Protective effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Ruta graveolens Linn. leaves on indomethacin and pylorus ligation-induced gastric ulcer in rats

Ruta graveolens: Boost Melanogenic Effects and Protection against Oxidative Damage in Melanocytes

Vitiligo, an acquired depigmentation disorder, is characterized by the loss of functional melanocytes and epidermal melanin. In recent years, research has focused on promoting melanin biosynthesis and protecting melanocytes to reduce stress-related damage for the purpose of applying it to vitiligo treatment. Ruta graveolens L. has been utilized as a medicinal herb in diverse traditional medicine systems to address conditions like vitiligo. In this investigation, we isolated and purified 16 unique alkaloid compounds from the chloroform extracts of R. graveolens, encompassing a new quinoline alkaloid and several recognized compounds. Bioactivity analysis showed that compound 13, an alkaloid derived from R. graveolens, promotes melanin production while protecting PIG3V melanocytes against 4-tert-butylphenol (4-TBP)-induced oxidative damage by downregulating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines through interleukin-6 (IL-6) regulation. Additionally, the compound suppressed the expression of Bip, IRE1, p-IRE1, and XBP-1 proteins, suggesting a potential antioxidant function. These findings suggest that compound 13 isolated from R. graveolens can augment melanogenesis in melanocytes, reduce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and ameliorate vitiligo exacerbation. The melanogenic activity observed in the chloroform fraction emphasizes R. graveolens's potential as a novel therapeutic target for vitiligo treatment, warranting further exploration in future studies.

A Candidate for Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Treatment: Common Rue (Ruta graveolens L.), an Important Medicinal Plant in Traditional Medicine

BACKGROUND

Ruta graveolens L. belongs to Rutaceae; it is a semi-wood perennial or a small evergreen sub-shrub, which is native to Southern Europe, West Asia and Northern Africa.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this manuscript was to outline the most notable traditional and modern advantages and pharmaceutical benefits of common rue.

METHODS

The manuscript covers review articles, randomized control experiments, analytical studies and observations, which have been gathered from different sources, such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct and PubMed. A review of the literature was carried out using the keywords rutin, Ruta graveolens L., rue, common rune, coumarin, natural products and pharmaceutical benefits.

RESULTS

Rue contains quinoline alkaloids, such as graveoline and graveolinine, acridone alkaloids, such as furacridone and gravacridone, furanoquinoline dictamnine, coumarins, such as gravelliferone, isorutarin, rutacultin, rutaretin, and suberenone, and the furanocoumarins 5-methoxypsoralen (bergapten) and 8-methoxypsoralen (xanthotoxine). Most of its aromatic and medicinal properties are due to the presence of rutin and its essential oil. It has been used in folk medicine as a stimulant, for its antiinflammatory and analgesic properties, anti-androgenic activity, anti-hyperglycemic effects, antihyperlipidemic effects, xanthine oxidase inhibition activity, and anticancer properties.

CONCLUSION

According to pharmacological and phytochemical advantages, pennyroyal shows its importance as a medicinal plant in both modern medicinal science and traditional medicine.

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Effects of Pollen Extracts on Human Multidrug-Resistant Pathogenic Bacteria

The present work was designed to search the possible antibacterial effect of the ethanolic extract of pollens from six botanical origins, Punica granatum, Quercus ilex, Centaurium erythraea, Coriandrum sativum, Ruta graveolens, and Citrus aurantium, against multidrug pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. The content of phenolic compounds, flavones, and flavonols was measured. The antioxidant activities were evaluated using four assays: total antioxidant capacity, DPPH, ABTS, and reducing power. Antibacterial activity was studied using the agar disk diffusion method, and the MIC and MBC were determined. Results obtained showed a positive correlation between the antioxidant content of pollen extracts and the antibacterial capacity, Punica granatum and Quercus ilex pollen extracts were the most efficient against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and Centaurium erythraea, Coriandrum sativum, and Ruta graveolens had a moderate effect, while Citrus aurantium had no antibacterial effect. It is concluded that pollens can be a good source of bioactive molecules that exhibit potent antioxidant effects and strong antibacterial activities.

Misuse, consequences and phototoxic skin-related effects of Rutaceae: a comprehensive literature review

Ruta is a common plant growing in Italy and in the Mediterranean area. It has been used in popular tradition with different aims, ranging from therapeutic to esoteric purposes. However, the plant is still used as a common remedy in some of present-day rural and urban communities and it can be found in gardens all over Europe. Ruta's photosensitizing effect has been described in the literature and seems to be mediated by furanocoumarins. We collected data from the 18 case-reports for a total of 32 patients that we included in our analysis, assessing demographic variables, clinical findings, diagnosis, time of onset of lesions, time of resolution and therapy. The main aim of this work was to outline the clinical presentation, therapeutic management and demography of phytophototoxic reactions from contact with Ruta in order to suggest the correct diagnostic approach and disease recognition, as well as its possible prevention.

