Self microemulsifying formulation of Lagerstroemia speciosa against chemically induced hepatotoxicity

Immuno-Kachiks formula immunomodulates and ameliorates hepatic damage induced by monosodium glutamate in rats

The immune system plays a vital role in controlling liver fibrosis and enhancing the pathogenesis of liver inflammation. Monosodium glutamate is a common flavor-enhancement food additive. This study evaluated the immunomodulatory and hepato-curative effects of the Immuno-Kachiks polyherbal formulation against monosodium glutamate-induced immune suppression and hepatic damage in rats. Monosodium glutamate was given orally at a 2000 mg/kg dose to male Wistar rats for three months to induce liver damage and immune suppression. After three months of successful induction, three groups were separately administered orally with Immuno-Kachiks formula at 400, 800, and 1500 mg/kg/day for 28 days. At the end of the treatment period, liver and blood samples were collected for histological and biochemical analysis. The lymphocyte count remained significantly low while the neutrophil count and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio increased significantly, despite the cessation of monosodium glutamate ingestion for 28 days. The Immuno-Kachiks formula (IKF) significantly increased the lymphocyte count, reduced the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and normalized the neutrophil count. Neither monosodium glutamate nor the IKF significantly caused alpha-fetoprotein levels to rise or fall below normal. High doses (800 and 1500 mg/kg) of the Immuno-Kachiks formula significantly raised serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin. 1500 mg/kg of the IKF caused mild liver inflammation. The IKF restored the liver morphologic alterations observed in monosodium glutamate-induced liver damage in rats. The results suggest that the Immuno-Kachiks herbal formulation is a potential curative agent for early-stage liver damage and could restore suppressed adaptive immunity.

Identification, ADMET evaluation and molecular docking analysis of Phytosterols from Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.)Pers) seed extract against breast cancer

Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers., (Lythraceae), commonly called Banaba, is a native plant of Southeast Asia and is widely used in the treatment of diabetics, obesity, kidney diseases, and other inflammatory disorders. L. speciosa consists of several phytoconstituents like glycosides, flavones, corosolic acid, ellagic acids, triterpenes, tannins, which are reported to be present in leaves, stem, flowers, fruit, bark, and roots. This paper presents an investigation on the binding interaction of phytosterols derivatives identified from the ethanolic extract of Lagerstroemia speciosa seeds against breast cancer target protein. The ethanolic extracts Lagerstroemia speciosa seeds were analyzed via GC-MS for the identification of their chemical constituent. In silico methods are adopted to predict ADME parameters, pharmacokinetic properties, drug-likeliness, and acute toxicity of the identified phytosterols molecules. Molecular docking analysis of the phytosterols was performed against three breast cancer targets. A total of 29 compounds were identified from the extract by GC-MS analysis, among which four phytosterols derivatives namely cholesterol margarate, 7-dehydrodiosgenin, Stigmastan-3,5-diene, and γ-sitosterol have been considered for the present study. These phytosterols are identified as non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and non-mutagenic. Molecular docking studies reveal the extent of molecular interaction with breast cancer targets. The outcomes of the investigation suggest that the phytosterols obtained from the ethanolic seed extract of Lagerstroemia speciosa could act as a promising candidate against breast cancer.

Improvement of Oral Bioavailability and Anti-Tumor Effect of Zingerone Self-Microemulsion Drug Delivery System

This study sought to prepare a self-microemulsion drug delivery system containing zingerone (Z-SMEDDS) to improve the low oral bioavailability of zingerone and anti-tumor effect. Z-SMEDDS was characterized by particle size, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency, while its pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor effects were also evaluated. Z-SMEDDS had stable physicochemical properties, including average particle size of 17.29 ± 0.07 nm, the zeta potential of -22.81 ± 0.29 mV, and the encapsulation efficiency of 97.96% ± 0.02%. In vitro release studies have shown the release of zingerone released by Z-SMEDDS was significantly higher than free zingerone in different release media. The relative oral bioavailability of Z-SMEDDS was 7.63 times compared with free drug. Meanwhile, the half inhibitory concentration （IC50）of Z-SMEDDS and free zingerone was 8.45 μg/mL and 13.30 μg/mL, respectively on HepG2. This study may provide a preliminary basis for further clinical research and application of Z-SMEDDS.

Ethanolic Extract of Lagerstroemia Speciosa (L.) Pers., Induces Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest in HepG2 Cells

Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers., (Lythraceae) also called Banaba is a native plant of southeast Asia and is widely used in traditional medicinal system. Herbal tea from banaba leaves are used to reduce weight and diabetes. We investigated the cytotoxic potentials of ethanolic banaba leaves extract (EBLE) against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line. Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves were extracted and obtained from M/s. Quimico Herbal Extract Manufacturer, Bengaluru, India, and it contains 20% corosolic acid. Cells were treated with 50, 100, and 150 µg/ml of EBLE for 24 h, and cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. Apoptosis-related morphology was investigated by DAPI nuclear staining. Protein and gene expressions of p-Akt, FOXO1, p53, MDM2, p21, p27, CDK4, cyclin D1, and E1 were evaluated through Western blotting and qPCR. EBLE treatments caused significant, concentration-dependent cytotoxicity. DAPI staining and flow cytometry studies showed chromatin condensation, increased apoptotic cell population and cell cycle arrest at subG0/G1 phase upon EBLE treatments respectively. Furthermore, EBLE treatments significantly increased the expressions of p53, p21, p27, FOXO1, while p-Akt, MDM2, CDK4, cyclin D1, and E1 expressions were downregulated. These findings suggested that EBLE induces G1-phase of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HepG2 cells. EBLE may serve as a therapeutic agent against hepatocellular carcinoma.