Evaluation of the phototoxic potential of plants used in oriental medicine

An Overview of Potential Natural Photosensitizers in Cancer Photodynamic Therapy

Cancer is one of the main causes of death worldwide. There are several different types of cancer recognized thus far, which can be treated by different approaches including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination thereof. However, these approaches have certain drawbacks and limitations. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is regarded as an alternative noninvasive approach for cancer treatment based on the generation of toxic oxygen (known as reactive oxygen species (ROS)) at the treatment site. PDT requires photoactivation by a photosensitizer (PS) at a specific wavelength (λ) of light in the vicinity of molecular oxygen (singlet oxygen). The cell death mechanisms adopted in PDT upon PS photoactivation are necrosis, apoptosis and stimulation of the immune system. Over the past few decades, the use of natural compounds as a photoactive agent for the selective eradication of neoplastic lesions has attracted researchers' attention. Many reviews have focused on the PS cell death mode of action and photonanomedicine approaches for PDT, while limited attention has been paid to the photoactivation of phytocompounds. Photoactivation is ever-present in nature and also found in natural plant compounds. The availability of various laser light setups can play a vital role in the discovery of photoactive phytocompounds that can be used as a natural PS. Exploring phytocompounds for their photoactive properties could reveal novel natural compounds that can be used as a PS in future pharmaceutical research. In this review, we highlight the current research regarding several photoactive phytocompound classes (furanocoumarins, alkaloids, poly-acetylenes and thiophenes, curcumins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, and natural extracts) and their photoactive potential to encourage researchers to focus on studies of natural agents and their use as a potent PS to enhance the efficiency of PDT.

Luteolin is an Effective Component of Platycodon grandiflorus in Promoting Wound Healing in Rats with Cutaneous Scald Injury

Background

Platycodon grandiflorus could significantly improve the pathological results of cutaneous scald injury, reduce the release of inflammatory factors and promote angiogenesis. This study investigated the wound healing effect of luteolin, an active component of P. grandiflorus, on induced cutaneous scald injury in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.

Methods

The protein expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were detected by ELISA. QRT-PCR was adopted to detect the expression of TGF-β1 and VEGF. Histopathological changes of scald wounds were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Cell viability and migration ability were detected by CCK-8 assay and scratch assay.

Results

Both in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that luteolin promoted wound healing of cutaneous scald injury. Gene Oncology (GO) functional analysis and rescue experiments showed that endothelial nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) was the critical target of luteolin in treating cutaneous scald.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that luteolin is an effective component of P. grandiflorus and is effective in the treatment of cutaneous scald injury.

Correlation between gastrointestinal symptoms and adherence to traditional Persian medicine dietary recommendations in patients with vitiligo; a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Vitiligo is a chronic disease associated with the depigmentation of regions of the skin secondary to structural or functional damage to melanocytes. This damage results from interactions between the immune system and oxidative stress. In traditional Persian medicine (TPM), the concept of 'Barass' or 'Pissi' encompasses a group of skin diseases including vitiligo, for which there has been an emphasis on the preventive and therapeutic role of dietary modifications.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 200 vitiligo patients and 200 controls were enrolled with a random sampling method. The participants included patients with vitiligo referred to the Dermatology Clinic of Shahid Faghihi Hospital (Shiraz, Iran), with the control group being comprised individuals who referred to this clinic for cosmetic purposes. Questionnaires comparing the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms and the rate of adherence to TPM dietary recommendations were filled by all participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.0.

RESULTS

The case group was significantly less adherent to TPM recommendations than the control group (8.25 ± 27.16 vs. 31.8 ± 10.47; p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference between both groups in the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) scores (14.09 ± 14.84 vs. 12.62 ± 11.71; p = 0.105). In the case group, the level of adherence to the recommendations of TPM was significantly lower among patients with lower education levels (R=-0.194; p=0.017). Furthermore, there was a significant negative relationship between the length of the disease and adherence to TPM dietary recommendations (R=-0.247; p=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the level of adherence to TPM recommendations was significantly lower among patients with vitiligo than the control group. Hence, further studies are suggested to identify the probable role of dietary habits in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.

The Enigma of Bioactivity and Toxicity of Botanical Oils for Skin Care

Botanical oils have a long history of traditional use and are routinely applied to skin care. The focus of this review is to contrast the functionality of skin oils versus the differential biological and toxicological effects of major plant oils, and to correlate them to their compositional changes. In total, over 70 vegetable oils were clustered according to their lipid composition to promote awareness of health practitioners and botanical product manufacturers for the safety and efficacy of oil-based interventions based on their fatty acid profiles. Since multiple skin disorders result in depletion or disturbance of skin lipids, a tailored mixture of multiple botanical oils to simultaneously maintain natural skin-barrier function, promote repair and regeneration of wounded tissues, and achieve corrective modulation of immune disorders may be required. As bioactive constituents of botanical oils enter the human body by oral or topical application and often accumulate in measurable blood concentrations, there is also a critical need for monitoring their hazardous effects to reduce the possible over-added toxicity and promote maximal normal tissue sparing. The review also provides a useful tool to improve efficacy and functionality of fatty acid profiles in cosmetic applications.

