Hypotensive effect and toxicology of the extract from Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr

Vasorelaxant effects of biochemical constituents of various medicinal plants and their benefits in diabetes

Endothelial function plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular health, and dysfunction in this context diminishes vasorelaxation concomitant with endothelial activity. The nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway, prostacyclin-cyclic adenosine monophosphate pathway, inhibition of phosphodiesterase, and the opening of potassium channels, coupled with the reduction of calcium levels in the cell, constitute critical mechanisms governing vasorelaxation. Cardiovascular disease stands as a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality among individuals with diabetes, with adults afflicted by diabetes exhibiting a heightened cardiovascular risk compared to their non-diabetic counterparts. A plethora of medicinal plants, characterized by potent pharmacological effects and minimal side effects, holds promise in addressing these concerns. In this review, we delineate various medicinal plants and their respective biochemical constituents, showcasing concurrent vasorelaxant and anti-diabetic activities.

The Cholesterol-Modulating Effect of the New Herbal Medicinal Recipe from Yellow Vine (Coscinium fenestratum (Goetgh.)), Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe.), and Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) on Suppressing PCSK9 Expression to Upregulate LDLR Expression in HepG2 Cells

PCSK9 is a promising target for developing novel cholesterol-lowering drugs. We developed a recipe that combined molecular docking, GC-MS/MS, and real-time PCR to identify potential PCSK9 inhibitors for herb ratio determination. Three herbs, Carthamus tinctorius, Coscinium fenestratum, and Zingiber officinale, were used in this study. This work aimed to evaluate cholesterol-lowering through a PCSK9 inhibitory mechanism of these three herbs for defining a suitable ratio. Chemical constituents were identified using GC-MS/MS. The PCSK9 inhibitory potential of the compounds was determined using molecular docking, real-time PCR, and Oil red O staining. It has been shown that most of the active compounds of C. fenestratum and Z. officinale inhibit PCSK9 when extracted with water, and C. fenestratum has been shown to yield tetraacetyl-d-xylonic nitrile (27.92%) and inositol, 1-deoxy-(24.89%). These compounds could inhibit PCSK9 through the binding of 6 and 5 hydrogen bonds, respectively, while the active compound in Z. officinale is 2-Formyl-9-[.beta.-d-ribofuranosyl] hypoxanthine (4.37%) inhibits PCSK9 by forming 8 hydrogen bonds. These results suggest that a recipe comprising three parts C. fenestratum, two parts Z. officinale, and one part C. tinctorius is a suitable herbal ratio for reducing lipid levels in the bloodstream through a PCSK9 inhibitory mechanism.

The whole-genome sequence analysis of Enterobacter cloacae strain Ghats1: insights into endophytic lifestyle-associated genomic adaptations

Enterobacter cloacae is normally considered to be an opportunistic human pathogen. Here, we report on the whole-genome sequence of an endophytic E. cloacae, strain "Ghats1", isolated from leaves of the medicinal plant Coscinium fenestratum Gaertn. Functional analysis of the Ghats1 genome revealed an enrichment for genes involved in the uptake and exchange of nutrients, for chemotaxis and for plant colonization. Unexpectedly though, there were no ORFs belonging to the "virulence factors and antibiotic resistance". Moreover, the presence of hydrolytic enzymes and motility functions reveals the characteristics of an endophyte lifestyle of a bacterium that can colonize and adapt to plant environment. These results provide a better understanding of an endophytic lifestyle through plant-microbe interaction, which can be further exploited as a biocontrol agent.

Acute and Subchronic Toxicity Studies of Aqueous Extract of Desmodium adscendens (Sw) DC

Extracts of Desmodium adscendens (Sw) DC are used for the treatment of various diseases but limited toxicological evaluations have been done on the medicinal plant. This study investigates toxicity effects of the leave extract of D adscendens, and the possibility of drug-drug interaction of the plant extract when co-administered with other drugs. Oral administrations of leaf extract of D adscendens to white Wistar rats in an acute toxicity studies allowed the estimation of an LD₅₀ (median lethal dose) value of 1122 mg/kg body weight. In a subchronic toxicity studies, the plant extract caused a decrease in zoxazolamine paralysis time and prevented thiopentone from causing sleep in test animals compared to controls. Overall, the results are consistent with the plant extract being safe at the doses administered in humans. However, the induction of the CYP enzymes is an indication of a possible drug interaction when the plant extract is co-administered with other drugs.

Cytotoxic Effect of Coscinium fenestratum on Human Head and Neck Cancer Cell Line (HN31)

Coscinium fenestratum is widely used as a medicinal plant in many Asian countries. This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effect of a crude water extract of C. fenestratum (CF extract) compared to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on human HN31 cell line, a metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx. The results revealed that cell morphology visualized under inverted light microscopy was changed from flat with a polygonal appearance to round appearance after CF extract application. The cell viability assay (MTT test) showed that the concentration producing 50% growth inhibition (IC₅₀) at 48-hour incubation of CF extract on HN31 was 0.12 mg/mL, while the IC₅₀ of 5-FU was 6.6 mg/mL, indicating that CF extract has a higher potency. However, combining various concentrations of 5-FU and CF extract at IC₅₀ did not show synergistic effect. The CF extract dose dependently increased cell apoptosis determined by Annexin-V and propidium iodide staining. It decreased the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and pAkt, while it increased the tumor suppressor protein p53. In conclusion, the cytotoxicity of CF extract was associated with the modulation of p38 MAPK, pAkt, and p53 signal molecules, leading to inhibiting cell survival and increasing apoptosis. No synergistic effects of CF extract and 5-FU were observed.

In vitro anti-proliferative activity of alcoholic stem extract of Coscinium fenestratum in human colorectal cancer cells

Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr. is traditionally used for the treatment of cancer, arthritis and diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to determine the molecular mechanisms by which this plant shows beneficial effects. An 80% ethanolic extract of C. fenestratum (80ET) was separated by its polarity into dichloromethane (DCM) and aqueous fractions (WF), and the anti-proliferative effects of 80ET, DCM and WF were investigated. Berberine, one of the major components of C. fenestratum, was used as a control. The 80ET, DCM, WF and berberine showed anti-proliferative activity as assessed by cell growth assay. Subsequently, the pro-apoptotic proteins NAG-1 and ATF3 were increased and the cell cycle protein cyclin D1 was decreased by the extract and its fractions. Interestingly, only the DCM fraction exhibited the induction of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) binding activity, which represents a pro-apoptotic activity in colorectal cancer cells. The overall results of this study indicate that the extract from this plant has anti-proliferative activity through the activation of pro-apoptotic proteins and PPARγ, and may have potential as a preventive regimen in the treatment of cancer.