Antifungal constituents of northern prickly ash, Zanthoxylum americanum mill

Investigation of the antimicrobial, antioxidant, hemolytic, and thrombolytic activities of Camellia sinensis, Thymus vulgaris, and Zanthoxylum armatum ethanolic and methanolic extracts

Camellia sinensis is rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols; Thymus vulgaris contains bioactive compounds (flavonoids, terpenoids, and tannins) and Zanthoxylum armatum is primarily composed of volatile oils, amides, alkaloids, flavonoids, lignan, and coumarin. The antibacterial, antifungal, biofilm inhibition, antioxidant, hemolytic, and thrombolytic activities of Camellia sinensis, Thymus vulgaris, and Zanthoxylum armatum ethanol and methanol extracts at different concentrations (30%, 50%, and 80%) were determined. The antioxidant activity and content were measured as free radical scavenging assay (DPPH), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total phenolic content (TPC). Furthermore, hemolytic and thrombolytic analysis was carried out to determine toxicity. In antimicrobial assays, 80% methanol thyme extract showed highest (15.31 mm) antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, and 80% ethanol green tea extract showed optimal antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Ethanol 30% green tea extract resulted in highest (26.61 mm) antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger. The maximum (54.73%) biofilm inhibition was resulted by methanol 50% thyme extract for Escherichia coli. In antioxidant activity and content, methanol 50% green tea extract had highest (80.82%) antioxidant activity, whereas, ethanol 80% green tea extract had maximum (1474.55 mg CE/g DW) TFC and methanol 80% green tea extract had maximum (593.05 mg GAE/g) TPC. In toxicological assays, methanol 30% green tea extract had highest (25.28%) thrombolytic activity, and ethanol 80% tejphal extract had maximum (18.24%) hemolytic activity. This study has highlighted the significant antimicrobial, antioxidant, hemolytic, and thrombolytic activities of Camellia sinensis, Thymus vulgaris, and Zanthoxylum armatum extracts that could be beneficial to treat various diseases (cancer, diabetes, and respiratory diseases) and may be utilized as functional ingredient in the preparation of functional foods and drinks.

Ethnobotanical uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of pantropical genus Zanthoxylum L. (Rutaceae): An update

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plants have been used in various parts of the world to treat various diseases. The genus Zanthoxylum L. (Rutaceae) is the second largest genus of this family and comprises approximately 225-549 species distributed in the tropical and temperate regions of the world. Plants of this genus are trees and shrubs with various applications in folklore medicine for food, medicine, construction, and other uses.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The goal of this review is to give an updated data on the ethnobotanical applications, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of the Zanthoxylum species to investigate their medicinal potential and identify research gaps for future research studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data was obtained through a systematic search of published literature and online databases such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, and Sci-Finder. The botanical names were confirmed using the World Flora Online and chemical structures were drawn using the ChemBio Draw Ultra Version 14.0 Software.

RESULTS

The Zanthoxylum species have a wide use in different parts of the continents as a remedy for various diseases such as digestive diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, venereal diseases, respiratory diseases, rheumatism, bacterial diseases, viral, and other diseases. Various parts of the plant comprising fruits, seeds, twigs, leaves, oils, and stems are administered singly or in the form of decoction, infusion, powder, paste, poultice, juice, or mixed with other medicinal plants to cure the disease. More than 400 secondary metabolites have been isolated and characterized in this genus with various biological activities, which comprise alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, lignans, alcohols, fatty acids, amides, sesquiterpenes, monoterpenes, and hydrocarbons. The crude extracts, fractions, and chemical compounds isolated from the genus have demonstrated a wide range of biological activities both in vivo and in vitro, including; anti-cancer, antimicrobial, anti-sickling, hepatoprotective, antipyretic, antitumor, and other pharmacological activities.

CONCLUSION

This genus has demonstrated an array of phytoconstituents with therapeutic potential. The ethnobotanical uses of this genus have been confirmed in modern pharmacological research. This genus is a potential source for modern drug discovery and health care products. Further and extensive research is therefore required on the safety approval and therapeutic application of the species of this genus as well as clinical trials and pharmacokinetic studies.

Effects of imperatorin in the cardiovascular system and cancer

Patients with cancer survivors are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease(CVD). Cardio-oncology has developed as a new discipline with the advances in cancer treatment. There are many new challenges for the clinician and a new frontier for research and investigation. There is an urgent need for further study on the prevention of cardiovascular toxicity. Imperatorin (IMP) is a natural form of coumarin and extract from several plants with diver's pharmacokinetic effects, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This review focus on the molecular mechanisms and pharmacological effects of Imperatorin maybe provide potential cancer and cardiovascular protection that targets IMP. Further studies are required to elucidate the entire spectrum of cytotoxic activities of these compounds to validate and expand their preclinical and clinical applications and to clarify the potential role of IMP.

