Effect of seabuckthorn leaf extracts on circulating energy fuels, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant parameters in rats during exposure to cold, hypoxia and restraint (C-H-R) stress and post stress recovery

A literature review of the studies concerning selected plant-derived adaptogens and their general function in body with a focus on animal studies

BACKGROUND

Adaptogens are generally referred to the substances, mostly found in plants, which non-specifically increase resilience and chances of survival by activation of signaling pathways in affected cells.

PURPOSE

This literature review was conducted to summarize the investigation, until March 2021, on selected adaptogenic plants and plant-derived substances.

STUDY DESIGN

Electronic databases were searched (up to March 2021) for in vitro and animal studies, as well as clinical trials. Moreover, all modes of action connected with the adaptogenic effects of plants and phytochemicals were collected.

METHODS

The search of relevant studies was performed within electronic databases including Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, and Cochrane library. The most important keywords were adaptogen, plant, phytochemical, and plant-derived.

RESULTS

The most investigated medicinal herbs for their adaptogenic activity are Eleutherococcus senticosus, Panax ginseng, Withania somnifera, Schisandra chinensis, and Rhodiola spp., salidroside, ginsenosides, andrographolide, methyl jasmonate, cucurbitacin R, dichotosin, and dichotosininare are phytochemicals that have shown a considerable adaptogenic activity. Phytochemicals that have been demonstrated adaptogenic properties mainly belong to flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenylpropanoid glycosides.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that the main modes of action of the selected adaptogenic plants are stress modulatory, antioxidant, anti-fatigue, and physical endurance enhancement. Other properties were nootropic, immunomodulatory, cardiovascular, and radioprotective activities.

Pharmaceutical Potential of High-Altitude Plants for Fatigue-Related Disorders: A Review

Natural plants from plateaus have been the richest source of secondary metabolites extensively used in traditional and modern health care systems. They were submitted to years of natural selection, co-evolved within that habitat, and show significant anti-fatigue-related pharmacological effects. However, currently, no review on high-altitude plants with anti-fatigue related properties has been published yet. This study summarized several Chinese traditional high-altitude plants, including Rhodiola rosea L., Crocus sativus L., Lepidium meyenii W., Hippophaerhamnoides L., which are widely used in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and surrounding mountains, as well as herbal markets in the plains. Based on phytopharmacology studies, deeper questions can be further revealed regarding how these plants regulate fatigue and related mental or physical disease conditions. Many active derivatives in high-altitude medical plants show therapeutic potential for the management of fatigue and related disorders. Therefore, high-altitude plants significantly relieve central or peripheral fatigue by acting as neuroprotective agents, energy supplements, metabolism regulators, antioxidant, and inflammatory response inhibitors. Their applications on the highland or flatland and prospects in natural medicine are further forecast, which may open treatments to reduce or prevent fatigue-related disorders in populations with sub-optimal health.

Evolution of the adaptogenic concept from traditional use to medical systems: Pharmacology of stress- and aging-related diseases

Adaptogens comprise a category of herbal medicinal and nutritional products promoting adaptability, resilience, and survival of living organisms in stress. The aim of this review was to summarize the growing knowledge about common adaptogenic plants used in various traditional medical systems (TMS) and conventional medicine and to provide a modern rationale for their use in the treatment of stress-induced and aging-related disorders. Adaptogens have pharmacologically pleiotropic effects on the neuroendocrine-immune system, which explain their traditional use for the treatment of a wide range of conditions. They exhibit a biphasic dose-effect response: at low doses they function as mild stress-mimetics, which activate the adaptive stress-response signaling pathways to cope with severe stress. That is in line with their traditional use for preventing premature aging and to maintain good health and vitality. However, the potential of adaptogens remains poorly explored. Treatment of stress and aging-related diseases require novel approaches. Some combinations of adaptogenic plants provide unique effects due to their synergistic interactions in organisms not obtainable by any ingredient independently. Further progress in this field needs to focus on discovering new combinations of adaptogens based on traditional medical concepts. Robust and rigorous approaches including network pharmacology and systems pharmacology could help in analyzing potential synergistic effects and, more broadly, future uses of adaptogens. In conclusion, the evolution of the adaptogenic concept has led back to basics of TMS and a new level of understanding of holistic approach. It provides a rationale for their use in stress-induced and aging-related diseases.

