Justidrusamides A–D, new 2-aminobenzyl alcohol derivatives from Justicia gendarussa

A Review of the Occurrence of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Potential Treatments through Medicinal Plants from an Indian Perspective

Arthritis is a medical condition that affects the joints and causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness. There are different types of arthritis, and it can affect people of all ages, even infants and the elderly. Recent studies have found that individuals with diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are more likely to experience arthritis symptoms. According to the World Health Organization, over 21% of people worldwide suffer from musculoskeletal problems. Roughly 42.19 million individuals in India, constituting around 0.31% of the populace, have been documented as having Rheumatic Arthritis (RA). Compared to other common diseases like diabetes, cancer, and AIDS, arthritis is more prevalent in the general population. Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for arthritis, and treatment plans usually involve non-pharmacological methods, surgeries, and medications that target specific symptoms. Plant-based remedies have also been shown to be effective in managing inflammation and related complications. In addition to therapies, maintaining a healthy diet, exercise, and weight management are essential for managing arthritis. This review discusses the causes, prevalence, diagnostic methods, current and prospective future treatments, and potential medicinal plants that may act as anti-inflammatory or anti-rheumatic agents. However, more research is necessary to identify the underlying mechanisms and active molecules that could improve arthritis treatment.

Overview of the Justicia Genus: Insights into Its Chemical Diversity and Biological Potential

The genus Justicia has more than 600 species distributed in both hemispheres, in the tropics and temperate regions, and it is used in the treatment of numerous pathologies. This study presents a review of the biological activities of plant extracts and isolated chemical constituents of Justicia (ACANTHACEAE), identified in the period from May 2011 to August 2022. We analyzed over 176 articles with various biological activities and chemical compound descriptions present in the 29 species of Justicia. These have a variety of applications, such as antioxidant and antimicrobial, with alkaloids and flavonoids (e.g., naringenin) the most frequently identified secondary metabolites. The most observed species were Justicia gendarussa Burm., Justicia procumbens L., Justicia adhatoda L., Justicia spicigera Schltdl, and Justicia pectoralis Jacq. The frontier molecular orbitals carried out using density functional theory (M062X and basis set 6-311++G(d,p) indicate reactive sites for naringenin compound and a chemical reaction on phytomedicine activity. The energy gap (206.99 kcal/mol) and dimer solid state packing point to chemical stability. Due to the wide variety of pharmacological uses of these species, this review points toward the development of new phytomedicines.

Emerging concepts in male contraception: a narrative review of novel, hormonal and non-hormonal options

Access to reliable contraception is a pillar of modern society. The burden of unintended pregnancy has fallen disproportionately on the mother throughout human history; however, recent legal developments surrounding abortion have sparked a renewed interest in male factor contraceptives beyond surgical sterilization and condoms. Modern efforts to develop reversible male birth control date back nearly a century and initially focused on altering the hypothalamic-pituitary-testes axis. These hormonal contraceptives faced multiple barriers, including systemic side effects, challenging dosing regimens, unfavorable routes of delivery, and the public stigma surrounding steroid use. Novel hormonal agents are seeking to overcome these barriers by limiting the side effects and simplifying use. Non-hormonal contraceptives are agents that target various stages of spermatogenesis; such as inhibitors of retinoic acid, Sertoli cell-germ cell interactions, sperm ion channels, and other small molecular targets. The identification of reproductive tract-specific genes associated with male infertility has led to more targeted drug development, made possible by advances in CRISPR and proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). Despite multiple human trials, no male birth control agents have garnered regulatory approval in the United States or abroad. This narrative review examines current and emerging male contraceptives, including hormonal and non-hormonal agents.

Influence of Combined NPK and Manure on Improving Growth, Photosynthetic Characteristic and Yield of Justicia gendarussa Burm. F

