Phytochemical and pharmacological validation of folklore medicine practiced in south-western Satpuda Ranges (India) for management of inflammatory conditions

Therapeutic Effect of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd) Extracts on Letrozole-Induced Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and its Complications in Murine Model

Background

Tinosopora cordifolia (Willd) (TC) is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine since long time for number of ailments and its preparations are also considered by food safety and standards authority of India as nutritional supplement. However the scientific evidence on its possible safety and efficacy in polycystic ovarian syndrome and associated complications was not studied in detail.

Objectives

The purpose of this investigation is to examine whether or not TC can have therapeutic effects on letrozole induced PCOS and related complications such as body weight, dyslipidaemia, glucose tolerance, hormonal regulation, insulin resistance and sensitivity, severity of PCOS and histopathological changes in ovary using mice animal model.

Design

Present study is a preclinical study involving laboratory animals.

Methods and analysis

After verifying the absence of PCOS, the animals began receiving Letrozole, which lasted for 21 days. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), triglycerides, cholesterol, and weight were recorded. The levels of hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, insulin, testosterone, luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), histopathology was carried out.

Ethics

The Institutional Animal Ethics Committee at DITU gave its clearance to the animal experimentation on July 10, 2021 (DITU/IAEC/21-22/07-06).

Discussion

The majority of cornified epithelial cells were seen in groups treated with TC extract during the estrous phase of the cycle. Mice exposed to TC retained normal body weight. FBG, 1- and 2-hour OGTT, triglyceride and cholesterol levels were all significantly improved by extracts. Estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, insulin, LH and FSH concentration were all corrected in TC-treated animals. The HOMA-IR, HOMA-Beta and QUICKI values were also corrected with TC extracts. The morphological and microscopic features of the ovary were also greatly enhanced. Based on these findings, we conclude that treating PCOS mice with TC extracts significantly ameliorates the disease and severity down to nil-to-moderate levels by reducing hyperinsulinemia, hyperandrogenism, dyslipidaemia, enhancing insulin sensitivity, correcting oestrogen, progesterone, LH and FSH levels via enhanced ovarian function. Further molecular and cellular level of study is recommended for further elaboration of mechanism of action.

Plain language summaries

• Tinospora cordifolia satva, oil and hydroalcoholic extract were studied in letrozole-induced PCOS in mice model• Anti PCOS efficacy of 3 preparations studied with respect to their mechanism of action in detail• For the first time proposing method of calculating severity of PCOS in animal model• Tinospora cordifolia oil preparation completely reversed PCOS effect of letrozole and made them normal• Histopathological and morphological studies support the biochemical claims.

Isolation and Characterization of Anti-Inflammatory Compounds from Ficus microcarpa L.f. Stem Bark

The anti-inflammatory effect of the ethyl acetate extract of F. microcarpa bark (EAFMB) was investigated in acute and chronic (21 days) inflammation induced in Wistar albino rats. EAFMB (200 mg/kg b.w.) exhibited comparable anti-inflammatory effects to the reference drug, with a reduction of 59.48% at 4 h in acute inflammation and 83.96% on day 21 in chronic inflammation. Bioassay-guided fractionation using DPPH radical scavenging activity led to isolating and identifying three compounds from EAFMB: oleanolic acid, catechin, and p-hydroxycinnamic acid. All these compounds demonstrated the concentration-dependent inhibition of COX enzymes and the protection of egg albumin from heat-induced denaturation. Catechin exhibited the highest COX inhibition (COX-1 and COX-2 IC50 = 9.02 and 50.38 μM, respectively) and anti-denaturation effect (IC50 = 27.13 μg/mL) compared to oleanolic acid and p-hydroxycinnamic acid. These isolated compounds are likely responsible for the anti-inflammatory activities of F. microcarpa bark.

