Terminalia chebula attenuates quinolinate-induced oxidative PC12 and OLN-93 cell death

Comparative analysis of chemical components in fruits of Chebulae Fructus and its pulp based on chromatographic technology coupled with multivariate chemometric methods

Chebulae Fructus, was extensively used as a food supplement and medicinal herb, which contained two medicinal forms corresponding to the mature fruit of Chebulae Fructus (CF) and CF pulp. They were widely used in the Chinese clinical medicine and it played a significant role in the Mongolian and Tibetan medicine for the treatment of sore throat, asthma, diarrhea and other diseases. Both of them were recorded in the 2020 Edition (Volume I) of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. However, the chemical components of CF and CF pulp have not been holistically explored, which seriously hindered its quality evaluation. This study investigated the overall chemical profile of the CF and CF pulp using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) and ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Sixty-four chemical components were tentatively identified, and 13 components were quantified in Chebulae Fructus. Furthermore, multivariate chemometric methods were applied to compare the differences among CF samples, and all samples were classified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) based on the 13 quantified compounds. The results showed that CF and CF pulp were clustered in two different areas. Ellagic acid, chebulagic acid, chebulinic acid, corilagin and pentagalloyl glucose were selected as the significant constituents to different of CF and CF pulp. LC-MS coupled with chemometrics strategy analysis could comprehensively evaluate the holistic quality of CF, which provided a necessary information for the rational development and utilization of CF and CF pulp resource.

Terminalia chebula-Assisted Silver Nanoparticles: Biological Potential, Synthesis, Characterization, and Ecotoxicity

In the current research, an aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula fruit was used to produce silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in a sustainable manner. UV-visible spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the synthesized nanoparticles. Synthesized Ag NPs were detected since their greatest absorption peak was seen at 460 nm. The synthesized Ag NPs were spherical and had an average size of about 50 nm, with agglomerated structures, as shown via SEM and TEM analyses. The biological activities of the synthesized Ag NPs were evaluated in terms of their antibacterial and antioxidant properties, as well as protein leakage and time-kill kinetics assays. The results suggest that the green synthesized Ag NPs possess significant antibacterial and antioxidant activities, making them a promising candidate for therapeutic applications. Furthermore, the study also evaluated the potential toxicological effects of the Ag NPs using zebrafish embryos as a model organism. The findings indicate that the synthesized Ag NPs did not induce any significant toxic effects on zebrafish embryos, further supporting their potential as therapeutic agents. In conclusion, the environmentally friendly production of Ag NPs using the extract from T. chebula is a promising strategy for discovering novel therapeutic agents with prospective uses in biomedicine.

Pharmacokinetics of active compounds of a Terminalia chebula Retz. Ethanolic extract after oral administration rats using UPLC-MS/MS

Terminalia chebula Retz. (TC) is a well-known Chinese herbal medicine and rich in chemical components with multiple pharmacological effects. In this study, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and used to determine the blood concentrations of nine active compounds (chebulic acid, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, corilagin, chebulagic acid, chebulinic acid, 1,2,3,4,6-O-pentagalloylglucose, ellagic acid and ethyl gallate) after oral administration of TC extracts in rats. Pretreatment of plasma samples with protein precipitate with methanol was carried out, and caffeic acid was used as the internal standard (IS). Compounds precisions of intra- and inter-day were less than 14.6%, and the accuracy ranged from -11.7% to 13.5%. The extraction recoveries of compounds were between 84.9% and 108.4%, while matrix effects occurred between 86.4% and 115.9%. Stability tests showed that all nine analytes had been stable under four storage conditions, and statistically significant the relative standard deviations were under 13.7%. The validated UPLC-MS/MS method was applied with great success to plasma pharmacokinetics analysis of the TC extracts, and the pharmacokinetic results showed that among the nine components, the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC_(0-tn), 231112.38 ± 64555.20 h ng/mL) and maximum concentration (C_max, 4,983.57 ± 1721.53 ng/mL) of chebulagic acid were relatively large, which indicated that it had a higher level of plasma exposure. The half-life of elimination (T_1/2) of chebulinic acid, corilagin and chebulagic acid were 43.30, 26.39 and 19.98 h, respectively, suggesting that these analytes showed prolonged retention and metabolize more slowly in vivo. This study would deliver a theoretical foundation for the further application of TC in clinical practice.

