Myorelaxant action of the Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants essential oil and its major constituent α-terpinene in isolated rat trachea

Citral relaxes umbilical vessels of normotensive and preeclamptic parturients

INTRODUCTION

Citral is a low-toxicity monoterpene that has a vasodilator effect on various smooth muscles, and The present study aimed to evaluate its vasorelaxant effect on umbilical vessels of normotensive parturients (NTP) and with preeclampsia parturients (PEP).

METHOD

Segments of human umbilical artery (HUA) and vein (HUV) of NTP or PEP were mounted in a bath to record the force of contraction, under tension of 3.0 gf and contracted with the contracting agents: K+ (60 mM), 5 -HT (10 μM) and Ba2+ (1-30 mM). Next, the effect of citral (1-3000 μM) on these contractions and on basal tone was evaluated.

RESULTS

In HUA and HUV, citral (1-1000 μM), in NTP condition, inhibited contractions evoked by K+ (IC50 of 413.5 and 271.3, respectively) and by 5-HT (IC50 of 164.8 and 574.3). In the PEP condition, in HUA and HUV, citral also inhibited the contractions evoked by K+ (IC50 of 363.3 and 218.3, respectively) and 5-HT (IC50 of 432.1 and 520.4). At a concentration of 1000 μM, citral completely or almost completely (>90 %) inhibited all contractions. At a concentration of 100-1000 μM, citral, in general, was already able to reduce the contraction induced by 1-3 mM Ba2+ in both AUH and VUH, under NTP and PEP conditions.

DISCUSSION

Citral has been shown to be an effective HUA and HUV vasodilator in NTP and PEP. As its toxicity is low, it suggests that this substance can be considered a potential therapeutic agent.

Generation of PVP Membranes Using Extracts/Phenolic Fraction of Dysphania ambrosioides, Opuntia ficus-indica, and Tradescantia pallida

In the present work, electrospun membranes of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibers were manufactured using extracts and phenolic fractions of Dysphania ambrosioides (epazote), Opuntia ficus-indica (nopal), and Tradescantia pallida (chicken grass). The characterization of the membranes was carried out by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The membranes synthesized through the use of the extracts generally showed a slight decrease in the diameter of the fibers but an increase in the size of the pores due to the presence of nanoparticles (rosaries) on the surface of the fibers, while the membranes synthesized using the phenolic fraction demonstrated an inversely proportional relationship between the compounds of this family with the diameter of the fibers and the size of the pore, allowing to elucidate part of the polymerization mechanisms of PVP nanofibers, in addition to proposing a reaction mechanism in the interaction between PVP and phenolic compounds for surface functionalization. Likewise, we demonstrate that the generation of reaction seeds through functionalization allows the addition of other compounds to the fibers in the membranes synthesized using the complete extract.

The preeclampsia condition alters external potassium-evoked contraction of human umbilical vessels

INTRODUCTION

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a disease of high incidence in parturients, that adversely affects both mother and fetus. Although PE prevalence is high, there are few studies on literature describing its etiology or its mechanism of action. Thus, the aim of this study was to elucidate PE-induced alterations of contractile reactivity in umbilical vessels.

METHOD

Segments of human umbilical artery (HUA) and human umbilical vein (HUV) from neonates of normotensive or PE parturients were obtained and contractile responses measured with a myograph. The segments were allowed to stabilize (2 h) under 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 g force (gf) at pre-stimulation and, then, were stimulated with high isotonic K⁺ concentrations ([K⁺]_o; 10-120 mM).

RESULTS

All preparations responded to increases in isotonic K⁺ concentrations. In HUA and HUV of neonates of normotensive parturients, and in HUV of neonates of PE parturients, the contraction saturated at nearly 50 mM [K⁺]_o, while in HUA of neonates of PE parturients, saturation occurred at 30 mM [K⁺]_o. Additionally, several differences between contractile responses of HUA and HUV from neonates of normotensive parturients and those from neonates of parturients with PE were observed. PE alters the contractile response of the HUA and HUV to increased [K⁺]_o, and its contractile modulation by the pre-stimulus basal tension. Moreover, in HUA of PE, reactivity is decreased for 2.0 and 3.0 gf basal tensions and increased for 1.0 gf; in the HUV of PE condition, it is increased for all basal tensions.

DISCUSSION

In conclusion, PE promotes several alterations in HUA and HUV contractile reactivity, vessels in which important circulatory alterations are known to occur.

