Anti-allergic principles from Thai zedoary: structural requirements of curcuminoids for inhibition of degranulation and effect on the release of TNF-alpha and IL-4 in RBL-2H3 cells

Antiallergic Activity of 3-O-Dodecyl-l-ascorbic Acid

2-O-Alkyl-l-ascorbic acids and 3-O-alkyl-l-ascorbic acids were synthesized, and their degranulation inhibitory activities were evaluated. Among ascorbic acid derivatives with butyl, octyl, dodecyl, hexadecyl, and octadecyl groups introduced at the C-2 or C-3 positions, an AA derivative with a dodecyl group introduced at the C-3 position, 3-O-dodecyl-l-ascorbic acid (compound 8), showed the strongest inhibitory activity against antigen-stimulated degranulation. Compound 8 also inhibited calcium ionophore-stimulated degranulation. Compound 11, in which the hydroxyl group at the C-6 position of compound 8 was substituted with an amino group, and compound 12, in which the dodecyloxy group at the C-3 position of compound 8 was exchanged with a dodecylamino group, were synthesized, and these derivatives showed weaker inhibitory activity against antigen-stimulated degranulation than that of compound 8. In addition, orally administered compound 8 inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions in mice with a potency equal to that of oxatomide, an antiallergic agent. These results suggest that compound 8 may be a candidate for antiallergic treatment.

Immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms of the extracts and secondary compounds of Zingiber and Alpinia species: a review

Zingiber and Alpinia species (family: Zingiberaceae) are popularly used in food as spices and flavoring agents and in ethnomedicine to heal numerous diseases, including immune-related disorders. However, their ethnomedicinal uses have not been sufficiently supported by scientific investigations. Numerous studies on the modulating effects of plants and their bioactive compounds on the different steps of the immune system have been documented. This review aimed to highlight up-to-date research findings and critically analyze the modulatory effects and mechanisms of the extracts and secondary compounds of several Zingiber and Alpinia species, namely, Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Z. cassumunar Roxb., Z. zerumbet (L.) Roscoe ex Sm., Alpinia galanga Linn., A. conchigera Griff, A. katsumadai Hayata, A. oxyphylla Miq., A. officinarum Hance, A. zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt. et Smith, and A. purpurata (Viell.) K. Schum. on the immune system, particularly via the inflammation-related signaling pathways. The immunomodulating activities of the crude extracts of the plants have been reported, but the constituents contributing to the activities have mostly not been identified. Among the extracts, Z. officinale extracts were the most investigated for their in vitro, in vivo, and clinical effects on the immune system. Among the bioactive metabolites, 6-, 8-, and 10-gingerols, 6-shogaol, and zerumbone from Zingiber species and cardamomin, 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate, yakuchinone, rutin, 1,8-cineole, and lectin from Alpinia species have demonstrated strong immunomodulating effects. More experimental studies using cell and animal models of immune-related disorders are necessary to further understand the underlying mechanisms, together with elaborate preclinical pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, bioavailability, and toxicity studies. Many of these extracts and secondary metabolites are potential candidates for clinical development in immunomodulating agents or functional foods to prevent and treat chronic inflammatory disorders.

Curcumin and Its Derivatives as Potential Antimalarial and Anti-Inflammatory Agents: A Review on Structure-Activity Relationship and Mechanism of Action

Curcumin, one of the major ingredients of turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been widely reported for its diverse bioactivities, including against malaria and inflammatory-related diseases. However, curcumin's low bioavailability limits its potential as an antimalarial and anti-inflammatory agent. Therefore, research on the design and synthesis of novel curcumin derivatives is being actively pursued to improve the pharmacokinetic profile and efficacy of curcumin. This review discusses the antimalarial and anti-inflammatory activities and the structure-activity relationship (SAR), as well as the mechanisms of action of curcumin and its derivatives in malarial treatment. This review provides information on the identification of the methoxy phenyl group responsible for the antimalarial activity and the potential sites and functional groups of curcumin for structural modification to improve its antimalarial and anti-inflammatory actions, as well as potential molecular targets of curcumin derivatives in the context of malaria and inflammation.

Identification of components in coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) inhibiting degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells

We found that a water-soluble extract of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) (leaves, petioles and stems) inhibits antigen-induced degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells, a rat basophil leukemia cell line. The aim of this study was to elucidate the anti-degranulation active components in the extract. The methanol-eluate fraction obtained by fractionation of the water-soluble extract using MCI gel column chromatography had strong activity, and eight components were isolated and identified. Two of them were identified as new compounds, (3S)-3-methyl-6-hydroxyisocoumarin 8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (compound 1) and (7S,8R)-7,8-dihydro-8-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-4-methoxy-7-methyl-5H-fro[2,3-g][2]benzopyran-5-one (compound 2). As a result of evaluation of anti-degranulation activity of eight components, seven of them, such as tryptophan, phenylalanine, dihydroxycoumarin glucoside, quercetin glycoside, rutin, compound 1, and compound 2, had the activity. These results indicated that the water-soluble extract of coriander contains several anti-degranulation substances.

Treatments for psoriasis: A journey from classical to advanced therapies. How far have we reached?

Psoriasis is considered an autoimmune, inflammatory disorder with a genetic basis. The underlying aetiology is yet unclear. Evidence suggests the congregation of immune cells and their secreted inflammatory cytokines, leukocytes, and other inflammation-promoting factors in large amounts within the epidermal layers of the skin, driving an inflammatory milieu. Although psoriasis is not a fatal condition, patients experience severe pain and suffering. It has a debilitating effect on the physiological and psychological state of the patient. Its distinguishing features are inflammation, formation of plaques on the skin and hyperproliferation of keratinocytes. Therapeutic strategies for treating psoriasis witnessed a radical improvement from traditional therapies to the approval of specific therapies like biologics and small molecules. The emerging evidence about new pharmacological targets and mechanisms in psoriasis has widened the scope for expanding therapeutic strategies. Our review discusses the existing treatments for plaque psoriasis and updates on therapies based on novel pharmacological targets in clinical development.

