Evaluation of the antibacterial and antifungal potential of Peltophorum africanum: toxicological effect on human Chang liver cell line

Reverse pharmacology approach to validate the diabetic wound-healing activity of Jatyadi thailam formulations in vitro on diabetic mimic environment

OBJECTIVE

Jatyadi thailam, an Ayurvedic preparation, is renowned for its efficacy in diabetic wound healing and inflammation. This study aimed to validate and compare the diabetic wound-healing potential of two Jatyadi thailam formulations - Ayurvedic formulary of India Jatyadi thailam (JT-AFI) and Yogagrantha formulation of Jatyadi thailam (JT-YG), in a diabetic environment using L929 fibroblast cells in vitro.

METHODOLOGY

The effects on cell survival, proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, ROS generation, and mitochondrial function were evaluated.

RESULTS

The formulations promoted cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, while also regulating cell cycle and apoptosis. They effectively suppressed ROS generation and modulated mitochondrial function. JT-AFI exhibited superior efficacy in accelerating diabetic wound healing compared to JT-YG.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide substantial support for the mechanistic role of Jatyadi thailam in diabetic wound healing.

Medicinal Uses of the Fabaceae Family in Zimbabwe: A Review

The current study is aimed at providing a systematic review of the ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Fabaceae species used as sources of traditional medicinies in Zimbabwe. Fabaceae is one of the well-known plant families of ethnopharmacological importance. Of the approximately 665 species of the Fabaceae family occurring in Zimbabwe, about 101 are used for medicinal purposes. Many communities in the country, mainly in peri-urban, rural and marginalized areas with limited access to healthcare facilities, rely on traditional medicines as their primary healthcare. The study reviewed research studies undertaken on Zimbabwe's Fabaceae species during 1959 to 2022. Information was gathered from literature sourced from Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, books, dissertations, theses and scientific reports. This study showed that 101 species are traditionally used to manage human and animal diseases in Zimbabwe. The genera with the highest number of medicinal uses are Indigofera, Senna, Albizia, Rhynchosia and Vachellia. Species of these genera are used as traditional medicines against 134 medical conditions, mainly gastrointestinal conditions, female reproductive conditions, respiratory conditions and sexually transmitted infections. Shrubs (39.0%), trees (37.0%) and herbs (18.0%) are the primary sources of traditional medicines, while roots (80.2%), leaves (36.6%), bark (27.7%) and fruits (8.9%) are the most widely used plant parts. Many of Zimbabwe's Fabaceae species used as sources of traditional medicines have been assessed for their phytochemical and pharmacological properties, corroborating their medicinal uses. However, there is a need to unravel the therapeutic potential of the family through further ethnopharmacological research focusing on toxicological studies, in vitro and in vivo models, biochemical assays and pharmacokinetic studies.

Medicinal plants used for the management of respiratory diseases in Zimbabwe: Review and perspectives potential management of COVID-19

Respiratory diseases have in the recent past become a health concern globally. More than 523 million cases of coronavirus disease (COVID19), a recent respiratory diseases have been reported, leaving more than 6 million deaths worldwide since the start of the pandemic. In Zimbabwe, respiratory infections have largely been managed using traditional (herbal) medicines, due to their low cost and ease of accessibility. This review highlights the plants' toxicological and pharmacological evaluation studies explored. It seeks to document plants that have been traditionally used in Zimbabwe to treat respiratory ailments within and beyond the past four decades. Extensive literature review based on published papers and abstracts retrieved from the online bibliographic databases, books, book chapters, scientific reports and theses available at Universities in Zimbabwe, were used in this study. From the study, there were at least 58 plant families comprising 160 medicinal plants widely distributed throughout the country. The Fabaceae family had the highest number of medicinal plant species, with a total of 21 species. A total of 12 respiratory ailments were reportedly treatable using the identified plants. From a total of 160 plants, colds were reportedly treatable with 56, pneumonia 53, coughs 34, chest pain and related conditions 29, asthma 25, tuberculosis and spots in lungs 22, unspecified respiratory conditions 20, influenza 13, bronchial problems 12, dyspnoea 7, sore throat and infections 5 and sinus clearing 1 plant. The study identified potential medicinal plants that can be utilised in future to manage respiratory infections.

Identification of a novel multifunctional oxidosqualene cyclase from Zea mays sheds light on the biosynthetic pathway of three pentacyclic triterpenoids

Zea mays (maize) is an important agricultural crop that produces a variety of valuable terpenoids, including several triterpenoids. However, no oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) enzymes, which catalyze the first step in triterpenoid biosynthesis, have been identified in maize. Here, we identified a novel OSC (ZmOSC1) in maize using a combination of genomic mining and phylogenetic analyses. To functionally characterize the candidate OSC, we constructed a yeast strain that produced high levels of 2,3-oxidosqualene. When ZmOSC1 was expressed in this strain, three compounds were detected and identified as hop-17(21)-en-3-ol, hopenol B and simiarenol, respectively. For their biosynthesis, we proposed a potential cyclization mechanism catalyzed by ZmOSC1 via the generation of a dammarenyl cation, followed by sequential cationic ring expansion, cyclization, cationic migration and further proton elimination. This study discovered and characterized an OSC from maize for the first time, and laid a foundation to produce three bioactive pentacyclic triterpenes, hop-17(21)-en-3-ol, hopenol B and simiarenol, using synthetic biology approaches.

