Clinical effect of a Mexican sanguinaria extract (Polygonum aviculare L.) on gingivitis

Chemical Composition of Essential Oils of Seven Polygonum Species from Turkey: A Chemotaxonomic Approach

Medicinal plants and herbal preparations are gaining attention in the scientific community today, as they are often used intermittently in the treatment of various diseases. The genus of Polygonum (Polygonaceae), known locally as “madimak”, is an aromatic plant widely used in world flavors. The chemical composition of the essential oils of dried aerial parts of seven of Polygonum was analyzed by GC-MS. These species are Polygonum lapathifolium L., Polygonum persicaria L., Polygonum arenastrum Bor., Polygonum bellardii All., Polygonum arenarium Waldst. Et Kit., Polygonum aviculare L., and Polygonum cognatum Meissn. Qualitative and quantitative differences were found in the essential oil analysis of the seven Polygonum species. The major compounds were determined as (E)-β-farnesene (19. 46%), dodecanal (15.92%), β-caryophyllene (12.95%), in P. aviculare; (E)-β-farnesene (25.00%), dodecanal (20.45%), β-caryophyllene (9.38%), and caryophyllene oxide (8. 26%) in P. persicaria; dodecanal (25.65%), caryophyllene oxide (13.35%), β-caryophyllene (7.95%), and (E)-β-farnesene (6.20%) in P. lapathifolium, and dodecanal (19.65%), (E)-β-farnesene (13.86%), β-caryophyllene (8.06%), and α-terpineol (7.2%) in P. arenarium, dodecanal (16.23%), β-caryophyllene (16.09%), (E)-β-farnesene (12.26%), caryophyllene oxide (7.94%) in P. bellardii, (E)-β-farnesene (20.75%), dodecanal (17.96%), β-caryophyllene (13.01%), α-terpineol (4.97%) in P. arenastrum, (E)-β-farnesene (9.49%), dodecanal (14.01%), β-caryophyllene (11.92%), geranyl acetate (9.49%), and undecanal (7.35%) in P. cognatum. This study is the most comprehensive study conducted to determine the essential oil components of Polygonum species. In addition, a literature review on the composition of the essential oils of these Polygonum taxa was performed. The essential oil components of the species in our study were revealed for the first time with this study.

Hypoglycemic and Antioxidant Properties of Extracts and Fractions from Polygoni Avicularis Herba

Our research focused on the hypoglycemic capability and the possible mechanisms of extract and fractions from Polygoni Avicularis Herba (PAH) based on α-glucosidase, α-amylase inhibition assays, glucose uptake experiment, HPLC-MS analysis, and molecular docking experiment. In addition, DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays were used for determining the antioxidant capability. The results of total flavonoids and phenolics contents showed that ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) possessed the highest flavonoids and phenolics with values of 159.7 ± 2.5 mg rutin equivalents/g and 107.6 ± 2.0 mg galic acid equivalents/g, respectively. The results of in vitro hypoglycemic activity showed that all samples had effective α-glucosidase inhibition capacities, and EAF possessed the best inhibitory effect with IC50 value of 1.58 ± 0.24 μg/mL. In addition, n-butanol fraction (NBF) significantly promoted the glucose uptake rate of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. HPLC-MS analysis and molecular docking results proved the interactions between candidates and α-glucosidase. The results of antioxidation capacities showed that EAF possessed the best antioxidation abilities with DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP. In summary, the hypoglycemic activity of PAH might be related to the inhibition of α-glucosidase (EAF > PEF > NBF) and the promotion of glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (NBF). Simultaneously, the antioxidation capacity of PAH might be related to the abundant contents of flavonoids and other phenolics (EAF > PEF > NBF).

How to bridge the gap? European medical plants used for treating oral mucositis: on the search for evidence

PURPOSE

Oral mucositis is a common, painful side effect of cancer treatment-be it locoregional (e.g. irradiation) or systemic (e. g. chemotherapy). Phytotherapy is often used by patients to alleviate symptoms. However, knowledge on which medical plants are recommended by literature about Traditional European Medicine (TEM), their effect(s) on symptoms and their efficacy is severely lacking. Therefore, we developed a novel approach to assess traditional knowledge of herbals used in TEM and searched the online databases for studies reporting effects of these plants.

