The potential effect of phytochemicals and herbal plant remedies for treating drug-induced hepatotoxicity: a review

A review of the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical evidence for the use of the genus Alchemilla (Rosaceae)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Alchemilla L. (lady's mantle) comprises 1000 species, of which more than 300 have been characterized from Europe. Notably, as folk medicines, Alchemilla species have long been prescribed for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, pruritus vulvae, menopausal complaints, and related diseases in women. This review summarizes the traditional uses, highlights promising plant species, and focuses on phytochemical and biological studies to highlight future areas of research.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This literature review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Alchemilla species, covering their botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological and pharmacological activities, and to summarize the current research status to better understand the application value of Alchemilla plants in modern phytotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The search strategy utilized the major thematic platforms Reaxys, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, the USDA Plant Database and Kew Science (Royal Botanic Gardens) and was performed with the term Alchemilla. These platforms were systematically searched for articles published from 1960 to 2023.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Alchemilla species, as members of the Rosaceae family, produce tannins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, coumarins, triterpenes and violet compounds. Effort has been made with this comprehensive review of Alchemilla plants to highlight the recent developments and milestones achieved in modern phytochemistry and phytotherapy, underlaying a broad spectrum of the activities of these plants, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antiobesity, cardiovascular, anticancer, and wound healing effects.

CONCLUSIONS

An increasing number of studies on the plants in the Alchemilla genus have provided data about the main constituents and their importance in modern medicine. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that Alchemilla plants possess an extensive spectrum of biological activities. Regardless of the remarkable medical potential of Alchemilla extracts, clinical studies are limited and need to be performed to produce safer and less expensive plant-based drugs.

Effect of indomethacin on embryo implantation and histomorphology of uterus, ovary, kidney, and liver of rats

Background

This study aimed to determine the effects of Indomethacin (IMC) treatment on embryo implantation and histomorphology of uterus, ovary, and other vital organs and its effective dosage in establishing embryo implantation dysfunction model in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.

Materials and Methods

The experiments were performed on 24 (6 × 4 groups) adult female SD rats aged 12 weeks old. G1 was the control group and received a normal diet with normal saline. However, on pregnancy days 3 (Pd3) and 4 (Pd4), G2, G3, and G4 were given normal saline and subcutaneously administered IMC twice daily at different doses of 4.33, 4.66 and 5.00 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The rats were euthanized on day 8 of pregnancy (Pd8). The uterus was excised and examined for signs of pregnancy, followed by tissue samples from liver, kidney, and ovary (for histomorphological examination using haematoxylin and eosin stain).

Results

All IMC treatment doses disrupted the implantation process and caused a significant reduction in embryo development. Analysis for histopathological changes revealed that IMC doses above 4.33 mg/kg body weight caused more adverse reproductive health effects in rats. Vasoconstriction and micro vascularization were detected in the liver, while degenerative Bowman's capsules and inflammatory cells were observed in kidney sections from IMC-treated rats.

Conclusion

IMC therapy interfered with implantation and embryo development in rats, resulting in significant uterine vasoconstriction and atrophy, 4.33 mg/kg bwt dose appeared to be optimum to establish embryo implantation dysfunction in SD rats.

Synthesis, characterization and anti-breast cancer potential of an incensole acetate nanoemulsion from Catharanthus roseus essential oil; in silico, in vitro, and in vivo study

The characteristics of phytocompounds and essential oils have undergone extensive research in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors due to their extensive usage. In spite of the fact that these molecules are widely used, terpenes, terpenoids, and their derivatives have not yet been well characterized. This study intends to evaluate the prospective activity of incensole acetate (IA), a compound identified and isolated from Catharanthus roseus essential oil by GC/MS analysis and column chromatography, and to analyze the anticancer effect of an IA biosynthesized nanoemulsion against breast cancer. The in silico activity of IA against breast cancer targets was observed by molecular docking, ADMET assessment and molecular dynamics simulations. The IA-mediated nanoformulation exhibited cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines at an effective concentration when analyzed by MTT and crystal violet assay. The increased interleukin serum indicators were significantly improved as a result of nanoemulsion treatment in a DMBA-induced rat model. In addition, the anticancer properties of IA biosynthesized nanoemulsion are supported due to their potential effects on biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers, proinflammatory cytokines, and upon tumor growth profiling in cancer-induced rats.

Mechanism of the antidiabetic action of Nigella sativa and Thymoquinone: a review

Introduction

Long used in traditional medicine, Nigella sativa (NS; Ranunculaceae) has shown significant efficacy as an adjuvant therapy for diabetes mellitus (DM) management by improving glucose tolerance, decreasing hepatic gluconeogenesis, normalizing blood sugar and lipid imbalance, and stimulating insulin secretion from pancreatic cells. In this review, the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of NS as a herbal diabetes medication are examined in depth, demonstrating how it counteracts oxidative stress and the onset and progression of DM.

Methods

This literature review drew on databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed and various gray literature sources using search terms like the etiology of diabetes, conventional versus herbal therapy, subclinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, physiology, behavior, and clinical outcomes.

Results

The efficiency and safety of NS in diabetes, notably its thymoquinone (TQ) rich volatile oil, have drawn great attention from researchers in recent years; the specific therapeutic dose has eluded determination so far. TQ has anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties but has not proved druggable. DM's intimate link with oxidative stress, makes NS therapy relevant since it is a potent antioxidant that energizes the cell's endogenous arsenal of antioxidant enzymes. NS attenuates insulin resistance, enhances insulin signaling, suppresses cyclooxygenase-2, upregulates insulin-like growth factor-1, and prevents endothelial dysfunction in DM.

