Gastroprotective Effect of Rubia cordifolia Linn. on Aspirin Plus Pylorus-Ligated Ulcer

Formulation of Phytosomes Containing Rubia cordifolia Extract for Neuropathic Pain: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

This study aimed to develop a delivery system for the dried aqueous extract of Rubia cordifolia leaves (RCE) that could improve the neuroprotective potential of RCE by improving the bioavailability of the chief chemical constituent rubiadin. Rubiadin, an anthraquinone chemically, is a biomarker phytoconstituent of RCE. Rubiadin is reported to have strong antioxidant and neuroprotective activity but demonstrates poor bioavailability. In order to resolve the problem related to bioavailability, RCE and phospholipids were reacted in disparate ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 to prepare phytosome formulations PC1, PC2, and PC3, respectively. The formulation PC2 showed particle size of 289.1 ± 0.21 nm, ζ potential of -6.92 ± 0.10 mV, entrapment efficiency of 72.12%, and in vitro release of rubiadin of 89.42% at pH 7.4 for a period up to 48 h. The oral bioavailability and neuroprotective potential of PC2 and RCE were assessed to evaluate the benefit of PC2 formulation over the crude extract RCE. Formulation PC2 showed a relative bioavailability of 134.14% with a higher neuroprotective potential and significantly (p < 0.05) augmented the nociceptive threshold against neuropathic pain induced by partial sciatic nerve ligation method. Antioxidant enzyme levels and histopathological studies of the sciatic nerves in various treatment groups significantly divulged that PC2 has enough potential to reverse the damaged nerves into a normal state. Finally, it was concluded that encapsulated RCE as a phytosome is a potential carrier system for enhancing the delivery of RCE for the efficient treatment of neuropathic pain.

A comprehensive review of Rubia cordifolia L.: Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and clinical applications

Rubia cordifolia (family: Rubiaceae) L (R. cordifolia) is a perennial botanical drug climbing vine. As the main part of the traditional Chinese medicine, the rhizome has a long history. A great number of literary studies have reported that it can be used for the improvement of blood circulation, hemostasis, activation of collaterals, etc. When it comes to the wide application of R. cordifolia in traditional medicine, we systematically review its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological effects. Literatures were systematically searched using several scientific databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Baidu Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and other professional websites. Kew Botanical Garden and the iPlant were used for obtaining the scientific names and plant images of R. cordifolia. In addition, other information was also gathered from books including traditional Chinese herbal medicine, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and Chinese Materia Medica. So far, many prescriptions containing R. cordifolia have been widely used in the clinical treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding, primary dysmenorrhea and other gynecological diseases, allergic purpura, renal hemorrhage and other diseases. The phytochemistry studies have reported that more than 100 compounds are found in R. cordifolia, such as bicyclic peptides, terpenes, polysaccharides, trace elements, flavonoids, and quinones. Among them, quinones and peptides are the types of components with the highest contents in R. cordifolia. The modern pharmacological studies have revealed that R. cordifolia and its derived components have anti-tumor, anti-oxidative, anti-platelet aggregation, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, most studies are preclinical. The pharmacological mechanism of R. cordifolia has not been thoroughly studied. In addition, there are few pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies of R. cordifolia, therefore the clinical safety data for R. cordifolia is lacking. To sum up, this review for the first time summarizes a systemic and integrated traditional uses, chemical compositions, pharmacological actions and clinical applications of R. cordifolia, which provides the novel and full-scale insight for the drug development, medicinal value, and application of R. cordifolia in the future.

