In vitro cholinesterase inhibitory activity of some plants used in Iranian traditional medicine

Synthesis of novel hybrids of 1,2,3-triazoles-hydrazone: targeting cholinesterases and Alzheimer's related genes

Aim: A new series of 1,2,3-triazole-hydrazone derivatives were developed to evaluate their anti-Alzheimer's activity. Materials & methods: All compounds were screened toward cholinesterases via the modified Ellman's method. The toxicity assay on SH-SY5Y cells was performed using the MTT assay, and the expression levels of GSK-3α, GSK-3β, DYRK1 and CDK5 were assessed in the presence of compounds 6m and 6p.Results:6m and 6p; acting as mixed-type inhibitors, exhibited promising acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, respectively. 6m demonstrated no toxicity under tested concentrations on the SH-SY5Y cells and positively impacted neurodegenerative pathways. Notably, 6m displayed a significant downregulation in mRNA levels of GSK-3α, GSK-3β and CDK5.Conclusion: The target compounds could be considered in developing anti-Alzheimer's disease agents.

Linking traditional medicine to modern phytotherapy: Chemical characterization and assessment of antioxidant and anticholinesterase effects in vitro of a natural Persian remedy for dementia

Several natural remedies are used in the Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) to prevent dementia, but their efficacy is debated. In this work, an improved "Safoof-e-Nesyān" formulation described in the "Qarābādin-e-Azam" pharmacopoeia was developed, and its chemical composition and antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase properties were assessed. The formulation contains a mixture (FM) of Cinnamomum cassia (CC), C. verum (CV), Pistacia lentiscus (PL), Rheum palmatum (RP), Syzygium aromaticum (SA), and Zingiber officinalis (ZO) powdered plants. Its total phenolic content is 110.45 mg GAE/g, while the total flavonoid content is 6.28 mg RE/g. 66 secondary metabolites (mainly tannins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, and gingerols) were identified by UPLC-QToF-MS analysis. FM exerts antioxidant effects by scavenging radicals, and by reducing and chelating metals such as Mb, Cu and Fe. The anticholinesterase activity of one gram of the FM equals that of 3.60 mg of the reference drug galantamine, on both acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase. Correlations between specific compounds and bioactivities were highlighted by multivariate analysis of data: lyoniresinol 9'-glucoside strongly correlates with antiradical activities on DPPH and ABTS and reducing activity on Cu, and with anti-AChE effects. Most of the identified flavonoids and the ellagic acid derivatives positively correlate with the reducing activity on Fe and Mb, and with anti-BChE effects. Finally, a tablet formulation of the FM was developed, and its physical properties were preliminarily assessed. Overall, our results indicate that the FM may be a useful natural remedy for dementia, although further safety and efficacy assessments in vivo are required.

Phytochemical investigation and biological activity of Doronicum pardalianches L. roots against Alzheimer's disease

The methanol extract of Doronicum pardalianches L. was fractionated using n-hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate to evaluate their cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitory activity via modified Ellman's method. It was perceived that only the ethyl acetate fraction was active toward acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with IC₅₀ value of 172.21 µg/mL. Also, all fractions showed no butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity. The ethyl acetate fraction was also investigated for its neuroprotectivity and metal chelating ability (Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Cu²⁺) which demonstrated desired activity. Phytochemical analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction led to isolation and identification of formononetin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside which has not been previously reported for this plant.

Cinnamomum verum J. Presl. Bark essential oil: in vitro investigation of anti-cholinesterase, anti-BACE1, and neuroprotective activity

Background

Cinnamomum verum J. Presl. (Lauraceae), Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae), Ruta graveolens L. (Rutaaceae), Anethum graveolens L. (Apiaceae), Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Myristicaceae), and Crocus sativus L. (Iridaceae) have been recommended for improvement of memory via inhalation, in Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM). In this respect, the essential oils (EOs) from those plants were obtained and evaluated for cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitory activity as ChE inhibitors are the available drugs in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Methods

EOs obtained from the plants under investigation, were evaluated for their potential to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in vitro based on the modified Ellman’s method. The most potent EO was candidate for the investigation of its beta-secretase 1 (BACE1) inhibitory activity and neuroprotectivity.

Results

Among all EOs, C. verum demonstrated the most potent activity toward AChE and BChE with IC50 values of 453.7 and 184.7 µg/mL, respectively. It also showed 62.64% and 41.79% inhibition against BACE1 at the concentration of 500 and 100 mg/mL, respectively. However, it depicted no neuroprotective potential against β-amyloid (Aβ)-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. Also, identification of chemical composition of C. verum EO was achieved via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and the major constituent; (E)-cinnamaldehyde, was detected as 68.23%.

