Thyroid inhibitory, antiperoxidative and hypoglycemic effects of stigmasterol isolated from Butea monosperma

Anti-obesity and anti-diabetic bioactive peptides: A comprehensive review of their sources, properties, and techno-functional challenges

The scourge of obesity arising from obesogens and poor dieting still ravages our planet as half of the global population may be overweight and obese by 2035. This metabolic disorder is intertwined with type 2 diabetes (T2D), both of which warrant alternative therapeutic options other than clinically approved drugs like orlistat with their tendency of abuse and side effects. In this review, we comprehensively describe the global obesity problem and its connection to T2D. Obesity, overconsumption of fats, the mechanism of fat digestion, obesogenic gut microbiota, inhibition of fat digestion, and natural anti-obesity compounds are discussed. Similar discussions are made for diabetes with regard to glucose regulation, the diabetic gut microbiota, and insulinotropic compounds. The sources and production of anti-obesity bioactive peptides (AOBPs) and anti-diabetic bioactive peptides (ADBPs) are also described while explaining their structure-function relationships, gastrointestinal behaviors, and action mechanisms. Finally, the techno-functional applications of AOBPs and ADBPs are highlighted.

Unveiling the molecular mechanisms: dietary phytosterols as guardians against cardiovascular diseases

Until recently, the main pharmaceuticals used to control cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) were statin-related drugs, known for their historical side effects. Therefore, there is growing interest in exploring alternatives, such as nutritional and dietary components, that could play a central role in CVD prevention. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how natural phytosterols found in various diets combat CVDs. We begin with a description of the overall approach, then we explore in detail the different direct and indirect mechanisms that contribute to reducing cardiovascular incidents. Phytosterols, including stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, ergosterol, and fucosterol, emerge as promising molecules within nutritional systems for protection against CVDs due to their beneficial effects at different levels through direct or indirect cellular, subcellular, and molecular mechanisms. Specifically, the mentioned phytosterols exhibit the ability to diminish the generation of various radicals, including hydroperoxides and hydrogen peroxide. They also promote the activation of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione, while inhibiting lipid peroxidation through the activation of Nrf2 and Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathways. Additionally, they demonstrate a significant inhibitory capacity in the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus playing a crucial role in regulating the inflammatory/immune response by inhibiting the expression of proteins involved in cellular signaling pathways such as JAK3/STAT3 and NF-κB. Moreover, phytosterols play a key role in reducing cholesterol absorption and improving the lipid profile. These compounds can be used as dietary supplements or included in specific diets to aid control cholesterol levels, particularly in individuals suffering from hypercholesterolemia.

Chemical composition and biological activities of Pittosporum eriocarpum Royle: an unexplored medicinal plant of Indian himalayan region

In this study, different parts (leaf, bark, and fruit) of Pittosporum eriocarpum were investigated to explore its chemical composition and biological activities. The GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of fifty-seven, eighty-one, and forty-six compounds in leaf, fruit, and bark extract, respectively. The important identified bioactive compounds include 1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxy-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (quinic acid), falcarinol, tetradecanoic acid, and isopropyl myristate. Further, four polyphenolic compounds namely p-coumaric, chlorogenic, ferulic acid, and catechin were also identified and quantified in different parts through HPLC-PDA analysis. Of the studied parts of P. eriocapum, leaf extract contains the highest total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin content, and exhibited potent antioxidant activity in ABTS assay. P. eriocarpum extracts also exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria and showed considerable high protection against free radical-mediated DNA damage. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detailed study of the chemical composition and biological activities of P. eriocarpum.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation for Antioxidant and Anti-Diabetic Properties of Cyperus rotundus L. Kombucha

Cyperus rotundus L. exhibits promising potential for the development of functional foods due to its documented pharmacological and biological activities. This study investigated the antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties of C. rotundus kombucha. The results demonstrated potent antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 76.7 ± 9.6 µL/mL for the DPPH assay and 314.2 ± 16.9 µL/mL for the ABTS assay. Additionally, the kombucha demonstrated alpha-glucosidase inhibitory with an IC50 value of 142.7 ± 5.2 µL/mL. This in vitro antioxidant potential was further validated in vivo using Drosophila. Drosophila fed a high-sugar diet and supplemented with pure kombucha revealed significant increases in DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity. Drosophila on a high-sugar diet supplemented with varying kombucha concentrations manifested enhanced resistance to oxidative stresses induced by H2O2 and paraquat. Concurrently, there was a notable decline in lipid peroxidation levels. Additionally, significant upregulations in CAT, SOD1, and SOD2 activities were observed when the high-sugar diet was supplemented with kombucha. Furthermore, in vivo assessments using Drosophila demonstrated significant reductions in alpha-glucosidase activity when fed with kombucha (reduced by 34.04%, 13.79%, and 11.60% when treated with 100%, 40%, and 10% kombucha, respectively). A comprehensive GC-MS and HPLC analysis of C. rotundus kombucha detected the presence of antioxidative and anti-glucosidase compounds. In conclusion, C. rotundus kombucha exhibits considerable antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties, demonstrating its potential as a beneficial beverage for health promotion.

In vitro cytotoxic effect of stigmasterol derivatives against breast cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Stigmasterol is an unsaturated phytosterol that belong to the class of tetracyclic steroids abundant in Rhoicissus tridentata. Stigmasterol is an important constituent since it has shown impressive pharmacological effects such as anti-osteoarthritis, anticancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, immunomodulatory, antifungal, antioxidant, antibacterial, and neuroprotective activities. Furthermore, due to the presence of π system and hydroxyl group, stigmasterol is readily derivatized through substitution and addition reactions, allowing for the synthesis of a wide variety of stigmasterol derivatives.

METHODS

Stigmasterol (1) isolated from Rhoicissus tridentata was used as starting material to yield eight bio-active derivatives (2-9) through acetylation, epoxidation, epoxide ring opening, oxidation, and dihydroxylation reactions. The structures of all the compounds were established using spectroscopic techniques, NMR, IR, MS, and melting points. The synthesized stigmasterol derivatives were screened for cytotoxicity against the hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (MCF-7), triple-negative breast cancer (HCC70), and non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial (MCF-12 A) cell lines using the resazurin assay.

