Chemical compositions and anti-influenza activities of essential oils from Mosla dianthera

Antiviral Compounds to Address Influenza Pandemics: An Update from 2016-2022

In recent decades, the world has gained experience of the dangerous effects of pandemic events caused by emerging respiratory viruses. In particular, annual epidemics of influenza are responsible for severe illness and deaths. Even if conventional influenza vaccines represent the most effective tool for preventing virus infections, they are not completely effective in patients with severe chronic disease and immunocompromised and new small molecules have emerged to prevent and control the influenza viruses. Thus, the attention of chemists is continuously focused on the synthesis of new antiviral drugs able to interact with the different molecular targets involved in the virus replication cycle. To date, different classes of influenza viruses inhibitors able to target neuraminidase enzyme, hemagglutinin protein, Matrix-2 (M2) protein ion channel, nucleoprotein or RNAdependent RNA polymerase have been synthesized using several synthetic strategies comprising the chemical modification of currently used drugs. The best results, in terms of inhibitory activity, are in the nanomolar range and have been obtained from the chemical modification of clinically used drugs such as Peramivir, Zanamivir, Oseltamir, Rimantadine, as well as sialylated molecules, and hydroxypyridinone derivatives. The aim of this review is to report, covering the period 2016-2022, the most recent routes related to the synthesis of effective influenza virus inhibitors.

Pharmacologic effects approach of essential oils and their components on respiratory diseases

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Essential oils (EOs) are concentrated hydrophobic liquids with volatility and a unique aroma. Formed by aromatic plants as secondary metabolites, EOs have been used as traditional medicines to treat various health problems worldwide. Historical records show that herbs rich in EOs have been widely used to treat respiratory diseases in China, Europe, and many other regions.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review summarizes the traditional applications and modern pharmacological mechanisms of EOs derived from aromatic herbs and their active ingredients in respiratory diseases in preclinical and clinical trials through multitarget synergy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Information about EOs and respiratory diseases was collected from electronic databases, such as ScienceDirect, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI).

RESULTS

This review presents the preventive and therapeutic effects of EOs on respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, acute lung injury, pulmonary infection, and pulmonary fibrosis. The molecular mechanisms of EOs in treating different lung diseases are summarized, including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, mucolytic, and immune regulatory mechanisms.

CONCLUSIONS

EOs show potential as supplements or substitutes for treating lung diseases.

In silico study on spice-derived antiviral phytochemicals against SARS-CoV-2 TMPRSS2 target

Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a pandemic that has claimed so far over half a million human life across the globe. Researchers all over the world are exploring various molecules including phytochemicals to get a potential anti-COVID-19 drug. Certain phytochemicals present in some spices are claimed to possess antiviral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. Hence, an in-silico study was done by selecting eighteen well reported antiviral phytochemicals from some spices commonly used in Indian kitchen viz. Curcuma longa (Turmeric), Nigella sativa (Black cumin), Piper nigrum (Black pepper), Trachyspermum ammi (Carom) and Zingiber officinale (Ginger) to find out whether they can prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Firstly, we predicted the structure of TMPRSS2 (transmembrane protease serine 2), a host protein that truncates spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 thereby facilitating its endocytosis, and then docked against its catalytic domain the selected phytochemicals and camostat (a well-known synthetic inhibitor of TMPRSS2). Thereafter, stability of seven best docked phytochemicals and camostat were scrutinized by Molecular Dynamic Simulation (MDS). MDS analysis indicated bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC), carvacrol and thymol as better inhibitors than the camostat due to their stable binding with TMPRSS2 in its oxyanion hole and inducing subtle modification in the spatial arrangement of the catalytic triad residues. Among these three phytochemicals, carvacrol appeared to be the best inhibitor, followed by BDMC, whereas thymol was least effective.

Essential Oils and Their Compounds as Potential Anti-Influenza Agents

Essential oils (EOs) are chemical substances, mostly produced by aromatic plants in response to stress, that have a history of medicinal use for many diseases. In the last few decades, EOs have continued to gain more attention because of their proven therapeutic applications against the flu and other infectious diseases. Influenza (flu) is an infectious zoonotic disease that affects the lungs and their associated organs. It is a public health problem with a huge health burden, causing a seasonal outbreak every year. Occasionally, it comes as a disease pandemic with unprecedentedly high hospitalization and mortality. Currently, influenza is managed by vaccination and antiviral drugs such as Amantadine, Rimantadine, Oseltamivir, Peramivir, Zanamivir, and Baloxavir. However, the adverse side effects of these drugs, the rapid and unlimited variabilities of influenza viruses, and the emerging resistance of new virus strains to the currently used vaccines and drugs have necessitated the need to obtain more effective anti-influenza agents. In this review, essential oils are discussed in terms of their chemistry, ethnomedicinal values against flu-related illnesses, biological potential as anti-influenza agents, and mechanisms of action. In addition, the structure-activity relationships of lead anti-influenza EO compounds are also examined. This is all to identify leading agents that can be optimized as drug candidates for the management of influenza. Eucalyptol, germacrone, caryophyllene derivatives, eugenol, terpin-4-ol, bisabolene derivatives, and camphecene are among the promising EO compounds identified, based on their reported anti-influenza activities and plausible molecular actions, while nanotechnology may be a new strategy to achieve the efficient delivery of these therapeutically active EOs to the active virus site.

