Botanical, Pharmacological, Phytochemical, and Toxicological Aspects of the Antidiabetic Plant Bidens pilosa L

Exploring the anti-gastric cancer mechanism of action of Bidentis Bipinnatae Herba based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cellular experimental validation

The purpose of this study is to explore the potential molecular mechanism of Bidentis Bipinnatae Herba against gastric cancer by using network pharmacology methods, molecular docking, and cellular experimental validation. Medicinal plants related to gastric cancer were queried through TCMSP, SymMap, and Herb databases. The TCSMP database (drug-likeness ≥ 0.18) was used to retrieve the bioactive constituents. TCSMP, SwissTargetPrediction, and Herb databases were used to retrieve the target genes, and Cytoscape software was used to construct the "active ingredient-target" network. After protein interaction analysis using String 11.0 platform, the hub genes were screened using CytoHubba. The obtained hub genes were uploaded to the cBioPortal for pathway enrichment. The genes involved in gastric cancer-related RTK-RAS pathway were molecularly docked and experimentally validated. Bidentis Bipinnatae Herba was common to TCMSP, SymMap, and Herb databases. A total of nine active ingredients were obtained in Bidentis Bipinnatae Herba, acting on 192 targets. Seven hub genes were obtained from these target genes and enriched in the RTK-RAS pathway in gastric cancer. MAPK1 and EGFR had good molecular docking results with their corresponding chemicals. Cellular experiments showed that the treatment of luteolin, quercetin, and Okanin reduced the expression of EGFR in AGS cells; the treatment of luteolin and quercetin could reduce the expression of MAPK1. Bidentis Bipinnatae Herba contained active components, which may be anti-gastric cancer in a multi-target (MAPK1 and EGFR) manner.

New polyacetylenes from Bidens procera

A phytochemical investigation of Bidens procera L.C.Xu ex X.W.Zheng afforded two novel polyacetylenes, tridecane-2E-monoene-4,6,8-triyntylen-1,13-diol-12-O-β-glucoside (1) and tetradecane-2E,8E-diene-4,6-diyne-1,14-diol-13-O-β-glucoside (2), together with ten known compounds (3 - 12). Their chemical structures were elucidated by NMR and MS spectrums as well as the comparison of the published data. Furthermore, the chemotaxonomy of the yielded compounds was also discussed.

The Invasive Mechanisms of the Noxious Alien Plant Species Bidens pilosa

Bidens pilosa L. is native to tropical America and has widely naturized from tropical to warm temperate regions in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and North and South America. The species has infested a wide range of habitats such as grasslands, forests, wetlands, streamlines, coastal areas, pasture, plantations, agricultural fields, roadsides, and railway sides and has become a noxious invasive weed species. B. pilosa forms thick monospecific stands, quickly expands, and threatens the indigenous plant species and crop production. It is also involved in pathogen transmission as a vector. The species was reported to have (1) a high growth ability, producing several generations in a year; (2) a high achene production rate; (3) different biotypes of cypselae, differently germinating given the time and condition; (4) a high adaptative ability to various environmental conditions; (5) an ability to alter the microbial community, including mutualism with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; and (6) defense functions against natural enemies and allelopathy. The species produces several potential allelochemicals such as palmitic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, salycilic acid, quercetin, α-pinene, and limonene and compounds involved in the defense functions such as 1-phenylhepta-1,3,5-trine, 5-phenyl-2-(1-propynyl)-thiophene, 5-actoxy-2-phenylethinyl-thiophene, and icthyothereol acetate. These characteristics of B. pilosa may contribute to the naturalization and invasiveness of the species in the introduced ranges. This is the first review article focusing on the invasive mechanisms of the species.

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.

Profiling the Antidiabetic Potential of Compounds Identified from Fractionated Extracts of Entada africana toward Glucokinase Stimulation: Computational Insight

Glucokinase plays an important role in regulating the blood glucose level and serves as an essential therapeutic target in type 2 diabetes management. Entada africana is a medicinal plant and highly rich source of bioactive ligands with the potency to develop new target drugs for glucokinase such as diabetes and obesity. Therefore, the study explored a computational approach to predict identified compounds from Entada africana following its intermolecular interactions with the allosteric binding site of the enzymes. We retrieved the three-dimensional (3D) crystal structure of glucokinase (PDB ID: 4L3Q) from the online protein data bank and prepared it using the Maestro 13.5, Schrödinger Suite 2022-3. The compounds identified were subjected to ADME, docking analysis, pharmacophore modeling, and molecular simulation. The results show the binding potential of the identified ligands to the amino acid residues, thereby suggesting an interaction of the amino acids with the ligand at the binding site of the glucokinase activator through conventional chemical bonds such as hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. The compatibility of the molecules was highly observed when compared with the standard ligand, thereby leading to structural and functional changes. Therefore, the bioactive components from Entada africana could be a good driver of glucokinase, thereby paving the way for the discovery of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of diabetes and its related complications.