METHODS

At first, online research did not yield a satisfying number of studies (MESH terms: "mucositis" OR "stomatitis" AND "herbal" OR "herbal medicine"). Trials were labelled by the country conducting the study. In parallel, we compiled a list of 78 plants recommended for treating oral mucositis by screening 14 books on TEM. Then, a "hit list" of the plants most often mentioned was composed and used further for a second online investigation using the Latin plant designations as MESH term. Studies of both online searches were pooled for analysis.

RESULTS

There is a gap between traditional knowledge and trials investigating medical plants used by TEM. Overall, herbal remedies alleviate oral mucositis and especially, gingivitis well. There is good evidence for using Matricaria recutita L., Salvia officinalis L., Calendula officinalis L. and Thymus spp. L. for treating oral mucositis.

CONCLUSION

Clinical trials investigating medical plants known in TEM are rare. However, following our research strategy, we could extrapolate four plants with good evidence for alleviating symptoms of oral mucositis and gingivitis.

Polygonum aviculare L. extract reduces fatigue by inhibiting neuroinflammation in restraint-stressed mice

BACKGROUND

Chronic fatigue patients experience various neuropsychological symptoms, including fatigue behaviors, chronic pain, and depression. They also display immune system dysregulation. Polygonum aviculare L. extract (PAE) is a traditional herbal medicine used to treat inflammatory diseases by reportedly decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

We hypothesized that the anti-inflammatory properties of PAE would attenuate fatigue symptoms in a mouse model of restraint stress.

STUDY DESIGN

We evaluated the effects of PAE on fatigue using three experimental groups: unstressed, vehicle-treated stressed, and PAE-treated stressed mice. This restraint stress paradigm, comprised of restraint for 3 h daily for 15 days, was used to model chronic fatigue.

METHODS

We compared lethargy-like behavior between our experimental groups using forced-swim, sucrose preference, and open-field tests once per week on days 7 and 14 of restraint stress. We also used histology and western blotting to evaluate pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in the brain and serum, and microglial activation in the brain. Finally, we used liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy (LC/MS) to identify individual components of PAE, and applied cell culture techniques to test the effects of these components on neuronal cells in vitro.

RESULTS

In restraint-stressed mice, PAE treatment decreased lethargy-like behavior relative to vehicle-treated animals. PAE treatment also reduced expression of fatigue-related factors such as corticosterone, serotonin, and catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) in the brain and serum, and decreased expression of CD68, Ibal-1, and the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the brain. Together, these data indicate that PAE reduced fatigue and is anti-inflammatory. Furthermore, histopathological analyses indicated that PAE treatment recovered atrophic volumes and hepatic injuries. Finally, LC/MS analysis of PAE identified four individual chemicals: myricitrin, isoquercitrin, avicularin, and quercitrin. In neuronal cell cultures, treatment with these PAE components inhibited TNF-α production, confirming that PAE treatment reduces neuroinflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

PAE treatment may reduce fatigue by suppressing neuroinflammation and the expression of fatigue-related hormones.

Use of traditional herbal medicine as an alternative in dental treatment in Mexican dentistry: a review

CONTEXT

Herbal therapies are used worldwide to treat health conditions. In Mexico, generations have used them to treat gingivitis, periodontitis, mouth infections, and discoloured teeth. However, few studies have collected scientific evidence on their effects.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed at searching and compiling scientific evidence of alternative oral and dental treatments using medicinal herbs from Mexico.

METHODS

We collected various Mexican medicinal plants used in the dental treatment from the database of the Institute of Biology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. To correlate with existing scientific evidence, we used the PubMed database with the key term '(scientific name) and (oral or dental)'.

RESULTS

Mexico has various medical herbs with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, according to ancestral medicinal books and healers. Despite a paucity of experimental research demonstrating the antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiplaque effects of these Mexican plants, they could still be useful as an alternative treatment of several periodontal diseases or as anticariogenic agents. However, the number of studies supporting their uses and effects remains insufficient.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

It is important for the health of consumers to scientifically demonstrate the real effects of natural medicine, as well as clarify and establish their possible therapeutic applications. Through this bibliographical revision, we found papers that testify or refute their ancestral uses, and conclude that the use of plants to treat oral conditions or to add to the dental pharmacological arsenal should be based on experimental studies verifying their suitability for dental treatments.