Antiviral and Virucidal Properties of Essential Oils and Isolated Compounds - A Scientific Approach

Essential oils and isolated essential oil compounds are known to exert various pharmacological effects, such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and wound healing effects. Based on selected articles, this review deals with the potential antiviral and virucidal activities of essential oils and essential oil compounds together with their mechanism of action as well as in silico studies involving viral and host cell-specific target molecules that are indispensable for virus cell adsorption, penetration, and replication. The reported in vitro and in vivo studies highlight the baseline data about the latest findings of essential oils and essential oil compounds antiviral and virucidal effects on enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, taking into account available biochemical and molecular biological tests. The results of many in vitro studies revealed that several essential oils and essential oil compounds from different medicinal and aromatic plants are potent antiviral and virucidal agents that inhibit viral progeny by blocking different steps of the viral infection/replication cycle of DNA and RNA viruses in various host cell lines. Studies in mice infected with viruses causing respiratory diseases showed that different essential oils and essential oil compounds were able to prolong the life of infected animals, reduce virus titers in brain and lung tissues, and significantly inhibit the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In addition, some in vitro studies on hydrophilic nano-delivery systems encapsulating essential oils/essential oil compounds exhibited a promising way to improve the chemical stability and enhance the water solubility, bioavailabilty, and antiviral efficacy of essential oils and essential oil compounds.

Utilising Network Pharmacology to Explore Underlying Mechanism of Astragalus membranaceus in Improving Sepsis-Induced Inflammatory Response by Regulating the Balance of IκBα and NF-κB in Rats

Objective

The purpose of the present study was to explore the mechanism of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of sepsis.

Methods

We searched the active components and targets of Astragalus membranaceus using the TCMSP and BATMAN databases. Then, the GeneCards, MalaCards, and OMIM databases were used to screen out relevant targets of sepsis. The common targets of the former two gene sets were uploaded to the STRING database to create an interaction network. DAVID was used to perform KEGG enrichment analysis of the core targets. Based on the results of KEGG and previous studies, key pathways for the development of sepsis were identified and experimentally validated.

Result

We obtained 3,370 sepsis-related targets in databases and 59 active components in Astragalus membranaceus through data mining, corresponding to 1,130 targets. The intersection of the two types of targets led to a total of 318 common targets and 84 core targets were obtained after screening again. The KEGG and previous studies showed that these 84 core targets were involved in sepsis by regulating TNF, MAPK, and PI3K pathways. TNF, MAPK8, NF-κB, and IκBα are crucial in sepsis. Experimental validation demonstrated that some markers in sepsis model rats were improved after the intervention with Astragalus granules and their chemical components. Among them, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in rat serum were reduced. The mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α, IL-6, MMP9, MAPK8, and NF-κB were reduced in rat blood. However, the mRNA and protein expression of IκBα and PI3K were increased in rat blood.

Conclusion

The AST could affect the TNF, PI3K, and MAPK pathway cascade responses centred on IκBα and NF-κB, attenuate the expression of IL-6 and MMP9, and interfere with the inflammatory response during sepsis.

Elemicin exposure induced aberrant lipid metabolism via modulation of gut microbiota in mice

Elemicin (Ele) is a constituent of natural alkenylbenzene present in many foods and herbs. Ele exposure could induce hepatomegaly and hepatosteatosis. However, the role of gut microbiota in Ele-induced hepatotoxicity remains unclear. Here, the mice were treated with 200 mg/kg/day of Ele for 4 weeks with or without depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics cocktail treatment. The mice treated with Ele showed enlargement of liver and slight hepatosteatosis, accompanied by higher levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG). Ele could also shift the structure of fecal microbiota and increase the richness. Functional prediction of the microbiota revealed the enrichment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease pathway upon Ele exposure. Compared with control group, Patescibacteria and Epsilonbacteraeota were significantly enriched at the phylum level upon Ele treatment. A total of 20 genera were significant with respect specifically to Ele exposure, including decreased Alistipes and elevated Ruminiclostridium_9 and Gordonibacter. Among them, 13 retained significant associations with ALT and TG by Spearman correlation test, 4 were correlated with AST. Further MaAsLin analysis revealed that ALT was associated with 4 differentially abundant genera, such as Alistipes and Ruminiclostridium_9 and Gordonibacter. In addition, only Alistipes was significantly correlated with serum TG. Intriguingly, depletion of the microbiota significantly attenuated hepatosteatosis, restore increased ALT, AST and TG and inhibit the expression of genes involved in de novo lipogenesis and adipocyte differentiation, such as Fasn, ADIPOQ and leptin. Collectively, depletion of gut microbiota protected against Ele induced aberrant lipid metabolism in mice.

