Triterpenoids and steroids isolated from Anatolian Capparis ovata and their activity on the expression of inflammatory cytokines

Isolation of Two Plasticizers, Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Terephthalate and Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate, from Capparis spinosa L. Leaves

Many plants have been known to be contaminated and accumulate plasticizers from the environment, including water sources, soil, and atmosphere. Plasticizers are used to confer elasticity and flexibility to various fiber and plastic products. Consumption of plasticizers can lead to many adverse effects on human health, including reproductive and developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption, and cancer. Herein, we report for the first time that two plasticizers, bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), have been isolated from the leaves of Capparis spinosa L. (the caper bush), a plant that is widely used in food seasonings and traditional medicine. 297 mg/kg of DEHT and 48 mg/kg of DEHP were isolated from dried and grounded C. spinosa L. leaves using column chromatography and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Our study adds to the increase in the detection of plasticizers in our food and medicinal plants and to the alarming concern about their potential adverse effects on human health.

Anti-Neuroinflammatory Potential of Natural Products in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease, which is the main cause of dementia in the elderly. Much evidence shows that the onset and late symptoms of AD are caused by multiple factors. Among them, aging is the main factor in the pathogenesis of AD, and the most important risk factor for AD is neuroinflammation. So far, there is no cure for AD, but the relationship between neuroinflammation and AD may provide a new strategy for the treatment of AD. We herein discussed the main etiology hypothesis of AD and the role of neuroinflammation in AD, as well as anti-inflammatory natural products with the potential to prevent and alleviate AD symptoms, including alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids and polyphenols, which are available with great potential for the development of anti-AD drugs.

Synthesis and Comprehensive in Vivo Activity Profiling of Olean-12-en-28-ol, 3β-Pentacosanoate in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis: A Natural Remyelinating and Anti-Inflammatory Agent

Multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment has received much attention, yet there is still no certain cure. We herein investigate the therapeutic effect of olean-12-en-28-ol, 3β-pentacosanoate (OPCA) on a preclinical model of MS. First, OPCA was synthesized semisynthetically and characterized. Then, the mice with MOG_35-55-induced experimental autoimmune/allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) were given OPCA along with a reference drug (FTY720). Biochemical, cellular, and molecular analyses were performed in serum and brain tissues to measure anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective responses. OPCA treatment protected EAE-induced changes in mouse brains maintaining blood-brain barrier integrity and preventing inflammation. Moreover, the protein and mRNA levels of MS-related genes such as HLD-DR1, CCL5, TNF-α, IL6, and TGFB1 were significantly reduced in OPCA-treated mouse brains. Notably, the expression of genes, including PLP, MBP, and MAG, involved in the development and structure of myelin was significantly elevated in OPCA-treated EAE. Furthermore, therapeutic OPCA effects included a substantial reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum of treated EAE animals. Lastly, following OPCA treatment, the promoter regions for most inflammatory regulators were hypermethylated. These data support that OPCA is a valuable and appealing candidate for human MS treatment since OPCA not only normalizes the pro- and anti-inflammatory immunological bias but also stimulates remyelination in EAE.

Biochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological attributes of caper (Capparis ovata) flowering buds and berries pickles

Capparis ovata is a natural plant that grows widely in Turkey and its flowering buds and berry pickle are used in traditional medicine. Thus, the current study was expanded to evaluate the biochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological aspects of the Capparis ovata water extract (COWE). To determine the biochemical properties of COWE, mineral and fatty acid content, elemental analysis, flavonoid/phenolic content, radical-scavenging capacity, and pesticide analysis were performed. Furthermore, to find out whether it had anti-inflammatory properties, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) luciferase activity tests were conducted. Whole-genome transcriptomic profiling was carried out at a dose level of 500 mg/kg COWE to understand its pharmacological effect. Transaminases in serum were tested, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was done using a custom design array that included the stress and molecular toxicology pathway to establish its toxicological qualities. As a result of the evaluations, it was observed that COWE has a high mineral and unsaturated fatty acid content, flavonoid/phenolic content, and radical-scavenging ability. It significantly inhibited NF-κB transcriptional activity as well as inflammatory cytokine expression in T-lymphoblast cells. Whole-genome transcriptomic profiling depicted that COWE modulates immune responses by upregulating natural killer cell activation, cellular response to type I interferon, B-cell proliferation and differentiation, and Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathways. Molecular Toxicology Pathfinder RT2 Profiler PCR array analysis revealed that COWE at or lower dose of 500 mg/kg/day did not cause a comparatively adverse effect. According to the findings, COWE is a rich source of nutrients and can be used as an adjunct therapy for various inflammatory diseases.

Complementary medicines used in ulcerative colitis and unintended interactions with cytochrome P450-dependent drug-metabolizing enzymes

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic, chronic inflammatory disease with multiple genetic and a variety of environmental risk factors. Although current drugs significantly aid in controlling the disease, many people have led to the application of complementary therapies due to the common belief that they are natural and safe, as well as due to the consideration of the side effect of current drugs. Curcumin, cannabinoids, wheatgrass, Boswellia, wormwood and Aloe vera are among the most commonly used complementary medicines in UC. However, these treatments may have adverse and toxic effects due to unintended interactions with drugs or drug-metabolizing enzymes such as cytochrome P450s; thus, being ignorant of these interactions might cause deleterious effects with severe consequences. In addition, the lack of complete and controlled long-term studies with the use of these complementary medicines regarding drug metabolism pose additional risk and unsafety. Thus, this review aims to give an overview of the potential interactions of drug-metabolizing enzymes with the complementary botanical medicines used in UC, drawing attention to possible adverse effects.

The effects of Capparis ovata seed oil on the healing of traumatic skin wounds

BACKGROUND

Capparis ovata contains alkaloids, lipids, polyphenols, flavonoids, and also is rich in antioxidants. Conventionally, in Turkey, the flower buds, root, bark, and fruits of C. ovata are used for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatism, tonic, and diuretic effects. The aim of this study was to examine the effect on wound healing of C. ovata seed oil (COSO), which is known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.

METHODS

In the study, 20 Wistar albino female rats were randomly divided into two groups of 10 animals each. A standard full-thickness skin defect was created on the back area of the rats. In both groups, after cleaning the wounds with saline daily, no active substance other than saline was applied to the control group, while 1 cc/day COSO was applied to the wounds of the rats in the study group. On the post-operative 14th day, the rats were reanesthetized and wound area measurements were made. Then, excision was performed to include 1 cm of intact tissue around the wound, which remained unhealed, and samples were taken for histopathological examination.

RESULTS

The changes in wound areas showed that after 14 days, the improvement in the group treated with caper oil (32.78; 95% confidence interval, 17.21-48.36) was significantly higher than that of the control group (65.41; 95% confidence interval, 49.84-80.98) (p=0.009). The histopathological scores showed a significant difference between the groups in respect of epithelial formation, inflam-mation, and fibrosis development. No epithelial tissue formation was observed in the control group (90%), and more incomplete re-epithelization and focal epidermal hyperplasia were observed in the treatment group (60%). Fibrosis development was mild and weak (70%) in the control group and was evaluated as severe and intense (60%) in the treatment group. Perivascular edema was mild (50%) and vascularity was immature (60% - an indicator of neovascularization) in the treatment group. These histopathological results showed that the treatment group inflammation phase was completed and the proliferation phase started, as well as the effectiveness of the use of caper oil on epithelization, angiogenesis, and fibrosis, which are important histopathological parameters in the evaluation of wound healing compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

From the results of this study, it was concluded that COSO significantly enhances the healing of full-thickness skin wounds and this effect is primarily related to its anti-inflammatory effect.

A Rare Dirhamnosyl Flavonoid and Other Radical-Scavenging Metabolites from Cynophalla mollis (Kunth) J. Presl and Colicodendron scabridum (Kunt) Seem. (Capparaceae) of Ecuador

The phytochemistry of Cynophalla mollis (Kunth) J. Presl and Colicodendron scabridum (Kunth), both belonging to the family Capparaceae, were investigated in this study for the first time. Lupeol, betulin, lutein, stachydrine and quercetin-3,4'-di-O-rhamnoside were isolated from C. mollis, whereas C. scabridum afforded lupeol, lutein, stachydrine, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, betonicine and narcissoside. All these compounds were purified by preparative liquid chromatography, in both open column and instrumental (MPLC) separation systems. Preparative TLC was also applied. They were all identified by ¹ H- and ¹³ C-NMR experiments. The complete structure of the very rare flavonoid quercetin-3,4'-di-O-rhamnoside was fully elucidated through DEPT-135, COSY, HMQC and HMBC experiments, together with UV/VIS and FT-IR spectrophotometry. Complete NMR data for quercetin-3,4'-di-O-rhamnoside in deuterated methanol were presented here for the first time. All the extracts did not exert antioxidant activity at the maximum tested dose of 1 mg/mL. Three out of the nine isolated compounds exerted a good spectrum of antioxidant capacity, being narcissoside the most active against ABTS radicals, with SC₅₀ =12.43 μM. It was followed by lutein and quercetin-3,4'-di-O-rhamnoside, with 40.92 μM and 46.10 μM, respectively.