Ethnopharmacological Significance of Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk. (Asteraceae)

Leprosy: Comprehensive insights into pathology, immunology, and cutting-edge treatment strategies, integrating nanoparticles and ethnomedicinal plants

Mycobacterium leprae is the causative agent responsible for the chronic disease known as leprosy. This condition is characterized by dermal involvement, often leading to peripheral nerve damage, sensory-motor loss, and related abnormalities. Both innate and acquired immunological responses play a role in the disease, and even in individuals with lepromatous leprosy, there can be a transient increase in T cell immunity during lepromatous reactions. Diagnosing of early-stage leprosy poses significant challenges. In this context, nanoparticles have emerged as a promising avenue for addressing various crucial issues related to leprosy. These include combatting drug resistance, mitigating adverse effects of conventional medications, and enhancing targeted drug delivery. This review serves as a comprehensive compilation, encompassing aspects of pathology, immunology, and adverse effects of multidrug delivery systems in the context of leprosy treatment. Furthermore, the review underscores the significance of ethnomedicinal plants, bioactive secondary metabolites, and nanotherapeutics in the management of leprosy. It emphasizes the potential to bridge the gap between existing literature and ongoing research efforts, with a profound scope for validating traditional claims, developing herbal medicines, and formulating nanoscale drug delivery systems that are safe, effective, and widely accepted.

Medicinal herbs and their metabolites with biological potential to protect and combat liver toxicity and its disorders: A review

The liver is an essential organ that helps the body with immunity, metabolism, and detoxification, among other functions. Worldwide, liver illnesses are a leading cause of mortality and disability. There are few effective treatment choices, but they frequently have unfavorable side effects. Investigating the potential of medicinal plants and their bioactive phytoconstituents in the prevention and treatment of liver disorders has gained more attention in recent years. An assessment of the hepatoprotective potential of medicinal plants and their bioactive secondary metabolites is the goal of this thorough review paper. To determine their hepatoprotective activity, these plants were tested against liver toxicity artificially induced in rats, mice and rabbits by chemical agents such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), paracetamol (PCM), thioacetamide (TAA), N-nitrosodiethylamine, d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide, antitubercular medicines (rifampin, isoniazid) and alcohol. To find pertinent research publications published between 1989 and 2022, a comprehensive search of electronic bibliographic databases (including Web of Science, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and others) was carried out. The investigation comprised 203 plant species from 81 families in total. A thorough discussion was mentioned regarding the hepatoprotective qualities of plants belonging to several families, such as Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, and Euphorbiaceae. The plant groups Asteraceae and Fabaceae were the most frequently shown to have hepatoprotective properties. The phytochemical constituents namely flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids exhibited the highest frequency of hepatoprotective action. Also, some possible mechanism of action of some active constituents from medicinal plants was discussed in brief which were found in some studies. In summary, the information on medicinal plants and their potentially hepatoprotective bioactive phytoconstituents has been consolidated in this review which emphasizes the importance of further research to explore the efficacy and safety of these natural remedies for various liver ailments.

Unraveling the secrets of Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk.: a comprehensive study of morpho-anatomy and DNA barcoding

Safety regarding herbal products is very necessary; therefore, routine identification of raw materials should be performed to ensure that the raw materials used in pharmaceutical products are suitable for their intended use. In order for the identification-related data obtained to be accurate, the identification of various kinds of markers is also very necessary. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk. based on qualitative morpho-anatomical markers and quantitative DNA coding. The morphology of this plant has herbaceous habit with a taproot and a stem with branches that appear from the middle. Leaves are single type imperfectly arranged oppositely, lanceolatus, finely serrated on the edges, tapered at the base, pointed at the end, and have a pinnate and hairy leaf surface. The flowers consist of ray flowers and tube flowers with a cup shape. Meanwhile, in terms of anatomy, E. alba has aerenchyma, which are scattered in the cortex of the root and stem. In addition, there are anisocytic stomata, glandular trichomes, and non-glandural trichomes with an elongated shape accompanied by ornamentation found on the leaf epidermis. The results of sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree reconstruction show that the sample plants are closely related to species in the genus Eclipta.

Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles from Eclipta alba and Its Activity Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Line (MDA-MB-231)

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) doesn't have well-defined molecular targets making it unable to treat with chemotherapy also have faster metastatic rate and worse survival rate. In the current study we aim to target TNBC through eco-friendly green synthesized silver nanoparticles having anti-cancer phytoconstituents from the traditional anti-cancer medicinal plant Eclipta alba. Green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are agglomerates of spherical shaped 40-60 nm sized showing characteristic light absorption at 437 nm, banding pattern at 1479, 1285, 1036, and 471 showing and further X-ray diffraction pattern confirm face-centered cubic crystal silver structure exist in the green synthesized silver nanoparticle preparation. Further in vitro anti-oxidant analysis results revealed that green synthesized AgNPs showed 2.6-fold higher anti-oxidant potential (IC50 15.70 g/ml) than that of aqueous plant leaf extract (IC50 39.80 g/ml). In MTT cytotoxicity analysis Eclipta alba plant extract and AgNPs both display dose-dependent cytotoxicity against triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), although their IC50 values differ substantially, at 105.80 µg/ml and 77.20 g/ml, respectively. Finally, AgNPs from Eclipta alba tested for anti-leishmanial activity and it showed 91.36 ± 1.05 for promastigotes and 76.62 ± 0.95 for amastigotes at the highest dose of 400 g/ml. Altogether present data showed that Eclipta alba leaf extract actively bonded with silver nanoparticles suppresses the MDA-MB-231 cells growth through high antioxidant characters and anti-leishmanial activity. From together we confirm that Eclipta alba was recommended to a future therapeutic drug and agent to control breast cancer in the clinical level.

Potential use of the Asteraceae family as a cure for diabetes: A review of ethnopharmacology to modern day drug and nutraceuticals developments

The diabetes-associated mortality rate is increasing annually, along with the severity of its accompanying disorders that impair human health. Worldwide, several medicinal plants are frequently urged for the management of diabetes. Reports are available on the use of medicinal plants by traditional healers for their blood-sugar-lowering effects, along with scientific evidence to support such claims. The Asteraceae family is one of the most diverse flowering plants, with about 1,690 genera and 32,000 species. Since ancient times, people have consumed various herbs of the Asteraceae family as food and employed them as medicine. Despite the wide variety of members within the family, most of them are rich in naturally occurring polysaccharides that possess potent prebiotic effects, which trigger their use as potential nutraceuticals. This review provides detailed information on the reported Asteraceae plants traditionally used as antidiabetic agents, with a major focus on the plants of this family that are known to exert antioxidant, hepatoprotective, vasodilation, and wound healing effects, which further action for the prevention of major diseases like cardiovascular disease (CVD), liver cirrhosis, and diabetes mellitus (DM). Moreover, this review highlights the potential of Asteraceae plants to counteract diabetic conditions when used as food and nutraceuticals. The information documented in this review article can serve as a pioneer for developing research initiatives directed at the exploration of Asteraceae and, at the forefront, the development of a botanical drug for the treatment of DM.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and production of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants

Medicinal plants are an important source of therapeutic compounds used in the treatment of many diseases since ancient times. Interestingly, they form associations with numerous microorganisms developing as endophytes or symbionts in different parts of the plants. Within the soil, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are the most prevalent symbiotic microorganisms forming associations with more than 70% of vascular plants. In the last decade, a number of studies have reported the positive effects of AMF on improving the production and accumulation of important active compounds in medicinal plants.In this work, we reviewed the literature on the effects of AMF on the production of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. The major findings are as follows: AMF impact the production of secondary metabolites either directly by increasing plant biomass or indirectly by stimulating secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways. The magnitude of the impact differs depending on the plant genotype, the AMF strain, and the environmental context (e.g., light, time of harvesting). Different methods of cultivation are used for the production of secondary metabolites by medicinal plants (e.g., greenhouse, aeroponics, hydroponics, in vitro and hairy root cultures) which also are compatible with AMF. In conclusion, the inoculation of medicinal plants with AMF is a real avenue for increasing the quantity and quality of secondary metabolites of pharmacological, medical, and cosmetic interest.

Identification of phytochemicals from Eclipta alba and assess their potentiality against Hepatitis C virus envelope glycoprotein: virtual screening, docking, and molecular dynamics simulation study