Essential Oil-Rich Chinese Formula Luofushan-Baicao Oil Inhibits the Infection of Influenza A Virus through the Regulation of NF-κB P65 and IRF3 Activation

Background

Luofushan-Baicao Oil (LBO) is an essential oil-rich traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula that is commonly used to treat cold, cough, headache, sore throat, swelling, and pain. However, the anti-influenza activities of LBO and the underlying mechanism remain to be investigated.

Methods

The in vitro anti-influenza activity of LBO was tested with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and plaque assays. The effects of LBO on the expressions of viral nucleoprotein and cytokines were evaluated. In the polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid- (Poly I: C-) induced inflammation model, the influences of LBO on the expression of cytokines and the activation of NF-κB P65 (P65) and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) were tested. After influenza A virus (IVA) infection, mice were administered with LBO for 5 days. The lung index, histopathologic change, the expression of viral protein, P65, and IRF3 in the lung tissue were measured. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines in serum were examined.

Results

In vitro, LBO could significantly inhibit the infection of IVA, decrease the formation of plaques, and reduce the expression of viral nucleoprotein and cytokines. LBO could also effectively downregulate the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interferon-β and the activation of P65 and IRF3 in Poly I:C-treated cells. In the IVA-infected mice model, inhalation of LBO with atomizer could decrease the lung index, alleviate the pathological injury in the lung tissue, and reduce the serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6. LBO could significantly downregulate the expression of viral protein (nucleoprotein, PB2, and matrix 2 ion channel) and the phosphorylation of P65 and IRF3 in the lungs of mice.

Conclusion

The therapeutic effects of LBO on treating influenza might result from the regulation of the immune response of IVA infection. LBO can be developed as an alternative therapeutic agent for influenza prevention.

Screening of the essential oil effects on human H1N1 influenza virus infection: an in vitro study in MDCK cells

Nineteen essential oils (EOs) obtained from different plants have been evaluated for their potential in vitro anti-H1N1 influenza virus efficacy. Both multivariate analyses and bivariate correlation were performed to better understand how the composition influences the activity. The results evidenced that for the laboratory distilled EOs both rosemary hybrids (S. x lavandulaceus and S. x mendizabalii) showed a good antiviral activity with low cytotoxic effect. Concerning the commercial ones: Eucalyptus globulus and Juniperus communis EOs exhibited virtuous effects on influenza virus. These results were confirmed by the multivariate analyses and only eucalyptol showed a positive correlation with cell viability. On the contrary, o-cymene and terpinolene correlated to the inhibitory effect. Rosemary hybrids, E. globulus and J. communis could be considered as promising candidate to develop new alternative anti-H1N1 natural agent.

β-Caryophyllene, A Natural Dietary CB2 Receptor Selective Cannabinoid can be a Candidate to Target the Trinity of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation in COVID-19

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is an ongoing pandemic and presents a public health emergency. It has affected millions of people and continues to affect more, despite tremendous social preventive measures. Identifying candidate drugs for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 is crucial. The pathogenesis and the complications with advanced infection mainly involve an immune-inflammatory cascade. Therefore, therapeutic strategy relies on suppressing infectivity and inflammation, along with immune modulation. One of the most promising therapeutic targets for the modulation of immune-inflammatory responses is the endocannabinoid system, particularly the activation of cannabinoid type 2 receptors (CB2R), a G-protein coupled receptor which mediates the anti-inflammatory properties by modulating numerous signaling pathways. To pharmacologically activate the CB2 receptors, a naturally occurring cannabinoid ligand, beta-caryophyllene (BCP), received attention due to its potent anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties. BCP is recognized as a full selective functional agonist on CB2 receptors and produces therapeutic effects by activating CB2 and the nuclear receptors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). BCP is regarded as the first dietary cannabinoid with abundant presence across cannabis and non-cannabis plants, including spices and other edible plants. BCP showed tissue protective properties and favorably modulates numerous signaling pathways and inhibits inflammatory mediators, including cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, prostanoids, and eicosanoids. Based on its pharmacological properties, molecular mechanisms, and the therapeutic potential of BCP as an immunomodulator, anti-inflammatory, organ-protective, and antiviral, we hypothesize that BCP could be a promising therapeutic and/or preventive candidate to target the triad of infection, immunity, and inflammation in COVID-19. In line with numerous studies that proposed the potential of cannabinoids in COVID-19, BCP may be a novel candidate compound for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical development due to its unique functional receptor selectivity, wide availability and accessibility, dietary bioavailability, nonpsychoactivity, and negligible toxicity along with druggable properties, including favorable pharmacokinetic and physicochemical properties. Based on reasonable pharmacological mechanisms and therapeutic properties, we speculate that BCP has potential to be investigated against COVID-19 and will inspire further preclinical and clinical studies.

