Characterization of secondary metabolite compounds correlated with the seasons in Artemisia princeps var. orientalis (Pamp.) H. Hara leaves using direct sample injection and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry: contribution to phytotoxicity

Neuroprotective Effect of Otostegia limbata Against PTZ-Induced Mice Model of Epilepsy by Attenuated Expression of p-NFκB and TNF-α

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. Currently available antiepileptic drugs have severe side effects and do not offer complete cure. Herbal remedies have been used for centuries to treat many neurodegenerative disorders. Otostegia limbata L. belongs to the largest and medicinally important family Lamiaceae and is distributed in hilly areas of Pakistan. This study was designed to assess the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticonvulsant potential of O. limbata. The methanolic extract showed significant antioxidant activity assessed by (1,1-diphenyl 2-picrylhydrazyl) free-radical scavenging assay, nitric oxide scavenging, and iron chelation antioxidant assays. The methanolic extract was evaluated for its anticonvulsant effect, employing the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced mice model of epilepsy. Three different doses of O. limbata (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg) were administered orally 30 min before PTZ [50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)] injection, while diazepam was used as a positive control. The extract at 300 mg/kg significantly decreased the duration and increased the latency of the PTZ-induced seizures. The expression of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (p-TNF-α) and phosphorylated transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (p-NF-κB), in the cortex and hippocampus of the brains of treated mice were analyzed through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot analysis. The morphological changes and number of surviving neurons were recorded through hematoxylin and eosin staining. The seizure score and survival rate of the treated group showed considerable differences as compared to the PTZ group. TNF-α and p-NF-K b expression were downregulated as compared to the PTZ group. The anticonvulsant effect may be the outcome of the antioxidant potential and high levels of phenols and flavonoids detected in the methanolic plant extract through Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis.

The chemistry and pharmacology of alkaloids and allied nitrogen compounds from Artemisia species: A review

Several reviews have been published on Artemisia's derived natural products, but it is the first attempt to review the chemistry and pharmacology of more than 80 alkaloids and allied nitrogen compounds obtained from various Artemisia species (covering the literature up to June 2018). The pharmacological potential and unique skeleton types of certain Artemisia's alkaloids provoke the importance of analyzing Artemisia species for bioactive alkaloids and allied nitrogen compounds. Among the various types of bioactive Artemisia's alkaloids, the main classes were the derivatives of rupestine (pyridine-sesquiterpene), lycoctonine (diterpene), pyrrolizidine, purines, polyamine, peptides, indole, piperidine, pyrrolidine, alkamides, and flavoalkaloids. The rupestine derivatives are Artemisia's characteristic alkaloids, whereas the rest are common alkaloids found in the family Asteraceae and chemotaxonomically links the genus Artemisia with the tribes Anthemideae. The most important biological activities of Artemisia's alkaloids are including hepatoprotective, local anesthetic, β-galactosidase, and antiparasitic activities; treatment of angina pectoris, opening blocked arteries, as a sleep-inducing agents and inhibition of HIV viral protease, CYP450, melanin biosynthesis, human carbonic anhydrase, [3H]-AEA metabolism, kinases, and DNA polymerase β¹ . Some of the important nitrogen metabolites of Artemisia include pellitorine, zeatin, tryptophan, rupestine, and aconitine analogs, which need to be optimized and commercialized further.

Utility of alkaloids as chemical and biomarkers for quality, efficacy, and safety assessment of botanical ingredients

BACKGROUND

Selecting the appropriate chemical and bio-markers for monitoring the quality, efficacy, and safety is critical for efficient and reliable assessment of traditional medicines derived from botanical sources. Chemical markers have been implicated primarily in establishing the analytical methodologies aiming at verification of the botanical sources of the raw materials, the extracts, and the finished products such as botanical dietary supplements and nutraceuticals. In addition, they have been employed in differentiation between crude or raw (unprocessed) and processed plant extracts, and identification as well as determination of potential toxicants and adulterants in herbal medicines. Additionally, these chemical markers are utilized for selection of efficient methods for extraction of plants. Further, biomarkers have been exploited in determination of the pharmacokinetic properties of bioactive herbal constituents. Alkaloids, unlike other plant constituents, are uniquely characterized by having basic properties, and possessing substantial and diverse pharmacological effects. These features make alkaloids attractive components for functioning as chemical and biomarkers in determining the quality of botanical ingredients where this class of phytochemicals prevail or is responsible for lending biological effects.

PURPOSE

The aim of the review is to exhibit the function of alkaloids as biomarkers and chemical markers in the evaluation of quality, efficacy, and safety of medicinal herbs and their commercial products.

METHODS

Literature acquisition was accomplished using the most commonly accessed scholarly search engines including SciFinder, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Secondly, the full-texts which are relevant to the topic were included in this review. This was followed by a thorough and detailed analysis of the collected information.

RESULTS

The literature search with main emphasis on the roles of alkaloids in the evaluation of quality, efficacy and safety of herbal medicines was evaluated to provide all succinct information in one place. Compilation of such critical information is expected to help the reader to appreciate alkaloids as important markers in the quality control of herbal drugs and products.

CONCLUSION

The current review article covers the fundamental roles played by alkaloids as chemical and biomarkers in assessing the essential parameters of the quality of botanical ingredients, as briefly described earlier. The utilization of alkaloids as biomarkers to determine the efficacy-linked pharmacokinetic parameters is limited to reviewing studies on human subjects.