Comparative analysis of the seasonal influence on polyphenolic content, antioxidant capacity, identification of bioactive constituents and hepatoprotective biomarkers by in silico docking analysis in Premna integrifolia L

The present study reports the effect of different seasons on polyphenol content and antioxidant potential of ethanolic, methanolic, ethyl acetate, and aqueous extracts of leaves, stems, and roots of Premna integrifolia. Ethyl acetate extract of leaves (EAEPI) collected in the rainy season showed potent antioxidant activity with highest total phenol (74.33 ± 2.26 µg/mg, gallic acid equivalent), and flavonoid (98.83 ± 0.26 µg/mg, rutin equivalent) content. Therefore, EAEPI extract was subjected to characterization by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and GC-MS analysis for the identification of active constituents. UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis in + ve ion mode revealed the presence of eight polyphenolic compounds namely quercetin-3-D-xyloside, kaempferol-3,7-O-bis-alpha-L-rhamnoside, isorhamnetin-3-Oglucoside, luteolin-3',7-di-O-glucoside, eriodictyol-7-O-glucoside, syringetin-3-O-galactoside, petunidin-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside and vitexin-2″-O-rhamnoside. GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of 26 compounds with six major compounds viz; citronellol, phytol acetate, campesterol, squalene, stigmasterol, and hexadecanoic acid. These compounds are reported for the first time from P. integrifolia except phytol and stigmasterol. Our previous study validates the hepatoprotective potential of P. integrifolia but there was no idea about the bioactive compound responsible for the activity. So, in present work, the major compounds identified in spectrometry analysis were subjected to in silico docking against an important liver enzyme alanine amino transaminase to confirm its hepatoprotective properties. Docking analysis validates the presence of two hepatoprotective lead compounds stigmasterol, and campesterol, which satisfy the drug-likeness criteria with good absorption, distribution, metabolism, and toxicity properties. Thus, present work gives a clear insight about the influence of season on the total polyphenolic constituent in different plant parts of P. integrifolia, their antioxidant potential and preclinical evaluation of hepatoprotective lead compounds.

Target and non-target effects of Foeniculum vulgare and Matricaria chamomilla combined extract on Culex pipiens mosquitoes

The present study focused on extracting green larvicides from extracts of the combination of Foeniculum vulgare and Matricaria chamomilla using different solvents of increasing polarity in a Soxhlet extractor and evaluating their ovicidal, larvicidal, and cytotoxic activities. The most promising among all tested extracts was hexane extract. The ovicidal activity of the hexane PH2 extract resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in egg hatchability from 95.00 ± 6.16% to 15 ± 9.04% at doses ranging from 62.5 to 500 µg/mL. The larval mortality with the hexane extract ranged from 13.33 ± 3.3% to 93.33 ± 3.3% at doses ranging from 31.25 to 250 µg/mL, respectively. The LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of the larvicidal activity of the hexane extract were estimated to be 148.3 and 242.17 µg/mL, respectively, after 24 h of exposure. Similarly, the LC₅₀ values after 48 and 72 h of exposure were 124.93 and 100.3 µg/mL, respectively, against the third instar of Cx. pipiens. PH2 treatment of larvae resulted in histopathological changes such as degenerated epithelial cells and destruction of microvilli on the epithelial cells. The PH2 extract achieved a dose-dependent decrease in the rate of cell survival. The IC₅₀ value of PH2-treated HUVECs was 192.07 µg/mL after 24 h of incubation. The cells showed changes in cellular and nuclear morphology. In conclusion, the hexane extract of PH2 could be used in mosquito management programs.

In vitro wound healing potency of methanolic leaf extract of Aristolochia saccata is possibly mediated by its stimulatory effect on collagen-1 expression

Background

Identification and assessment of therapeutic potential of natural products derived from medicinal plants have led to the discovery of innovative and economical drugs to treat several diseases, including chronic wounds. In vitro cell based scratch assay is an appropriate and inexpensive method for initial understanding of wound healing potential of medicinal plant extracts. The current study was aimed at investigating the wound healing capacity of Aristolochia saccata leaf extract by using scratch assay as a primary model, where proliferative and migratory capabilities of test compounds could be monitored through microscopy studies. A. saccata is an evergreen climbing shrub belongs to the family Aristolochiaceae.

Methods

Methanolic extraction of the plant material was done using Soxhlet apparatus and the cytotoxicity of the extract on L929 cells was studied by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. L929 is a human fibroblast cell line. In vitro scratch assay was performed to evaluate the wound healing properties of A. saccata leaf extract and possible mechanism of action was analyzed by flow cytometric expression studies of an extracellular matrix (ECM) factor, collagen type-1.