Antiallergic Properties of Biflavonoids Isolated from the Flowers of Mesua ferrea Linn

The methanolic extract from the flowers of Mesua ferrea Linn. (Calophyllaceae) showed significant hyaluronidase inhibitory activity. Following a bioassay-guided separation of the extract, two biflavonoids, viz., mesuaferrone-A (1) and mesuaferrone-B (2), were isolated, along with ten flavonoids (3–12), two xanthones (13 and 14), three triterpenes (15–17), a phenylpropanoid (18), and five aromatics (19–24). Among the isolates, 1 and 2 (IC50 = 51.1 µM and 54.7 µM, respectively) exhibited hyaluronidase inhibitory activity equivalent to that of the commercially available antiallergic agents disodium cromoglycate (64.8 μM) and ketotifen fumarate (76.5 μM). These biflavonoids (1 and 2) are 8-8″ linked dimers that are composed of naringenin (1a) or apigenin (3), with their corresponding monomers lacking inhibitory activity (IC50 > 300 μM). In addition, 1 and 2 (IC50 = 49.4 µM and 49.2 µM, respectively) inhibited the release of β-hexosaminidase, which is a marker of antigen-IgE-mediated degranulation, in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. These inhibitory activities were more potent than those of the antiallergic agents tranilast and ketotifen fumarate (IC50 = 282 μM and 158 μM, respectively), as well as one of the corresponding monomers (1a; IC50 > 100 μM). Nonetheless, these effects were weaker than those of the other monomer (3; IC50 = 6.1 μM).

Bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids: Structural diversity and biological activity

Bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids, a class of monocyclic sesquiterpenoids, are widely distributed in nature and have a variety of biological activities. To provide a reference for the further research and development of these compounds, the phytochemical and biological properties of natural bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids (356 compounds in total) isolated between 1985 and 2020 from 24 families, primarily Compositae, Zingiberaceae, Aspergillaceae, Halichondriidae, and Aplysiidae were reviewed. In vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects are the most commonly reported pharmacological properties of bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids. Owing to their extensive significant effects, a lot of traditional medicines containing this type of compounds have been used for a long history. Thus, bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids are a rich source of important natural products, which show great potential for the development of new drugs.

Anti-Allergic, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Hyperglycemic Activity of Chasmanthe aethiopica Leaf Extract and Its Profiling Using LC/MS and GLC/MS

This study aims to comprehensively explore the phytoconstituents as well as investigate the different biological activities of Chasmanthe aethiopica (Iridaceae) for the first time. Metabolic profiling of the leaf methanol extract of C. aethiopica (CAL) was carried out using HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS. Twenty-nine compounds were annotated belonging to various phytochemical classes including organic acids, cinnamic acid derivatives, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and fatty acids. Myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside was the major compound identified. GLC/MS analysis of the n-hexane fraction (CAL-A) resulted in the identification of 45 compounds with palmitic acid (16.08%) and methyl hexadecanoic acid ester (11.91%) representing the major constituents. CAL-A exhibited a potent anti-allergic activity as evidenced by its potent inhibition of β-hexosaminidase release triggered by A23187 and IgE by 72.7% and 48.7%, respectively. Results were comparable to that of dexamethasone (10 nM) in the A23187 degranulation assay showing 80.7% inhibition for β-hexosaminidase release. Both the n-hexane (CAL-A) and dichloromethane (CAL-B) fractions exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity manifested by the significant inhibition of superoxide anion generation and prohibition of elastase release. CAL showed anti-hyperglycemic activity in vivo using streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model by reducing fasting blood glucose levels (FBG) by 53.44% as compared with STZ-treated rats along with a substantial increase in serum insulin by 22.22%. Molecular modeling studies indicated that dicaffeoylquinic acid showed the highest fitting with free binding energies (∆G) of -47.24 and -60.50 Kcal/mol for human α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively confirming its anti-hyperglycemic activity. Thus, C. aethiopica leaf extract could serve as an effective antioxidant natural remedy combating inflammation, allergy, and hyperglycemia.

Immunomodulatory Effects and Mechanisms of Curcuma Species and Their Bioactive Compounds: A Review

Curcuma species (family: Zingiberaceae) are widely utilized in traditional medicine to treat diverse immune-related disorders. There have been many scientific studies on their immunomodulating effects to support their ethnopharmacological uses. In this review, the efficacy of six Curcuma species, namely, C. longa L., C. zanthorrhiza Roxb., C. mangga Valeton & Zijp, C. aeruginosa Roxb. C. zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe, and C. amada Roxb., and their bioactive metabolites to modulate the immune system, their mechanistic effects, and their potential to be developed into effective and safe immunomodulatory agents are highlighted. Literature search has been carried out extensively to gather significant findings on immunomodulating activities of these plants. The immunomodulatory effects of Curcuma species were critically analyzed, and future research strategies and appropriate perspectives on the plants as source of new immunomodulators were discussed. Most of the pharmacological investigations to evaluate their immunomodulatory effects were in vivo and in vitro experiments on the crude extracts of the plants. The extracts were not chemically characterized or standardized. Of all the Curcuma species investigated, the immunomodulatory effects of C. longa were the most studied. Most of the bioactive metabolites responsible for the immunomodulating activities were not determined, and mechanistic studies to understand the underlying mechanisms were scanty. There are limited clinical studies to confirm their efficacy in human. Of all the bioactive metabolites, only curcumin is undergoing extensive clinical trials based on its anti-inflammatory properties and main use as an adjuvant for the treatment of cancer. More in-depth studies to understand the underlying mechanisms using experimental in vivo animal models of immune-related disorders and elaborate bioavailability, preclinical pharmacokinetics, and toxicity studies are required before clinical trials can be pursued for development into immunomodulatory agents.