Protein-Rich Extract from the Bagrid Catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco Improves Exercise Performance and Anti-Fatigue

Background:

The freshwater bagrid catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, is used in hot chowder or tonic soup, and it has become a favorite inland aquaculturable species in Asian countries. To investigate the claims regarding its beneficial effects, we examined physical exercise performance in mice fed protein-rich P. fulvidraco extract.

Methods:

Mice were fed P. fulvidraco extract (25 mg/mL) orally once per day for 1 week at a dose of 10 µ.L/g body weight, and then forelimb grip strength, swimming endurance, body weight, and blood biochemical indicators were examined.

Results:

Bagrid catfish extract significantly enhanced grip strength to 1.25 ± 0.04 N (P < 0.01), which was 23% higher than that on day 0. The extract also increased swimming endurance to 86 ± 10 sec (P <0.05), which was 46% higher than that on day 0. After the gripping exercises, the blood glucose level was significantly increased to an average of 222% compared with the control level. Lactate dehydrogenase and glutathione peroxidase levels were also significantly increased by 350% and 205%, respectively. The urea level in blood serum was 60% compared with control. In addition, triglyceride and cholesterol levels decreased to 69% and 73%, respectively, in extract-fed mice.

Conclusion:

Bagrid catfish extract improved exercise performance and fatigue recovery by providing more blood glucose and decreasing lactate and oxidative stress caused by exhaustive exercise..

Protective and ameliorative effect of sea buckthorn leaf extract supplementation on lead induced hemato-biochemical alterations in Wistar rats

Aim:

To evaluate the protective and ameliorative effect of aqueous sea buckthorn leaf extract (SLE) on hemato-biochemical profile in lead intoxicated Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods:

An experiment was conducted for 60 days. 36 adult male Wistar rats with a mean body weight of 177.8±12.6 g were divided into five groups and were subjected to various daily oral treatment regimens. Group I served as a negative control receiving only feed and water, Group II (positive control for lead) received lead acetate at 250 ppm in drinking water, and Group III (positive control for SLE) received SLE at 100 mg/kg b.wt. Animals in Group IV received a combination of lead acetate at 250 ppm in drinking water for the first 45 days and SLE at 100 mg/kg b.wt. throughout the experimental period of 60-day, and in Group V for the last 15 days of the trial after the administration of lead acetate until the first 45 days of the trial to study the protective and ameliorating effects of SLE, respectively. Blood samples were collected from retro-orbital fossa of each rat on 0^th, 45^th, and 60^th day of the experiment for hemato-biochemical analysis including hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), serum total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin:globulin ratio, cholesterol, urea, and creatinine.

Results:

Significantly (p<0.01) lower levels of serum total proteins and albumin, and a significantly (p<0.01) higher serum cholesterol, urea and creatinine levels were observed in Group II (lead intoxicated group) in comparison to Group I (negative control). Administration of SLE at 100 mg/kg body wt. to lead intoxicated Wistar rats resulted in normalization of almost all the biochemical parameters studied in both the treatment Groups, i.e., IV and V (protective and ameliorative). However, the effects were more pronounced in the protective group. No effects of SLE supplementation were observed on Hb levels. PCV levels improved in protective groups, but no effect was observed in ameliorative group in comparison to lead intoxicated groups.

Conclusion:

SLE administration at 100 mg/kg b.wt. to lead intoxicated Wistar rats may be used to protect/ameliorate lead induced biochemical alterations in Wistar rats.