Effects of combined treatment with Indomethacin and Juglone on AOM/DSS induced colon carcinogenesis in Balb/c mice: Roles of inflammation and apoptosis

AIM

Indomethacin [IND] is reported to treat colon cancer. However, continuous exposure to IND causes gastric ulceration, an adverse side effect in humans. This study implies the therapeutic effect of IND and juglone [JUG] against colon carcinogenesis, without gastric ulceration - an adverse side effect of IND.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adult male Balb/C mice were divided into six groups randomly: control, AOM/DSS-induced, IND-treated, JUG-treated, IND + JUG-treated and drug-control. Levels of serum markers, haematoxylin & eosin staining to observe tissue architecture, toluidine blue staining to detect mast cells expression, Masson's trichrome and sirius-red staining were used to detect the collagen deposition. RT-PCR and western blot analysis were carried out to detect inflammation and apoptosis.

KEY FINDINGS

IND + JUG effectively decreased the levels of serum markers: CEA, AFP, LDH, AST and ALT. Although, IND restored colonic architecture by regulating the accumulation of mast cell and collagen content, it causes gastric ulceration. To address this adverse effect of IND, JUG was given along with IND and was shown to alleviate IND-induced gastric ulceration. AOM/DSS induced animals showed increased expression of inflammatory molecules - TNFα, NFκB and Cox-2, apoptosis regulator - Bcl-2 and decreased expression of pro-apoptotic molecules - Bad, Bax and caspase3; whereas, IND and JUG treated groups showed decreased inflammatory expression with increased expression of pro-apoptotic molecules.

SIGNIFICANCE

IND and JUG reduce the inflammatory activity and induce apoptotic cell death, while JUG effectively prevents IND induced gastric ulceration. These findings establish that a combination of IND + JUG may serve as a promising treatment regimen for colon cancer.

Protective role of hydroalcoholic extract of Cajanus cajan Linn leaves against memory impairment in sleep deprived experimental rats

Background

The plant Cajanus cajan had earlier shown protective effect against hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in rats.

Objective

Hence, hydroalcoholic extract of C. cajan Linn leaves (HECC) was evaluated for its protective role against memory impairment in sleep-deprived Sprague Dawley rats.

Materials and methods

Adult rats were divided into five groups each consisting of 5 rats (n = 5). Groups I, II, III, IV and V received 1 mL/kg 1% CMC, 1 mL/kg 1% CMC, 200 mg/kg HECC, 400 mg/kg HECC and 200 mg/kg piracetam respectively as per b.wt. orally everyday for 14 days. Animals of every groups except group-I were subjected to sleep-deprivation from 15th to 19th day for induction of memory impairment. Behavioral activities i.e., elevated plus maze test and locomotor activity were evaluated. Afterwards, brain was isolated from the sacrificed animals for biochemical investigation of acetylcholinesterase (AChE); antioxidant activities i.e., catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxide; and histopathological changes.

Results

The percent number of entries, number of entries in open arm, AChE activity, lipid peroxide activity of HECC-treated group-III and group-IV were significantly (p < 0.01) decreased while, their CAT and SOD activities were significantly (p < 0.01) increased in dose-dependent manner as compared to sleep-deprived group-II. The activities of group-IV were almost significantly equivalent to that of piracetam-treated group-V. Protective effect of HECC was well supported with brain's histopathology.

Conclusion

HECC possesses a protective effect against memory impairment indicating its therapeutic efficacy against memory loss as in Alzheimer's disease. Probable underlying mechanisms may be brain's AChE inhibition and increased antioxidant potential by HECC.

Gastroprotective effects of oleuropein and thymol on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in Sprague-Dawley rats

Ethnopharmacological studies demonstrated that thymol (Thym) and oleuropein (Ole) have therapeutic potential for gastric ulcers. The molecular mechanism underlying the gastroprotective effects of these compounds have not been elucidated yet especially for their individual and combination use at high dose. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore their gastroprotective mechanisms on indomethacin (Indo)-induced gastric ulcer model. Ole (50,100, 250, and 500 mg/kg) and Thym (50,100, 200, and 500 mg/kg) were orally administered to the rats 10 min before the induction of ulcer with Indo. The combination of 500 mg/kg doses of Ole and Thym were applied. The gastric mucosa was evaluated histopathologically. Moreover, TAC/TOS, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and caspase-3 levels were assessed by ELISA and the caspase-3 and TNF-α expressions were quantified by qRT-PCR. Indo-induced histopathological changes while Ole and Thym pretreatment prevented these effects. Unlike the 500 mg/kg dose of Ole treatment, the 500 mg/kg dose of Thym administration enhanced these damages. The decreased TAC, PGE₂ levels and increased TOS, eNOS, TNF-α, caspase-3 levels were obtained in Indo group. However, these changes were reversed by Ole and Thym groups except the 500 mg/kg dose of Thym and the combination treatment groups. Similar trends were observed in the caspase-3 and TNF-α expression levels. These results demonstrated that enhanced inflammation, oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, and apoptotic activities were occurred in Indo, 500 mg/kg dose of Thym and the combination treatment groups while not in the other groups. The findings demonstrated the gastroprotective ability of Ole and low doses of Thym in gastric ulcer models.