Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Pistacia khinjuk in Different Experimental Models: Isolation and Characterization of Its Flavonoids and Galloylated Sugars

Chemical Profiling and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Essential Oil Isolated from Pistacia khinjuk Leaves: Insights On GC-MS Analysis and Skin Aging-Relevant Enzymes

Pistacia khinjuk is a species of flowering plants belonging to family Anacardiaceae, with promising pharmacological activities like antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial. This study aimed to investigate the GC-MS chemical composition of essential oil isolated from Pistacia khinjuk leaves and its inhibitory properties against aging-relevant enzymes such a collagenase and elastase. The isolated oil showed predominance of β-cadinene (15.34 %), γ-amorphene (8.50 %), α-cadinol (8.14 %), τ-cadinol (7.57 %), (E)-β-caryophyllene (5.77 %), α-pinene (4.70 %), phytol (4.57 %), α-muurolene (3.30 %), (+)-epi-bicyclosesquiphellandrene (3.21 %), and cubenene (3.16 %). Further, it showed remarkable inhibitory activities against collagenase and elastase with IC50 values of 15.61±0.69 and 41.12±2.09 μg/mL, respectively compared to epigallocatechin gallate (IC50=29.52±1.3 μg/mL and 26.86±1.37 μg/mL). as a conclusion, the leaf oil is recommended for topical cosmetic preparations to retard skin aging symptoms such as wrinkles. However, the bioavailability assessment and toxicological profile should be considered in the future studies.

A novel gedunin-2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex improves anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of gedunin in rodents

Gedunin is a bioactive compound, obtained from Entandrophragma angolense (EA), which has limited therapeutic usefulness due to poor aqueous solubility and first-pass effects. Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides that form complexes with poorly soluble compounds, thus enhancing their pharmacological activity. In this article, we evaluated the pharmacological activities of gedunin-2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin complex (GCD) in rodents. The antinociceptive activity of GCD (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) and Gedunin (50mg/kg) was tested in acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced paw licking in mice. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated in carrageenan-induced paw oedema and air pouch inflammation models in rats. Leucocytes counts, Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) level, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, and myeloperoxidase enzyme activities were assessed in the air pouch exudate. The GCD (200mg/kg) significantly decreased writhing response, reduced licking duration and decreased oedema compared with gedunin and control. Exudate volume and leucocyte count were significantly reduced by GCD (200 mg/kg), it decreased myeloperoxidase activity and inhibited TNF-α release. The carrageenan-induced GSH depletion, increased malondialdehyde and nitrite levels were significantly reversed by GCD (200 mg/kg) relative to gedunin and control.  The GCD complex demonstrated significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities relative to gedunin alone via mechanisms associated with inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation in rodents.

Al-Awthan Y, Muhammad N, Mukarram Shah M, Mitra S, Bin Emran T, Bahattab O, S. Mubarak M. Pharmacological Investigation of Genus Pistacia

Several plants in the genus Pistacia are used in the treatment of various pathogenic and non-pathogenic disorders. Especially important are the major species belonging to this genus such as Pistacia lentiscus, Pistacia atlantica, Pistacia vera, Pistacia terebinthus, and Pistacia khinjuk, among others; these have been reported for their potential benefits both in medical and commercial purposes. In addition, members of this genus exhibit numerous ethnomedicinal uses, such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, antihypertension, antihyperlipidemic, antiviral, and antiasthma. In light of these potential uses, the present chapter aimed to collect and summarize the literature about all of this medicinal information. Accordingly, this chapter focuses on the pharmacological uses and benefits of the genus Pistacia, especially those related to health issues.

Caspicaiene: a new kaurene diterpene with anti-tubercular activity from an Aspergillus endophytic isolate in Gleditsia caspia desf

A new kaurene derivative with a new 6/6/6/5/6 ring system structure, given the trivial name caspicaiene, was isolated from the fungal culture of the Aspergillus N830 isolate identified by ITS region DNA sequencing. The compound was characterized by 1, 2 D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS-MS and revealed a promising anti-tubercular effect using the Alamar Blue Assay (MABA), in a dose dependent manner, with MIC value of 124.5 µM. Furthermore, six known compounds were isolated and showed significant MIC values against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, ranging between 15.63 µg/mL (26.5 µM) to 125 µg/mL (500 µM), compared to the positive control isoniazid whose MIC value was 0.24 µg/mL (1.75 µM), which sets them forth as potentially natural anti-tubercular agents. To gain further insight of the underlying mechanism, in-silico molecular docking, using the C-Docker protocol, was conducted and demonstrated various interactions between the isolated compounds and three key mycobacterial enzymes. Additionally, the cytotoxic activity was reported and showed the safety of these molecules according to the calculated safety index in the human hepatic cancer cell line (HepG2) and Vero cell lines.