Volatiles and Antifungal-Antibacterial-Antiviral Activity of South African Salvia spp. Essential Oils Cultivated in Uniform Conditions

Spontaneous emissions of S. dentata Aiton and S. scabra Thunb., as well as the essential oil (EO) composition of the cited species, together with S. aurea L., were investigated. The chemical profile of the first two species is reported here for the first time. Moreover, in vitro tests were performed to evaluate the antifungal activity of these EOs on Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium solani. Secondly, the EO antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus pseudointermedius was examined, and their antiviral efficacy against the H1N1 influenza virus was assessed. Leaf volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as the EOs obtained from the arial part of Salvia scabra, were characterized by a high percentage of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (97.8% and 76.6%, respectively), mostly represented by an equal amount of germacrene D (32.8% and 32.7%, respectively). Both leaf and flower spontaneous emissions of S. dentata, as well as the EO composition, showed a prevalence of monoterpenes divided into a more or less equal amount of hydrocarbon and oxygenated compounds. Interestingly, its EO had a non-negligible percentage of oxygenated sesquiterpenes (29.5%). S. aurea EO, on the contrary, was rich in sesquiterpenes, both hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds (41.5% and 33.5%, respectively). S. dentata EO showed good efficacy (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC): 0.5%) against M. canis. The tested EOs were not active against E. coli and S. aureus, whereas a low inhibition of S. dentata EO was observed on S. pseudointermedius (MIC = 10%). Once again, S. dentata EO showed a very good H1N1 inhibition; contrariwise, S. aurea EO was completely inactive against this virus. The low quantity of S. scabra EO made it impossible to test its biological activity. S. dentata EO exhibited interesting new perspectives for medicinal and industrial uses.

COVID-19 Prophylaxis Efforts Based on Natural Antiviral Plant Extracts and Their Compounds

During the time of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it has been crucial to search for novel antiviral drugs from plants and well as other natural sources as alternatives for prophylaxis. This work reviews the antiviral potential of plant extracts, and the results of previous research for the treatment and prophylaxis of coronavirus disease and previous kinds of representative coronaviruses group. Detailed descriptions of medicinal herbs and crops based on their origin native area, plant parts used, and their antiviral potentials have been conducted. The possible role of plant-derived natural antiviral compounds for the development of plant-based drugs against coronavirus has been described. To identify useful scientific trends, VOSviewer visualization of presented scientific data analysis was used.

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Microbial-Modulating Activities of Essential Oils: Implications in Colonic Pathophysiology

Essential oils (EOs) are a complex mixture of hydrophobic and volatile compounds synthesized from aromatic plants, most of them commonly used in the human diet. In recent years, many studies have analyzed their antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anticancer properties in vitro and on experimentally induced animal models of colitis and colorectal cancer. However, there are still few clinical studies aimed to understand their role in the modulation of the intestinal pathophysiology. Many EOs and some of their molecules have demonstrated their efficacy in inhibiting bacterial, fungi and virus replication and in modulating the inflammatory and oxidative processes that take place in experimental colitis. In addition to this, their antitumor activity against colorectal cancer models makes them extremely interesting compounds for the modulation of the pathophysiology of the large bowel. The characterization of these EOs is made difficult by their complexity and by the different compositions present in the same oil having different geographical origins. This review tries to shift the focus from the EOs to their individual compounds, to expand their possible applications in modulating colon pathophysiology.

Moslea Herba flavonoids alleviated influenza A virus-induced pulmonary endothelial barrier disruption via suppressing NOX4/NF-κB/MLCK pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Moslae Herba, a common traditional Chinese herb with special flavor, has potential for treating respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases.

AIM OF THIS STUDY

Lung endothelial barrier dysfunction (LEBD) accelerates the pathogenesis of influenza A virus (IAV)-induced secondary acute lung injury. New strategies against LEBD provide benefits in prevention and treatment of IAV. Previous studies showed that flavonoids (MHF), main bioactivity fraction derived from M. Herba, exerted anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities, but the underlying protection of MHF against IAV-induced acute lung injury remained obscure. The present study was to investigate the protection of MHF against IAV-induced LEBD in vivo and in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice were intranasally challenged with IAV and orally administered with MHF for 5 days. The pulmonary hyperpermeability of infected mice was evaluated by Evans Blue staining and in vivo imaging. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and mediators were detected by ELISA assay. The transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMVECs) was measured by using TER meter. The expressions of key proteins in NOX4-mediated NF-κB/MLCK pathways were determined by western blotting.

RESULTS

MHF treatment reduced lung index, W/D ratios, and serum levels of inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, PLA₂, LBT₄ and ICAM-1) in IAV-infected mice. Evans blue staining and in vivo imaging results revealed that MHF alleviated IAV-induced barrier dysfunction and pulmonary hyperpermeability. Moreover, luteolin and kaempferol, the main activity compounds in MHF, significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced HPMVEC apoptosis, and downregulated NF-κB/MLCK pathway by targeting NOX4.

CONCLUSION

MHF attenuated IAV-induced barrier dysfunction by suppressing NOX4/NF-κB/MLCK pathway and may serve as a potential agent for the prevention of LEBD and IAV.

