Cytotoxicity and molecular docking analysis of racemolactone I, a new sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Inula racemosa

Bioefficacy of Zinc oxide nanoparticle synthesis and their Biological, Environmental applications from Eranthemum roseum

Synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles using medicinal plants increasing rapidly due to its eco-friendly to environment. In this study Zinc oxide nanoparticle is synthesized using the leaf extract of plant E. roseum. Synthesized NPs was characterized using UV- Vis Spectroscopy analysis where the peak observed at 374 nm with band gap of 2.5 eV, FTIR and XRD analysis validate pure hexagonal structure, Spherical shape of NPs was confirmed by SEM with EDX analysis and main compounds are zinc 75 % and oxygen 22 %. Transmission Electron Microscopy Analysis confirms the oval shaped ZnO NPs Biological activity of E. roseum ZnO NPs such as antioxidant assay DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical activity shows good inhibition against free radicals. The In-vitro Hypoglycemic effects has maximum inhibition of 96 % on α- amylase activity and 87 % on α- Glycosidase activity. Anti-inflammatory activity recorded 93 % maximum inhibition at Albumin denaturation assay and 75 % at Membrane stabilization assay. E. roseum ZnO NPs shows 67.79 % on HepG2 Anti-proliferative cells line. AO/EtBr staining assays confirms the apoptosis effect. Larvicidal activity shows highest mortality of 98.44 % on species C. quinquefasciatus. Photocatalytic dyedegradation of Methylene blue dye shows 65 % of dye degradation.

Alantolactone improves cognitive impairment in rats with Porphyromonas gingivalis infection by inhibiting neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and reducing Aβ levels

Neuroinflammation caused by the chronic periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis is growing regarded as as a key factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Alantolactone (AL), a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from the root of Inula racemosa Hook. f, has been proven to provide various neuroprotective effects. However, whether AL can improve cognitive impairment caused by P. gingivalis infection remains unclear. In this research, a rat model of P. gingivalis infection was used to examine the neuroprotective benefits of AL. The results revealed that 6 weeks of AL treatment (50 and 100 mg/kg) shortened escape latency and increased the number of crossings over the platform location and time spent in the target quadrant of P. gingivalis-infected rats in the Morris water maze experiment. By activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, AL suppressed malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and simultaneously increased the activity of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD). Furthermore, AL lowered the presence of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNFα in the hippocampal and cortical tissues of P. gingivalis-infected rats by inhibiting astrocyte and microglial activation and NF-κB phosphorylation. AL also significantly reduced Aβ levels in the cortical and hippocampus tissues of rats infected with P. gingivalis. In conclusion, AL improved cognitive impairment in P. gingivalis-infected rats by inhibiting neuroinflammation, reducing Aβ1-42 level, and exerting antioxidative stress effects.

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.

Research progress on antitumor mechanisms and molecular targets of Inula sesquiterpene lactones

The pharmacological effects of natural product therapy have received sigificant attention, among which terpenoids such as sesquiterpene lactones stand out due to their biological activity and pharmacological potential as anti-tumor drugs. Inula sesquiterpene lactones are a kind of sesquiterpene lactones extracted from Inula species. They have many pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammation, anti-asthma, anti-tumor, neuroprotective and anti-allergic. In recent years, more and more studies have proved that they are important candidate drugs for the treatment of a variety of cancers because of its good anti-tumor activity. In this paper, the structure, structure-activity relationship, antitumor activities, mechanisms and targets of Inula sesquiterpene lactones reported in recent years were reviewed in order to provide clues for the development of novel anticancer drugs.

Antiproliferative and cell cycle arrest potentials of 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid against MCF-7 cells in vitro

INTRODUCTION

Cancer is a major issue in medical science with increasing death cases every year worldwide. Therefore, searching for alternatives and nonorthodox methods of treatments with high efficiency, selectivity and less toxicity is the main goal in fighting cancer. Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA), is a derivative pentacyclic triterpenoid that exhibited various biological activities with potential anti-tumoral agents. In this research, AKBA was utilized to examine the potential cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cells in vitro and monitor the cellular and morphological changes with a prospective impact on apoptosis induction.

METHODS

The cytotoxic activity of AKBA was measured by 3(4,5dimethylthiazole- 2-yl)-2,5 diphyneltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. A dose-dependent inhibition in MCF-7 cell viability was detected. The clonogenicity of MCF-7 cells was significantly suppressed by AKBA increment in comparison with untreated cells.