RESULTS

Eight stigmasterol derivatives were successfully synthesized namely; Stigmasterol acetate (2), Stigmasta-5,22-dien-3,7-dione (3), 5,6-Epoxystigmast-22-en-3β-ol (4), 5,6-Epoxystigmasta-3β,22,23-triol (5), Stigmastane-3β,5,6,22,23-pentol (6), Stigmasta-5-en-3,7-dion-22,23-diol (7), Stigmasta-3,7-dion-5,6,22,23-ol (8) and Stigmast-5-ene-3β,22,23-triol (9). This is the first report of Stigmasta-5-en-3,7-dion-22,23-diol (7) and Stigmasta-3,7-dion-5,6,22,23-ol (8). The synthesized stigmasterol analogues showed improved cytotoxic activity overall compared to the stigmasterol (1), which was not toxic to the three cell lines tested (EC50 ˃ 250 µM). In particular, 5,6-Epoxystigmast-22-en-3β-ol (4) and stigmast-5-ene-3β,22,23-triol (9) displayed improved cytotoxicity and selectivity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells (EC50 values of 21.92 and 22.94 µM, respectively), while stigmastane-3β,5,6,22,23-pentol (6) showed improved cytotoxic activity against the HCC70 cell line (EC50: 16.82 µM).

CONCLUSION

Natural products from Rhoicissus tridentata and their derivatives exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anticancer activity. The results obtained from this study indicate that molecular modification of stigmasterol functional groups can generate structural analogues with improved anticancer activity. Stigmasterol derivatives have potential as candidates for novel anticancer drugs.

Chemico-pharmacological and computational studies of Ophiorrhiza fasciculata D. Don and Psychotria silhetensis Hook. f. focusing cytotoxic, thrombolytic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties

The current study sought to examine the pharmacological potentials of crude methanolic extracts of Ophiorrhiza fasciculata and Psychotria silhetensis, as well as their various solvent fractionates, with a focus on cytotoxic, thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities via in vitro and in silico approaches. The extensive chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses confirmed and characterized two compounds as (±)-licarin B (1) and stigmasterol (2) from O. fasciculata and P. silhetensis, respectively. Petroleum ether soluble fraction of O. fasciculata and the aqueous soluble fraction of P. silhetensis showed the lowest 50% lethal concentrations (1.41 and 1.94 μg/mL, respectively) in brine shrimp bioassay. Likewise, petroleum ether soluble fraction of O. fasciculata and aqueous soluble fraction of P. silhetensis showed the highest thrombolytic activity with 46.66% and 50.10% lyses of the clot, respectively. The methanol and dichloromethane soluble fractions of O. fasciculata reduced erythrocyte hemolysis by 64.03% and 37.08%, respectively, under hypotonic and heat-induced conditions, compared to 81.97% and 42.12% for standard acetylsalicylic acid. In antioxidant activity test, aqueous soluble fraction O. fasciculata (IC50 = 7.22 μg/mL) revealed promising antioxidant potentialities in comparison to standard butylated hydroxytoluene (IC50 = 21.20 μg/mL). In antibacterial screening, chloroform, and dichloromethane soluble fractions of P. silhetensis showed a mild antibacterial activity compared with the standard drug ciprofloxacin. Additionally, the molecular docking study corroborated the current in vitro findings, and the isolated two constituents had higher binding affinities toward epidermal growth factor receptor, tissue plasminogen activator, vFLIP-IKK gamma stapled peptide dimer, glutathione reductase, and dihydrofolate reductase enzyme than their corresponding standard drugs. In addition, the both isolated compounds exerted favorable pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) and toxicological profiles with drug-like qualities in computational-based ADMET and drug likeliness analyses. The current research suggests that both plants have potential as a natural treatment for treating thrombosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. However, more thorough research is required to thoroughly screen for phytochemicals and pinpoint the precise mechanisms of action of the bioactive metabolites derived from these plants against a broad range of molecular targets.

Phytochemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Barleria albostellata C.B. Clarke Leaf and Stem Extracts

Barleria albostellata (Acanthaceae) is a shrub located in South Africa and is relatively understudied. However, plants within this genus are well known for their medicinal and ethnopharmacological properties. This study aimed to characterise the phytochemical compounds and antibacterial efficacies of B. albostellata. Phytochemical analysis, fluorescence microscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis were performed to determine the composition of compounds that may be of medicinal importance. Crude leaf and stem extracts (hexane, chloroform and methanol) were subjected to an antibacterial analysis against several pathogenic microorganisms. The qualitative phytochemical screening of leaf and stem extracts revealed the presence various compounds. Fluorescence microscopy qualitatively assessed the leaf and stem powdered material, which displayed various colours under bright and UV light. GC-MS chromatograms represents 10-108 peaks of various compounds detected in the leaf and stem crude extracts. Major pharmacologically active compounds found in the extracts were alpha-amyrin, flavone, phenol, phytol, phytol acetate, squalene and stigmasterol. Crude extracts positively inhibited Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Significance was established at p < 0.05 for all concentrations and treatments. These results indicate that the leaves and stems of B. albostellata are rich in bioactive compounds, which could be a potential source of antibacterial agents for treating various diseases linked to the pathogenic bacteria studied. Future discoveries from this plant could advance the use of indigenous traditional medicine and provide novel drug leads.

A Comprehensive Update on Phytochemistry, Analytical Aspects, Medicinal Attributes, Specifications and Stability of Stigmasterol

Phytosterols are bioactive substances naturally found in plant cell membranes, and their chemical structure is comparable to cholesterol found in mammalian cells. They are widely distributed in plant foods like olive oil, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Amongst the variety of phytosterols, stigmasterol is the vital compound found abundantly in plants. Numerous hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, corticoids and androgen, are synthesized by stigmasterol. Multiple in-vitro and in-vivo investigations have shown that stigmasterol has various biological effects, including antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, respiratory diseases, and lipid-lowering effects. Experimental research on stigmasterol provides indisputable proof that this phytosterol has the potential to be employed in supplements used to treat the illnesses mentioned above. This substance has a high potential, making it a noteworthy medication in the future. Although several researchers have investigated this phytosterol to assess its prospective qualities, it has not yet attained therapeutic levels, necessitating additional clinical studies. This review offers a comprehensive update on stigmasterol, including chemical framework, biosynthesis, synthetic derivatives, extraction and isolation, analytical aspects, pharmacological profile, patent status, clinical trials, stability and specifications as per regulatory bodies.

