Modulatory influence of Adhatoda vasica Nees leaf extract against gamma irradiation in Swiss albino mice

Exploring the pharmacological and chemical aspects of pyrrolo-quinazoline derivatives in Adhatoda vasica

Adhatoda or Justicia is one of the biggest and complex genera of the Acanthaceae family. Adhatoda vasica is commonly known as 'Adosa'. It is an ayurvedic medicine with a medicinal history of more than a thousand years in India. Traditionally, it is used to treat cough, asthma, phlegm, bleeding hemorrhoids, for both adults and youth. This plant possesses antiarthritis, antiseptic, antimicrobial, anti-tuberculosis, anti-inflammatory and abortifacient properties. Alkaloids are the major phytoconstituents present in the plant in the form of pyrrolo-quinazoline derivatives viz vasicine, vasicinone, vasicinol, adhatodine, adhatodinine, adhavasinone and anisotine etc. The asserted objectives are to conduct a systematic review on the phytochemistry, pharmacology and traditional uses of A. vasica, as well as highlighting the challenges found in the research. This will promote the utilization of A. vasica at extract level and further development of new drug leads based on the compounds isolated and used for treatment of various ailments. The present review covers the literature survey from 1888 to 2023. The relevant data has been collected from various peer-reviwed journals, and books via Sci-Finder, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, EBSCO, online electronic journals, SpringerLink and Wiley. This paper aims to present a systematic review of known traditional applications, pharmacological and chemical aspects in Adhatoda vasica.

In Vitro and In Vivo Studies for the Investigation of γ-Globin Gene Induction by Adhatoda vasica: A Pre-Clinical Study of HbF Inducers for β-Thalassemia

Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is a potent genetic modifier, and the γ-globin gene induction has proven to be a sustainable therapeutic approach for the management of β-thalassemia. In this study, we have evaluated the HbF induction ability of A. vasica in vitro and in vivo, and the identification of potential therapeutic compounds through a bioassay-guided approach. In vitro benzidine-Hb assay demonstrated strong erythroid differentiation of K562 cells by A. vasica extracts. Subsequently, an in vivo study with an aqueous extract of A. vasica (100 mg/kg) showed significant induction of the γ-globin gene and HbF production. While in the acute study, the hematological and biochemical indices were found to be unaltered at the lower dose of A. vasica. Following the bioassay-guided approach, two isolated compounds, vasicinol (1) and vasicine (2) strongly enhanced HbF levels and showed prominent cellular growth kinetics with ample accumulation of total hemoglobin in K562 cultures. High HbF levels were examined by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry analysis, concomitant with the overexpression in the γ-globin gene level. Compound 1 (0.1 µM) and compound 2 (1 µM) resulted in a greater increase in F-cells (90 and 83%) with marked up (8-fold and 5.1-fold) expression of the γ-globin gene, respectively. Molecular docking studies indicated strong binding affinities of (1) and (2) with HDAC2 and KDM1 protein that predict the possible mechanism of compounds in inhibition of these epigenetic regulators in the γ-globin gene reactivation. Altogether, these observations demonstrated the therapeutic usefulness of A. vasica for fostering HbF production in clinical implications for blood disorders.

Histopathologic Evaluation of Radio-Protective Effect of Hesperidin on the Liver of Sprague Dawely Rats

BACKGROUND

Hesperidin is a bioflavonoid glycoside mainly found in citrus fruit and has been shown radio-protective potential in various measurement systems.

OBJECTIVE

In this article aims to investigate the radio-protective effect of hesperidin on the liver of Sprague Dawely rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this clinical study, 40 male rats were selected randomly and divided into 8 groups. Group 1 did not receive radiation and hesperidin (sham control). Group 2 received only 100 mg/kg body weight (b.w) of hesperidin for 7 consecutive days (HES group); group 3 exposed to dose of 2Gy whole body gamma radiation (2Gy group), and group 4 and 5 received 50 and 100 mg/kg b.w of HES for 7 consecutive days before 2 Gy gamma radiation, respectively.Group 6 exposed to dose of 8Gy gamma radiation (8Gy group); group 7 and 8 received 50 and 100 mg/kg b.w of HES for 7 days before 8Gy gamma irradiation, respectively. Histopathological evaluation was perfomred 24 hours after radiation.

RESULTS

Administration of hesperidin (50 mg/kg b.w, 7 days) before 2Gy of gamma irradiation led to remove inflammatory mononuclear cells in the portal space. Microscopic findings in the groups receiving two doses of hesperidin (50 and 100 mg/kg b.w, orally, 7 days), before 8Gy of gamma radiation, were similar in a way that extreme dilation of central veins to be seen, however, there was no capillarization.

CONCLUSION

HES can be offered as a suitable radio-protector in radiotherapy patients and radiation workers.