Quinolinic acid catabolism is initiated by a novel four-component hydroxylase QuiA in Alcaligenes faecalis JQ191

Quinolinic acid (QA) is an essential nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocyclic compounds in organisms and it also acts as an important intermediate in chemical industry, which has strong neurotoxicity and cytotoxicity. The wide range of sources and applications caused the release and accumulation of QA in the environment which might poses a hazard to ecosystems and human health. However, few research on the degradation of QA by microorganisms and toxicity of QA and its metabolites were reported. Alcaligenes faecalis JQ191 could degrade QA but the genetic foundation of QA degradation has not been studied. In this study, the gene cluster quiA1A2A3A4 was identified from A. faecalis JQ191, which was responsible for the initial catabolism step of QA. The quiA1A2A3A4 gene cluster encodes a novel cytoplasmic four-component hydroxylase QuiA. The ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance indicated that QuiA catalyzed QA to 6-hydroxyquinolinic acid (6HQA) and the H₂¹⁸O-labeling analysis confirmed that the hydroxyl group incorporating into 6HQA was derived from water. Toxicity tests showed that the QA could approximately inhibit 20%-80% growth of Chlorella ellipsoidea, and 6HQA could relieve at least 50% QA growth inhibition of Chlorella ellipsoidea, indicating that the 6-hydroxylation of QA by QuiA is a detoxification process. This research provides new insights into the metabolism of QA by microorganism and potential application in the bioremediation of toxic pyridine derivatives-contaminated environments.

A comprehensive review on the diverse pharmacological perspectives of Terminalia chebula Retz

Terminalia chebula Retz, commonly known as 'Haritaki/Myrobalan,' has been utilised as a traditional medicine for a long time. It has been extensively exercised in various indigenous medicine practices like Unani, Tibb, Ayurveda, and Siddha to remedy human ailments such as bleeding, carminative, dysentery, liver tonic, digestive, antidiarrheal, analgesic, anthelmintic, antibacterial and helpful in skin disorders. Studies on the pharmacological effects of T. chebula and its phytoconstituents documented between January, 1996 and December, 2021 were explored using various electronic databases. During the time mentioned above, several laboratory approaches revealed the biological properties of T. chebula, including antioxidative, antiproliferative, anti-microbial, proapoptotic, anti-diabetic, anti-ageing, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antiepileptic. It is also beneficial in glucose and lipid metabolism and prevents atherogenesis and endothelial dysfunction. Different parts of T. chebula such as fruits, seeds, galls, barks extracted with various solvent systems (aqueous, ethanol, methanol, chloroform, ethyl-acetate) revealed major bioactive compounds like chebulic acid, chebulinic acid, and chebulaginic acid, which in turn proved to have valuable pharmacological properties through broad scientific investigations. There is a common link between chebulagic acid and chebulanin with its antioxidant property, antiaging activity, antiinflammatory, antidiabetic activity, and cardioprotective activity. The actions may be through neutralizing the free radicals responsible for producing tissue damage alongside interconnecting many other diseases. The current review summarises the scientifically documented literature on pharmacological potentials and chemical compositions of T. chebula, which is expected to investigate further studies on this subject.

Biodegradation of Quinolinic acid by a Newly Isolated Bacterium Alcaligenes faecalis Strain JQ191