Efficacy and Safety of Tetrahydrocurcuminoids for the Treatment of Canker Sore and Gingivitis

Background

Tetrahydrocurcuminoids (THCs) are among the major metabolites of curcuminoids with a higher bioavailability and physiological stability and exhibit a broad spectrum of therapeutic activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of THCs in patients suffering from canker sore and gingivitis designed as an exploratory clinical trial.

Methods

This is an open label prospective pilot clinical trial carried out at two clinical centers: Noble Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, and Sri Venkateshwara Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka in India. Participants were assigned to 21 days of treatment with chewable oral THCs supplement. Patients were instructed to self-administer one chewable tablet containing 100 mg of THCs twice daily for up to 21 days. This clinical trial was registered at a public Clinical Trial Registry in India (http://www.ctri.nic.in). Thirty-one canker sore and twenty-nine gingivitis patients participated in this study. Body mass index, throat numbness/relief, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score, canker sore lesions, gingival appearance, inflammation and bleeding were assessed before and after treatment, at 14 and 21 days. Vital signs and laboratory parameters were assessed for safety.

Results

THCs treatment significantly reduced the reddening at the site, difficulty in chewing, swallowing, and VAS pain score in the canker sore patients. Further, both single and multiple lesions were completely healed. In gingivitis patients, gingival appearance, bleeding, and inflammation were significantly reduced. No adverse effects were observed during the study.

Conclusion

Overall, the findings of this study show that supplementation of THCs for 21 days reduced the pain and prevented the progression of the disease in patients suffering from canker sore and gingivitis without adverse side effects.

Enzymatically synthesized glycogen inhibited degranulation and inflammatory responses through stimulation of intestine

The patients of type I allergic diseases were increased in the developed countries. Recently, many studies have focused on food factors with anti-allergic activities. Enzymatically synthesized glycogen, a polysaccharide with a multi-branched α-1,4 and α-1,6 linkages, is a commercially available product from natural plant starch, and has immunostimulation activity. However, effect of enzymatically synthesized glycogen on the anti-allergic activity was unclear yet. In this study, we investigated that enzymatically synthesized glycogen inhibited allergic and inflammatory responses using a co-culture system consisting of Caco-2 and RBL-2H3 cells. Enzymatically synthesized glycogen inhibited antigen-induced β-hexosaminidase release and production of TNF-α and IL-6 in RBL-2H3 cells in the co-culture system. Furthermore, enzymatically synthesized glycogen inhibited antigen-induced phosphorylation of tyrosine kinases, phospholipase C γ1/2, mitogen-activated protein kinases and Akt. Anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory activities of enzymatically synthesized glycogen were indirect action through stimulating Caco-2 cells, but not by the direct interaction with RBL-2H3 cells, because enzymatically synthesized glycogen did not permeate Caco-2 cells. These findings suggest that enzymatically synthesized glycogen is an effective food ingredient for prevention of type I allergy through stimulating the intestinal cells.

Silkworm dropping extract regulates food allergy symptoms via inhibition of Th2-related responses in an ovalbumin-induced food allergy model

BACKGROUND

Silkworm droppings have long been used in traditional medicine to remedy allergic itching, palsy, blood circulation problems, and arthritis in Asian countries. To investigate the anti-allergic effect of silkworm dropping extract (SDE) and its mechanism, we used a mouse model of food allergy induced by ovalbumin (OVA).

RESULTS

SDE ameliorated the symptoms of OVA-induced food allergies, and the levels of T helper 2 (Th2)-related cytokines [such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13] were found to be significantly decreased in both the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes by SDE. Furthermore, SDE treatment directly inhibited OVA permeation, IL-4 production, and degranulation of mast cells; in contrast, immunoglobulin E (IgE) production from B cells was not affected.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that SDE has potential anti-allergic activities, and SDE may be useful in the treatment/prevention of allergic disorders such as food allergies, serving as therapeutic agents. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

In vitro anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin on mast cell-mediated allergic responses via inhibiting FcεRI protein expression and protein kinase C delta translocation

Allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction when exposed to certain environmental substances. It shows high relation between immunoglobulin E (IgE) binding to a specific receptor (FcεRI), pro-inflammatory cytokines, and mediators with allergic inflammation responses. Curcumin is a yellow pigment isolated from the turmeric. Curcumin possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well as exhibits significant chemopreventive activity. This study was aimed to investigate the in vitro assessment of the regulation of curcumin on allergic inflammatory responses on rat basophil leukemia (RBL)-2H3 and human pre-basophils (KU812) cell lines. Curcumin showed the activity against histamine and β-hexosaminidase releases from both IgE-mediated and A23187-induced cells degranulation. The morphological observation also confirmed that curcumin inhibits cells degranulation. IgE-mediated allergic responses and significantly induced mast cells intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Curcumin reduced ROS production from IgE-mediated or A23187-induced cells degranulation. Curcumin also successfully reduced FcεRI expressions and some pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. Furthermore, curcumin inhibited protein kinase C (PKC)-δ translocation from cytosolic to particulate. These results suggested that curcumin can alleviate both the IgE-mediated and calcium ionosphere A23187-stimulated allergic responses through reducing the release of the allergic mediators.

Curcumin, Hormesis and the Nervous System

Curcumin is a polyphenol compound extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa Linn (family Zingiberaceae) commonly used as a spice to color and flavor food. Several preclinical studies have suggested beneficial roles for curcumin as an adjuvant therapy in free radical-based diseases, mainly neurodegenerative disorders. Indeed, curcumin belongs to the family of hormetins and the enhancement of the cell stress response, mainly the heme oxygenase-1 system, is actually considered the common denominator for this dual response. However, evidence-based medicine has clearly demonstrated the lack of any therapeutic effect of curcumin to contrast the onset or progression of neurodegeneration and related diseases. Finally, the curcumin safety profile imposes a careful analysis of the risk/benefit balance prior to proposing chronic supplementation with curcumin.