Essential oils from Dysphania genus: Traditional uses, chemical composition, toxicology, and health benefits

The genus Dysphania belongs to the Amaranthaceae family and is known for its many health benefits. Therefore, it is commonly available worldwide and includes more than 47 species, five species have been mainly reported, and D. ambrosioides has been one of the most widely used plants for thousands of years as a remedy for a wide range of ailments. In recent investigations, the essential oils of the genus Dysphania have been examined for their antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiviral properties related to specific components such as terpenoid compounds that exhibit pharmacological activity. Moreover, some of Dysphania's compounds show a toxicological effect. Therefore, the objective of the study was to provide EO chemical composition and pharmacological data of the genus Dysphania.

Rosa damascena Miller essential oil relaxes rat trachea via KV channels, KATP channels, and BKCa channels

AIM/OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Rosa damascena Miller essential oil on rat tracheal smooth muscle contractility and the hypothesis that voltage-gated potassium (K_V) channels, ATP-sensitive potassium (K_ATP) channels, and large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK_Ca) channels may have roles in these effects.

METHODS

Isometric contraction-relaxation responses of tracheal rings were measured with an isolated tissue bath model. The steady contraction was induced with both 10^-5 M ACh and 60 mM KCl, and then the concentration-dependent responses of rose oil (0.1-100 µg/mL) were examined. The time-matched control (double distilled water) group was also formed. To evaluate the role of K_V, K_ATP, and BK_Ca channels, tracheal rings were incubated with 4-AP (K_V channel blocker), glibenclamide (K_ATP channel blocker), TEA (BK_Ca channel blocker), and iberiotoxin (selective BK_Ca channel blocker). Also, a vehicle control group was formed for dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

RESULTS

Rose oil exerted the relaxant effects in tracheal rings pre-contracted with both ACh and KCl at concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 µg/mL (p < 0.05). Besides, K_V channel blocker 4-AP, K_ATP channel blocker glibenclamide, and BK_Ca channel blockers TEA and iberiotoxin incubations significantly inhibited the rose oil-induced relaxation responses (p < 0.05). However, incubation of tissues with DMSO, glibenclamide solvent, for 10 min did not cause a significant change in the relaxation responses to rose oil (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the first physiological findings were obtained regarding the functional relaxant effects of rose essential oil in rat trachea. The findings showed that rose oil induces bronchorelaxation in a concentration-dependent manner. Besides, this study is the first to report that rose oil-mediated bronchodilation responses are associated with the activity of K_V, K_ATP, and BK_Ca channels. These results suggest that rose oil might be a useful agent in the treatment of abnormal bronchoconstriction-related diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chemical Composition and In Vitro Anti-Wood-Decay Fungal Activities of Dysphania ambrosioides Leaf Essential Oil From Taiwan

We evaluated the leaf essential oil in whole or fractions of Dysphania ambrosioides with respect to their resistance to wood decay fungal activities in vitro of 4 fungi. The main ingredients with the greater anti-wood decay capability were also identified. Fresh leaves of D. ambrosioides were hydrodistillated in a Clevenger-type apparatus and the resulting oil characterized using GC-FID and GC-MS instruments. The essential oil was found to consist of α-terpinene (30.5%), p-cymene (17.3%), carvacrol (16.2%), and ascaridole (15.1%). The oil showed resistance to wood decay activity of Trametes versicolor, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Phaeolus schweinitzii, and Lenzites sulphureu. The oil had excellent resistance to wood decay fungal activities, and the active compounds were shown to be carvacrol and ascaridole.

Phytochemical Analysis, Antispasmodic, Myorelaxant, and Antioxidant Effect of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin and Clemants Flower Hydroethanolic Extracts and Its Chloroform and Ethyl Acetate Fractions

Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin and Clemants is an annual or ephemeral perennial herb used traditionally in the Mediterranean region in folk medicine to treat various illnesses, including those related to the digestive system. This study aims to assess the antispasmodic, myorelaxant, and antioxidant effects of D. ambrosioides flower hydroethanolic extract and its chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions in a comparative study to evaluate the result of the extraction type on the potential activity of the extract. Both rat and rabbit jejunum were used to evaluate the antispasmodic and myorelaxant effect, while the antioxidant effect was evaluated using DPPH, a ferric reducing power assay, and a beta-carotene bleaching test. LC/MS-MS analysis was carried out to reveal the composition of the different types of extract. Following the results, the hydroethanolic extract showed a significant myorelaxant effect (IC₅₀ = 0.39 ± 0.01 mg/mL). Moreover, it was shown that the hydroethanolic extract demonstrated the best antispasmodic activity (IC₅₀ = 0.51 ± 0.05 mg/mL), followed by the ethyl acetate (IC₅₀ = 4.05 ± 0.32 mg/mL) and chloroform (IC₅₀ = 4.34 ± 0.45 mg/mL) fractions. The antioxidant tests showed that the hydroethanolic extract demonstrated high antioxidant activity, followed by the ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions. The LC/MS-MS analysis indicates that the plant extract was rich in flavonoids, to which the extract activity has been attributed. This study supports the traditional use of this plant to treat digestive problems, especially those with spasms.