Quinolinic acid (QA) is a pyridine derivative that can be found in many organisms and is widely used in the chemical industry. However, QA possesses excitotoxic properties. To date, the catabolism of QA mediated by microorganisms has rarely been reported. In this study, a QA-degrading strain (JQ191) was isolated from sewage sludge. Based on phenotypic and 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analysis, the strain was identified as Alcaligenes faecalis. Strain JQ191 was able to utilize QA as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen for growth. QA-cultured cells of JQ191 completely degrade 200 mg/L QA within 2 days in a mineral salt medium, whereas the LB-cultured cells experienced a 2-day lag period before degrading QA, indicating that the catabolic enzymes involved in QA degradation were induced by QA. 6-Hydroxypicolinic acid (6HPA) was identified as an intermediate of QA degradation by strain JQ191. A 6HPA monooxygenase gene picB was cloned, genetically disrupted, and heterologously expressed, and the results show that picB was responsible for catalyzing 6HPA to 3,6DHPA in JQ191. A new QA mineralization pathway was proposed. This study identifies a new bacterium candidate that has a potential application prospect in the bioremediation of QA-polluted environment, as well as provides new insights into the bacterial catabolism of QA.

Phytotherapeutic Approaches to the Prevention of Age-Related Changes and the Extension of Active Longevity

Maintaining quality of life with an increase in life expectancy is considered one of the global problems of our time. This review explores the possibility of using natural plant compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-glycation, and anti-neurodegenerative properties to slow down the onset of age-related changes. Age-related changes such as a decrease in mental abilities, the development of inflammatory processes, and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes have a significant impact on maintaining quality of life. Herbal preparations can play an essential role in preventing and treating neurodegenerative diseases that accompany age-related changes, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Medicinal plants have known sedative, muscle relaxant, neuroprotective, nootropic, and antiparkinsonian properties. The secondary metabolites, mainly polyphenolic compounds, are valuable substances for the development of new anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic agents. Understanding how mixtures of plants and their biologically active substances work together to achieve a specific biological effect can help develop targeted drugs to prevent diseases associated with aging and age-related changes. Understanding the mechanisms of the biological activity of plant complexes and mixtures determines the prospects for using metabolomic and biochemical methods to prolong active longevity.

Potent anti-inflammatory Terminalia chebula fruit showed in vitro anticancer activity on lung and breast carcinoma cells through the regulation of Bax/Bcl-2 and caspase-cascade pathways

The present study was aimed to investigate the anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities of Terminalia chebula fruit (TCME). The TCME was evaluated for in vitro anticancer activity on A549 and MCF-7 cells. TCME showed cytotoxicity toward A549 (IC₅₀ - 359.06 ± 20.04 µg/ml), and MCF-7 (IC₅₀ - 61.02 ± 5.55 µg/ml) cells. The flow-cytometer analysis revealed increase in sub G1 population and apoptotic population, which were observed through cell cycle analysis and annexin-V-FLUOS staining. Confocal microscopy showed DNA fragmentation in both the cell lines upon TCME treatment. Moreover, TCME treatment induces activation of apoptosis-related caspase-cascade pathways in both the cell lines. TCME treatment on RAW 264.7 cells revealed the anti-inflammatory properties by regulating nitrite and TNF-α production; iNOS, COX-2 levels, and translocation of NF-κB protein. Finally, HPLC analysis revealed the bioactive phytocompounds present in TCME. In conclusion, the combined results showed the potent anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties of T. chebula fruit. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Lung cancer is a leading cause of death in men with 35.5% incidences and 30.8% mortality rate worldwide. On the contrary, breast cancer possesses 55.2% incidences and 16.6% mortality rate among the female worldwide. The present findings revealed the anti-lung and -breast cancer activity along with the potent anti-inflammatory potentials of Terminalia chebula fruit. These findings will helpful to isolate the active drug molecules from the Terminalia chebula fruit and mark them as an anticancer and anti-inflammatory agent.

Plants of the Genus Terminalia: An Insight on Its Biological Potentials, Pre-Clinical and Clinical Studies

The evaluation and confirmation of healing properties of several plant species of genus Terminalia based on their traditional uses and the clinical claims are of utmost importance. Genus Terminalia has received more attention to assess and validate the therapeutic potential and clinical approval due to its immense folk medicinal and traditional applications. Various species of Terminalia genus are used in the form of herbal medicine and formulations, in treatment of diseases, including headache, fever, pneumonia, flu, geriatric, cancer, to improve memory, abdominal and back pain, cough and cold, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, heart disorder, leprosy, sexually transmitted diseases, and urinary tract disorders. These are reported to possess numerous biological properties, counting: antibacterial, antifungal, antiinflammatory, antiviral, antiretroviral, antioxidant, and antipa7rasitic. This current research review aims to update the detailed biological activities, pre-clinical and clinical studies of various extracts and secondary metabolites from several plant species under the genus Terminalia, along with information on the traditional uses and chemical composition to develop a promising strategy for their potential applications in the form of medicine or use in modern drug formulations for treating diseases like pneumonia, flu, and other types of viral infections or controlling human contagions.