Hot Water Extract of Leather Carp (Cyprinus carpio nudus) Improves Exercise Performance in Mice

The hot water extract of leather carp (Cyprinus carpio nudus) has been used as a nourishing tonic soup and as an aid for recovery from physical fatigue. In this study, we investigated the effect of leather carp extract on exercise performance in mice. Swimming endurance and forelimb grip strength were assessed following oral administration of the extract (once per day for 7 days) at a dose of 0.5 mg/10 μL/g body weight. After 7 days, mice given the leather carp extract had significantly greater swimming endurance [105±18 s (P<0.05); 52% longer than day 0] and forelimb grip strength [1.18±0.05 Newton (P<0.01); 17% greater than day 0]. The extract increased muscle mass, but had little effect on body weight. Following the swimming exercise, blood glucose, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase levels in extract-fed mice were significantly higher (145%, 131%, and 106%, respectively) than in the saline control group. Blood levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also significantly increased (128%) in mice given the extract compared to the controls. These results suggest that leather carp extract can improve physical exercise performance and prevent oxidative stress caused by exhaustive workouts.

Oral Administration of a Hot Water Extract of the Softshell Turtle (Trionyx sinensis) Improves Exercise Performance

Freshwater softshell turtle (Trionyx sinensis) extract has been used traditionally as a tonic soup, and to recover from physical fatigue. To support these claims, the forelimb grip strength of mice was measured after feeding a soft-shell turtle extract for 7 days. The T. sinensis extract significantly increased the grip strength to 1.25±0.07 N (P<0.01), which is 16.8% higher than the force on day 0. After exercising, the blood glucose levels in extract-fed mice were 202% higher and urea levels were 73% lower, which were both significantly different than the levels observed after control treatment. Lactate dehydrogenase was significantly higher by 314%, and glutathione peroxidase increased by 165%. In addition, the obesity markers, serum triglyceride and cholesterol, decreased to 62% and 49%, respectively, after mice were fed the extract. These data show that the T. sinensis extract provided more energy for forelimb exercise, prevented protein catabolism and muscle fatigue, and decreased the oxidative stress caused by an exhaustive workout.

Ameliorating effect of chicory (Chichorium intybus L.) fruit extract against 4-tert-octylphenol induced liver injury and oxidative stress in male rats

The current study was carried out to elucidate the modulating effect of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) fruit extract (CFR) against 4-tert-OP induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in male rats. Rats were divided into four groups and treated for 8 weeks as follow: group 1: normal control-treated (saline); group 2: chicory fruit extract-treated (100 mg/kg); group 3: 4-tert-OP treated; group 4: 4-tert-OP plus chicory fruit extract. The obtained results revealed that rats which received 4-tert-OP showed a significant increase in liver TBARS and bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) activities. While a significant decrease in the levels of GSH, SOD, catalase recorded. On the other hand, CFR extract succeeded to modulate these observed abnormalities resulting from 4-tert-OP as indicated by the reduction of TBARS and the pronounced improvement of the investigated biochemical and antioxidant parameters. Histopathological evidence, together with observed PCNA and DNA fragmentation, supported the detrimental effect of 4-tert-OP and the ameliorating effect of CFR extract on liver toxicity. So, it could be concluded that chicory has a promising role and it worth to be considered as a natural substance for ameliorating the oxidative stress and hepatic injury induced by 4-tert-OP compound.

Abrogation by Trifolium alexandrinum root extract on hepatotoxicity induced by acetaminophen in rats

OBJECTIVE

Acetaminophen (APAP) is a substance that harms human health by stimulating free radical production. This study investigated the ability of Trifolium alexandrinum root (TAR) extract to reduce the hepatotoxicity induced by APAP in rats.

METHODS

Animals were classified into four groups and treated for 6 weeks. Group 1: normal control-treated (saline); Group 2: TAR extract-treated (100 mg/kg); Group 3: APAP-treated; Group 4: APAP plus TAR extract.

RESULTS

APAP significantly elevated AST (aspartate amino transferase), ALT (amino alanine transferase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), GGTP (gamma glutamyl transpeptidase), bilirubin, and malondialdehyde with a significant decrease in glutathione, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase compared with the control group. Administration of TAR extract combined with APAP improved the liver damage induced by APAP. Histopathological evidence, together with observed DNA fragmentation, supported the detrimental effect of APAP and the ameliorating effect of TAR extract on liver toxicity.

CONCLUSION

TAR extract has beneficial properties and can reduce the liver damage and toxicity induced by APAP.