Water extract of Cnidii Rhizoma suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in RAW 264.7 cell by inhibiting NFATc1/c-Fos signaling and prevents ovariectomized bone loss in SD-rat

Background

Cnidii Rhizoma is the dried root stem of Cnidium officinale Makino. Cnidii Rhizoma (CR) has been used to treat menstrual irregularity, menstrual pain, and menopause in Korea. However, the effects and mechanisms of CR on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis pathway remain to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of CR on the inhibition of bone resorption of osteoclast and its mechanism RANK signaling pathway.

Methods

The anti-osteoclastogenesis of water extract of CR was measured using RAW 264.7 cell. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) assay, pit assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot were performed. Moreover, the effects of CR were determined with an in vivo model using ovariectomized (OVX) rats.

Results

CR extract suppressed osteoclastogenesis, its activity and bone resorption activity through decreasing gene of osteoclast-related such as nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, etc. Moreover, CR extract prevented the bone loss in OVX rats.

Conclusion

These results show that CR has a positive effect on menopausal osteoporosis by suppressing osteoclastogenesis.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-019-2611-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Phototoxicity of traditional chinese medicine (TCM)

Phototoxicity can cause toxic responses such as edemas and lesions, and is one of the severe adverse effects that largely limit the use of these phototoxic drugs. Some traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and their constituents have been reported to be phototoxic. However, to date, their phototoxicity information is still very limited, and lacks systemic investigation. This article presents the phototoxicity potential of various types of TCMs and their active components in an effort to provide valuable information for drug research and discovery to mitigate phototoxicity concerns. Some potential mechanisms of action (MoAs) of phototoxicity are discussed. In addition, in vivo and in vitro phototoxicity assays are summarized this review.

Safety Assessment of Panax spp Root-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (Panel) reviewed the safety of 13 Panax spp root-derived ingredients as used in cosmetics. Panax "spp" indicates that multiple species within the genus are used in cosmetics, but not all species within that genus. Four species are being considered in this safety assessment. These ingredients function mostly as skin-conditioning agents-miscellaneous, fragrance ingredients, skin-conditioning agents-humectant, skin-conditioning agents-emollient, and cosmetic astringents. The Panel reviewed available data related to these ingredients and addressed the issue of pulegone, a constituent of these ingredients and other ingredients, such as peppermint oil. The Panel concluded that these Panax spp root-derived ingredients are safe in the practices of use and concentration as given in this safety assessment.

Review of cases of patient risk associated with ginseng abuse and misuse

Ginseng has long been used as a functional food or therapeutic supplement and it is empirically known to be safe and nontoxic. During recent decades, a number of in vitro and in vivo experiments, as well as human studies have been conducted to prove the safety of various types of ginseng samples and their components. Clinical trials, case reports, and in vitro and in vivo research articles addressing the safety, toxicity, and other adverse events of ginseng application were selected and reviewed. Patient risks associated with ginseng abuse and misuse such as affective disorder, allergy, cardiovascular and renal toxicity, genital organ bleeding, gynecomastia, hepatotoxicity, hypertension, reproductive toxicity, and anticoagulant-ginseng interaction were reviewed and summarized. There are some cases of patient risk associated with ginseng abuse and misuse depending on patients' conditions although further investigation in more cases is required to clarify these issues.

Effects of Xanthium stramarium and Psoralea corylifolia Extracts Combined with UVA1 Irradiation on the Cell Proliferation and TGF-β1 Expression of Keloid Fibroblasts

Background

Xanthium stramarium (XAS) and Psoralea corylifolia (PSC), phototoxic oriental medicinal plants, has been used in traditional medicines in Asian countries.

Objective

The effects of highly purified XAS or PSC extract combined with ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) irradiation on cell proliferation and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) expression of the keloid fibroblast were being investigated to define potential therapeutic uses for keloid treatments.

Methods

The keloid fibroblasts were treated with XAS or PSC alone or in the combination with UVA1 irradiation. The cell viability, apoptosis, and expression of TGF-β1 and collagen I were investigated.

Results

XAS and PSC in combination with UVA1 irradiation suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis of keloid fibroblasts. Furthermore, the XAS and PSC in combination with UVA1 irradiation inhibited TGF-β1 expression and collagen synthesis in keloid fibroblasts.

Conclusion

These findings may open up the possibility of clinically used XAS or PSC in combination with UVA1 irradiation for keloid treatments.

