UPLC-Orbitrap HRMS metabolic profiling of Cymbopogon citratus cultivated in Egypt; neuroprotective effect against AlCl3-induced neurotoxicity in rats

Combining chemical profiles and biological abilities of different extracts from Tanacetum nitens (Boiss. & Noë) Grierson using network pharmacology

Tanacetum nitens (Boiss. & Noë) Grierson is an aromatic perennial herb used in Turkish traditional medicine to treat headache, fever, and skin diseases. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, and cytotoxic properties of T. nitens aerial parts. Organic solvent extracts were prepared by sequential maceration in hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol while aqueous extracts were obtained by maceration or infusion. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and LC-DAD-MS analysis allowed the identification and quantification of different phytoconstituents including parthenolide, tanacetol B, tatridin B, quinic acid derivatives, β-sitosterol, and glycoside derivatives of quercetin and luteolin. The type and amount of these phytochemicals recovered by each solvent were variable and significant enough to impact the biological activities of the plant. Methanolic and aqueous extracts displayed the highest scavenging and ions-reducing properties while the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts exerted the best total antioxidant activity and metal chelating power. Results of enzyme inhibition activity showed that the hexane, ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane extracts had comparable anti-acetylcholinesterase activity and the latter extract revealed the highest anti-butyrylcholinesterase activity. The best α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition activities were obtained from the hexane extract. The dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts exhibited the highest cytotoxic effect against the prostate carcinoma DU-145 cells. In conclusion, these findings indicated that T. nitens can be a promising source of biomolecules with potential therapeutic applications.

Ethnopharmacology, chemical composition and functions of Cymbopogon citratus

Cymbopogon citratus in the gramineous family, also known as lemongrass (LG), is a perennial herb. LG, a drug and food homologous medicine, has a widely recorded medicinal value and food applications. To date, 158 LG compounds have been reported, including terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids. Pharmacological and clinical studies have indicated that LG has antibacterial, neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects. This article reviews LG in ethnopharmacology, chemical composition, pharmacology, food, medicine, and daily chemical applications to provide a basis for the subsequent development of food and medicine.

Cymbopogon schoenanthus (L) extract ameliorates high fat diet-induced obesity and dyslipidemia via reducing expression of lipogenic and thermogenic proteins

Globally, obesity has become one of the major health problems. This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-obesity potential of Cymbopogon schoenanthus methanolic extract (CS) in rats. Fifty male Wistar rats of six to eight weeks old, 100-120 g body weight (BW) were randomly assigned into 5 groups (n = 10): The control group was fed a basal diet. CS-group was supplied with basal diet and orally given CS (200 mg/kg BW) for 12 weeks. HFD-group was fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 18 weeks. HFD + CS-group was fed on HFD and CS HFD then CS-group was fed HFD for 12 weeks then shifted to basal diet and CS for another 6 weeks. Phytochemical analysis of CS indicated the presence of various terpenes and flavonoid compounds. Among the compounds characterized are quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, orientin, eudesmene, cymbopogonol, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, and linolenic acid. Supplementation of HFD significantly increased the body weight, levels of serum triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipo-protein (HDL), glucose, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities. In addition, HFD up-regulated the protein expression of uncoupling protein (UCP)-1 in both brown and white adipose tissue; and the expression of hepatic mRNA of sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c and SREBP-2. However, it decreased the serum level of HDL, and protein expression level of UCP-1 in both brown and white adipose tissue. Treatment of HFD-fed animals with CS extract either concurrently (HFD + CS-group), or after obesity induction (HFD then CS-group) significantly reversed all HFD-induced alterations in body weight; food intake; serum biochemical profile (including hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia); and tissue gene expressions. These results indicate that CS methanolic extract ameliorated HFD-induced obesity, serum biochemical, hepatic, and adipose tissue gene expression alterations. CS extract accomplished these effects mostly through its various identified bioactive compounds which have been proven to have anti-obesity and anti-diabetic activities.

Phytochemical Profiling and Compound Isolation of Cissus rhombifolia Vahl. Leaves Aqueous Methanolic Extract with the Evaluation of Its Anti-Inflammatory Effect Using Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in RAW 264.7 Cells

The inflammatory disorders represent a serious health issue. Certain Cissus species possess anti-inflammatory effect. Cissus rhombifolia Vahl. leaves' anti-inflammatory activities and phytoconstituents are poorly characterized. In this study, 38 constituents were tentatively characterized in Cissus rhombifolia Vahl. leaves' aqueous methanolic extract (CRLE) using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1 H-NMR). Myricetin, β-amyrin, and alliospiroside A, were isolated from CRLE using column chromatography. The anti-inflammatory effect of CRLE and its isolated compounds were studied in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT assay) was used to assess how CRLE and its isolated compounds affected cell viability. Further, its effects on the production of intracellular NO, and inflammatory cytokines cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were assessed by the Griess test, and cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. CRLE and its isolated compounds, myricetin, β-amyrin, and alliospiroside A decreased the NO production. Western blotting was performed to assess the protein expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Alliospiroside A downregulated IL-6, TNF-α, and COX-2 and inhibited the expression of iNOS. CRLE and its compounds represent effective alternative candidate to treat inflammatory diseases.

