Osteogenic activity of natural diterpenoids isolated from Cupressus sempervirens fruits in calvarial derived osteoblast cells via differentiation and mineralization

Bioactive compounds, pharmacological actions and pharmacokinetics of Cupressus sempervirens

The roles of plants and its products in all forms of life cannot be overemphasized. The medicinal products from plant are phytochemicals, drugs, food supplements, beauty products, etc. In ethnomedicine, leaves, fruits, stem, bark, root and fluids from plants are used in the cure, management and prevention of several diseases. Cupressus sempervirens, sometimes called Italian or Mediterranean cypress, is found in subtropical Asia, North America and eastern Mediterranean region. Pharmacological investigations of Cupressus sempervirens showed biological properties such as aromatherapeutic, antiseptic, astringent, balsamic or anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiperspirant, diuretic and antispasmodic. Chemical analysis of Cupressus sempervirens gives phytochemicals like monoterpenes, diterpenes, flavonoid glycosides and bioflavonoids. The current review highlights interactions, conventional uses and biological actions of Cupressus sempervirens plant and plant products.

A new ent-clerodane diterpene from Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. and its protective potential for osteoporosis

A new clerodane diterpene, named 6α-hydroxy-3,13E-clerodien-15-oic acid (1), together with a known clerodane diterpene (2), four known labdane diterpenes (3-6), a triterpenoid (7), a known steroid (8), and two benzenoid compounds (9 and 10) were isolated from Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. The structures of all obtained compounds were determined by chemical properties and spectroscopic evidence, accompanied by comparisons with data in the literature. Electronic circular dichroism (ECD) was performed for compounds 1-4 to confirm the absolute configuration. Compounds 1-3 and 8-10 were evaluated for the protective effect on osteoblasts. Compound 1 was observed to increase the proliferation of dexamethasone (DEX)-treated MC3T3-E1 cells significantly at 1 μM, which was comparable with the positive control geniposide at 10 μM. The results were further confirmed by flow cytometry analysis. In addition, compound 1 increased the level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and mineralization in osteoblasts inhibited by DEX. Moreover, Compound 9 (vanillic acid) showed a pronounced inhibition (IC₅₀ 6.5 ± 0.6 μM) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and 10 (4-O-methyl gallic acid) showed a good inhibition with IC₅₀ as 103.3 ± 2.2 μM, compared with the standard drug ibuprofen (IC₅₀ 54.2 ± 9.2 μM). Besides, compounds 1-3 and 8-10 were non-cytotoxic against MCF-7, NCI-H460, Hela, and BJ cell lines.

Mediterranean Cypress “Cupressus sempervirens”: A Review on Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties

Background:

Cupressus sempervirens (C. sempervirens), commonly known as Mediterranean cypress is native to the eastern Mediterranean region, North America and subtropical Asia at higher altitudes. The crude, semi-purified and purified extracts of C. sempervirens have long been recognized for its pharmacological activities as evidenced by its extensive use by indigenous cultures in herbal medicines, tonics and infusion. Pharmacological properties displayed the prodigious biological activities that could be further explored for development of new herbal formulations or therapeutic agents.

Aims:

This review presents a critical analysis of the current state of knowledge about the ethno medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of C. sempervirens L and its future applications.

Materials and Methods:

Literature related to C. sempervirens and its synonyms were searched on the available online literature databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, SciFinder, Scopus, Springer, ScienceDirect, Wiley, ACS, Scielo and Web of Science, thesis, dissertations, books, reports, local herbal encyclopedias and other relevant websites.

Results:

A review of literature showed that decoction of cones and young branches of C. sempervirens gave astonishing effect in the treatment of hemorrhoids and to treat excessive sweating in the feet. Enormous pharmacological properties have been found including antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, wound-healing, anticoagulant, antihyperlipidemic, anticancer, neurobiological, antidiabetic, and antiosteoporotic. Approximately 109 phytochemical constituents have been searched out as isolates from various parts of this plant comprising mostly diterpenoids and biflavonoids.

Conclusion:

Numerous in vivo and in vitro studies have provided support for the traditional uses of C. sempervirens but further research work is required towards isolating more active constituents and for validating its clinical utilization in the herbal formulations for humans as well as investigating any potential toxicity for future clinical studies.

3D-printed alginate/phenamil composite scaffolds constituted with microsized core–shell struts for hard tissue regeneration

A new composite scaffold consisting of poly(ε-caprolactone), alginate, and phenamil was manufactured by a combined process, 3D-printing and coating process, for hard tissue regeneration.