A New Phenolic Alkaloid from Halocnemum strobilaceum Endophytes: Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Biofilm Inhibitory Activities

Human infections caused by microbial biofilm formation represent a growing major health threat. A new alkaloid, 3-amino-5-(3-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-4-methylphenol, was isolated from the corn grit culture of the endophytic isolate Penicillium citrinum-314 associated with Halocnemum strobilaceum, a halophyte growing in the Egyptian marshes. The new alkaloid was identified by 1D, 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS-MS and given the trivial name halociline. The antioxidant, antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities were recorded. Furthermore, another known compound, 1,3,6-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-9H-xanthen-9-one, was obtained in smaller amounts and revealed a non-microbicidal 100 % reduction in biofilm formation, with an MBIC value of 62.5 μg/mL (228 μM) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Ferm-BAM), a FRAP value of 447.941±37.876 mM/L as well as a marked safety profile against three cancer cell lines. Through in silico molecular docking study, in the binding sites of Pseudomonas enzymes, key ligand enzyme interactions were determined to support the in vitro results.

Pistachio Consumption Alleviates Inflammation and Improves Gut Microbiota Composition in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

High-fat diet (HFD) induces inflammation and microbial dysbiosis, which are components of the metabolic syndrome. Nutritional strategies can be a valid tool to prevent metabolic and inflammatory diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if the chronic intake of pistachio prevents obesity-associated inflammation and dysbiosis in HFD-fed mice. Three groups of male mice (four weeks old; n = 8 per group) were fed for 16 weeks with a standard diet (STD), HFD, or HFD supplemented with pistachios (HFD-P; 180 g/kg of HFD). Serum, hepatic and adipose tissue inflammation markers were analyzed in HFD-P animals and compared to HFD and STD groups. Measures of inflammation, obesity, and intestinal integrity were assessed. Fecal samples were collected for gut microbiota analysis. Serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels were significantly reduced in HFD-P compared to HFD. Number and area of adipocytes, crown-like structure density, IL-1β, TNF-α, F4-80, and CCL-2 mRNA expression levels were significantly reduced in HFD-P subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues, compared to HFD. A significant reduction in the number of inflammatory foci and IL-1β and CCL-2 gene expression was observed in the liver of HFD-P mice compared with HFD. Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was reduced in HFD-P mice in comparison to the HFD group. A pistachio diet significantly increased abundance of healthy bacteria genera such as Parabacteroides, Dorea, Allobaculum, Turicibacter, Lactobacillus, and Anaeroplasma, and greatly reduced bacteria associated with inflammation, such as Oscillospira, Desulfovibrio, Coprobacillus, and Bilophila. The intestinal conductance was lower in HFD-P mice than in the HFD mice, suggesting an improvement in the gut barrier function. The results of the present study showed that regular pistachio consumption improved inflammation in obese mice. The positive effects could be related to positive modulation of the microbiota composition.

Pulchranin A: First report of isolation from an endophytic fungus and its inhibitory activity on cyclin dependent kinases

Fungal factories emerge as a promising source for the production of bioactive natural products. This study reports the isolation and structure elucidation of pulchranin A, for the first time, from an endophytic fungus (Aspergillus TRL1), which was cultured from Tabebuia rosea (Bignoniaceae) stems and identified by DNA ITS sequencing. Pulchranin A showed promising in-vitro cytotoxic effects against breast (MCF-7), liver (Hep-G2) and colorectal (HCT) cell lines, with IC₅₀ values of 63, 80 and 91 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, it inhibited three cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK1, CDK2 and CDK4) in MCF-7 cells with IC₅₀ values of 9.82, 15.6 and 2.7 µg/mL, respectively. Results were further supported by in-silico molecular docking of pulchranin A to CDK1, CDK2, and CDK4 crystal structures, where it demonstrated good interactions by H-bonding, hydrophobic and Pi-Pi interactions with different amino acid residues of these enzymes. Pulchranin A might be a potential CDK inhibitor in human breast cancer cells.[Figure: see text].

