Ethyl acetate fraction of Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. fruits inhibits proinflammatory mediators via down regulating nuclear factor-κB in LPS stimulated Raw 264.7 cells

Scientific investigation on antibacterial, antioxidant, cytotoxic effects and TLC bioautography of Terminalia schimperiania stem bark extracts

OBJECTIVES

Terminalia schimperiana Hochst, belonging to the Combretaceae family, is known for its ethnomedicinal values, particularly in treating various diseases in Africa. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic properties of T. schimperiana stem bark extracts, with a specific focus on assessing their bioactive potential and identifying active compounds via TLC bioautography.

METHODS

The in vitro antimicrobial activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion method against selected clinical strains. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using several methods including free radical scavenging, ferrous ion chelation assays and total phenolic content analysis. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was assessed using MTT assay towards Raw 264.7 and Vero cell lines.

RESULTS

All extracts demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against the bacteria tested, with inhibition zones (IZ) ranging from 6.50 ± 0.71 to 15.50 ± 0.71 mm and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 1.95 to 1,250 μg/ml. The hydroethanolic extract exhibited strongest antioxidant activities with EC50 values of 188.50; 245.30, and 281.50 μg/mL for DPPH; ABTS, ferrous ion chelation assays respectively, and a high content of phenolic compounds (101.67 ± 2.97 µgEFA/mg DW). Importantly, no cytotoxic effects were observed on Raw 264.7 and Vero cell lines. HPTLC analysis identified alkaloids and phenolic compounds in both aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate T. schimperiana provides a wealth of bio-compounds that can be utilised in the pharmaceutical industry as antibacterial and antioxidant agents to combat antibiotic resistance.

Mathurameha ameliorates cardiovascular complications in high-fat diet/low-dose streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats: insights from histological and proteomic analysis

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global health concern with increasing prevalence. Mathurameha, a Thai herbal formula, has shown promising glucose-lowering effects and positive impacts on biochemical profiles in diabetic rats. The present study investigated the protective effects of Mathurameha on cardiovascular complications in high-fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced type 2 diabetic rats using histological and proteomic analyses. Thirty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into seven groups: normal diet (ND), ND with aqueous extract (ND + AE450), ND with ethanolic extract (ND + EE200), diabetes (DM), DM with AE (DM + AE450), DM with EE (DM + EE200), and DM with metformin (DM + Met). Mathurameha, especially at 200 mg/kg EE, significantly reduced adipocyte size, cardiac and vascular abnormalities, collagen deposition, and arterial wall thickness in DM rats. Proteomic analysis of rat aortas revealed 30 significantly altered proteins among the ND, DM, and DM + EE200 groups. These altered proteins are involved in various biological processes related to diabetes. Biochemical assays showed that Mathurameha reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA), increased antioxidant levels (GSH), and decreased the expression of inflammatory markers (ICAM1, TNF-α). In conclusion, Mathurameha exhibited significant protective effects against cardiovascular complications in HFD/STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rats through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

SWATH-proteomics reveals Mathurameha, a traditional anti-diabetic herbal formula, attenuates high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction through the EGF/NO/IL-1β regulatory axis

Mathurameha is a traditional Thai herbal formula with a clinically proven effect of blood sugar reduction in patients with diabetes mellitus, but its anti-diabetic complication potential is largely unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of Mathurameha and its underlying mechanisms against high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction in human endothelial EA.hy926 cells. After confirming no cytotoxic effects, the cells were treated with normal glucose (NG), high glucose (HG), or high glucose plus Mathurameha (HG + M) for 24 h. A quantitative label-free proteomic analysis using the sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra (SWATH-MS) approach identified 24 differentially altered proteins among the three groups: 7 between HG and NG, 9 between HG + M and NG, and 13 between HG + M and HG. Bioinformatic analyses suggested a potential anti-diabetic action through the epidermal growth factor (EGF) pathway. Subsequent functional validations demonstrated that Mathurameha reduced the EGF secretion and the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in high glucose-treated cells. Mathurameha also exhibited a stimulatory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production while significantly reducing the secretion of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in high glucose-treated cells. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that Mathurameha attenuated high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction through the EGF/NO/IL-1β regulatory axis. SIGNIFICANCE: This study reveals the potential of Mathurameha, a traditional Thai herbal formula, in mitigating high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction, a common complication in diabetes mellitus. Using proteomics and bioinformatic analyses followed by functional validations, the present study highlights the protective effects of Mathurameha through the EGF/NO/IL-1β regulatory axis. These findings support its potential use as a therapeutic intervention for diabetic vascular complications and provide valuable information for developing more effective anti-diabetic drugs.

