Inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzymes by medicinal plants from the Argentinean highlands (Puna)

Pro-inflammatory enzyme inhibition of lipoxygenases by flavonoid rich extract from Artemisia vulgaris

The peroxyl radicals generated by the activity of lipoxygenases (LOX) are mediators to trigger inflammatory diseases. Therefore, it is important to investigate potent LOX inhibitor for modulating the occurrence and resolving inflammatory processes. Artemisa vulgaris, is a herbal plant that is known for flavonoids, potentially inhibiting lipid peroxidation and scavenging radicals. The objectives of the present study were to obtain flavonoids rich extract from A. vulgaris, and determine the inhibitory mode of the extract against LOX. The flavonoids rich extract was optimized in an ultrasound assisted extraction using ionic liquids as extraction solvent. The results found that the optimum conditions; ratio of solid-to-liquid (1:10) and 30 min of extraction time could produce the high yield (10.14 %) and flavonoid content (5.30 mg QE/g). The LOX activity was demonstrated to follow a mixed mode of inhibition in the presence of the flavonoid rich extract as an inhibitor. The Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) was increased from 0.283 µM to 0.435 µM, whereas the maximum velocity was reduced from 0.22 µM/min to 0.058 µM/min in the inhibition. The flavonoids rich extract is likely to be a natural potent non-competitive inhibitor which may bind to free LOX or substrate-bound LOX.

Gochnatia glutinosa (D.Don) D.Don ex Hook. & Arn.: A plant with medicinal value against inflammatory disorders and infections

Gochnatia glutinosa is a shrub that grown in the Argentinean semiarid region (Monte region) used in the ancestral medicine as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent. This study was aimed to examine the morpho-anatomical characteristics of G. glutinosa aerial parts, identify the chemical composition of traditionally used preparations to assess its pharmacobotanical characterization and evaluate its activity as antiseptic and anti-inflammatory to give scientific support to its traditional uses. G. glutinosa morpho-anatomical description was performed following standard histological techniques. Tincture and infusion of its aerial parts were prepared and were subjected to phytochemical analysis. Xanthine oxidase (XOD) and lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition experiments, as well as ABTS^•+, superoxide radical, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, were carried out. The growth inhibition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains was also determined. The morpho-anatomical traits of G. glutinosa leaves and stems were reported for the first time. The medicinal preparations exhibited a large amount of phenolic chemicals mainly flavonoids such as rhamnetin, arcapillin, rhamnacin, hesperetin, isorhamnetin, centaureidin, europetin 7-O-mehylmyricetin, cirsiliol, sakuranetin, genkwanin and eupatorine and also phenolic acids and diterpenoid derivatives. Both preparations had free radical scavenging activity and were able to reduce both XOD and LOX activity, indicating their anti-inflammatory properties. Besides, tincture was effective against all MRSA strains (MIC values ranging from 60 to 240 g DW/mL). The results obtained in this work scientifically support the medicinal popular use of G. glutinosa as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. The identification of bioactive compounds and their morpho-anatomical description contribute to the quality control of this medicinal plant from Argentine Calchaquí Valley.

Antifungal Activity of Plant Secondary Metabolites on Candida albicans: An Updated Review

Fungal infections have been increasing continuously worldwide, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Fungi, regarded as eukaryotic pathogens, have many similarities to the host cells, which inhibit anti-fungal drug development progress. Various fungal model systems have been studied, and it was concluded that Candida spp. is the most common disease-causing fungus. Candida species are well known to cause infections not only in our mouth, skin, and vagina, but they are also a frequent cause of life-threatening hospital bloodstream infections. The morphological and developmental pathways of Candida have been studied extensively, providing insight into the fungus development. Candida albicans is known to be the most pathogenic species responsible for a variety of infections in humans. Conventional anti-fungal drugs, mainly azoles drugs available in the market, have been used for years developing resistance in C. albicans. Hence, the production of new anti-fungal drugs, which require detailed molecular knowledge of fungal pathogenesis, needs to be encouraged. Therefore, this review targets the new approach of "Green Medicines" or the phytochemicals and their secondary metabolites as a source of novel anti-fungal agents to overcome the drug resistance of C. albicans, their mechanism of action, and their combined effects with the available anti-fungal drugs.

