Zingiber roseum Rosc. rhizome: A rich source of hepatoprotective polyphenols

Metabolomic Approach to Identify the Potential Metabolites from Alpinia malaccensis for Treating SARS-CoV-2 Infection

The advent of the new coronavirus, leading to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, has presented a substantial worldwide health hazard since its inception in the latter part of 2019. The severity of the current pandemic is exacerbated by the occurrence of re-infection or co-infection with SARS-CoV-2. Hence, comprehending the molecular process underlying the pathophysiology of sepsis and discerning possible molecular targets for therapeutic intervention holds significant importance. For the first time, 31 metabolites were tentatively identified by GC-MS analysis from Alpinia malaccensis. On the other hand, five phenolic compounds were identified and quantified from the plant in HPLC-DAD analysis, including (-) epicatechin, rutin hydrate, rosmarinic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol. Nine GC-MS and five HPLC-identified metabolites had shown interactions with 45 and 30 COVID-19-associated human proteins, respectively. Among the proteins, PARP1, FN1, PRKCA, EGFR, ALDH2, AKR1C3, AHR, and IKBKB have been found as potential therapeutic targets to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 infection. KEGG pathway analysis also showed a strong association of FN1, EGFR, and IKBKB genes with SARS-CoV-2 viral replication and cytokine overexpression due to viral infection. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis also showed that TP53, MMP9, FN1, EGFR, and NOS2 proteins are highly related to the genes involved in COVID-19 comorbidity. These proteins showed interaction with the plant phytoconstituents as well. As the study offers a robust network-based procedure for identifying biomolecules relevant to COVID-19 disease, A. malaccensis could be a good source of effective therapeutic agents against COVID-19 and related viral diseases.

Polyphenols and extracts from Zingiber roseum (Roxb.) Roscoe leaf mitigate pain, inflammation and pyrexia by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2: an in vivo and in silico studies

Zingiber roseum (Roxb.) Roscoe, a perennial herb from the Zingiberaceae family, has a long history of traditional use in the treatment of several ailments including pain, inflammation, fever, cough, arthritis, skin diseases, and liver infections. This study sought to confirm the efficacy of Zingiber roseum (Roxb.) Roscoe leaves methanol extract (ZrlME) as reported in traditional usage by evaluating its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic capabilities. In addition, in silico molecular docking of the metabolites identified in ZrlME was studied to verify the experimental outcomes. ZrlME demonstrated strong dose-dependent analgesic efficacy against all analgesic tests. ZrlME (400 mg/kg) showed higher anti-inflammatory activity than the standard in the carrageenan-induced paw edema test model. A significant reduction of rectal temperature (3.97°F↓) was also recorded at the same dose of ZrLME after 24 h of treatment. Seven polyphenolic metabolites were identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD analysis, including 3, 4- dihydroxy benzoic acid, (-) epicatechin, rutin hydrate, p-coumaric acid, trans-ferulic acid, rosmarinic acid, and myricetin. Strong binding affinities (ranges from -5.8 to -8.5 Kcal/mol) between the aforesaid polyphenols and cyclooxygenase-2 were discovered. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) demonstrated that these polyphenols exhibit significant COX-2 inhibitory activity due to their high stability in the COX-2 active site. In computational prediction, the polyphenols were also found to be nontoxic, and a variety of biological activities, such as antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and hepatoprotective, were observed. The results of this study revealed that ZrlME possesses notable analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties.

Potential Antidiabetic Activity of β-sitosterol from Zingiber roseum Rosc. via Modulation of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor Gamma (PPARγ)

AIM

To evaluate the antidiabetic potential of β-sitosterol from Zingiber roseum.

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is a cluster of metabolic disorders, and 90% of diabetic patients are affected with Type II diabetes (DM2). For the treatment of DM2, thiazolidinedione drugs (TZDs) were proposed, but recent studies have shown that TZDs have several detrimental effects, such as weight gain, kidney enlargement (hypertrophy), fluid retention, increased risk of bone fractures, and potential harm to the liver (hepatotoxicity). That is why a new molecule is needed to treat DM2.

OBJECTIVE

The current research aimed to assess the efficacy of β-Sitosterol from methanolic extract of Zingiber roseum in managing diabetes via PPARγ modulation.

METHODS

Zingiber roseum was extracted using methanol, and GC-MS was employed to analyze the extract. Through homology modeling, PPARγ structure was predicted. Molecular docking, MD simulation, free binding energies, QSAR, ADMET, and bioactivity and toxicity scores were all used during the in-depth computer-based research.