Antidiabetic potential of Asparagus racemosus Willd leaf extracts through inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase

The aim of this work was to evaluate the inhibitory activities of different extracts of Asparagus racemosus Willd on α - amylase and α - glucosidase at varying concentrations. Diabetes mellitus is a clinical condition characterized by hyperglycaemia in which an elevated amount of glucose circulates in the blood plasma. α - amylase and α - glucosidase inhibitors are used to achieve greater control over hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study is to treat the diabetes using natural resources. We aimed to evaluate of Asparagus racemosus Willd by digestive enzymes inhibitory activity. n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous was used to extract the root of the Asparagus racemosus Willd. The different extracts were then used to study its digestives enzymes activity α-amylase and α - glucosidase inhibitory activity. The significant inhibitory effect of α-amylase and α - glucosidase enzyme and exhibited lower inhibitory activity than acarbose was extracted by the ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts of the plant. Flavonoids, Tannins and phenolic, Saponins, Amino acids, Protein are the major phytochemical constituents present. The total flavonoid content plant extracts of ethyl acetate and aqueous showed dose dependent 23.45 ± 1.33 mg rutin equivalent/g and 25.81 ± 0.82 mg rutin equivalent/g respectively. The total triterpenoids content plant extracts of ethyl acetate, aqueous showed dose dependent 109.8 ± 5.6 mg ursolic acid/g and 95.6 ± 7.5 mg ursolic acid/g respectively. The antidiabetic potential and to develop medicinal preparations and nutraceuticals and function foods for diabetes has revealed.

Justicia adhatoda induces megakaryocyte differentiation through mitochondrial ROS generation

BACKGROUND

Hepatoprotective activity along with improved survival percentage and hematological parameters prior to whole body irradiation were reported with Justicia adhatoda extracts.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the thrombopoietic potential of Justicia adhatoda L. leaf extract in megakaryocyte differentiation METHODS: Ethanol extracts were prepared using soxhlet extraction method, and IC50 value was determined. The effect of ethanol extracts obtained from Justicia adhatoda on megakaryocyte maturation and development in megakaryocytic Dami cell lines was tested. Expression of megakaryocyte specific markers, CD61 and CD41, were assessed using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. In addition, cell cycle analysis and mitochondrial membrane potential were analyzed by flow cytometry. Gene expression analysis was performed using qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

At a concentration of 40 µg/ml, the leaf extracts of Justicia adhatoda for 72 h induced the megakaryocytic features in megakaryocytic Dami cell lines. The megakaryocyte specific markers, CD41 and CD61, were up-regulated (2.2 and 12.4 fold, respectively), and more number of cells entered into synthetic (S) and G2/M phase as compared with untreated cell (23.1% vs 16.6% and 70.2% vs 42.3%, respectively) showing maturation. RUNX1 (a transcription factor essential for embryonic hematopoiesis and adult megkaryocyte maturation) and c-Mpl (the receptor for TPO) were upregulated, and the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 1 and SOCS3 were down-regulated upon treatment with Justicia adhatoda. Justicia adhatoda enhanced mitochondrial ROS generation by 28-fold, increased the permeability of mitochondrial membrane and showed an inverse correlation in superoxide dismutase levels.

CONCLUSION

Justicia adhatoda could enhance mitochondrial ROS generation and increase the permeability of mitochondrial membrane, thereby inducing megakaryocytic maturation. Our findings suggest thrombopoietic potential of Justicia adhatoda leaf extract on megakaryocyte differentiation.

Interaction of vasicine with calf thymus DNA: Molecular docking, spectroscopic and differential scanning calorimetric insights

The present study brings out the interaction between vasicine, an alkaloid of Adhatoda vasica Nees with double stranded DNA [corrected]. The physico-chemical interaction between small molecules and nucleic acids is a major area of focus in screening drugs against various cancers. Molecular probing in our study using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) has revealed interaction of vasicine with DNA double helix. Here we report the interaction of vasicine with Calf thymus DNA. We present for the first time the results obtained from UV-visible, fluorescence spectroscopic and differential scanning calorimetric techniques that suggest a moderate to strong electrostatic, hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions mediating the DNA binding properties of vasicine, leading to disruption of DNA secondary structure.