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of cupressuflavone from Cupressus macrocarpa: Impact on pro-inflammatory mediators

Hit, Lead & Candidate Discovery Inflammation is a complex biological process that is generally occurs in response to pathological triggers. Both neurodegenerative diseases and cancer have been linked to inflammation. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of cupressuflavone (CUF) isolated from Cupressus macrocarpa were examined. The analgesic effects of CUF (40, 80 and 160 mg/kg po) were assessed in the acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate models in mice with diclofenac sodium as the reference standard (100 mg/kg). CUF dose-dependently inhibited the writhing response in mice by 25, 48, and 62%, at the three CUF doses with 160 mg/kg being equivalent to the diclofenac control. CUF dose-dependently increased the hot plate model reaction time with a maximal effect after 120 min. In the carrageenan-induced paw edema model of inflammation, CUF demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting paw edema by 55, 60, and 64% at doses of 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg po, respectively. CUF also reduced the plasma pro-inflammatory mediators PGE₂ (44, 54, and 58%), TNF-α (26, 37, and 53%), IL-1β (19, 33, and 41%), and IL-6 (32, 44, and 55%) at the three doses tested with the highest dose having similar effects to diclofenac sodium (100 mg/kg). This finding from this study indicates that CUF has both analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

The Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Potential of Pistachios (Pistacia vera L.) In Vitro and In Vivo

Several reports have demonstrated the effectiveness of pistachio against oxidative stress and inflammation. In this study, we investigate if polyphenols extracts from natural raw shelled pistachios (NP) or roasted salted pistachio (RP) kernels have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties at lower doses than reported previously, in both in vitro and in vivo models. The monocyte/macrophage cell line J774 was used to assess the extent of protection by NP and RP pistachios against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. Moreover, antioxidant activity of NP and RP was assessed in an in vivo model of paw edema in rats induced by carrageenan (CAR) injection in the paw. Results from the in vitro study demonstrated that pre-treatment with NP (0.01, 0.1 and 0.5 mg/mL) and RP (0.01 and 0.1 mg/mL) exerted a significant protection against LPS induced inflammation. Western blot analysis showed NP reduced the degradation of IκB-α, although not significantly, whereas both NP and RP decreased the TNF-α and IL-1β production in a dose-dependent way. A significant reduction of CAR-induced histological paw damage, neutrophil infiltration and nitrotyrosine formation was observed in the rats treated with NP. These data demonstrated that, at lower doses, polyphenols present in pistachios possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This may contribute toward a better understanding of the beneficial health effects associated with consumption of pistachios.

Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of Terminalia Muelleri Benth. (Combretaceae)

Preclinical Research The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of a polyphenol-rich fraction (TMEF) obtained from Terminalia muelleri Benth. were measured. The analgesic activity of TMEF was tested using acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate models in mice. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using carrageenan-induced paw edema model by measuring PGE₂ , TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 plasma levels as well as the paw thickness. TMEF was tested at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg p.o. and diclofenac sodium was used as a standard (100 mg/kg) in all experiments. The group treated with 400 mg/kg of TMEF showed a greater inhibition in the number of writhes (by 63%) than the standard-treated group (61%). Pretreatment with TMEF increased the analgesic effect in hot plate test in a dose-dependent manner with a maximum effect after 120 min. TMEF pretreatment alos reduced the edema thickness by 48, 53, and 62% at the tested doses, respectively. TMEF administration inhibited the carrageenan-induced elevations in PGE₂ (by 34, 43, and 47%), TNF-α (18, 28, and 41%), IL-1β (14, 22, and 29%), and IL-6 (26, 31, and 46%). Four phenolic compounds were isolated from Terminalia muelleri for the first time. Drug Dev Res 78 : 146-154, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Isolation and Identification of a Flavone Apigenin from Marine Red Alga Acanthophora spicifera with Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Activities

Physicochemical investigation of the red alga Acanthophora spicifera (Vahl) Borgesen, collected from Al-Shoaiba coast, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, led to the isolation of a flavone from the algal tissue with acetone. Preparative chromatography on silica gel thin-layer chromatography was used for the separation of the flavone and eluted with the methanol:chloroform:ethyl acetate (1:7:2) solvent system. The physicochemical analyses infrared, mass spectra, and ultraviolet spectra in addition to shift reagents (NaOMe, NaOAc, NaOAc + H₃BO₃, AlCl₃, and AlCl₃ + HCl) were used for the identification and elucidation of the structure of the flavone compound (4,5,7-trihydroxy flavonoids). The flavone compound was identified as apigenin bycomparing its physicochemical data with those in the literature. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of apigenin were evaluated. Apigenin showed promising analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in the hot plate test and writhing test in mice as well as tail-immersion tests and carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation in rats. It is concluded that apigenin possesses potent analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities, which might be due to the inhibition of PGE₂ as well as proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α.

