Comparative immunomodulatory effect of scopoletin on tumoral and normal lymphocytes

Scopoletin: a review of its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity

Scopoletin is a coumarin synthesized by diverse medicinal and edible plants, which plays a vital role as a therapeutic and chemopreventive agent in the treatment of a variety of diseases. In this review, an overview of the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of scopoletin is provided. In addition, the prospects and outlook for future studies are appraised. Scopoletin is indicated to have antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammation, anti-angiogenesis, anti-oxidation, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective properties and immunomodulatory effects in both in vitro and in vivo experimental trials. In addition, it is an inhibitor of various enzymes, including choline acetyltransferase, acetylcholinesterase, and monoamine oxidase. Pharmacokinetic studies have demonstrated the low bioavailability, rapid absorption, and extensive metabolism of scopoletin. These properties may be associated with its poor solubility in aqueous media. In addition, toxicity research indicates the non-toxicity of scopoletin to most cell types tested to date, suggesting that scopoletin will neither induce treatment-associated mortality nor abnormal performance with the test dose. Considering its favorable pharmacological activities, scopoletin has the potential to act as a drug candidate in the treatment of cancer, liver disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative disease, and mental disorders. In view of its merits and limitations, scopoletin is a suitable lead compound for the development of new, efficient, and low-toxicity derivatives. Additional studies are needed to explore its molecular mechanisms and targets, verify its toxicity, and promote its oral bioavailability.

Acyl-CoA Binding Domain Containing 4 Polymorphism rs4986172 and Expression Can Serve as Overall Survival Biomarkers for Hepatitis B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients After Hepatectomy

Background

The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential of expression and single nucleotide polymorphism of Acyl-CoA binding domain containing 4 (ACBD4) gene as prognosis biomarkers in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy.

Methods

HBV-related HCC patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University and GSE14520 were included in the current study, as well as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) HCC verification cohort. Prognostic analysis and multiple functional enrichment analysis methods were used to evaluate the prognostic value and potential biological functions of the ACBD4 gene in HBV-related HCC.

Results

We found that ACBD4 gene is highly expressed in normal liver tissues and markedly down-regulated in HBV-related HCC tissues. ACBD4 gene was significantly related to overall survival (OS) of HCC in TCGA and GSE14520 cohorts, and patients with low ACBD4 expression were markedly related to poor OS. Rs4986172 was observed as an OS biomarker after hepatectomy in the Guangxi HBV-related HCC cohort. The OS of rs4986172 GG genotype was worse than that of HCC patients with A allele (AA and AG genotypes). Multifunctional enrichment analysis suggested that ACBD4 gene is closely related to the metabolic, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and cytochrome P450 pathway. Through connectivity map, we also identified eight compounds that may be used as targeted therapeutic agents for ACBD4 gene in HBV-related HCC; these compounds were scopoletin, alfaxalone, bephenium hydroxynaphthoate, apramycin, 4,5-dianilinophthalimide, DL-thiorphan, aminohippuric acid and quinidine. Immune microenvironment analysis revealed that there were significant differences in immune scores of HBV-related HCC tumor tissues with different ACBD4 expression levels.

Conclusion

Our study reveals that ACBD4 expression and rs4986172 can be serve as biomarkers of OS in HBV-related HCC patients after hepatectomy.

Antioxidant and antigenotoxic potential of Morinda tinctoria Roxb. leaf extract succeeding cadmium exposure in Asian catfish, Pangasius sutchi