Comparison of individual and combination treatments with naproxen, prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine to treat Complete Freund's Adjuvant induced arthritis

Aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of anti-arthritic drugs (naproxen, prednisolone, and hydroxychloroquine) alone and in combination. The in vitro anti-arthritic activity was evaluated by stabilization of human erythrocytes (HRBCs) membrane assays. In vivo activity was carried out using Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritic model in Wistar rat. Individual and combination drugs were administered for 21 days in rats 8 days post inoculation with CFA (0.15 ml injected in right hind paw). Body weight and paw edema were measured at different intervals. Combination treatments exhibited more HRBC stabilization than individual treatments. All individual and combination treatments reduced the level of C-reactive protein (CRP), liver function enzymes, malondialdehyde, white blood cells and platelets, with the most pronounced activity exhibited by the combination of three drugs. The level of oxidative stress biomarkers (reduced glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase), red blood cells, and hemoglobin were notably increased in all treatment groups in contrasts to diseased control rats. Histopathological evaluation of the paw showed that all the treatments had reduced (p < 0.05-0.001) the arthritic indices in contrasts to diseased control rats. The serum concentrations of TNF-α and PGE2 were provoked in diseased control rats but had been notably (p < 0.0001) restored by treatments with individual and combination drugs. It was also found that combination treatments, more precisely triple drug was remarkably effective in treating arthritis. It can be concluded that naproxen, prednisolone, and hydroxychloroquine effectively ameliorated the CFA-induced arthritis and were more effective in combination as compared to individual drug therapy probably due to reduction in oxidative stress and inflammatory markers. Moreover, two lower doses (half NPH/2 and one-third NPH/3) of triple combination therapy naproxen, prednisolone, and hydroxychloroquine (NPH) showed no significant difference in anti-arthritic effect as compared to the highest dose level of NPH.

Flourensia fiebrigii S.F. blake: A medicinal plant from the Argentinean highlands with potential use as anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Flourensia fiebrigii is a plant used in traditional medicine in the Argentine Calchaquí Valley as purgative, expectorant, anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to analyze the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of F. fiebrigii leaf and stem, the phytochemical composition of leaves ethanolic extracts and to validate its traditional use as anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The macroscopic and microscopic description of F. fiebrigii leaf and stem was carried out. Two extracts (immersions and tinctures) from leaves were obtained. The phytochemical analysis and UHPLC-OT-MS metabolome fingerprinting of both extracts were performed. The anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory activities of both extracts were determined using enzymatic inhibition assays of xanthine-oxidase (XOD), secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) and lipoxygenase (LOX).

RESULTS

The macroscopic and micrographic characters of F. fiebrigii were described to allow the botanical characterization of the plant species. The leaves extracts showed a high level of phenolic compounds with similar chromatographic patterns. Forty-five compounds were identified based on UHPLC-OT-MS including several sesquiterpenes, chalcones, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, a lignan and phenylpropanoids phenolic acids that have been identified for the first time in this plant species. F. fiebrigii extracts were able to inhibit the XOD activity and, consequently, the formation of uric acid and reactive oxygen species, primary cause of diseases, such as gouty arthritis (IC₅₀ values of 1.10-2.12 μg/mL). Pro-inflammatory enzymes like sPLA2 and LOX were also inhibited by F. fiebrigii extracts (IC₅₀ values of 22.00-2.20 μg/mL) decreasing the production of inflammation mediators.

CONCLUSIONS

The present work validates the traditional medicinal use of F. fiebrigii as anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory through the use of enzymatic assays. The presence of several chemical compounds with demonstrated anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory properties also supports the bioactivity of the F. fiebrigii.

<p>Anti-Nociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of <em>Hygrophila schulli</em> Leaves</p>

Purpose

The management of pain and inflammation with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioid analgesics are currently encountering severe adverse reactions. To overcome these problems, herbal remedies may offer new alternative medicines. Hygrophila schulli is a medicinal plant traditionally used for the treatment of pain and inflammation-related disorders; yet, these claims are not scientifically validated. Hence, this study was aimed to validate the traditional use of Hygrophila schulli leaves as anti-inflammatory and analgesic remedy.

Methods

In vitro anti-hyaluronidase assay and in vivo carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema model were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory property of ethanolic leaf extract of Hygrophila schulli. Tail immersion and acetic acid-induced writhing tests were performed to determine the central and peripheral analgesic activity of the leaf extract, respectively.

