21st century natural product research and drug development and traditional medicines

Vasorelaxant and Hypotensive Effects of Galla chinensis in Rats

Previous studies have revealed the medicinal and therapeutic effects of Galla chinensis. However, no studies have focused on the antihypertensive effects of G. chinensis. Therefore, we aimed to determine the vasorelaxant and hypotensive effects of G. chinensis 50% ethanolic extract (GCE). To evaluate the vascular relaxing effect of GCE, experiments were conducted using aortic segments dissected from Sprague Dawley rats. GCE showed a vasorelaxant effect via the nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate pathway, inhibiting Ca2+ channels, and activating K+ channels. The hypotensive effects of GCE were evaluated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The SHRs were randomly divided into a control group and orally administered GCE group (100 or 300 mg/kg). The systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly by -19.47 ± 4.58% and -31.14 ± 7.66% in the GCE 100 mg/kg group, and -21.64 ± 2.40% and -31.91 ± 5.75% in the GCE 300 mg/kg group at 4 h after administration. Considering its vasorelaxant and hypotensive effects, our results indicate that GCE may be a valuable solution for the control of hypertension. However, further studies on the long-term administration and toxicity of GCE are required.

Lapagyl mitigates UV-induced inflammation and immunosuppression via Foxp3+ Tregs and CCL pathway: A single-cell transcriptomics study

BACKGROUND

As the largest organ of the body, the skin is constantly subjected to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), leading to inflammations and changes that mirror those seen in chronological aging. Although various small molecule drugs have been explored for treating skin photoaging, they typically suffer from low stability and a high incidence of adverse reactions. Consequently, the continued investigation of photoaging treatments, particularly those utilizing herbal products, remains a critical clinical endeavor. One such herbal product, Lapagyl, is derived from the bark of the lapacho tree and possesses antioxidant efficacies that could be beneficial in combating skin photoaging.

PURPOSE

This research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the herbal product Lapagyl in combating UVR-induced skin photoaging. Additionally, it sought to unravel the mechanisms by which Lapagyl promotes the regeneration of the skin extracellular matrix.

METHODS

To investigate whether Lapagyl can alleviate skin aging and damage, a UVR radiation model was established using SKH-1 hairless mice. The dorsal skins of these mice were evaluated for wrinkle formation, texture, moisture, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and elasticity. Pathological assessments were conducted to determine Lapagyl's efficacy. Additionally, single-cell sequencing and spectrum analysis were employed to elucidate the working mechanisms and primary components of Lapagyl in addressing UVR-induced skin aging and injury.

RESULTS

Lapagyl markedly reduced UVR-induced wrinkles, moisture loss, and elasticity decrease in SKH-1 mice. Single-cell sequencing demonstrated that Lapagyl corrected the imbalance in cell proportions caused by UVR, decreased UVR-induced ROS expression, and protected basal and spinous cells from skin damage. Additionally, Lapagyl effectively prevented the entry of inflammatory cells into the skin by reducing CCL8 expression and curtailed the UVR-induced formation of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the skin. Both pathological assessments and ex vivo skin model results demonstrated that Lapagyl effectively reduced UVR-induced damage to collagen and elastin. Spectrum analysis identified Salidroside as the primary compound remaining in the skin following Lapagyl treatment. Taken together, our study elucidated the skin protection mechanism of the herbal product Lapagyl against UVR damage at the cellular level, revealing its immunomodulatory effects, with salidroside identified as the primary active compound for skin.

CONCLUSION

Our study provided a thorough evaluation of Lapagyl's protective effects on skin against UVR damage, delving into the mechanisms at the cellular level. We discovered that Lapagyl mitigates skin inflammation and immunosuppression by regulating Foxp3+ Tregs and the CCL pathway. These insights indicate that Lapagyl has potential as a novel therapeutic option for addressing skin photoaging.

A critical assessment of Traditional Chinese Medicine databases as a source for drug discovery

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used for thousands of years to treat human diseases. Recently, many databases have been devoted to studying TCM pharmacology. Most of these databases include information about the active ingredients of TCM herbs and their disease indications. These databases enable researchers to interrogate the mechanisms of action of TCM systematically. However, there is a need for comparative studies of these databases, as they are derived from various resources with different data processing methods. In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the existing TCM databases. We found that the information complements each other by comparing herbs, ingredients, and herb-ingredient pairs in these databases. Therefore, data harmonization is vital to use all the available information fully. Moreover, different TCM databases may contain various annotation types for herbs or ingredients, notably for the chemical structure of ingredients, making it challenging to integrate data from them. We also highlight the latest TCM databases on symptoms or gene expressions, suggesting that using multi-omics data and advanced bioinformatics approaches may provide new insights for drug discovery in TCM. In summary, such a comparative study would help improve the understanding of data complexity that may ultimately motivate more efficient and more standardized strategies towards the digitalization of TCM.

Attenuation of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Neuropathic Allodynia by Flavone Derivative Through Modulation of GABA-ergic Mechanisms and Endogenous Biomarkers

Diabetic neuropathic pain is one of the most devasting disorders of peripheral nervous system. The loss of GABAergic inhibition is associated with the development of painful diabetic neuropathy. The current study evaluated the potential of 3-Hydroxy-2-methoxy-6-methyl flavone (3-OH-2'MeO6MF), to ameliorate peripheral neuropathic pain using an STZ-induced hyperglycemia rat model. The pain threshold was assessed by tail flick, cold, mechanical allodynia, and formalin test on days 0, 14, 21, and 28 after STZ administration accompanied by evaluation of several biochemical parameters. Administration of 3-OH-2'-MeO6MF (1,10, 30, and 100 mg/kg, i.p) significantly enhanced the tail withdrawal threshold in tail-flick and tail cold allodynia tests. 3-OH-2'-MeO6MF also increased the paw withdrawal threshold in mechanical allodynia and decreased paw licking time in the formalin test. Additionally, 3-OH-2'-MeO6MF also attenuated the increase in concentrations of myeloperoxidase (MPO), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), nitrite, TNF-α, and IL 6 along with increases in glutathione (GSH). Pretreatment of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) (40 mg/kg, i.p.) abolished the antinociceptive effect of 3-OH-2'-MeO6MF in mechanical allodynia. Besides, the STZ-induced alterations in the GABA concentration and GABA transaminase activity attenuated by 3-OH-2'-MeO6MF treatment suggest GABAergic mechanisms. Molecular docking also authenticates the involvement of α2β2γ2L GABA-A receptors and GABA-T enzyme in the antinociceptive activities of 3-OH-2'-MeO6MF.

Application of two-dimensional reversed phase countercurrent chromatography × high-performance liquid chromatography to bioactivity-guided screening and isolation of α-glucosidase inhibitors from Rheum palmatum L

In the present work, comprehensive two-dimensional reversed-phase countercurrent chromatography × reversed-phase liquid chromatography combined (2D RPCCC × RPLC) with 2D microfraction bioactive evaluation was employed to screen and isolate α-glucosidase inhibitors from Rheum palmatum L. Countercurrent chromatography was employed to improve 2D analysis and preparative separation. A selected biphasic solvent system composed of petroleum ether/ethyl acetate/methanol/water with gradient elution mode was used for the first dimension RPCCC separation (1D RPCCC). Solid-phase extraction was applied to eliminate interfering polar compounds before the second dimension analysis (2D RPLC). 76 components were shown in 2D contour plot in UV 280 nm. 11 Candidates were separated by a scaled-up CCC and identified by 1H NMR and 13C NMR, including anthraquinones, flavonoids, stilbenes, phenols, and glucoside derivatives. In addition, it was found that two components, resveratrol-4'-O-(6″-galloyl)glucoside (36) and lyciumaside (43) were identified as natural α-glucosidase inhibitors in Rheum palmatum L. for the first time.