In vitro antioxidant activities of Carissa edulis ((Forssk) Vahl) and Pappea capensis (Eckyl. & Zeyh) extracts

Herbal medications are gaining popularity due to their long history of use in traditional medicine. They serve as a reservoir for a diverse array of phytocompounds linked to amelioration of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a disturbance in the balance between generation and elimination of reactive species in human body. Moreover, reactive species are implicated in the onset and progression of chronic disorders. The current therapeutic approaches despite showing efficacy are characterized by several limitations such as adverse effects and prohibitive costs. This drives the need to explore alternatives that can inhibit, ameliorate or reverse conditions caused by oxidative stress. Several studies have evaluated antioxidant effects of diverse plant extracts. C. edulis and P. capensis are used as traditional therapy among the African communities to manage oxidative stress-related ailments. However, there is limited research on the antioxidant effects of these medicinal plants. The current study, therefore, sought to evaluate the antioxidant and phytochemical profile, of C. edulis and P. capensis extracts. Samples were collected from Embu County, Kenya. In vitro antioxidant properties of the extracts were evaluated through ferric reduction, Iron chelating, hydroxyl radical, and DPPH radical scavenging activities. Activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductases of the extracts were further determined. Phytochemical profiles were determined using Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrophotometer (LC-MS) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrophotometer (GC-MS) analyses. The extracts displayed concentration dependent antioxidant activities. Phytochemical analyses revealed presence compounds which are associated with antioxidant activities including flavonoids, phenolics, tocopherols and terpenoids. The findings provide a scientific validation for the folklore use of C. edulis and P. capensis in management of oxidative stress. Nevertheless, there is a need for further purification and characterization of phytochemicals associated with antioxidant activities.

Characterization of Firmiana colorata (Roxb.) leaf extract and its silver nanoparticles reveal their antioxidative, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory properties

Nanotechnology is the integrative science in the field of physics, chemistry and biology. For the synthesis of silver nanoparticles, a simple approach was applied using Firmiana colorata (Roxb.) aqueous leaf extract. During the synthesis of this silver nanoparticle, the solution color changes from green to deep brown due to the reduction of silver. The phytocompounds present in the Firmiana colorata (Roxb.) leaf extract acts as a reducing as well as a capping agent. Identifying the presence of bioactive compounds responsible for the reduction of silver was extensively characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, FTIR, SEM, and EDX. Moreover, to know the efficacy of the silver nanoparticles (AgNps) antioxidant and antimicrobial studies were evaluated against the human pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, GC-MS analysis of the leaf extract of Firmiana colorata has been done followed by the in-silico molecular docking against the Anti-inflammatory and oxidative protein. Here within this study, a comparative evaluation was done among the Firmiana colorata (Roxb.) leaf extract and the synthesized silver nanoparticles. Results indicate that ethnomedicinally lesser known Firmiana colorata (Roxb.) and AgNps have the potency to act as anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antimicrobial agents.

Active Compounds with Medicinal Potential Found in Maxillariinae Benth. (Orchidaceae Juss.) Representatives-A Review

Orchids are widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of a whole range of different health conditions, and representatives of the Neotropical subtribe Maxillariinae are not an exception. They are utilized, for instance, for their spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory activities. In this work, we analyze the literature concerning the chemical composition of the plant extracts and secretions of this subtribe's representatives published between 1991 and 2022. Maxillariinae is one of the biggest taxa within the orchid family; however, to date, only 19 species have been investigated in this regard and, as we report, they produce 62 semiochemicals of medical potential. The presented review is the first summary of biologically active compounds found in Maxillariinae.

Elucidation of binding mechanism of stigmasterol with human serum albumin: a biophysical and molecular dynamics simulation approach

In the present study, we have analyzed the interaction of a phytochemical, stigmasterol (Stig), with human serum albumin (HSA) under physiological conditions using fluorescence quenching, circular dichroism and molecular modeling methods. Cytotoxic studies with Stig in mouse macrophages (RAW 246.7) and HeLa cell lines showed anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Further, the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA was quenched by Stig, which was considered a static quenching mechanism. The site-specific marker experiments revealed that Stig binds to the IIIA subdomain of HSA with a binding constant of K_Stig=1.8 ± 0.03 × 10⁵ M^-1 and free energy of -7.26 ± 0.031 Kcal/mol. The secondary structure of HSA was partially unfolded after binding of Stig, which indicates an alteration in the microenvironment of the protein binding site. Molecular docking experiments found that Stig binds strongly with HSA at the IIIA domain of the hydrophobic pocket with one hydrogen bond. The rigidity of the protein-Stig complex and free energies were analyzed by molecular dynamic simulation (MDS) for 100 ns, where the HSA-Stig was stabilized after 40 ns. MDS studies revealed that HSA does not significantly change the secondary structure when it binds with Stig, which is in agreement with the circular dichroism data. Overall, the results obtained gave qualitative and quantitative insight into the binding interaction between HSA and Stig, which is essential in understanding the latter as a therapeutic molecule.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Advances in Stigmasterol on its anti-tumor effect and mechanism of action

Stigmasterol is a phytosterol derived from multiple herbaceous plants such as herbs, soybean and tobacco, and it has received much attention for its various pharmacological effects including anti-inflammation, anti-diabetes, anti-oxidization, and lowering blood cholesterol. Multiple studies have revealed that stigmasterol holds promise as a potentially beneficial therapeutic agent for malignant tumors because of its significant anti-tumor bioactivity. It is reported that stigmasterol has anti-tumor effect in a variety of malignancies (e.g., breast, lung, liver and ovarian cancers) by promoting apoptosis, inhibiting proliferation, metastasis and invasion, and inducing autophagy in tumor cells. Mechanistic study shows that stigmasterol triggers apoptosis in tumor cells by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, while its anti-proliferative activity is mainly dependent on its modulatory effect on cyclin proteins and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK). There have been multiple mechanisms underlying the anti-tumor effect of stigmasterol, which make stigmasterol promising as a new anti-tumor agent and provide insights into research on its anti-tumor role. Presently, stigmasterol has been poorly understood, and there is a paucity of systemic review on the mechanism underlying its anti-tumor effect. The current study attempts to conduct a literature review on stigmasterol for its anti-tumor effect to provide reference for researchers and clinical workers.