The present study investigated the protective effect of methanolic leaf extract of Morinda tinctoria. Roxb (MEMT) (200 mg/kg) via feed in supplementation with standard compound silymarin (400 mg/kg). M. tinctoria (Roxb.) belonging to Rubiaceae, is an evergreen shrub indigenous to unfarmed lands of tropical countries. It is considered as an essential traditional medicine attributing for the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The enhancements of antioxidant and antigenotoxic status in different tissues of cadmium (Cd) intoxicated Pangasius sutchi were evaluated by using various antioxidant assays (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and lipid peroxidation) in addition to micronuclei (MN), binuclei (BN) and comet assay. The cadmium toxicated fish showed a significant (p < 0.001) increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) activities in liver, gills, muscle and kidney whereas significant (p < 0.001) decline were observed in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) contents in all fish tissues. The results also revealed that, Cd exposure induced the formation of genotoxic endpoints like MN, BN, notched nuclei, kidney shaped nuclei and DNA damage in the fish erythrocytes. Maximum of 26.8% MN frequencies and maximum of 66.74% tail DNA damage were observed on the 7th day of Cd exposure. A time-dependent significant increase (p < 0.001) in the frequencies of MN, BN and tail DNA damage were observed in all treated groups against the control which started to decline from 14th day onwards. There was a decline in the LPO content, frequencies of MN, BN and percentage of tail DNA in contrast to significant elevation in SOD and CAT content in all tissues due to the combined treatment of M. tinctoria feed and water borne Cd exposure. It can be concluded from our observations that, supplementation of M. tinctoria leaf extract through feed alone produced enhanced antioxidant and antigenotoxic status in cadmium treated fish by diminishing oxidative stress and genotoxicity effects in a time dependent manner.

Artemisia scoparia: Traditional uses, active constituents and pharmacological effects

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Artemisia scoparia Waldst.et Kit (A. scoparia), is an important medicinal plant mainly distributed in China, Korea, Japan, Pakistan, India, Central Europe, Saudi Arabia and Iran. It has been used for a long history to treat fever, inflammation, jaundice, and infection, but systematic reviews about the medicinal uses of A. scoparia are still lacking.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review is to provide up-to-date information on A. scoparia, including its botanical characteristics, medicinal resources, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological effects, in exploring therapeutic and scientific potentials.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The information related to this article was systematically collected from the scientific literature databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, Springer, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, local books, PhD and MS dissertations, and other web sources.

RESULTS

Herein a total of 102 compounds, such as flavonoids, coumarins, chromones, steroids, volatile oil and phenolic acid isolated from A. scoparia are summarized. Among these compounds, the effects of flavonoids, coumarins and phenolic acids were extensively studied. We have comprehensively summarized modern pharmacological studies on A. scoparia and demonstrated A. scoparia and its active components have a wide range of pharmaceutical activities, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, liver protection, antiatherogenic, antiviral as well as neuroprotective functions.

CONCLUSIONS

As an important Chinese medicinal plant, modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that A. scoparia has diverse bioactivities, especially on liver protection and anti-inflammatory activities. These prominent bioactivities highlight prospects on new drug development. Nevertheless, the comprehensive evaluation, long-term in vivo toxicity, and clinical efficacy of A. scoparia require further in-depth research.

Development and Validation of an Analytical Method for Deacetylasperulosidic Acid, Asperulosidic Acid, Scopolin, Asperuloside and Scopoletin in Fermented Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni)

Fermentation is a technology that enhances biologically active ingredients, improves the absorption rate and induces the generation of new functional ingredients by the catalytic action of enzyme systems possessed by microorganisms. In this study, changes in the content of five kinds of bioactive compounds (deacetylasperulosidic acid, asperulosidic acid, scopolin, asperuloside and scopoletin) of Morinda citrifolia L. were confirmed by fermentation, and a high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) analysis method for measuring analytes was developed and validated. HPLC method for the determination of five bioactive compounds in Morinda citrifolia L. extracts (MCE) was validated in terms of sensitivity, linearity, selectivity, limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), precision and accuracy. The coefficient of determination of the calibration curve for bioactive compounds (1.56–100 μg/mL) showed linearity (R2 ≥ 0.9999). LOD and LOQ were in the range 0.04–0.97 and 0.13–2.95 μg/mL, respectively. The range of intra- and intraday accuracies values (recovery) were 97.5–121.9% and 98.8–118.1%, respectively, and precision value (RSDs) of the bioactive compounds were <4%. In addition, changes in the content of five bioactive compounds in MCE by fermentation were confirmed. These results indicate that the developed fermentation and analysis method could be applied in the development of potential functional food ingredients.