Current stage of preclinical and clinical development of guggulsterone in cancers: Challenges and promises

Throughout human history, the utilization of medicinal herbs has been recognized as a crucial defense against various ailments, including cancer. Natural products with potential anticancer properties, capable of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells, have garnered substantial attention. One such agent under investigation is guggulsterone (GS), a phytosterol derived from the gum resin of the Commiphora mukul tree. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of recent studies elucidating the anticancer molecular mechanisms and molecular targets of GS, guiding future research and potential applications as an adjuvant drug in cancer therapy. Recent in vivo and in vitro studies have explored the biological activities of the active ingredients in Commiphora mukul. Specifically, GS emerges as a potential cancer chemopreventive and therapeutic agent. The investigations delve into the impact of GS on constitutively activated survival pathways, including Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), and PI3-kinase/AKT signaling pathways. These pathways regulate antiapoptotic and proinflammatory genes, exerting control over growth and inflammatory responses. The findings highlight the potential of GS in disrupting survival pathways crucial for cancer cell viability. The inhibition of JAK/STAT, NF-kB, and PI3-kinase/AKT signaling pathways positions GS as a promising candidate for cancer therapy. The review synthesizes evidence from diverse studies, underscoring the multifaceted biological activities of GS in cancer prevention and treatment. To advance our understanding, future clinical and translational studies are imperative to determine effective doses in humans. Additionally, there is a need for the development of new pharmaceutical forms of GS to optimize therapeutic effects. This comprehensive review provides a foundation for ongoing research, offering insights into the potential of GS as a valuable addition to the armamentarium against cancer.

Discovery of plant-derived anti-tumor natural products: Potential leads for anti-tumor drug discovery

Natural products represent a paramount source of novel drugs. Numerous plant-derived natural products have demonstrated potent anti-tumor properties, thereby garnering considerable interest in their potential as anti-tumor drugs. This review compiles an overview of 242 recently discovered natural products, spanning the period from 2018 to the present. These natural products, which include 69 terpenoids, 42 alkaloids, 39 flavonoids, 21 steroids, 14 phenylpropanoids, 5 quinolines and 52 other compounds, are characterized by their respective chemical structures, anti-tumor activities, and mechanisms of action. By providing an essential reference and fresh insights, this review aims to support and inspire researchers engaged in the fields of natural products and anti-tumor drug discovery.

Antinociceptive Effect of Dendrobii caulis in Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Mice

Paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain (PINP) is a serious adverse effect of chemotherapy. Dendrobii caulis (D. caulis) is a new food source used as herbal medicine in east Asia. We examined the antinociceptive effects of D. caulis extract on PINP and clarified the mechanism of action of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptor (TRPV1) in the spinal cord. PINP was induced in male mice using multiple intraperitoneal injections of paclitaxel (total dose, 8 mg/kg). PINP was maintained from D10 to D21 when assessed for cold and mechanical allodynia. Oral administration of 300 and 500 mg/kg D. caulis relieved cold and mechanical allodynia. In addition, TRPV1 in the paclitaxel group showed increased gene and protein expression, whereas the D. caulis 300 and 500 mg/kg groups showed a significant decrease. Among various substances in D. caulis, vicenin-2 was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography, and its administration (10 mg/kg, i.p.) showed antinociceptive effects similar to those of D. caulis 500 mg/kg. Administration of the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine also showed antinociceptive effects similar to those of D. caulis, and D. caulis is thought to exhibit antinociceptive effects on PINP by modulating the spinal TRPV1.

Effect of PENN-DIABEX, a novel polyherbal formulation, in high fat diet streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes, a chronic metabolic disorder affecting millions worldwide, presents a significant health challenge characterized by impaired glucose regulation and potential complications. This study examines the antidiabetic effects of a polyherbal formulation (PENN-DIABEX) prepared from five different medicinal plant extracts. The objective is to ascertain its efficacy in managing streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in rats. To accomplish this, six distinct groups of rats were involved five with induced diabetes and one serving as a normal control. Among the diabetic groups, one received no treatment, functioning as the diabetic control group. The remaining three groups were administered PHF in three different doses while the 6th group was given metformin. On the last day of the experiment, all rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were taken in collecting tubes to analyze blood biochemical parameters. Additionally, tissue samples from the liver, kidney, and pancreas were preserved in formalin solution for subsequent histopathological activity. The results of the study revealed that treatment with PHF in diabetic rats led to a significant (P < 0.01) improvement in fasting blood glucose levels (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and various biochemical markers including LFTs, RFTs, and lipid profiling. Furthermore, the histology of the liver, kidney, and pancreas indicated that the formulation did not induce any metabolic toxicity. Comparative analysis of the antidiabetic effects of PHF with those of metformin, revealed that the PHF showed better results than the standard drug. This suggests its potential utilization as a safer and alternative approach in the treatment of diabetes.

NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes and peripheral neuropathic pain - Emphasis on microRNAs (miRNAs) as important regulators

Neuropathic pain is caused by the lesion or disease of the somatosensory system and can be initiated and/or maintained by both central and peripheral mechanisms. Nerve injury leads to neuronal damage and apoptosis associated with the release of an array of pathogen- or damage-associated molecular patterns to activate inflammasomes. The activation of the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome contributes to neuropathic pain and may represent a novel target for pain therapeutic development. In the current review, we provide an up-to-date summary of the recent findings on the involvement of NLRP3 inflammasome in modulating neuropathic pain development and maintenance, focusing on peripheral neuropathic conditions. Here we provide a detailed review of the mechanisms whereby NLRP3 inflammasomes contribute to neuropathic pain via (1) neuroinflammation, (2) apoptosis, (3) pyroptosis, (4) proinflammatory cytokine release, (5) mitochondrial dysfunction, and (6) oxidative stress. We then present the current research literature reporting on the antinociceptive effects of several natural products and pharmacological interventions that target activation, expression, and/or regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Furthermore, we emphasize the effects of microRNAs as another regulator of NLRP3 inflammasome. In conclusion, we summarize the possible caveats and future perspectives that might provide successful therapeutic approaches against NLRP3 inflammasome for treating or preventing neuropathic pain conditions.

Daidzein from Dietary Supplement to a Drug Candidate: An Evaluation of Potential

Daidzein (DDZ) is a well-known nutraceutical supplement belonging to the class of isoflavones. It is isolated from various sources such as alfalfa, soybean, and red clover. It demonstrates a broad array of pharmacological/beneficial properties such as cardiovascular exercise, cholesterol reduction, and anticancer, antifibrotic, and antidiabetic effects, which make it effective in treating a wide range of diseases. Its structure and operation are the same as those of human estrogens, which are important in preventing osteoporosis, cancer, and postmenopausal diseases. It is thus a promising candidate for development as a phytopharmaceutical. Addressing safety, efficacy, and physicochemical properties are the primary prerequisites. DDZ is already ingested every day in varying amounts, so there should not be a significant safety risk; however, each indication requires a different dose to be determined. Some clinical trials are already being conducted globally to confirm its safety, efficacy, and therapeutic potential. Furthermore, as a result of its therapeutic influence on health, in order to establish intellectual property, patents are utilized. In light of the vast potential of eugenol, this review presents a detailed data collection on DDZ to substantiate the claim to develop it in the therapeutic category.