RESULTS

Clinically, agonists of synthetic thiazolidinedione (TZDs) have been used therapeutically to treat DM2, but these TZDs are associated with significant risks. Hence, GC-MS identified phytochemicals to search for a new PPAR-γ agonist. Based on the in-silico investigation, β-sitosterol was found to have a higher binding affinity (-8.9 kcal/mol) than standard drugs. MD simulations and MMGBSA analysis also demonstrated that β-sitosterol bound to the PPAR-γ active site stably.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that β-sitosterol from Z. roseum attenuates Type-II diabetes by modulating PPARγ activity.

Unveiling the Anthelminthic Potential of Merremia vitifolia Stem through in Vitro and in Silico Approach

This study aimed to assess the anthelmintic activity of methanol extracts from Merremia vitifolia stems using a combination approach encompassing experimental, in vitro, and in silico evaluations. Despite the well-recognized pharmacological properties of M. vitifolia, its potential as an anthelmintic agent remained unexplored. This plant's anthelmintic potential was assessed on adult earthworms (Pheretima posthuma), revealing a dose-dependent reduction in spontaneous motility leading to paralysis and eventual mortality. The most effective dose of M. vitifolia (200 mg/ml) for anthelmintic effects on Pheretima posthuma was identified. Complementary in silico investigations were also conducted, employing Autodock PyRx 0.8 for docking studies of reported M. vitifolia compounds. Notably, quercetin emerged as a promising candidate with superior binding energies against β-tubulin (-8.3 Kcal/mol). Moreover, this comprehensive research underlines the anthelmintic potential of Merremia vitifolia stem extract and highlights quercetin as a noteworthy compound for further investigation in the quest for novel anthelmintic agents.

Phenolic compounds and extracts from Crotalaria calycina Schrank potentially alleviate pain and inflammation through inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2: An in vivo and molecular dynamics studies

Crotalaria calycina Schrank is a local Bangladeshi plant well-accepted by the tribal population for its medicinal properties. The primary approach of our study was to uncover the analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of methanol extract of C. calycina stem in mice model with in silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation approach. Phenolic compounds were identified and quantified from the extract through high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) analysis. Writhing assay through injection of acetic acid, licking assay through formalin injection, and finally, hot plate assay was employed to observe the analgesic activity. The carrageenan-induced paw edema model was employed to determine the anti-inflammatory potential of the extract. In silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics were also run to validate the in vivo study results. Eight polyphenolic compounds from the extract were identified and quantified via HPLC-DAD analysis, and (-) epicatechin was most abundantly distributed (87.15 ± 0.24 mg/100 g dry extract). In vivo study revealed that 400 mg/kg dose significantly inhibited (P < 0.01) the writhing response in the writhing assay and demonstrated the highest percent of inhibition of licking (70.67%) in the late part of the licking test. The same extract dose produced the highest (74.71%) percent of maximal effect (% MPE) in the hot plate assay. It demonstrated the highest percent of edema inhibition (68.00%) in the fourth hour of the paw edema assay. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation of (-) epicatechin, caffeic acid, and kaempferol with cyclooxygenase-2 revealed that they have similar interactions to the standard inhibitor celecoxib. These valuable bioactive compounds may induce significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties in MECCS. Therefore, based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that C. calycina stem can be a prospect in the medicinal field due to its remarkable analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.

Synergistic effect of ursolic acid and piperine in CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity

BACKGROUND

Ursolic acid (UA) is a potent plant-based hepatoprotective agent having poor bioavailability, which hampers its therapeutic efficacy. The present study tries to overcome this limitation by combining it with piperine (PIP), a proven bioenhancer and hepatoprotective agent.

METHODS

The type of interaction (synergism, addition, or antagonism) resulting between UA and PIP was analyzed and quantified by isobologram and combination index analysis. The hepatoprotective activity of UA and PIP was evaluated by measuring the level of hepatic marker enzymes. Pharmacokinetic analysis was carried out to ascertain the improvement of bioavailability.

RESULTS

The combinations significantly decrease the enzyme levels, which indicate better hepatoprotective activity compared to single drugs. The relative oral bioavailability of UA was increased about tenfold (from AUC0-t =12.78 ± 2.59 µg/h/ml to 125.15 ± 1.84 µg/h/ml) along with the improvement of plasma concentration and elimination half-life.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicated that the combination of PIP and UA is an effective strategy in enhancing the bioavailability and hepatoprotective potential of UA.KEY MESSAGESUrsolic acid in a combination with piperine provides a synergistic hepatoprotective effect in carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in rats.Piperine improves the pharmacokinetic properties of ursolic acid when given in combination.Piperine improves the relative oral bioavailability of ursolic acid by tenfold when combined together.