Effects of Hesperidin as a Radio-protector on Apoptosis in Rat Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes after Gamma Radiation

INTRODUCTION

Hesperidin (HES), as the most abundant flavonoid existing in the citrus, is widely used by human daily. The radio-protective effects of Hesperidin have been confirmed in various measurement systems. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Hesperidin on the changes in the apoptosis level and expression of apoptotic genes target (bax, bcl-2 and ration of bax/bcl-2) in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of male rats after gamma radiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

64 male rats were divided into eight groups: Control, HES (100 mg/kg b.w, orally, 7 days), whole body irradiation with 2 and 8Gy, pre-administrated with 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight of Hesperidin for 7 days before irradiation with 2 and 8 Gy. 24 hours after radiation, apoptotic lymphocytes were evaluated using PE Annexin V Apoptosis detection I kit and the levels of mRNA for bax and bcl-2 were evaluated by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

A significant reduction in apoptosis of the lymphocytes was demonstrated in group animals receiving 8 Gy compared to the group which received 2 Gy irradiation (p<0.0001). However, apoptosis significantly increased in group of rats who received Hesp before irradiation (p<0.05). The increase of apoptosis by Hesperidin administration can be attributed to the decreased expression of bax and significantly reduced expression of bcl-2 and finally increasing the ration of bax/bcl-2.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that administration of 50 and 100 mg/kg of Hesperidin induces apoptotic effects by changing expression level of bax, bcl-2 and also the ratio of bax/bcl2.

Aqueous Extract of Anticancer Drug CRUEL Herbomineral Formulation Capsules Exerts Anti-proliferative Effects in Renal Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines

PURPOSE

Anti-cancer activity evaluation of aqueous extract of CRUEL (herbomineral formulation) capsules on renal cell carcinoma cell lines, and exploration of mechanisms of cell death.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To detect the cytotoxic dose concentration in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells, MTT assays were performed and morphological changes after treatment were observed by inverted microscopy. Drug effects against RCC cell lines were assessed with reference to cell cycle distribution (flow cytometry), anti-metastatic potential (wound healing assay) and autophagy(RT-PCR).

RESULTS

CRUEL showed anti-proliferative effects against RCC tumor cell lines with an IC50 value of approximately 4mg/mL in vitro, while inducing cell cycle arrest at S-phase of the cell cycle and inhibiting wound healing. LC3 was found to be up-regulated after drug treatment by RT-PCR resulting in an autophagy mode of cell death.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides experimental validation for antitumor activity of CRUEL.

Ethnomedicinal and phytochemical review of Pakistani medicinal plants used as antibacterial agents against Escherichia coli

Medicinal plants have always been part of human culture and have the potential to cure different diseases caused by microorganisms. In Pakistan, biologists are mainly focusing on plants’ antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli due to its increasing resistance to antibiotics. In total, extracts from 34 ethnomedicinally valuable Pakistani plants were reported for in-vitro anti-E. coli activities. Mostly methanolic extracts of medicinal plants were used in different studies, which have shown comparatively higher inhibitory activities against E. coli than n-hexane and aqueous extracts. It has been found that increasing concentration (mg/ml) of methanolic extract can significantly increase (p < 0.01) anti-E. coli activities. Not all medicinal plants are extracted in solvents others than above, which should also be tested against E. coli. Moreover, medicinal plant species must be fully explored phytochemically, which may lead to the development of new drugs.

Protective effect of dendrodoine analog, an aminothiazole derivative against X-radiation induced hepatocellular damage in mice

This study evaluated the radioprotective effect of dendrodoine analog (DA) against radiation-induced damage in the liver of mice. The study was divided into two phases; in the first phase, the effective concentration of DA was fixed by performing a survival study. In the second phase, the fixed effective concentration of DA was orally administered to mice to evaluate its radioprotective efficacy by performing various assays. The results indicated that the radiation-induced decrease in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and comet parameters were altered by pre-administration with the effective concentration of DA which restored the antioxidant status to near normal and decreased the level of the TBARS and comet parameters. The histopathological examinations further confirmed the hepatoprotective effect of DA in mice. Thus, the current study showed DA to be an effective radioprotector against radiation induced damage in the liver of mice.

Protective effect of Adhatoda vascia Nees against radiation-induced damage at cellular, biochemical and chromosomal levels in Swiss albino mice

Extract of Adhatoda vasica (L) Nees leaves has been used for treatment of various diseases and disorders in Ayurved and Unani medicine. Modulatory effect of ethanolic extract of A. vasica (L) Nees against radiation-induced changes in terms of histological alterations in testis, reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO), acid and alkaline phosphatases levels, and chromosomal alterations in Swiss albino mice was studied at various post-irradiation intervals between 1 and 30 days. Mice exposed to 8 Gy radiation showed radiation-induced sickness including marked changes in histology of testis and chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells with 100% mortality within 22 days. When ethanolic leaf extract of A. vasica was given orally at a dose of 800 mg kg⁻¹ body weight per mouse for 15 consecutive days and then exposed to radiation, death of Adhatoda-pretreated irradiated mice was reduced to 70% at 30 days. The radiation dose reduction factor was 1.43. There was significantly lesser degree of damage to testis tissue architecture and various cell populations including spermatogonia, spermatids and Leydig cells. Correspondingly, a significant decrease in the LPO and an increase in the GSH levels were observed in testis and liver of Adhatoda-pretreated irradiated mice. Similarly, a significant decrease in level of acid phosphatase and increase in level of alkaline phosphatase were observed. Adhatoda pretreatment significantly prevented radiation-induced chromosomal damage in bone marrow cells. The study suggests that Adhatoda plant extract has significant radioprotective effects on testis that warrants further mechanistic studies aimed at identifying the role of major ingredients in the extract.