Mexican Plants Involved in Glucose Homeostasis and Body Weight Control: Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation, provoking many different diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic-degenerative disease characterized by increased blood glucose levels. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are currently considered public health problems, and their prevalence has increased over the last few years. Because of the high cost involved in the treatment of both diseases, different alternatives have been sought. However, the general population uses medicinal plants, in the form of tea or infusions, to treat different diseases. Therefore, traditional medicine using medicinal plants has been investigated as a possible treatment for type 2 diabetes and body weight control.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this review is to find medicinal plants used in Mexico that could exert their beneficial effect by regulating insulin secretion and body weight control.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

For the development of this review, Mexican plants used in traditional medicine to treat type 2 diabetes and body weight control were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. The inclusion criteria include plants that presented a significant reduction in blood glucose levels and/or an increase in insulin secretion.

RESULTS

We found 306 Mexican plants with hypoglycemic effects. However, plants that did not show evidence of an increase in insulin secretion were eliminated. Finally, only five plants were included in this review: Momordica charantia L. (melón amargo), Cucurbita ficifolia bouché (chilacayote), Coriandrum sativum L. (cilantro), Persea americana Mill. (aguacate) Bidens pilosa (amor seco), including 39 articles in total. Here, we summarized the plant extracts (aqueous and organic) that have previously been reported to present hypoglycemic effects, body weight control, increased secretion and sensitivity of insulin, improvement of pancreatic β cells, and glucose tolerance. Additionally, these effects may be due to different bioactive compounds present in the plants' extracts.

CONCLUSION

Both in vivo and in vitro studies are required to understand the mechanism of action of these plant extracts regarding insulin secretion to be used as a possible treatment for type 2 diabetes and body weight control in the future.

Phytochemical-Based Evidence of the Health Benefits of Bidens Pilosa Extracts and Cytotoxicity

Purpose

Bidens pilosa L. is traditionally used as a flavouring agent in foods, in the treatment of diseases, in agriculture as a biopesticide and herbicide, and in the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals. The vast range of uses of B. pilosa for a variety of purposes is questionable, hence motivating the objectives of this study, which are to assess the cytotoxicity, health benefits, and/or risks of B. pilosa using chemical-based evidence.

Methods

A real-time cell analysis (xCELLigence system), ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer, high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector, and chemical-based spectrophotometric methods were adopted in the study.

Results

High concentrations of the ethanol extracts exhibited cytotoxic activity on HepG2 (cancerous), and Vero (non-cancerous) cell lines, whereas the water extracts promoted cell proliferation at selected concentrations. The chemical profiling enabled the separation as well as characterisation of 137 phytochemicals. These were mainly phenolic acids, flavonoids, fatty acids, coumarins, and furanocoumarins. There was no toxic compound identified.

Conclusion

The ethanol extracts are generally more potent and exhibit stronger antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity, probably due to the presence of more flavonoids and phenolic acids, validating the uses of B. pilosa and its relevance as a source of functional phytochemicals.

Pharmacologically Active Phytomolecules Isolated from Traditional Antidiabetic Plants and Their Therapeutic Role for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic complication that affects people of all ages. The increased prevalence of diabetes worldwide has led to the development of several synthetic drugs to tackle this health problem. Such drugs, although effective as antihyperglycemic agents, are accompanied by various side effects, costly, and inaccessible to the majority of people living in underdeveloped countries. Medicinal plants have been used traditionally throughout the ages to treat various ailments due to their availability and safe nature. Medicinal plants are a rich source of phytochemicals that possess several health benefits. As diabetes continues to become prevalent, health care practitioners are considering plant-based medicines as a potential source of antidiabetic drugs due to their high potency and fewer side effects. To better understand the mechanism of action of medicinal plants, their active phytoconstituents are being isolated and investigated thoroughly. In this review article, we have focused on pharmacologically active phytomolecules isolated from medicinal plants presenting antidiabetic activity and the role they play in the treatment and management of diabetes. These natural compounds may represent as good candidates for a novel therapeutic approach and/or effective and alternative therapies for diabetes.