Effect of pressure variation on the efficiency of supercritical fluid extraction of wild carrot (Daucus carota subsp. maritimus) extracts

The present study was conducted to check the comparative qualities of essential oils prepared by hydrodistillation (HD) and supercritical fluid techniques. It constitutes the first attempt to investigate the chemical composition of Daucus carota subsp. maritimus extracts using supercritical fluid technology (SFE) as an environmentally clean innovative method of extraction. The effect of pressure on the nature of extractable substances from wild carrot has been performed at a constant temperature of 50 °C and two different pressures (100 and 300 bar). The experimental results showed that pressure had a significant enhancing effect on the fluid transport properties and therefore on yield values. The extraction yield increases from 1.167 to 2.986% while increasing pressure. The chemical compositions of the essential oils prepared by HD and SFE were analyzed on the basis of gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Thus, we noticed that all analyzed samples were enriched in geranyl acetate and β‑bisabolene, and that the quantities of different identified substances were extremely sensitive to the extraction method and to the pressure variation in case of SFE.

The Effectiveness of Herbal Mixture Supplements with and without Clomiphene Citrate in Comparison to Clomiphene Citrate on Serum Antioxidants and Glycemic Biomarkers in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Willing to be Pregnant: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This paper aimed to evaluate the effect of herbal mixture (Mentha spicata, Zingiber officinale, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Citrus sinensis) only and along with clomiphene citrate (CC) compared to CC on serum antioxidants, glycemic status, menstrual regulation, and rate of pregnancy. This single-blind randomized clinical trial was carried out on 60 infertile participants with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) willing to be pregnant. They were randomly allocated into group 1 (n = 20) who received routine dose of CC pills (50-150 mg) for three menstrual cycles from the fifth day of menstruation for five days; group 2 (n = 20) who consumed herbal mixture daily (700 mg); and group 3 (n = 20) who used up herbal mixture along with CC for 3 months. Catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured in their blood samples. No statistically significant differences were observed between the three groups in terms of socio-demographic characteristics. After intervention, however, the levels of CAT in group 2 (adjusted mean difference (aMD): = 9.0; confidence interval (CI) 95% = 1.1-16.9) and group 3 (aMD = 12.2; CI 95% = 4.5-19.9), GPx in group 2 (aMD = 986.1; CI 95% = 141.1-1831.1) and group 3 (aMD = 1781.2; CI 95% = 960.7-2601.8), and SOD in group 2 (aMD = 55.1; CI 95% = 26.0-84.2) increased. While FBS in group 3 (aMD = -8.7; CI 95% = -14.7 to -2.7), insulin in group 2 (aMD = -5.6; CI 95% = -10.8 to -0.4), and HOMA-IR in group 2 (aMD = -1.3; CI 95% = -2.4 to -0.2) significantly decreased compared to the group 1. To summarize, herbal mixture supplements along with CC have beneficial effects on serum antioxidant levels, as well as glycemic biomarkers of infertile PCOS, menstrual regulation, and pregnancy rate.

An experimental study of exenatide effects on renal injury in diabetic rats1

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of exenatide on renal injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

METHODS

Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, exenatide-1, exenatide-2 and exenatide-3 groups, 10 rats in each group. The diabetic nephropathy model was constructed in later 4 groups. Then, the later 3 groups were treated with 2, 4 and 8 μg/kg exenatide for 8 weeks, respectively. The serum and urine biochemical indexes and oxidative stress and inflammatory indexes in renal tissue were determined.

RESULTS

Compared to the model group, in exenatide-3 group the serum fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels were significantly decreased, the fasting insulin level was significantly increased, the renal index and blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and 24 h urine protein levels were significantly decreased, the renal tissue superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels were significantly increased, the malondialdehyde level was significantly decreased, and the renal tissue tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6, hypersensitive C-reactive protein and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 levels were significantly decreased P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Exenatide can mitigate the renal injury in diabetic rats. The mechanisms may be related to its resistance of oxidative stress and inflammatory response in renal tissue.

Herbal Medicines with Antiviral Activity Against the Influenza Virus, a Systematic Review

The rapidly changing influenza virus has remained a consistent threat to the well-being of a variety of species on the planet. Influenza virus' high mutation rate has allowed the virus to rapidly and continuously evolve, as well as generate new strains that are resistant to the current commercially available antivirals. Thus, the increased resistance has compelled the scientific community to explore alternative compounds that have antiviral effects against influenza virus. In this paper, the authors systematically review numerous herbal extracts that were shown to have antiviral effects against the virus. Specifically, the herbal antiviral targets mainly include hemagglutinin, neuraminidase and matrix 2 proteins. In some instances, herbal extracts inhibited the replication of oseltamivir-resistant strains and certain pentacyclic triterpenes exhibited higher antiviral activity than oseltamivir. This paper also explores the possibility of targeting various host-cell signaling pathways that are utilized by the virus during its replication process. Infected cell pathways are hijacked by intracellular signaling cascades such as NF-kB signaling, PI3K/Akt pathway, MAPK pathway and PKC/PKR signaling cascades. Herbal antivirals have been shown to target these pathways by suppressing nuclear export of influenza vRNP and thus inhibiting the phosphorylation signaling cascade. In conclusion, copious amounts of herbal antivirals have been shown to inhibit influenza virus, however further studies are needed for these new compounds to be up to modern pharmacological standards.

