Evaluation of reproductive safety of beta-sitosterol on the American mink (Neovison vison)

Tracking pollution from fur farms using forensic paleolimnology

Eutrophication, which remains one of the greatest threats to water quality worldwide, is particularly acute in agricultural areas. Here we assessed long-term drivers of potential pollution inputs to lakes in southwest Nova Scotia (Canada), a region marked by fur farming (mainly mink) and other agricultural activities. We used a BACI (before-after-control-impact) study design with sediment cores collected from 14 lakes selected based on their proximity to mink farms. We combined economic data, mink faecal samples, and a series of geochemical markers in dated sediment cores, including sterols, δ15N, visible reflectance spectroscopy (VRS)-inferred chlorophyll-a, and heavy metals, to relate changes in sediment geochemistry to the growth of mink farms in the region. Sterol biomarkers (cholesterol and β-sitosterol) measured in a range of samples (i.e. mink faeces and feed, aquaculture feed), were elevated where mink farms were located close to each study lake. Mink-related sterols (cholesterol, β-sitoserol), δ15N measurements, VRS chlorophyll-a, and heavy metals As, Cu, Sr increased in the 1980s coeval with a ∼400% increase of mink farms in the region, especially near Nowlans Lake. Agricultural impacts were subtler in other lakes. Our study expands on prior applications of geochemical fingerprinting in forensic paleolimnology when direct monitoring data are incomplete. This multi-proxy approach has promising applications for environmental pollution assessments in other lake ecosystems experiencing water quality issues.

Ethnobotany, Biological Activities and Phytochemical Compounds of Some Species of the Genus Eryngium (Apiaceae), from the Central-Western Region of Mexico

There are approximately 250 species of Eryngium L. distributed throughout the world, with North America and South America being centers of diversity on this continent. In the central-western region of Mexico there may be around 28 species of this genus. Some Eryngium species are cultivated as leafy vegetables, ornamental, and medicinal plants. In traditional medicine they are used to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, among others. This review addresses the phytochemistry and biological activities, as well as traditional uses, distribution, and characteristics of the eight species of Eryngium reported as medicinal in the central-western region of Mexico: E. cymosum, E. longifolium, E. fluitans (or mexicanum), E. beecheyanum, E. carlinae, E. comosum, E. heterophyllum, and E. nasturtiifolium. The extracts of the different Eryngium spp. have shown biological activities such as hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, renoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant, among others. E. carlinae is the most studied species, and phytochemical analyses, performed mainly by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), have shown its content of terpenoids, fatty acids, organic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, sterols, saccharides, polyalcohols, and aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes. According to the results of this review on Eryngium spp., they constitute a relevant alternative as a source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical, food, and other industries. However, there is a lot of research to be conducted regarding phytochemistry, biological activities, cultivation, and propagation, in those species with few or no reports.

Supercritical Fluid Extract of Putranjiva roxburghii Wall. Seeds Mitigates Fertility Impairment in a Zebrafish Model

Putrajeevak (Putranjiva roxburghii Wall.; synonym Drypetes roxburghii (Wall.) Hurus) seeds have been used since ancient times in the treatment of infertility in the Ayurvedic system of medicine in India. In this study, the oil component of Putrajeevak seeds (PJSO) was extracted using the supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE) method using liquid CO₂ and the constituents were analyzed using gas chromatography-flame ionized detectorand high-performance thin-layer chromatography. PJSO contained trace amounts of β-sitosterol with oleic and linoleic acids as the major fatty acid constituents. Male and female zebrafish were mutagenized with N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) and fish that produced less than 20 viable embryos were selected for the study. SCFE oil extracts from the P. roxburghii seeds were used in this study to reverse fertility impairment. The mutant fish were fed with PJSO for a period of 14 days and the rates of fertility, conception, and fecundity were determined with wild-type healthy fish as a breeding partner. Treatment with PJSO increased the ovarian follicle count as well as the number of mature eggs, while reducing the number of ovarian cysts. Sperm count as well as sperm motility were greatly enhanced in the ENU-mutagenized male zebrafish when treated with PJSO. The results obtained in this study demonstrate the effectiveness of P. roxburghii seed oil in reversing impaired fertility in both male and female zebrafish models.

Terminalia arjuna induced testicular assault through Leydig cell derangement: an in vitro approach

OBJECTIVES

Terminalia arjuna (TA) has been widely used as folk medicine since ancient times. Apart from its therapeutic properties it also has anti-spermatogenic activity, but its effectiveness and mode of action on male gonadal activity remains to be revealed.

METHODS

TA bark extract was dissolved in 1% dimethyl sulfoxide and applied in primary Leydig cell culture from rat testis in dose dependent manner. After 24 h of treatment cellular toxicity marker, cytokines, steroid 5-alpha-reductase 1 (SRD5A1) and androgen receptor (AR) were measured.

RESULTS

Present study first proposed the cytotoxic impacts of TA on Leydig cells via leakage of lactate dehydrogenase and inflammatory responses by altering the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in dose-dependent-manner. Furthermore, down regulation of SRD5A1 and AR indicated inhibition of normal steroidogenesis which well corroborated with cytotoxity and inflammation related parameters to promote damage of Leydig cell function. Nevertheless, it can be speculated that the inhibition of normal steroidogenesis and thereby spermatogenesis induced by TA is possibly due to the presence of β-sitosterol.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, the dose and duration of treatment should be carefully monitored in cases of its medicinal uses and longer duration should be avoided to protect reproductive health and fertility.