Evaluating the radioprotective effect of hesperidin in the liver of Swiss albino mice

The present study was aimed to evaluate the radioprotective efficacy of hesperidin, a flavonone glycoside against X-ray radiation-induced cellular damage in the liver of Swiss albino mice. The first phase of the study was carried out to fix the effective concentration of hesperidin by performing a 30 days of survival studies using different graded doses [12.5, 25, 50 and 100mg/kg body weight] of hesperidin administered orally to mice via intragastric intubations for seven consecutive days prior to exposure of whole body radiation (10 Gy). Based on the results of survival studies, the effective dose of hesperidin was fixed which was then administered to animals orally via intragastric intubations for seven consecutive days prior to exposure of whole body radiation (4 Gy) to evaluate its radioprotective efficacy by performing various biochemical estimations, comet assay, DNA fragmentation assay and histopathological studies in the liver of Swiss albino mice. The results indicated that radiation-induced decrease in the levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes and increase in lipid peroxidative index, DNA damage and comet parameters were altered by pre-administration with the effective dose of hesperidin [25mg/kg body weight] which restored the antioxidant status to near normal and decreased the levels of lipid peroxidative index, DNA damage and comet parameters. These results were further confirmed by histopathological examinations which indicated that pre-administration with the effective dose of hesperidin reduced the hepatic damage induced by radiation. Thus the current study shows hesperidin to be an effective radioprotector against radiation induced damage in the liver of mice.

Antioxidant potential of sesamol and its role on radiation-induced DNA damage in whole-body irradiated Swiss albino mice

Sesamol (SM) is a dietary phytochemical present in the processed sesame oil. In this present study we have evaluated the antioxidant potential of SM and its role in the protection of radiation-induced DNA damage in γ-irradiated mice. The antioxidant properties of SM were evaluated by using different in vitro antioxidant assays. SM shows scavenging effect against hydroxyl (OH), superoxide anion (O(2)(-)), nitric oxide, 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid radical cation (ABTS(+)) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. Our results demonstrate that SM exhibits strong antioxidant property in all the in vitro assays. When mice were exposed to 7 Gy γ-radiations there was an increase in % tail DNA, tail length, tail moment and Olive tail moment in blood lymphocytes. SM (100mg/kg b.wt) pretreatment significantly decreased the % tail DNA, tail length, tail moment and Olive tail moment in irradiated mice lymphocytes. These results suggest that SM protects γ-radiation-induced DNA damage in mice lymphocytes, which may be attributed to its antioxidant property.

The potential role of natural agents in treatment of airway inflammation

Obstructive airway diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis present with dyspnea and variety of other symptoms. Physiologically, they are characterized by maximal expiratory flow limitation and pathologically, by inflammation of the airways and the lung parenchyma. Inflammation plays a major role in the gradual worsening of the lung function resulting in worsening symptoms. For many years, scientists focused their efforts in identifying various pathways involved in the chronic inflammation present in these diseases. Further, studies are underway to identify various molecular targets in these pathways for the purpose of developing novel therapeutic agents. Natural agents have been used for thousands of years in various cultures for the treatment of several medical conditions and have mostly proven to be safe. Recent in vivo and in vitro studies show potential anti-inflammatory role for some of the existing natural agents. This review provides an overview of the literature related to the anti-inflammatory effects of some of the natural agents which have potential value in the treatment of inflammatory lung diseases.

Usefulness of the SOS Chromotest in the study of medicinal plants as radioprotectors

PURPOSE

The aim of this work is to investigate the usefulness of a modified protocol of the SOS Chromotest to detect antigenotoxicity activities against gamma-rays of plant extracts with proven antioxidant activity, and to elucidate the antigenotoxic mechanisms involved in radioprotection using this system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The methodology developed was assayed with amifostine, the most studied radioprotector, and with Phyllanthus orbicularis HBK, Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf and Pinus caribaea Morelet extracts, using pre- and post-treatment procedures.

RESULTS

The P. caribaea and C. citratus extracts were antigenotoxic against gamma-rays when the cells were pre-treated with both extracts, suggesting a possible antigenotoxic action through a free radical scavenging mechanisms. Amifostine and the P. orbicularis extract were also antigenotoxic under pre- and post-treatment conditions, indicating that several antimutagenic components of this plant extract may also operate by some intracellular mechanism, unlike its antioxidant activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results have demonstrated the usefulness of the modified SOS Chromotest assay in the screening of phytochemical radioprotectors as well as in the study of their antimutagenic mechanisms.