Loganic acid protects against ulcerative colitis by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB mediated inflammation and activating the SIRT1/Nrf2 anti-oxidant responses in-vitro and in-vivo

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic, chronic disorder of the intestines characterized by excessive inflammation and oxidative stress. Loganic acid (LA) is an iridoid glycoside reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the beneficial effects of LA on UC are unexplored yet. Thus, this study aims to explore the potential protective effects of LA and its possible mechanisms. In-vitro models were employed using LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, and Caco-2 cells, whereas an in-vivo model of ulcerative colitis was employed using 2.5% DSS in BALB/c mice. Results indicated that LA significantly suppressed the intracellular ROS levels and inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB in both RAW 264.7 and Caco-2 cells, contrarily LA activated the Nrf2 pathway in RAW 264.7 cells. In DSS-induced colitis mice, LA significantly alleviated the inflammation and colonic damage by decreasing the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ), oxidative stress markers (MDA, and NO), and also expression levels of various inflammatory proteins (TLR4 and NF-кB) which was evidenced by immunoblotting. On the contrary, the release of GSH, SOD, HO-1, and Nrf2 were profoundly increased upon LA treatment.Subsequently, molecular docking studies showed that LA interacts with active site regions of target proteins (TLR4, NF-κB, SIRT1, and Nrf2) through hydrogen bonding and salt bridge interaction. The current findings demonstrated that LA could exhibit a protective effect in DSS-induced ulcerative colitis through its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects via inactivating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and activating the SIRT1/Nrf2 pathways.

Hypoglycaemic Molecules for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus from Marine Sources

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder recognized as a major health problem globally. A defective insulin activity contributes to the prevalence and expansion of DM. Treatment of DM is often hampered by limited options of conventional therapies and adverse effects associated with existing procedures. This has led to a spike in the exploration for potential therapeutic agents from various natural resources for clinical applications. The marine environment is a huge store of unexplored diversity of chemicals produced by a multitude of organisms. To date, marine microorganisms, microalgae, macroalgae, corals, sponges, and fishes have been evaluated for their anti-diabetic properties. The structural diversity of bioactive metabolites discovered has shown promising hypoglycaemic potential through in vitro and in vivo screenings via various mechanisms of action, such as PTP1B, α-glucosidase, α-amylase, β-glucosidase, and aldose reductase inhibition as well as PPAR alpha/gamma dual agonists activities. On the other hand, hypoglycaemic effect is also shown to be exerted through the balance of antioxidants and free radicals. This review highlights marine-derived chemicals with hypoglycaemic effects and their respective mechanisms of action in the management of DM in humans.

Natural Products for Drug Discovery in the 21st Century: Innovations for Novel Therapeutics

Natural products (NPs) from plants, fungi, animals, and microorganisms have historically played important roles in drug discovery [...].

Interactions between Natural Products-A Review

Plant-based natural products have been used as a source for therapeutics since the dawn of civilization. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 80% of the world's population relies on traditional medicine for their primary healthcare. Numerous natural extracts, widely known in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Indian Ayurveda medicine and other practices, have led to the modern discovery and development of new drugs. Plants continuously interact with their environment, producing new compounds and ever-changing combinations of existing ones. Interestingly, some of the compounds have shown lower therapeutic activity in comparison to the extract they were isolated from. These findings suggest that the higher therapeutic activity of the source extract was due to the synergistic effect of several compounds. In other words, the total therapeutic potential of the extract cannot be explained only by the sum of its parts alone. In traditional medicine, most herbal remedies are based on a mixture of plants, and it is the interaction between different constituents that amplifies their therapeutic potential. Considering the significant influence traditional medicine has on human healthcare, knowing and studying the synergistic effect of compounds is paramount in designing smart therapeutic agents.

Natural Products Targeting Hsp90 for a Concurrent Strategy in Glioblastoma and Neurodegeneration

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common aggressive, resistant, and invasive primary brain tumors that share neurodegenerative actions, resembling many neurodegenerative diseases. Although multiple conventional approaches, including chemoradiation, are more frequent in GBM therapy, these approaches are ineffective in extending the mean survival rate and are associated with various side effects, including neurodegeneration. This review proposes an alternative strategy for managing GBM and neurodegeneration by targeting heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). Hsp90 is a well-known molecular chaperone that plays essential roles in maintaining and stabilizing protein folding to degradation in protein homeostasis and modulates signaling in cancer and neurodegeneration by regulating many client protein substrates. The therapeutic benefits of Hsp90 inhibition are well-known for several malignancies, and recent evidence highlights that Hsp90 inhibitors potentially inhibit the aggressiveness of GBM, increasing the sensitivity of conventional treatment and providing neuroprotection in various neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, the overview of Hsp90 modulation in GBM and neurodegeneration progress has been discussed with a summary of recent outcomes on Hsp90 inhibition in various GBM models and neurodegeneration. Particular emphasis is also given to natural Hsp90 inhibitors that have been evidenced to show dual protection in both GBM and neurodegeneration.

Natural products for migraine: Data-mining analyses of Chinese Medicine classical literature

Background: Treatment effect of current pharmacotherapies for migraine is unsatisfying. Discovering new anti-migraine natural products and nutraceuticals from large collections of Chinese medicine classical literature may assist to address this gap. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search in the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (version 5.0) to obtain migraine-related citations, then screened and scored these citations to identify clinical management of migraine using oral herbal medicine in history. Information of formulae, herbs and symptoms were further extracted. After standardisation, these data were analysed using frequency analysis and the Apriori algorithm. Anti-migraine effects and mechanisms of actions of the main herbs and formula were summarised. Results: Among 614 eligible citations, the most frequently used formula was chuan xiong cha tiao san (CXCTS), and the most frequently used herb was chuan xiong. Dietary medicinal herbs including gan cao, bai zhi, bo he, tian ma and sheng jiang were identified. Strong associations were constructed among the herb ingredients of CXCTS formula. Symptoms of chronic duration and unilateral headache were closely related with herbs of chuan xiong, gan cao, fang feng, qiang huo and cha. Symptoms of vomiting and nausea were specifically related to herbs of sheng jiang and ban xia. Conclusion: The herb ingredients of CXCTS which presented anti-migraine effects with reliable evidence of anti-migraine actions can be selected as potential drug discovery candidates, while dietary medicinal herbs including sheng jiang, bo he, cha, bai zhi, tian ma, and gan cao can be further explored as nutraceuticals for migraine.

Traditional processing increases biological activities of Dendrobium offificinale Kimura et. Migo in Southeast Yunnan, China

The orchid Dendrobium officinale grows throughout southeast China and southeast Asian countries and is used to treat inflammation and diabetes in traditional Chinese medicine. Tie pi feng dou is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine made from the dried D. officinale stems. Processing alters the physicochemical properties of TPFD; however, it is unclear how processing affects the quality and medicinal value of this plant. Here, we analyzed and compared the chemical composition of fresh stems of D. officinale and TPFD and explored possible explanations for the enhanced medicinal efficacy of processed D. officinale stems using qualitative and quantitative methods. To identify the components of FSD and TPFD, we used ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry in negative and positive ion modes and interpreted the data using the Human Metabolome Database and multivariate statistical analysis. We detected 23,709 peaks and identified 2352 metabolites; 370 of these metabolites were differentially abundant between FSD and TPFD (245 more abundant in TPFD than in FSD, and 125 less abundant), including organooxygen compounds, prenol lipids, flavonoids, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, and fatty acyls. Of these, 43 chemical markers clearly distinguished between FSD and TPFD samples, as confirmed using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. A pharmacological activity analysis showed that, compared with FSD, TPFD had significantly higher levels of some metabolites with anti-inflammatory activity, consistent with its use to treat inflammation. In addition to revealing the basis of the medicinal efficacy of TPFD, this study supports the benefits of the traditional usage of D. officinale.