Hepatitis C virus has a major role in spreading chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Factors such as high costs, pharmacological side effects, and the development of drug resistance strains require the development of new and potentially effective antiviral to treat the various stages of Hepatitis C. Bioactive chemicals have been extracted from medicinal plants and are utilized by humans for the goal of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The goal of this work is to recognize phytochemicals from Eclipta alba and assess their potentiality activity against the hepatitis C virus envelope glycoprotein using in silico approaches. Phytochemicals from Eclipta alba were virtually screened by Auto dock raccoon and 12 compounds were selected for molecular docking to probe the active binding site. The top two compounds based on the binding score like ecliptalbine and oleanolic acid with HCV E2 glycoprotein exhibit binding energy -8.88 and -8.02 kcal/mol, respectively. The chemicals' usefulness was reinforced by positive pharmacokinetic data. The phytocompounds were identified as potent HCV inhibitors based on the drug likeness and ADMET properties. Both ecliptalbine and oleanolic acid underwent molecular dynamics simulations to determine features such as RMSD, RMSF, SASA, hydrogen-bond number, and MM-PBSA-based binding free energy. From the molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation study revealed that oleanolic acid obtained from Eclipta alba can be used as inhibitors against Hepatitis C. The identified inhibitor from our study will be study in vitro and in vivo studies to check their efficacy against Hepatitis C.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

An Artemisia cina n-hexane extract reduces the Haemonchus contortus and Teladorsagia circumcincta fecal egg count in naturally infected periparturient goats

The objective of this study was to evaluate an n-hexane extract of Artemisia cina (Acn-h) as a natural anthelmintic treatment for periparturient goats naturally infected with the nematodes Haemonchus contortus and Teladorsagia circumcincta. A total of 200 periparturient Alpine and Nubian goats were used. Deworming criteria were based on the following parameters: fecal egg account (epg), ocular mucosa color (OMC), and body condition (BC). A previous analysis using coprocultures of the flock revealed the presence of H. contortus (80%) and T. circumcincta (20%). The Acn-h contained two new compounds identified by mass spectrometry data as isoguaiacin and norisoguaiacin at 284.14 and 315 m/z. The lethal effects of Acn-h at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/mL on H. contortus adult stages were 31.6, 66.5, 81.3, and 86.9%, respectively (p < 0.05), showing similar efficacy at 2 and 4 mg/mL with albendazole (positive control group). Then, two experimental groups, with 100 goats in peripartum in each, were distributed randomly and treated at day 0 as follows: group 1 = 4 mg/kg of Acn-h as single oral dose, and group 2 = control group, treated with water (as a placebo). The epg, OMC, and BC parameters were recorded at 0 (periparturient period), 7 (birth period), and 23 (postpartum) days and analyzed using a completely randomized design with Duncan's test for comparison of means and analysis of variance. The following epg reductions were recorded in the Acn-h-treated group as follows: 20.1 ± 34.4 and 31.7 ± 38.2% at days 7 and 23 compared to the control group. During the whole experiment, no significant differences in OMC or BC were observed in relation to the control group, excepting at day 23 (p < 0.05) for BC in the group treated with A. cina. Thus, Acn-h can be a useful natural alternative tool for the control of the nematodes H. contortus and T. circumcincta in periparturient goat flocks.

Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. (Asteraceae): Ethnomedicinal Uses, Chemical Constituents, and Biological Activities

Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. (Syn.: Eclipta alba (L.) Hassak, Family: Asteraceae) is an important medicinal plant in the tropical and subtropical regions. It is widely used in treating various diseases of skin, liver and stomach in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and other countries. The main aim of this review was to collect and analyze the available information on traditional uses, phytoconstituents, and biological activities of E. prostrata. The scientific information was collected from the online bibliographic databases such as Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, SciFinder, etc. and books and proceedings. The active phytochemicals were coumestan derivatives, phenolic acid derivatives, flavonoids, triterpenoid and steroid saponins, substituted thiophenes, etc. Various extracts and isolated compounds of E. prostrata showed a wide range of biological activities such as antimicrobial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective and hair growth promoting activities. Relatively a few studies have been performed to reveal the exact phytoconstituents responsible for their corresponding pharmacological activities. Future studies should focus on detailed mechanism based studies using animal models and clinical studies.

Wedelolactone protects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice via inhibition of organic cation transporter 2

The balance of cisplatin uptake and efflux, mediated mainly by organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) and multidrug and toxin extrusion 1 (MATE1), respectively, determines the renal accumulation and nephrotoxicity of cisplatin. Using transporter-mediated cellular uptake assay, we identified wedelolactone (WEL), a medicinal plant-derived natural compound, is a competitive inhibitor of OCT2 and a noncompetitive inhibitor of MATE1. Wedelolactone showed a selectivity to inhibit OCT2 rather than MATE1. Cytotoxicity studies revealed that wedelolactone alleviated cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in OCT2-overexpressing HEK293 cells, whereas it did not alter the cytotoxicity of cisplatin in various cancer cell lines. Additionally, wedelolactone altered cisplatin pharmacokinetics, reduced kidney accumulation of cisplatin, and ameliorated cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in the Institute of Cancer Research mice. In conclusion, these findings suggest a translational potential of WEL as a natural therapy for preventing cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and highlight the need for drug-drug interaction investigations of WEL with other treatments which are substrates of OCT2 and/or MATE1.

