Anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and 11,13-dihydrozaluzanin C from Gochnatia polymorpha ssp. floccosa trunk bark in mice

Moquiniastrum polymorphum subsp. polymorphum extract inhibits the proliferation of an activated hepatic stellate cell line (GRX) by regulating the p27 pathway to generate cell cycle arrest

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The chosen plant and its extracts have been an alternative in the treatment of several inflammatory and oxidant diseases, and is therefore a viable option for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to use Moquiniastrum polymorphum subsp. polymorphum, mainly the ethanolic extract and fractions, in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Extracts were prepared from dried leaves in 100% ethanol (ET) and fractionated with an increased polarity solvent (dichloromethane to methanol). The quantification of compounds in the extracts was characterized by GCMS. The decrease in cell proliferation and the cytotoxicity of the extracts were evaluated together with the mechanisms of apoptosis and autophagy. The expression of genes associated with decreased fibrosis and cell cycle control was assessed and the production of lipid droplets was quantified by Oil Red O staining.

RESULTS

The experiments showed that treatment with ET and fraction 1 (F1) inhibited the expression of CDKIs (CCDN1, CDK2, CDK4 and CDK6) through an increase in p27, related to an increase in autophagic vesicles. The extract and F1 were able to decrease proliferation and revert the activated state of GRX cells to their quiescent state.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that extracts obtained from Moquiniastrum polymorphum subsp. polymorphum have a potential therapeutic effect against liver fibrosis.

Coumaric acid from M. polymorphum extracts reverses the activated state of hepatic stellate cells (GRX) and inhibits their proliferation by decreasing the p53/p21 pathway

Coumaric acid is a phenolic compound found in medicinal plants. Its use has been reported in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, prevention of alterations induced by oxidative stress, as well as acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. Thus, this study evaluated coumaric acid as a potential treatment for liver fibrosis. Cell proliferation was assessed by the trypan blue exclusion technique and the cytotoxicity of coumaric acid was performed using an LDH assay. Mechanisms of cell apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry. The expression of genes associated with apoptosis, cell cycle control, and fibrosis was assessed by qPCR. The production of lipid droplets was quantified by oil red staining. The experiments performed showed that the treatment with coumaric acid was able to reduce cell proliferation without causing cell cytotoxicity or apoptosis. Coumaric acid was able to inhibit the expression of cyclin D1 and CDK's (CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6), increasing p53 and p21, which could lead to cell cycle arrest. Treatment with coumaric acid was also able to revert the activated phenotype of GRX cells to their quiescent state. Thus, our results suggest that coumaric acid has a potential therapeutic effect against liver fibrosis.

OSMAC Strategy Integrated with Molecular Networking for Accessing Griseofulvin Derivatives from Endophytic Fungi of Moquiniastrum polymorphum (Asteraceae)

Three endophytic fungi isolated from Moquiniastrum polymorphum (Less.) G. Sancho (Asteraceae) were cultivated using the one strain many compounds (OSMAC) strategy to evaluate the production of griseofulvin derivatives. Extracts obtained were analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS and the chromatographic and spectrometric data used to elaborate a feature-based molecular network (FBMN) through the GNPS platform. This approach allowed the observation of differences such as medium-specific and strain-specific production of griseofulvin derivatives and variations of cytotoxic activity in most extracts. To evaluate the efficiency of the OSMAC approach allied with FBMN analysis in the prospection of compounds of biotechnological interest, griseofulvin and 7-dechlorogriseofulvin were isolated, and the relative concentrations were estimated in all culture media using HPLC-UV, allowing for the inference of the best strain-medium combinations to maximize its production. Malt extract-peptone broth and Wickerham broth media produced the highest concentrations of both secondary metabolites.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Compositae Family and Its Therapeutic Potential