Results

The ethanolic leaf extract exhibited significant anti-hyaluronidase activity (P<0.001) and significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw oedema (P<0.05) compared to untreated controls. Similarly, the extract significantly prolonged the reaction time of mice (P<0.05) for the hot-water stimuli. Furthermore, an oral dose of the extract showed significant inhibition (P<0.01) of acetic acid-induced abdominal contractions of mice. Besides, the ethanolic leaf extract did not cause any obvious sign of acute toxicity at a single oral dose of 2 g/kg.

Conclusion

The findings of this study may partially support the acclaimed traditional use of Hygrophila schulli leaves for the treatment of pain and inflammatory conditions.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive property of Capparis tomentosa Lam. root extracts

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Capparis tomentosa Lam. root is one of the commonly used traditional medicines for the treatment of pain and inflammatory conditions by the Kunama ethnic group of Ethiopia. Yet, its ethnomedicinal claim has not been scientifically investigated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociception activities of root extracts of Capparis tomentosa Lam.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-inflammatory activity of the 70% ethanolic extracts and solvent fractions was determined using invitro hyaluronidase inhibition assay and in vivo carrageenan-induced paw edema in Swiss albino mice model. The anti-nociception effect was determined using the acetic acid-induced writhing model and tail immersion model in Swiss albino mice.

RESULTS

The root extract of Capparis tomentosa has exhibited significant hyaluronidase inhibition activity which was comparable with the reference drug, indomethacin. Significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema was observed in all the test sample treated mice compared to the negative control with the highest activity observed from butanol fraction which was equivalent to the effect of acetylsalicylic acid. All the root extract and solvent fractions have possessed a significant and dose-dependent abdominal writhing inhibition with the highest effect observed in the aqueous fraction. Additionally, the crude extract was found better in increasing the reaction latency of the mice to the hot water stimulus than the solvent fractions which were significant after 60-120 min compared to the distilled water treated group. The root extract and solvent fractions were also found safe at a single oral dose of 2 mg/g in Swiss albino mice.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the present study may partially support the folkloric use of Capparis tomentosa root for the treatment of pain and inflammation.

Antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of bi-herbal mixtures with medicinal plants from Argentinean highlands

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Argentinean medicinal plants such as Larrea divaricata Cav., Larrea cuneifolia Cav., Larrea nitida Cav., Zuccagnia punctata Cav. and Tetraglochin andina Ciald. are used alone and in combination in traditional medicine by inhabitants from northwestern Argentina to solve mycosis, vaginal infections, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and inflammatory processes.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To assess the effect of interactions between hydroalcoholic extracts of these five species of medicinal plants against yeast strains isolated from vaginal infections, select the most active mixtures and evaluate anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Synergy between the plant extracts was studied by using a broth microdilution assay by means of the checkerboard method against Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans, and non albicans strains. The inhibitory effect on lipoxygenase and the antioxidant capacity in cell-free and cell systems were studied. The chemical profile was evaluated by qualitative and quantitative screening, whereas chemical markers were quantified by HPLC-DAD.

RESULTS

A synergistic antifungal effect was observed in some binary combinations. Z. punctata/L. divaricata, Z. punctata/L. cuneifolia, and Z. punctata/L. nitida were the most active mixtures. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid and 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone, two antifungal compounds, present in these extracts, were identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD. Both single extracts and bi-herbal mixtures showed antioxidant activity (in cellular and in cell-free systems) and were active on pro-inflammatory enzymes (LOX).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicated that the most active combinations of these species extracts could be useful in the treatment of vaginal infectious diseases caused by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida spp. strains and in associated oxidative and inflammatory processes, supporting its traditional use. In addition, the results highlighted the phyto-therapeutic potential of total phytochemical compounds present in these medicinal plants.

Antifungal activity of phytotherapeutic preparation of Baccharis species from argentine Puna against clinically relevant fungi

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

B. boliviensis and B. tola are used in traditional medicine in the Argentine Puna to treat skin and soft tissue infections and inflammatory processes in humans and animals.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To assess the potential of phytotherapeutic preparations of Baccharis species as antifungal agents against clinically relevant fungi and to determine the chemical composition of the extracts.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Phytotherapeutic preparations of B. boliviensis and B. tola collected in Argentine Puna were evaluated as an antifungal agent against clinically relevant fungi (yeast, non-dermatophytes, and dermatophytes) isolated of patients from a local Hospital, and reference strains, using macrodilution and microdilution assays. The bioactivity was supported by UHPLC-OT-MS metabolome fingerprinting.

