In vitro anti-leishmanial activity of methanolic extracts of Calendula officinalis flowers, Datura stramonium seeds, and Salvia officinalis leaves

In vitro assessment of Dracocephalum lindbergii for growth inhibition, apoptosis induction, and cytokine modulation against Leishmania major

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by several species of flagellate protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania, which are part of the Trypanosomatidae family. This study aims to evaluate the in vitro anti-Leishmania activity of Dracocephalum lindbergii Rech.f (D. lindbergii) on the growth, apoptosis induction, and proliferation of Leishmania major. To conduct this study, the aerial parts of D. lindbergii were collected during the flowering stage in May 2022 from North Khorasan province, Iran. The plant material was extracted using various solvents, starting with those of lower polarity and progressing to those of higher polarity. To assess the impact of the D. lindbergii fraction on L. major promastigotes, amastigotes, and macrophages (THP-1), cell viability was determined using the MTT assay. Additionally, flow cytometry with the Annexin V-PE apoptosis detection kit was employed to distinguish between viable, necrotic, and apoptotic promastigotes in response to treatment with the 100 % methanolic fraction of D. lindbergii (D). The expression levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-10, TGF-β, IL4, iNOS, and GAPDH were quantified using real-time PCR (qPCR) on the macrophage cell line. Each treatment approach exhibited marked anti-leishmanial effects across different concentrations over 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation, showing statistically significant differences compared to the untreated control group (P < 0.001). Different concentrations of D, MAT, and AmpB, both individually and in combination, significantly reduced the total number of intramacrophage amastigotes compared to the untreated control groups at 24, 48, and 72 h. The results also showed time-dependent variations in the anti-Leishmania activity of the fraction. In terms of cellular morphology, treated cells exhibited changes such as shrinkage, cytoplasmic condensation, and reduced mobility, particularly noticeable after 24 h of treatment. Additionally, fraction D demonstrated significant antioxidant properties. This study highlights the potential of D. lindbergii as an anti-Leishmania agent, with the 100 % methanolic fraction emerging as a promising candidate for the development of novel treatments for leishmaniasis.

Wound healing performance of PVA/PCL based electrospun nanofiber incorporated green synthetized CuNPs and Quercus infectoria extracts

In this study, copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were synthetized through green chemistry approach using C. officinalis flowers extract. The biosynthetized nanoparticles were characterized by FESEM, XRD, DLS and FTIR analysis. Subsequently, PCL nanofiber was fabricated as first supportive layer by electrospinning method. Afterward, PVA/Quercus infectoria galls (QLG) extracts/biosynthetized CuNPs blending solution was electrospinned as second bioactive topical layer. The morphology, physicochemical properties and biological characteristics of the produced PCL, PCL/PVA, PCL/PVA/CuNPs, PCL/PVA/QLG and PCL/PVA/QLG/CuNPs were investigated. Eventually, in vivo wound healing effectiveness was examined. Histologic investigation was carried out for visualization of the healing wounds architecture in different treated groups. FESEM, XRD and DLS assays confirmed the successful synthesis of CuNPs in range of 40-70 nm and FTIR spectrum approve the presence of functional constituents of C. officinalis extract on synthesized CuNPs. The incorporation of CuNPs and QLG extract into PCL/PVA based nanofibers improved their biological capabilities and physicochemical properties. Furthermore, PCL/PVA/QLG/CuNPs illustrated significant wound healing potentials and excellent antibacterial function against at wounds infected with MRSA. Histological assay demonstrated complete wound healing and less inflammation on day 10th. These outcomes recommended the utilization of PCL/PVA/QLG/CuNPs as a novel promising wound dressings with considerable antibacterial features.

In vitro examination of anti-parasitic, anti-Alzheimer, insecticidal and cytotoxic potential of Ajuga bracteosa Wallich leaves extracts

This research study is mainly focused to evaluate the anti-parasitic, insecticidal, cytotoxic and anti-alzheimer potential of various leaf extracts of Ajuga bracteosa Wallich ex Bentham. 04 different extracts were prepared using solvent of different polarity to determine the best candidate for potent bioactivity i.e. n-hexane (NH), Ethyl acetate (EA), Ethanol (EL) and Chloroform (CH). Concentrations of each extracts were made specified for all activities. All extracts were exploited for broad range of biomedical applications including leishmaniasis, in vitro anti-Alzheimer, insecticidal and cytotoxic studies. Our results showed that A. bracteosa n-hexane extract was highly active against Leishmania Tropica with significant inhibition of 58 ± 1.61 for promastigote and 63 ± 2.29 for amastigote at 1000 μg/mL. Furthermore, promising anti-alzheimer activity acetylcholinesterase (AChE) 46 ± 0.83 and butrylcholineterase (BChE) 49 ± 1.17 was noted for n-hexane. The insecticidal potential of these extracts were test against five different insects (Rhyzopertha dominica, Trogoderma granarium, Tribolium castaneum, Sitophilus oryze, and Callosobruchus analis). The higest mortality rate of insecticidal activity was recorded by n-hexane followed by Ethyl acetate whereas ethanol extract was found to be less effective against all the test species. Significant cytotoxic potential of each plant sample against Artemia salina thus aware us for further detailed research to find out novel drugs. Based on our results we believe that Ajuga bracteosa could be used to develop as a potential botanical insecticide against different insect and pests, such as aphids as well as an excellent source for the compound isolation as anti-tumor agent.

