Phyllanthus emblica L. Enhances Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Wound Healing and Sprouting

One-Pot and Green Preparation of Phyllanthus emblica Extract/Silver Nanoparticles/Polyvinylpyrrolidone Spray-On Dressing

A spray-on wound dressing has many benefits, including easy and quick administration to broad and uneven wounds, better interface with the wound site, adhesion without additional dressing, and multiple applications in a portable package. By limiting direct contact with the wound site, such a design can prevent wound damage during treatment. This study revealed a simple, one-pot synthesis of spray-on wound dressing relying on polyvinylpyrrolidone solution incorporating silver nanoparticles as a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent and wound-healing antioxidant Phyllanthus emblica extract. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized in situ using Phyllanthus emblica extract as a biogenic reducing agent. Polyvinylpyrrolidone was employed as a film-forming agent to create an adhesive hydrogel-based dressing matrix to provide moisture and establish a shielding barrier for the wound bed as well as to regulate the release of fruit extract. In vitro tests revealed that the produced dressing film had a controlled release of the fruit extract, high antioxidant activity, and a good antibacterial action against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and MRSA. Additionally, a biocompatibility study has shown that both human fibroblasts and keratinocytes are unaffected by the dressing film. Based on established findings, the current spray-on solution might be a potential option for antibacterial wound dressing.

Screening of potential tropical fruits in protecting endothelial dysfunction in vitro

Background

High consumption of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables reduces the endothelial damage involved in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis.

Objective

To evaluate the phytochemical content, antioxidant and scavenging activities (FRAP, ORAC, OH^•, HOCl, H₂O₂, and O₂ ^-), endothelial H₂O₂-cytoprotective effect, nitric oxide (NO) release activation potential, and endothelial wound healing properties of 10 tropical fruits, comprising pineapple, sugar apple, papaya fruit, longan, mangosteen, lychee, langsat, mango, rambutan, and guava.

Design

Experimental study. The experiments were conducted in vitro using endothelial cell line EA.hy926.

Results

The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of gallic acid and quercetin in all fruits, along with the overall absence of ellagic acid. Chlorogenic acid was only detected in three fruits, that is, pineapple, ripe papaya, and guava. The antioxidant and scavenging activities of all fruits were concentration-dependent. Only the H₂O₂ scavenging activity exhibited broad positive associations with other ROS-scavenging activities. Sugar apple and unripe papaya induced a significant reduction in H₂O₂-induced cell death in endothelial cells while pineapple, sugar apple, longan, and langsat activated NO release.

Discussion

All the studied tropical fruits contained bioactive phytoantioxidants with wide ranges of antioxidant capacity and scavenging activities. The endothelial functional tests were relevant to the screening for fruits that may benefit cardiovascular health. Among the four fruits that promoted endothelial wound closure, only sugar apple and unripe papaya induced cell migration and vascular capillary-like tube formation.

Conclusion

Sugar apple and unripe papaya are potential functional fruits that can protect against oxidative cell death and enhance endothelial wound healing.

An Overview on Collagen and Gelatin-Based Cryogels: Fabrication, Classification, Properties and Biomedical Applications

Decades of research into cryogels have resulted in the development of many types of cryogels for various applications. Collagen and gelatin possess nontoxicity, intrinsic gel-forming ability and physicochemical properties, and excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, making them very desirable candidates for the fabrication of cryogels. Collagen-based cryogels (CBCs) and gelatin-based cryogels (GBCs) have been successfully applied as three-dimensional substrates for cell culture and have shown promise for biomedical use. A key point in the development of CBCs and GBCs is the quantitative and precise characterization of their properties and their correlation with preparation process and parameters, enabling these cryogels to be tuned to match engineering requirements. Great efforts have been devoted to fabricating these types of cryogels and exploring their potential biomedical application. However, to the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive overviews focused on CBCs and GBCs have been reported currently. In this review, we attempt to provide insight into the recent advances on such kinds of cryogels, including their fabrication methods and structural properties, as well as potential biomedical applications.