Evaluation of Zanthoxylum armatum Roxb for in vitro biological activities

Zanthoxylum armatum fruits are used traditionally as a spice in various food preparations. The aim of this study was analysis of antimicrobial, cytotoxic, phytotoxic, insecticidal, and anti-leishmanial activity. The crude extract showed 86 ± 10% antifungal activity (Agar tube dilution method) against Trichophyton longifusis while n-hexane, chloroform, and aqueous-methanol fractions inhibited this pathogen by 90 ± 7, 85 ± 10 and 70 ± 9% respectively. The n-hexane and aqueous-methanol fraction also, respectively, showed 40 ± 10 and 87 ± 9% inhibition of Microsporum canis. Chloroform fraction also displayed antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus (60 ± 10%) and aqueous-methanol fraction against F. solani (40 ± 8%). The crude ethanolic extract and its chloroform and aqueous-methanol fraction exhibited significant toxicity (Brine shrimps lethality assay) against brine shrimps having LC₅₀ value of 6.66 ± 1.1, 21.4 ± 3.3 and 29.6 ± 3.9 μg/ml, respectively. The crude ethanolic extract and its n-hexane soluble portion exhibited good anti-leishmanial activity (well serial dilution method) each having IC₅₀ values of 50 ± 5 μg/ml. The crude extract and various fractions possessed excellent herbicidal activity (Lemna minor assay), and caused more than 90% inhibition of the plant growth at 1000 μg/mL. The ethanolic extract, n-hexane and chloroform soluble portions caused 90% mortality in insecticidal activity (direct contact method) of Rhyzopertha dominica. The ethanolic extract and its n-hexane soluble portion, respectively, caused 80 and 90% mortality of Callosobruchus analis. The present study showed that the tested fruit extracts of Z. armatum exhibited strong antifungal, cytotoxic, phytotoxic, insecticidal, and anti-leishmanial effects.

Hairy root culture: bioreactor design and process intensification

The cultivation of hairy roots for the production of secondary metabolites offers numerous advantages; hairy roots have a fast growth rate, are genetically stable, and are relatively simple to maintain in phytohormone free media. Hairy roots provide a continuous source of secondary metabolites, and are useful for the production of chemicals for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food additives. In order for hairy roots to be utilized on a commercial scale, it is necessary to scale-up their production. Over the last several decades, significant research has been conducted on the cultivation of hairy roots in various types of bioreactor systems. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various bioreactor systems, the major factors related to large-scale bioreactor cultures, process intensification technologies and overview the mathematical models and computer-aided methods that have been utilized for bioreactor design and development.

Traditional use of medicinal plants in the boreal forest of Canada: review and perspectives

BACKGROUND

The boreal forest of Canada is home to several hundred thousands Aboriginal people who have been using medicinal plants in traditional health care systems for thousands of years. This knowledge, transmitted by oral tradition from generation to generation, has been eroding in recent decades due to rapid cultural change. Until now, published reviews about traditional uses of medicinal plants in boreal Canada have focused either on particular Aboriginal groups or on restricted regions. Here, we present a review of traditional uses of medicinal plants by the Aboriginal people of the entire Canadian boreal forest in order to provide comprehensive documentation, identify research gaps, and suggest perspectives for future research.

METHODS

A review of the literature published in scientific journals, books, theses and reports.

RESULTS

A total of 546 medicinal plant taxa used by the Aboriginal people of the Canadian boreal forest were reported in the reviewed literature. These plants were used to treat 28 disease and disorder categories, with the highest number of species being used for gastro-intestinal disorders, followed by musculoskeletal disorders. Herbs were the primary source of medicinal plants, followed by shrubs. The medicinal knowledge of Aboriginal peoples of the western Canadian boreal forest has been given considerably less attention by researchers. Canada is lacking comprehensive policy on harvesting, conservation and use of medicinal plants. This could be explained by the illusion of an infinite boreal forest, or by the fact that many boreal medicinal plant species are widely distributed.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this review is the most comprehensive to date to reveal the rich traditional medicinal knowledge of Aboriginal peoples of the Canadian boreal forest. Future ethnobotanical research endeavours should focus on documenting the knowledge held by Aboriginal groups that have so far received less attention, particularly those of the western boreal forest. In addition, several critical issues need to be addressed regarding the legal, ethical and cultural aspects of the conservation of medicinal plant species and the protection of the associated traditional knowledge.

Impact of constitutive plant natural products on herbivores and pathogensThe present review is one in the special series of reviews on animal–plant interactions

Plants defend themselves from pests with deterrent or toxic phytochemicals. In addition to the development of preformed mechanical barriers such as cutin and suberin, the first line of defense for plants against pathogens and herbivores is constitutive (preformed) biologically active inhibitors. Because of the adaptation of insects and pathogens to these inhibitors, plants have evolved a stunning diversity of new and different bioactive molecules to combat pests. Some representative mechanisms of plant defense include the use of antimicrobial, anitfeedant, and phototoxic molecules. Examples of natural product defenses of specific plant families are also described. Diversity and redundancy in plant defenses is key to slowing pest resistance to host-plant defenses.