DISCUSSION

Free radical mediated processes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. The protective effect of TAR root extract on APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in rats appears to be related to inhibition of lipid peroxidation and enhancement of antioxidant enzyme levels, in addition to a free radical scavenging action.

Antimutagenic and Antiapoptotic Effects of Aqueous Root Extract of Inula racemosa Hook. f. on 4-NQO-Induced Genetic Damage in Mice

The present study was performed as part of an attempt to authenticate the use of Inula racemosa root extract as traditional medicine in India by experimentally investigating their protective effects on 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) induced DNA damage and apoptosis in mice bone marrow cells. Aqueous root extract (ARE) of Inula racemosa (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg bw) with and without 4-NQO along with vehicle control (H2O) were administered orally for five consecutive days. 4-NQO (7.5 mg/kg bw) was injected intraperitoneally to the mice on the sixth day. After 24 h, the animals were sacrificed and extracted bone marrow cells were used for micronuclei and apoptotic analysis. Antiapoptotic effect of ARE (400 mg/kg bw) was measured by the use of Annexin V-FITC assay kit. 4-NQO generated the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCEs) by about 4.7 times the control value, 14.29 MnPCEs/2500 PCEs. Pretreatment with ARE significantly reduced the MnPCEs frequency (39-72%) with respect to their doses, and increased PCEs/NCEs ratio was observed over the 4-NQO alone. 4-NQO-induced total apoptotic cells were about 12% over the control which was significantly (P < 0.05) brought down to 3.5% by pretreatment with 400 mg/kg bw of ARE. This was the first report that recorded the protective effects of I. racemosa on 4-NQO-induced DNA damage and apoptosis in mice bone marrow cells.

Effect of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis) leaf extract on the swimming endurance and exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative stress of rats

BACKGROUND

Seabuckthorn (SBT) leaves have significant antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this study was to assess the anti-fatigue, antioxidant and tissue-protective properties of aqueous lyophilised extracts of SBT dried leaves in the hearts of Wistar male rats undergoing exhaustive physical exercise. Doses of 50, 200 and 800 mg kg⁻¹ body weight (BW) day⁻¹ were given orally for 1 week. A week later the rats were forced to swim in barrels until they were exhausted. The times were noted to establish the effective dose of the extracts in rats. After establishing the effective dose, the rats were then sacrificed and assessed for various biochemical parameters.

RESULTS

SBT leaf aqueous extracts (200 and 800 mg kg⁻¹ BW) markedly prolonged the swim time of rats. Supplementation with SBT leaf aqueous extracts helped reduce the exhaustive exercise-induced increase in malondialdehyde level and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity. Alanine aminotransferase and creatine kinase levels were lowered in the exhaustive exercise with SBT treatment group (E + SBT) compared with the exhaustive exercise group (E).

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that SBT leaf aqueous extract supplements can enhance exercise capacity and protect against oxidative damage caused by exhaustive exercise in rats.

Medicinal and therapeutic potential of Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL CONTEXT: This review explores the medicinal and therapeutic applications of Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) in curtailing different types of acute as well as chronic maladies. The plant is being used in different parts of the world for its nutritional and medicinal properties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sea buckthorn based preparations have been extensively exploited in folklore treatment of slow digestion, stomach malfunctioning, cardiovascular problems, liver injury, tendon and ligament injuries, skin diseases and ulcers. In the recent years, medicinal and pharmacological activities of Sea buckthorn have been well investigated using various in vitro and in vivo models as well as limited clinical trials.

RESULTS

Sea buckthorn has been scientifically analyzed and many of its traditional uses have been established using several biochemical and pharmacological studies. Various pharmacological activities such as cytoprotective, anti-stress, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, radioprotective, anti-atherogenic, anti-tumor, anti-microbial and tissue regeneration have been reported.

CONCLUSION

It is clear that Sea buckthorn is an important plant because of its immense medicinal and therapeutic potential. However, several knowledge gaps identified in this paper would give impetus to new academic and R&D activities especially for the development of Sea buckthorn based herbal medicine and nutraceuticals.