1
|
Selected Seeds as Sources of Bioactive Compounds with Diverse Biological Activities. Nutrients 2022; 15:nu15010187. [PMID: 36615843 PMCID: PMC9823554 DOI: 10.3390/nu15010187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Seeds contain a variety of phytochemicals that exhibit a wide range of biological activities. Plant-derived compounds are often investigated for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-platelet, anti-apoptotic, anti-nociceptive, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, hepatoprotective, or neuroprotective properties. In this review, we have described the chemical content and biological activity of seeds from eight selected plant species-blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.), black raspberry (Rubus coreanus Miq.), grape (Vitis vinifera L.), Moringa oleifera Lam., sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Sprenger), hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), and sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L). This review is based on studies identified in electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and SCOPUS. Numerous preclinical, and some clinical studies have found that extracts, fractions, oil, flour, proteins, polysaccharides, or purified chemical compounds isolated from the seeds of these plants display promising, health-promoting effects, and could be utilized in drug development, or to make nutraceuticals and functional foods. Despite that, many of these properties have been studied only in vitro, and it's unsure if their effects would be relevant in vivo as well, so there is a need for more animal studies and clinical trials that would help determine if they could be applied in disease prevention or treatment.
Collapse
|
2
|
Structural elucidation of a pectin from roots of Polygala tenuifolia and its neuritogenesis inducing activity in PC12 cells. Carbohydr Polym 2020; 236:116048. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
3
|
Do TVT, Fan L, Suhartini W, Girmatsion M. Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng) fruit: A functional food and medicinal resource. J Funct Foods 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2019.103512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
|
4
|
Jones PM, Mazzio E, Soliman K, George AM. In Silico Investigation of the Binding of MCoTI-II Plant Defense Knottin to the γ-NGF Serine Protease of the 7S Nerve Growth Factor Complex and Biological Activity of Its NGF Mimetic Properties. J Phys Chem B 2019; 123:9104-9110. [PMID: 31580077 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b07547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Nerve growth factor (NGF) is an endogenously produced polypeptide that promotes the differentiation, survival, and repair of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. While trophic proteins hold promise for the treatment of neuronal injury and disease, use of NGF is limited by its large molecular weight, lack of permeability through the blood-brain barrier, and peripheral side effects. Previously, we found that an extract of the Momordica cochinchinensis seed stimulated PC-12 neurite outgrowth. Bioactivity-guided fractioning of the seed extract suggested that the NGF mimetic agent was one of few defined proteins from this plant: one group being the defense Knottins and the other group of the lowest mass is the potent trypsin inhibitor MCoTI-II. Here, the NGF mimetic potential of this latter protein was investigated using two concurrent but different approaches. A biological study used recombinant purified MCoTI-II, which when tested in rat PC-12 cells grown on collagen, failed to initiate outgrowth relative to the positive control 7S NGF. In a separate computational study, the possibility was investigated such that MCoTI-II could exert an effect through binding to the serine protease γ-NGF subunit of the 7S NGF complex, analogous to its binding to its native receptor trypsin. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that MCoTI-II can bind stably to γ-NGF for >350 ns. Modeling indicated that this interaction could sterically inhibit 7S NGF complex formation, potentially altering the equilibrium between inactive complexed and free active NFG protein. In conclusion, the biological study now excludes the MCoTI-II protein as the NGF mimetic factor in the Momordica extract, an important and required step to identify the active component in this seed. On the other hand, the theoretical study has revealed a novel observation that may be of use in the development of strategies to affect NGF activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Jones
- School of Life Sciences , University of Technology Sydney , P.O. Box 123, Broadway , New South Wales 2007 , Australia
| | - Elizabeth Mazzio
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University , 241 Fred Humphries Science Research Facility , Tallahassee , Florida 32307 , United States
| | - Karam Soliman
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University , 241 Fred Humphries Science Research Facility , Tallahassee , Florida 32307 , United States
| | - Anthony M George
- School of Life Sciences , University of Technology Sydney , P.O. Box 123, Broadway , New South Wales 2007 , Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lan HY, Zhao B, Shen YL, Li XQ, Wang SJ, Zhang LJ, Zhang H. Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Activities, Toxicity and Clinical Application of Momordica cochinchinensis. Curr Pharm Des 2019; 25:715-728. [PMID: 30931848 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666190329123436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng (M. cochinchinensis) is a deciduous vine that grows in Southeast Asia. It is known as gac in Vietnam and as Red Melon in English. Gac is reputed to be extremely benificial for health and has been widely used as food and folk medicine in Southeast Asia. In China, the seed of M. cochinchinensis (Chinese name: Mu biezi) is used as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of various diseases. More than 60 chemical constituents have been isolated from M. cochinchinensis. Modern pharmacological studies and clinical practice demonstrate that some chemical constituents of M. cochinchinensis possess wide pharmacological activities, such as anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, etc. This paper reviews the phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, toxicity, and clinical application of M. cochinchinensis, aiming to bring new insights into further research and application of this ancient herb.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Yue Lan