Health Benefits and Pharmacological Properties of Stigmasterol

Stigmasterol is an unsaturated phytosterol belonging to the class of tetracyclic triterpenes. It is one of the most common plant sterols, found in a variety of natural sources, including vegetable fats or oils from many plants. Currently, stigmasterol has been examined via in vitro and in vivo assays and molecular docking for its various biological activities on different metabolic disorders. The findings indicate potent pharmacological effects such as anticancer, anti-osteoarthritis, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, antiparasitic, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. Indeed, stigmasterol from plants and algae is a promising molecule in the development of drugs for cancer therapy by triggering intracellular signaling pathways in numerous cancers. It acts on the Akt/mTOR and JAK/STAT pathways in ovarian and gastric cancers. In addition, stigmasterol markedly disrupted angiogenesis in human cholangiocarcinoma by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) signaling down-regulation. The association of stigmasterol and sorafenib promoted caspase-3 activity and down-regulated levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in breast cancer. Antioxidant activities ensuring lipid peroxidation and DNA damage lowering conferred to stigmasterol chemoprotective activities in skin cancer. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulation also contributes to the neuroprotective effects of stigmasterol, as well as dopamine depletion and acetylcholinesterase inhibition. The anti-inflammatory properties of phytosterols involve the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, the decrease in inflammatory mediator release, and the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Stigmasterol exerts anti-diabetic effects by reducing fasting glucose, serum insulin levels, and oral glucose tolerance. Other findings showed the antiparasitic activities of this molecule against certain strains of parasites such as Trypanosoma congolense (in vivo) and on promastigotes and amastigotes of the Leishmania major (in vitro). Some stigmasterol-rich plants were able to inhibit Candida albicans, virusei, and tropicalis at low doses. Accordingly, this review outlines key insights into the pharmacological abilities of stigmasterol and the specific mechanisms of action underlying some of these effects. Additionally, further investigation regarding pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology is recommended.

Phytochemical Profiling, In Vitro Biological Activities, and In-Silico Studies of Ficus vasta Forssk.: An Unexplored Plant

Ficus vasta Forssk. (Moraceae family) is an important medicinal plant that has not been previously investigated for its phytochemical and biological potential. Phytochemical screening, total bioactive content, and GCMS analysis were used to determine its phytoconstituents profile. Antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-viral, cytotoxicity, thrombolytic, and enzyme inhibition activities were examined for biological evaluation. The plant extract exhibited the maximum total phenolic (89.47 ± 3.21 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid contents (129.2 ± 4.14 mg QE/g), which may be related to the higher antioxidant potential of the extract. The extract showed strong α-amylase (IC₅₀ 5 ± 0.21 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase inhibition activity (IC₅₀ 5 ± 0.32 µg/mL). Significant results were observed in the case of antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-viral activities. The F. vasta extract inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The GCMS analysis of the extract provided the preliminary identification of 28 phytocompounds. In addition, the compounds identified by GCMS were subjected to in silico molecular docking analysis in order to identify any interactions between the compounds and enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase). After that, the best-docked compounds were subjected to ADMET studies which provide information on pharmacokinetics, drug-likeness, physicochemical properties, and toxicity. The present study highlighted that the ethanol extract of F. vasta has antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anti-viral, and anti-cancer potentials that can be further explored for novel drug development.

Systems Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Reveals the Mechanisms of Nux Vomica for the Prevention of Myasthenia Gravis

Background

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare autoimmune disease with clinical symptoms of fluctuating muscle weakness. Due to the side effects of current therapies, there is an urgent need for a new medication for MG treatment. Nux vomica is a traditional Chinese medicine used in various diseases. However, the mechanism of action of Nux vomica against MG remains unclear.

Methods

Network pharmacology was used to explore the underlying mechanisms of Nux vomica in MG treatment, which was validated using molecular docking and in vivo experiments in mice.

Results

Twelve bioactive compounds and 72 targets in Nux vomica were screened. Seventy-nine myasthenia-related targets were obtained from the GENECARD and DisGeNET databases. PPI networks of Nux vomica- and myasthenia-related targets were constructed using Bisogenet, and these two networks were subsequently merged into an intersection to establish a core-target PPI network that consisted of 204 nodes and 4,668 edges. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that 132 pathways were enriched in 204 core targets. In addition, we obtained 50 docking pairs via molecular docking. In vivo experiments revealed that Nux vomica can improve the symptoms of MG.

Conclusion

Nux vomica is involved in the pathogenesis of MG through the “multicomponent-target-pathway” mechanism.

Super-critical fluid extract of Bryonopsis laciniosa (Shivlingi) seeds restores fertility in zebrafish models through revival of cytological and anatomical features

Background

The Ayurvedic system of medicine mentions the use of seeds of Bryonopsis laciniosa (L.) Naud. (also known as Shivlingi due to their unique structure resembling a ‘Shivling’) for treating sexual dysfunction, impaired fertility, and as a general virility-booster in both males and females. To investigate the scientific basis for such claims, the current study was designed for the chemical characterization of the super critical fluid extracted Shivlingi seed oil (SLSO), and subsequent evaluation of its reproductive fecundity in the zebrafish model of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea induced infertility.

Results

Linoleic and linolenic acids were the major fatty acids in the SLSO, with trace amounts of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol. Both male and female zebrafish, when fed orally with the SLSO infused pallets, showed a dose-dependent increase in fertility and fecundity rates. Microscopic observations revealed recovery in the gross ovarian anatomy and consequential improvement in egg production in infertile female zebrafish. Similarly, cytological studies exhibited increased sperm counts and motility in male zebrafish. SLSO exhibited effects similar to the human equivalent dose of Letrozole.

Conclusion

Taken together, these observations demonstrated the fertility-boosting potentials of SLSO comparable to the widely used infertility drugs. As a whole, this research work has provided scientific evidence for the rationale behind the use of Shivlingi seeds in Ayurvedic treatment for infertility in humans. Finally, but importantly, this study warrants further scientific investigations into different aspects of SLSO on human reproductive health.