Cymbopogon citratus Essential Oil: Extraction, GC-MS, Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant Activity, and In Silico Molecular Docking for Protein Targets Related to CNS

This study analyzed the chemical composition of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil from Puebla, México, assessed its antioxidant activity, and evaluated in silico protein-compound interactions related to central nervous system (CNS) physiology. GC-MS analysis identified myrcene (8.76%), Z-geranial (27.58%), and E-geranial (38.62%) as the main components, with 45 other compounds present, which depends on the region and growing conditions. DPPH and Folin-Ciocalteu assays using the leaves extract show a promising antioxidant effect (EC₅₀ = 48.5 µL EO/mL), reducing reactive oxygen species. The bioinformatic tool SwissTargetPrediction (STP) shows 10 proteins as potential targets associated with CNS physiology. Moreover, protein-protein interaction diagrams suggest that muscarinic and dopamine receptors are related to each other through a third party. Molecular docking reveals that Z-geranial has higher binding energy than M1 commercial blocker and blocks M2, but not M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, whereas β-pinene and myrcene block M1, M2, and M4 receptors. These actions may positively affect cardiovascular activity, memory, Alzheimer's disease, and schizophrenia. This study highlights the significance of understanding natural product interactions with physiological systems to uncover potential therapeutic agents and advanced knowledge on their benefits for human health.

Isoimperatorin therapeutic effect against aluminum induced neurotoxicity in albino mice

Background: Although aluminum (Al) is not biologically crucial to the human body, classical studies have demonstrated that excessive human exposure to Al can induce oxidative damage, neuroinflammatory conditions and neurotoxic manifestations implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Exposure to Al was reported to be associated with oxidative damage, neuroinflammation, and to enhance progressive multiregional neurodegeneration in animal models. Several plant-derived natural biomolecules have been recently used to reduce the toxic effects of Al through decreasing the oxidative stress and the associated diseases. A good candidate still to be tested is an active natural furanocoumarin, the isoimperatorin (IMP) that can be extracted from Lemon and lime oils and other plants. Here, we examined the neuroprotective effects of IMP on aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced neurotoxicity in albino mice. Methods: Twenty-four male albino mice were used in this study. Mice were randomly devided into 5 groups. The first group was given distilled water as a control, the second group was given AlCl3 orally (10 mg/wt/day) starting from the 2nd week to the end of the 6th week, the third group received AlCl3 orally and IMP interperitoneally, i. p. (30 mg/wt/day) starting from week 2 till week 6 where IMP was supplement 1st and then 4 h later AlCl3 was given to mice. The fourth group received the control (IMP 30 mg/wt, i. p.) from the 2nd week till the end of the experiment. Rodent models of central nervous system (CNS) disorders were assessed using object location memory and Y-maze tests in 6th week began. Essential anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress indicators were evaluated, including interleukin-1 β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and catalase activity (CAT). In addition, serum levels of brain neurotransmitters such as corticosterone, acetylcholine (ACh), dopamine and serotonin in brain homogenates were measured calorimetrically. Results: The study results revealed that the daily treatment of AlCl3 upregulated the TNF-α and IL-1β levels, increased MDA accumulation, and decreased TAC and CAT activity. In addition, aluminum induced a reduction in concentrations of ACh, serotonin and dopamine in the brain. However, IMP significantly ameliorates the effect of AlCl3 through modulating the antioxidant and regulating the inflammatory response through targeting Nrf2 (NF-E2-related factor 2) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Conclusion: Thus, IMP might be a promising treatment option for neurotoxicity and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, which are associated with neuro-inflammation and oxidative stress.