Analysis of Alpina officinarum Hance, chemically and biologically

Alpinia officinarum Hance is one of the most commonly used herbs belongs to Family Zingiberaceae. The current work deals with the qualitative and quantitative chemical study of this plant rhizomes in addition to the investigation of its anticancer activities. The results of the qualitative analysis showed a variation of phytochemical contents in this plant. While quantitative analysis showed a very promising percentage of active materials and Pharmacopeial constants. Analysis of elements like Cu, Zn & Mg were variable chromium was the lowest (0.680 ppm). The active constituents showed the highest percentage of carbohydrate (20.25 ± 1.11) and the lowest was of lipid (2.79 ± 1.03), other constituents percentage ranged from 5.11 ± 1.31 to 18.26 ± 1.24 for protein and flavonoids respectively. The pharmacopeial constant determinations reported the highest in moisture content (11.02 ± 1.05), Total ash, water-soluble ash, and acid insoluble ash were varied in values (5.64 ± 1.31 to 2.01 ± 1.12).

The evaluation of the antitumor activities (in vitro) of the investigated plant rhizomes extract showed that; it exhibited a direct cytotoxic effect on the growth of some cell lines compared to the standard drug vinblastine sulphate. The activities were recorded against two cell lines; A-549 (Lung carcinoma) and CACO (colorectal carcinoma) with IC50 6.72 ± 0.5 and 7.6 ± 0.3 µg/ml respectively, these effects were better than the standard drug vinblastine sulphate (IC₅₀ were 24.6 ± 0.7& 30.3 ± 1.4 µg/ml). Moreover, the effect of the investigated extract was also promising on the other three cell lines (HCT-116 (Colon carcinoma, Hela (Cervical carcinoma) & Pc3 (prostate cancer) the best effect was on Hela with IC₅₀ of 24.5 ± 1.1 µg/ml better than vinblastine sulphate (59.7 ± 2.1 µg/ml).

Germacrone attenuates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats via antioxidative and antiapoptotic mechanisms

Germacrone (GM) is an anti-inflammatory compound extracted from Rhizoma curcuma. Here, we strived to investigate the neuroprotective effects of GM in rat models of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion injury. Rats immediately after cerebral ischemia were intraperitoneally injected with GM at doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg. After 1 day of reperfusion, the water content in the brain, infarct volume, and neurological deficits were assessed. Hippocampus neurons were histopathologically examined by hematoxylin and eosin and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. Activities of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in brain tissue were detected. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were utilized to quantify the expression of apoptosis markers, such as caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2. The content of phospho-Akt (p-Akt) was also measured using Western blotting. GM treatment markedly decreased the brain water content, infarct volume and the neurological deficits, which was corroborated by attenuated histopathologic change. MDA levels were reduced and activities of GSH, SOD, and GSH-PX were elevated after GM treatment. Caspase-3 and Bax were decreased, and Bcl-2 was increased at both messenger RNA and protein levels by GM treatment. The p-Akt expression was increased by GM. Our data indicated that the neuroprotective effects of GM may attenuate the injuries from cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats through antioxidative and antiapoptotic mechanisms.

Stilbenes contribute to the anticancer effects of Rheum undulatum L. through activation of apoptosis

Rheum undulatum L. (R. undulatum) is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases in East Asian countries. Numerous stilbenes isolated from R. undulatum have been revealed to possess anticancer effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of extracts and compounds isolated from R. undulatum on human gastric cancer cell viability and to elucidate their molecular mechanism of action on the apoptosis pathway. The results demonstrated that aloe-emodin and chrysophanol 1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, isolated from the methanolic extract of dried rhizomes of R. undulatum, exhibited anti-proliferative effects on the human gastric carcinoma cell line AGS, with IC₅₀ values of 84.66±0.44 and 68.28±0.29 µM, respectively. The percentage of apoptotic cells increased significantly following treatment with each compound at a concentration of 100 µM, compared with that in the non-treated group in the image-based cytometry assay. Western blot analysis revealed that these compounds activated the caspase cascade and inhibited B-cell lymphoma-2, an anti-apoptotic protein.

Study of the anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory activity of Brachychiton rupestris and Brachychiton discolor leaves (Malvaceae) using in vitro models

Background

Brachychiton rupestris and Brachychiton discolor (Malvaceae) are ornamental trees native to Australia. Some members of Brachychiton and its highly related genus, Sterculia, are employed in traditional medicine for itching, dermatitis and other skin diseases. However, scientific studies on these two genera are scarce. Aiming to reveal the scientific basis of the folk medicinal use of these plants, the cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activities of Brachychiton rupestris and Brachychiton discolor leaves extracts and fractions were evaluated. Also, phytochemical investigation of B. rupestris was performed to identify the compounds exerting the biological effect.

Methods

Extracts as well as fractions of Brachychiton rupestris and Brachychiton discolor were tested for their cytotoxicity versus hepatoma HepG2, lung A549, and breast MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines. Assessment of the anti-allergic activity was done using degranulation assay in RBL-2H3 mast cells. Anti-inflammatory effect was tested by measuring the suppression of superoxide anion production as well as elastase release in fMLF/CB-induced human neutrophils. Phytochemical investigation of the n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions of B. rupestris was done using different chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques.

Results

The tested samples showed no cytotoxicity towards the tested cell lines. The nonpolar fractions of both B. rupestris and B. discolor showed potent anti-allergic potency by inhibiting the release of β-hexosaminidase. The dichloromethane fraction of both species exhibited the highest anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing superoxide anion generation and elastase release with IC₅₀ values of 2.99 and 1.98 μg/mL, respectively for B. rupestris, and 0.78 and 1.57 μg/mL, respectively for B. discolor. Phytochemical investigation of various fractions of B. rupestris resulted in the isolation of β-amyrin acetate (1), β-sitosterol (2) and stigmasterol (3) from the n-hexane fraction. Scopoletin (4) and β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside (5) were obtained from the dichloromethane fraction. Dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 4-O-β-D-glucoside (6) and dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 9-O-β-D-glucoside (7) were separated from the ethyl acetate fraction. Scopoletin (4) showed anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory activity.