Topical anti-inflammatory effects of isorhamnetin glycosides isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica

Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) has been widely used in Mexico as a food and for the treatment of different health disorders such as inflammation and skin aging. Its biological properties have been attributed to different phytochemicals such as the isorhamnetin glycosides which are the most abundant flavonoids. Moreover, these compounds are considered a chemotaxonomic characteristic of OFI species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of OFI extract and its isorhamnetin glycosides on different inflammatory markers in vitro and in vivo. OFI extract was obtained by alkaline hydrolysis of OFI cladodes powder and pure compounds were obtained by preparative chromatography. Nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, and interleukin- (IL-) 6 production were measured. NO production was tested in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells while in vivo studies were carried on croton oil-induced ear edema model. OFI extract and diglycoside isorhamnetin-glucosyl-rhamnoside (IGR) at 125 ng/mL suppressed the NO production in vitro (73.5 ± 4.8% and 68.7 ± 5.0%, resp.) without affecting cell viability. Likewise, IGR inhibited the ear edema (77.4 ± 5.7%) equating the indomethacin effects (69.5 ± 5.3%). Both IGR and OFI extract significantly inhibited the COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 production. IGR seems to be a suitable natural compound for development of new anti-inflammatory ingredient.

Phenolic Compounds from Limonium pruinosum

A new phenolic compound, 6′- O-sulfonyl-salidroside (1), together with fifteen known compounds, were isolated from the all parts of Limonium pruinosum. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR experiments including 1D TOCSY, DQF-COSY, HSQC and HMBC spectroscopy, as well as ESIMS analysis. The antioxidant activity of the extracts and all isolated compounds was evaluated by DPPH test.

Phytochemical study, cytotoxic, analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities of Strychnos nux-vomica

The strychnine tree (Strychnos nux-vomica L.) (S. nux-vomica) belonging to family Loganiaceae has been a very promising medication for certain disorders. Different chromatographic methods were used to isolate the phenolic compounds from the aqueous methanolic extract of the S. nux-vomica leaves. Their identification was achieved through spectroscopic techniques. Cytotoxicity, analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities of S. nux-vomica leaves extract were evaluated. Five phenolic compounds were isolated and identified; Kaempferol-7 glucoside 1, 7-Hydroxy coumarin 2, Quercetin-3-rhamnoside 3, Kaempferol 3-rutinoside 4, and Rutin 5. Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity of the extract was evaluated against different cancer cell lines. The extract showed potential cytotoxic activity against human epidermoid larynx carcinoma cells (Hep-2) and against breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7). Colon carcinoma cells (HCT) were the least one affected by the extract. In addition, the extract exhibited promising analgesic, antipyretic as well as anti-inflammatory activities. It is concluded that, leaves extract of S. nux vomica possess potent cytotoxic, analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities. These activities could be due to the presence of phenolic compounds revealed by our phytochemical investigations.

Comparison of active constituents, acute toxicity, anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Porana sinensis Hemsl., Erycibe obtusifolia Benth. and Erycibe schmidtii Craib

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Erycibe obtusifolia and Erycibe schmidtii, which belong to the same genus as Erycibe, are widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of joint pain and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Porana sinensis has become a widely used substitute for Erycibe obtusifolia and Erycibe schmidtii as they have declined in the wild. In the present work, the content of the main active components, the acute toxicity, the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Porana sinensis, Erycibe obtusifolia and Erycibe schmidtii were compared, and the mechanisms of anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities were discussed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A quantitative HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) method was first developed to compare the content of the main active components (scopoletin, scopolin and chlorogenic acid). The anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of 40% ethanolic extracts of the three plants were compared using the models of xylene-induced ear edema, formalin-induced inflammation, carrageenan-induced air pouch inflammation, acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced nociception. The acute toxicity of the 40% ethanolic extracts of the three plants was studied.

RESULTS

The assay suggested a large content of scopoletin, scopolin and chlorogenic acid in the three plants. The 40% ethanolic extracts of the three plants were almost non-toxic at the dose of 5g/kg and all of them showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in the tests of xylene-induced ear edema and formalin-induced inflammation. In the carrageenan-induced air pouch inflammation test, the synthesis of PGE2 was significantly inhibited by all the extracts. They significantly inhibited the number of contortions induced by acetic acid and the second phase of the formalin-induced licking response. Naloxone was not able to reverse the analgesic effect of these extracts.

CONCLUSION

The study identifies the similarity of the three plants in their main active components as well as acute toxicity, anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. It supports the use of Porana sinensis as a suitable substitute, but further studies are needed to confirm this.