Anti-pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus potential of catechin and gallic acid

BACKGROUND

The pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus has spread worldwide and infected a large proportion of the human population. Discovery of new and effective drugs for the treatment of influenza is a crucial issue for the global medical community. According to our previous study, TSL-1, a fraction of the aqueous extract from the tender leaf of Toonasinensis, has demonstrated antiviral activities against pandemic influenza A (H1N1) through the down-regulation of adhesion molecules and chemokine to prevent viral attachment.

METHODS

The aim of the present study was to identify the active compounds in TSL-1 which exert anti-influenza A (H1N1) virus effects. XTT assay was used to detect the cell viability. Meanwhile, the inhibitory effect on the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus was analyzed by observing plaque formation, qRT-PCR, neuraminidase activity, and immunofluorescence staining of influenza A-specific glycoprotein.

RESULTS

Both catechin and gallic acid were found to be potent inhibitors in terms of influenza virus mRNA replication and MDCK plaque formation. Additionally, both compounds inhibited neuraminidase activities and viral glycoprotein. The 50% effective inhibition concentration (EC₅₀) of catechin and gallic acid for the influenza A (H1N1) virus were 18.4 μg/mL and 2.6 μg/mL, respectively; whereas the 50% cytotoxic concentrations (CC₅₀) of catechin and gallic acid were >100 μg/mL and 22.1 μg/mL, respectively. Thus, the selectivity indexes (SI) of catechin and gallic acid were >5.6 and 22.1, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrates that catechin might be a safe reagent for long-term use to prevent influenza A (H1N1) virus infection; whereas gallic acid might be a sensitive reagent to inhibit influenza virus infection. We conclude that these two phyto-chemicals in TSL-1 are responsible for exerting anti-pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus effects.

Inhibitory effects and related molecular mechanisms of total flavonoids in Mosla chinensis Maxim against H1N1 influenza virus

OBJECTIVE

The Shixiangru (Mosla chinensis Maxim) total flavonoids (STF) mainly contain luteolin and apigenin. The study aims to examine the inhibitory effects of STF on anti-H1N1 influenza virus and its related molecular mechanisms in pneumonia mice.

METHODS

The viral pneumonia mice were treated with Ribavirin or various doses of STF. We observed histological changes of lung by immunohistochemistry and measured lung index to value anti-influenza virus effects of STF. The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and anti-oxidant factors were detected by ELISA. RT-PCR and western blot assays were used to determine the expression level of TLR pathway's key genes and proteins in lung tissues.

RESULTS

We found that the pathological changes of lung in the viral pneumonia mice obviously alleviated by STF treatments and the STF (288 or 576 mg/kg) could significantly decrease lung indices. Moreover, the up-regulation (IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and NO) and down-regulation (IL-2, SOD and GSH) of inflammatory cytokines and anti-oxidant factors were associated with higher clearance of virus and reduction of inflammatory lung tissue damage. Meanwhile, the expression levels of TLR3, TLR7, MyD88, TRAF3 and NF-κB p65 of the TLR pathway were reduced by STF treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggested that STF may be a promising candidate for treating H1N1 influenza and subsequent viral pneumonia.

In Vivo Study of the Efficacy of the Essential Oil of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Pericarp in Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Murine Experimental Colitis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of the essential oil of Zanthoxylum bungeanum pericarp (ZBEO) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis in mice. ZBEO decreased DSS-induced body weight loss, the disease activity index, colon length shortening, colonic pathological damage, and myeloperoxidase activities. The production of pro-inflammatory mediators was significantly alleviated by ZBEO. Further mechanistic analysis showed that ZBEO inhibited inflammation by regulating NF-κB and PPARγ pathways. ZBEO also inhibited NLRP3 activation in colitis in mice. Furthermore, ZBEO contributed to the maintenance of tight junction architecture by regulating the expression of zonula occludens-1 during colitis. Surprisingly, treatment with ZBEO increased levels of the commensal bacteria containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria but reduced Escherichia coli levels in the feces of mice. These results suggested that supplementation with ZBEO might provide a new dietary strategy for the prevention of ulcerative colitis.

Anti-H1N1 influenza effects and its possible mechanism of Huanglian Xiangru Decoction

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Huangliang Xiangru Decoction (HXD), which is described in a famous TCM monograph "Book of Nanyang for Life Savin", is frequently used for treating cold in summer and summer heat-dampness.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To date, no pharmacological study on the anti-H1N1 influenza properties of HXD has been reported. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic action of HXD on HIN1-induced acute pulmonary inflammation and its anti-influenza mechanism focus to TLRs signal pathway in a mouse model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

the mice were intranasally infected with influenza virus to induce viral pneumonia, and then treated with different doses of HXD. The Lung index and pathological changes in the lung tissue of mice were investigated to value the anti-influenza virus effect of HXD. The concentrations of cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ) and anti-oxidant factor (NO, SOD and GSH) in serum of mice were determined with ELISA. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the mRNA and protein expression of TLR3, TLR7, MyD88,TRAF3 and NF-κB p65 in the lung tissues, which are the key targets of TLRs pathway.