First Report of Plant-Derived β-Sitosterol with Antithrombotic, in Vivo Anticoagulant, and Thrombus-Preventing Activities in a Mouse Model

Inhibitors of thrombin, a key enzyme in the blood coagulation cascade, are of great interest because of their selective specificity and effectiveness in anticoagulation therapy against cardiovascular disorders. The natural soybean phytosterol, β-sitosterol (BSS) demonstrated anticoagulant activity by dose-dependent inhibition of thrombin in an uncompetitive manner with a K_i value of 0.267 μM as well as by partial inhibition of thrombin-catalyzed platelet aggregation with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 10.45 ± 2.88 μM against platelet-rich plasma and 9.2 ± 1.2 μM against washed platelets. An in silico study indicated binding of BSS to thrombin, which was experimentally verified by spectrofluorometric and isothermal calorimetric analyses. Under in vitro conditions, BSS demonstrated thrombolytic activity by activating plasminogen, albeit it is devoid of protease (fibrinogenolytic) activity. BSS was noncytotoxic to mammalian cells, nonhemolytic, demonstrated its in vivo anticoagulant activity when administered orally, and inhibited k-carrageen-induced thrombus formation in the tails of mice. Our results suggest that dietary supplementation of BSS may help to prevent thrombosis-associated cardiovascular disorders.

Critical Analysis on Characterization, Systemic Effect, and Therapeutic Potential of Beta-Sitosterol: A Plant-Derived Orphan Phytosterol

Beta-sitosterol (BS) is a phytosterol, widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom and known to be involved in the stabilization of cell membranes. To compile the sources, physical and chemical properties, spectral and chromatographic analytical methods, synthesis, systemic effects, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic potentials, toxicity, drug delivery and finally, to suggest future research with BS, classical as well as on-line literature were studied. Classical literature includes classical books on ethnomedicine and phytochemistry, and the electronic search included Pubmed, SciFinder, Scopus, the Web of Science, Google Scholar, and others. BS could be obtained from different plants, but the total biosynthetic pathway, as well as its exact physiological and structural function in plants, have not been fully understood. Different pharmacological effects have been studied, but most of the mechanisms of action have not been studied in detail. Clinical trials with BS have shown beneficial effects in different diseases, but long-term study results are not available. These have contributed to its current status as an "orphan phytosterol". Therefore, extensive research regarding its effect at cellular and molecular level in humans as well as addressing the claims made by commercial manufacturers such as the cholesterol lowering ability, immunological activity etc. are highly recommended.

Hypoxis (Hypoxidaceae) in African traditional medicine

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hypoxis species (Hypoxidaceae) are popular medicinal plants used in the African traditional medicine to treat numerous ailments and are reported to have a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties. In this paper we reviewed and evaluated the traditional uses, pharmacological, phytochemistry and toxicity aspects of the genus Hypoxis. Potential medicinal prospects and possible knowledge gaps and pitfalls are discussed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive and systematic review of literature on Hypoxis species was done using numerous resources such as books and scientific databases that include Pubmed, Scopus, Scirus, Google scholar, Web of Science and others. Information on the various pharmacological and chemical properties of Hypoxis extracts was critically analysed and discussed under the various topics.

RESULTS

The literature indicated a broad range of uses, pharmacological and toxicological properties of different Hypoxis species extracts and their relevance to African healthcare systems. Several compounds, mostly glucosides, sterols and sterolins, have been isolated, identified and tested in various in vitro and in vivo models as well as in a couple of clinical trials with a lot of promising prospects reported in some studies.

CONCLUSION

A critical analysis of the available literature and studies identifies positive potential for the future use of Hypoxis species in both traditional and modern medicine and concurrently so with possible pitfalls and research gaps in current knowledge. An integrated and holistic approach to addressing research issues, particularly toxicology aspects could be more effectively applied and incorporate conservation strategies for the species.

Influence of colour type and previous cultivation on secondary metabolites in hypocotyls and leaves of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walpers)

BACKGROUND

Maca is an Andean crop of the Brassicaceae family which is mainly known for its fertility-enhancing properties following consumption. The hypocotyls display various colours ranging from white to black. Each colour has different biological effects. The aim of this study was to analyse the concentrations of major secondary metabolites in hypocotyls and leaves of maca in a controlled planting experiment in the Peruvian Andes at 4130 m above sea level. The effects of colour type and of previous cultivation of the field were examined.

RESULTS

In the hypocotyls, the colour type effect was significant for most secondary metabolites; exceptions were beta-sitosterol and campesterol. The lead-coloured, yellow and violet maca hypocotyls were rich in glucosinolates, macaene and macamides, respectively. Previous cultivation affected macaene, campesterol and indole glucosinolate concentrations. Effects on metabolite concentrations in the leaves were minor. Hypocotyls were richer in macaene, macamides and glucosinolates than were leaves, and were poorer in beta-sitosterol and total phenols.

CONCLUSION

Colour type has to be considered in maca production, as colour associates with variations in concentrations of distinct bioactive metabolites. Leaves may be interesting for animal nutrition purposes as they contain essentially the same secondary metabolites as the hypocotyls but in clearly lower concentrations.