Compositae is the largest family of flowering plants, with more than 1600 genera and 22 000 species. It has many economic uses in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutics. The literature reports its numerous medicinal benefits and recognized anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, this study evaluated the technological trends of anti-inflammatory activity of Compositae, based on the survey of scientific databases, articles, and patents, as well as the website of the Brazilian National Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA), which is responsible for registering and controlling of healthcare and cosmetic products in the Brazil. The survey was conducted between 2008 and 2018, in the databases Science Direct, Lilacs, PubMed, and Web of Science (main collection), as well as the SciELO Citation Index. The patent survey was carried out on the basis of the Derwent Innovations Index, an important source for worldwide patent consultation, which covers 20 y of registered patents. Despite the numerous studies involving species of the Compositae family in different models of anti-inflammatory activity, there are few records of patents or products on the market from these species for that purpose. Some species have a traditional use and are present even in the Phytotherapic Summary of the Brazilian Pharmacopeia. This review confirms the therapeutic potential of Compositae for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs and reinforces the need to develop competencies and reduce technological bottlenecks to promote research and innovation in biodiversity products.

Antioxidant, anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory investigation of extract and dicentrinone from Duguetia furfuracea (A. St.-Hil.) Benth. & Hook. f

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The preparations of teas and syrups using Duguetia furfuracea have been used in folk medicine to treat rheumatism and back pain. Several rheumatic diseases are anti-inflammatory and are treated with several anti-inflammatories.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective of this work were to evaluate the chemical investigation of methanolic extract obtained from leaves of D. furfuracea (MEDF) and test the MEDF, such as chloroform (CF), ethyl acetate (EAF) and hydromethanol (HMF) fractions and the alkaloid dicentrinone (DF-1) in vitro antioxidant effects and in vivo models of inflammation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

MEDF and CF were analyzed by LC-PDA and the results revealed the presence of alkaloid aporphine and oxoaporphine. The concentrations of total phenols, flavonoids and flavonols were determined. Additionally, MEDF, fractions and dicentrinone were evaluated free radical scavenging activity 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and peroxidation β-carotene/linoleic acid and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays. The anti-inflammatory effects of MEDF, fractions and dicentrinone were studied in carrageenan-induced paw edema. The anti-rheumatic potential was studied in air pouch model and zymosan-induced arthritis.

RESULTS

CF fractionation resulted in the isolation of the oxaporphine alkaloid dicentrinone (DF-1). The highest phenols (624.37mg GAE/g extract), flavonoids (580.51mg QE/g extract) and flavonols (254.44mg QE/g extract), concentration was found in extract. In antioxidant tests, MEDF exhibited the highest scavenging activity and lipoperoxidation. The extract (30-300mg/kg) and all tested fractions inhibited the edema induced by carrageenan. The oral administration of DF-1 inhibited both edema associated with carrageenan-induced inflammation in mice. In air pouch model of inflammation, MEDF (30-300mg/kg) and DF-1 (100mg/kg) inhibited leukocyte migration and plasmatic leakage induced by carrageenan in mice. Finally, MEDF (100mg/kg) did not alter zymozan-induced arthritis in mice.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that D. furfuracea exhibits antioxidant, anti-rheumatic potential and anti-inflammatory activity. The presence of the alkaloid dicentrinone in extract and CF fraction could be responsible, at least in part, for the observed effects.

Actions of sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Moquiniastrum polymorphum subsp. floccosum in MCF7 cell line and their potentiating action on doxorubicin

Background

In order to obtain better clinical results in anticancer therapies, polychemotherapy or combination therapies are used. For this, the combinations are required to increase the efficacy and reduce the adverse reactions of the associated chemotherapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic, apoptotic and (anti)proliferative potential of two sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Moquiniastrum polymorphum, 11,13-diidrozaluzanin C (1) and gochnatiolide C (2), and their associations with chemotherapeutic agents irinotecan, tamoxifen, cisplatin, 5-fluouracyl and doxorubicin in the tumoral lineage of MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma.

Methods

The analyses were performed by MTT cytotoxicity assays, drug combination index (CI), apoptosis morphological assay and cell proliferation assay. Treatments were evaluated with short exposure times (4 h), followed or not by recovery in drug-free medium for 24 h. For the cell viability assay the statistical analysis was performed using software INSTAT, and the ANOVA/Tukey test was applied. Combination Indices (CI) was made using CompuSyn software and demonstrated through isoboles. The assays that evaluated cell death and proliferation used statistical analysis SAS 9.4 (Statistical Analysis System), and the procedure adopted was PROC NPAR1WAY. The Wilcoxon test at 5% level was applied for comparing statistical differences.

