Chemical constituents of Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis and their antioxidant activities

Immunosuppressive alkaloids from Narcissus tazetta subsp. Chinensis and the mechanism of (+)-narciclasine in vitro and in vivo

Three previously undescribed and sixteen known alkaloids were bioguidedly isolated from the bulbs of Narcissus tazetta subsp. chinensis (M.Roem.) Masamura & Yanagih. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data, including HRESIMS, NMR, and ECD. Eleven of the isolated alkaloids exhibited immunosuppressive activity on the proliferation of human T cells. (+)-Narciclasine (18) showed the most significantly suppressive activity with an IC50 value of 14 ± 5 nM. In vitro, (+)-narciclasine (18) blocked NF-κB signal transduction, but did not affect PI3K/AKT signal transduction. What was more, (+)-narciclasine significantly reduced ALT and AST levels and alleviated liver damage induced by ConA in AIH mouse model.

Amaryllidaceae, Lycopodiaceae Alkaloids and Coumarins—A Comparative Assessment of Safety and Pharmacological Activity

The study aimed to evaluate the safety and pharmacological activity Amaryllidaceae, Lycopodiaceae alkaloids and coumarins obtained from Narcissus triandrus L., Lycopodium clavatum L., Lycopodium annotinum L., Huperzia selago L. and Angelica dahurica (Hoffm.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Franch. & Sav. In the in vivo studies. The influence of the tested compounds on the central nervous system of rats was assessed in behavioral tests (locomotor activity, Y-maze, passive avoidance). In order to investigate the mechanisms of action, biochemical determinations were performed (AChE activity, BChE activity, IL-1β, IL-6 concentration). In order to assess safety, the concentrations of AST, ALT, GGT and urea and creatinine were determined. The results of the conducted studies indicate a high safety profile of the tested compounds. Behavioral tests showed that they significantly improved rodent memory in a passive avoidance test. The results of biochemical studies showed that by reducing the activity of AChE and BChE and lowering the concentration of IL-1β and IL-6, the coumarin-rich Angelica dahurica extract shows the most promising potential for future therapeutic AD strategies.

Potential antioxidant effects of Narcissus tazetta phenolic compounds against cadmium chloride-induced hepatotoxicity in Swiss albino mice

Narcissus tazetta (Amaryllidaceae) is a medicinal plant widely used for cut flowers and potted ornamental plant in Tunisia flora. The current study evaluated the phenolic composition and antioxidant properties of its flower extracts and investigated its potential protective activity against cadmium chloride (CdCl₂)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Mice were divided into six groups of six each: group 1, serving as negative controls, received by intraperitoneal way only distilled water; group 2 received by intraperitoneal way CdCl₂ (0.16 mg/kg bw); groups 3 and 4 received CdCl₂ at the same dose of group 2 and 100 or 200 mg/kg bw of Narcissus tazetta flower extracts via oral route; groups 5 and 6, serving as positive controls, received only Narcissus tazetta flower extracts. Polyphenolic compounds of the extract were analyzed by colorimetric and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) methods. Total antioxidant activity and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging potential of the extract were estimated using colorimetric method. Results indicated that ethanolic flower extract contained high levels of total phenolic and flavonoid along with a strong total antioxidant and DPPH free radical scavenging activities. HPLC-MS analysis identified eight phenolic compounds, including rutin, kaempferol glycosides, and chlorogenic acids. The extract also exhibited marked hepatoprotective effects against CdCl₂ toxicity by reducing hepatic levels of malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products, hydrogen peroxide, metallothioneins, and DNA degradation. Additionally, co-administration of Narcissus tazetta flower extracts lowered the plasma activities of transaminases, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, and lactate dehydrogenase and increased hepatic levels of reduced glutathione, nonprotein thiols, vitamin C, and catalase activity. The hepatoprotective effects of the extract were demonstrated by histopathological improvement of liver disorders. The current study provided ethnopharmacological application of Narcissus tazetta flower extracts against CdCl₂-induced oxidative stress_, suggesting its chemoprevention role of its phenolic compounds as a natural antioxidant.

Potentials of Antitussive Traditional Persian Functional Foods for COVID-19 Therapy†

Coronavirus disease 2019 is a worldwide pandemic resulting in a severe acute respiratory syndrome. Remdesivir is the only FDA-approved drug for hospitalized patients older than age 12. It shows the necessity of finding new therapeutic strategies. Functional foods (FFs) could have co-therapeutic and protective effects against COVID-19 infection. Traditional Persian medicine (TPM), one of the safest and most popular schools of medicine for hundreds of years, has recommended potential FF candidates to manage such a global pandemic. To reveal the potential of TPM in terms of antitussive FFs, traditional Persian pharmacopoeia "Qarabadin-e-Salehi" was searched using the keywords "Soaal" and "Sorfeh." Also, a search of MEDLINE, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, and Science Direct was performed for the relevant literature published from the inception up to March 2021. A combination of search terms including "cough, antitussive, antioxidant, anti-inflammation, antiviral, COVID-19, mucoactive, mucolytic, expectorant, and mucoregulatory" was also applied. The potential mechanism of action in SARS-CoV-2 infection was discussed. Twelve TPM FFs were found including Laooqs, Morabbas, a Saviq, a soup, and a syrup. They are combinations of two to seven ingredients. Natural compounds of mentioned formulations have the main pharmacological mechanisms including antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihistamine, bronchodilator, immunomodulatory, and mucoactive effects as well as central or peripheral antitussive activities. FFs are cost-effective, easily accessible, and safe options for both treatment and prevention of COVID-19. They might have positive psychological effects along with their pharmacological effects and nutritional virtues. They could also manage persistent respiratory discomforts after recovery from COVID-19.

Chemical constituents of Sophora flavescens Ait. and cytotoxic activities of two new compounds

A chemical investigation of Sophora flavescens Ait. identified 6 compounds. On the basis of spectroscopic data, they were determined to be flavonoids and their analogues, among which were two previously undescribed compounds, sophoflavanone G (1) and sophoflavanone H (2). The inhibitory effects of new compounds against five human tumour cell lines were evaluated in vitro by MTT assays, which revealed potential inhibitory effects with IC₅₀ values < 20 mM, in particular, compound 1 has shown significant cytotoxicity for several tumour cells with IC₅₀ values around 20 mM, which was similar to cisplatin and potential to be used as tumour drugs.