<b>Background and Objective:</b> <i>Justicia gendarussa </i>(family <i>Acanthaceae</i>) is regarded as a medicinal plant valued for its beneficial pharmacological activities. A polybag experiment has been conducted at Bogor (Indonesia) to determine the effects on growth, photosynthetic and yield of various NPK ratios and manure fertilizer application in <i>J. gendarussa</i>. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Six treatments (control: 50 g/plant manure, NPK (1.1 g/plant N:0.7 g/plant P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> and 0.6 g/plant K), 50+50%/plant (manure+NPK), 10+50%/plant (manure+NPK) and 50+10%/plant (manure+NPK) were performed in a randomized complete block design. Data of individual plants were extracted from various treatments: plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic parameters, yield and sugar content were collected. <b>Results:</b> The plant treated with 10+50%/plant (manure+NPK) demonstrated a statistically significant increase in plant height, number of leaves and number of branches with the value of 59.00 cm, 85.00 per plant and 9.50 per plant, respectively. Chlorophyll a (0.538 mg g<sup>1</sup> FW), chlorophyll b (0.192 mg g<sup>1</sup> FW) and total chlorophyll (0.730 mg g<sup>1</sup> FW) were significantly improved by the treatment of NPK fertilizer. The application of manure and NPK at (50+50%) and (50+10%) was significantly increased stomatal conductance and transpiration rate, respectively. Leaves yield (9 g/plant DW) was improved by the application of 10+50%/plant (manure+NPK) fertilizer. The highest sugar content was obtained from <i>J. gendarussa</i> growth with 50+50%/plant (manure+NPK) followed by 10+50% plant (manure+NPK) fertilizer. <b>Conclusion:</b> The <i>J. gendarussa</i> plants could benefit from combined manure and NPK fertilizer application in growth, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO<sub>2</sub> concentration, transpiration rate, leaves yield and sugar content.

In vitro anti-HIV activity of ethanol extract from gandarusa (Justicia gendarussa Burm. f) leaves

Anti retroviral drugs for HIV has problems with uncomfortable side effects and that endanger the lives of HIV sufferers. Several herbs have been empirically proven to have an effect on HIV eradication through inhibition of reverse transcriptase. One of such antiviral herbs is Justicia gendarussa (J. gendarussa). The aim of research is to evaluate anti-HIV activity of 70% fractionated-ethanol extract (with releasing alkaloids) and 70% ethanol extract (without releasing alkaloids) of J. gendarussa leaves on in vitro HIV-infected of MOLT-4 cells. The effect of the extracts in inhibiting viral replication and fusion process on acute HIV infection was identified through syncytia formation assay. Effect of the extracts on HIV p24 antigen was evaluated using HIV-1 p24 ELISA kit. It was found that 70% fractionated-ethanol extract and 70% ethanol extract of J. gendarussa leaves significantly inhibited of HIV replication by inhibition of syncytia formation, where the 50% effective concentration (EC50) values of the 70% fractionated- ethanol extract and 70% ethanol extract are 70.5 μg/mL and 228.7 μg/mL, respectively. Both of the extracts were also significantly inhibited HIV replication by decreasing HIV p24 antigen level where the EC 50 values of the 70% fractionatedethanol extract and 70% ethanol extract are 88.8 μg/mL and 540.7 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, it was found that 70% fractionated- ethanol extract of J. gendarussa leaves has anti-HIV activity since its EC50 values less than 100 μg/mL. It was concluded that J. gendarussa could be potentially developed into a phyto-pharmaceutical product due to its anti-HIV activity.

Chemical Constituents and Bioactivities of Several Indonesian Plants Typically Used in Jamu

This article reviews the chemical constituents and bioactivities of several Indonesian plants typically used in Jamu prescriptions in Indonesia. Jamu is Indonesia traditional medicine: it consists of either a single ingredient or a mixture of several medicinal plants. One plant family always used in Jamu is Zingiberaceae (ginger), such as Curcuma domestica/C. longa, C. xanthorrhizae, C. heyneana, C. zedoaria, C. aeruginosa, Zingiber aromaticum, Alpinia galanga. We also report other commonly used plant families such as Justicia gendarussa and Cassia siamea, whose activities have been extensively explored by our department.

EFFECT OF VARYING INCUBATION PERIODS ON CYTOTOXICITY AND VIRUCIDAL ACTIVITIES OF Justicia gendarussa Burm.f. LEAF EXTRACT ON HIV-INFECTED MOLT-4 CELLS

Backgrounds

Justicia gendarussa Burm.f. has an anti-HIV activity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of incubation periods on the cytotoxicity and virucidal activities of the J. gendarussa leaves extract on MOLT-4 cells.

Materials and Methods

The cytotoxicity assay was evaluated by using the WST-1 test with incubation periods of 3 days and 5 days. The virucidal activity test was determined by measuring the inhibitory activities on the syncytium formation.

Results

The cytotoxicity assay showed the value of CC₅₀ on MOLT-4 cell culture with the test material of 70% ethanol extract of J. gendarussa leaves as much as 3928.620 µg /mL and 3176.581 µg /mL (incubation day 3 and day 5, respectively); fractionated-70% ethanol extract = 81782.428 µg /mL and 12175.870 µg/mL; and water extract = 16372.689 µg/mL and 2946.117 µg/mL. The test results of the virucidal activities (inhibit ≥ 90% the formation of syncytium) of 70% ethanol extract of J. gendarussa leaves is at a concentration 250 µg/mL, 500 µg/mL and 1000 µg/mL (3-day incubation) and 250 µg/mL (5-day incubation); and fractionated-70% ethanol extract at a concentration 250 µg /mL, 500 µg/mL and 1000 µg/mL (3-day incubation) and 1000 µg/mL (5-day incubation).