Conclusions

It was concluded that the nonpolar fractions of both Brachychiton species exhibited anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory activities.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-018-2359-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Inhibitory effects of bisdemethoxycurcumin on mast cell-mediated allergic diseases

Most allergic reactions are induced by mast cell activation. Mast cells play vital roles in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. Bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC), a natural curcuminoid, has potential anti-allergic effects. Hence, we explored the effect of BDMC on mast cell-mediated allergic diseases. The study proved that BDMC suppresses β-hexosaminidase release, granule release, and membrane ruffling in monoclonal anti-2,4,6-dinitrophenyl-immunoglobulin (Ig) E/human serum albumin (DNP-IgE/HSA)-stimulated rat basophilic leukaemia cells (RBL-2H3 cells), and BDMC suppressed ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms and OVA-specific IgE levels in AR mice. Furthermore, BDMC increased the survival of compound 48/80 anaphylaxis shock mice and elevated the decreased rectal temperature in OVA-induced active systemic anaphylaxis mice. These findings indicate that BDMC regulates the degranulation of mast cells, demonstrating its potential in the treatment of mast cell-induced allergic reactions.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Essential Oils of Curcuma Species

Members of the genus Curcuma L. have been used in traditional medicine for centuries for treating gastrointestinal disorders, pain, inflammatory conditions, wounds, and for cancer prevention and antiaging, among others. Many of the biological activities of Curcuma species can be attributed to nonvolatile curcuminoids, but these plants also produce volatile chemicals. Essential oils, in general, have shown numerous beneficial effects for health maintenance and treatment of diseases. Essential oils from Curcuma spp., particularly C. longa, have demonstrated various health-related biological activities and several essential oil companies have recently marketed Curcuma oils. This review summarizes the volatile components of various Curcuma species, the biological activities of Curcuma essential oils, and potential safety concerns of Curcuma essential oils and their components.

The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of curcumin and its metabolites in mice

Curcumin (CUR) is the major active component of turmeric and plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of many chronic diseases such as respiratory and neurodegenerative disease. In the present work, a rapid and simple LC-MS/MS method was developed to investigate the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of CUR and its metabolites in mice after intravenous administration of CUR (20 mg/kg). The results showed that the values of AUC0-∞ were 107.0 ± 18.3, 6.0 ± 1.2 and 12.0 ± 4.0 (mg/L) min, and those for t1/2z were 32.4 ± 10.8, 6.4 ± 2.4 and 5.6 ± 1.8 min for CUR, dihydrocurcumin (DHC) and tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) in plasma, respectively. CUR and THC could be detected in liver while CUR and DHC were detected in kidney. Only CUR was detected in brain. These findings indicated that THC was the main metabolite of CUR in plasma. The exposure of CUR in plasma was 6-fold greater than that in liver, kidney and brain.

Phytochemical profiles, and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of greater galangal [Alpinia galanga (Linn.) Swartz.] flowers

Previous studies of galangal (Alpinia galanga) have focussed mostly on rhizomes but seldom on flowers. A comprehensive look at galangal flowers could reveal additional benefits. The chemical composition of galangal flowers was significantly (p < 0.05) different from that of galangal rhizome. Pentadecane and α-humulene were identified as major compounds of galangal flower essential oil. 1'-acetoxyeugenol acetate was identified as the highest compound in flowers and exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity among all fractions, with MIC₅₀ values of 34 μg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus and 68 μg/ml against Listeria monocytogenes. Galangal flowers had a 3-fold higher total phenols content than had rhizomes (10.5 vs. 3.33 mg GAE/g powder). The antioxidant activities of different flower fractions varied from 2 to 4.45 mmol  trolox/g phenolics. These findings suggest that antimicrobial and antioxidant agents extracted from galangal flowers could potentially be utilized as natural food preservatives or as therapeutic agents.

Germacrone derivatives: synthesis, biological activity, molecular docking studies and molecular dynamics simulations

Germacrone is one of the major bioactive components in the Curcuma zedoaria oil product, which is extracted from Curcuma zedoaria Roscoe, known as zedoary. The present study designed some novel germacrone derivatives based on combination principles, synthesized these compounds, and investigated their inhibitions on Bel-7402, HepG2, A549 and HeLa cells. Meanwhile, the study evaluated inhibitions of these derivatives on c-Met kinase, which has been detected in a number of cancers. The results suggested that the majority of the compounds showed stronger inhibitory effect on cancers and c-Met kinase than germacrone. Furthermore, our docking experiments analyzed the results and explained the molecular mechanism. Molecular dynamics simulations were then applied to perform further evaluation of the binding stabilities between compounds and their receptors.

Inhibitory effect of Zizania latifolia chloroform fraction on allergy-related mediator production in RBL-2H3 cells

Zizania latifolia exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects; however, the mechanisms behind these effects are unknown. Here the ethanol extract of Z. latifolia was partitioned using hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water. Subsequently, the anti-allergic effects of these fractions were evaluated in vitro. The results showed that the chloroform fraction of Z. latifolia inhibited the release of β-hexosaminidase and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) from RBL-2H3 cells stimulated with dinitrophenyl-bovine serum albumin (DNP-BSA). In addition, this fraction suppressed the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inhibited the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). The results obtained suggest that the chloroform fraction of Z. latifolia inhibited mast cell-mediated allergic inflammatory responses.