Conclusion

The interaction of NS with mainstream drugs, gut microbiota, and probiotics opens new possibilities for innovative therapies. Despite its strong potential to treat DM, NS and TQ must be examined in more inclusive clinical studies targeting underrepresented patient populations.

Promising influences of zingerone against natural and chemical toxins: A comprehensive and mechanistic review

Zingerone is a flavor phytochemical present in ginger, a flowering plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family used as a condiment and herbal remedy. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties and also exhibits protective effects against radiation, chemicals, biological toxins, and oxidative stress. The current comprehensive literature review was performed in order to assess the therapeutical and protective properties of zingerone against various chemical and natural toxins by considering the mechanisms of action. Extensive searches were performed on Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. Zingerone lessens oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative DNA damage by increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). It prevents alginate production, which increases the cell's susceptibility to macrophages, serum, and antibiotics and dramatically lowers the generation of proinflammatory cytokines brought on by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cytokine production, MAPK, and NF-κB activation are all inhibited dose-dependently by zingerone. Zingerone also reduces 8-OHdG over-expression in the liver tissue and the expression of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-6, COX-2, TNF-α, and iNOS mRNA level), decreases macrophage inflammatory protein cytokines and eliminates free radicals. It also suppresses matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 during tumor progression, showing its anti-angiogenic activity. Strong radioprotective properties of zingerone are demonstrated against radiation-induced toxicity. The authors hope this review gives researchers some insight into conducting novel clinical and preclinical studies on pharmaceutical applications and the efficiency of zingerone in cancer treatment, and drug adverse effects.

The Role of Mitochondria in Phytochemically Mediated Disease Amelioration

Mitochondrial dysfunction may cause cell death, which has recently emerged as a cancer prevention and treatment strategy mediated by chemotherapy drugs or phytochemicals. However, most existing drugs cannot target cancerous cells and may adversely affect normal cells via side effects. Mounting studies have revealed that phytochemicals such as resveratrol could ameliorate various diseases with dysfunctional or damaged mitochondria. For instance, resveratrol can regulate mitophagy, inhibit oxidative stress and preserve membrane potential, induce mitochondrial biogenesis, balance mitochondrial fusion and fission, and enhance the functionality of the electron transport chain. However, there are only a few studies suggesting that phytochemicals could potentially protect against the cytotoxicity of some current cancer drugs, especially those that damage mitochondria. Besides, COVID-19 and long COVID have also been reported to be correlated to mitochondrial dysfunction. Curcumin has been reported bringing a positive impact on COVID-19 and long COVID. Therefore, in this study, the benefits of resveratrol and curcumin to be applied for cancer treatment/prevention and disease amelioration were reviewed. Besides, this review also provides some perspectives on phytochemicals to be considered as a treatment adjuvant for COVID-19 and long COVID by targeting mitochondrial rescue. Hopefully, this review can provide new insight into disease treatment with phytochemicals targeting mitochondria.

Protective role of resveratrol against VCM-induced hepatotoxicity in male wistar rats

Background: Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic with a high risk of acute liver injury. Resveratrol is believed to protect the liver against toxicity. Aim: To investigate the ability of resveratrol to attenuate vancomycin-induced liver toxicity in rats injected with vancomycin. Method: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were distributed into three groups. The control group received only a vehicle, while the treated group received either vancomycin 200 (mg/kg, i. p.) only or vancomycin (200 mg/kg, i. p.) with resveratrol (20 mg/kg, oral gavage). All groups received their dose once daily for 7 days. Hepatic damage was assessed by measuring biochemical parameter levels in serum, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Also, antioxidants and inflammation biomarkers such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione (GSH) were measured. Furthermore, the vancomycin-induced pathological changes in the liver were evaluated by histopathological studies. Results: In the vancomycin-treated group, hepatic serum biomarkers such as AST, ALT, ALP, IL-6, and MDA were elevated, while NO and GSH were depleted. However, resveratrol co-treatment with vancomycin prevented the elevation of AST, ALT, ALP, IL-6, and MDA and it protected the liver from NO and GSH depletion. Also, regarding vancomycin-induced degeneration of hepatocytes, resveratrol co-treatment with vancomycin prevented such degeneration and improved mononuclear cells in the liver. Conclusion: The results showed that oral administration of resveratrol has a significant hepatoprotective effect against vancomycin-induced hepatotoxicity.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Mechanism of Cryptochlorogenic Acid from Ageratina adenophora

Ageratina adenophora is an invasive plant known for its toxicity to livestock. Current research on this plant has shifted from toxicity prevention to the beneficial utilization of plant resources. This study was performed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of cryptochlorogenic acid (CCGA) isolated from Ageratina adenophora on the inflammatory responses induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 cells. RAW264.7 cells were pretreated with CCGA (200, 100, and 50 μg/mL) and subsequently stimulated with LPS (1 μg/mL) for 16 h. The cytotoxicity of CCGA was tested using the Cell Counting Kit (CCK8). The mechanism of action of CCGA in attenuating inflammation was also identified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot. The results showed that CCGA had a maximal safe concentration of 200 mg/mL. Moreover, CCGA reduced the level of nitric oxide (NO) and iNOS in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells (p < 0.01). In addition, CCGA reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells at both the mRNA and protein levels (p < 0.01). CCGA prevented the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells via the inhibition of IKK and IκB phosphorylation and the degradation of IκB proteins (p < 0.01). This finding indicated that CCGA isolated from A. adenophora may be a potential candidate for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases.