Deciphering the CNS anti-depressant, antioxidant and cytotoxic profiling of methanol and aqueous extracts of Trametes versicolor and molecular interactions of its phenolic compounds

German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) Flower Extract, Its Amino Acid Preparations and 3D-Printed Dosage Forms: Phytochemical, Pharmacological, Technological, and Molecular Docking Study

German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is an essential oil- containing medicinal plant used worldwide. The aim of this study was to gain knowledge of the phytochemical composition and the analgesic and soporific activity of Matricaria chamomilla L. (German chamomile) flower extract and its amino acid preparations, to predict the mechanisms of their effects by molecular docking and to develop aqueous printing gels and novel 3D-printed oral dosage forms for the flower extracts. In total, 22 polyphenolic compounds and 14 amino acids were identified and quantified in the M. chamomilla extracts. In vivo animal studies with rodents showed that the oral administration of such extracts revealed the potential for treating of sleep disorders and diseases accompanied by pain. Amino acids were found to potentiate these effects. Glycine enhanced the analgesic activity the most, while lysine and β-alanine improved the soporific activity. The molecular docking analysis revealed a high probability of γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonism and 5-lipoxygenase (LOX-5) inhibition by the extracts. A polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based gel composition with the M. chamomilla extracts was proposed for preparing a novel 3D-printed dosage form for oral administration. These 3D-printed extract preparations can be used, for example, in dietary supplement applications.

Identification of sedative-hypnotic compounds shared by five medicinal Polyporales mushrooms using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS-based untargeted metabolomics

BACKGROUND

Five Polyporales mushrooms, namely Amauroderma rugosum, Ganoderma lucidum, G. resinaceum, G. sinense and Trametes versicolor, are commonly used in China for managing insomnia. However, their active components for this application are not fully understood, restricting their universal recognition.

PURPOSE

In this study, we aimed to identify sedative-hypnotic compounds shared by these five Polyporales mushrooms.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS-based untargeted metabolomics, including OPLS-DA (orthogonal projection of potential structure discriminant analysis) and OPLS (orthogonal projections to latent structures) analysis together with mouse assays, were used to identify the main sedative-hypnotic compounds shared by the five Polyporales mushrooms. A pentobarbital sodium-induced sleeping model was used to investigate the sedative-hypnotic effects of the five mushrooms and their sedative-hypnotic compounds.

RESULTS

Ninety-two shared compounds in the five mushrooms were identified. Mouse assays showed that these mushrooms exerted sedative-hypnotic effects, with different potencies. Six triterpenes [four ganoderic acids (B, C1, F and H) and two ganoderenic acids (A and D)] were found to be the main sedative-hypnotic compounds shared by the five mushrooms.

CONCLUSION

We for the first time found that these six triterpenes contribute to the sedative-hypnotic ability of the five mushrooms. Our novel findings provide pharmacological and chemical justifications for the use of the five medicinal mushrooms in managing insomnia.

The Protective Effects of Trametes Versicolor on Arsenic-Induced Male Reproductive Toxicity through Regulation of Oxidative Stress: A Biochemical and Histopathological Survey

Exposure to arsenic is linked to a wide range of diseases, in particular male reproductive toxicities. Trametes versicolor is a traditional medicinal fungus with a remarkable potential for antioxidant activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the ameliorating effects of water and methanol extracts of T. versicolor on arsenic-induced male reproductive toxicities via the abrogation of oxidative stress. The mice were divided as follows: control: normal saline, As: arsenic (15 mg/kg), WE: water extract (400 mg/kg), ME: methanol extract (400 mg/kg), As + WE: arsenic (15 mg/kg) + water extract (100, 200, 400 mg/kg), As + ME: arsenic (15 mg/kg) + methanol extract (100, 200, 400 mg/kg), and positive control: arsenic (15 mg/kg) + vitamin C (500 mg/kg). Animals were treated via the intraperitoneal route. About 24 hr later, the mice were euthanized, and oxidative stress parameters (reactive oxygen species [ROS], lipid peroxidation, glutathione concentration, protein carbonylation, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activity), histopathological changes and sperm parameters (count, motility, and morphology) were examined in the testicular tissue. Arsenic caused significant pathological changes in the testicular tissue and sperm morphology and significantly reduced sperm count and motility. Moreover, arsenic mediated oxidative stress via significant increases in ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonyl content, as well as significant depletion in glutathione concentration and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. Although, coadministration of water and methanol extracts of T. versicolor at 200 and 400 mg/kg counteracted arsenic-induced oxidative and histopathological damages and improved sperm parameters. Our study indicated that T. versicolor ameliorated arsenic-induced testis toxicity and sperm dysfunction via attenuation of oxidative damage.

