Toxicological evaluation of standardized Kaempferia parviflora extract: Sub-chronic and mutagenicity studies

Anti-arthritis Effects of Zingiberaceae Extracts on Models of Inflammatory Joint Disease

Due to this becoming an aging society, the number of arthritis cases has been increasing. Unfortunately, some currently available medications can cause adverse effects. Using herbal remedies as a form of alternative medicine is becoming increasingly popular. Zingiber officinale (ZO), Curcuma longa (CL), and Kaempferia parviflora (KP) are herbal plants in the Zingiberaceae family that have potent anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigates the anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects of ZO, CL, and KP extracts on in vitro and ex vivo inflammatory models. The combinatorial anti-arthritis effect of each extract is also evaluated in an in vivo model. ZO extract preserves cartilaginous proteoglycans in proinflammatory cytokines-induced porcine cartilage explant in a fashion similar to that of CL and KP extracts and suppresses the expression of major inflammatory mediators in SW982 cells, particularly the COX2 gene. CL extract downregulates some inflammatory mediators and genes-associated cartilage degradation. Only KP extract shows a significant reduction in S-GAGs release in a cartilage explant model compared to the positive control, diacerein. In SW982 cells, it strongly suppresses many inflammatory mediators. The active constituents of each extract selectively downregulate inflammatory genes. The combined extracts show a reduction in inflammatory mediators to a similar degree as the combined active constituents. Reductions in paw swelling, synovial vascularity, inflammatory cell infiltration, and synovial hyperplasia are found in the combined extracts-treated arthritic rats. This study demonstrates that a combination of ZO, CL, and KP extracts has an anti-arthritis effect and could potentially be developed into an anti-arthritis cocktail for arthritis treatment.

Kaempferia parviflora Extracts Protect Neural Stem Cells from Amyloid Peptide-Mediated Inflammation in Co-Culture Model with Microglia

The existence of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress surrounding amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), has been demonstrated and may result in the activation of neuronal death and inhibition of neurogenesis. Therefore, dysregulation of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress is one possible therapeutic target for AD. Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker (KP), a member of the Zingiberaceae family, possesses health-promoting benefits including anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation in vitro and in vivo with a high level of safety; however, the role of KP in suppressing Aβ-mediated neuroinflammation and neuronal differentiation has not yet been investigated. The neuroprotective effects of KP extract against Aβ₄₂ have been examined in both monoculture and co-culture systems of mouse neuroectodermal (NE-4C) stem cells and BV-2 microglia cells. Our results showed that fractions of KP extract containing 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, 5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone, and 3,5,7,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone protected neural stem cells (both undifferentiated and differentiated) and microglia activation from Aβ₄₂-induced neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in both monoculture and co-culture system of microglia and neuronal stem cells. Interestingly, KP extracts also prevented Aβ₄₂-suppressed neurogenesis, possibly due to the contained methoxyflavone derivatives. Our data indicated the promising role of KP in treating AD through the suppression of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress induced by Aβ peptides.

The industrially important genus Kaempferia: An ethnopharmacological review

Kaempferia, a genus of the family Zingiberaceae, is widely distributed with more than 50 species which are mostly found throughout Southeast Asia. These plants have important ethnobotanical significance as many species are used in Ayurvedic and other traditional medicine preparations. This genus has received a lot of scholarly attention recently as a result of the numerous health advantages it possesses. In this review, we have compiled the scientific information regarding the relevance, distribution, industrial applications, phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, tissue culture and conservation initiative of the Kaempferia genus along with the commercial realities and limitations of the research as well as missing industrial linkages followed by an exploration of some of the likely future promising clinical potential. The current review provides a richer and deeper understanding of Kaempferia, which can be applied in areas like phytopharmacology, molecular research, and industrial biology. The knowledge from this study can be further implemented for the establishment of new conservation strategies.

Acute and subacute toxicity evaluation of hydroalcoholic extract from the stem bark of Bois Bande (Parinari campestris Aubl.1772) in rats

INTRODUCTION

The bark of Bois Bande (Parinari campestris) is a popular aphrodisiac in the Caribbean that has been traditionally used for many years to restore sexual vitality, increase sperm count, and treat erectile dysfunction, without valid scientific data. Acute and 28-day subacute toxicity studies were conducted to evaluate the safety of the hydroalcoholic extract of P.campestris bark and to find a safe dose for human use in conventional medicine.