Ameliorative effect of rubiadin-loaded nanocarriers in STZ-NA-induced diabetic nephropathy in rats: formulation optimization, molecular docking, and in vivo biological evaluation

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a significant source of end-stage renal illness all over the world in both developed and developing countries. The aim of the study was to optimize rubiadin-loaded niosomes (RLN) using Box-Behnken design for the management of streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA)-induced DN in Wistar rats. The RLN were formulated by a "thin-layer hydration technique." The optimization of RLN was done by Box-Behnken design; the independent variables were cholesterol (CHOL), Span 80, and methanol, while the dependent factors were the vesicle size, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency. The optimized formulation was characterized for various biochemical parameters including anti-diabetic activity in Wistar rats. The optimized RLN presented vesicle size of 238 nm, zeta potential -68 mV, and entrapment efficiency 85%. A noteworthy decreased in blood glucose level was detected in STZ-NA-induced DN rats when orally treated with RLN (100 mg/kg/week and 200 mg/kg/week). Oral administration of RLN formulation considerably decreased the levels of urea, uric acid, and creatinine in DN rats. In addition, treatment of DN rats with RLN formulation considerably improves the level of TBARS, GSH, SOD, and CAT. The lipid profile of DN rats was also improved on treatment with RLN formulation. This study revealed that the prepared RLN formulation was successfully optimized by Box-Behnken design and found to be useful for the management of STZ-NA-induced DN in Wistar rats.

Development of an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-Orbitrap mass spectrometry method for determination of xanthopurpurin in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic study

A rapid and sensitive method was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of xanthopurpurin (XPP) in rat plasma using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-Orbitrap mass spectrometry. XPP inhibits IgE production and prevents peanut-induced anaphylaxis. The XPP and emodin (internal standard) were determined in negative ion mode with m/z 239.0350 → 211.0400 and 269.0455 → 241.0507, respectively. The separation process was achieved using an ACQUITY UPLC HSS T₃ column with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water (85:15). The linear range was 0.5-100 ng/mL, and the correlation coefficient (r² ) was > 0.993. The inter-day and intra-day precision was within an acceptable range of 15%. The extraction recovery and matrix effect were 78.9-87.2% and 94.3-98.5%, respectively. Under different conditions, the XPP was stable in the range of 5.6-10.6%. This method was successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of XPP with an oral dose of 10.0 mg/kg and intravenous dose of 2.0 mg/kg in rats. The absolute oral bioavailability of XPP was 4.6%.

A Review of the Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology of Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma

Rubia cordifolia Linn (Rubiaceae) is a climbing perennial herbal plant, which is widely distributed in China and India. Its root and rhizome, Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma (called Qiancao in China and Indian madder in India), is a well known phytomedicine used for hematemesis, epistaxis, flooding, spotting, traumatic bleeding, amenorrhea caused by obstruction, joint impediment pain, swelling and pain caused by injuries from falls. In addition, it is a kind of pigment utilized as a food additive and a dye for wool or fiber. This review mainly concentrates on studies of the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of this Traditional Chinese Medicine. The phytochemical evidences indicated that over a hundred chemical components have been found and isolated from the medicine, such as anthraquinones, naphthoquinones, triterpenoids, cyclic hexapeptides and others. These components are considered responsible for the various bioactivities of the herbal drug, including anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, immunomodulation, antitumor, effects on coagulation-fibrinolysis system, neuroprotection and other effects. Additionally, based on these existing results, we also propose some interesting future research directions. Consequently, this review should help us to more comprehensively understand and to more fully utilize the herbal medicine Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma.

Gastroprotective activity of chloroform extract of Muntingia calabura and Melastoma malabathricum leaves

CONTEXT

Muntingia calabura L. (family Muntingiaceae) and Melastoma malabathricum L. (family Melastomaceae) are traditionally used to treat gastric ulcer.

OBJECTIVE

The present study determines the mechanisms of gastroprotective activity of the chloroform extract of leaves obtained from both the plants using several in vitro and in vivo assays.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Phytochemical screening, HPLC analysis, and antioxidant activity of the respective extract were carried out. Gastroprotective activity was determined using ethanol-induced gastric ulcer assay while the mechanisms of gastroprotection were determined using the pyloric ligation assay. The test solutions [8% Tween-80 (vehicle), 20 mg/kg omeprazole, and different doses of extracts (50, 250, or 500 mg/kg] were administered orally once daily for 7 consecutive days before the animals were subjected to ethanol induced gastric ulcers.