Potential Use of Amla (Phyllanthus emblica L.) Fruit Extract to Protect Skin Keratinocytes from Inflammation and Apoptosis after UVB Irradiation

Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure is the primary risk factor for the deadliest type of skin cancer—melanoma. Incorporating natural antioxidants in skin protection products is currently a favored research theme. For this study, we selected Phyllanthus emblica L. fruit extract (PE) to assess its potential use in dermal protection against UVB-induced keratinocyte inflammation and apoptosis. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to investigate PE’s phytochemical constituents (ascorbic acid, ellagic acid, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin), while ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), total ROS, OH^•, O₂^•−, and H₂O₂-scavenging activities were used to determine the antioxidant properties. PE significantly increased the cell viability (MTT assay) and reduced apoptosis (Hoechst staining) in HaCaT cells exposed to UVB (40 mJ/cm²). PE abolished oxidative stress by reducing the production of intracellular ROS, O₂^•− and H₂O₂ production. Catalase activity (but not superoxide dismutase or glutathione peroxidase activity) was enhanced in keratinocytes incubated with PE prior to UVB exposure. Western blot analysis suggested that PE inhibited cytochrome c release and inhibited the dysregulation of PI3K/Akt without any impact on p38 activation. PE attenuated the inflammatory response to UVB irradiation by inhibiting AP-1, NF-κB, and the mediator PGE₂. Thus, PE is a candidate with great potential for use as an active ingredient in skin care products.

Advances in biotechnology of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. syn. Phyllanthus emblica L.: a nutraceuticals-rich fruit tree with multifaceted ethnomedicinal uses

Emblica officinalis Gaertn. syn. Phyllanthus emblica L., universally known as ‘Amla’ or ‘Aonla’ or ‘Indian gooseberry’, is a popular fruit tree belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae and order Geraniales. It is said to be the very first tree that originated on earth, as claimed by age-old Indian mythology. Almost all parts of the tree i.e., root, bark, leaf, flower, fruit and seed are utilized in Ayurvedic and Unani medicinal formulations to improve the overall digestive process, decrease fever, act as a blood purifier, relieve asthma and cough, improve heart health, etc. This tree contains major secondary metabolites like emblicanin-A and emblicanin-B, and also is an affluent source of vitamin-C. Additionally, some other secondary metabolites like tannins, gallic acid, pyrogallol, and pectin are also present in significant amounts. Conventional propagation has been improved via suitable interventions of agrotechnology both in production and protection areas. However, the rate of propagation remains slower; therefore, attempts have been made for biotechnological advancements on E. officinalis. The present review makes an attempt to highlight the botanical description, geographical distribution, ethnopharmacological importance, conventional propagation and protection of this medicinal tree, describing the in vitro-based plant organ and tissue culture methods like direct and indirect organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis along with interventions of molecular marker-based biotechnology and nanotechnology. Further, the prospect of the yet-to-be-explored biotechnological methods for secondary metabolite enhancement like cell suspension, protoplast culture, genetic transformation, etc. and their potential for enhanced emblicanin production have also been discussed in this appraisal.

Potential effect of tropical fruits Phyllanthus emblica L. for the prevention and management of type 2 diabetic complications: a systematic review of recent advances

Phyllanthus emblica is a fruit widely consumed in subtropical areas, which is rich in polyphenols and other nutrients. There are increasing evidences that as a daily and nutritious fruit, it may have a positive role in controlling diabetic complications. According to the new study, its mechanisms include enhancing the functioning of insulin, reducing insulin resistance, activating the insulin-signaling pathway, protecting β-cells, scavenging free radicals, alleviating inflammatory reactions, and reducing the accumulation of advanced glycation end products. Owing to its few side effects, and low price, it should be easily accepted by patients and has potential for preventing diabetes. Taken together, Phyllanthus emblica may be an ideal fruit for controlling diabetic complications. This review highlights the latest findings of the role of Phyllanthus emblica in anti-diabetes and its complications, especially clarifies the molecular mechanism of the chemical components related to this effect, and prospects some existing problems and future research directions.