Chemical constituents and biological research on plants in the genus Curcuma

Curcuma, a valuable genus in the family Zingiberaceae, includes approximately 110 species. These plants are native to Southeast Asia and are extensively cultivated in India, China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Peru, Australia, and the West Indies. The plants have long been used in folk medicine to treat stomach ailments, stimulate digestion, and protect the digestive organs, including the intestines, stomach, and liver. In recent years, substantial progress has been achieved in investigations regarding the chemical and pharmacological properties, as well as in clinical trials of certain Curcuma species. This review comprehensively summarizes the current knowledge on the chemistry and briefly discusses the biological activities of Curcuma species. A total of 720 compounds, including 102 diphenylalkanoids, 19 phenylpropene derivatives, 529 terpenoids, 15 flavonoids, 7 steroids, 3 alkaloids, and 44 compounds of other types isolated or identified from 32 species, have been phytochemically investigated. The biological activities of plant extracts and pure compounds are classified into 15 groups in detail, with emphasis on anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities.

Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants used by patients with psoriasis in the West Bank of Palestine

Background

Psoriasis is a frequent skin inflammatory disorder that inflicts millions of patients around the globe. To meet their healthcare needs, patients with psoriasis often seek treatment outside the allopathic paradigm. Use of medicinal plants has emerged as one of the most common and preferred modalities of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The aim of this study was to investigate the use of medicinal plants by patients with psoriasis in the West Bank of Palestine.

Methods

The current study was a questionnaire based cross-sectional descriptive study on the use of medicinal plants by psoriasis patients in the West Bank of Palestine. A sample of 149 patients with psoriasis who were visiting outpatient clinics responded to the questionnaire in face to face interviews.

Results

Medicinal plants were used by 81 (54.4%) patients with psoriasis. Patients used 33 medicinal plants belonging to 26 families. Plants belonging to Lamiaceae and Leguminosae were the most commonly used by the study patients. Aloe vera, Trigonella arabica, Catharanthus roseus and Anthemis cotula were the most frequently used medicinal plants to treat psoriasis. Leaves and fruits were the most commonly used parts by the study patients. Paste was the most commonly used form of preparation. The use of medicinal plants was significantly associated with age and monthly household income of the patients. Enhancement of immunity, improving conventional therapy and reduction of side effects were the most commonly self-reported reasons for using medicinal plants.

Conclusions

Patients with psoriasis in Palestine seem to use medicinal plants as a CAM modality to manage their psoriasis. Many medicinal plants were commonly used by patients with psoriasis. More randomized clinical trials are needed to demonstrate safety and efficacy for the majority of these medicinal plants reported to be used by patients with psoriasis in Palestine.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1503-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Novel anti-cancer agents based on germacrone: design, synthesis, biological activity, docking studies and MD simulations

Germacrone is a major activity component found in Curcuma zedoaria oil product, which is extracted from Curcuma zedoaria.

Degranulation Inhibitors from Medicinal Plants in Antigen-Stimulated Rat Basophilic Leukemia (RBL-2H3) Cells

Mast cells and basophils play important roles in both immediate- and late-phase reactions of type 1 allergy. Histamine, which is released from mast cells and basophils stimulated by an antigen or degranulation inducers, is usually determined as a degranulation marker in experiments on immediate allergic reactions in vitro. β-Hexosaminidase is also stored in secretory granules of the cells and is released concomitantly with histamine when the cells are immunologically activated, and recently this enzyme activity in the medium has been used as a marker of the degranulation. In this paper, we review our studies on the search for degranulation inhibitors, such as flavonoids, stilbenes, and curcuminoids, from medicinal plants using rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells.

Antiallergic Activity of Ethanol Extracts of Arctium lappa L. Undried Roots and Its Active Compound, Oleamide, in Regulating FcεRI-Mediated and MAPK Signaling in RBL-2H3 Cells

The antiallergic potential of Arctium lappa L. was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats, ICR mice, and RBL-2H3 cells. Ethanol extract (90%) of A. lappa (ALE, 100 μg/mL) inhibited the degranulation rate by 52.9%, determined by the level of β-hexosaminidase. ALE suppressed passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats and attenuated anaphylaxis and histamine release in mice. To identify the active compound of ALE, we subsequently fractionated and determined the level of β-hexosaminidase in all subfractions. Oleamide was identified as an active compound of ALE, which attenuated the secretion of histamine and the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in cells treated with compound 48/80 or A23187/phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Oleamide suppressed FcεRI-tyrosine kinase Lyn-mediated pathway, c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK/SAPK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38-MAPKs). These results showed that ALE and oleamide attenuated allergic reactions and should serve as a platform to search for compounds with antiallergic activity.

Antiallergic Phorbol Ester from the Seeds of Aquilaria malaccensis

The Aquilaria malaccensis (Thymelaeaceae) tree is a source of precious fragrant resin, called agarwood, which is widely used in traditional medicines in East Asia against diseases such as asthma. In our continuous search for active natural products, A. malaccensis seeds ethanolic extract demonstrated antiallergic effect with an IC₅₀ value less than 1 µg/mL. Therefore, the present research aimed to purify and identify the antiallergic principle of A. malaccensis through a bioactivity-guided fractionation approach. We found that phorbol ester-rich fraction was responsible for the antiallergic activity of A. malaccensis seeds. One new active phorbol ester, 12-O-(2Z,4E,6E)-tetradeca-2,4,6-trienoylphorbol-13-acetate, aquimavitalin (1) was isolated. The structure of 1 was assigned by means of 1D and 2D NMR data and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS). Aquimavitalin (1) showed strong inhibitory activity in A23187- and antigen-induced degranulation assay with IC₅₀ values of 1.7 and 11 nM, respectively, with a therapeutic index up to 71,000. The antiallergic activities of A. malaccensis seeds and aquimavitalin (1) have never been revealed before. The results indicated that A. malaccensis seeds and the pure compound have the potential for use in the treatment of allergy.