Modulation of α-synuclein fibrillation by plant metabolites, daidzein, fisetin and scopoletin under physiological conditions

The aggregation of α-synuclein is linked to neurological disorders, and of these, Parkinson's disease (PD) is among the most widely studied. In this background, we have investigated here the effects of three α, β-unsaturated carbonyl based plant metabolites, daidzein, fisetin and scopoletin on α-Syn aggregation. The ThT and light scattering kinetics studies establish that these compounds have ability to inhibit α-Syn fibrillation to different extents; this is confirmed by TEM studies. It is pertinent to note here that daidzein and scopoletin have been predicted to be able to cross the blood brain barrier. ANS binding assays demonstrate that the compounds interfere in the hydrophobic interactions. The tyrosine quenching, molecular docking and MD simulation studies showed that the compounds bind with α-Syn and provide structural rigidity which delays onset of structural transitions, which is confirmed by CD spectroscopy. The results obtained here throw light on the mechanisms underlying inhibition of α-Syn fibrillation by these compounds. Thus, the current work has significant therapeutic implications for identifying plant based potent therapeutic molecules for PD and other synucleinopathies, an area which needs extensive exploration.

Chemical Structure and Biological Activities of Secondary Metabolites from Salicornia europaea L

Salicornia europaea L. is a halophyte that grows in salt marshes and muddy seashores, which is widely used both as traditional medicine and as an edible vegetable. This salt-tolerant plant is a source of diverse secondary metabolites with several therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity effects. Therefore, this review summarizes the chemical structure and biological activities of secondary metabolites isolated from Salicornia europaea L.

Artemisia scoparia and Metabolic Health: Untapped Potential of an Ancient Remedy for Modern Use

Botanicals have a long history of medicinal use for a multitude of ailments, and many modern pharmaceuticals were originally isolated from plants or derived from phytochemicals. Among these, artemisinin, first isolated from Artemisia annua, is the foundation for standard anti-malarial therapies. Plants of the genus Artemisia are among the most common herbal remedies across Asia and Central Europe. The species Artemisia scoparia (SCOPA) is widely used in traditional folk medicine for various liver diseases and inflammatory conditions, as well as for infections, fever, pain, cancer, and diabetes. Modern in vivo and in vitro studies have now investigated SCOPA's effects on these pathologies and its ability to mitigate hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress, obesity, diabetes, and other disease states. This review focuses on the effects of SCOPA that are particularly relevant to metabolic health. Indeed, in recent years, an ethanolic extract of SCOPA has been shown to enhance differentiation of cultured adipocytes and to share some properties of thiazolidinediones (TZDs), a class of insulin-sensitizing agonists of the adipogenic transcription factor PPARγ. In a mouse model of diet-induced obesity, SCOPA diet supplementation lowered fasting insulin and glucose levels, while inducing metabolically favorable changes in adipose tissue and liver. These observations are consistent with many lines of evidence from various tissues and cell types known to contribute to metabolic homeostasis, including immune cells, hepatocytes, and pancreatic beta-cells. Compounds belonging to several classes of phytochemicals have been implicated in these effects, and we provide an overview of these bioactives. The ongoing global epidemics of obesity and metabolic disease clearly require novel therapeutic approaches. While the mechanisms involved in SCOPA's effects on metabolic, anti-inflammatory, and oxidative stress pathways are not fully characterized, current data support further investigation of this plant and its bioactives as potential therapeutic agents in obesity-related metabolic dysfunction and many other conditions.

Isolation, characterization and in vitro anti-salmonellal activity of compounds from stem bark extract of Canarium schweinfurthii

BACKGROUND

Bacteria belonging to the Salmonella genus are major concern for health, as they are widely reported in many cases of food poisoning. The use of antibiotics remains a main stream control strategy for avian salmonellosis as well as typhoid and paratyphoid fevers in humans. Due to the growing awareness about drug resistance and toxicities, the use of antibiotics is being discouraged in many countries whilst advocating potent benign alternatives such as phyto-based medicine. The objective of this work was to isolate, characterise the bioactive compounds of Canarium schweinfurthii; and evaluate their anti-salmonellal activity.

METHODS

The hydro-ethanolic extract of Canarium schweinfurthii was fractionated and tested for their anti-salmonellal activity. The most active fractions (i.e. chloroform and ethyl acetate partition fractions) were then explored for their phytochemical constituents. Fractionation on normal phase silica gel column chromatography and size exclusion chromatography on Sephadex LH-20 led to the isolation of four compounds (maniladiol, scopoletin, ethyl gallate and gallic acid) reported for the first time in Canarium schweinfurthii.