Preventive effect of Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. extract on mice infected with Salmonella Typhimurium

Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. (TB) is a traditional herbal combination used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of a broad range of diseases. In this study, thirty KM mice were randomly divided into control (N), infection group (NS), and the TB protection group (HS). Based on its digestive feature, intestinal physical barrier, immunological barrier and gut microbiota effects in vivo on challenged with S.typhimurium mice were investigated after oral administration of 600 mg/kg b.wt of TB for 13 days. The results show that the extract could improve the level of serum immunoglobulins (IgA and IgG), decrease the intestinal cytokine secretion to relieve intestinal cytokine storm, reinforce the intestinal biochemical barrier function by elevating the sIgA expression, and strengthen the intestinal physical barrier function. Simultaneously, based on the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA analyzed, the results of the taxonomic structure of the intestinal microbiota demonstrated that the TB prevention effect transformed the key phylotypes of the gut microbiota in S. Typhimurium-challenged mice and promoted the multiplication of beneficial bacteria. Furthermore, the abundance of Firmicutes and Deferribacteres increased, while that of Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria decreased. At the genus level, the abundance of Ruminococcus and Oscillospira was substantially enhanced, while the other dominant genera showed no significant change between the vehicle control groups and the TB prevention groups. In summary, these results provide evidence that the administration of TB extract can prevent S. Typhimurium infection by alleviating the intestinal physical and immunological barriers and normalizing the gut microbiota, highlighting a promising application in clinical treatment. Thus, our results provide new insights into the biological functions of TB for the preventive effect of intestinal inflammation.

Rotula aquatica Lour. mitigates oxidative stress and inflammation in acute pyelonephritic rats

The current study evaluates the efficacy of methanolic extract of Rotula aquatica Lour. (MERA) against inflammatory changes associated with acute pyelonephritis. The antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, GPx, GR and oxidative stress markers like GSH content, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, nitrate level, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and renal toxicity markers were evaluated in this study. The mRNA level expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tamm Horsfall protein (THP) were studied by RT-PCR analysis. The oral administration of MERA increases the antioxidant enzyme status in pyelonephritis rat. The elevated levels of oxidative stress markers in pyelonephritic rats were ameliorated by the administration of MERA at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg bwt of the rat. The mRNA level expression of major genes were restored to normal level by MERA.

Protective effect of (+)-catechin against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells through downregulation of NF-κB and p38 MAPK

Catechin, a flavonol belonging to the flavonoid group of polyphenols is present in many plant foods. The present study was done to evaluate the effect of catechin on various inflammatory mediators using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The effect of catechin on total cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), myeloperoxidase, nitrite and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) level, secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were assessed in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The expression of COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, nuclear factor-ĸB (NF-κB) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) genes were also investigated. The effect was further analyzed using human PBMCs by assessing the level of TNF-α and IL-10. The study demonstrated that the inflammatory mediators such as COX, 5-LOX, nitrite, iNOS, and TNF-α were significantly inhibited by catechin in a concentration-dependent manner whereas IL-10 production was up-regulated in RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, catechin down-regulated the mRNA level expression of COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, NF-κB and p38 MAPK. The current study ratifies the beneficial effect of catechin as a dietary component in plant foods to provide protection against inflammatory diseases.

Euryfuranyl compounds from edible species of cuttlefish as potential anti-inflammatory leads attenuating NF-κB signaling cascade in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages

Nuclear factor-kappa B is an inducible transcription element, which was considered as an important regulator of immune functions, and plays a critical role to induce inflammatory reactions. In this study, we have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory potentials of previously undescribed (4 → 13)-abeo-euryfuranyls (1-2) from the spineless cuttlefish Sepiella inermis in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages. The euryfuranyl bearing (4 → 13)-abeo-euryfuranyl-2-ene-6-hydroxymethyl-propanoate framework (compound 1) displayed prominent inhibitory effects against pro-inflammatory cyclooxygenase-2 (IC₅₀ 0.36 mM) and 5-lipoxygenase (IC₅₀ 0.70 mM). Additionally, it suppressed the generation of inducible nitric oxide synthase along with cyclooxygenase-2 and 5-lipoxygenase in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages. The euryfuranyl analogue (1) down-regulated the mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophage cells by hindering the degradation of inhibitor-κB proteins, and transfer of the subunit NF-κB p⁶⁵ to the nucleus from the cytosol. These results demonstrated that the euryfuranyl analogue could be explored as a promising anti-inflammatory therapeutic lead attenuating nuclear factor-κB signaling cascade.

