluronate, thanks to barrier effect, is useful in re-epithelialization and in reducing pain, oral mucositis score, burning and erythema.

A review on the structure and pharmacological activity of phenylethanoid glycosides

Phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) are compounds made of phenylethyl alcohol, caffeic acid and glycosyl moieties. The first published references about phenylethanoid glycosides concerned the isolation of echinacoside from Echinaceu ungustifolia (Asteraceae) in 1950 and verbascoside from Verbascum sinuatum (Scrophulariaceae) in 1963. Over the past 60 years, many compounds with these structural characteristics have been isolated from natural sources, and most of these compounds possess significant bioactivities, including antibacterial, antitumor, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory activities, among others. In this review, we will summarize the phenylethanoid glycosides described in recent papers and list all the compounds that have been isolated over the past few decades. We will also attempt to present and assess recent studies about the separation, extraction, determination, and pharmacological activity of the excellent natural components, phenylethanoid glycosides.

Phytochemistry of Verbascum Species Growing in Iraqi Kurdistan and Bioactive Iridoids from the Flowers of Verbascum calvum

Traditional medicine is still widely practiced in Iraqi Kurdistan, especially by people living in villages on mountainous regions; medicinal plants are also sold in the markets of the large towns, such as at Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Autonomous Region. About a dozen of Verbascum species (Scrophulariaceae) are commonly employed in the Kurdish traditional medicine, especially for treating burns and other skin diseases. However, the isolation of bioactive secondary metabolites from these plants has not been the subject of intense scientific investigations in Iraq. Therefore, the information reported in the literature about the species growing in Kurdistan has been summarized in the first part of this paper, although investigations have been performed on vegetable samples collected in neighbouring countries, such as Turkey and Iran. In the second part of the work, we have investigated, for the first time, the contents of a methanol and a hydromethanol extract of V. calvum flowers. The extracts exhibited weak antimicrobial activities, whereas the methanol extract showed significant antiproliferative effects against an A549 lung cancer cell line. Moreover, both extracts exhibited a significant dose-dependent free radical scavenging action against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, comparable to that of ascorbic acid. In the subsequent phytochemical study, a high phenolic content was determined in both extracts by the Folin–Ciocalteu assay and medium-pressure liquid chromatographic (MPLC) separation led to the isolation of iridoid glucosides ajugol and aucubin from the methanol extract. In conclusion, the high anti-inflammatory effects of aucubin and the remarkable antioxidant (antiradical) properties of the extracts give scientific support to the traditional use of V. calvum flowers for the preparation in Kurdistan of remedies to cure skin burns and inflammations.

Polyphenols and Other Bioactive Compounds of Sideritis Plants and Their Potential Biological Activity

Due to the growing problem of obesity associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, causes of obesity are extensively investigated. In addition to a high caloric diet and low physical activity, gut microbiota disturbance may have a potential impact on excessive weight gain. Some reports indicate differences in the composition of the intestinal microflora of obese people in comparison to lean. Bioactive compounds of natural origin with beneficial and multifaceted effects on the body are more frequently used in prevention and treatment of many metabolic diseases including obesity. Sideritis scardica is traditionally consumed as mountain tea in the Balkans to strengthen the body and improve mood. Many reports indicate a positive effect on digestive system, weight loss, and prevention of insulin resistance. Additionally, it exhibits antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects. The positive effect of Sideritis scardica extracts on memory and general cognitive abilities is indicated as well. The multilevel positive effect on the body appears to originate from the abundant occurrence of phenolic compounds, especially phenolic acids in Sideritis scardica extracts. However, mechanisms underlying their action require careful discussion and further research. Therefore, the objective of this review is to summarize the available knowledge on the role and mechanism of action of biologically active compounds of Sideritis scardica and other related species from the genus Sideritis.