In silico analysis of Typha domingensis Pers. phytocompounds against wound healing biomarkers and ascertaining through in vitro cell migration assay

Typha domingensis Pers. is known for its medicinal properties. Although traditionally T. domingensis Pers. has been used for wound healing, yet scientific investigations reporting its ability to heal wounds are lacking. Phytochemical profiling of T. domingensis Pers. inflorescence crude extract was carried out by LC-MS analysis. Ten phytochemicals were selected for in silico analysis based on retention time, mass-to-charge ratio and resolution of mass spectrum. Molecular docking of all ten compounds was done against selected wound healing biomarkers viz., interleukin 6(IL-6), interleukin β (IL-β), insulin-like growth factor tyrosine kinase receptor (IGF-1R) and transformation growth factor β (TGF-β). Based on this, catechin, mesalazine and piperazine were subjected for in vitro cell migration assay (3T3 L1 mouse fibroblast cell line) to assess their wound healing potentials. Molecular docking revealed that mesalazine, catechin, and piperazine have potential ligands based on lowest docking energy (ranging from - 4.1587 to - 0.972), Glide E score (ranging from - 26.929 to - 57.882), Glide G score (ranging from - 4.16 to - 7.972) and numbers of hydrogen bonds compared to other compounds studied. The migration assay revealed that, compared to control (52.5%), T. domingensis Pers. inflorescence crude extract showed maximum wound healing potential (80%) followed by Catechin (66.8%) Mesalazine (58.3%) and Piperazine (51.2%). The combined in silico and in vitro approach opens new dimension for designing innovative therapeutics to manage different types of wounds.

Bioactive compounds, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of methanol extract of Tamarindus indica Linn

Tamarindus indica is one of the tropical medicinal plants that has been attributed curative potential of numerous diseases by many rural dwellers. This study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant, antibacterial activities and also to determine the various chemical constituents responsible for its pharmacological activities. The methanol extract of Tamarindus indica fruit pulp was analyzed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer to determine the volatile compounds present. The antioxidant activities were performed using DPPH and FRAP method and the antibacterial activity was tested against some common pathogens by macro broth dilution method. The GCMS analysis shows the presence of 37 compounds, out of which 14 had their peak area percentages ≥ 1% and only two compounds had no reported pharmacological activities. Most of the bioactive compounds including 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (31.06%)-3-O-Methyl-d-glucose (16.31%), 1,6-anhydro-β-D-Glucopyranose (9.95%), 5-methyl-Furancarboxaldehyde (3.2%), Triethylenediamine (1.17%), 1-(2-furanyl)-1-Propcanone (2.18%), Methyl 2-furoate (3.14%), Levoglucosenone (3.21%), methyl ester-Hepta-2,4-dienoic acid, (8.85%), 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydrox-4H-Pyran-4-one (3.4%), O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1.fwdarw.3)-β-D-fructofuranosyl-α-D-Glucopyranoside (2.18%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (1.38%), 2-Heptanol, acetate (1.29%), 5-[(5-methyl-2-fur-2-Furancarboxaldehyde (1.08%), 3-Methyl-2-furoic acid (1.05%) and cis-Vaccenic acid (2.85%)have been reported with different activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, antitubercular, anticancer, antioxidant and other prophylactic activities. The extract demonstrated inhibitory potential against all tested pathogen. However, Plesiomonas shigellosis ATCC 15903 and Bacillus pumillus ATCC 14884 are more sensitive with the MIC of 0.22 and 0.44 mg/ml respectively. The antioxidant activity was relatively low due to the low phenolic content of the extract. This shows that there is a strong correlation between antioxidant activities and phenolic content. GC–MS analysis revealed the presence of bioactive phytoconstituents with various biological activities and this justifies the rationale behind its usage as a curative therapy by many local dwellers.

Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90) Inhibitors as Anticancer Medicines: A Review on the Computer-Aided Drug Discovery Approaches over the Past Five Years

Cancer is a disease caused by the uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells in different anatomic sites. In 2018, it was predicted that the worldwide cancer burden would rise to 18.1 million new cases and 9.6 million deaths. Anticancer compounds, often known as chemotherapeutic medicines, have gained much interest in recent cancer research. These medicines work through various biological processes in targeting cells at various stages of the cell's life cycle. One of the most significant roadblocks to developing anticancer drugs is that traditional chemotherapy affects normal cells and cancer cells, resulting in substantial side effects. Recently, advancements in new drug development methodologies and the prediction of the targeted interatomic and intermolecular ligand interaction sites have been beneficial. This has prompted further research into developing and discovering novel chemical species as preferred therapeutic compounds against specific cancer types. Identifying new drug molecules with high selectivity and specificity for cancer is a prerequisite in the treatment and management of the disease. The overexpression of HSP90 occurs in patients with cancer, and the HSP90 triggers unstable harmful kinase functions, which enhance carcinogenesis. Therefore, the development of potent HSP90 inhibitors with high selectivity and specificity becomes very imperative. The activities of HSP90 as chaperones and cochaperones are complex due to the conformational dynamism, and this could be one of the reasons why no HSP90 drugs have made it beyond the clinical trials. Nevertheless, HSP90 modulations appear to be preferred due to the competitive inhibition of the targeted N-terminal adenosine triphosphate pocket. This study, therefore, presents an overview of the various computational models implored in the development of HSP90 inhibitors as anticancer medicines. We hereby suggest an extensive investigation of advanced computational modelling of the three different domains of HSP90 for potent, effective inhibitor design with minimal off-target effects.

Assessing the Ecosystem Services Potential of Endemic Floras: A Systematic Review on the Greek Endemics of Peloponnese

As the interest in new, natural, sustainable products arises in many fields, wild plants are reconsidered as providers of traditional or innovative applications. The notion of ecosystem services (ES) provides a frame to evaluate their benefits, but is still scarcely applied to endemic floras. The present study reviews the available literature on the ES provided by the 494 taxa endemic to Greece that are present in Peloponnese. Six main categories are isolated: medical, aromatic, folk medicine, antimicrobial, environmental and craftsmanship interests. The literature documents such ES for 24.7% of the endemic taxa, with Lamiaceae, Asteraceae and Boraginaceae as the families with the highest numbers of documented taxa. Spatial hotspots with a high density in taxa providing ES are mapped, while gaps of knowledge on the ES of endemic taxa are highlighted. For the first time, to our knowledge, taxonomic and phylogenetic bounds between taxa are exploited as a base to explore potential properties for endemic taxa. The basis for the development of predictive tools utilizing literature review datasets is set. Final outcomes also provide robust scientific evidence to support decision and policy making for the sustainable use and management of rural areas. The development of cultivation areas for threatened taxa of interest is suggested as a potent conservation measure, by selecting fields according to habitat suitability models.