RESULTS

Result indicated that scopoletin and gallic acid had greater activity than the crude extracts and partition fractions. Among the isolated compounds, scopoletin showed the highest inhibitory activity with a MIC of 16 μg/ml against Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall results of this study indicates that the hydro-ethanolic extract as well as some of isolated compounds have interesting anti-salmonellal activities that could be further explored for the development of potent therapy for salmonellosis. Furthermore, the study adds credence to the folkloric applications of the plant.

Silencing T-type voltage-gated calcium channel gene reduces the sensitivity of Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) to scopoletin

Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) is a major pest that harms crops and vegetables worldwide. Scopoletin is a promising acaricidal compound. Our previous study demonstrated that the acaricidal mechanism of scopoletin may be via disrupting intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis and calcium signaling pathway. However, the mechanism underlying the specific target location of scopoletin against T. cinnabarinus remains unclear. In this study, the full-length cDNA of the calcium channel (TcT-VDCC) gene from T. cinnabarinus was cloned and characterized. The TcT-VDCC gene is expressed at all developmental stages of T. cinnabarinus but is highly expressed in the larval and nymphal stages. The TcT-VDCC gene was significantly upregulated after treatment with scopoletin, and the RNAi method was used to feed the dsRNA in T. cinnabarinus to silence the TcT-VDCC gene and reduce its sensitivity to scopoletin. The results showed that the acaricidal mechanism of scopoletin on T. cinnabarinus may be related to TcT-VDCC.

Acmella oleracea for pain management

Despite advances in medicine and numerous agents that counteract pain, millions of patients continue to suffer. Attention has been given to identify novel botanical interventions that produce analgesia by interacting with nociceptive-transducing channels. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the actual knowledge of Acmella oleracea (L.) and its activities, particularly those that are anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and painkiller. These activities are attributed to numerous bioactive compounds, such as phytosterols, phenolic compounds and N-alkylamides (spilanthol, responsible for many activities, primarily anesthetic). This review includes 99 eligible studies to consider the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and painkiller of Acmella. Studies reported in this review confirmed anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities of Acmella, postulating that transcription factors of the nuclear factor-κB family (NF-κB) trigger the transcription iNOS and COX-2 and several other pro-inflammatory mediators, such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. The antinociceptive effects has been demonstrated and have been related to different processes, including inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, activation of opioidergic, serotoninergic and GABAergic systems, and anesthetic activity through blockage of voltage-gated Na Channels. acmella oleracea represents a promise for pain management, particularly in chronic degenerative diseases, where pain is a significant critical issue.

Phytochemicals in Anticancer Drug Development

BACKGROUND

In spite of major technological advances in conventional therapies, cancer continues to remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Phytochemicals are gradually emerging as a rich source of effective but safer agents against many life-threatening diseases.

METHODS

Various phytochemicals with reported anticancer activity have been simply categorized into major phytoconstituents- alkaloids, polyphenols, saponins, tannins and terpenoids.

RESULTS

The adverse effects associated with currently available anticancer medications may be overcome by using plant-derived compounds either alone or in combination. Exploration of plant kingdom may provide new leads for the accelerated development of new anticancer agents.

CONCLUSION

Although numerous potent synthetic drugs have been introduced for cancer chemotherapy, yet their serious toxicity concerns to normal cells apart from drug resistance have emerged as the major obstacles for their clinical utility over a prolonged duration of time. Current status and potential of phytochemicals and their derivatives in cancer therapy have been briefly reviewed in the present manuscript.

Acaricidal Mechanism of Scopoletin Against Tetranychus cinnabarinus

Scopoletin is a promising acaricidal botanical natural compound against Tetranychus cinnabarinus, and its acaricidal mechanism maybe involve calcium overload according to our previous study. To seek potential candidate target genes of calcium overload induced by scopoletin in T. cinnabarinus, RNA-seq was utilized to detect changes in transcription levels. 24 and 48 h after treatment, 70 and 102 differentially expressed genes were obtained, respectively. Target genes included 3 signal transduction genes, 4 cell apoptosis genes, 4 energy metabolism genes, and 2 transcription factor genes. The role of 3 calcium signaling pathway-related genes, namely, G-protein-coupled neuropeptide receptor, Bcl-2 protein and guanylate kinase (designated TcGPCR, TcBAG, and TcGUK, respectively) in the calcium overload were investigated in this study. RT-qPCR detection showed that scopoletin treatment upregulated the expression level of TcGPCR and downregulated the expression level of TcBAG and TcGUK. The result of RNAi indicated that downregulation of TcGPCR decreased susceptibility to scopoletin, and downregulation of TcBAG and TcGUK enhanced susceptibility to scopoletin. Functional expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells showed that scopoletin induced a significant increase in intracellular free calcium [Ca2+]i levels by activating TcGPCR. These results demonstrated that the acaricidal mechanism of scopoletin was via disrupting intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and calcium signaling pathway mediated by GPCR, BAG, and GUK.

Pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and metabolism of scopoletin in dog by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with linear ion trap-Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry

A highly sensitive and selective method based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with linear ion trap-Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS) has been developed and validated for the determination of scopoletin in dog plasma. The analyte was extracted from plasma samples using acetonitrile and separated on an Acquity UPLC BEH C₁₈ column (50 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) with 0.05% ammonium hydroxide and acetonitrile as mobile phase. The developed method was linear over the concentration range of 1-500 ng/mL, with a correlation coefficient >0.9988. The intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD) were <8.93% while the accuracy (RE) ranged from -6.50 to 8.12%. Extraction recovery, matrix effect and stability for dog plasma samples were within the required limits. The validated method has been successfully applied to investigate the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of scopoletin in dog plasma after intravenous (1 mg/kg) and oral (10, 25, 50 mg/kg) administration. The results revealed that (a) scopoletin showed short elimination half-life in dog; (b) its oral bioavailability was low (within the range of 5.69-7.08%); (c) scopoletin showed dose-independent pharmacokinetic profiles in dog plasma over the dose range of 10-50 mg/kg; and (d) glucuronidation was the predominant metabolic pathway in dog.

Silencing Chitinase Genes Increases Susceptibility of Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) to Scopoletin

The carmine spider mite Tetranychus cinnabarinus is a major pest of crop and vegetable plants worldwide. Previous studies have shown that scopoletin is a promising acaricidal compound against Tetranychus cinnabarinus. However, the acaricidal mechanism of scopoletin remains unclear. In the present study, 12 full-length cDNAs of chitinase (CHIT) genes from Tetranychus cinnabarinus (designated TcCHITs) were cloned and characterized. Although TcCHITs were expressed throughout all life stages, their expression levels were significantly upregulated during the larval and nymphal stages. TcCHITs were downregulated 24 h after treatment with scopoletin and upregulated 24 h after treatment with diflubenzuron (DFB, a chitin synthesis inhibitor). Feeding double-stranded RNA effectively silenced TcCHIT transcription in Tetranychus cinnabarinus, thus increasing its susceptibility to scopoletin but reducing that to DFB. Meanwhile, TcCHIT silencing in larvae and adult resulted in an extremely low molting rate (7.3%) and high mortality rate (53.3%), respectively, compared with those in the control group. CHIT genes are closely related to arthropod survival, molting, and development in Tetranychus cinnabarinus, suggesting that acaricidal mechanisms of scopoletin and DFB may occur by inhibition and activation of CHIT gene expression, respectively. TcCHIT constitutes a possible target of scopoletin and DFB in Tetranychus cinnabarinus.

Development of a Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion Extraction Combined with UPLC/Q-TOF-MS for Determination of Phenolics and Terpenoids from the Euphorbia fischeriana

A method based on a simplified extraction by matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) followed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with the quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS) determination is validated for analysis of two phenolics and three terpenoids in Euphorbia fischeriana. The optimized experimental parameters of MSPD including dispersing sorbent (silica gel), ratio of sample to dispersing sorbent (1:2), elution solvent (water–ethanol: 30–70) and volume of the elution solvent (10 mL) were examined and set down. The highest extraction yields of chromatogram information and the five compounds were obtained under the optimized conditions. A total of 25 constituents have been identified and five components have been quantified from Euphorbia fischeriana. A linear relationship (r² ≥ 0.9964) between the concentrations and the peak areas of the mixed standard substances were revealed. The average recovery was between 92.4% and 103.2% with RSD values less than 3.45% (n = 5). The extraction yields of two phenolics and three terpenoids obtained by the MSPD were higher than those of traditional reflux and sonication extraction with reduced requirement on sample, solvent and time. In addition, the optimized method will be applied for analyzing terpenoids in other Chinese herbal medicine samples.