RESULTS

The results revealed that the plant preparations were active against most of evaluated fungal strains; B. boliviensis was more active than B. tola. Dermatophyte fungi strains were the most sensitive isolates. The phytotherapeutic preparation showed Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values between 25 and 400 μg GAE/mL and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) values between 50 and 400 μg GAE/mL. Regarding the phytochemical analysis, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of hydroalcoholic preparation of B. boliviensis were greater than those of the B. tola extract. Both Baccharis species showed similar chromatographic patterns, fifty-two compounds were identified based on UHPLC-OT-MS including several terpenoids, flavonoids and phenolic acids that have been identified in this two endemic South American Baccharis species for the first time. Several identified compounds present antifungal properties, the presence of these compounds support the bioactivity of the Baccharis extracts.

CONCLUSIONS

In this work the traditional use of both Baccharis species as an antimicrobial against commercial products resistant fungal strains was validate, principally against dermatophytes fungi such as T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, M. canis, and M. gypseum. These results indicate that the hydroalcoholic preparations could be used for the treatment of fungal infectious.

The use of jarilla native plants in a Diaguita-Calchaquí indigenous community from northwestern Argentina: An ethnobotanical, phytochemical and biological approach

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In northwestern Argentina inhabit several ancient indigenous communities with diverse cultural and historical background. Geographical isolation has contributed to the prevalence of a native plant-based folk medicine; "jarilla" species are medicinal plants widely used in local communities for the treatment of mycosis, respiratory, gastrointestinal and rheumatic disorders.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY

To assemble the traditional knowledge acquired through years with scientific data concerning to phytochemistry, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of three "jarillas" species.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Ethnobotanical data of three "jarillas", Zuccagnia punctata (Zp), Larrea cuneifolia (Lc), and Larrea divaricata (Ld), were explored by interviewing native people from Indigenous Community of Amaicha del Valle, Tucumán. Phenolic profiles from each infusion were analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Antioxidant activity was determined by superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide scavenging capacity, lipoperoxidation inhibition, and ferrous iron chelating activity. It was also assessed their ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory enzymes, such as xanthine oxidase, lipoxygenase, and hyaluronidase.

RESULTS

Ethnobotanical interviews showed that local people use "jarillas" mainly as infusions and baths. It was reported different categories of uses, such as medicinal (10 curative applications), to religious purposes, tinctorial, as construction material and as fuel. From infusions prepared, the MS and MS/MS data allowed the identification of 27 compounds from Z. punctata, and 11 from both Larrea sp. The infusions showed an important antioxidant activity through different mechanisms, highlighting Zp and Lc in free radical scavenging capacity and Ld on lipid peroxidation inhibition and iron binding. They were also capable of inhibit xanthine oxidase and lipoxygenase enzymes, being Lc the most active one.

CONCLUSIONS

This research work provides novel information concerning to several categories of traditional uses of "jarilla" species in a Diaguita-Calchaquí community and focus attention to infusions from a phytochemical and biological approach.

Argentinean Puna Plants with In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities as a Potential Nutraceutical

Parastrephia lucida (Compositae), Tessaria absinthioides (Compositae), and Ephedra multiflora (Ephedraceae), three plant species from the Argentinean Puna (3600 m.a.s.l.) were selected for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to prepare mixtures to evaluate their use as nutraceuticals. Seven binary and ternary herbal mixtures made of ethanol 20% extracts of the selected plant species were prepared (Mixtures A to G), and they were analyzed for their effect on proinflammatory enzymes and their antioxidant activity in two cellular systems and in cell free systems. Toxicity tests were also carried out, and they were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) to quantify chemical markers. Mix A (equal parts of the three selected plant species) showed an important inhibitory capacity of different proinflammatory enzymes. Its potency on COX-2 was also higher than that of ibuprofen. Mix A and Mix G (P. lucida and T. absinthioides 1:1) showed a high antioxidant capacity in cellular and in cell-free systems. Toxicity assays further demonstrated their safety. This work shows the potential use of herbal mixtures made of medicinal plant species from the Argentinean Puna as nutraceutical or dietary supplements with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: P. lucida, T. absinthioides, and E. multiflora are three plant species that are commonly used by Argentinean Puna inhabitants with medicinal purposes. Their proven safety, their antioxidant activity as well as their capacity to inhibit different proinflammatory enzymes make them attractive candidates to be used in combination as part of a dietary supplement aimed to prevent or palliate gastrointestinal and systemic inflammatory diseases. The use of native plant species as an alternative to more common and commercial plant species would have a positive impact on local communities' economies.