METHODS

The acute toxicity study used a single oral dose of P.campestris extract at four separate doses, 5, 50, 300, and 2,000 mg/kg, and was seen for 14 days, while the subacute toxicity study used a daily oral dose of P.campestris extract at 3 different doses, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg/day for 28 days.

RESULTS

The LD50 of P.campestris extract was found to be greater than 2000 mg/kg in the acute toxicity study. P.campestris extract did not show toxicity at 1000 mg/kg/day in subacute toxicity trial; NOAEL was 1000 mg/kg/day in rats. However, the body weight was increased in males.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, 1000 mg/kg P.campestris extract can be considered safe and non-toxic in males.

Polymethoxyflavone purified from Kaempferia parviflora reduces visceral fat in Japanese overweight individuals: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Visceral fat is a more important factor in obesity-associated disorders in Japanese individuals than in Caucasian individuals. The objective of this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study, conducted in Japanese overweight adults, was to investigate the effects of polymethoxyflavone purified from Kaempferia parviflora on visceral fat. A total of 80 subjects (aged 20-64 years, 23.0 ≤ body mass index < 30 kg m-2) were randomly assigned in 1 : 1 ratio to either the active (polymethoxyflavone purified from K. parviflora) or placebo group. Over a 12-week period, each subject received two capsules containing polymethoxyflavone purified from K. parviflora (12 mg polymethoxyflavone per day) or placebo. The primary outcome was a reduction in visceral fat area (VFA), while the secondary outcome was a reduction in subcutaneous fat area (SFA) and total fat area (TFA). VFA was measured at 0, 8, and 12 weeks using computed tomography scanning. Results showed that VFA significantly reduced after 12 weeks in the active group and was significantly lower than in the placebo group at 8 and 12 weeks. A significant reduction was observed in SFA and TFA after 8 and 12 weeks in the active group; TFA was significantly lower than that in the placebo group at 8 and 12 weeks. No adverse events associated with the test supplements were observed in either group. Our study shows that administration of polymethoxyflavone purified from K. parviflora reduces visceral fat in Japanese overweight adults.

Physical, chemical, and toxicological characterization of sulfated cellulose nanocrystals for food-related applications using in vivo and in vitro strategies

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are a next-generation cellulose product with many unique properties including applications in the food industry as a food additive, food coating, and in food-contact packaging material. While CNC is anticipated to be safe due to its similarity to the many forms of cellulose currently used as food additives, special consideration is given to it as it is the first manufactured form of cellulose that is nanoscale in both length and width. A proactive approach to safety has been adopted by manufacturers to demonstrate CNC safety toward responsible commercialization. As part of the safety demonstration, in vivo and in vitro testing strategies were commissioned side-by-side with conventional cellulose, which has been safely used in food for decades. Testing included a 90-day rodent feeding study as well as additional physical, chemical, and biological studies in vitro that follow European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guidance to demonstrate the safe use of novel food ingredients. The strategy includes assessment of neat materials side-by-side with simulated digestion, mimicking conditions that occur along the gastrointestinal tract as well as intracellularly. An intestinal co-culture model examined any potential toxicological effects from exposure to either pristine or digested forms of CNC including cytotoxicity, metabolic activity, membrane permeability, oxidative stress, and proinflammatory responses. None of the studies demonstrated any toxicity via oral or simulated oral exposure. These studies demonstrate that CNC produced by InnoTech Alberta is similarly safe by ingestion as conventional cellulose with a no-observed-adverse-effect level of 2085.3 (males) and 2682.8 (females) mg/kg/day.

Toxicological evaluation of Sargassum Wightii greville derived fucoidan in wistar rats: Haematological, biochemical and histopathological evidences

Objective

The present study aimed to investigate the acute and subacute toxicity profile of fucoidan obtained from Sargassum wightii Greville, a brown marine algae in order to assess its safety.

Methods

Fucoidan was isolated from Sargassum wightii Greviile and subjected to FTIR analysis to confirm the functional groups. In acute toxicity study, a single dose of fucoidan (2000 mg/kg) was orally administered to three female rats as per OECD guideline 423. OECD guidelines 407 was adopted for subacute toxicity study. Fucoidan was orally administered to male and female rats at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg. Hematological, biochemical and histopathological analyses were carried out.