Morinda citrifolia edible leaf extract enhanced immune response against lung cancer

In the search for functional foods as complementary therapies against lung cancer, the immuno-stimulatory properties of the vegetable Morinda citrifolia leaves were investigated and compared with the anti-cancer drug erlotinib.

The genus Sida L. - A traditional medicine: Its ethnopharmacological, phytochemical and pharmacological data for commercial exploitation in herbal drugs industry

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sida L. (Malvaceae) has been used for centuries in traditional medicines in different countries for the prevention and treatment of different diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, gastrointestinal and urinary infections, malarial and other fevers, childbirth and miscarriage problems, skin ailments, cardiac and neural problems, asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems, weight loss aid, rheumatic and other inflammations, tuberculosis, etc.

AIMS OF THIS REVIEW

To assess the scientific evidence for therapeutic potential of Sida L. and to identify the gaps of future research needs.

METHODS

The available information on the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Sida species was collected via a library and electronic searches in SciFinder, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar for the period, 1933-2015.

RESULTS

A variety of ethnomedicinal uses of Sida species have been found in India, China, Afrian and American countries. Phytochemical investigation of this genus has resulted in identification of about 142 chemical constituents, among which alkaloids, flavonoids and ecdysteroids are the predominant groups. The crude extracts and isolates have exhibited a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effects involving antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, abortifacient, neuroprotective, cardiovascular and cardioprotective, antimalarial, antitubercular, antidiabetic and antiobesity, antioxidant and nephroprotective activities among others. Ethnopharmacological preparations containing Sida species as an ingredient in India, African and American countries possess good efficacy in health disorders. From the toxicity perspective, only three Sida species have been assessed and found safe for oral use in rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacological results supported some of the uses of Sida species in the traditional medicine. Alkaloids, flavonoids, other phenolics and ecdysteroids were perhaps responsible for the activities of extracts of the plants of this genus. No clinical study was reported. The detailed study on mechanism of action of isolates and extracts and their clinical study are needed for their use in modern medicine. More attention should be paid to Sida acuta, Sida cordifolia, Sida spinosa, Sida rhombifolia and Sida veronicaefolia in the domain of diarrhea, dysentery, gastrointestinal and urinary infections, skin ailments, asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems, malaria, childbirth and miscarriage problems, cardiac and neural problems, weight loss aid, and rheumatic and other inflammations, etc. Furthermore, detailed study on quality and safety assurance data on available ethnopharmacological preparations is needed for their commercial exploitation in local and global markets.

Synthesis and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of scopoletin derivatives

A series of scopoletin derivatives incorporated with the pyridinium moiety was synthesized and evaluated for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity by the colorimetric Ellman's method. A 2-fluorobenzylpyridinium derivative was the most potent among the tested compounds, with an IC50 value of 0.215±0.015μM, which was greatly improved from that of scopoletin. Docking studies revealed that the scopoletin portion of the mentioned compound was bound to the peripheral anionic site of the AChE, whereas the N-benzylpyridinium residue to the catalytic anionic site.

Evaluation of binding competition and group epitopes of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors by STD NMR, Tr-NOESY, DOSY and molecular docking: an old approach but new findings

We suggest that the small inhibitors of AChE like coumarin and gallic acid's structure-based scaffolds may help in controlling Alzheimer's disease.

Antiproliferative Effect and the Isolated Compounds of Pouzolzia indica

Previous report showed the high potent antiproliferative effect of the methanolic part extracted from the aerial parts of Pouzolzia indica on NB4 and HT93A acute leukemic cell lines with the IC₅₀ values of 28.5 and 49.8 μg/mL, respectively. The bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanolic part gave 5 fractions, that is, FFI–FFV. FFII, FFIII, and FFIV inhibited the above leukemic cell lines with the IC₅₀ values of 15.1 (FFII), 14.4 (FFIII), 32.1 (FFIV), and 31.0 (FFII), 9.7 (FFIII), 10.5 (FFIV) μg/mL, respectively. The compounds in these fractions were isolated using chromatographic technique. FFII contained friedelin 1, 28-hydroxy-3-friedelanone 2, and 7-methoxy-coumarin 3. FFIII contained 6, 7-dimethoxy-coumarin 4, scopoletin 5, methyl caffeate 6. FFIV contained sitosteryl glucoside 7 and a supposed glycosphingolipid 8. The chemical structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