Conclusion

70% ethanol extract, fractionated-70% ethanol extract, and water extract of J. gendarussa leaves were relatively nontoxic toward MOLT-4 cells, and fractionated-70% ethanol extract had better potentials in virucidal activities.

ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITY OF Justicia gendarussa Burm.f. LEAVES AGAINST HIV-INFECTED MT-4 CELLS

Backgrounds:

Justicia gendarussa Burm.f. has been known to have anti-HIV activity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of incubation time on the antiviral activity of the J. gendarussa leaves extract on HIV-infected MT-4 cells in vitro. Molecular docking test was also conducted to determine the interaction of alkaloids and flavonoids on the J. gendarussa leaves against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase receptor. It is expected that this research will provide scientific information on the development of J. gendarussa leaves as an anti-HIV drug.

Materials and Methods:

In the activity test, the effect of incubation time on the antiviral activity of J. gendarussa leaves on HIV-infected MT-4 cells were evaluated. During the activity test, a parameter of cytolysis effect inhibition on MT-4 cell line was observed after 4 days and 6 days incubation period. The molecular docking test is performed by using Molegro Virtual Docker software to determine the interaction of alkaloid and flavonoid compounds of J. gendarussa leaves with HIV-1 reverse transcriptase receptor.

Results:

The incubation time influences the CC₅₀ and EC₅₀ value. Fractionated-70% ethanol extract of J. gendarussa leaves showed a higher anti-HIV activity with EC₅₀ = 3.045 x 10^-9 μg/mL, SI = 6.309 x 10¹² (4 days of incubation) and EC₅₀ = 6.066 μg/mL, SI = 58494.845 (6 days of incubation). From molecular docking test, it was found that flavonoid of J. gendarussa leaves could inhibit the activity of HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme.

Conclusion:

Fractionated-70% ethanol extract of J. gendarussa has potential as an anti-HIV.

Metabolite Profiles in Various Plant Organs of Justicia gendarussa Burm.f. and Its in Vitro Cultures

Metabolite profiles of plant organs and their in vitro cultures of Justicia gendarussa have been studied by using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-Qtof-MS). Samples of leaves, stems, roots, and shoot cultures showed similar patterns of metabolites, while samples of root cultures gave very different profiles. Concentrations of secondary metabolites in shoot cultures were relatively low compared to those in the leaves and roots of the plants. The results suggested that secondary metabolites in J. gendarussa were biosynthetized in the leaves, then transported to the roots.

Metabolite Profiling of Justicia gendarussa Burm. f. Leaves Using UPLC-UHR-QTOF-MS

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography ultra-high-resolution quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-UHR-QTOF-MS) metabolite profiling ofxs Justicia gendarussa Burm. f. leaves was performed. PCA and HCA analyses were applied to observe the clustering patterns and inter-sample relationships. It seemed that the concentrations of Ca, P, and Cu in the soil could affect the metabolite profiles of Justicia gendarussa. Six significant metabolites were proposed.

CYTOTOXICITY OF JUSTICIA GENDARUSSA BURM F. LEAF EXTRACTS ON MOLT-4 CELL

Justicia gendarussa Burm f. (Acanthaceae) is known for its activity as a male contraceptive and anti-HIV properties. The present study was designed to evaluate extracts of J. gendarussa for cytotoxicity activity against MOLT-4 cells. The cytotoxic activity of the fractionated-extract and 70% ethanol extracts of J. gendarussa leaves on MOLT-4 cells were evaluated using a WST-1 assay. The treatment cells, control cells without treatment and control media were also tested in duplicate. The absorbance was measured at a wavelength of 450 nm using a microplate absorbance reader (Bio-Rad). The average absorbance measures formazan produced by viable cells that metabolize the WST-1 reagent. Then the data was analyzed with regression analysis Microsoft Excel 2007 program to determine the concentration with 50% cell viability (50% Cytotoxicity Concentration, CC50). The CC50 values of the fractionated-extract and 70% ethanol extract of J. gendarussa leaves were 94 μg/ml and 78 μg/ml, respectively. The cytotoxicity of fractionated-extract and 70% ethanol extract of J. gendarussa leaves were not significantly different (p > 0.05). It can be concluded that the fractionated-extract and 70% ethanol extract of J. gendarussa leaves are not toxic to MOLT-4 cells.