Design and Evaluation of pH-Sensitive Nanoformulation of Bergenin Isolated from Bergenia ciliata

The aim of the current study is extraction and isolation of bergenin from Bergenia ciliata and fabrication of pH-sensitive Eudragit^® L100 (EL100) polymeric nanoparticles (NP) to tackle limitations of solubility. Bergenin-loaded EL100 nanoparticles (BN-NP) were fabricated via nanoprecipitation and an experimental design was conducted for optimization. A reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was developed for the quantitation of bergenin. The optimized nanoformulation was characterized by its particle size, morphology, loading capacity, entrapment efficiency, drug-excipient interaction and crystallinity. An in vitro assay was executed to gauge the release potential of pH-sensitive nanoformulation. The mean particle size, zeta potential and polydispersity index (PDI) of the optimized nanoparticles were observed to be 86.17 ± 2.1 nm, -32.33 ± 5.53 mV and 0.30 ± 0.03, respectively. The morphological analysis confirmed the spherical nature of the nanoparticles. Drug loading capacity and entrapment efficiency were calculated to be 16 ± 0.34% and 84 ± 1.3%, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies unfolded that no interaction was present between the drug and the excipients in the nanoformulation. Crystallography studies revealed that the crystalline nature of bergenin was changed to amorphous and the nanoformulation was stable for up to 3 months at 40 °C. The present study confirms that bergenin isolation can be scaled up from abundantly growing B. ciliata. Moreover, it could also be delivered by entrapment in stimuli-responsive polymer, preventing the loss of drug in healthy tissues.

Analysis of Outer Membrane Vesicles Indicates That Glycerophospholipid Metabolism Contributes to Early Symbiosis Between Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 and Soybean

Gram-negative bacteria can produce outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), and most functional studies of OMVs have been focused on mammalian-bacterial interactions. However, research on the OMVs of rhizobia is still limited. In this work, we isolated and purified OMVs from Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 under free-living conditions that were set as control (C-OMVs) and symbiosis-mimicking conditions that were induced by genistein (G-OMVs). The soybean roots treated with G-OMVs displayed significant deformation of root hairs. G-OMVs significantly induced the expression of nodulation genes related to early symbiosis, while they inhibited that of the defense genes of soybean. Proteomics analysis identified a total of 93 differential proteins between C-OMVs and G-OMVs, which are mainly associated with ribosome synthesis, flagellar assembly, two-component system, ABC transporters, oxidative phosphorylation, nitrogen metabolism, quorum sensing, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and peptidoglycan biosynthesis. A total of 45 differential lipids were identified through lipidomics analysis. Correlation analysis of OMV proteome and lipidome data revealed that glycerophospholipid metabolism is the enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes metabolic pathway, and the expression of phosphatidylserine decarboxylase was significantly up-regulated in G-OMVs. The changes in three lipids related to symbiosis in the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway were verified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our results indicate that glycerophospholipid metabolism contributes to rhizobia-soybean symbiosis via OMVs.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Molecular Insights on the Therapeutic Effect of Selected Flavonoids on Diabetic Neuropathy

One of the common clinical complications of diabetes is diabetic neuropathy affecting the nervous system. Painful diabetic neuropathy is widespread and highly prevalent. At least 50% of diabetes patients develop diabetic neuropathy eventually. The four main types of diabetic neuropathy are peripheral neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, proximal neuropathy (diabetic polyradiculopathy), and mononeuropathy (Focal neuropathy). Glucose control remains the common therapy for diabetic neuropathy due to limited knowledge on early biomarkers that are expressed during nerve damage, thereby limiting the cure through pharmacotherapy. Glucose control dramatically reduces the onset of neuropathy in type 1 diabetes but proves less effective in type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the focus is on various herbal remedies for prevention and treatment. There is numerous research on the use of anticonvulsants and antidepressants for the management of pain in diabetic neuropathy. Extensive research is being done on natural products including the isolation of pure compounds like flavonoids from plants and their effect on diabetic neuropathy. This review focuses on the use of an important of flavonoids such as flavanols (e.g., quercetin, rutin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin), flavanones (e.g., hesperidin, naringenin and c,lass eriodictyol), and flavones (e.g., apigenin, luteolin, tangeretin, chrysin, and diosmin) for the prevention and treatment of diabetic neuropathy. The mechanisms of action of flavonoids against diabetic neuropathy by their antioxidant, anti-inflammation, anti-glycation properties, etc. are also covered in this review article.

Cordyceps militaris as a Bio Functional Food Source: Pharmacological Potential, Anti-Inflammatory Actions and Related Molecular Mechanisms

Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) is a medicinal mushroom possessing a variety of biofunctionalities. It has several biologically important components such as polysaccharides and others. The diverse pharmacological potential of C. militaris has generated interest in reviewing the current scientific literature, with a particular focus on prevention and associated molecular mechanisms in inflammatory diseases. Due to rising global demand, research on C. militaris has continued to increase in recent years. C. militaris has shown the potential for inhibiting inflammation-related events, both in in vivo and in vitro experiments. Inflammation is a multifaceted biological process that contributes to the development and severity of diseases, including cancer, colitis, and allergies. These functions make C. militaris a suitable functional food for inhibiting inflammatory responses such as the regulation of proinflammatory cytokines. Therefore, on the basis of existing information, the current study provides insights towards the understanding of anti-inflammatory activity-related mechanisms. This article presents a foundation for clinical use, and analyzes the roadmap for future studies concerning the medical use of C. militaris and its constituents in the next generation of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Effect of Cliothosa aurivilli on Paclitaxel-induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Experimental Animals

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a serious complication leading to painful episodes of parasthesia and numbness in hands and feet. The present drugs that have been used for symptomatic treatment yield inconclusive results in trials and assorted side effects. Thus, there is a pressing demand for development of therapeutically efficacious strategy to combat CIPN. The present study investigates about the effect of a marine sponge; Cliothosa aurivilli (CA) on paclitaxel (PT)-induced peripheral neuropathy in mice. Peripheral neuropathy was induced by intoxication with chemotherapeutic drug PT (2 mg/kg; i.p.) for 5 days consequently. Subsequent treatment with aqueous extract of CA (100 and 200 mg/kg) and standard drug methylcobalamin (MCA) (5 mg/kg) was done and results compared statistically. Neuropathic pain sensations were assessed using various behavioural and locomotory models and evaluated on 0^th, 7^th and 14^th days. Kinovea software was used for video path-tracking of animals and total distance travelled calculated. The results indicated clear signs of improvement post 10 days of PT intoxication in CA-treated groups when compared PT challenged group. A significant reduction in pain behaviours in mechanical allodynia, cold chemical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia models, improvement in sensory motor coordination, locomotor activity, and distance travelled in closed field model reveals that CA possesses potential ameliorating effect against PT-induced neuropathic pain symptoms. The extract notably improved the movement of the PT challenged animals which was shown by the video path-tracking software and total distance travelled by those animals.