Effects of sangu decoction on osteoclast activity in a rat model of breast cancer bone metastasis

Bone metastasis (BM) is a major clinical problem for which current treatments lack full efficacy. The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Sangu Decoction (SGD) has been widely used to treat BM in China. However, no in vivo experiments to date have investigated the effects of TCM on osteoclast activity in BM. In this study, the protective effect and probable mechanism of SGD were evaluated. The model was established using the breast cancer MRMT-1 cells injected into the tibia of rat. SGD was administrated, compared with Zoledronic acid as a positive control. The development of the bone tumor and osteoclast activity was monitored by radiological analysis. TRAP stain was used to identify osteoclasts quantity and activity. TRAP-5b in serum or bone tumor and TRAP mRNA were also quantified. Radiological examination showed that SGD inhibited tumor proliferation and preserved the cortical and trabecular bone structure. In addition, a dramatic reduction of TRAP positive osteoclasts was observed and TRAP-5b levels in serum and bone tumor decreased significantly. It also reduced the mRNA expression of TRAP. The results indicated that SGD exerted potent antiosteoclast property that could be directly related to its TRAP inhibited activity. In addition it prevented bone tumor proliferation in BM model.

In vivo immunomodulatory effect of Tilia x viridis extracts on normal lymphocyte proliferation: a direct and an indirect action

The flowers of Tilia species have been used in Europe for many years to treat colds, bronchitis, fever, inflammations and influenza. It is well known that lymphocytes play a role in acquired immunity related to pathogens and tumor cells attachment. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an aqueous (AE) and a dichloromethane extract (DM) from Tilia x viridis which is widely used and distributed in Argentina, on normal murine lymphocyte proliferation after being administered to mice. Both extracts presented a stimulatory effect on normal murine lymphocyte proliferation. The effect exerted by DM was principally related to macrophage activation, meanwhile AE exerted an important direct effect on lymphocytes related to the rutin presence. The stimulating effect, exerted on normal lymphocytes was due to a protective effect of apoptosis and also to cell IL2 production.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Murraya exotica

CONTEXT

 Leaves of Murraya exotica L. (Rutaceae) are used for the treatment of various disorders such as cough, fever, and infectious wounds, as well as alleviating pains in folk medicine in southern China.

OBJECTIVE

 The objectives of this study were to investigate the in vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol (70%) extracts and isolated compounds obtained from the dried leaves of M. exotica.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 The antinociceptive activities were evaluated with the methods of acetic acid-induced writhing response and hot-plate latent pain response test. Carrageenan induced hind paw edema, xylene induced ear edema, and a rat knee osteoarthritis model were employed to measure the anti-inflammatory activities. The compounds were isolated using column chromatography and thin-layer chromatography, and the structures identified by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS, and IR.

RESULTS

The ethanol (70%) extracts significantly decreased in the acetic acid-induced writhing response; increased in hot-plate latency; suppressed xylene induced ear swelling and the carrageenan-induced paw edema effectively. In the rat knee osteoarthritis model, the treatment of the ethanol (70%) extracts resulted in a significant increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase, an inhibition on inducible nitric oxide synthase activity, and a decrease in the contents of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α of the rat serum. Following this, we explored the components of the ethanol (70%) extracts and isolated six known coumarins, including murracarpin, which exhibited the most potential in antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

 M. exotica displayed remarkable antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities.

Immunomodulatory effects of damnacanthal isolated from roots of Morinda elliptica

Morinda elliptica Ridley (Rubiaceae) has been used traditionally as a medicine to treat various diseases in Malaysia and southeast Asia. In the present study we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of damnacanthal isolated from the roots of Morinda elliptica. The immunomodulatory effect of this compound was evaluated by using the lymphocyte proliferation assay with mouse thymocytes and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). In addition, the effect of the compound on PBMC cell cycle progression was studied by using flow cytometry. The production of human interleukin-2 and human inteleukin-12 cytokines was also assessed using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. The lymphocyte proliferation assay showed that damnacanthal was able to activate mouse thymocytes and PBMC at a low concentration (0.468 microg/mL). Moreover, the production of human interleukin-2 and human interleukin-12 cytokines in the culture supernatant from damnacanthal activated lymphocytes was markedly up-regulated at 24 h and sustained until 72 h with a slight decrease with time. A positive correlation was found between the level of these two cytokines and the MTT-based proliferation assay. Based on the above results, damnacanthal can act as an immunomodulatory agent which may be very useful for maintaining a healthy immune system.