Prinsepia utilis Royle leaf extract: Ameliorative effects on allergic inflammation and skin lesions in allergic contact dermatitis and polyphenolic profiling through UPLC-MS/MS coupled to chemometric analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common allergic inflammatory disease that is concomitant with skin swelling, redness, dry itching, and relapses. Prinsepia utilis Royle, a Chinese and Indian folk medicine, is rich in polyphenols with potential anti-inflammatory and skin-protective activities. However, the underlying mechanism of P. utilis leaf (PUL) in the treatment of ACD and its functional basis remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study is aimed to explore and reveal the active substances and mechanism of PUL against ACD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hyaluronidase inhibitory assay and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-induced ACD mouse model were performed to assess the antiallergic effects of PUL in vitro and in vivo. Different solvents were applied to obtain multiple PUL extracts. The extracts were further tested for total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) by using spectrophotometric assays. Polyphenolic profiles were analyzed by using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS), and a simultaneous quantification method was established using UPLC-QTrap-MS/MS through multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and applied to analyze the pharmacokinetics of the multiple major polyphenols of PUL in mice.

RESULTS

The water extract of PUL with the highest TPC/TFC exhibited the strongest antihyaluronidase effect (IC₅₀ = 231.93 μg/mL). In vivo assays indicated that the oral administration of PUL water extract dose-dependently attenuated ACD-like symptoms by decreased interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-33, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and IgE production, suppressed eosinophil and basophil secretion, and increasing the expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins (claudin-1 [CLDN-1] and occludin). Concomitantly, UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis enabled the identification of 60 polyphenols and the pharmacokinetic parameters of seven quantified constituents of PUL were characterized. Four compounds, trans-p-coumaric acid 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (11), vicenin-2 (21), isoschaftoside (31), and kaempferol 3-O-(2″,6″-di-O-α-L-rhamnopyransoyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (38) which displayed satisfactory pharmacokinetic features, were considered as potential effective substances in PUL.

CONCLUSIONS

PUL water extract ameliorated the allergic inflammation of ACD by repairing the epithelial barrier and alleviating Th2-type allergic inflammation. The anti-allergic effect of PUL is closely related to its phenolic substances, and compounds 11, 21, 31, and 38 were the active substances of PUL. It revealed that P. utilis could be developed as a new source of antiallergic agents for ACD therapy.

Isoschaftoside Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in Microglia through Regulation of HIF-1α-Mediated Metabolic Reprogramming

Isoschaftoside is a C-glycosyl flavonoid extracted from the root exudates of Desmodium uncinatum and Abrus cantoniensis. Previous studies suggested that C-glycosyl flavonoid has neuroprotective effects with the property of reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory markers. Microglia are key cellular mediators of neuroinflammation in the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of isoschaftoside on lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of BV-2 microglial cells. The BV-2 cells were exposed to 10 ng/ml lipopolysaccharide and isoschaftoside (0-1000 μM). Isoschaftoside effectively inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production and proinflammatory cytokines including iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, and COX2 expression. Isoschaftoside also significantly reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced HIF-1α, HK2, and PFKFB3 protein expression. Induction of HIF-1α accumulation by CoCl2 was inhibited by isoschaftoside, while the HIF-1α specific inhibitor Kc7f2 mitigated the metabolic reprogramming and anti-inflammatory effect of isoschaftoside. Furthermore, isoschaftoside attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and mTOR. These results suggest that isoschaftoside can suppress inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide-activated microglia, and the mechanism was partly due to inhibition of the HIF-1α-mediated metabolic reprogramming pathway.

Ethnomedicinal plants used for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases in Himachal Pradesh, India in Western Himalaya

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Medicinal plants are considered as a healthcare resource and widely used by rural people in their traditional medicine system for curing neurodegenerative diseases. Neurodegenerative diseases refer to incurable and debilitating conditions that result in progressive degeneration/death of nerve cells or neurons in the human brain. This review is mainly focused on the usage of different ethnomedicinal plants in the treatment of different neurodegenerative diseases in Himachal Pradesh. Study reveals total of 73 ethnomedicinal plants, which are used for treating different neurological disorders in different areas of Himachal Pradesh. The data is compiled from the different sources that described the detailed information of plants in tabular form and highlights the significance of different phytochemicals on neuroprotective function. The present study also provides the scientific data and clinical (in-vivo and in-vitro) studies in support of ethnomedicinal use.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review aims to provide information of ethnomedicinal plants which are used for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases in Himachal Pradesh.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Information on the use of ethnomedicinal plants to treat various neurological disorders has been gathered from a variety of sources, including various types of literature, books, and relevant publications in Google Scholar, Research Gate, Science Direct, Scopus, and Pub Med, among others. The collected data is tabulated, including the botanical names of plants, mode of use and the disease for which it is used for curing, etc. RESULTS: There are 73 ethnomedicinal plants that are used to cure various neurological disorders, with the most plants being used to treat epilepsy problem in Himachal Pradesh.