Modelling and targeting mitochondrial protein tyrosine phosphatase 1: a computational approach

The present research scintillates on the homology modelling of rat mitochondrial protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 (PTPMT1) and targeting its activity using flavonoids through a computational docking approach. PTPMT1 is a dual-specificity phosphatase responsible for protein phosphorylation and plays a vital role in the metabolism of cardiolipin biosynthesis, insulin regulation, etc. The inhibition of PTPMT1 has also shown enhanced insulin levels. The three-dimensional structure of the protein is not yet known. The homology modelling was performed using SWISS-MODEL and Geno3D webservers to compare the efficiencies. The PROCHECK for protein modelled using SWISS-MODEL showed 91.6% of amino acids in the most favoured region, 0.7% residues in the disallowed region that was found to be significant compared to the model built using Geno3D. 210 common flavonoids were docked in the modelled protein using the AutoDock 4.2.6 along with a control drug alexidine dihydrochloride. Our results show promising candidates that bind protein tyrosine phosphatase 1, including, prunin (- 8.66 kcal/mol); oroxindin (- 8.56 kcal/mol); luteolin 7-rutinoside (- 8.47 kcal/mol); 3(2H)-isoflavenes (- 8.36 kcal/mol); nicotiflorin (- 8.29 kcal/mol), ranked top in the docking experiments. We predicted the pharmacokinetic and Lipinski properties of the top ten compounds with the lowest binding energies. To further validate the stability of the modelled protein and docked complexes molecular dynamics simulations were performed using Desmond, Schrodinger for 150 ns in conjunction with MM-GBSA. Thus, flavonoids could act as potential inhibitors of PTPMT1, and further, in-vitro and in-vivo studies are essential to complete the drug development process.

Glycosides for Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: A Potential Medicinal Components

Neuropathic pain is a refractory disease that occurs across the world and pharmacotherapy has limited efficacy and/or safety. This disease imposes a significant burden on both the somatic and mental health of patients; indeed, some patients have referred to neuropathic pain as being ‘worse than death’. The pharmacological agents that are used to treat neuropathic pain at present can produce mild effects in certain patients, and induce many adverse reactions, such as sedation, dizziness, vomiting, and peripheral oedema. Therefore, there is an urgent need to discover novel drugs that are safer and more effective. Natural compounds from medical plants have become potential sources of analgesics, and evidence has shown that glycosides alleviated neuropathic pain via regulating oxidative stress, transcriptional regulation, ion channels, membrane receptors and so on. In this review, we summarize the epidemiology of neuropathic pain and the existing therapeutic drugs used for disease prevention and treatment. We also demonstrate how glycosides exhibit an antinociceptive effect on neuropathic pain in laboratory research and describe the antinociceptive mechanisms involved to facilitate the discovery of new drugs to improve the quality of life of patients experiencing neuropathic pain.

Modulation of Hippocampal Astroglial Activity by Synaptamide in Rats with Neuropathic Pain

The present study demonstrates that synaptamide (N-docosahexaenoylethanolamine), an endogenous metabolite of docosahexaenoic acid, when administered subcutaneously (4 mg/kg/day, 14 days), exhibits analgesic activity and promotes cognitive recovery in the rat sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) model. We analyzed the dynamics of GFAP-positive astroglia and S100β-positive astroglia activity, the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF), and two subunits of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR1 and NMDAR2A) in the hippocampi of the experimental animals. Hippocampal neurogenesis was evaluated by immunohistochemical detection of DCX. Analysis of N-acylethanolamines in plasma and in the brain was performed using the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. In vitro and in vivo experiments show that synaptamide (1) reduces cold allodynia, (2) improves working memory and locomotor activity, (3) stabilizes neurogenesis and astroglial activity, (4) enhances the expression of NGF and NMDAR1, (5) increases the concentration of Ca²⁺ in astrocytes, and (6) increases the production of N-acylethanolamines. The results of the present study demonstrate that synaptamide affects the activity of hippocampal astroglia, resulting in faster recovery after CCI.

The ever-changing landscape in modern dentistry therapeutics - Enhancing the emptying quiver of the periodontist

Introduction/Objectives

Periodontitis comprises of a wide range of inflammatory conditions of the gums leading to soft tissue damage and attachment loss. The initiation of periodontitis constitutes a rather complex disease pathogenesis which is based on pathogenic shifts of the oral microbiota combined with the host-microbiome interactions. The severity of the periodontitis is multifactorial depending on genetic, environmental, as well as host immunity factors.

Data and sources

To make an inclusive analysis on the periodontitis therapeutics, reading of the recent relevant literature was carried out using the MEDLINE/PubMed database, Google Scholar and the NIH public online database for clinical trials (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Conclusions

Tackling the inflammation associated periodontal defects can be succeeded with conventional therapy or resective and regenerative treatment. To date, the mechanical removal of the supragingival and subgingival biofilm is considered the “gold standard” of periodontal therapy in combination with the use of antibacterial compounds. The antimicrobial resistance phenomenon tends to turn all the currently applied antibacterials into “endangered species”. Ongoing efforts through the conduct of clinical trials should be focused on understanding the advantages of modern approaches in comparison to traditional therapies.

Risks assessment of Adherence to non-pharmaceutical measures towards COVID-19 among residents of Mashhad in the North-East of Iran during the awful wave of the epidemic

Background:

Since the Coronavirus disease 19 (Covid-19) rampaged in Iran, three waves of the epidemic occurred.

Objective:

In the present study, two issues are considered. First: What proportion of the people adhere to the mitigation approaches towards the disease? Second: Which are the reasons to disobey these rules?

Methods:

A cross-sectional, population-based phone survey was applied among the population aged over 16 years in Mashhad between November 5 and December 1, 2020. A valid and reliable knowledge, attitude, and performance (KAP (designed questionnaire was used and logistic regression was performed with STATA 14.

Results:

The final sample size was 776; 90.59, 89.8 and 48.1% of the participants had sufficient reliable knowledge, attitude, and practice, respectively; 20.1% of the participants did not wear masks; nearly half of them visited traditional healers for the prevention and cure; 97.8% of them believed the efficiency of the vaccine and stated that they will consume it if it is distributed. Among the sociodemographic factors, only the unemployed had low adherence to the preventive approach; 51.7% of the main worry was the weak economic situation and 69% of jobs and expenditures were poorly affected. The odds ratio (OR) for optimising attitude reduced from 4.64 to 3.22, and for good performance from 5.64 to 5.43 after adjusting for the economic, knowledge and perception factors.

Conclusion:

Despite all the health rules and probably COVID-19 vaccines global access (COVAX), it seems that the most effective way to reverse this horrific wave and its economic consequences is the improvement of the economy and livelihood of the society.

Navigating through chemical space and evolutionary time across the Australian continent in plant genus Eremophila

Eremophila is the largest genus in the plant tribe Myoporeae (Scrophulariaceae) and exhibits incredible morphological diversity across the Australian continent. The Australian Aboriginal Peoples recognize many Eremophila species as important sources of traditional medicine, the most frequently used plant parts being the leaves. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed complex evolutionary relationships between Eremophila and related genera in the tribe. Unique and structurally diverse metabolites, particularly diterpenoids, are also a feature of plants in this group. To assess the full dimension of the chemical space of the tribe Myoporeae, we investigated the metabolite diversity in a chemo-evolutionary framework applying a combination of molecular phylogenetic and state-of-the-art computational metabolomics tools to build a dataset involving leaf samples from a total of 291 specimens of Eremophila and allied genera. The chemo-evolutionary relationships are expounded into a systematic context by integration of information about leaf morphology (resin and hairiness), environmental factors (pollination and geographical distribution), and medicinal properties (traditional medicinal uses and antibacterial studies), augmenting our understanding of complex interactions in biological systems.

Monitoring of Chemical Markers in Extraction of Traditional Medicinal Plants (Piper nigrum, Curcuma longa) Using In Situ ReactIR

BACKGROUND

The fingerprinting and quantification of marker compounds from medicinal plants is a domain of the herbal industry for quality/quantity control parameters.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this study is the application of the in situ ReactIR technique for measuring the concentration of different components during the extraction process of different medicinal plants.