Limonene exerts antiproliferative effects and increases nitric oxide levels on a lymphoma cell line by dual mechanism of the ERK pathway: relationship with oxidative stress

D-limonene is a common monoterpene found in nature. Previously, it has been demonstrated that it has antiproliferative effects on a lymphoma cell line by increasing the nitric oxide (NO) level. In the present work this mechanism is analyzed by evaluating the participation of MAP38 and ERK pathways. Limonene increased the NO levels by inducing cell apoptosis by two mechanisms: through the production of H(2)O(2) and ERK pathway activation at low concentrations, and through the inhibition of farnesylation of proteins and O(2)- production at high concentrations. Both mechanisms were related to the increase in total nitrites, and the production of oxidative stress intermediates was involved.

Bioactive metabolites from Spilanthes acmella Murr

Spilanthes acmella Murr. (Compositae) has been used as a traditional medicine for toothache, rheumatism and fever. Its extracts had been shown to exhibit vasorelaxant and antioxidant activities. Herein, its antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities were evaluated. Agar dilution method assays against 27 strains of microorganisms were performed. Results showed that fractions from the chloroform and methanol extracts inhibited the growth of many tested organisms, e.g. Corynebacterium diphtheriae NCTC 10356 with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 64-256 μg/mL and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 with MIC of 128-256 μg/mL. The tested fractions all exhibited antioxidant properties in both DPPH and SOD assays. Potent radical scavenging activity was observed in the DPPH assay. No cytotoxic effects of the extracts against KB and HuCCA-1 cell lines were evident. Bioassay-guided isolation resulted in a diverse group of bioactive compounds such as phenolics [vanillic acid (2), trans-ferulic acid (5) and trans-isoferulic acid (6)], coumarin (scopoletin, 4) and triterpenoids like 3-acetylaleuritolic acid (1), β-sitostenone (3), stigmasterol and stigmasteryl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosides, in addition to a mixture of stigmasteryl-and β-sitosteryl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosides. The compounds 1–6 represent bioactive metabolites of S. acmella Murr. that were never previously reported. Our findings demonstrate for the first time the potential benefits of this medicinal plant as a rich source of high therapeutic value compounds for medicines, cosmetics, supplements and as a health food.

Determination of scopoletin in rat plasma by high performance liquid chromatographic method with UV detection and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

A rapid and simple high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed and validated for determination of scopoletin in rat plasma using psoralen as internal standard. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C(18) column using methanol and distilled water (49:51, v/v) containing 0.05% (v/v) phosphoric acid as mobile phase. The UV detector was set at 345 nm. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.165-9.90 microg/ml with a correlation coefficient of 0.9994. The recovery for plasma samples of 0.165, 1.32 and 6.60 microg/ml was 93.2%, 95.9% and 95.5%, respectively. The RSD of intra- and inter-day assay variations was less than 6.7%. This HPLC assay is a precise and reliable method for the analysis of scopoletin in pharmacokinetic studies.

Development of a rapid and validated method for investigating the metabolism of scoparone in rat using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Scoparone (6,7-dimethoxycoumarin) is known to have a wide range of pharmacological properties. In this study, a rapid and validated ultra-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-QTof-MS) method was developed to investigate the metabolism of scoparone in rat for the first time. The new method reduced the sample handling and analytical time by three- to six-fold, and the detection limit by five- to 1000-fold, compared to published methods. Far more metabolites were detected and identified compared to published data, which were preliminarily identified as scopoletin, isoscopoletin, isofraxidin, and fraxidin, respectively, when subjected to tandem mass spectrometry analyses. It is found that the metabolic trajectory of scoparone in rat focused on phase I metabolism which is obviously different from published results, and revealed a wide range of pharmacological properties of scoparone partly attributed to the bioactivities of its metabolites.