Syk - GTP RAC-1 mediated immune-stimulatory effect of Cuscuta epithymum, Ipomoea batata and Euphorbia hirta plant extracts

Immunomodulatory Activity of Phyllanthus maderaspatensis in LPS-Stimulated Mouse Macrophage RAW 264.7 Cells

Phyllanthus species (Family Euphorbiaceae) has been used in traditional medicine of several countries as a cure for numerous diseases, including jaundice and hepatitis. This study is an attempt to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of various fractions, column eluents of ethyl acetate fraction, and their polyphenols. Phyllanthus maderaspatensis were standardized using high-performance liquid chromatography to identify and quantify polyphenols, and purification of polyphenols was carried out using vacuum liquid chromatography. Subsequently, we tested various fractions, column eluents of ethyl acetate fraction, and polyphenols in vitro to assess their impact on nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The ethyl acetate fraction (100 μg mL−1) had a more significant stimulatory effect on LPS-stimulated NO production by the RAW 264.7 cells. We found that the ethyl acetate fraction contains a high amount of catechin, quercetin, ellagic acid kaempferol, and rutin, which are responsible for immunomodulation. The ethyl acetate fraction at concentrations of 25 and 50 μg mL−1 had a significant inhibitory effect and 100 μg mL−1 had a more significant stimulatory effect when compared with the LPS control. The percentage of inhibition by LPS control ranged from zero percentage, kaempferol ranged from 45.4% at 50 μg mL−1 to 41.88% at 100 μg mL−1, catechin ranged from 50% at 50 μg mL−1 to 35.28% at 100 μg mL−1, rutin ranged from 36.2% at 50 μg mL−1 to 47.44% at 100 μg mL−1, gallic acid ranged from 28.4% at 50 μg mL−1 to 50.9% at 100 μg mL−1, ellagic acid ranged from 45.12% at 50 μg mL−1 to 38.64% at 100 μg mL−1, and purified quercetin ranged from 26.2% at 50 μg mL−1to 45.48% at 100 μg mL−1. As NO plays an important role in the immune function, polyphenols’ treatment could modulate several aspects of host defense mechanisms owing to the stimulation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase.

Phagocytosis, Degranulation and Extracellular Traps Release by Neutrophils-The Current Knowledge, Pharmacological Modulation and Future Prospects

Neutrophils are crucial elements of innate immune system, which assure host defense via a range of effector functions, such as phagocytosis, degranulation, and NET formation. The latest literature clearly indicates that modulation of effector functions of neutrophils may affect the treatment efficacy. Pharmacological modulation may affect molecular mechanisms activating or suppressing phagocytosis, degranulation or NET formation. In this review, we describe the role of neutrophils in physiology and in the course of bacterial and viral infections, illustrating the versatility and plasticity of those cells. This review also focus on the action of plant extracts, plant-derived compounds and synthetic drugs on effector functions of neutrophils. These recent advances in the knowledge can help to devise novel therapeutic approaches via pharmacological modulation of the described processes.

Hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerogenic effects of aqueous extract of Ipomoea batatas leaves in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rats

OBJECTIVE

Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. is a food plant used in African traditional medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases and related conditions. We assessed the hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerogenic properties of the aqueous extract of I. batatas leaves in a rat model of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia.

METHODS

Hypercholesterolemia was induced in male Wistar rats by exclusive feeding with a cholesterol-enriched (1%) standard diet for four weeks. Then, rats were treated once daily (per os) with I. batatas extract at doses of 400, 500 and 600 mg/kg or with atorvastatin (2 mg/kg), for four weeks. Following treatment, animals were observed for another four weeks and then sacrificed. Aortas were excised and processed for histopathological studies, and blood glucose level and lipid profile were measured.

RESULTS

Hypercholesterolemic animals experienced a 21.5% faster increase in body weight, significant increases in blood glucose and blood lipids (148.94% triglycerides, 196.97% high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 773.04% low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 148.93% very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and 210.42% total cholesterol), and increases in aorta thickness and atherosclerotic plaque sizes compared to rats fed standard diet. Treatment of hypercholesterolemic rats with the extract mitigated these alterations and restored blood glucose and blood lipid levels to normocholesterolemic values.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that I. batatas leaves have hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerogenic properties and justify their use in traditional medicine.

Ethnopharmacology of Cuscuta epithymum: A comprehensive review on ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cuscuta epithymum (L.) L. (C. epithymum; Convolvulaceae) is a parasitic plant that has long been used locally and traditionally in Asia, Europe and other regions.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The study intends to reflect the significance of the C. epithymum in traditional medicine. This review aims to grant insight into the species' botany, pharmacological activities and phytochemistry with distinctive emphasis on its ethnomedicinal and traditional applications in all over the world. The review endeavors to rule out any inconsistency between the species' traditional application and its pharmacological activity, and presenting any coherence existing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The books on ethnomedicine and the main medieval Persian medicine textbooks including Makhzan Al- Advieh, The canon of medicine, Zakhireh kharazmshahi and etc were explored for C. epithymum. Additionally, information on the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, morphology, taxonomy, modern medicinal uses, and pharmacological activities were collected in electronic databases including Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, and PubMed using the keywords "Cuscuta epithymum," "traditional medicine," "ethnomedicine," "phytochemistry," "pharmacology" and "activity." Then, the available articles from 1975 to 2017 were employed for this study.

RESULTS

C. epithymum is a rootless plant, widely distributed and available in every continent except Antarctica. It was used traditionally in formularies or by rural people and as geriatric drug, detergent, purgative, disorders in the melancholic humor, joint, kidney, urinary tract, gastrointestinal system, nervous system, etc. In modern medicine, the extract of C. epithymum showed anti-microbial, cytotoxic, anticonvulsant, anti-urease, immune stimulatory, hepatoprotective effect, and antioxidant activity. The main phytochemical constituents are alkaloids; saponins; tannins; triterpenoids; steroids; carbohydrates; aromatic compounds; flavonoids and the hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives.

CONCLUSION

The modern pharmacological studies have validated the traditional and ethnobotanical uses of C. epithymum. However, many aspects of this herb have not been studied yet. In addition, information about the phytochemistry and toxicological profile is insufficient. Owing to the extensive traditional uses of C. epithymum. Hence further studies on pharmacological activities, phytochemistry, and toxicity and adverse effects seem to be necessary to appraise the medicinal values of C. epithymum.