RESULT

Morphologically, exposure of MCF-7 cells to high AKBA concentrations caused changes in cell nuclear morphology which was indicated by increasing in nuclear size and cell permeability intensity. The mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was reduced by increasing AKBA concentration with a significant release of cytochrome c. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual staining experiment confirmed that MCF-7 cells treated with AKBA (IC50 concentration) displayed a late stage of apoptosis indicated by intense and bright reddish colour.

CONCLUSION

A significant increase in reactive oxygen species formation was observed. Caspase 8 and caspase 9 activities were estimated and AKBA activated the production of caspase 8 and caspase 9 in a dose-dependent pattern. Finally, the cell phase distribution analysis was conducted, and flow cytometric analysis showed that AKBA at 200 μg mL-1 significantly arrest MCF-7 cells at the G1 phase and triggered apoptosis.

Phytochemical Diversity in Relation to Cytogenetic Variability in Inula racemosa Hook.f., an Endangered Medicinal Plant of Himalayas

Inula racemosa, a resourceful critically endangered medicinal herb in the Himalayas is traditionally utilized to cure various human disorders. The species is a wealthy source of sesquiterpene lactones has many pharmacological properties. To quantify and identify the best genetic stocks for a maximum build-up of desired metabolites (isoalantolactone and alantolactone) among existent cytotypes in the species, LC-MS/MS analysis was made. The other comprehensive experiments carried out at present included detailed meiotic examinations of different populations collected from different areas of Kashmir Himalayas. The results presented the occurrence of variable chromosome numbers as n=10 and n=20 in different populations, but the tetraploid cytotype (n=20) is new for the species. The LC-MS/MS investigation revealed significant variability in the content of sesquiterpene lactones in different plant tissues (stem, leaf, and root). An upsurge in the quantity of isoalantolactone and alantolactone was noticed with increasing ploidy levels along the increasing altitudes. Therefore, a habit to accumulate abundant quantities of secondary metabolites and increased adaptability by species/cytotypes thriving at higher altitudes is seen among tetraploid cytotypes during the present investigation. Also, the chromosomal variations seem to enhance the flexibility of polyploid species primarily at upper elevations. Thus, the present study strongly provides quantification of elite cytotypes/chemotypes with optimum concentration of secondary metabolites.

Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, agrotechnology, and conservation of Inula racemosa Hook f. - A critically endangered medicinal plant of the western Himalaya

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Inula racemosa Hook. f., is a critically endangered perennial herb distributed throughout the Himalaya; commercially useful in pharmaceutical products mainly because of its expectorant, antispasmodic, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, carminative, thermogenic, digestive, cardiotonic, acrid, alexipharmic, anodyne, aphrodisiac, febrifuge, and antiseptic properties. The roots including rhizomes of the plant were used in the treatment of various ailments like chest pain, liver dysfunction, dyspnoea, and cardiovascular diseases by the ethenic Himalayan residents.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

Even though there are plentiful studies involving I. racemosa for pharmacological properties, but there is gap or few records available on production technologies and patents. The purpose of review is to provide large unmanageable information in systematic form for researchers, health care contributors, and policy makers so that they efficiently integrate the existing information and provide balanced decision making.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant data search was completed through systematic searches using various scientific databases including e-resources viz., Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct, ACS, Springer Link, Taylor and Francis, Scifinder, PubMed, PubChem, Web of Science, LibGen, Wiley, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). The list of literature cited in this review are dated from 1959 to 2021.

RESULTS

Till date variety of ethnobotanical and pharmacological properties of essential oil including crude extract of I. racemosa have been documented. The shortlisted records revealed that the herb has a potential to treat stomach ulcer, respiratory tract infections including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Alantolactone and isoalloalantolactone were reported as the major bioactive constituents along with few fatty acids, phytosterols, and glycosides characterized by GC, GC/MS, HPLC, HPTLC and qNMR techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on a detailed literature survey on the plant, evidences were found fascinating for biological, traditional, and pharmacological effects, whilst there are no genomic resources available for this medicinal herb. Thus, molecular studies are critical for unravelling the production process of bioactive metabolites inside herb, which will underlay a path for improving these metabolites at commercial scale. Moreover, the association and role of particular phytoconstituent in its biological properties still needs to be validated. In addition, there are no reports on measures on its conservation and mechanism of toxicity research, which also needs more attention. We hope this review can provide a basis for further studies concerning the protected and efficient utilization of I. racemosa.