Characterization, In Vitro Biological Activity and In Vivo Cardioprotective Properties of Trametes versicolor (L.:Fr.) Quél. Heteropolysaccharides in a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome

The present study aimed to examine the biological activity and cardioprotective potential of Trametes versicolor heteropolysaccharides (TVH) in a rat model of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study included 40 Wistar rats divided into 5 groups: CTRL-healthy non-treated rats; MetS-non-treated rats; and H-TV, M-TV and L-TV-rats with MetS treated with either 300, 200 or 100 mg/kg TVH per os for 4 weeks. After finishing the treatment, we conducted an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), hemodynamic measurements and the animals were sacrificed, hearts isolated and subjected to the Langendorff technique. Blood samples were used for the determination of oxidative stress parameters, lipid status and insulin levels. We showed that α-amylase inhibition was not the mode of TVH antidiabetic action, while TVH showed a moderate inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms' growth (MIC 8.00 mg·mL^-1; MBC/MFC 16.00 mg·mL^-1). H-TV and M-TV significantly reduced the level of prooxidants (O₂^-, H₂O₂, TBARS; p < 0.05), increased antioxidants activity (SOD, CAT, GSH; p < 0.05), reduced blood pressure (p < 0.05), improved glucose homeostasis in the OGTT test (p < 0.05), and ejection fraction (p < 0.05) and cardiac contractility (p < 0.05) compared to MetS (p < 0.05). Moreover, TVH treatment normalized the lipid status and decreased insulin levels compared to MetS rats (p < 0.05). The obtained results demonstrated that the TVH may be considered a useful agent for cardioprotection in MetS conditions.

Neuropharmacological Effects of Chassalia curviflora (Rubiaceae) Leaves in Swiss Albino Mice Model

The current study aimed to investigate the neuropharmacological properties of ethanol, acetone, and ethyl acetate leaf extracts of Chassalia curviflora (C. curviflora) in mouse models. The neuropharmacological properties of this plant were studied on Swiss albino mice at dosages of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight in thiopental sodium-induced sleeping time test, and at dosages of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight in other tests. The extracts caused a marked reduction in the initiation and sleep length (P<0.05) in studies on thiopental sodium-induced sleeping time at dosages of 100 and 200 mg/kg and a significant decrease (P<0.05) was found in terms of unconstrained locomotor and explorative activities in both hole crossing and open field tests at dosages of 100 and 200 mg/kg. Furthermore, the extracts increased sleeping time with a dosage-dependent onset of action. The hole-board test extracts also reduced the number of head dips at dosages of 100 and 200 mg/kg (P<0.05). It was found in this study that C. curviflora had the best neuropharmacological properties at a dosage of 200 ml/kg. Our findings also showed that all of the extracts from C. curviflora were experimentally active in an in vivo model. The study results suggested that the leaves had strong anti-depressant and hypnotic CNS properties that might be exploited for neuropharmacological adjuvant therapy in conventional medicine. However, pharmacological studies are warranted to explore the active substances and the mode of action.

Potential effects and relevant lead compounds of Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper seeds against bacterial infection, helminthiasis, thrombosis and neuropharmacological disorders

Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, helminthiasis, thrombosis, anxiety and insomnia are some of the major global health concerns. Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper (VM) has been used traditionally to treat microbial infection, helminthic disorder, schizophrenia, memory loss, and blood circulatory problem. This research aims to discover antibacterial, anthelmintic, thrombolytic and neuropharmacological effects of the methanol extract of Vigna mungo seeds (MESVM), and also in-silico prediction of relevant lead compounds by molecular docking and ADME/T analysis. The crude extracts and subsequent fractions of MESVM were investigated for antibacterial activity by disc diffusion method, anthelmintic activity by paralysis and death test on earthworms, and thrombolytic activity by in vitro blood clot dissolution test. Open-field test and elevated plus maze test were performed for evaluating anxiolytic activity of the extracts. Using molecular docking, ligand poses of selected VM seeds’ phytoconstituents were predicted targeting tubulin, GlcN-6-P synthase, and human tissue plasminogen activator proteins for anthelmintic, antibacterial, and thrombolytic activity, respectively. In the antibacterial activity test, the MESVM at 10000 μg/mL concentration created highest and significant (P < 0.001) zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (15.42 mm) and Escherichia coli (12 mm) compared with tetracycline. The MESVM exhibited remarkable anthelmintic activity at 50 mg/mL concentration with 35.4 min paralysis time, 75.2 min death time and were closer to the durations of standard drug albendazole. No test extract showed anxiolytic activity. In thrombolytic activity test, all concentrations of MESVM produced clot lytic activity with high significance (P < 0.001) in comparison with the blank. In docking, 2′-hydroxygenistein, cyclokievitone hydrate, and aureol displayed maximum affinity to the target proteins for anthelmintic, antibacterial, and thrombolytic activity, respectively. This research revealed that the MESVM demonstrated potential anthelmintic, antibacterial and thrombolytic effects that confirmed the folkloric uses of VM and the found relevant lead compounds might be further optimized in future drug development.