RESULTS

Compared with the infection group, the lung index of mice in ribavirin group, HXD high dose group and HXD middle dose group were significantly decreased, the lung indexes of these groups were 10.36±1.14mg/g, 9.89±0.79mg/g, and 10.97±0.67mg/g. Moreover, pathological changes were remarkable alleviated. HXD can reduce the contents of IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ, NO, and increase the contents of IL-2, SOD, GSH in serum of infected-mice significantly. At the same time, HXD can reduce the mRNA and protein expression of TLR3, TLR7, MyD88,TRAF3 and NF-κB p65 in the lung tissues of infected-mice significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

HXD has significant effects on H1N1 influenza by a quantity-effect relationship, and plays its anti-influenza effect by enhancing the body's antioxidant capacity, regulating the body's immune function and the host's TLRs pathway.

Mosla scabra flavonoids ameliorate the influenza A virus-induced lung injury and water transport abnormality via the inhibition of PRR and AQP signaling pathways in mice

ETHNOPHARMACROLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Mosla scabra (Thunb.) C.Y. Wu and H.W. Li has been used as a traditional medicinal herb for centuries in East Asian countries. It has antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. In folk medicine, it is used as a remedy for the treatment of pulmonary diseases, such as fever, cold, cough, pulmonary edema and emphysema.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study was to investigate the protective mechanism of total flavonoids from M. scabra (MF) in influenza A virus (IAV)-infected mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The mice were infected with IAV and then were treated daily with MF for five days. At the end of the experiment, the levels of inflammatory-related cytokines (IFN-α, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β) were determined by ELISA. Pathological changes of lung tissue were examined by H&E staining. The protein expressions of AQP5, p-p38, caspase-3 and NF-κB p65 were detected by western blot analysis while the gene expressions of key effectors in AQP5 and PRRs signaling pathways were detected by real-time Fluorescence Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RFQ-PCR) analysis.

RESULTS

The results showed that treatment with MF at doses of 120-360mg/kg for five days to IAV-infected mice significantly attenuated IAV-induced pulmonary injury and decreased the serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β, but increased IFN-α levels. MF treatment could up-regulate the mRNA expressions of TLR-7, RIG-1, TRAF6, Bcl-2, Bax, VIPR1, PKCα and AQP5 and down-regulate caspase-3 and NF-κB p65 protein expression.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with MF could significantly alleviate IAV-induced pulmonary inflammation, apoptosis and water transport abnormality, which was probably through the regulation of TLR7, RIG-1 and AQP5 signaling pathway.

Volatile oils: Potential agents for the treatment of respiratory infections

Due to presence of secondary bioactive metabolites, natural compounds are considered a major source of new active molecules that can be developed as new drugs. Infectious diseases, and mainly the common respiratory infections, are major challenges to the current chemotherapy systems and, therefore, there is a requirement to find new compounds with therapeutic potential. The volatile natural compounds and essential oils are the main treasure agents in the natural compounds with antibiotic potential. The present chapter reviews natural traditional remedies used in the treatment of respiratory infections with the emphasis on antibacterial, antiviral, and antiinflammation activities of the volatile natural compounds (essential oils, etc.), and provides a brief view in some of structural activity relationships between antibacterial potencies and chemical structures of the essential oil’s constituents.

Essential oils in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases highlighting their role in bacterial infections and their anti-inflammatory action: a review

The appearance of multidrug resistant bacteria and growing antibiotic resistance is leading to a continuous need for discovering new drugs and alternative treatments against infections. The investigation of the antibacterial effect of essential oils (EOs), which are commonly used nowadays in cosmetics, health care, traditional medicine and food industry, could be one of the promising solutions for this worldwide problem. EOs have a complex mode of action due to their multiple composition. Respiratory tract diseases (RTDs) associated with bacterial infection and inflammation affect a large number of people from every age group worldwide. Because of volatility, EOs can easily reach the upper and lower parts of the respiratory tract via inhalation. Moreover, due to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potency, they offer an effective treatment in respiratory tract infections (RTIs). The purpose of this review is to describe the most frequently developing infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract and to show methods used for the determination of the antibacterial activity of EOs by gaseous contact. The mode of action of EOs on bacterial cells and their anti-inflammatory action are also discussed. Results coming from recently performed in vivo animal studies as well as human trials are also reported. Patents deal with the role of EOs and their volatile constituents in the treatment of RTIs are also introduced. On the whole, this review aimed at showing EOs as potential antimicrobials and as anti-inflammatory agents to alleviate symptoms and signs of RTDs including RTIs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Daily inhalation of α-pinene in mice: effects on behavior and organ accumulation

In phytotherapy, essential oils tend to be used daily for a period of days or weeks, rather than in a single application. However, the literature contains very little information on repeated use of essential oils. In this study, we investigated the effects on behavior and the accumulation in the brain and liver of α-pinene, an essential oil component, when inhaled by mice. Animals were individually housed in cages for 1 week. Mice inhaled α-pinene or water vapor (negative control) for 90 min/day for 1 day, 3 days, or 5 days, and they were then submitted to the elevated plus maze test for 10 min. We used gas chromatography with flame ionization detection to quantify concentrations of α-pinene in the brain and liver. There was significant anxiolytic-like activity, which remained constant for the 5 days’ inhalation of α-pinene. On the other hand, the accumulation of α-pinene in the brain and liver peaked on the third day of inhalation. The existence of stress related to the new environment appears to have affected the change in the accumulation of α-pinene in the internal organs, keeping the anxiolytic-like action constant.