Structure and Properties of Organogels Prepared from Rapeseed Oil with Stigmasterol

This work used the natural ingredient stigmasterol as an oleogelator to explore the effect of concentration on the properties of organogels. Organogels based on rapeseed oil were investigated using various techniques (oil binding capacity, rheology, polarized light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) to better understand their physical and microscopic properties. Results showed that stigmasterol was an efficient and thermoreversible oleogelator, capable of structuring rapeseed oil at a stigmasterol concentration as low as 2% with a gelation temperature of 5 °C. The oil binding capacity values of organogels increased to 99.74% as the concentration of stigmasterol was increased to 6%. The rheological properties revealed that organogels prepared with stigmasterol were a pseudoplastic fluid with non-covalent physical crosslinking, and the G' of the organogels did not change with the frequency of scanning increased, showing the characteristics of strong gel. The microscopic properties and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that stigmasterol formed rod-like crystals through the self-assembly of intermolecular hydrogen bonds, fixing rapeseed oil in its three-dimensional structure to form organogels. Therefore, stigmasterol can be considered as a good organogelator. It is expected to be widely used in food, medicine, and other biological-related fields.

Phytochemical Characterization, Antioxidant Activity, and Cytotoxicity of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Chlorophytum Comosum (Green Type) (Thunb.) Jacq

Chlorophytum genus has been extensively studied due to its diverse biological activities. We evaluated the methanolic extract of leaves of Chlorophytum comosum (Green type) (Thunb.) Jacques, the species that is less studied compared to C. borivilianum. The aim was to identify phytoconstituents of the methanolic extract of leaves of C. comosum and biological properties of its different fractions. Water fraction was analyzed with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Nineteen compounds belonging to different chemical classes were identified in the methanolic extract of leaves of C. comosum (Green type) (Thunb.) Jacques. In addition to several fatty acids, isoprenoid and steroid compounds were found among the most abundant constituents. One of the identified compounds, 4'-methylphenyl-1C-sulfonyl-β-d-galactoside, was not detected earlier in Chlorophytum extracts. The water fraction was toxic to HeLa cells but not to Vero cells. Our data demonstrate that methanolic extract of leaves of C. comosum can be a valuable source of bioactive constituents. The water fraction of the extract exhibited promising antitumor potential based on a high ratio of HeLa vs. Vero cytotoxicity.

Study on the Mechanism of Liuwei Dihuang Pills in Treating Parkinson's Disease Based on Network Pharmacology

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease in middle-aged and elderly people. Liuwei Dihuang (LWDH) pills have a good effect on PD, but its mechanism remains unclear. Network pharmacology is the result of integrating basic theories and research methods of medicine, biology, computer science, bioinformatics, and other disciplines, which can systematically and comprehensively reflect the mechanism of drug intervention in disease networks.

Methods

The main components and targets of herbs in LWDH pills were obtained through Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Its active components were screened based on absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME); the PD-related targets were obtained from the Genecards, OMIM, TTD, and DRUGBANK databases. We used R to take the intersection of LWDH- and PD-related targets and Cytoscape software to construct the drug-component-target network. Moreover, STRING and Cytoscape software was used to analyze protein-protein interactions (PPI), construct a PPI network, and explore potential protein functional modules in the network. The Metascape platform was used to perform KEGG pathway and GO function enrichment analyses. Finally, molecular docking was performed to verify whether the compound and target have good binding activity.

Results

After screening and deduplication, 210 effective active ingredients, 204 drug targets, 4333 disease targets, and 162 drug-disease targets were obtained. We consequently constructed a drug-component-targets network and a PPI-drug-disease-targets network. The results showed that the hub components of LWDH pills were quercetin, stigmasterol, kaempferol, and beta-sitosterol; the hub targets were AKT1, VEGFA, and IL6. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that these targets are involved in neuronal death, G protein-coupled amine receptor activity, reactive oxygen species metabolic processes, membrane rafts, MAPK signaling pathways, cellular senescence, and other biological processes. Molecular docking showed that the hub components were in good agreement with the hub targets.

Conclusion

LWDH pills have implications for the treatment of PD since they contain several active components, target multiple ligands, and activate various pathways. The hub components possibly include quercetin, stigmasterol, kaempferol, and beta-sitosterol and act through pairing with hub targets, such as AKT1, VEGFA, and IL6, to regulate neuronal death, G protein-coupled amine receptor activity, reactive oxygen species metabolic process, membrane raft, MAPK signaling pathway, and cellular senescence for the treatment of PD.

Biological and pharmacological effects and nutritional impact of phytosterols: A comprehensive review

Phytosterols (PSs), classified into plant sterols and stanols, are bioactive compounds found in foods of plant origin. PSs have been proposed to exert a wide number of pharmacological properties, including the potential to reduce total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and thereby decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Other health-promoting effects of PSs include anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Also, anticancer effects have been strongly suggested, as phytosterol-rich diets may reduce the risk of cancer by 20%. The aim of this review is to provide a general overview of the available evidence regarding the beneficial physiological and pharmacological activities of PSs, with special emphasis on their therapeutic potential for human health and safety. Also, we will explore the factors that influence the physiologic response to PSs.

Anti-diabetic Potential of a Stigmasterol From the Seaweed Gelidium spinosum and Its Application in the Formulation of Nanoemulsion Conjugate for the Development of Functional Biscuits

The seaweed Gelidium spinosum was selected for the extraction of phytosterol by the Soxhlet method. The extracted phytosterol was chemically characterized as stigmasterol using Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory activity of stigmasterol has been confirmed by in vitro assays. The in vivo studies demonstrated an anti-diabetic effect in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycemic rats. Biochemical analysis showed administration of stigmasterol reduced the blood sugar, urea, and creatinine level. The stigmasterol was then nano-emulsified and incorporated into dough for biscuit formulation. The stigmasterol incorporated biscuit showed higher proximate values, low moisture content, lighter color and the textural property revealed lower hardness. Sensorial results showed acceptability when compared to the control. This study demonstrated the stigmasterol reduced hyperglycemic effects and therefore could be used as a supplement in diets for diabetic patients.