Verbascoside Protects Mice From Clostridial Gas Gangrene by Inhibiting the Activity of Alpha Toxin and Perfringolysin O

Gas gangrene, caused mainly by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens), causes death within 48 h of onset. Limited therapeutic strategies are available, and it is associated with extremely high mortality. Both C. perfringens alpha toxin (CPA) and perfringolysin O (PFO) are important virulence factors in the development of gas gangrene, suggesting that they are therapeutic targets. Here, we found that verbascoside, a phenylpropanoid glycoside widely distributed in Chinese herbal medicines, could effectively inhibit the biological activity of both CPA and PFO in hemolytic assays. The oligomerization of PFO was remarkably inhibited by verbascoside. Although no antibacterial activity was observed, verbascoside treatment protected Caco-2 cells from the damage caused by CPA and PFO. Additionally, infected mice treated with verbascoside showed significantly alleviated damage, reduced bacterial burden, and decreased mortality. In summary, verbascoside has an effective therapeutic effect against C. perfringens virulence both in vitro and in vivo by simultaneously targeting CPA and PFO. Our results provide a promising strategy and a potential lead compound for C. perfringens infections, especially gas gangrene.

Aromatic Herbs, Medicinal Plant-Derived Essential Oils, and Phytochemical Extracts as Potential Therapies for Coronaviruses: Future Perspectives

After its recent discovery in patients with serious pneumonia in Wuhan (China), the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), named also Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread quickly. Unfortunately, no drug or vaccine for treating human this coronavirus infection is available yet. Numerous options for controlling or preventing emerging 2019-nCoV infections may be predicted, including vaccines, interferon therapies, and small-molecule drugs. However, new interventions are likely to require months to years to develop. In addition, most of the existing antiviral treatments frequently lead to the development of viral resistance combined with the problem of side effects, viral re-emergence, and viral dormancy. The pharmaceutical industry is progressively targeting phytochemical extracts, medicinal plants, and aromatic herbs with the aim of identifying lead compounds, focusing principally on appropriate alternative antiviral drugs. Spices, herbal medicines, essential oils (EOs), and distilled natural products provide a rich source of compounds for the discovery and production of novel antiviral drugs. The determination of the antiviral mechanisms of these natural products has revealed how they interfere with the viral life cycle, i.e., during viral entry, replication, assembly, or discharge, as well as virus-specific host targets. Presently, there are no appropriate or approved drugs against CoVs, but some potential natural treatments and cures have been proposed. Given the perseverance of the 2019-nCoV outbreak, this review paper will illustrate several of the potent antiviral chemical constituents extracted from medicinal and aromatic plants, natural products, and herbal medicines with recognized in vitro and in vivo effects, along with their structure-effect relationships. As this review shows, numerous potentially valuable aromatic herbs and phytochemicals are awaiting assessment and exploitation for therapeutic use against genetically and functionally different virus families, including coronaviruses.

Enzyme inhibitory assessment of the isolated constituents from Plantago holosteum Scop

Plants of the Plantago genus are widely used in Turkish folk medicine especially for the treatment of wound, abscess, and inflammation. The aqueous extract and five phenylethanoid glycosides acteoside (1), arenarioside (2), echinacoside (3), isoacteoside (4), and leucosceptoside A (5) isolated from the aerial parts and roots of Plantago holosteum Scop. (Plantaginaceae) were tested for their possible inhibitory activity against hyaluronidase, elastase, and collagenase, related to wound pathogenesis. Even though the aqueous extract prepared from the aerial parts (36.26%) and roots (47.01%) and the isolated compounds acteoside (29.13%), echinacoside (28.73%), and isoacteoside (31.69%) exerted a notable inhibition, arenarioside and leucosceptoside A were found inactive in the hyaluronidase enzyme inhibition test. Similar results were obtained from the collagenase enzyme inhibition test. The aqueous extract prepared from the aerial parts (31.09%) and roots (35.17%), echinacoside (25.13%), and isoacteoside (23.85%) exerted a notable inhibition in this test. However, none of the extracts and isolated compounds displayed elastase enzyme inhibitory activity. The experimental data demonstrated that P. holosteum displayed a remarkable enzyme inhibitory activity against hyaluronidase and collagenase. This paper is the first report regarding the in vitro enzyme inhibitory activity of P. holosteum.