High antiallergic activity of 5,6,4'-trihydroxy-7,8,3'-trimethoxyflavone and 5,6-dihydroxy-7,8,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone from eau de cologne mint (Mentha×piperita citrata)

The following compounds with higher antiallergic activities were isolated from eau de cologne mint leaves: 5,6,4'-trihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone (6), 5,6,4'-trihydroxy-7,8,3'-trimethoxyflavone (7), 5,6-dihydroxy-7,3',4'-trimethoxyflavone (8), 5,6-dihydroxy-7,8,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone (9), and 5,6-dihydroxy-7,8,4'-trimethoxyflavone (10). The IC50 values of compounds 6-10 against RBL-2H3 cells were 6.7, 2.4, 5.6, 3.0, and 6.1μM. Compounds 7 and 9 (IC50 2.4μM and 3.0μM) had the highest antiallergic activities among the flavonoids previously reported. The amounts of 7, 9, and 10 isolated were fairly high, at 177.7mg/kg, 278.0mg/kg, and 179.7mg/kg in the mint, respectively. LD5 value (index of toxicity) and LD5/IC50 ratio of 7 and 9 indicate that the safety is greater than that of luteolin, a typical antiallergic substance. The extract containing powerful antiallergic flavones, 6-10 with higher hydrophobicity could be selectively separated from the extract containing luteolin and other flavonoid glycosides by partition with dichloromethane and water. Therefore, compounds 7 and 9 in mint, and the dichloromethane extract would be the most potent and preventive resources against type I allergy.

Tricin derivatives as anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic constituents from the aerial part of Zizania latifolia

Methanol extract of Zizania latifolia was partitioned with EtOAc, n-BuOH, and H2O. From the EtOAc layers, a new flavonolignan along with a known flavone and three known flavonolignans, tricin (1), salcolin A (2), salcolin B (3), and salcolin C (4), were isolated through repeated silica gel and ODS column chromatography. The chemical structure of the new flavonolignan was determined to be tricin-4'-O-[erythro-β-guaiacyl-(7″-O-methyl)-glyceryl] ether and was named salcolin D (5) based on physicochemical and spectroscopic data, including FT-NMR and ESI-MS. All compounds were isolated for the first time from this plant. Compounds 2-5, tricin derivatives, all exhibited higher anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy activities than tricin. In particular, salcolin D (5) was shown to have the strongest inhibitory activity against LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells as well as β-hexosaminidase release in IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. These results suggest that the presence of tricin derivatives conveys allergy and inflammation treatment ability to Z. latifolia.

Structure of diarylheptanoids with antiallergic activity from the rhizomes of Curcuma comosa

The methanolic extract from the dried rhizomes of Curcuma comosa cultivated in Thailand was found to inhibit the release of β-hexosaminidase as a maker of degranulation from rat basophil leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. Two new diarylheptanoids, diarylcomosols IV and V, were isolated from the methanolic extract. The chemical structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. The isolated diarylheptanoids showed inhibitory activity, and the structural requirements of the active constituents for the inhibition were clarified.

Secoiridoid type of antiallergic substances in olive waste materials of three Japanese varieties of Olea europaea

2-Hydroxy-3-ethylidene-5-(methoxycarbonyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-acetic acid 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl ester (3,4-DHPEA-EA) is a kind of secoiridoid first found in three Japanese olive pomaces: Mission, Lucca, and Manzanillo. These varieties showed high activity of 3,4-DHPEA-EA as an antiallergic active substance with IC50 at 33.5 ± 0.6 μg/mL. Because 3,4-DHPEA-EA was the most abundant among the active substances in the pomaces and the activity of 3,4-DHPEA-EA was greater than that of hydroxytyrosol and elenolic acid, 3,4-DHPEA-EA, which has the ester linkage of hydroxytyrosol and elenolic acid, should be essential for antiallergic activity. Although a trace amount (1.04 mg/kg) of luteolin in the pomace showed the highest antiallergic activity with IC50 at 0.752 ± 0.1 μg/mL, we concluded that the entire antiallergic effect derives from the abundance of 3,4-DHPEA-EA, especially in the green olive pomace of the Mission variety in October, which showed the highest level of 3,4-DHPEA-EA (5033 ± 118 mg/kg). Therefore, the Mission variety had the most effective antiallergy property.

Antiallergic and antiasthmatic effects of a novel enhydrazinone ester (CEE-1): inhibition of activation of both mast cells and eosinophils

Activation of mast cells and eosinophils is a fundamental process in the pathophysiology of allergic diseases. We have previously reported that the novel enhydrazinone ester CEE-1 (ethyl 4-phenylhydrazinocyclohex-3-en-2-oxo-6-phenyl-1-oate) possesses potent anti-inflammatory activity. We have now tested whether the compound also possesses antiallergic and antiasthmatic effects in vitro and in vivo. The compound significantly inhibited degranulation and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) release from activated human eosinophils, as well as IgE-dependent degranulation and LTC4 release from passively sensitized rat basophilic leukemia cells and bone marrow-derived mouse mast cells. In human eosinophils, the drug was more potent in inhibiting degranulation than LTC4 release {IC50 = 0.4 μM [confidence interval (CI): 0.1-0.9] versus 3.8 μM (CI: 0.9-8.3)}, whereas in mast cells the reverse was essentially the case. The drug did not affect stimulus-induced calcium transients in eosinophils but significantly inhibited early phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 and p38-mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). In vivo, topical application of 4.5-15 mg/kg of the compound significantly inhibited allergen-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice. Similarly, in the mouse asthma model, the intranasal administration of 6.5-12.5 mg/kg of the compound significantly inhibited bronchial inflammation and eosinophil accumulation in bronchial lavage fluid, as well as abolishing airway hyper-responsiveness to methacholine. These results show that CEE-1 inhibits the activation of both mast cells and eosinophils in vitro, probably by blocking MAPK-activation pathways, and that these effects are translated into antiallergic and antiasthmatic effects in vivo. The compound, therefore, has potential application in the treatment of asthma and other allergic diseases.