Beneficial effects of secretome derived from mesenchymal stem cells with stigmasterol to negate IL-1β-induced inflammation in-vitro using rat chondrocytes-OA management

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disease predominantly characterized by inflammation which drives cartilage destruction. Mesenchymal stem cells-condition medium (MSC-CM) or the secretome is enriched with bioactive factors and possesses anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects. The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of combining MSC-conditioned medium with stigmasterol compared with the individual treatments in alleviating interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)-induced inflammation in rat chondrocytes. Stigmasterol is a phytosterol exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects. IL-1β (10 ng/ml) was used to induce inflammation and mimic OA in-vitro in primary rat articular chondrocytes. The IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes were treated with MSC-CM, stigmasterol, and a combination of MSC-CM and stigmasterol for 24 h. Cell viability was measured using MTT assay. Protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), collagen II (COL2A1) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 were evaluated by immunofluorescence. Gene expression levels of MMP-3, MMP-13 and A Disintegrin-like and Metalloproteinases with Thrombospondin Motifs (ADAMTS)-5 were measured using qRT-PCR. NF-κB signaling pathway was studied using western blotting. A significant reduction in the expression of iNOS, IL-6, MMP-3, MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5, and a significant increase in COL2A1 expression was observed in the rat chondrocytes across all the treatment groups. However, the combination treatment of MSC-CM and stigmasterol remarkably reversed the IL-1β-induced pro-inflammatory/pro-catabolic responses to near normal levels comparable to the control group. The combination treatment (MSC-CM + stigmasterol) elicited a superior anti-inflammatory/anti-catabolic effect by inhibiting the IL-1β-induced NF-κB activation evidenced by the negligible phosphorylation of p65 and IκBα subunits, thereby emphasizing the benefit of the combination therapy over the individual treatments.

Inhibitory activity of Urena lobata leaf extract on alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase: in vitro and in silico approach

OBJECTIVES

In food ingestion, alpha-glucosidase (α-glucosidase) and alpha-amylase (α-amylase) are enzymes that are responsible to convert a carbohydrate into glucose. Inhibition of both enzyme activities can prolong absorption of glucose in intestine and reduce post-prandial increase of blood glucose concentration, thus, it is beneficial for type-2 diabetes treatment. Traditionally, Urena lobata (U. lobata) has been used to manage diabetes, but the scientific proof of this claim remains scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study to examine the anti-diabetic potential of U. lobata leaf extract through inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase.

METHODS

U. lobata leaf extract was obtained through extraction process using ethanol and the chemical compounds in the extract were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectra (LC-MS). The inhibitory activity of U. lobata on α-glucosidase and α-amylase was evaluated by in silico using docking server, whereas in vitro enzymatic assays were using para-nitrophenyl-α-d-glucopyranoside (α-NPG) and starch as substrates. The data were presented as mean ± SD and the IC₅₀ value was calculated using SPSS.

RESULTS

U. lobata leaf extract showed inhibitory activity on α-glucosidase and α-amylase with the IC₅₀ value was 43.73 and 83.73 μg/mL, respectively, meanwhile, acarbose as standard has IC₅₀ value at 1.14 and 0.08 μg/mL. Molecular docking study indicated β-sitosterol and stigmasterol from U. lobata extract have a huge inhibitory activity both on α-amylase and α-glucosidase based on inhibition constant (Ki) value.

CONCLUSIONS

Ethanolic extract of U. lobata showed inhibition activity on α-glucosidase stronger than on α-amylase as antidiabetic.

Potential role of important nutraceuticals in poultry performance and health - A comprehensive review

Antibiotics use in poultry as a growth promoter leads to the propagation of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms and incorporation of drug residues in foods; therefore, it has been restricted in different countries. There is a global trend to limit the use of antibiotics in the animal products. Prevention of the antibiotics use in the poultry diets led to the reduction in the growth performance. Consequently, there is a high demand for natural substances that lead to the same growth enhancement and beneficially affect poultry health. These constituents play essential roles in regulating the normal physiological functions of animals including the protection from infectious ailments. Nutraceuticals administration resulted beneficial in both infectious and noninfectious diseases. Being the natural components of diet, they are compatible with it and do not pose risks associated with antibiotics or other drugs. Nutraceuticals are categorized as commercial additives obtained from natural products as an alternative feed supplement for the improvement of animal welfare. This group includes enzymes, synbiotics, phytobiotics, organic acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the present review, the summary of various bioactive ingredients that act as nutraceuticals and their mode of action in growth promotion and elevation of the immune system has been presented.

Phytochemical Screening and Antidiabetic, Antihyperlipidemic, and Antioxidant Effects of Leptopus Cordifolius Decne. In Diabetic Mice

Plants are well known in traditional herbal medicines for their hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities and are often used due to their accessibility, affordability, and corollary effects. Leptopus cordifolius has been reported to control diabetes in folkloric medicine, but no known scientific research has been conducted to assess the plausibility of this assertion. Therefore, the current study is aimed to investigate the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects of Leptopus cordifolius leaves in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic evaluation was conducted in Swiss albino mice at doses of 150-250°mg/kg for 15°days. The blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, HDL, creatinine, ALP, SGPT, and SGOT levels were estimated according to standard procedures. Phytochemicals of leaves were analyzed using GC-MS analysis. Enzymatic antioxidant activity of the plant was investigated spectrophotometrically by carrying out superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase assays. The membrane stabilization potential of L. cordifolius leaf extracts was carried out using an in vitro haemolytic assay. The results revealed a dose response effect with the methanolic extract of L. cordifolius which had significant antihyperglycemic effects at 150-250°mg/kg in alloxan treated mice, although less than the positive control (glibenclamide). Hyperlipidemic activity was significant at 250 mg/kg. The biochemical parameters, such as total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, HDL, creatinine, ALP, SGPT, and SGOT, were significantly improved (p < 0.01) by the methanolic extract of 250 mg/kg compared to the diabetic group. Treatment for 15 days showed significant elevation (p < 0.01) of antioxidant enzymes. GC-MS analysis provided tentative identifications of 52 compounds in the methanolic extract of L. cordifolius, of which 12 compounds have reported antidiabetic activity. In conclusion, methanolic extract of L. cordifolius of 150 and 250°mg/kg body weight showed significant antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities in alloxan-induced diabetic mice and, with further work, has the potential to be used to manage blood glucose and cholesterol levels.