Simultaneous quantification and peroxynitrite-scavenging activities of flavonoids in Polygonum aviculare L. herb

The plant Polygonum aviculare L. (Polygonaceae) is an annual herbaceous plant which is known to be beneficial for treating gastroduodenal ulcer, hypertension, diarrhea, hemorrhage, and hemorrhoids. Ten phenolic compounds, including nine flavonoids (myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, myricitrin, desmanthin-1, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, avicularin, juglanin), and gallic acid were used for simultaneous HPLC quantification and peroxynitrite-scavenging assay. Simultaneous quantification of these substances were performed on five extracts (EtOH-, MeOH-, 70% MeOH-, 30% MeOH-, and H2O extracts) as well as on the three fractions (Et2O-, EtOAc-, and BuOH fractions), under the condition of a Capcell Pak C18 column (5μm, 250mm×4.6mm i.d.) and a gradient elution of 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and MeOHCH3CN (60:40). Of the three fractions, the EtOAc fraction displayed the highest content of flavonoids (sum, 208.9mg/g) with the strongest peroxynitrite-scavenging activity (IC50, 2.68μg/mL). The activities of the eight compounds (myricitrin, isoquercitrin, avicularin, quercitrin, myricetin, desmanthin-1, quercetin, and kaempferol) were comparable to that of the positive control (l-penicillamine; IC50: 1.03μg/mL). These results suggest that folkloric medicinal uses of P. aviculare are mainly attributed to flavonoids, such as particularly highly contained myricetin, myricitrin, and desmanthin-1.

Identification of Magnolia officinalis L. Bark Extract as the Most Potent Anti-Inflammatory of Four Plant Extracts

This study was designed to compare the anti-inflammatory potential of a Magnolia officinalis L. bark extract solely or in combination with extracts prepared from either Polygonum aviculare L., Sambucus nigra L., or Isodon japonicus L. in bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1) and human U-937 monocytes, as cell models of periodontal disease. HGF-1 and U-937 cells were incubated with LPS from either Porphyromonas gingivalis or Escherichia coli together with the four plant extracts alone or in combination. Secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines from HGF-1 and U-937 cells was measured by means of a multiplexed bead assay system. Magnolia officinalis L. bark extract, at concentrations of 1 μg/mL and 10 μg/mL, reduced interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion from HGF-1 cells to 72.5 ± 28.6% and reduced matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) secretion from U-937 cells to 8.87 ± 7.97% compared to LPS-treated cells (100%). The other three extracts also reduced secretion of these inflammatory markers but were not as effective. Combination of 9 μg/mL Magnolia officinalis L. extract with 1 μg/mL of each of the other extracts maintained the anti-inflammatory effect of Magnolia officinalis L. extract. Combination of 5 μg/mL Magnolia officinalis L. extract with 5 μg/mL Isodon japonicus L. extract also maintained the anti-inflammatory potential of the Magnolia officinalis L. extract, whereas increasing concentrations of any of the other plant extracts in the combination experiments reduced the Magnolia officinalis L. extract efficacy in U-937 cells.

The Antiobesity Effect of Polygonum aviculare L. Ethanol Extract in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

The antiobesity effects of a P. aviculare ethanol extract (PAE) in high-fat diet- (HFD-) induced obese mice were investigated. The mice were fed an HFD or an HFD supplemented with PAE (400 mg/kg/day) for 6.5 weeks. The increased body weights, adipose tissue weight, and adipocyte area as well as serum total triglyceride, leptin, and malondialdehyde concentrations were decreased in PAE-treated HFD-induced obese mice relative to the same measurements in untreated obese mice. Furthermore, PAE significantly suppressed the elevated mRNA expression levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, fatty acid synthase, and adipocyte protein 2 in the white adipose tissue of obese mice. In addition, PAE treatment of 3T3-L1 cells inhibited adipocyte differentiation and fat accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that PAE exerts antiobesity effects in HFD-induced obese mice through the suppression of lipogenesis in adipose tissue and increased antioxidant activity.