METHOD

In this study we have performed the extraction of two-marker compounds, viz. piperine from Piper nigrum and curcumin from Curcuma longa plants, using various solvents (dichloromethane and methanol). The progress of extraction was monitored using an in situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) probe instrument and an automated reactor.

RESULTS

In this communication, using the in situ ReactIR technique we developed a method which demonstrates the relative quantification of marker analytes, optimizes extraction time and type of solvents to be used for different analytes during the extraction process.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of relative quantification and structural information of marker compounds during the process of extraction using in situ FTIR.

HIGHLIGHTS

The present study highlights the real-time monitoring, in situ quantification, and structural information of marker compounds during the process of extraction of medicinal plants using in situ FTIR.

Long-Term Antibacterial Film Nanocomposite Incorporated with Patchouli Essential Oil Prepared by Supercritical CO2 Cyclic Impregnation for Wound Dressing

Biocompatible skin wound dressing materials with long-term therapeutic windows and anti-infection properties have attracted great attention all over the world. The cooperation between essential oil and non-toxic or bio-based polymers was a promising strategy. However, the inherent volatility and chemical instability of most ingredients in essential oils make the sustained pharmacological activity of essential oil-based biomaterials a challenge. In this study, a kind of film nanocomposite loaded with patchouli essential oil (PEO-FNC) was fabricated. PEO-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (PEO-MSNs) with drug load higher than 40 wt% were firstly prepared using supercritical CO2 cyclic impregnation (SCCI), and then combined with the film matrix consisting of polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan. The morphology of PEO-MSNs and PEO-FNC was observed by transmission and scanning electron microscope. The mechanical properties, including hygroscopicity, tensile strength and elongation at break (%), were tested. The release behavior of PEO from the film nanocomposite showed that PEO could keep releasing for more than five days. PEO-FNC exhibited good long-term (>48 h) antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus and non-toxicity on mouse fibroblast (L929 cells), making it a promising wound dressing material.

The development of novel cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2) inhibitor and the underlying interaction between inhibitor and CYP2J2

Human Cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2) as an important metabolic enzyme, plays a crucial role in metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Elevated levels of CYP2J2 have been associated with various types of cancer, and therefore it serves as a potential drug target. Herein, using a high-throughput screening approach based on enzymic activity of CYP2J2, we rapidly and effectively identified a novel natural inhibitor (Piperine, 9a) with IC₅₀ value of 0.44 μM from 108 common herbal medicines. Next, a series of its derivatives were designed and synthesised based on the underlying interactions of Piperine with CYP2J2. As expected, the much stronger inhibitors 9k and 9l were developed and their inhibition activities increased about 10 folds than Piperine with the IC₅₀ values of 40 and 50 nM, respectively. Additionally, the inhibition kinetics illustrated the competitive inhibition types of 9k and 9l towards CYP2J2, and K_i were calculated to be 0.11 and 0.074 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the detailed interaction mechanism towards CYP2J2 was explicated by docking and molecular dynamics, and our results revealed the residue Thr114 and Thr 315 of CYP2J2 were the critical sites of action, moreover the spatial distance between the carbon atom of ligand methylene and Fe atom of iron porphyrin coenzyme was the vital interaction factor towards human CYP2J2.

Sweet Cherries as Anti-Cancer Agents: From Bioactive Compounds to Function

Sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) are among the most appreciated fruits worldwide because of their organoleptic properties and nutritional value. The accurate phytochemical composition and nutritional value of sweet cherries depends on the climatic region, cultivar, and bioaccessibility and bioavailability of specific compounds. Nevertheless, sweet cherry extracts are highly enriched in several phenolic compounds with relevant bioactivity. Over the years, technological advances in chemical analysis and fields as varied as proteomics, genomics and bioinformatics, have allowed the detailed characterization of the sweet cherry bioactive phytonutrients and their biological function. In this context, the effect of sweet cherries on suppressing important events in the carcinogenic process, such as oxidative stress and inflammation, was widely documented. Interestingly, results from our research group and others have widened the action of sweet cherries to many hallmarks of cancer, namely metabolic reprogramming. The present review discusses the anticarcinogenic potential of sweet cherries by addressing their phytochemical composition, the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of specific bioactive compounds, and the existing knowledge concerning the effects against oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, deregulated cell proliferation and apoptosis, invasion and metastization, and metabolic alterations. Globally, this review highlights the prospective use of sweet cherries as a dietary supplement or in cancer treatment.

Ethical considerations and challenges in herbal drug trials with the focus on scientific validity and risk assessment

Scientific validity and risk assessment are two main ethical issues which raise specific challenges and are unique to clinical trials investigating crude extracts/fractions from herbal materials. There are considerable challenges for both clinical investigators and ethics committee members in dealing with such issues, many of them remain unresolved, resulting in a large variation in ethical requirements, justification, and decisions. Despite a remarkable surge in herbal medicine research globally, a number of clinical investigators or even ethics committee members have limited confidence in dealing with related ethical issues. In this article, we extensively review and discuss the two main ethical issues (i.e., scientific validity and risk assessment) and highlight key considerations that are important for ethical review and justification for the conduct of herbal drug trials.

Lasius fuliginosus Nest Carton as a Source of New Promising Bioactive Extracts with Chemopreventive Potential

Six new water extracts (E1-E6) were obtained from nest carton produced by jet black ants Lasius fuliginosus and tested for their biochemical and bioactive properties, including antioxidative and anticancer effects. The present study demonstrated significant qualitative and quantitative differences in the content of individual biochemical constituents, as well as bioactive properties between the investigated samples. All tested extracts demonstrated antioxidant properties (determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) methods), and the highest antioxidative potential was recorded in extracts E1 and E2 (188.96 and 313.67 μg/mL of ascorbic acid equivalent for ABTS and 176.42 and 202.66 μg/mL for DPPH reagent). Furthermore the six extracts exhibited strong inhibitory activity towards human melanoma cells of the A-375 CRL-1619 line in a dose-dependent manner. The most interesting chemopreventive activity was exhibited by extract E2, which inhibited the proliferation of A-375 cells to the greatest extent, while having a minimal effect on Vero cells. The effect on cancer cells has been confirmed using the Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) technique. Significant impedance changes have been detected in A-375 and Vero cells following the administration of extract E2. The obtained results are really promising and constitute the basis for further research on the nest carton of jet black ant.

A Novel Research Technology to Explore the Mystery of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Optogenetics

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is gaining increasing popularity worldwide for the function of health promotion and adjuvant therapy. However, the world's understanding of TCM is far from enough, which seriously limits the modernization and internationalization of TCM. Therefore, modern and efficient analytical methods are urgently needed to understand the mechanism of TCM. Optogenetics is one of the most prevalent technologies in the 21st century and has been used to explore life science, especially neuroscience. It already has had great influences in the study of neural circuits and animal models of mental diseases and was named “Method of the Year” by the Nature Methods journal in 2010. Increased interests occurred in the applications of optogenetics to explore a myriad of medical and mental health disorders. However, it has not so far been noticed by TCM researchers. We elaborated on an idea that introducing this technique into the field of TCM research to improve diagnosis, treatments, and evaluating the therapeutic effects. In this review, we made a systematic prospect in the theory, feasibility, and application of TCM optogenetics. We mainly focused on applying optogenetic methodologies to make a more comprehensive understanding of TCM.

Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oils and Their Combination against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Isolated from Skin Ulcer

Background

Emerging of multidrug-resistant bacteria can compromise the effectiveness of antibiotics used to treat skin infections. Those bacteria imposed public health problems and questioning medical care in the 21^st century. In this circumstance, essential oils of medicinal plants origin are supreme sources of structural and functionally divergent compounds, which inhibited the growth of common wound colonizing MRSA and ESBL producing P. aeruginosa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined antibacterial activity of essential oils extracted from Rumex abyssinicus, Cucumis pustulatus, and Discopodium penninervium against multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates of skin ulcers.

Methods

Essential oils (EOs) were extracted from aerial parts of R. abyssinicus, C. pustulatus, and D. penninervium with steam distillation. A mixture of each oil (1 : 1) was adsorbed to a disc and placed on Mueller Hinton Agar. Then, minimum zone of inhibition and bactericidal concentration of EOs was measured after incubeted for 18–24 hours at 37 °C. Their combined antibacterial effect was determined by the fractional inhibitory concentration index.

Results

The antibacterial activity of mixed oil varied in their doses and bacteria species, of which a mixture of essential oil of R. abyssinicus and D. penninervium had inhibition zone (32 mm); its MIC and MBC values range from 1-2 μl/ml against MRSA. It had an inhibition zone (36 mm), MIC value 4 μl/ml, and MBC (8 μl/ml) against ESBL producing P. aeruginosa, whereas combined effects of R. abyssinicus and C. pustulatus had MIC values ranging from 2–8 μl/ml for E. coli and K. pneumoniae and 2 μl/ml for MRSA. There was a strong synergistic effect between R. abyssinicus and D. penninervium and promising antibacterial effect more specifically on MRSA and P. aeruginosa. Conclusion. This in vitro study of the combined effect of EOs has significant antibacterial activity on wound colonizing bacteria and reduces delaying wound healing as that of modern drugs tested in parallel. Hence, further structural elucidation of active compounds helps us to properly design or synthesis of topical antibiotics for wound care.

Traditional knowledge to clinical trials: a review on nutritional and therapeutic potential of Pithecellobium dulce

The review describes botanical aspects, bioactive phytocompounds and pharmacological properties of different parts of Pithecellobium dulce, with special emphasis on the nutritional status of its fruits. The different parts of plant extract have been reported to possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, cardio protective, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-ulcerogenic, larvicidal and ovicidal activities. Different parts of plant extracts were reported to contain several bioactive phytocompounds such as flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids etc. Natural products discovered so far served as a viable source for new drugs. Over the past few years, continued and perpetual attention of people has been paid to medicinal plants in connection with its remarkable importance in drug discovery. Plant products always remains a drug of choice for the identification of novel leads despite facing a tough competition from existing synthetic alternatives derived from combinatorial chemistry, owing to their efficacy, side effects, and safety. P. dulce is a highly acclaimed genus in traditional system of medicine because of its versatile nutraceutical and pharmacological properties. In this review we discuss in detail about nutritional and various therapeutic properties of P. dulce.

Antileishmanial Activity of Lignans, Neolignans, and Other Plant Phenols

Secondary metabolites (SM) from organisms have served medicinal chemists over the past two centuries as an almost inexhaustible pool of new drugs, drug-like skeletons, and chemical probes that have been used in the "hunt" for new biologically active molecules with a "beneficial effect on human mind and body." Several secondary metabolites, or their derivatives, have been found to be the answer in the quest to search for new approaches to treat or even eradicate many types of diseases that oppress humanity. A special place among SM is occupied by lignans and neolignans. These phenolic compounds are generated biosynthetically via radical coupling of two phenylpropanoid monomers, and are known for their multitarget activity and low toxicity. The disadvantage of the relatively low specificity of phenylpropanoid-based SM turns into an advantage when structural modifications of these skeletons are made. Indeed, phenylpropanoid-based SM previously have proven to offer great potential as a starting point in drug development. Compounds such as Warfarin^® (a coumarin-based anticoagulant) as well as etoposide and teniposide (podophyllotoxin-based anticancer drugs) are just a few examples. At the beginning of the third decade of the twenty-first century, the call for the treatment of more than a dozen rare or previously "neglected" diseases remains for various reasons unanswered. Leishmaniasis, a neglected disease that desperately needs new ways of treatment, is just one of these. This disease is caused by more than 20 leishmanial parasites that are pathogenic to humans and are spread by as many as 800 sandfly species across subtropical areas of the world. With continuing climate changes, the presence of Leishmania parasites and therefore leishmaniasis, the disease caused by these parasites, is spreading from previous locations to new areas. Thus, leishmaniasis is affecting each year a larger proportion of the world's population. The choice of appropriate leishmaniasis treatment depends on the severity of the disease and its form of manifestation. The success of current drug therapy is often limited, due in most cases to requiring long hospitalization periods (weeks to months) and the toxicity (side effects) of administered drugs, in addition to the increasing resistance of the parasites to treatment. It is thus important to develop new drugs and treatments that are less toxic, can overcome drug resistance, and require shorter periods of treatment. These aspects are especially important for the populations of developing countries. It was reported that several phenylpropanoid-based secondary metabolites manifest interesting antileishmanial activities and are used by various indigenous people to treat leishmaniasis. In this chapter, the authors shed some light on the various biological activities of phenylpropanoid natural products, with the main focus being on their possible applications in the context of antileishmanial treatment.

Plant Natural Compounds in the Treatment of Adrenocortical Tumors

Plant natural products are a plethora of diverse and complex molecules produced by the plant secondary metabolism. Among these, many can reserve beneficial or curative properties when employed to treat human diseases. Even in cancer, they can be successfully used and indeed numerous phytochemicals exert antineoplastic activity. The most common molecules derived from plants and used in the fight against cancer are polyphenols, i.e., quercetin, genistein, resveratrol, curcumin, etc. Despite valuable data especially in preclinical models on such compounds, few of them are currently used in the medical practice. Also, in adrenocortical tumors (ACT), phytochemicals are scarcely or not at all used. This work summarizes the available research on phytochemicals used against ACT and adrenocortical cancer, a very rare disease with poor prognosis and high metastatic potential, and wants to contribute to stimulate preclinical and clinical research to find new therapeutic strategies among the overabundance of biomolecules produced by the plant kingdom.

Application of Advanced Technologies in Natural Product Research: A Review with Special Emphasis on ADMET Profiling

The successful conversion of natural products (NPs) into lead compounds and novel pharmacophores has emboldened the researchers to harness the drug discovery process with a lot more enthusiasm. However, forfeit of bioactive NPs resulting from an overabundance of metabolites and their wide dynamic range have created the bottleneck in NP researches. Similarly, the existence of multidimensional challenges, including the evaluation of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety parameters, has been a concerning issue. Advancement of technology has brought the evolution of traditional natural product researches into the computer-based assessment exhibiting pretentious remarks about their efficiency in drug discovery. The early attention to the quality of the NPs may reduce the attrition rate of drug candidates by parallel assessment of ADMET profiling. This article reviews the status, challenges, opportunities, and integration of advanced technologies in natural product research. Indeed, emphasis will be laid on the current and futuristic direction towards the application of newer technologies in early-stage ADMET profiling of bioactive moieties from the natural sources. It can be expected that combinatorial approaches in ADMET profiling will fortify the natural product-based drug discovery in the near future.