Ethanol extract of Cnidium officinale exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in BV2 microglial cells by suppressing NF-κB nuclear translocation and the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Chronic microglial activation endangers neuronal survival through the release of various toxic pro-inflammatory molecules; thus, negative regulators of microglial activation have been identified as potential therapeutic candidates for several neurological diseases. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of an ethanol extract of Cnidium officinale rhizomes (EECO), which has been used as a herbal drug in Oriental medicine, on the production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), as well as that of pro-inflammatory cytokines in BV2 microglia cells. EECO significantly inhibited the excess production of NO and PGE₂ in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia cells. It also attenuated the expression of inducible NO synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, as well as that of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α. Moreover, EECO exhibited anti-inflammatory properties by suppressing nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) translocation and the activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. These results indicate that EECO exerts anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells by inhibiting pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokine production by blocking the NF-κB pathway. These findings suggest that EECO has substantial therapeutic potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases accompanied by microglial activation.

Antioxidant activities of ginseng seeds treated by autoclaving

Ginseng seeds were treated with different autoclaving temperatures and autoclaving times, and extracted with 80% methanol to measure changes in antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of ginseng seeds treated by autoclaving was measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, 2,2’-aziono-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid radical scavenging activity, superoxide dismutase SOD-like activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and total phenolic compound content. As autoclaving temperature and time were increased, the L lightness value decreased and the redness value tended to increase. Total phenolic compound content was about three times higher in ginseng seeds treated with autoclaving at 130℃ than in ginseng seeds that were not treated. DPPH radical scavenging activity and ABTS radical scavenging activity increased as autoclaving temperature and time were increased. In particular, when the concentration was 100 ppm, the ABTS radical scavenging activity was 91.80% in ginseng seeds treated by autoclaving at 130℃, which was the highest antioxidant activity. FRAP and SOD-like antioxidant activity tended to increase significantly as autoclaving temperature and time were increased.

Phototoxicity of herbal plants and herbal products

Plants are used by humans in daily life in many different ways, including as food, herbal medicines, and cosmetics. Unfortunately, many natural plants and their chemical constituents are photocytotoxic and photogenotoxic, and these phototoxic phytochemicals are widely present in many different plant families. To date, information concerning the phototoxicity and photogenotoxicity of many plants and their chemical constituents is limited. In this review, we discuss phototoxic plants and their major phototoxic constituents; routes of human exposure; phototoxicity of these plants and their constituents; general mechanisms of phototoxicity of plants and phototoxic components; and several representative phototoxic plants and their photoactive chemical constituents.

Inhibition of melanogenesis by Xanthium strumarium L

Xanthium strumarium L. (Asteraceae) is traditionally used in Korea to treat skin diseases. In this study, we investigated the effects of a X. strumarium stem extract on melanin synthesis. It inhibited melanin synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner, but it did not directly inhibit tyrosinase, the rate-limiting melanogenic enzyme, and instead downregulated microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase expression. MITF, the master regulator of pigmentation, is a target of the Wnt signaling pathway, which includes glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and β-catenin. Hence, the influence of X. strumarium stem extract on GSK3β and β-catenin was further investigated. X. strumarium induced GSK3β phosphorylation (inactivation), but the level of β-catenin did not change. Moreover, a specific GSK3β inhibitor restored X. strumarium-induced melanin reduction. Hence, we suggest that X. strumarium inhibits melanin synthesis through downregulation of tyrosinase via GSK3β phosphorylation.

Analysis of ethnoveterinary treatments for cattle (Bos indicus) diseases referred in Sanrimgyeongje including twelve volumes of literature from the 7th to the 18th century

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims at a comprehensive analysis of ethnoveterinary treatment in the cattle-raising section of Sanrimgyeongje which covers 12 different volumes of literature including 4 Korean and 8 Chinese literatures from the 7th to the 18th century, with a special attention to the treatments for cattle diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The above mentioned literature was analyzed through several steps: translation of the Chinese text into Korean, identification of diseases, verification of medicinal materials and confirmation of scientific names.

RESULTS

As recorded in the thirteen references, this study shows that there are 143 medicinal materials which have been used as therapies for cattle diseases. Of these, 55 plant species belonging to 52 genera in 29 families had 100 modes of usages, while one species of fungus was used in one way. Likewise, 11 species of animals belonging to 11 genera in 10 families were utilized in 18 different methods. Lastly, 9 kinds of inorganic matters were used in 11 ways with another 4 kinds being useful in 14 different ways. Consequently, each of rinderpests, murrains, and hooves has been treated, respectively with 14, 10 and 3 types of medicinal decoctions made from 35, 18 and 15 kinds of medicinal materials.

CONCLUSION

This diversified usage of various medicinal materials is incomparable to the modern ethnoveterinary investigation which tends to focus strictly in plants. If additional studies were to be conducted on these treatments and all the medicinal materials used within them, various new treatments and medicines can be developed to supplement the pharmacopoeia of contemporary veterinary medicine.