Chemical constituents and anticancer activity of Curcuma zedoaria roscoe essential oil against non-small cell lung carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo

In this study, we report that the essential oil obtained from Curcuma zedoaria Roscoe, known as zedoary, possesses efficient cytotoxic effects on non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells and causes cell apoptosis. Zedoary essential oil increased the sub-G1 population and the level of annexin-V binding and induced cleavage and activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9 and poly(ADP ribose) polymerase. Decreases in the levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL and an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were also observed following zedoary essential oil treatment. Notably, zedoary essential oil led to the release of AIF, endonuclease G, and cytochrome c into the cytosol and increased levels of p53 in H1299 cells. Our results indicate that zedoary essential oil slightly inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and enhanced the phosphorylation of JNK1/2 and p38. Zedoary essential oil also inhibited AKT/NF-κB signaling pathways in H1299 cells. Moreover, intraperitoneal administration of zedoary essential oil significantly suppressed the growth of H1299 cells in vivo. In addition, potential active compounds were detected using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. 8,9-Dehydro-9-formyl-cycloisolongifolene, 6-ethenyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-3,6-dimethyl-5-isopropenyl-trans-benzofuran, eucalyptol, and γ-elemene were found in zedoary essential oil. In summary, our findings provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying zedoary essential oil-induced apoptosis in NSCLC cells that are worthy of further study.

Cancer Prevention and Therapy: Integrating Traditional Korean Medicine Into Modern Cancer Care

In spite of billions of dollars spent on cancer research each year, overall cancer incidence and cancer survival has not changed significantly in the last half century. Instead, the recent projection from the World Health Organization suggests that global cancer incidence and death is expected to double within the next decade. This requires an "out of the box" thinking approach. While traditional medicine used for thousands of years is safe and affordable, its efficacy and mechanism of action are not fully reported. Demonstrating that traditional medicine is efficacious and how it works can provide a "bed to bench" and "bench to bed" back approach toward prevention and treatment of cancer. This current review is an attempt to describe the contributions of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) to modern medicine and, in particular, cancer treatment. TKM suggests that cancer is an outcome of an imbalance of body, mind, and spirit; thus, it requires a multimodal treatment approach that involves lifestyle modification, herbal prescription, acupuncture, moxibustion, traditional exercise, and meditation to restore the balance. Old wisdoms in combination with modern science can find a new way to deal with the "emperor of all maladies."

Anti-inflammatory activities of Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz., root bark on allergic contact dermatitis induced by dinitrofluorobenzene in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The root bark of Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz. is widely used as a medicinal herb for treatment of skin diseases such as eczema, pruritus and urticaria in China, Japan and Korea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated the effects of methanol extract of Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz., root bark (MEDD) on ear thickness, ear weights, histopathological changes such as hyperplasia, edema, spongiosis and immune cell infiltration and cytokine productions in 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis (CD) mice. We also investigated its effects on degranulation of histamine and β-hexosaminidase and related mechanisms using RBL-2H3 cells.

RESULTS

Topical application of MEDD effectively inhibited enlargement of ear thickness and weight (P<0.05). MEDD treatment also inhibited hyperplasia, edema and spongiosis induced by DNFB. Treatment with 300 μg/ear of MEDD suppressed the increase in IFN-γ and TNF-α levels (P<0.05). In addition, treatment with >50 μg/mL MEDD reduced the level of β-hexosaminidase release, while >100 μg/mL MEDD lowered the level of histamine release in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). Finally, MEDD treatment prevented phosphorylation of p38 MAPK induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187 in RBL-2H3 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that root bark of Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz. has the potential for use in the treatment of allergic skin diseases. Furthermore, they suggest that root bark of Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz. is involved in decreasing degranulation of MCs via inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway as well as in the inhibition of Th1 skewing reactions.

Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor-mediated angiogenesis involved in reproductive toxicity induced by sesquiterpenoids of Curcuma zedoaria in rats

The use of herbal medicine has rapidly increased in recent decades, prompting an increase in toxicity concerns. Here we investigated whether and how essential oil of Curcuma zedoaria may induce reproductive and developmental toxicity. Whole embryo culture in rats revealed that the essential oil produced a concentration-dependent toxicity ex vivo in the embryos on gestation Day 9.5 (GD9.5). Weight loss, abnormal hematological and biochemical effects on dams and embryos were also observed in GD17 pregnant rats orally administrated with 100mgkg(-1) or 200mgkg(-1) essential oil from GD7 onward. Induction of embryotoxicity may be related to placental calcification attributed to inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated angiogenesis. Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry demonstrated that the main toxic compounds in essential oil were sesquiterpenoids. Our results suggest that the reproductive toxicity of C. zedoaria may be caused by sesquiterpenoids in the essential oil blocking VEGF-mediated angiogenesis.

Effect of Curcuma zedoaria Rosc root extracts on behavioral and radiology changes in arthritic rats

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of petroleum ether, chloroform, and methanol root extracts of Curcuma zedoaria Rosc (Family: Zingiberaceae) on behavioral and radiology aspects of Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA)-induced monoarthritis in left ankle joint of rats using open-field test. Traditionally, Curcuma zedoaria root has been used as anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic drug. Behavioral aspects include latency time to explore, ambulatory, rearing, grooming, urination, and defecation. Animals were divided into ten groups each of six rats, all the animals were subjected to open-field test before the induction of arthritis at 0 day and thereafter 3, 7, 14 21, 28, 35, and 42 days of postinoculation FCA injection. The rat was placed in an open field and observed all behavioral aspects for 5 minutes and radiography analysis was made on day 42. Selected doses were 10 mg/kg.i.p. Indomethacin 200 mg/kg.p.o. marketed herbal drug Rumalaya forte and 200 and 400 mg/kg.p.o. of each extracts, respectively. The results showed significant decrease in ambulation and rearing; however, increase in latency time to explore and grooming, urination, and defecation in control group, but in contrast, drug-treated groups showed significant recovery in all behavioral aspects except methanol groups. On the basis of radiography examination, control and methanol groups showed highest swelling compared with normal group; however, all drug-treated groups showed significant reduced swelling. Treatments with petroleum ether and chloroform extracts recovery were observed in behavioral and radiological aspects in arthritic rats.