Effect of Vigna radiata, Tamarix ramosissima and Carthamus lanatus extracts on Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica: An in vitro study

Objective

Current therapy strategies of leishmaniasis have some problems such as high cost, toxicity and side effects. Plant extracts can be a source of drugs to control leishmaniasis. In this study, the effect of hydroalcoholic and chloroformic extracts of Vigna radiata, Tamarix ramosissima, and Carthamus lanatus on Leishmania major and L. tropica was studied.

Methods

The plant samples were collected from west of Iran and their extracts were prepared. Anti-promastigote activity assay of all extracts was done using tetrazolium-dye assay.

Results

Only high concentrations of V. radiata and C. lanatus were able to inhibit Leishmania, while both high and low concentrations of T. ramosissima had antileishmanial effect. No difference was observed between hydroalcoholic with chloroformic extract of each plant.

Conclusion

Altogether, the results revealed the antileishmanial activity of T. ramosissima extracts against L. major and L. tropica, indicating its potential as an antileishmanial agent.

Asteraceae Plants as Sources of Compounds Against Leishmaniasis and Chagas Disease

Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease cause great impact on social and economic aspects of people living in developing countries. The treatments for these diseases are based on the same regimen for over 40 years, thus, there is an urgent need for the development of new drugs. In this scenario, Asteraceae plants (a family widely used in folk medicine worldwide) are emerging as an interesting source for new trypanocidal and leishmanicidal compounds. Herein, we provide a non-exhaustive review about the activity of plant-derived products from Asteraceae with inhibitory action toward Leishmania spp. and T. cruzi. Special attention was given to those studies aiming the isolation (or identification) of the bioactive compounds. Ferulic acid, rosmarinic acid, and ursolic acid (Baccharis uncinella DC.) were efficient to treat experimental leishmaniasis; while deoxymikanolide (Mikania micrantha) and (+)-15-hydroxy-labd-7-en-17-al (Aristeguietia glutinosa Lam.) showed in vivo anti-T. cruzi action. It is also important to highlight that several plant-derived products (compounds, essential oils) from Artemisia plants have shown high inhibitory potential against Leishmania spp., such as artemisinin and its derivatives. In summary, these compounds may help the development of new effective agents against these neglected diseases.

Antiparasitic activity in Asteraceae with special attention to ethnobotanical use by the tribes of Odisha, India

The purpose of this review is to survey the antiparasitic plants of the Asteraceae family and their applicability in the treatment of parasites. This review is divided into three major parts: (a) literature on traditional uses of Asteraceae plants for the treatment of parasites; (b) description of the major classes of chemical compounds from Asteraceae and their antiparasitic effects; and (c) antiparasitic activity with special reference to flavonoids and terpenoids. This review provides detailed information on the reported Asteraceae plant extracts found throughout the world and on isolated secondary metabolites that can inhibit protozoan parasites such as Plasmodium, Trypanosoma, Leishmania, and intestinal worms. Additionally, special attention is given to the Asteraceae plants of Odisha, used by the tribes of the area as antiparasitics. These plants are compared to the same plants used traditionally in other regions. Finally, we provide information on which plants identified in Odisha, India and related compounds show promise for the development of new drugs against parasitic diseases. For most of the plants discussed in this review, the active compounds still need to be isolated and tested further.

Salvia Species as Sources of Natural Products with Antiprotozoal Activity

Natural products from plants have been used since ancestral times to treat a wide variety of diseases worldwide. Plants of the genus Salvia (Sage) have been reported to be used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases and ailments. In particular, some Salvia species have been used in traditional medicine to treat diseases caused by protozoan parasites of the genera Trypanosoma, Leishmania and Plasmodium and scientific studies have demonstrated the activity of various isolated constituents from these plants against these pathogens. The current review attempts to give a critical overview of published information about the antiprotozoal activity of species of the genus Salvia and their chemical constituents. It is meant to give a unified overview of these results in order to avoid repetitions caused, e.g., by limited access to some primary reports, and to stimulate further research to possibly facilitate the development of new molecular leads against protozoal neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) based on Salvia constituents.