Results

FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of major functional groups. The animals did not show any remarkable toxic signs or mortality in acute toxicity study at single oral administration of fucoidan at the dose of 2000 mg/kg bodyweight. In subacute toxicity, no statistically significant difference in body weight, relative weight of vital organs, food and water intake compared to the control group was observed. Serum glucose and cholesterol showed a statistically significant reduction at all the doses when compared to normal control and the reduction was in a dose dependent manner. There were no other changes observed in biochemical or haematological parameters. Histopathological analysis showed no significant toxic signs at organ levels in treated groups when compared to normal control.

Conclusions

Based on the results obtained from acute and subacute toxicity study, fucoidan is considered to be safe in the models tested, which encourages its long term administration for medicinal uses. This study supports the application of fucoidan as a traditional medicine.

Antibacterial activity and subchronic toxicity of Cassia fistula L. barks in rats

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Extract and ethyl acetate fraction of Cassia fistula L. have potent antibacterial activity against resistant bacteria such as Salmonella typhosa.

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Extract and Ethyl acetate fraction of Cassia fistula L. barks revealed the most active in vivo antibacterial activity.

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At 1000 mg/kg dose of extract exposured for 90 days, histological damages were found either in liver or kidney, but after 30 days the abnormality fully were recovered.

Increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance necessitates the development of more potent antibiotics. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Cassia fistula L. barks as an alternative agent for resistant pathogenic bacteria. The C. fistula barks were extracted with ethanol, followed by partition of the extract to give n-hexane, ethyl acetate and water fractions. An in vitro antibacterial assay was conducted to evaluate inhibitory activity of the extract and fractions against Salmonella typhosa and Shigella dysenteriae. An in vivo antibacterial activity was examined using S. typhosa-infected mouse models, in which the colony number of S. typhosa were counted from the infected rats’ feces. Assesment on safety of the extract was conducted by a subchronic toxicity test which mainly examined alteration occured in biochemical parameters and hystopatological conditions of livers and kidneys. The results showed that the ethanol extract inhibited the growth of both S. typhosa and S. dysenteriae with the MIC of 0.3125% w/v, and the ethyl acetate fraction with the MIC of 0.625% b/v. In the in vivo antibacterial assay, the extract at three doses decreased the colony number of S. typhosa significantly, and after the fourth to sixth days, the precentage of decrease reached more than 90% by 1000 mg/kg dose. The subchronic toxicity test revealed that after the extract exposured for 90 days, a dose of 1000 mg/kg induced liver and kidney damages histologically, however, it returned to normal condition after 30 days of recovery. The results of this study indicated that the extract of C. fistula L. barks had potent in vivo antibacterial activity against S. typhosa as sample of resistant bacteria, and is safe to be used as a herbal medicine, preferably at a dose lower than 1000 mg/kg.

A 90-day dietary study with fibrillated cellulose in Sprague-Dawley rats

Novel forms of fibrillated cellulose offer improved attributes for use in foods. Conventional cellulose and many of its derivatives are already widely used as food additives and are authorized as safe for use in foods in many countries. However, novel forms have not yet been thoroughly investigated using standardized testing methods. This study assesses the 90-day dietary toxicity of fibrillated cellulose, as compared to a conventional cellulose, Solka Floc. Sprague Dawley rats were fed 2 %, 3 %, or 4 % fibrillated cellulose for 90 consecutive days, and parallel Solka Floc groups were used as controls. Survival, clinical observations, body weight, food consumption, ophthalmologic evaluations, hematology, serum chemistry, urinalysis, post-mortem anatomic pathology, and histopathology were monitored and performed. No adverse observations were noted in relation to the administration of fibrillated cellulose. Under the conditions of this study and based on the toxicological endpoints evaluated, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for fibrillated cellulose was 2194.2 mg/kg/day (males) and 2666.6 mg/kg/day (females), corresponding to the highest dose tested (4 %) for male and female Sprague Dawley rats. These results demonstrate that fibrillated cellulose behaves similarly to conventional cellulose and raises no safety concerns when used as a food ingredient at these concentrations.