Usage of Natural Volatile Organic Compounds as Biological Modulators of Disease

Plants produce a wide variety of natural volatile organic compounds (NVOCs), many of which are unique to each species. These compounds serve many purposes, such as fending off herbivores and adapting to changes in temperature and water supply. Interestingly, although NVOCs are synthesized to deter herbivores, many of these compounds have been found to possess several therapeutic qualities, such as promoting nerve stability, enhancing sleep, and suppressing hyperresponsiveness, in addition to acting as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Therefore, many NVOCs are promising drug candidates for disease treatment and prevention. Given their volatile nature, these compounds can be administered to patients through inhalation, which is often more comfortable and convenient than other administration routes. However, the development of NVOC-based drug candidates requires a careful evaluation of the molecular mechanisms that drive their therapeutic properties to avoid potential adverse effects. Furthermore, even compounds that appear generally safe might have toxic effects depending on their dose, and therefore their toxicological assessment is also critical. In order to enhance the usage of NVOCs this short review focuses not only on the biological activities and therapeutic mode of action of representative NVOCs but also their toxic effects.

Ethnomedical uses, chemical constituents, and evidence-based pharmacological properties of Chenopodium ambrosioides L.: extensive overview

Background

The Chenopodium genus is a plant family widely spread worldwide that includes various plant species reputed to possess several medicinal virtues in folk medicines. Chenopodium ambrosioides L. is among the most used plants in traditional medicines worldwide. This review aimed to highlight ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical status, and pharmacological properties of C. ambrosioides L.

Main body of the abstract

The analysis of relevant data highlights various ethnomedicinal uses against human and veterinary diseases in forty countries. Most indications consisted of gastrointestinal tract dysfunctioning troubles and worms parasitemia. Around 330 chemical compounds have been identified in different plant parts, especially in its essential oil fractions (59.84%). However, only a few compounds—mainly monoterpenes and glycosides—have been isolated and characterized. Experimental pharmacological studies validated a large scale of significant health benefits. It appeared that many monoterpenes are antioxidant, insecticidal, trypanocidal, analgesic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, acaricidal, amoebicidal, anthelmintic, anticancer, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antifertility, antifungal, anti-leishmanial, antimalarial, antipyretic, antisickling, antischistosomal, antiulcer, anxiolytic, immunomodulatory, molluscicidal, and vasorelaxant agents.

Short conclusion

Thus, the Chenopodium ambrosioides species necessitates further chemical studies to isolate and characterize new bioactive secondary metabolites and pharmacological investigations to precise the mechanisms of action before clinical trials.

Myorelaxant Effect of the Dysphania ambrosioides Essential Oil on Sus scrofa domesticus Coronary Artery and Its Toxicity in the Drosophila melanogaster Model

PURPOSE

Alternative methods for the use of animals in research have gained increasing importance, due to assessments evaluating the real need for their use and the development of legislation that regulates the subject. The principle of the 3R's (replacement, reduction and refinement) has been an important reference, such that in vitro, ex vivo and cord replacement methods have achieved a prominent place in research.

METHODS

Therefore, due to successful results from studies developed with these methods, the present study aimed to evaluate the myorelaxant effect of the Dysphania ambrosioides essential oil (EODa) using a Sus scrofa domesticus coronary artery model, and the toxicity of both the Dysphania ambrosioides essential oil and its major constituent, α-terpinene, against Drosophila melanogaster in toxicity and negative geotaxis assays.

RESULTS

The EODa relaxed the smooth muscle of swine coronary arteries precontracted with K⁺ and 5-HT in assays using Sus scrofa domesticus coronary arteries. The toxicity results presented LC₅₀ values of 1.546 mg/mL and 2.282 mg/mL for the EODa and α-terpinene, respectively, thus showing the EODa and α-terpinene presented toxicity to these dipterans, with the EODa being more toxic.

CONCLUSIONS

Moreover, the results reveal the possibility of using the EODa in vascular disease studies since it promoted the relaxation of the Sus scrofa domesticus coronary smooth muscle.