Conclusion

Potent BChE inhibitory activity of C. verum EO can be considered in the development of cinnamon based dietary supplements for the management of patients with advanced AD.

Role of Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Mitochondrial Changes in Premenstrual Psychosomatic Behavioral Symptoms with Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant Herbs, and Nutritional Supplements

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) significantly lowers the quality of life and impairs personal and social relationships in reproductive-age women. Some recommendations are that inappropriate oxidative stress and inflammatory response are involved in PMS. Various nutritional supplements and herbs showed neuro-psycho-pharmacological activity with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to determine the systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of herbal medicine and nutritional supplements in PMS. We also comprehensively highlighted the role of oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial changes on PMS with the application of computational intelligence. We used PRISMA and research question-based techniques to collect the data for evaluation of our study on different databases such as Scopus, PubMed, and PROSPERO from 1990 to 2022. The methodological quality of the published study was assessed by the modified Jadad scale. In addition, we used network visualization and word cloud techniques to find the closest terms of the study based on previous publications. While we also used computational intelligence techniques to give the idea for the classification of experimental data from PMS. We found 25 randomized controlled studies with 1949 participants (mean ± SD: 77.96 ± 22.753) using the PRISMA technique, and all were high-quality studies. We also extracted the closest terms related to our study using network visualization techniques. This work has revealed the future direction and research gap on the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in PMS. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that bioactive molecules such as curcumin, allicin, anethole, thymoquinone, cyanidin 3-glucoside, gamma-linoleic acid, and various molecules not only have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties but also other various activities such as GABA-A receptor agonist, serotonergic, antidepressant, sedative, and analgesic. Traditional Unani Herbal medicine and nutritional supplements can effectively relieve PMS symptoms as they possess many bioactive molecules that are pharmacologically proven for the aforementioned properties. Hence, these biomolecules might influence a complex physical and psychological disease process like PMS. However, more rigorous research studies are recommended for in-depth knowledge of the efficacy of bioactive molecules on premenstrual syndrome in clinical trials.

Roles of Syzygium in Anti-Cholinesterase, Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antioxidant: From Alzheimer's Perspective

Alzheimer's disease (AD) causes progressive memory loss and cognitive dysfunction. It is triggered by multifaceted burdens such as cholinergic toxicity, insulin resistance, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. Syzygium plants are ethnomedicinally used in treating inflammation, diabetes, as well as memory impairment. They are rich in antioxidant phenolic compounds, which can be multi-target neuroprotective agents against AD. This review attempts to review the pharmacological importance of the Syzygium genus in neuroprotection, focusing on anti-cholinesterase, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Articles published in bibliographic databases within recent years relevant to neuroprotection were reviewed. About 10 species were examined for their anti-cholinesterase capacity. Most studies were conducted in the form of extracts rather than compounds. Syzygium aromaticum (particularly its essential oil and eugenol component) represents the most studied species owing to its economic significance in food and therapy. The molecular mechanisms of Syzygium species in neuroprotection include the inhibition of AChE to correct cholinergic transmission, suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress markers, RIS production, enhancement of antioxidant enzymes, the restoration of brain ions homeostasis, the inhibition of microglial invasion, the modulation of ß-cell insulin release, the enhancement of lipid accumulation, glucose uptake, and adiponectin secretion via the activation of the insulin signaling pathway. Additional efforts are warranted to explore less studied species, including the Australian and Western Syzygium species. The effectiveness of the Syzygium genus in neuroprotective responses is markedly established, but further compound isolation, in silico, and clinical studies are demanded.

Evolving Role of Natural Products from Traditional Medicinal Herbs in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease that causes dementia by impairing mental capacity growth and disrupting neurocognitive activity. Despite recent advancements in AD therapy, therapeutic effectiveness has been small, noncurative, and susceptible to drug resistance. The reality that AD's origin remains unknown and that the blood-brain barrier limits treatment effectiveness are two significant impediments to science. Plants are repositories for novel chemical entities, which provide an exciting avenue for Alzheimer's disease studies. Although several herbal remedies are unquestionably efficient, only a small number have been clinically tested for their active chemical constituents and biological activities. Using published data in the literature, we summarized commonly used medicinal plants and herbs and their phyto components for the care and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease as an alternative therapy. In this, we summarize the main compounds found in 30 different herbal medicines that target neurodegenerative diseases. Using the experimental study of physicochemical properties, we put forward a hypothesis about potential medicinal plants and the management of Alzheimer's disease. The summary analysis demonstrates that conventional herbal medicines produce compounds with physicochemical properties with a high degree of similarities with existing approved medicines.