Network pharmacology unveils spleen-fortifying effect of Codonopsis Radix on different gastric diseases based on theory of “same treatment for different diseases” in traditional Chinese medicine

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Alotaibi A, Al-zharani M, Ziyyat A, Mekhfi H, Legssyer A, Aziz M, Bnouham M. Opuntia dillenii (Ker Gawl.) Haw., Seeds Oil Antidiabetic Potential Using In Vivo, In Vitro, In Situ, and Ex Vivo Approaches to Reveal Its Underlying Mechanism of Action

Opuntia dillenii Ker Gawl. is one of the medicinal plants used for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) in Morocco. This study aims to investigate the antihyperglycemic effect of Opuntia dillenii seed oil (ODSO), its mechanism of action, and any hypoglycemic risk and toxic effects. The antihyperglycemic effect was assessed using the OGTT test in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. The mechanisms of action were explored by studying the effect of ODSO on the intestinal absorption of d-glucose using the intestinal in situ single-pass perfusion technique. An Ussing chamber was used to explore the effects of ODSO on intestinal sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1). Additionally, ODSO’s effect on carbohydrate degrading enzymes, pancreatic α-amylase, and intestinal α-glucosidase was evaluated in vitro and in vivo using STZ-diabetic rats. The acute toxicity test on mice was performed, along with a single-dose hypoglycemic effect test. The results showed that ODSO significantly attenuated the postprandial hyperglycemia in normal and STZ-diabetic rats. Indeed, ODSO significantly decreased the intestinal d-glucose absorption in situ. The ex vivo test (Ussing chamber) showed that the ODSO significantly blocks the SGLT1 (IC₅₀ = 60.24 µg/mL). Moreover, ODSO indu\ced a significant inhibition of intestinal α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 278 ± 0.01 µg/mL) and pancreatic α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 0.81 ± 0.09 mg/mL) in vitro. A significant decrease of postprandial hyperglycemia was observed in sucrose/starch-loaded normal and STZ-diabetic ODSO-treated rats. On the other hand, ODSO had no risk of hypoglycemia on the basal glucose levels in normal rats. Therefore, no toxic effect was observed in ODSO-treated mice up to 7 mL/kg. The results of this study suggest that ODSO could be suitable as an antidiabetic functional food.

Phytochemical analysis and in vitro anthelmintic activity of Imperata cylindrica underground parts

Background

Imperata cylindrica is considered as an agricultural weed, but it is a valuable plant in the traditional medicines of Southeast Asia. In the Mizo traditional medicine of India and Myanmar, the rhizomes and roots are used as a remedy for bacterial, fungal and intestinal helminth infections.

Methods

An extract of the whole underground parts was prepared in Soxhlet apparatus using chloroform as a solvent. After concentrating in a vacuum rotary evaporator, the extract was analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Anthelmintic activity was tested in vitro against the tapeworm Raillietina tetragona and the roundworm Ascaridia galli. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the structural changes on the helminths after treatment with the plant extract.

Results

Twenty-two compounds were identified from the plant extract out of which fatty acids were the predominant compounds. Palmitic acid was the most abundant. Bioactive phytosterols such as campesterol and stigmasterol were also detected. The plant extract was significantly effective on both the helminths and showed dose-dependent anthelmintic activity as that of albendazole. The tapeworm treated with the plant extract showed deformities on the suckers, clumping of the spines, tegumental folds and erosion of microtriches. Extensive damage was also seen on the roundworm including cuticular shrinkage, collapse of the lips, and formation of warty surface throughout the body.

Conclusion

I. cylindrica extract effectively killed and caused detrimental effects on parasitic tapeworm and roundworm. The study therefore validates the traditional usage among the Mizo people, and guarantees further investigation on the exact compound(s) and mechanism of action.

Awareness and current knowledge of epilepsy

Epilepsy is a severe neural disorder that affects approximately fifty million individuals globally. Despite the fact that for most of the people with epilepsy, convulsions are better controlled by current accessible antiepileptic medicines, yet there are more than 30% of individuals affected with medically intractable epilepsy and around 30-40% of all patients with epilepsy affected by many adverse reactions and convulsion resistance to the present antiepileptic drugs. Consequently, various scientists attempt to develop new strategies to treat epilepsy, for instance, to find out novel antiepileptic ingredients from traditional medicines. This work aims to present a complete summary of natural medicines prescribed as antiepileptic agents all over the world by ethnic groups and different tribes. We undertook an extensive bibliographic analysis by searching peer reviewed papers and classical textbooks and further consulting well accepted worldwide scientific databases. We carried out PubMed, EMbase and CENTRAL searches by means of terms such as "antiepileptic" and "anti-convulsant" activity of plants. Medicinal plants have been prescribed to treat epilepsy and have been recognized as antiepileptic medicines. In this review, a variety of herbs have been reviewed for thorough studies such as Cuminum cyminum, Butea monosperma, Solanum americanum, Anacyclus pyrethrum, Leonotis leonurus, Elaeocarpus ganitrus and Angelica archangelica. This paper shows that it was high time experimental studies are increased to obtain novel potential active principles from medicinal plants. Plant extracts and their chemical constituents should be further evaluated to clarify their mechanisms of action. This paper provides a solid base upon which to further investigate the clinical efficacy of medicinal plants that are both currently prescribed by physicians as traditional antiepileptic agents, but also could be effective as an antiepileptic drug with further research and study.

Temperature-dependent mucosal permeation kinetics of stigmasterol microspheres: In vivo mice model antioral candidiasis study

Evaluation of mucosal permeation of stigmasterol from the glutaraldehyde cross linked chitosan microspheres at increasing experimental temperatures was performed. The activation energy of permeation, partition, and diffusion were estimated to understand the permeation kinetic with respect to the temperature. The formulation depicting least activation energy possessed the increased permeation thresholds of drug at the site of application. The encapsulation efficacy and mucoadhesive strength were found to be directly proportional to the polymer-emulsifier ratio. Decreased intensity in crystallography directed the molecular dispersion of microencapsulated drug. The depleted enthalpic phase transition in thermogram affirmed the stigmasterol encapsulation. The sphericity and the size of microspheres were determined by scanning electron photo micrograph. The in vivo quantification of oral Candida infection with different statistical approach and histopathological observation of infected tongue of mice on treatment with the stigmasterol encapsulated microspheres showed significant anti oral candidiasis activity by reduction of fungal colony count and recovery of papillae, reorganization of basal cell layer and newly formed papillae during 21-28 days of treatment.