Herbal drugs and natural bioactive products as potential therapeutics: A review on pro-cognitives and brain boosters perspectives

Memory, one of the most vital aspects of the human brain, is necessary for the effective survival of an individual. 'Memory' can be defined in various ways but in an overall view, memory is the retention of the information that the brain grasps. Different factors are responsible for the disbalance in the brain's hippocampus region and the acetylcholine level, which masters the memory and cognitive functions. Plants are a source of pharmacologically potent drug molecules of high efficacy. Recently herbal medicine has evolved rapidly, gaining great acceptance worldwide due to their natural origin and fewer side effects. In this review, the authors have discussed the mechanisms and pharmacological action of herbal bioactive compounds to boost memory. Moreover, this review presents an update of different herbs and natural products that could act as memory enhancers and how they can be potentially utilized in the near future for the treatment of severe brain disorders. In addition, the authors also discuss the differences in biological activity of the same herb and emphasize the requirement for a higher standardization in cultivation methods and plant processing. The demand for further studies evaluating the interactions of herbal drugs is mentioned.

Advantages of Hyaluronic Acid and Its Combination with Other Bioactive Ingredients in Cosmeceuticals

This study proposes a review on hyaluronic acid (HA) known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate and its derivates and their application in cosmetic formulations. HA is a glycosaminoglycan constituted from two disaccharides (N-acetylglucosamine and D-glucuronic acid), isolated initially from the vitreous humour of the eye, and subsequently discovered in different tissues or fluids (especially in the articular cartilage and the synovial fluid). It is ubiquitous in vertebrates, including humans, and it is involved in diverse biological processes, such as cell differentiation, embryological development, inflammation, wound healing, etc. HA has many qualities that recommend it over other substances used in skin regeneration, with moisturizing and anti-ageing effects. HA molecular weight influences its penetration into the skin and its biological activity. Considering that, nowadays, hyaluronic acid has a wide use and a multitude of applications (in ophthalmology, arthrology, pneumology, rhinology, aesthetic medicine, oncology, nutrition, and cosmetics), the present study describes the main aspects related to its use in cosmetology. The biological effect of HA on the skin level and its potential adverse effects are discussed. Some available cosmetic products containing HA have been identified from the brand portfolio of most known manufacturers and their composition was evaluated. Further, additional biological effects due to the other active ingredients (plant extracts, vitamins, amino acids, peptides, proteins, saccharides, probiotics, etc.) are presented, as well as a description of their possible toxic effects.

Pharmacological Mechanisms Underlying the Hepatoprotective Effects of Ecliptae herba on Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The number of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases worldwide has increased significantly. As a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with a long history, Ecliptae herba (EH) has been widely used in HCC patients in China, but its hepatoprotective mechanism is still unclear.

METHODS

In this study, we applied a network pharmacology-based strategy and experimental verification to systematically unravel the underlying mechanisms of EH against HCC. First, six active ingredients of EH were screened from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) by the ADME method. Subsequently, 52 potential targets of 6 active ingredients acting on HCC were screened from various databases, including TCMSP, DGIdb, SwissTargetPrediction, CTD, and GeneCards. Then, by constructing protein-protein interaction (PPI) network from STRING, we displayed the intricate connections among these 52 targets through Cytoscape software. We also applied enrichment analysis, including Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses, to provide an outline and set of concepts for describing gene functions and the advanced functions of biological systems of these 52 targets from genomic and molecular level information. Finally, molecular docking and biological experiments were used to reconfirm these results.

RESULTS

We hypothesized that EH might exert anti-HCC activity by acting on hub genes, including RELA, MMP9, PTGS2, ESR1, EGFR, AR, AKT1, HIF1A, AHR, CYP3A4, ABCG2, and MMP2. Moreover, based on GO and KEGG analysis, we speculated that EH may exert hepatoprotective effects on HCC through the following mechanisms: regulation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway to promote apoptosis and inhibit the abnormal proliferation of HCC, downregulation of HIF-1A expression by activating the HIF-1 signaling pathway, prevention of HCC by regulating lipid metabolism, and inhibition of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by the cytochrome P450 subfamily. Subsequent biological experiments verified that EH inhibits the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway through its active ingredients, quercetin, and wedelolactone, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of HCC cells and promoting the apoptosis of HCC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The network pharmacological strategy provides an efficient method to systematically explore the pharmacological mechanism of EH in HCC. Our study demonstrated that the anti-HCC proliferation activity of EH is mainly exerted by two active ingredients (quercetin and wedelolactone), which inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells (HepG2 and Huh-7) by inhibiting PI3K-AKT signaling.