Traditional and modern aspects of hemorrhoid treatment in Iran: a review

Hemorrhoidal disease is a prevalent anorectal condition which is generally not managed well with current pharmacologic interventions. However, in Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) there are numerous plants with hemorrhoid-healing properties. The present research assembled plants with hemorrhoid-healing properties in ITM; their related pharmacological effects, phytochemical constituents and mechanisms of action in the modern medicine were also gathered. For this purpose, leading ITM textbooks were searched for plants with hemorrhoid-healing effects. Further, in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies on the most cited species were considered using scientific databases. Studying ITM textbooks revealed 37 medicinal plants with hemorrhoid-healing effects. Among the mentioned herbal medicines, six species, including Allium ampeloprasum, Phyllanthus emblica, Aloe vera, Terminalia chebula, Vitis vinifera and Commiphora mukul, had the largest number of related pharmacological effects documented in scientific databases. These herbs from ITM should be considered as important resources for producing novel drugs for hemorrhoid treatment.

Development of gelatin/ascorbic acid cryogels for potential use in corneal stromal tissue engineering

To offer an ideal hospitable environment for corneal keratocyte growth, the carrier materials can be functionalized with incorporation of signaling molecules to regulate cell biological events. This study reports, for the first time, the development of gelatin/ascorbic acid (AA) cryogels for keratocyte carriers in vitro and in vivo. The cryogel samples were fabricated by blending of gelatin with varying amounts of AA (0-300 mg) and carbodiimide cross-linking via cryogelation technique. Hydrophilic AA content in the carriers was found to significantly affect cross-linking degree and pore dimension of cryogels, thereby dictating their mechanical and biological stability and AA release profile. The cryogel carriers with low-to-moderate AA loadings were well tolerated by rabbit keratocyte cultures and anterior segment eye tissues, demonstrating good ocular biocompatibility. Although higher incorporated AA level contributed to enhanced metabolic activity and biosynthetic capacity of keratocytes grown on cryogel matrices, the presence of excessive amounts of AA molecules could lead to toxic effect and limit cell proliferation and matrix production. The cytoprotective activity against oxidative stress was shown to be strongly dependent on AA release, which further determined cell culture performance and tissue reconstruction efficiency. With the optimum AA content in carrier materials, intrastromally implanted cell/cryogel constructs exhibited better capability to enhance tissue matrix regeneration and transparency maintenance as well as to mitigate corneal damage in an alkali burn-induced animal model. It is concluded that understanding of antioxidant molecule-mediated structure-property-function interrelationships in gelatin/AA cryogels is critical to designing carrier materials for potential use in corneal stromal tissue engineering.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Multifunctional cryogel material can offer an ideal hospitable environment for cell-mediated tissue reconstruction. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the use of gelatin/ascorbic acid (AA) cryogels as keratocyte carriers for corneal stromal tissue engineering. The AA loading during cryogel fabrication is found to have a significant effect on cross-linking degree and pore dimension, mechanical and biological stability, ocular biocompatibility, cell culture performance, and cytoprotective activity, giving comprehensive insight into fine-tuning the structure-property-function interrelationships of keratocyte carrier material. Using an alkali burn-induced animal model, we present evidence that with the optimum AA loading into cryogel materials, intrastromally implanted cell/carrier constructs exhibited better capability to enhance tissue matrix regeneration and transparency maintenance as well as to mitigate corneal damage.

Selected activities of Citrus maxima Merr. fruits on human endothelial cells: enhancing cell migration and delaying cellular aging

Endothelial injury and damage as well as accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in aging play a significant role in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent studies show an association of high citrus fruit intake with a lower risk of CVD and stroke but the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. This study investigated the effects of pummelo (Citrus maxima Merr. var. Tubtim Siam, CM) fruit extract on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs) migration and aging. The freeze-dried powder of fruit extract was characterized for antioxidant capacity (FRAP assay) and certain natural antioxidants, including ascorbic acid, gallic acid, hesperidin, and naringin (HPLC). Short-term (48 h) co-cultivation of HUVECs with CM enhanced cell migration as evaluated by a scratch wound assay and Boyden chamber assay. A long-term treatment with CM for 35 days significantly increased HUVEC proliferation capability as indicated by population doubling level (PDL). CM also delayed the onset of aging phenotype shown by senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining. Furthermore, CM was able to attenuate increased ROS levels in aged cells when determined by 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCDHF) while eNOS mRNA expression was increased but the eNOS protein level was not changed. Thus, further in vivo and clinical studies are warranted to support the use of pummelo as a functional fruit for endothelial health and CVD risk reduction.