- Central Laboratory, Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China.,Institute of Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Yu-Li Shen
- Central Laboratory, Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China.,Institute of Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiao-Qin Li
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Su-Juan Wang
- Department of Drug Preparation, Hospital of TCM and Hui Nationality Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Wuzhong, China
| | - Li-Jun Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China.,Institute of Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China.,Institute of Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mazzio E, Badisa R, Eyunni S, Ablordeppey S, George B, Soliman KFA. Bioactivity-Guided Isolation of Neuritogenic Factor from the Seeds of the Gac Plant ( Momordica cochinchinensis). EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2018; 2018:8953958. [PMID: 29955238 PMCID: PMC6000838 DOI: 10.1155/2018/8953958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Nerve growth factor (NGF) is an endogenously produced protein with the capacity to induce central nervous system (CNS) neuronal differentiation and repair. NGF signaling involves its binding to tropomyosin-related kinase (Trk) receptors, internalization, and initiation of phosphorylation cascades which cause microtubule reorganization and neuronal outgrowth. Because NGF cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, its therapeutic use is limited. Synthetic peptides that can act as NGF receptor agonists (NGF mimetics) are known to attenuate neurodegenerative pathologies in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease; however, the existence of plant-based NGF mimetics is uncertain. For this reason, we recently completed a high throughput screening of over 1100 nutraceuticals (vitamins, herbal plant parts, polyphenolics, teas, fruits, and vegetables) to identify neuritogenic factor using a PC-12 cell model. Remarkably we found only one, commonly known as the seed of Gac plant (Momordica cochinchinensis) (MCS). In the current study, we further investigated this seed for its neuritogenic effect using bioactivity-guided chemical separations. The data show no biological neuritogenic activity in any chemical solvent fraction, where activity was exclusive to the crude protein. MSC crude proteins were then separated by 1D electrophoresis, where the active neuritogenic activity was confirmed to have a molecular mass of approximately 17 kDa. Subsequently, the 17kDa band was excised, digested, and run on a UPLC-MS/MS with a Q Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer with data evaluated diverse tools such as X! Tandem, OMS, and K-score algorithms. Proteomic evaluation of the 17kDa band confirmed evidence for 11S globulin subunit beta, napin, oleosin, Momordica trypsin inhibitors (TI) MCoTI-I /II, and many isoforms of Two Inhibitor Peptide Topologies (TIPTOPs). While all peptides identified correspond to the genus/species, Momordica cochinchinensis and Cucumis Sativus, a significant limitation of the analysis is the nonexistence of full annotation for the Momordica cochinchinensis proteome. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that there is a stable protein within MCS having a mass of 17kDa with the capacity to induce neurite outgrowth. Future work will be required to establish the therapeutic value of the MCS for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E. Mazzio
- College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - R. Badisa
- College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - S. Eyunni
- College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - S. Ablordeppey
- College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - B. George
- College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - K. F. A. Soliman
- College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lankri D, Haham D, Lahiani A, Lazarovici P, Tsvelikhovsky D. Methylene-Cycloalkylacetate (MCA) Scaffold-Based Compounds as Novel Neurotropic Agents. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:691-698. [PMID: 29265805 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the main symptoms in degenerative diseases is death of neuronal cell followed by the loss of neuronal pathways. In neuronal cultures, neurite outgrowths are cell sprouts capable of transforming into either axons or dendrites, to further form functional neuronal synaptic connections. Such connections have an important role in brain cognition, neuronal plasticity, neuronal survival, and regeneration. Therefore, drugs that stimulate neurite outgrowth may be found beneficial in ameliorating neural degeneration. Here, we establish the existence of a unique family of methylene-cycloalkylacetate-based molecules (MCAs) that interface with neuronal cell properties and operate as acceptable pharmacophores for a novel neurotropic (neurite outgrowth inducing) lead compounds. Using an established PC12 cell bioassay, we investigated the neurotropic effect of methylene-cycloalkylacetate compounds by comparison to NGF, a known neurotropic factor. Micrographs of the cells were collected by using a light microscope camera, and digitized photographs were analyzed for compound-induced neurotropic activity using an NIH image protocol. The results indicate that the alkene element, integrated within the cycloalkylacetate core, is indispensable for neurotropic activity. The discovered lead compounds need further mechanistic investigation and may be improved toward development of a neurotropic drug.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Lankri
- School of Pharmacy, Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Dikla Haham
- School of Pharmacy, Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Adi Lahiani
- School of Pharmacy, Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Philip Lazarovici
- School of Pharmacy, Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Dmitry Tsvelikhovsky
- School of Pharmacy, Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Characterization of a pectin from Lonicera japonica Thunb. and its inhibition effect on Aβ42 aggregation and promotion of neuritogenesis. Int J Biol Macromol 2018; 107:112-120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.08.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|