Nwokocha C, Bórquez J, Simirgiotis MJ, Norambuena I, Chiong M, Paredes A. Polyphenolic Composition and Hypotensive Effects of Parastrephia quadrangularis (Meyen) Cabrera in Rat

Parastrephia quadrangularis (Pq), commonly called "Tola", is widely used in folk medicine in the Andes, including for altitude sickness. In this study, polyphenolic composition was determined, and hypotensive effects were measured; the ethnopharmacological use as hypotensive was related to the presence of phenolic compounds. For this purpose, male Sprague-Dawley rats (6 to 8 weeks of age, 160 to 190 g) were fed Pq extract (10 to 40 mg/kg) for 10 days through gavage. Blood pressures and heart rate were significantly (p < 0.01) reduced in normotensive rats receiving Pq extract (40 mg/kg body weight). Pq extract induced a negative inotropic effect, and endothelium-dependent vasodilation mediated by nitric oxide (NO). Furthermore, preincubation with Pq extract significantly decreased the cytosolic calcium on vascular smooth muscle cells A7r5 in response to L-phenylephrine (PE). Seven metabolites were isolated from the Pq extract, but three flavonoids (10^-4 M) showed similar vasodilation to the extract in intact rat aorta as follows: 5,3',4'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (2); 3,5,4'-trihydroxy-7,8,3'-trimethoxyflavone (6); and 5,4'-dihydroxy-3,7,8,3'-tetramethoxyflavone (7). The Pq extract and compounds 2 and 7 significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the contraction to Bay K8644 (10 nM, an agonist of Ca_V1.2 channels). Administration of Pq decreased cardiac contractility and increased endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation.

Shepherd's Purse Polyphenols Exert Its Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidative Effects Associated with Suppressing MAPK and NF-κB Pathways and Heme Oxygenase-1 Activation

Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik.), a wild herb as a traditional herbal medicine, has been proved with multiple healthy benefits. In this study, the chemical constituents of shepherd's purse were identified by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. The antioxidative and anti-inflammatory potential of shepherd's purse extract (SPE) were also investigated applying lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophages and a carrageenan-induced mice paw edema model. Twenty-four chemical compounds were identified mainly including phenolic acids and flavonoids. The data also indicated SPE inhibited the productions of NO, PGE₂, TNF-α, and IL-6 stimulated with LPS. In addition, SPE inhibited the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulated the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). We further found that SPE inhibited the phosphorylation of P38 MAPK and activation of NF-κB. In vivo mice model also indicated that SPE showed strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity.

In vitro pro-inflammatory enzyme inhibition and anti-oxidant potential of selected Sri Lankan medicinal plants

Background

The extracts of the ten selected Sri Lankan medicinal plants have been traditionally used in the treatment of inflammatory mediated diseases. The extracts were investigated for anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant potential in vitro to identify bio-active extracts for further chemical characterization.

Methods

In vitro anti-inflammatory activities of total ethanol extracts were investigated measuring the inhibitory activities of four pro-inflammatory enzymes, arachidonate-5- lipoxygenase (A5-LOX), hyaluronidase (HYL), xanthine oxidase (XO) and inducible nitric oxide (iNO) synthase. Cytotoxicity of extracts were determined by MTT assay. Oxidative burst inhibition (OBI) on human whole blood (WB) and isolated polymorphoneutrophils (PMNs) was carried out for a selected bio-active extract. Anti- oxidant activities of the extracts were determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), ferrous ion chelation (FIC) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. Total polyphenol and total Flavonoid contents of the extracts were also determined. The most active plant extract was analysed using Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

Results

The ethanol bark extract of Flacourtia indica showed the highest A5-LOX (IC₅₀: 22.75 ± 1.94 g/mL), XO (70.46 ± 0.18%; 250 μg/mL) and iNOs inhibitory activities on LPS- activated raw 264.7 macrophage cells (38.07 ± 0.93%; 500 μg/mL) with promising OBI both on WB (IC₅₀: 47.64 2.32 μg/mL) and PMNs (IC₅₀: 5.02 0.38 μg/mL). The highest HYL inhibitory activity was showed by the leaf extracts of Barathranthus nodiflorus (42.31 ± 2.00%; 500 μg/mL) and Diospyros ebenum (41.60 ± 1.18%; 500 μg/mL). The bark and leaf extracts of Callophyllum innophyllum (IC₅₀: 6.99 ± 0.02 μg/mL) and Symplocus cochinchinesis (IC₅₀: 9.85 ± 0.28 μg/mL) showed promising DPPH free radical scavenging activities. The GC-MS analysis of ethanol bark extract of F. indica showed the presence of two major bio-active compounds linoleic acid ethyl ester and hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester (> 2% peak area). The HPLC analysis showed the presence polyphenolic compounds.