Results

The results demonstrated that the compounds decrease cell viability and increase their action when associated with irinotecan, tamoxifen and doxorubicin (CI < 1 and CI = 1). In periods of 4 h-exposure, the compounds cause cell death by apoptosis and after 24 h, they increase the mean number of cells in programmed cell death, especially when treated with 2. In addition, the association with doxorubicin increases the apoptotic potential induced by tested compounds. Both isolates had effect on the reduction of the number of mitoses, especially when 2 at its highest concentration is associated with doxorubicin.

Conclusions

Finally, these compounds are presented as potential agents in chemotherapy combined with doxorubicin, since they trigger the mechanism of apoptosis, which, through the mechanism of action of sesquiterpene lactones, leads to a reduction in toxicity. In addition, the tested compounds have the ability to exert a synergistic action with doxorubicin, possibly by down-regulating the drug resistance mechanisms.

Effects of dichloromethane and butanol fractions of Gochnatia polymorpha floccosa in maternal reproductive outcome, embryo-fetal development and DNA integrity in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gochnatia polymorpha ssp. floccosa (Asteraceae) also known as ''Cambará'' is used as medicinal plant in Brazil to treat infections and inflammation. Previous studies showed that its ethanolic extract could be bioprospecting of a new anti-inflammatory phytotherapy for use during pregnancy. This work aimed to evaluate dichloromethane (DCM) and butanolic (BT) fractions from G. polymorpha on embryo-fetal development and DNA integrity in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Female mice were treated with 50 and 20mg/kg of the DCM and BT fractions, respectively, during organogenesis and gestational period.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The present study shows that DCM and BT fractions from G. polymorpha possess mutagenic activity but are not teratogenic. Based on the fact that the reproductive indices are similar in control and treated animals, we may infer that the mutagenic effect was in somatic cell, at least in part, because the reabsorption number and reabsorption rates did not change in DCM and BT exposed groups.

Flavonoid-enriched fraction from Echinodorus macrophyllus aqueous extract exhibits high in-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory activity

Objectives

Echinodorus macrophyllus (Kunth) Micheli (Alismataceae) is popularly used as an infusion to treat inflammatory diseases. This work fractionated the aqueous extract of E. macrophyllus (AEEm) to improve its anti-inflammatory effects.

Methods

Aqueous extract of E. macrophyllus was fractionated by Sephadex LH-20 and analysed by HPLC-DAD. Anti-inflammatory action was evaluated, in vivo, by air pouch model (total leucocyte, protein and leukotriene B4 (LTB4)), and, in vitro, by neutrophil migration (transwell assay) and its Mac1 expression (flow cytometry), and RAW 264.7 nitric oxide (NO) production (Griess reaction).

Key findings

Fr20 reduced total leucocyte at 2.5 mg/kg (29.7%) while ethanolic extract of E. macrophyllus (EAEm) increased it (94.0%). Fr20 showed higher (P &lt; 0.05) inhibition (89.8%) of LTB4 in exudate than EAEm (75.0%). Fr20 and EAEm decreased exudate protein and inflammatory infiltrate in pouch tissues, in-vitro neutrophil migration, and NO production. Otherwise, Fr40 did not reduce leucocytes and exudate protein (until 50 mg/kg) nor tissue inflammation, and increased in-vitro NO production. The inhibition of neutrophil migration by EAEm, but not Fr20, was dependent on reduced Mac-1 expression.

Conclusions

The fractionation of AEEm provided a more potent anti-inflammatory fraction containing flavonoids (Fr20) that reduces the migration of neutrophils and LTB4 release, probably contributing to its mechanism of action.

The anti-inflammatory effect of a glycosylation product derived from the high hydrostatic pressure enzymatic hydrolysate of a flatfish byproduct

In this study, flatfish byproducts were hydrolyzed by Protamex at high hydrostatic pressure and glycosylated with ribose to utilize the protein of flatfish byproducts as a nutraceutical.