Verbascoside attenuates acute inflammatory injury in experimental cerebral hemorrhage by suppressing TLR4

Cerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a common cerebrovascular condition with high mortality, disability and recurrence rates. TLR4-mediated acute inflammatory injury plays a pivotal role in ICH. Verbascoside (VB) is an active component of multiple medicinal plants, and exerts neuroprotective effects in ischemic stroke by targeting the inflammatory response. However, the effects of VB on ICH and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed the therapeutic effects of VB on acute ICH, and the possible involvement of TLR4-mediated inflammation. VB improved the behavioral score and reduced the hematoma volume, brain edema and neuronal apoptosis in a murine model of acute ICH. Mechanistically, VB attenuated macroglia activation and decreased inflammatory factor levels, which in turn protected the neurons. Furthermore, TLR4 knockout abolished the effects of VB both in vivo and in vitro. Taken together, VB attenuates the symptoms of ICH by targeting the TLR4-mediated acute inflammatory response.

Elucidation of the Molecular Mechanism Underlying Lippia citriodora(Lim.)-Induced Relaxation and Anti-Depression

Lippia citriodora ethanolic extract (VEE) and verbascoside (Vs), a phenypropanoid glycoside, have been demonstrated to exert relaxant and anxiolytic properties. However, the molecular mechanisms behind their effects are still unclear. In this work, we studied the effects and action mechanisms of VEE and Vs in vivo and in vitro, on human neurotypic SH-SY5Y cells.TST was conducted on mice treated orally with VEE (25, 50 and 100 mg/Kg), Vs (2.5 and 5 mg/Kg), Bupropion (20 mg/Kg) and Milli-Q water. Higher dose of VEE-treated mice showed an increase of immobility time compared to control groups, indicating an induction of relaxation. This effect was found to be induced by regulation of genes playing key roles in calcium homeostasis (calcium channels), cyclic AMP (cAMP) production and energy metabolism. On the other hand, low doses of VEE and Vs showed an antidepressant-like effect and was confirmed by serotonin, noradrenalin, dopamine and BDNF expressions. Finally, VEE and Vsenhancedcell viability, mitochondrial activity and calcium uptake in vitro confirming in vivo findings. Our results showed induction of relaxation and antidepressant-like effects depending on the administered dose of VEE and Vs, through modulation of cAMP and calcium.

Biological Effects of Licochalcones

Medicinal plants and their natural bioactive molecules, are evaluated as the foundation for health preservation and care of humanity. The licorice root, known as "Radix Glycyrrhizae", is a perennial plant that comes from Mediterranean countries, central to southern Russia, Asia, Turkey, Iraq and Iran. The licorice root has been used in traditional Chinese medicines for centuries and has been defined as "the progenitor of herbs". The name 'Licorice' is derived from the ancient Greek word Glukurrhiza, meaning 'sweet root'. It consists of approximately 30 species, however, the most common ones consist of Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch and Glycyrrhiza Inflata. In addition, the licorice root contains chalcones, which are a part of an important class of natural products and are precursors of flavonoids. Chemically, chalcones are composed of two aromatic rings associated with α, β-unsaturated α-carbon ketone, representing the prima nucleus of the structure. They have been classified, according to chemical structures, in Licochalcone A, B, C, D, E, F and G. This review aims to highlight all the in vitro and in vivo studies that have been conducted on the licochalcones, extracted from Glycyrrhiza species. The main effects are as follows: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiallergic, antidiabetic, hepatotoxic and osteogenic. It is important to implement the introduction of biologically active natural molecules from the bench (research) to the bedside (clinical practice). However, in the future, it is required to conduct additional studies to validate these biological effects.