Tannins in Terminalia bellirica inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma growth by regulating EGFR-signaling and tumor immunity

The fruits of Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. (TB) are used as a multi-use therapeutic herbal product in the Tibetan medicinal system and are prescribed as a general health tonic in the traditional Ayurvedic medicinal system. It has been demonstrated that these fruits have a variety of pharmacological activities, including anti-tumor, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and immunoregulatory effects, etc. However, the therapeutic effects of tannins in TB on HCC and the underlying mechanisms remain uncharacterized. In the current study, we aimed to identify the anti-tumor effect of tannins in TB by employing a H22 xenograft mouse model and by performing cell-based in vitro studies with the assistance of the network pharmacology analysis. The crude extract of TB was purified to yield total tannin fraction (TB-TF), and our results found that TB-TF significantly inhibited the tumor growth of H22 xenografts in mice by inducing apoptosis and reducing angiogenesis. A total of 90 compounds were then identified in TB-TF by UPLC-MS/MS, and 27 were found in serum after oral administration of TB-TF in mice. The network pharmacology analysis based on these absorbed components was performed and, along with experimental evidence, it revealed that the ERBB, PI3K-Akt, and MAPK signaling pathways may be involved in the anti-tumor effect of TB-TF on HCC. Furthermore, we suggested that TB-TF effectively modulated the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in H22 xenograft mice. In summary, our study demonstrated that TB-TF could be developed as a functional food, which is not only a promising anti-cancer reagent but also a potential candidate with bright prospects for the emerging trends of immunotherapy for HCC.

Use of medicinal plants for headache, and their potential implication in medication-overuse headache: Evidence from a population-based study in Nepal

Background

In Nepal, traditional treatment using medicinal plants is popular. Whereas medication-overuse headache is, by definition, caused by excessive use of acute headache medication, we hypothesized that medicinal plants, being pharmacologically active, were as likely a cause.

Methods

We used data from a cross-sectional, nationwide population-based study, which enquired into headache and use of medicinal plants and allopathic medications. We searched the literature for pharmacodynamic actions of the medicinal plants.

Results

Of 2100 participants, 1794 (85.4%) reported headache in the preceding year; 161 (7.7%) reported headache on ≥15 days/month, of whom 28 (17.4%) had used medicinal plants and 117 (72.7%) allopathic medication(s). Of 46 with probable medication-overuse headache, 87.0% (40/46) were using allopathic medication(s) and 13.0% (6/46) medicinal plants, a ratio of 6.7:1, higher than the overall ratio among those with headache of 4.9:1 (912/185). Of 60 plant species identified, 49 were pharmacodynamically active on the central nervous system, with various effects of likely relevance in medication-overuse headache causation.

Conclusions

MPs are potentially a cause of medication-overuse headache, and not to be seen as innocent in this regard. Numbers presumptively affected in Nepal are low but not negligible. This pioneering project provides a starting point for further research to provide needed guidance on use of medicinal plants for headache.

Polygalactan from bivalve Crassostrea madrasensis attenuates nuclear factor-κB activation and cytokine production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophage

A polygalactosamino-glucopyranosyl fucopyranose →4)-β-GlcAp{(3→1)-α-Fucp}-β-GalNAcp-(4,6-SO₃^-)-(1→ isolated from the bivalve Crassostrea madrasensis exhibited prospective anti-inflammatory activity against cyclooxygenase-2 and 5-lipoxygenase (IC₅₀ < 50 μg mL^-1) on lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophages. The polygalactan attenuated inducible nitric oxide synthase (IC₅₀ 65.7 μg mL^-1) in lipopolysaccharide-prompted inflammation leading to the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine nitric oxide (236.2 μg mL^-1 lysate), nuclear factor-κB, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukins (0.19-0.22 units mg^-1 protein at 100 μg mL^-1) by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2. The polygalacatan suppressed the mRNA of nuclear factor-κB and cyclooxygenase-2 in lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophages. Western blot experiment revealed that the polygalactan attenuated the migration of nuclear factor-κB-p⁶⁵ to the nucleus from cytoplasm, and suppressed the phosphorylation of α-subunit of κB inhibitor. Greater selectivity index of sulfated polygalactan (3.93) towards inducible cyclooxygenase-2 as compared with the anti-inflammatory agent ibuprofen (1.11), and the potential to inhibit nuclear factor-κB cascade to generate chemokine production manifested its utilization in the development of functional food attenuating inflammation-related disorders.