6-OHDA mediated neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cellular model of Parkinson disease suppressed by pretreatment with hesperidin through activating L-type calcium channels

OBJECTIVES

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological condition with selective progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Routine therapies are symptomatic and palliative. Although, hesperidin (Hsd) is known for its neuroprotective effects, its exact cellular mechanism is still a mystery. Considering the important role of calcium (Ca²⁺) in cellular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, the present study aimed to investigate the possible effects of Hsd on Ca²⁺ channels in cellular model of PD and the possible association between the selective vulnerability of neurons in cellular models of PD and expression of the physiological phenotype that changes Ca²⁺ homeostasis.

METHODS

SH-SY5Y cell line was used in this study; cell damage was induced by 150 µM 6-OHDA and the cells' viability was examined using MTT assay. Intracellular calcium, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were determined by the fluorescence spectrophotometry method. The expressions of calcium channel receptors were determined by gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting.

RESULTS

Loss of cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential were confirmed in 6-OHDA treated cells. In addition, intracellular ROS and calcium levels, calcium channel receptors significantly increased in 6-OHDA-treated cells. Incubation of SH-SY5Y cells with hesperidin showed a protective effect, reduced the biochemical markers of cell damage/death, and balanced calcium hemostasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our findings, it seems that hesperidin could suppress the progression of the cellular model of PD via acting on intracellular calcium homeostasis. Further studies are needed to confirm the potential benefits of preventive and therapeutic effects of stabilizing cellular calcium homeostasis in neurodegenerative disease.

Potential protective roles of phytochemicals on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity: A review

Glutamate, as an essential neurotransmitter, has been thought to have different roles in the central nervous system (CNS), including nerve regeneration, synaptogenesis, and neurogenesis. Excessive glutamate causes an up-regulation of the multiple signaling pathways, including phosphoinositide-3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) protein, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, and autophagy that are involved in neurodegenerative diseases pathophysiology. There are numerous findings on curcumin, astaxanthin, thymoquinone, and berberine, as natural products, which have outstanding effects in cell signaling far beyond their anti-oxidant activity, considering as a potential therapeutic target for glutamate excitotoxicity. Herein, we address the role of glutamate as a potential target in neurodegenerative diseases and discuss the protective effects of certain phytochemicals on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity.

Auraptene-induced cytotoxicity mechanisms in human malignant glioblastoma (U87) cells: role of reactive oxygen species (ROS)

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), like the devastating type of astrocytic tumors, is one of the most challenging cancers to treat owing to its aggressive nature. Auraptene, as a prenyloxy coumarin from citrus species, represents antioxidant and antitumor activities; however, the underlying antitumor mechanisms of auraptene against GBM remain unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and apoptogenic effects of auraptene, as a promising natural product, and the possible signaling pathways affected in human malignant GBM (U87) cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production significantly decreased in the first 2, and 6 hours after treatment with auraptene however, ROS levels increased in other incubation times (8 and 24 hours), dramatically. N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) markedly attenuated auraptene-induced ROS production, and consequently reversed auraptene-induced cytotoxicity in 8 and 24 hours after treatment, as well. Induction of apoptosis occurred in the first 24- and 48-hours concentration-dependently. The qRT-PCR showed an up-regulation in p21, CXCL3, and a down-regulation in Cyclin D1 genes expression. Western blot analysis confirmed the up-regulation of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio protein levels concentration-dependently. Hence, this study collectively revealed that the increase in ROS level is at least one of the mechanisms associated with auraptene-induced GBM cell toxicity as well as the induction of apoptosis through Bax/Bcl-2 modulation and genes expression involved that contribute to the cytotoxicity of auraptene in U87 cells. So, auraptene might be utilized as a potential novel anti-GBM agent after further studies.

