Inhibitory effect of Pterocarpus indicus Willd water extract on IgE/Ag-induced mast cell and atopic dermatitis-like mouse models

Bioassay-guided isolation of two antiproliferative metabolites from Pterocarpus indicus Willd. against TGF-β-induced prostate stromal cells (WPMY-1) proliferation via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Introduction

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the enlargement of the prostate gland, primarily occurring in aging men, in which transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) plays a critical role in prostate cell hyperproliferation and leads to uncomfortable urinary symptoms in BPH patients. Pterocarpus indicus Willd. is well known for its ethnopharmacological applications for treating ailments such as diuresis and bladder stones.

Methods

This study aimed to examine the effect of P. indicus extract (PI extract) on TGF-β-induced WPMY-1 cell proliferation, followed by bioassay-guided fractionation to isolate the active metabolites. Angolensin (Ang) and maackiain (Mac) were isolated from bioassay-guided fractionation. Network analysis was performed to investigate the potential mechanisms. Furthermore, network analysis of the Ang-Mac combination in BPH highlighted the potential top ten pathways, including PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Accordingly, subsequent investigation focused on evaluating the effect of PI extract, Ang, Mac, and Ang-Mac combination on the expression of PCNA, p53, and PI3K/AKT protein localization and expression.

Results and discussion

Results revealed inhibition of cell proliferation in TGF-β-induced WPMY-1 cells, correlating with downregulated PCNA expression. While PI extract and Mac induced apoptosis via p53 upregulation, Ang and Ang-Mac combination did not significantly affect apoptosis through the p53 pathway. Additionally, both metabolites exhibited potent inhibition of p-PI3K and p-AKT protein localization and expression in the nucleus of TGF-β-induced WPMY-1 cells. This study suggests that PI extract, Ang, and Mac are promising compounds for treating BPH, as evidenced by in silico and in vitro studies. Additionally, Ang and Mac could be used to standardize PI extract in future investigations.

Genus Pterocarpus: A review of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, biological activities, and clinical evidence

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Pterocarpus (Fabaceae) has about 46 species that are distributed over Asia, especially Indonesia, Africa, and several countries in America. Particularly, P. indicus and P. santalinus have been recorded as ancestor recipe in the old Indonesian book (Cabe puyang warisan nenek moyang). These plants have found application in traditional medicine, such as in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, gonorrhoea, infection, coughs, mouth ulcers, boils, diarrhoea, as well as in the management of pain (as an analgesic).

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The present review aimed to comprehensively summarise the current researches on the traditional and scientific applications of the genus Pterocarpus with regard to the phytochemical content, in vivo and in vitro bioactivities, as well as clinical evidence that may be useful for future drug development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Information about the Pterocarpus genus were obtained from local classic herbal literature and electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The scientific name of the species and its synonyms were checked with the information of The Plant List. Additionally, clinical trial results were obtained from the Cochrane library.

RESULTS

Several phytochemical constituents of the plants, e.g., flavonoids, isoflavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic acids, and fatty acids have been reported. There are about 11 species of Pterocarpus that have been scientifically studied for their biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, analgesic, and anti-hyperglycemic. Of which, the anti-hyperglycemic activity of the extracts and phytochemicals of P. indicus and P. marsupium is particularly remarkable, allowing them to be further studied under clinical trial.

CONCLUSION

The present review has provided an insight into the traditional applications of the plants and some of them have been validated by scientific evidence, particularly their applications as anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agents. In addition, the genus has demonstrated notable anti-diabetic activity in various clinical trials.

Evaluation on Antidiabetic Properties of Medicinal Plants from Myanmar

Objectives

To explore the effective and safe medicines for treating diabetes.

Methods

Hydroalcoholic extracts of 130 medicinal plants belonging to 66 families were evaluated using porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) inhibition and glucose uptake methods together with a literature review.

Results

The extracts of 22 species showed the PPL inhibition activity; 18 extracts of 15 species stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Among them, Mansonia gagei J.R. Drumm., Mesua ferrea L., and Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. exhibited both activities. The extracts of Caladium lindenii (André) Madison rhizomes and Azadirachta indica A. Juss. leaves presented the utmost lipase inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ of 6.86 ± 0.25 and 11.46 ± 0.06 μg/mL, respectively. The extracts of Coptis teeta Wall. rhizomes and Croton tiglium L. seeds stimulated the maximum glucose uptake. Ten species are reported to have antidiabetic activity for the first time. Flavonoids and triterpenoids are the dominant antidiabetic compounds in selected medicinal plants from Myanmar.

Conclusions

P. zeylanica, L. cubeba, H. crenulate, M. gagei, C. teeta, and M. ferrea are worthy to advance further study according to their strong antidiabetic activities and limited research on effects in in vivo animal studies, unclear chemical constitutes, and safety.

Plant Extracts as a Natural Source of Bioactive Compounds and Potential Remedy for the Treatment of Certain Skin Diseases

Skin ailments present a major health burden in both developed and undeveloped countries. Maintaining healthy skin is important for a healthy body. Medicinal plants have long provided reliable therapy in the treatment of skin diseases in humans through a diverse range of bioactive molecules. Skin diseases may have a various basis, or may be genetically determined; together, they constitute approximately 34% of all occupational diseases encountered in people of all ages. Of these, melanoma is one of the most dangerous forms, with very poor prognosis for patients if it is diagnosed too late. This review of the literature over the past five years examines the role and utilities of plant extracts in treating various skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, acne or melanoma with various potential mechanisms of action.