Combined Extract of Leonurus japonicus Houtt, Eclipta prostrata L., and Pueraria lobata Ohwi Improved Hot Flashes and Depression in an Ovariectomized Rat Model of Menopause

Menopause leads to ovarian hormone loss, which causes symptoms such as weight gain, hot flashes, and depression. Exploring nutraceuticals is important for treating menopausal symptoms that extensively impact women's quality of life. We hypothesized that a combination of Leonurus japonicus Houtt, Eclipta prostrata L., and Pueraria lobata Ohwi (LEPE) would alleviate menopausal symptoms in an ovariectomized menopausal rat model. Bilateral ovariectomy was performed and animals were assigned to five groups: (1) Sham, (2) Vehicle, (-) Control, (3) LEPE (100 mg/kg bw), (4) LEPE (200 mg/kg bw), and (5) Estradiol (3 μg/kg bw). LEPE was orally administered daily for 12 weeks. LEPE supplementation did not affect growth performance (body weight and feed intake) or body composition (lean mass and fat in tissue). LEPE did not cause deviations in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, estradiol, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels, indicating no hepatotoxicity or endocrine disturbance. LEPE decreased type I collagen (CTX-1) but did not affect bone mineral density or osteocalcin. LEPE decreased tail temperature and increased rectal temperature, improving menopause-related vasomotor symptoms. Furthermore, LEPE ameliorated depression-related behavior, including in forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Thus, LEPE may improve menopausal symptoms by enhancing vasomotor symptoms and depression in an ovariectomized rat menopause model.

In vitro anticancer activity of Eclipta alba whole plant extract on colon cancer cell HCT-116

BACKGROUNDS

Colon cancer is the third most deadly and one of the most diagnosed diseases in the world. Although routine screening and early detection during last decades has improved the survival, colon cancer still claims hundreds of thousands lives each year worldwide. Surgery and chemotherapy is mainstay of current treatment, nevertheless toxicity associated with this treatment underscores the urgency of demand of a better therapeutics. Close to 50% of current chemotherapeutic drugs are direct or indirect descendants compounds isolated from medicinal plants, which indicate plants are great potential sources of novel therapeutics. In our literature review we found Eclipta alba to posses many pharmacological activities, including those with anticancer potentials. However, no study on anticancer activity of this kind has been reported.

METHODS

Phytochemicals were extracted by maceration method from shade dried whole plant of Eclipta alba using methanol as a solvent. The anticancer effect of extract was investigated on various cancer cell lines like human colorectal carcinoma (HCT-116), human prostate cancer (PC-3), Michigan cancer foundation-breast cancer (MCF-7) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC-45). We have also studied the effects on normal human embryonic lung fibroblast cell (WI-38) using MTT (methyl thiazoldiphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, clonogenic (colony formation) and migration assay. Finally obtained results were analyzed using ANNOVA and Dunnett's test.

RESULTS

Results obtained from MTT assay revealed that the methanolic extract of Eclipta alba carried significant (p < 0.005) specificity against HCT-116 cells as compared to the other cancer cells. This extract also showed minimal or nontoxicity to WI-38 cells. Migration as well as clonogenic assays also confirmed the anticancer potential of the extract against HCT-116 cells.

CONCLUSION

This is a unique finding of its kind because the specific anticancer effect with minimal toxicity on normal cells has not been reported on Eclipta alba extract. Finally this finding opens up a great possibility to develop a novel antitumor drug candidate against deadly colon cancer in the future.

Alzheimer's Disease and Herbal Combination Therapy: A Comprehensive Review

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was first described in 1907 and got its name after Alois Alzheimer, a German psychiatrist and neuropathologist. This disease starts slow, increasing gradually to worsen in the due course of time. AD is mainly characterized by the associated dementia, which is a decline of cognitive effects such as memory, praxis, and orientation. The dementia is further highlighted by the presence of psychological and behavioral symptoms. Additionally, AD is also associated with the multiple interconnected pathways linked neuropathological changes such as the formation of neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid-β plaques inside the brain. AD therapeutics have been of prime concern over the decades, resulting in the elucidation of promising therapeutic targets. The requirement of AD stage dependent optimized conditions has necessitated a combinatorial approach toward treatment. The priority in AD research has remained to develop disease-modifying and development-reducing drugs for treatment regimens followed during the early and later stages, respectively.