Conclusion

The ethanol bark extract of F. indica can be identified as a potential candidate for the development of anti-inflammatory agents, which deserves further investigations. The bio-active plant extracts may be effectively used in the applications of cosmetic and health care industry.

Effect of Wine Wastes Extracts on the Viability and Biofilm Formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus Strains

In this work, we intended to inhibit the biofilm synthesis and the metabolism of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using two highly available wastes (stem and marc) obtained after the manufacturing of Torrontes wine at Cafayate, Argentina. Wine wastes contain a significant amount of bioactive compounds, mainly phenolic compounds, which makes them a potential source of compounds with beneficial properties to human health, as they could inhibit the virulence of pathogenic bacteria or protect the tissue against oxidative stress. Marc and stem extracts of Torrontes wine were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the metabolism and biofilm production of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus strains. The phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of these extracts were also determined. The methanol and ethyl acetate extracts, which contained the highest amount of total polyphenolic, exhibited the highest scavenging capacity of ABTS and nitric oxide and the strongest Fe3+ reducing power and exhibited the highest level of inhibition of the biofilm formation and of the metabolic activity in bacterial biofilm. We also noticed a positive correlation between phenolic compounds content, the antioxidant activity, and the anti-biofilm capacity of the winemaking wastes. These results display the potentiality of wine wastes to prevent or reduce the formation of biofilm. Moreover, their abundance makes them an attractive and affordable source of antibiofilm and antioxidant agents.

Tetraglochin andina Ciald.: A medicinal plant from the Argentinean highlands with potential use in vaginal candidiasis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Argentinean medicinal plant Tetraglochin andina Ciald, formerly classified as T. cristatum (Britton) Rothm is used in traditional medicine by inhabitants from Argentinean northwestern highlands (Puna) to treat candidiasis and as anti-inflammatory.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To assess the potential of the crude drug as an anti-Candida agent with anti-inflammatory properties. The bioactivity and phytochemical composition of a dry extract of the plant was investigated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The pharmacognostic description of the crude drug is carried out for the first time, including macroscopic and microscopic examinations of the different organs, physicochemical and extractive values (petroleum ether-, ethanol- and water-soluble). The dry extract from T. andina was evaluated as antifungal against pathogenic Candida sp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from vaginal infections and reference strains, by the macrodilution and microdilution assays. The normal vaginal microbiome in women is characterized by the dominance of lactic acid-producing bacteria, mainly Lactobacillus spp. The effect of T. andina extract on Lactobacillus strains was also assayed. The inhibitory effect on proinflammatory enzymes (cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase and phospholipase A₂) and antioxidant capacity was studied. The chemical profile was analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MS.

RESULTS

The hydroalcoholic extract inhibited the growth of all yeasts with Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values between 12.5 and 400 µg GAE/mL and the MIC values on Lactobacillus were higher than the MIC values against Candida isolates ( > 400 µg GAE/mL). These results indicate that the hydroalcoholic extract could be used without affecting the normal microbiota of vaginal fluid. The extract showed antioxidant activity and could modulate the inflammatory process by three pathways (sPLA₂, COX-2, LOX). The plant extract contained high total phenolic levels (386.9±1.7 mg GAE/g dry extract) and flavonoid levels (260.4±2.7 mg GAE/g dry extract). Fifty phenolic compounds were identified by HPLC-ESI-MS. They were mainly hydrolysable and condensed tannins. The dry extract was chemically and biologically stable during one year at room temperature or 4 °C.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of anti-Candida and anti-inflammatory activities in Tetraglochin andina extracts give support to their traditional use for treating conditions associated with microorganism infections and inflammatory process in humans. This plant preparation could be used to design phytopharmaceutical preparations to inhibit yeast growth and moderate the inflammatory and oxidative process.