Cytotoxic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of Syzygium calophyllifolium bark

Anticancer of genus Syzygium: a systematic review

Aim

One in eight fatalities globally are considered cancer-related. The need for cancer therapy is growing. Natural products continue to play a role in drug development, as up to 50% of authorized drugs in the last 30 years have been isolated from natural sources.

Methods

Anticancer, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and other actions have all been reported in research papers using plants from the Syzygium genus in the treatment and prevention of disease.

Results

Results from the anticancer test showed that the genus, especially Syzygium aqueum, Syzygium samarangense, and Syzygium cumini had significant promise as an anticancer agent in vitro against several cancer cell lines. Numerous factors, including phytochemical composition, increased apoptotic activity, decreased cell proliferation, stopped angiogenesis, and reduced inflammation.

Conclusions

These results, despite preliminary, show promise for further purification and investigation of bioactive compounds and extracts within the genus Syzygium for their anticancer properties.

Traditional uses, pharmacological activities, and phytochemical constituents of the genus Syzygium: A review

The genus Syzygium comprises 1200–1800 species that belong to the family of Myrtaceae. Moreover, plants that are belonged to this genus are being used in the traditional system of medicine in Asian countries, especially in China, India, and Bangladesh. The aim of this review is to describe the scientific works and to provide organized information on the available traditional uses, phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of mostly available species of the genus Syzygium in Bangladesh. The information related to genus Syzygium was analytically composed from the scientific databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, Springer, Research Gate link, published books, and conference proceedings. Bioactive compounds such as flavanone derivatives, ellagic acid derivatives and other polyphenolics, and terpenoids are reported from several species of the genus Syzygium. However, many members of the species of the genus Syzygium need further comprehensive studies regarding phytochemical constituents and mechanism‐based pharmacological activities.

Roles of Syzygium in Anti-Cholinesterase, Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antioxidant: From Alzheimer’s Perspective

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) causes progressive memory loss and cognitive dysfunction. It is triggered by multifaceted burdens such as cholinergic toxicity, insulin resistance, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. Syzygium plants are ethnomedicinally used in treating inflammation, diabetes, as well as memory impairment. They are rich in antioxidant phenolic compounds, which can be multi-target neuroprotective agents against AD. This review attempts to review the pharmacological importance of the Syzygium genus in neuroprotection, focusing on anti-cholinesterase, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Articles published in bibliographic databases within recent years relevant to neuroprotection were reviewed. About 10 species were examined for their anti-cholinesterase capacity. Most studies were conducted in the form of extracts rather than compounds. Syzygium aromaticum (particularly its essential oil and eugenol component) represents the most studied species owing to its economic significance in food and therapy. The molecular mechanisms of Syzygium species in neuroprotection include the inhibition of AChE to correct cholinergic transmission, suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress markers, RIS production, enhancement of antioxidant enzymes, the restoration of brain ions homeostasis, the inhibition of microglial invasion, the modulation of ß-cell insulin release, the enhancement of lipid accumulation, glucose uptake, and adiponectin secretion via the activation of the insulin signaling pathway. Additional efforts are warranted to explore less studied species, including the Australian and Western Syzygium species. The effectiveness of the Syzygium genus in neuroprotective responses is markedly established, but further compound isolation, in silico, and clinical studies are demanded.

A Systematic Review of Traditionally Used Herbs and Animal-Derived Products as Potential Analgesics

Pain is a distressing but fundamental manifestation that prepares the body for potentially detrimental stimuli while ensuring its protection. Plant and animal products have traditionally been used to relieve pain for centuries. However, no attempt has been made to compile a single report of plant and animal products possessing analgesic properties. This review enadeavours to recover data from published articles to establish a collective literature review on folk remedies from plant and animal sources used as analgesics and in the treatment of pain-related conditions, identifying gaps in existing knowledge and future works. Relevant information was systematically retrieved using the PRISMA method. In this review, in total, 209 plants were found to be either used raw or prepared by decoctions or maceration. Administration was either oral or topical, and they were predominantly used in Asian countries. In vivo studies of plants with analgesic properties, which were tested using different methods including acetic-induced writhing test, hotplate test, tail-flick test, and formalin-induced pain test, were compiled. Animal products with analgesic properties were obtained mainly from compounds present in venom; their bioactive compounds were also identified. In the literature search, certain gaps were noted, which could be reviewed in future studies. For instance, there was a disparity of information regarding the traditional uses of medicinal plants. In this review, an attempt was made to critically assess and describe the pharmacological properties and bioactive composition of indigenous plants, some animal species, and animal venom by scrutinizing databases and looking for published articles. Therefore, it can be concluded that the compounds obtained from these sources can serve as important ingredients in therapeutic agents to alleviate pain once their limitations are assessed and improved upon. In the literature search, certain gaps were noted, which could be reviewed in future studies.

Anti-Proliferative, Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Syzygium mundagam Bark Methanol Extract

Cancer, pain and inflammation have long been a cause for concern amongst patients, clinicians and research scientists. There is an alarming increase in the demand for medicines suppressing these disease conditions. The present study investigates the role of Syzygium mundagam bark methanol (SMBM) extract against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, pain and inflammation. The MCF-7 cells treated with SMBM were analyzed for adenosine triphosphate (ATP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, changes in cell morphology and nuclear damage. Hot plate, acetic acid and formalin-induced pain models were followed to determine the analgesic activity. Anti-inflammatory activity was studied using carrageenan, egg albumin and cotton pellet induced rat models. Microscopic images of cells in SMBM treated groups showed prominent cell shrinkage and nuclear damage. Hoechst stain results supported the cell death morphology. The decline in ATP (47.96%) and increased LDH (40.96%) content indicated SMBM induced toxicity in MCF-7 cells. In the in vivo study, a higher dose (200 mg/kg) of the extract was found to be effective in reducing pain and inflammation. The results are promising and the action of the extract on MCF-7 cells, pain and inflammation models indicate the potential of drugs of natural origin to improve current therapies.

Functional Ingredients based on Nutritional Phenolics. A Case Study against Inflammation: Lippia Genus

Epidemiological studies have reported convincing evidence that natural dietary compounds may modify inflammation, it being an important event described in the pathophysiology of age-related infirmity. Among different dietary components, nutritional phenolics have demonstrated links to a lower risk of inflammation in the most common degenerative and chronic diseases. In this way, the healthy potential of phenolics against inflammation and the emergence of new functional ingredients have caused an enhancement of nutraceutical and functional food formulation. The present review focuses on: (a) nutritional phenolics and their effects on inflammation and (b) functional ingredients based on phenolic compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, the emerging interest in health-promoting products by consumers has caused an increase in the demand for functional products and nutraceuticals. Additionally, this review includes a case study of the Lippia genus, which has shown anti-inflammatory effects claiming to be a natural alternative for the management of this physiological disorder. This report is a practical tool for healthcare providers.