A New Sesquiterpene Lactone and Other Constituents of Moquiniastrum polymorphum subsp. floccosum (Asteraceae)

A new guaianolide, 1 S, 3 S, 5 R, 6 S, 7 S, 11 R-1-hydroxy-11α,13-dihydrozaluzanin C (1), was isolated from Moquiniastrum polymorphum subsp. floccosum trunk bark, together with fifteen known compounds, which were identified as 11α,13-dihydroglucozaluzanin C (2), 8α-hydroxy-11α,13-dihydrozaluzanin C (3), zaluzanin C (4), gochnatiolide B (5), ethyl caffeate (6), methyl chlorogenate (7), ethyl chlorogenate (8), methyl 3,5-dicaffeoyl quinate (9), ethyl 3,5-dicaffeoyl quinate (10), methyl 4,5-dicaffeoyl quinate (11), ethyl 4,5-dicaffeoyl quinate (12), ethyl 3,4-dicaffeoyl quinate (13), 3,5-dicaffeoyl quinic acid (14), 4,5-dicaffeoyl quinic acid (15), and 3,4-dicaffeoyl quinic acid (16). With the exception of 5, all known compounds are being reported for the first time in M. polymorphum.

Gochnatia polymorpha ssp. floccosa: bioprospecting of an anti-inflammatory phytotherapy for use during pregnancy

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gochnatia polymorpha ssp. floccosa is used in folk medicine to treat inflammation and infections. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly consumed medications during pregnancy in women with inflammatory diseases. However, the relationship between the use of NSAIDs and the risk of miscarriage and birth defects and/or benefits is not fully understood. Thus, an investigation regarding the use of Gochnatia polymorpha during gestation is of relevance for developing safe anti-inflammatory drugs for use during pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The pregnant females were randomly divided into 5 groups. Control group received a hydroalcoholic solution (1.2%), via gavage, for at least 15 days prior to mating and throughout the gestational period. The pre-treatment group received Gochnatia polymorpha ethanol extract (GPEE), via gavage, at a dose of 100mg/kg body weight (b.w.) for at least 15 days prior to mating and up to the appearance of the vaginal plug. The organogenesis group received GPEE at a dose of 100mg/kg (b.w.), via gavage, on the 5-15th gestacional day. The pregnancy group received GPEE at a dose of 100mg/kg (b.w.), via gavage, throughout the gestational period (from the 1st to the 18th day of pregnancy). The pre+pregnancy group received GPEE at a dose of 100mg/kg (b.w.), via gavage, for at least 15 days prior to mating and throughout the entire gestational period. The clinical signals of maternal toxicity and teratogenesis were evaluated. Additional assays to evaluate chronic inflammation, antigenotoxicity and immunomodolatory activity were performed.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that GPEE does not interfere with reproductive performance or embryo-fetal development but does correlate with reduced weight and fetal length. The extract was not teratogenic or mutagenic or an immunomodulator. However, GPEE did exhibit effective anti-inflammatory activity. Based on this study, it can be inferred that GPEE is an important, safe anti-inflammatory agent for use during pregnancy according to the experimental design we utilized, which opens up possibilities for the bioprospecting of a new anti-inflammatory phytotherapy for use during pregnancy.

Composition and evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of the essential oil from Annona sylvatica A. St.-Hil

The essential oil from the leaves of Annona sylvatica (EOAS) was extracted by hydrodistillation, and the analysis was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main compounds identified in the EOAS were sesquiterpenes, such as hinesol, z-caryophyllene, β-maaliene, γ-gurjunene, silphiperfol-5-en-3-ol, ledol, cubecol-1-epi, and muurola-3,5-diene. Oral administration of the EOAS (20 and 200 mg/kg) and subcutaneous injection of dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg, reference drug) significantly inhibited carrageenan- and complete Freund's adjuvant-induced mouse paw edema. The anticancer activity the EOAS showed growth inhibitory activity on all cell lines when administered in a high concentration. The EOAS inhibited the growth of human cancer cell lines with GI(50) values in the range of 36.04-45.37 μg/mL on all of the cell lines tested. This work describes for the first time the anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of the essential oil of A. sylvatica and its composition. Considering that drugs currently available for the treatment of inflammatory and cancer conditions show undesirable side-effects, the present results may have clinical relevance and open new possibilities for the development of novel anti-inflammatory and anticancer drugs.