Phytochemical profile, antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities of stem bark extract and fractions of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb.: In vitro, in vivo and in silico approaches

This study aimed to assess the phytochemical composition, in vitro antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of the methanolic extract of Ailanthus excelsa (Simaroubaceae) stem bark and its fractions. Quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed that methanolic extract and all fractions contained a high level of flavonoids (20.40-22.91 mg/g QE), phenolics (1.72-7.41 mg/g GAE), saponins (33.28-51.87 mg/g DE), and alkaloids (0.21-0.33 mg/g AE). The antioxidant potential was evaluated in vitro using a range of assays, i.e., DPPH•, ABTS radical scavenging ability, and total antioxidant capacity. The chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed stronger antioxidant activity than the methanol extract. In vitro cytotoxic activity was investigated in three human tumor cell lines (A-549, MCF7 and HepG2) using the SRB assay. In addition, the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect was assessed by carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. The chloroform fraction showed a more pronounced effect by effectively controlling the growth with the lowest GI50 and TGI concentrations. The human lung cancer cell line (A-549) was found to be more sensitive to the chloroform fraction. Furthermore, the chloroform fraction exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity at a dose of 200 mg/kg in the latter phase of inflammation. Besides, methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction revealed a significant cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects. The chloroform fraction of stem bark showed a strong anti-inflammatory effect in experimental animals and significant COX-2 inhibitory potential in the in vitro experiments. GC-MS analysis of chloroform fraction identified the phytochemicals like caftaric acid, 3,4-dihydroxy phenylacetic acid, arachidonic acid, cinnamic acid, 3-hydroxyphenylvaleric acid, caffeic acid, hexadeconoic acid, and oleanolic acid. The in-silico results suggest that identified compounds have better affinity towards the selected targets, viz. the BAX protein (PDB ID: 1F16), p53-binding protein Mdm-2 (PDB ID: 1YCR), and topoisomerase II (PDB ID: 1QZR). Amongst all, caftaric acid exhibited the best binding affinity for all three targets. Thus, it can be concluded that caftaric acid in combination with other phenolic compounds, might be responsible for the studied activity. Additional in vivo and in vitro studies are required to establish their exact molecular mechanisms and consider them as lead molecules in developing of valuable drugs for treating oxidative stress-induced disorders, cancers, and inflammations.

A review on the plant resources of important medicinal licorice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma has various effects, including tonifying the spleen and qi, clearing heat and toxic substances, eliminating phlegm, relieving cough and pain, and harmonizing the effects of other medicines. It is widely used in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

This review systematically collates the identification of Glycyrrhiza Linn. species with medicinal value and their distributions. The morphological and genetic characteristics, distribution, quantity of reserves in China, suitable environment, and area of suitable habitat of important medicinal species were reviewed. The effects of the natural environment and cultivation management (water and nutrients) on the growth and quality of licorice were reviewed. The aim is to make people have a systematic understanding of the status of medicinal plant resources of the G. Linn., and understand the natural and human factors that affect its quality, so as to provide help for the collection of resources of the important medicinal licorice and the human control of its quality in the future.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted extensive searches of the primary literature, master's and doctoral theses, and pharmacopeias of many countries using PubMed, Geenmedical, CNKI, Web of Science, SCI-hub and other databases. The keywords used in searches included "classification of Glycyrrhiza," "medicinal Glycyrrhiza," "distribution of Glycyrrhiza," and "suitable environment for Glycyrrhiza" The results of research conducted by our research group on the morphological and genetic characteristics, natural distribution, and effects of artificial regulation on the growth and quality of licorice were summarized.

RESULTS

There are approximately 29 species of G. Linn. worldwide, including 15 species with medicinal value. These species occur on all continents except Antarctica across 41 countries. Only one licorice is recorded in Indian pharmacopoia,two species are recorded in US and Japanese pharmacopoeias,and three species are recorded in most national pharmacopoeias: G. glabra Linn., G. uralensis Fisch. and G. inflata Batalin. These three medicinal licorice species are mainly distributed in Eurasia, especially Central Asia. The main morphological differences between these three medicinal licorice species are in the leaves, inflorescences, pods, and seeds, and they can be distinguished by ITS and psbA-trnH sequences. The reserves of wild licorice in China have decreased annually to 1.04 million(t) in 2010. The cultivation area of G. uralensis Fisch in China is currently approximately 26,900 hm². Soil conditions have a substantial effect on the yield and quality of G. uralensis Fisch, especially water and nutrients. Appropriate irrigation and fertilization measures can enhance the quality of G. uralensis Fisch.

CONCLUSIONS

G. Linn. species and their natural distributions were summarized. The morphology, genetic characteristics, suitable environment, and area of suitable habitat of three medicinal licorice species collected in major countries were described. The main environmental conditions and cultivation measures affecting their growth and medicinal quality were determined. This article provides a comprehensive review on G. Linn. medicinal plant resources to enhance the future use of these resources.