RESULTS

The chloroform-extracted M. calabura (CEMC) contains tannins, polyphenolics, triterpenes, and steroids while the chloroform-extracted M. malabathricum (CEMM) contains only triterpenes and steroids. CEMC, but not CEMM, exerted remarkably strong antioxidant activity in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)- (86% versus 16%) and superoxide- (73% versus 36%) radical scavenging assays. Both extracts demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) gastroprotection with the EC50 value recorded at 192.3 or 297.7 mg/kg, respectively. In the pylorus ligation assay, CEMC and CEMM significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the total and free acidity and volume; while increased the pH of gastric juice as well as the gastric wall mucus content in comparison with the vehicle-treated group.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

CEMC and CEMM exert gastroprotective effects in animals with ethanol-induced gastric ulcers via antioxidant and anti-secretory effects.

Gastroprotective activity of the hydroethanolic extract and isolated compounds from the leaves of Solanum cernuum Vell

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Solanum cernuum Vell. (Solanaceae) is a Brazilian medicinal plant, traditionally known as "panaceia". Its folk name is probably due to its wide range of applications in traditional medicine including the treatment of ulcers.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the gastroprotective activities of the hydroethanolic extract (ESC) of S. cernuum and its major isolated compounds using in vivo gastric ulcer models.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The ESC extract was obtained by maceration followed by percolation of the dried and powdered leaves of S. cernuum in ethanol:water (7:3). The major compounds in the extract were isolated by applying various preparative chromatographic techniques. The gastroprotective activity was evaluated in mice using different gastric ulcer-induced models. The anti-Helicobacter pylori activity was performed using the agar-well diffusion and broth microdilution methods.

RESULTS

The ESC extract showed gastroprotective effects in the assay of acute gastric ulcer-induced by HCl/EtOH, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and acetic acid-induced chronic ulcer protocols. The results also demonstrated that the gastroprotection induced by ESC extract is related to the activity of nitric oxide and endogenous sulfhydryls, which are important gastroprotective factors. The ESC extract and the alkaloid cernumidine did not show activity against H. pylori in the concentrations tested.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed that the crude extract of S. cernuum possessed gastroprotective activity which corroborating the traditional use of this plant for the treatment of gastric ulcers. The isolated flavonoids, quercitrin and afzelin as well as the phenylpropanoid, isoferulic acid are suggested to be the compounds responsible for the gastroprotective activity of S. cernuum extract.

Structural and bioactive studies of terpenes and cyclopeptides from the Genus Rubia

Genus Rubia fell into about 70 species distributed widely around the world, a total of 36 species and 2 varieties were reported from China. The extracts and phytochemicals of Rubia plants had drawn considerable attention due to their potent bioactivities. As the two major ingredients from these plants, pentacyclic triterpenes and cyclopeptides were becoming a hot topic over the past twenty years for their remarkable anticancer, antioxidant and other effects. This paper compiled all 65 terpenes and 44 cyclopeptides with their distributions, physiological activities and melting points (or optical rotations) as reported in 85 references; besides, structure-activity relationships of these derivatives were briefly discussed. The information involved in this paper was expected to be meaningful for the further studies of the Genus Rubia.

Antiulcer Activity of Indigenous Plant Operculina turpethum Linn

In the Indian traditional system of medicine Operculina turpethum is commonly used to treat various ailments including peptic ulcer, inflammation, and pain. Ulcer preventive and ulcer protective activities of HAOP and MOP stem bark extracts of Operculina turpethum (100 mg/kg, b.w., orally) were evaluated employing aspirin + pylorus ligation (APL) model in experimental rats. The results suggested that both extracts (HAOP and MOP) possess enhanced ulcer preventive and protective activities when compared with the standard drug ranitidine. HAOP showed more pronounced effect when compared to MOP. Further the result of the histopathological and biochemical studies also confirms potent ulcer preventive and protective nature of a extracts in a similar manner.