Green Platinum Nanoparticles Interaction With HEK293 Cells: Cellular Toxicity, Apoptosis, and Genetic Damage

Metal nanoparticles are widely used in industry, agriculture, textiles, drugs, and so on. The adverse effect of green platinum nanoparticles on human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells is not well established. In the current study, green platinum nanoparticles were synthesized using leaf extract of Azadirachta indica L. Green platinum nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscope. The cytotoxicity of green platinum nanoparticle was observed in HEK293 cells by applying 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) and Neutral red uptake (NRU) assays. Cell viability of the cells was decreased in a concentration and duration-dependent manner. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HEK293 cells due to green platinum nanoparticles was examined using fluorescent dye 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA), and ROS was increased according to exposure pattern. The cytotoxicity of HEK293 cells was correlated with increased caspase 3, depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, and DNA fragmentation. The abovementioned finding confirmed that mitochondria play an important role in genotoxicity and cytotoxicity induced by nanoparticles in HEK293 cells. Further, we determined other oxidative stress biomarkers, lipid peroxide (LPO) and glutathione (GSH); LPO was increased and GSH was decreased in HEK293 cells. It is also important to indicate that HEK293 cells appear to be more susceptible to green platinum nanoparticles exposure after 24 hours. This result provides a dose- and time-dependent apoptosis and genotoxicity of green nanoparticles on HEK293 cells.

Review on the Potential Therapeutic Roles of Nigella sativa in the Treatment of Patients with Cancer: Involvement of Apoptosis: - Black cumin and cancer

Nigella sativa (N. sativa, family Ranunculaceae) is a medicinal plant that has been widely used for centuries throughout the world as a natural remedy. A wide range of chemical compounds found in N. sativa expresses its vast therapeutic effects. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main component (up to 50%) in the essential oil of N. sativa. Also, pinene (up to 15%), p-cymene (40%), thymohydroquinone (THQ), thymol (THY), and dithymoquinone (DTQ) are other pharmacologically active compounds of its oil. Other terpenoid compounds, such as carvacrol, carvone, 4-terpineol, limonenes, and citronellol, are also found in small quantities in its oil. The main pharmacological characteristics of this plant are immune system stimulatory, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-cancer, hypoglycemic, anti-tussive, milk production, uricosuric, choleretic, anti-fertility, and spasmolytic properties. In this regard, we have searched the scientific databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar with keywords of N. sativa, anti-cancer, apoptotic effect, antitumor, antioxidant, and malignancy over the period from 2000 to 2017. The effectiveness of N. sativa against cancer in the blood system, kidneys, lungs, prostate, liver, and breast and on many malignant cell lines has been shown in many studies, but the molecular mechanisms behind that anti-cancer role are still not clearly understood. From among the many effects of N. sativa, including its anti-proliferative effect, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, ROS generation, anti-metastasis/anti-angiogenesis effects, Akt pathway control, modulation of multiple molecular targets, including p53, p73, STAT-3, PTEN, and PPAR-γ, and activation of caspases, the main suggestive anti-cancer mechanisms of N. sativa are its free radical scavenger activity and the preservation of various anti-oxidant enzyme activities, such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase. In this review, we highlight the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and the anti-cancer effects of N. sativa, with a focus on its molecular targets in apoptosis pathways.

A comprehensive review on the potential therapeutic benefits of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on cardiovascular diseases

Phosphodiesterases are a group of enzymes that hydrolyze cyclic nucleotides, which assume a key role in directing intracellular levels of the second messengers' cAMP and cGMP, and consequently cell function. The disclosure of 11 isoenzyme families and our expanded knowledge of their functions at the cell and molecular level stimulate the improvement of isoenzyme selective inhibitors for the treatment of various diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases. Hence, future and new mechanistic investigations and carefully designed clinical trials could help reap additional benefits of natural/synthetic PDE inhibitors for cardiovascular disease in patients. This review has concentrated on the potential therapeutic benefits of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on cardiovascular diseases.