In Vitro Human Metabolism and Inhibition Potency of Verbascoside for CYP Enzymes

Verbascoside is found in many medicinal plant families such as Verbenaceae. Important biological activities have been ascribed to verbascoside. Investigated in this study is the potential of verbascoside as an adjuvant during tuberculosis treatment. The present study reports on the in vitro metabolism in human hepatic microsomes and cytosol incubations as well as the presence and quantity of verbascoside within Lippia scaberrima. Additionally, studied are the inhibitory properties on human hepatic CYP enzymes together with antioxidant and cytotoxic properties. The results yielded no metabolites in the hydrolysis or cytochrome P450 (CYP) oxidation incubations. However, five different methylated conjugates of verbascoside could be found in S-adenosylmethionine incubation, three different sulphate conjugates with 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS) incubation with human liver samples, and very low levels of glucuronide metabolites after incubation with recombinant human uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A7, UGT1A8, and UGT1A10. Additionally, verbascoside showed weak inhibitory potency against CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 with IC50 values of 83 µM and 86 µM, respectively. Potent antioxidant and low cytotoxic potential were observed. Based on these data, verbascoside does not possess any clinically relevant CYP-mediated interaction potential, but it has effective biological activity. Therefore, verbascoside could be considered as a lead compound for further drug development and as an adjuvant during tuberculosis treatment.

Antimicrobial, Antioxidant Activities, and HPLC Determination of the Major Components of Verbena carolina (Verbenaceae)

Verbena carolina L. (Verbenaceae) is used as a decoction in Mexican folk medicine with applications against digestive problems and for dermatological infections. The present work firstly reported HPLC analysis, as well as the free radical scavenging capacity of the extracts and isolated compounds. Antimicrobial analyses of these substances against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi and the fungi Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. rubrum were also tested, as well as the acute oral toxicity in mice of aqueous extracts. Major secondary metabolites in V. carolina extracts were isolated by conventional phytochemical methods which consisted of three terpenoids ((1), (3) and (4)) and four phenolic compounds ((2), (4)-(6)). Their contents were determined by HPLC in six different samples from different locations. The results indicated that ursolic acid (1), hispidulin (2), verbenaline (3), hastatoside (4), verbascoside (5), hispidulin 7-O-β-d-glucuronopyranoside (6) and pectolinaringenin-7-O-α-d-glucuronopyranoside (7) were the main constituents and ranged from 0.17 to 3.37 mg/g of dried plant, with verbascoside being the most abundant and with a significant antioxidant activity in reactive oxygen species (ROS). Hispidulin was the only active compound against T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum. The aqueous extract showed no significant toxicity (LD₅₀: > 5000 mg/mL). To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive report of the chemical characterization of V. carolina and also of the activity of its constituents towards reactive oxygen species and dermatophytes, and its safety for consumption.

The Wound Healing Effect of Callicarpa nudiflora in Scalded Rats

Callicarpa nudiflora has been widely used in Li nationality medicine and treated burns and scalds in China. Our objective was to preliminarily elucidate healing effect and action mechanism of Callicarpa nudiflora water extract (CNE) on the scald wounds using an experimental rat mode. The second-degree scald wounds were induced by hot water on dorsal surface of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, and then they were randomly divided into 5 groups as follows: control (CON), Vaseline, Silver sulfadiazine (SSD), and Vaseline supplemented with 10% and 20% CNE groups. These ointments were employed locally once daily for 21 days. The macroscopic analysis showed CNE significantly accelerated the wound healing process and lowered the wound areas on days 15, 18, and 21 especially in 20% CNE group compared to CON group. Histopathological evaluation showed the mildly hypertrophic epidermis and the intact dermis in the 20% CNE-treated group were obviously distinguished from CON group on day 21. The CNE-treated groups had no obvious effect for TNF-α and IL-10 expressions on the second day and 14th day, while TGF-β1 expression level was decreased on the 21th day and VEGF level was increased on the 7th day in the 20% CNE group. Furthermore, the expression level of Samd3 was strongly inhibited in 20% CNE group. These findings suggested that the CNE can enhance the wound healing and skin repair in deep second-degree scald rats and thus support its traditional use.