Results

MTT assay revealed that A. saccata leaf extract had no cytotoxic effect on the cells and at higher concentrations, the extract showed mild toxicity resulting in the death of just 2.88% cells. Scratch assay showed 34.05%, 70.00%, 93.52% wound closure at 12hrs, 24hrs and 48hrs of incubation respectively. These results were similar compared to positive control which showed 37.60, 56.41 and 99.05% of wound closure. Further, flow cytometry-based studies revealed that the A. saccata leaf extract induced the expression of ECM remodelling factor collagen-1.

Conclusion

Our study revealed the wound healing capabilities of A. saccata In vitro. Hence, A. saccata could be recommended as a potential source of wound healing agents.

Antifungal, anti-oxidant activity and cytotoxicity of South African medicinal plants against mycotoxigenic fungi

Fungal strains belonging to genus Fusarium and Aspergillus are known to infect crops, resulting in threatened food security and less agricultural crop yields. The aim of the current work was to investigate the anti-mycotoxigenic activity, cytotoxic effect and antioxidant potential of selected South African medicinal plants extracts. The aqueous and organic extracts of the leaves from selected medicinal plants were investigated for their antifungal activity against various fungal strains that are known to infect crops and produce mycotoxins. Antioxidant activity, total phenolic and total flavonoids contents were also evaluated. Organic extract of Milletia grandis (E. Mey) Skeels revealed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.01 mg/mL against Aspergillus ochraceous, Fusarium graminearum and Furasium oxysporum. Generally, organic extracts revealed significant antifungal activity compared to aqueous extracts. Carpobrutus eludis L. and Warburgia salutaris (G. Bertol) Chiov. revealed a potent cytotoxic effect yielding 50 % lethal concentration (LC50) value of 0.01 mg/mL against Bovine dermis and Vero cells respectively. Ricinus communis L. revealed a 50 % inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 945 μg/mL against 2, 2 diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH). Generally, the plant species revealed lower flavonoids compared to phenolic contents. The biological activity of the selected plant extracts may be attributed to the high phenolic contents.

In-vitro Assessment of the Antiproliferative and Apoptotic Potential of the Ethyl acetate Extract of Peltophorumafricanum on Different Cancer Cell Lines

We evaluated the in-vitro antiproliferative and apoptotic potential of the ethyl acetate extract (EAE) of Peltophorum africanum, a member of the family Fabaceae (Sond) in order to validate its pharmacological use. Antiproliferation of human breast (MCF-7), colon (HT-29) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines by EAE was investigated using the Cell Titer-Blue viability assay and the mechanism of action delineated using the Nucleic Acid and Protein Purification Nucleospin^® Tissue Kit, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), propidium iodide (PI) and acridine orange (AO) double-staining techniques. We observed a significant reduction in cell viability of the MCF-7 cells from 100% (untreated) to 54.33 ± 1.84% after 72 h of treatment with 5 µg/mL of EAE (P. value < 0.05). Internucleosomal DNA of MCF-7, HT-29 and HeLa cells was randomly fragmented into an uninterrupted spectrum of sizes, complemented by the intercalation of nucleic acid-specific fluorochromes by PI and AO spotting two phases of apoptosis; early (EA) and late (LA) apoptosis. Distinctive ultramorphological changes observed included; cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, and typical cell induced death. The ethyl acetate extract of P.africanum has the potential to induce apoptosis and is undergoing further studies in-vivo as a likely template for new anticancer therapy.

In vitro evaluation of the comprehensive antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Curtisia dentata (Burm.f) C.A. Sm: toxicological effect on the Human embryonic kidney (HEK293) and Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines

Curtisia dentata is used in African traditional medicine to treat variety of infections. C. dentata leaves were collected from Buffelskloof Nature Reserve, South Africa. The ethanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate and acetone extracts were evaluated for antimicrobial activity using micro dilution assay against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Candida albicans and some clinical isolates of Moraxella catarrhalis, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus isolated from HIV patient. Acetone extract exhibited lowest MIC of 0.01 mg/ml against Candida albicans compared to other extracts. Besides lupeol, betulinic acid and ursolic acid, β-sitosterol was isolated for the first time from C. dentata leaves and exhibited antimicrobial activity with MIC values ranging from 0.20 to 6.25 mg/ml. Furthermore, the ethanol extract and the four isolated compounds revealed microbicidal effect, with MIC index of less than 4. Ethanol extract revealed the best total activity of 2400 ml/g against Mycoplasma hominis. Cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds was further investigated against the Human embryonic kidney (HEK293) and Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines using the MTT assay. Ursolic acid exhibited the lowest LD₅₀ of 122.4 µg/ml against HEK293 cell line while lupeol exhibited LD₅₀ of 278.8 and 289.4 µg/ml against HEK293 and HepG2 respectively. Lupeol exhibited low selectivity index. Ethyl acetate and acetone extracts were further investigated for antioxidant activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The acetone extract exhibited potent inhibition of DPPH compared to ethyl acetate extract. The findings of the current work validate the use of the plant species in the treatment of various human infections.