Wedelolactone facilitates Ser/Thr phosphorylation of NLRP3 dependent on PKA signalling to block inflammasome activation and pyroptosis

Objectives

Wedelolactone exhibits regulatory effects on some inflammatory diseases. However, the anti‐inflammatory mechanism of wedelolactone has not been entirely unravelled. Therefore, the present study focuses on investigating the mechanism of wedelolactone on NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages and its influence on MSU‐induced inflammation.

Materials and Methods

BMDM, J774A.1 and PMA‐differentiated THP‐1 macrophages were primed with LPS and then stimulated with ATP or nigericin or MSU crystal in the presence or absence of wedelolactone. The cell lysates and supernatants were collected to detect NLRP3 inflammasome components such as NLRP3, ASC and caspase 1, as well as pyroptosis and IL‐1β production. In addition, the anti‐inflammatory effects of wedelolactone on MSU‐induced peritonitis and arthritis mice were also evaluated.

Results

We found that wedelolactone broadly inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis and IL‐1β secretion. Wedelolactone also block ASC oligomerization and speck formation. The inhibitory effects of wedelolactone were abrogated by PKA inhibitor H89, which also attenuated wedelolactone‐enhanced Ser/Thr phosphorylation of NLRP3 at PKA‐specific sites. Importantly, wedelolactone could abate MSU‐induced IL‐1β production and neutrophils migration into peritoneal cavity, and reduced caspase 1 (p20) and IL‐1β expression in the joint tissue of MSU‐induced arthritis.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that wedelolactone promotes the Ser/Thr phosphorylation of NLRP3 to inhibit inflammasome activation and pyroptosis partly through potentiating PKA signalling, thus identifying its potential use for treating MSU‐induced peritonitis and gouty arthritis.

Preparation & Assessment of Poly-Herbal Anti-Dandruff Formulation

Background:

Dandruff is a major problem of hair, which cannot be fully cured with the aid of chemicals. An attempt has been made to prepare a poly-herbal anti-dandruff hair care formulation and it is standardized to ensure its stability and quality aspects.

Objective:

The present work is oriented at the synthesis of herbal anti-dandruff hair formulation and the estimation of its various aspects for its valuability.

Materials and Methods:

The herbal preparation was prepared in the laboratory, on the basis of decided proportion, with the help of all the herbal contents. The pack was gauged for its various parameters.

Results:

The results were concluded to be sufficiently ample for the assessment of herbal formulation. The findings of different aspects vindicated the worth of the formulation.

Conclusion:

Herbal hair formulation has been formulated and assessed using the various aspects. It serves as a good alternate, devoid of any side effects. The results can be unified while evolving the pharmacopoeial standards.

Medicinally Important Herbal Flowers in Sri Lanka

Background

The plant kingdom is rich with a numerous number of plants with various medical properties which can be used to treat various medical issues. Sri Lanka is a country full of biodiversity which is gifted with many plant resources. It has a rich history of traditional medicine systems consisting of Ayurveda, Unani, and Deshiya Chikitsa, where these plant resources are used as remedies for the diseases. In the traditional medicine system, various plant parts such as leaves, roots, fruits, flowers, and bark are used to treat disease conditions. Although less attention is paid to the medicinal importance of the flowers, some of them have been used to treat many diseases from the ancient time. Some properties of the flowers may differ from the properties of the other plant parts. For example, Sesbania grandiflora (Katuru murunga) flowers have shown anticancer properties against various cell models whereas some flowers have shown antispermatogenic properties. Flowers of Woodfordia floribunda (Militta) are added as fermenting agents in the preparation of Arishtas in Ayurveda. Also the most popular Clove oil is obtained from the flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum (Karabu-neti) which is used to treat toothaches since it has antibiotic and antiseptic properties. This article gives an overview of herbal flowers used in the traditional medicine system of Sri Lanka and their pharmacological importance.

Method

A comprehensive literature survey was done on the medicinally important flowers in Sri Lanka. Data was collected from Libraries of Ayurveda in Sri Lanka and from scientific databases.