Development and validation of RP-HPLC method for the determination of stigmasterol in the botanical extract of Ficus deltoidea

A simple, rapid, accurate and precise RP-HPLC method was developed for the determination of stigmasterol in botanical extract of Ficus deltoidea. Separation was achieved with acetonitrile and acetic acid in water (75:25% v/v) in isocratic mode at 210 nm. Single sharp peak of standard stigmasterol was detected at retention time 3.17 min which overlay with the peak of plant extract at 3.14 min. The calibration curve was found to be linear in a concentration range of 2-10 μg/ml with correlation coefficient of 0.998. The LOD and LOQ were found to be 1.50 μg/ml and 4.55 μg/ml respectively. Accuracy and precision was determined with overall recovery of 99.6-100.1% for stigmasterol and RSD values in both intra-day and inter-day repeatability assay lesser than 0.340%, respectively. The robustness study also indicated that there is no influence of minor changes in detecting wavelength and flow rate of mobile phase on the response.

The Relations between Minor Components and Antioxidant Capacity of Five Fruits and Vegetables Seed Oils in China

The seed of five fruits and vegetables, which are often eaten by Chinese people, were selected as research objects to study the physicochemical properties, nutritional ingredients and antioxidant capacity of their seed oils. The fatty acid results indicated that the oleic acid was the main unsaturated fatty acid in almond oil and celery seed oil (content of 64.10% and 62.96%, respectively), and the wax gourd seed oil, watermelon seed oil and pumpkin seed oil were linoleic acid as the main unsaturated fatty acid (content of 72.45%, 76.77% and 47.35%, respectively). Unsaturated fatty acids are mainly located at the sn-2 position of the triacylglycerol (TAG), whereas saturated fatty acids are mainly located at the sn-1, 3 positions for the five seed oils. The pumpkin seed oil had certain advantages in terms of phytosterols and squalene (3716 and 2732 mg/kg, respectively). The high content of polyphenol for celery seed oil exhibits higher medicinal value. Polyphenols, and brassicasterols were have significant correlation with antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05, r = 0.890-0.998). The significant differences in nutrient composition between these fruits and vegetables seed oils indicate their unique value as food.

Exploring African Medicinal Plants for Potential Anti-Diabetic Compounds with the DIA-DB Inverse Virtual Screening Web Server

Medicinal plants containing complex mixtures of several compounds with various potential beneficial biological effects are attractive treatment interventions for a complex multi-faceted disease like diabetes. In this study, compounds identified from African medicinal plants were evaluated for their potential anti-diabetic activity. A total of 867 compounds identified from over 300 medicinal plants were screened in silico with the DIA-DB web server (http://bio-hpc.eu/software/dia-db/) against 17 known anti-diabetic drug targets. Four hundred and thirty compounds were identified as potential inhibitors, with 184 plants being identified as the sources of these compounds. The plants Argemone ochroleuca, Clivia miniata, Crinum bulbispermum, Danais fragans, Dioscorea dregeana, Dodonaea angustifolia, Eucomis autumnalis, Gnidia kraussiana, Melianthus comosus, Mondia whitei, Pelargonium sidoides, Typha capensis, Vinca minor, Voacanga africana, and Xysmalobium undulatum were identified as new sources rich in compounds with a potential anti-diabetic activity. The major targets identified for the natural compounds were aldose reductase, hydroxysteroid 11-beta dehydrogenase 1, dipeptidyl peptidase 4, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta. More than 30% of the compounds had five or more potential targets. A hierarchical clustering analysis coupled with a maximum common substructure analysis revealed the importance of the flavonoid backbone for predicting potential activity against aldose reductase and hydroxysteroid 11-beta dehydrogenase 1. Filtering with physiochemical and the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) descriptors identified 28 compounds with favorable ADMET properties. The six compounds—crotofoline A, erythraline, henningsiine, nauclefidine, vinburnine, and voaphylline—were identified as novel potential multi-targeted anti-diabetic compounds, with favorable ADMET properties for further drug development.

Therapeutic Aspects of Squill; An Evidence-Based Review

From ancient times, medicinal plants have been usually utilized to treat many disorders, but today, interest in these herbs is again aroused, because of their fewer side effects and low-cost. In traditional medicine, for many diseases, various medicinal herbs have been suggested so far. Drimia maritime, also named squill, is an important medicinal plant for the treatment of many diseases, especially respiratory diseases. In the current evidence-based study, we conducted a review of the general characteristics, ingredients, administration form, and side effects of squill in traditional medicine. For this purpose, traditional Persian medicine literatures and electronic databases were examined including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Many compounds are isolated from D.maritima, including scillaren, scillirubroside, scillarenin, and bufadienolide glycosides. Oxymel is the most commonly used form of squill for various diseases, especially respiratory diseases. Besides, squill has been used in the treatment of cardiovascular, digestive, and dermatological disorders, it is also used against various cancer cells for its antioxidant and cytotoxic properties. Moreover, there is relatively reliable evidence of its benefits for bacterial and helminthic infections, rheumatism, edema, gout, abortion induction, healing of wounds and urine induction. It seems that supplementary studies are required to explore the bioactive agents and their effective mechanisms.

Frond transformation system mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens for Lemna minor

The Lemnaceae, known as duckweed, the smallest flowering aquatic plant, shows promise as a plant bioreactor. For applying this potential plant bioreactor, establishing a stable and efficient genetic transformation system is necessary. The currently favored callus-based method for duckweed transformation is time consuming and genotype limited, as it requires callus culture and regeneration, which is inapplicable to many elite duckweed strains suitable for bioreactor exploitation. In this study, we attempted to establish a simple frond transformation system mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens for Lemna minor, one of the most widespread duckweed species in the world. To evaluate the feasibility of the new transformation system, the gene CYP710A11 was overexpressed to improve the yield of stigmasterol, which has multiple medicinal purposes. Three L. minor strains, ZH0055, D0158 and M0165, were transformed by both a conventional callus transformation system (CTS) and the simple frond transformation system (FTS). GUS staining, PCR, quantitative PCR and stigmasterol content detection showed that FTS can produce stable transgenic lines as well as CTS. Moreover, compared to CTS, FTS can avoid the genotype constraints of callus induction, thus saving at least half of the required processing time (CTS took 8-9 months while FTS took approximately 3 months in this study). Therefore, this transformation system is feasible in producing stable transgenic lines for a wide range of L. minor genotypes.