CONCLUSION

Numerous phytochemicals and extracts from diverse plants were found to have a protective effect against neurodegenerative diseases. Antioxidant activity is known to exist in a variety of herbal plants. The most common bioactive antioxidant chemicals having their significant impacts include flavonoids, flavones, coumarins, lignans, isoflavones, catechins, anthocyanins, and isocatechins.

Nano chitosan encapsulation of Cymbopogon citratus leaf extract promotes ROS induction leading to apoptosis in human squamous cells (HSC-3)

World-wide, Indonesia is ranked 17th in oral cancers, with deaths reaching 2.326 cases. Of the oral cancers, 90% are squamous cell carcinoma (HSC-3). Unfortunately, conventional cancer therapy still has many ill side effects. Therefore, pharmacologists have looked for natural ingredients to prevent the growth of oral cancer cells. One source is Cymbopogon citratus leaf. Research shows that the active compound of C. citratus leaf is a chemopreventive, doing so by increasing the production of re-active oxygen species (ROS) to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. The active compound of C. citratus leaf has low stability and solubility, so it is necessary to use an encapsulation matrix such as chitosan, and modify it into smaller particles to increase its effectiveness.

Purpose is determining the effect of nano chitosan encapsulation of C. citratus leaf ethanol extract (NCECC) on the reactive oxygen species of HSC-3 tongue cancer cells. This study is divided into ten groups – without treatment, doxorubicin (positive control), hydrogen peroxide, nano chitosan and C. citratus leaf extract groups, and five groups of NCECC treatment – concentrations of 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, and 12.5%, respectively. The 100% NCECC group showed the highest ROS concentration (p<0.05), compared to 75%, 50%, 25%, 12.5% NCECC groups, and the 100% NCECC was higher than the positive control group. NCECC is effective in inducing oxidative stress on HSC-3 through increased production of ROS. Moreover, the higher the encapsulation concentration given, the greater the increase in ROS production.

Role of Herbal Teas in Regulating Cellular Homeostasis and Autophagy and Their Implications in Regulating Overall Health

Tea is one of the most popular and widely consumed beverages worldwide, and possesses numerous potential health benefits. Herbal teas are well-known to contain an abundance of polyphenol antioxidants and other ingredients, thereby implicating protection and treatment against various ailments, and maintaining overall health in humans, although their mechanisms of action have not yet been fully identified. Autophagy is a conserved mechanism present in organisms that maintains basal cellular homeostasis and is essential in mediating the pathogenesis of several diseases, including cancer, type II diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer’s disease. The increasing prevalence of these diseases, which could be attributed to the imbalance in the level of autophagy, presents a considerable challenge in the healthcare industry. Natural medicine stands as an effective, safe, and economical alternative in balancing autophagy and maintaining homeostasis. Tea is a part of the diet for many people, and it could mediate autophagy as well. Here, we aim to provide an updated overview of popular herbal teas’ health-promoting and disease healing properties and in-depth information on their relation to autophagy and its related signaling molecules. The present review sheds more light on the significance of herbal teas in regulating autophagy, thereby improving overall health.

Exploring protective effect of Glycine tabacina aqueous extract against nephrotic syndrome by network pharmacology and experimental verification

Background

Glycine tabacina (Labill.) Benth, one of the traditional Chinese herbal medicines, has been used for treatment of nephritis, osteoporosis, rheumatism, and menopausal syndrome. The aim of this study was to illuminate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Glycine tabacina aqueous extract (GATE) in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome (NS).

Methods

UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS was used to analyze the chemical profile of GATE. Adriamycin (ADR)-induced NS mouse model and network pharmacology methods were conducted to explore the protective effect and mechanism of GATE on NS treatment.

Results

GATE administration significantly ameliorated symptoms of proteinuria and hyperlipidemia in NS mice, as evidenced by reduced excretion of urine protein and albumin, and decreased plasma levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride. Decreased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels in NS mice suggested that GATE could prevent renal function decline caused by ADR. GATE treatment also inhibited ADR-induced pathological lesions of renal tissues as indicated by periodic acid Schiff staining. Six flavonoids of GATE were identified by using UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS. Network pharmacology analysis indicated that the protection of GATE in treating NS might be associated with the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation. In addition, the in vivo experiment validated that treatment with GATE markedly decreased reactive oxygen species production, malonaldehyde level, and increased superoxide dismutase activity both in plasma and renal tissues. TNF-α level in plasma and protein expression in kidney were significantly decreased in GATE treatment groups.

Conclusions

Combination of network pharmacology analysis and experimental verification revealed that GATE exerts anti-NS effect possibly through modulating oxidative stress and inflammation, suggesting the potential application of GATE or its derivatives in the prevention and treatment of NS and other related kidney diseases.