An Alternative Approach Wound Healing Field with Polypodium Vulgare

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we examined the effects of Polypodium vulgare L. (Polypodiaceae) as a candidate to be used for wound healing scarred area. We investigated the antibacterial, and antioxidant activity of P. Vulgare on both in vivo, and in vitro wound healing using an excisional wound model in mice.

METHOD

We used 32 Balb-c mice equally divided into four groups: Group 1 control, Group 2 vehicle, Group 3 Polypodium vulgare, and Group 4 Centella asiatica extract (CAE). All treatments were applied topically once in a day. The scar area, percentage wound closure and epithelization time were measured. PDGF, VEGF, and collagen immunohistochemical staining were used for evaluation.

RESULTS

CAE and P. vulgare extract groups were observed to be more effective than the control and vehicle groups in terms of new vascular, epidermal and granulation tissue organization. PDGF, VEGF, and collagen immunohistochemical staining was stronger in the P.vulgare extract and CAE groups compared to the control and vehicle groups. In the P. vulgare and CAE groups, PDGF staining intensity was stronger than the control and vehicle groups, but VEGF and collagen staining in P. vulgare group was not different from the control group.

CONCLUSION

P. vulgare had an effect on the injured area by regenerating the epidermis and increasing vascularization. P. vulgare extract with known antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities may be helpful as a supportive treatment in wound healing.

Phytochemical investigation and anticholinesterase activity of ethyl acetate fraction of Myristica fragrans Houtt. seeds

In this work, n-hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate fractions of the methanol extract of Myristica fragrans Houtt. seeds were evaluated against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) via Ellman's method. It was found that all fractions depicted no anti-AChE activity, however, they were active toward BChE with IC₅₀ values of 361.8, 215.0, and 145.8 µg/mL, respectively comparing with donepezil as the reference drug (IC₅₀ = 1.97 µg/mL). The ethyl acetate fraction which also showed high neuroprotectivity and metal chelating ability was selected for the phytochemical analysis. Our results confirmed the presence of trimyristin and 5,7-diacetyl chrysin (reported for the first time in M. fragrans) in the corresponding fraction.

Phenolic profile by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS of six Brazilian Eugenia species and their potential as cholinesterase inhibitors

Eugenia genus is known for its phenolic metabolites, which may influence the progression of the Alzheimer Disease. This study aimed to evaluate the anticholinesterase effects of six Eugenia species from Brazil. Leaves and stems were submitted to maceration (methanol) and partitioned with dichloromethane and ethyl acetate (EtOAc). Samples were screened (200 μg mL^-1) for the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis allowed the identification of twenty-eight phenolic compounds. Regarding the enzymatic activity, EtOAc fraction of E. mattosii exhibited the best results. Chemical and pharmacological aspects of seasonal E. mattosii extracts were evaluated. The extract from leaves collected in the winter was the most effective for AChE, and the extract from leaves collected in the spring was the most effective for BuChE. Correlating the enzymatic results with the chemical data, it was possible to associate these effects to isoquercitrin, quercetin, catechin, epicatechin, procatecuic acid and myricitrin content.

Isolation and structural determination of flavan-3-ol derivatives from the Polypodium vulgare L. rhizomes water extract

Polypodium vulgare L. (Polypodiaceae) is a fern used in traditional Polish medicine as an expectorant to treat cough and pertussis. Additionally, it was used as a diuretic in renal diseases, especially in chronic nephritis and pyelonephritis. In our study, a water extract was prepared from the rhizome of common polypody and subsequently fractionated on a resin column. As a result, the mixture of flavan-3-ol derivatives was obtained after the column elution with 60% methanol. Further purification by various chromatographic techniques led us to the isolation of (+)-afzelechin (1), a new previously not reported (+)-afzelechin-7-O-α-l-arabinofuranoside (2), and three other monomer flavan-3-ol glycosides: (+)-afzelechin-7-O-β-d-apiofuranoside (3), (+)-catechin-7-O-α-l-arabinofuranoside (4) and (+)-catechin-7-O-β-d-apiofuranoside (5). Structures of the compounds were established by HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The HSQC and HMBC NMR techniques were used in the structure elucidation of the position of sugar attachment.