The Genus Terminalia (Combretaceae): An Ethnopharmacological, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review

Terminalia Linn, a genus of mostly medium or large trees in the family Combretaceae with about 250 species in the world, is distributed mainly in southern Asia, Himalayas, Madagascar, Australia, and the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa. Many species are used widely in many traditional medicinal systems, e.g., traditional Chinese medicine, Tibetan medicine, and Indian Ayurvedic medicine practices. So far, about 39 species have been phytochemically studied, which led to the identification of 368 compounds, including terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, simple phenolics and so on. Some of the isolates showed various bioactivities, in vitro or in vivo, such as antitumor, anti HIV-1, antifungal, antimicrobial, antimalarial, antioxidant, diarrhea and analgesic. This review covers research articles from 1934 to 2018, retrieved from SciFinder, Wikipedia, Google Scholar, Chinese Knowledge Network and Baidu Scholar by using "Terminalia" as the search term ("all fields") with no specific time frame setting for the search. Thirty-nine important medicinal and edible Terminalia species were selected and summarized on their geographical distribution, traditional uses, phytochemistry and related pharmacological activities.

Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Arthritic Efficacies of an Indian Traditional Herbo-Mineral Medicine "Divya Amvatari Ras" in Collagen Antibody-Induced Arthritis (CAIA) Mouse Model Through Modulation of IL-6/IL-1β/TNF-α/NFκB Signaling

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is defined as a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder that causes damage to limb joints and progressive injuries to secondary organs. Medical practitioners prescribe Methotrexate (MTX) as standard care medicine for treating RA. However, the long-term application of MTX has shown to have adverse health-related effects. Divya Amvatari Ras (DAR), an Indian Ayurvedic herbo-mineral formulation, has been described in ancient texts to provide relief from RA inflammation associated distress. Therefore, in the present study, we explored the biocompatibility, anti-inflammatory, and anti-arthritic efficacy of DAR using in vivo and in vitro disease models. Using carrageenan (CA)-stimulated Wistar rat paw edema model, we showed a reduction in inflammation-induced paw edema at human equivalent dose of DAR. Anti-rheumatic efficacy of DAR was studied using collagen-antibody cocktail (C-Ab) Induced Arthritis (CAIA) mouse model. The onset of RA in the CAIA mice was determined using parameters such as the increase in arthritis score, and induction of disease associated lesions in the ankle and knee joints, and increase in mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. Treatment of CAIA animals with a human equivalent dose of DAR significantly reversed the RA-associated pathogenesis. These effects were comparable with the standard of care RA drug, MTX. DAR acted at multiple levels of inflammation associated with RA to reduce progressive pathogenesis. Animal serum biochemistry showed DAR was capable of ameliorating RA induced increase in liver enzyme Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6). In the lipopolysaccharide stimulated THP-1 cells, DAR was found to inhibit the release of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and upstream inflammatory gene regulatory protein, NFκB. The study endorsed the anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activity of the Indian Traditional herbo-mineral medicine, DAR. These results also confirm that DAR was highly biocompatible and would show minimal health-related side effects than those associated with standard of care MTX. Taken together, we show that the DAR could be utilized as a promising alternative or complementary therapy for treating rheumatoid arthritis.

Protective Role of Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb Fruits Against CCl4 Induced Oxidative Stress and Liver Injury in Rodent Model

Abstract

The medicinal plant, Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. is widely used in the traditional Indian system of medicine like Ayurveda for centuries in the treatment of various ailments owing to it's rejuvenating as well as health promoting effects. The present study evaluates protective role of aqueous acetone extract of T. bellirica fruits (AATB) against CCl₄ induced liver toxicity in animal model. The liver damage was assessed by liver function markers including ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, LDH, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, globulin and albumin-globulin ratio. The levels of MDA, ROS, and NO along with the tissue antioxidants were evaluated to assess hepatic oxidative stress and level of lipid peroxidation. Treatment with AATB prior to the exposure of CCl₄ significantly reduced the damage when compared to the control rats. The outcome of the present study advocates the traditional use of the plant as ethnic food and health tonic.

Graphical Abstract