Cytotoxicity and enhancement activity of essential oil from Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. as a natural transdermal penetration enhancer

The aim of this present study is to investigate the effect of Zanthoxylum bungeanum oil (essential oil from Z. bungeanum Maxim.) on cytotoxicity and the transdermal permeation of 5-fluorouracil and indomethacin. The cytotoxicity of Z. bungeanum oil on dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes was studied using an MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The rat skin was employed to determine the percutaneous penetration enhancement effect of Z. bungeanum oil on hydrophilic and lipophilic model drugs, i.e., 5-fluorouracil and indomethacin. The secondary structure changes of the rat stratum corneum (SC) were determined using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and saturated solubilities and SC/vehicle partition coefficients of two model drugs with and without Z. bungeanum oil were also measured to understand its related mechanisms of action. It was found that the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of Z. bungeanum oil were significantly lower in HaCaT and CCC-ESF-1 cell lines compared to the well-established and standard penetration enhancer Azone. The Z. bungeanum oil at various concentrations effectively facilitated the percutaneous penetration of two model drugs across the rat skin. In addition, the mechanisms of permeation enhancement by Z. bungeanum oil could be explained with saturated solubility, SC/vehicle partition coefficient, and secondary structure changes of SC.

Comparative Study on In Vitro Activities of Citral, Limonene and Essential Oils from Lippia citriodora and L. alba on Yellow Fever Virus

The aim of this study was to compare the antiviral activities in vitro of citral, limonene and essential oils (EOs) from Lippia citriodora and L. alba on the replication of yellow fever virus (YFV). Citral and EOs were active before and after virus adsorption on cells; IC50 values were between 4.3 and 25 μg/mL and SI ranged from 1.1 to 10.8. Results indicate that citral could contribute to the antiviral activity of the L. citriodora EO. Limonene was not active and seemed to play an insignificant role in the antiviral activity of the examined EOs.

Effect of the Miaoyao Fanggan sachet-derived isorhamnetin on TLR2/4 and NKp46 expression in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Miaoyao Fanggan Sachets (MFS) has long been used as a folk medicine for the prevention of influenza in Southeast of Guizhou Province, China. However, the precise immunological mechanisms by which MFS confers protection have not been defined.

STUDY AIM

To explore the effects of MFS on innate immune system responses using a cold stress-induced immune impairment model as a means of examining MFS-mediated influenza prevention. We investigated the effects of MFS on toll-like receptor 2 and 4 (TLR2/4) gene and protein expression levels and on the percentage of NKp46(+) cells present in serum. No overt toxicity was observed following continuous administration of MFS at high doses.

METHODS

Kunming male mice (n=40) were randomly divided into 4 groups consisting of the continuous inhalation Sachet group, Yu-Ping-Feng powder (YPF-P) gavage positive control group, discontinuous inhalation MFS group and untreated controls. After 4 weeks, mice were sacrificed and lungs harvested. The expression of toll-like receptors 2 and 4 (TLR2/4) gene and protein levels was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analyses, respectively. An additional 60 Kunming mice were randomly divided into 6 groups comprised of a blank control group, continuous MFS inhalation group, an immune-compromised continuous MFS inhalation group, an immuno-compromised group, an immune-compromised MFS discontinuous inhalation group and an immune-compromised positive control group. Immune suppression was induced by cold stress (4 °C/4 h daily for 3 days) and mice were treated with MFS or YPF-P before cold stress treatments. Immuno-compromised mice were treated with MFS continuously or intermittently, or treated with YPF-P. Blood samples were collected and examined for natural killer cells based on positive NKp46 staining. The isorhamnetin associated with MFS-induced immune modulation was obtained from 'wo ga le' which is considered to be a major component of MFS, and analyzed by HPLC.

RESULTS

Mice continuously inhaling MFS showed a moderate increase in TLR2/4 mRNA and protein levels compared to mice in the control and discontinuous inhalation groups. MFS significantly increased the TLR2/4 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, there was also a slightly significant increase in the number of NKp46(+) cells in the continuous inhalation group compared to controls and discontinuous inhalation group. Pretreatment with MFS partially prevented cold stress-induced inhibition of NKp46(+) cells. HPLC analysis of the 'wo ga le' associated with immune function identified the major component to be isorhamnetin.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these data suggested that MFS significantly enhanced TLR2/4 expression levels and the number of NKp46(+) cells in mice and moderately affected innate immune responses associated with protection against influenza, suggesting that isorhamnetin in the MFS enhanced innate immune potency. The use of MFS for the prevention of various respiratory tract infections can be attributed to its antimicrobial properties. In a pilot study, a large quantity (40 g) was administered over a prolonged period did not produce apparent toxicity.