Results

According to the survey many flowers are used as astringent, cardiac tonic, and febrifuge. Also some flowers are used to treat dysentery, diarrhoea, and indigestion. Some flowers are useful in the treatment of bleeding piles while some are useful in the treatment of asthma and bronchitis.

Conclusion

It was revealed that there are many flowers with valuable therapeutic effects. Traditional medicine systems prevailing in Sri Lanka have made use of these flowers with therapeutic effects to cure so many diseases. The review of medicinally important herbal flowers provides knowledge and pharmacological leads which will help for the wellbeing of the human beings. Although there are phytochemical studies done to identify the chemical compounds on some flowers, chemical composition of many flowers remains unrevealed. So further studies need to be done to identify the chemical composition of these flowers.

Wedelolactone Attenuates Pulmonary Fibrosis Partly Through Activating AMPK and Regulating Raf-MAPKs Signaling Pathway

Pulmonary fibrosis is common in a variety of inflammatory lung diseases, there is currently no effective clinical drug treatment. It has been reported that the ethanol extract of Eclipta prostrata L. can improve the lung collagen deposition and fibrosis pathology induced by bleomycin (BLM) in mice. In the present study, we studied whether wedelolactone (WEL), a major coumarin ingredient of E. prostrata, provided protection against BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis. ICR or C57/BL6 strain mice were treated with BLM to establish lung fibrosis model. WEL (2 or 10 mg/kg) was given daily via intragastric administration for 2 weeks starting at 7-day after intratracheal instillation. WEL at 10 mg/kg significantly reduced BLM-induced inflammatory cells infiltration, pro-inflammatory factors expression, and collagen deposition in lung tissues. Additionally, treatment with WEL also impaired BLM-induced increases in fibrotic marker expression (collagen I and α-SMA) and decrease in an anti-fibrotic marker (E-cadherin). Treatment with WEL significantly prevented BLM-induced increase in TGF-β1 and Smad2/3 phosphorylation in the lungs. WEL administration (10 mg/kg) also significantly promoted AMPK activation compared to model group in BLM-treated mice. Further investigation indicated that activation of AMPK by WEL can suppressed the transdifferentiation of primary lung fibroblasts and the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of alveolar epithelial cells, the inhibitive effects of WEL was significantly blocked by an AMPK inhibitor (compound C) in vitro. Together, these results suggest that activation of AMPK by WEL followed by reduction in TGFβ1/Raf-MAPK signaling pathways may have a therapeutic potential in pulmonary fibrosis.

Effect of dietary supplementation of Eclitpa alba on oxidative stress and liver damage induced by aflatoxin in broilers

The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of Eclipta alba leaf powder to ameliorate the oxidative stress and liver damage induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in broilers. Day-old male broilers were fed with basal diet (control), basal diet supplemented with E. alba (1.0%), basal diet with 1.0 ppm AFB1 or AFB1 (1.0 ppm) with E. alba (1.0%) for 42 days. Birds fed AFB1 showed significantly higher serum AST and ALT activities, and decreased concentrations of total protein, cholesterol and albumin. AFB1 feeding significantly increased hepatic lipid peroxidation products, decreased antioxidant enzymes and induced pathological changes in liver. The supplementation of E. alba leaf powder with AFB1 contaminated diet significantly improved serum biochemical profile, reduced the oxidative stress and pathological changes in liver. The present study revealed that supplementation of E. alba reduces the liver damage and oxidative stress induced by AFB1 and offer protection against aflatoxin toxicity in broilers.

Antiparasitic activity in Asteraceae with special attention to ethnobotanical use by the tribes of Odisha, India

The purpose of this review is to survey the antiparasitic plants of the Asteraceae family and their applicability in the treatment of parasites. This review is divided into three major parts: (a) literature on traditional uses of Asteraceae plants for the treatment of parasites; (b) description of the major classes of chemical compounds from Asteraceae and their antiparasitic effects; and (c) antiparasitic activity with special reference to flavonoids and terpenoids. This review provides detailed information on the reported Asteraceae plant extracts found throughout the world and on isolated secondary metabolites that can inhibit protozoan parasites such as Plasmodium, Trypanosoma, Leishmania, and intestinal worms. Additionally, special attention is given to the Asteraceae plants of Odisha, used by the tribes of the area as antiparasitics. These plants are compared to the same plants used traditionally in other regions. Finally, we provide information on which plants identified in Odisha, India and related compounds show promise for the development of new drugs against parasitic diseases. For most of the plants discussed in this review, the active compounds still need to be isolated and tested further.

Alcoholic Extract of Eclipta alba Shows In Vitro Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity without Exhibiting Toxicological Effects

As per WHO estimates, 80% of people around the world use medicinal plants for the cure and prevention of various diseases including cancer owing to their easy availability and cost effectiveness. Eclipta alba has long been used in Ayurveda to treat liver diseases, eye ailments, and hair related disorders. The promising medicinal value of E. alba prompted us to study the antioxidant, nontoxic, and anticancer potential of its alcoholic extract. In the current study, we evaluated the in vitro cytotoxic and antioxidant effect of the alcoholic extract of Eclipta alba (AEEA) in multiple cancer cell lines along with control. We have also evaluated its effect on different in vivo toxicity parameters. Here, we found that AEEA was found to be most active in most of the cancer cell lines but it significantly induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cell lines by disrupting mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA damage. Moreover, AEEA treatment inhibited migration in both MCF 7 and MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose dependent manner. Further, AEEA possesses robust in vitro antioxidant activity along with high total phenolic and flavonoid contents. In summary, our results indicate that Eclipta alba has enormous potential in complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of cancer.

Pharmacological Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Activity of AHPL/AYTAB/0613 Tablet in Carbon Tetrachloride-, Ethanol-, and Paracetamol-Induced Hepatotoxicity Models in Wistar Albino Rats

Background:

Hepatotoxicity ultimately leads to liver failure. Conventional treatment options for hepatotoxicity are limited and not safe.

Objective:

Formulation AHPL/AYTAB/0613 is developed to provide safer and effective hepatoprotective drug of natural origin. A study was conducted to evaluate hepatoprotective activity of AHPL/AYTAB/0613 (three dosages) in comparison with marketed formulations in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), ethanol, and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats.

Materials and Methods:

Three separate studies were conducted in models of CCl₄, ethanol, and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. Seven groups of animals were studied comparatively to evaluate the efficacy of AHPL/AYTAB/0613 in low, medium, and high dosage in comparison with silymarin and a marketed polyherbal formulation. The drugs were orally administered to rats for 10 days in CCl₄ model and for 14 days in ethanol and paracetamol models. Animals were weighed periodically. After the study period, blood was tested for serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, and total protein levels. Liver tissue of sacrificed animals was examined histopathologically.

Results:

All the test formulations including all three dosages of AHPL/AYTAB/0613, significantly reduced levels of SGOT, SGPT, ALP, total bilirubin, in CCl₄, ethanol, and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity models. There was significant increase in total protein level in all the tested formulations. All the test formulations effectively preserved the structural integrity of the hepatocellular membrane and liver cell architecture damaged by CCl₄, ethanol, and paracetamol. When compared between groups, no statistically significant difference was observed. It can be concluded that AHPL/AYTAB/0613 possesses hepatoprotective activity in CCl₄, ethanol, and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Conclusion:

AHPL/AYTAB/0613 can be effectively used as a hepatoprotective agent in the management of hepatitis caused due to various toxins.

SUMMARY

A polyherbal formulation AHPL/AYTAB/0613 containing Bhringaraja - Eclipta alba extract, Guduchi - Tinospora cordifolia extract, Daruharidra - Berberis aristata extract, Kakamachi - Solanum nigrum extract, Punarnava - Boerhaavia diffusa extract, Bhumyamalaki - Phyllanthus niruri extract, Kutaki - Picrorhiza kurroa extract, and Kalmegha - Andrograhis paniculata extract was assessed for its hepatoprotective activity. This activity was tested in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), ethanol, and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity models in Wistar albino rats in comparison with two marketed formulations. It was observed that AHPL/AYTAB/0613 significantly reduced levels of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and also significantly increased total protein level. All the test formulations effectively preserved the structural integrity of the hepatocellular membrane and liver cell architecture damaged by CCl₄, ethanol, and paracetamol. When compared between groups, no statistically significant difference was observed. Therefore, it was concluded that AHPL/AYTAB/0613 possesses hepatoprotective activity in CCl₄, ethanol, and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Abbreviations Used: CCl₄: Carbon tetrachloride, SGOT: Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, SGPT: Serum glutamic pyruvi transaminase, ALP: Alkaline phosphatase, UDCA: Ursodeoxycholic acid, US: United States, FDA: Food and Drug Administration, PBC: Primary biliary cirrhosis, GSTA1: Glutathione S-transferase A1, GSH: Glutathione, GPx: Glutathione peroxidase, GST: Glutathione S-transferases.