Bioactive polyacetylenes from Bidens pilosa L and their anti-inflammatory activity

A new polyacetylenic glucoside together with three known compounds were isolated from the whole herb of Bidens pilosa L. The structure elucidation of these four compounds was employed by combining NMR and HR-MS data as 4-O-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-1-hydroxy- 6-(E)-tetradecene-8,10,12-triyne (1), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-1-hydroxy-6-(E)-tetradec- ene-8,10,12-triyne (2), 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-1-hydroxy-5-(E)-tetradecene-7,9,11-triy- ne (3) and icthyothereol acetate (4). Additionally, bioactivity study showed that these compounds have potential anti-inflammatory activity. This study has certain guiding significance for the development and utilisation of polyacetylene compounds in Bidens pilosa L.

Ethnomedicine and neuropsychopharmacology in Mesoamerica

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The burden of disease caused by mental and neurological disorders is increasing globally, to a disproportionate degree in Latin America. In contrast to the many psychoactive plants with a use history in Mesoamerican cultures, the translation to the wider population of knowledge around numerous botanicals used contemporarily by indigenous Mesoamerican societies to treat psychological and neurological disorders did not receive the same attention.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We used the previously published Mesoamerican Medicinal Plant Database to extract species and associated botanical drugs used as treatments for illnesses associated with the nervous system by Mesoamerican cultures in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. With the critical use of published pharmacological literature, the cross-culturally most salient genera are systematically reviewed.

RESULTS

From 2188 plant taxa contained in the database 1324 are used as treatments for illnesses associated with the nervous system. The ethnomedical data was critically confronted with the available biomedical literature for the 58 cross-culturally most salient genera. For a considerable proportion of the frequently used taxa, preclinical data are available, mostly validating ethnomedicinal uses.

CONCLUSION

This quantitative approach facilitates the prioritization of taxa for future pre-clinical, clinical and treatment outcome studies and gives patients, practitioners, and legislators a fundamental framework of evidence, on which to base decisions regarding phytomedicines.

Effects of Adding Moringa oleifera Leaves Powder on the Nutritional Properties, Lipid Oxidation and Microbial Growth in Ground Beef during Cold Storage

The utilisation of Moringa oleifera leaves powder (MOLP) to improve the nutritional properties and inhibit lipid oxidation and the proliferation of microorganisms in ground beef during cold storage was examined. The effects of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8% MOLP on the nutritional properties (proximate composition, total phenolic and total flavonoid content), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), microbial composition, physicochemical characteristics (pH value, colour attributes, and cooking properties), and sensory analysis of ground beef were investigated. The findings showed that ash, protein, polyphenolic compounds, pH, colour, and microbial growth increased significantly, while moisture, fat content, and TBARS decreased significantly, with an increase in the concentration of MOLP during cold storage. Moderate levels (0.2 and 0.4%) of MOLP did not affect the sensory attributes of stored ground beef. Evidently, MOLP can be utilised as a natural preservative in ground beef to improve the nutritional value and inhibit lipid oxidation.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Mechanism of Isookanin, Isolated by Bioassay-Guided Fractionation from Bidens pilosa L

Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae) has been used historically in traditional Asian medicine and is known to have a variety of biological effects. However, the specific active compounds responsible for the individual pharmacological effects of Bidens pilosa L. (B. pilosa) extract have not yet been made clear. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory phytochemicals obtained from B. pilosa. We isolated a flavonoids-type phytochemical, isookanin, from B. pilosa through bioassay-guided fractionation based on its capacity to inhibit inflammation. Some of isookanin’s biological properties have been reported; however, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of isookanin has not yet been studied. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory activities of isookanin using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. We have shown that isookanin reduces the production of proinflammatory mediators (nitric oxide, prostaglandin E₂) by inhibiting the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Isookanin also inhibited the expression of activator protein 1 (AP-1) and downregulated the LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-jun NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK) in the MAPK signaling pathway. Additionally, isookanin inhibited proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)) in LPS-induced THP-1 cells. These results demonstrate that isookanin could be a potential therapeutic candidate for inflammatory disease.

Tissue distribution and molecular docking research on the active components of Bidens bipinnata L. against hyperlipidemia

Bidens bipinnata L. is a folk medicinal plant in China that shows significant antihyperlipidemia effectiveness. However, studies of the underlying mechanism study are lacking. In order to explore the potential action sites and the underlying mechanism of treating hyperlipidemic, this work undertook tissue distribution and molecular docking research on the markers of B. bipinnata L., which were obtained through serum pharmacochemistry and network database retrieval. The results showed that seven compounds (gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, rutin, hyperoside, bipinnate polyacetylenicloside, luteolin and quercetin) were screened out as markers. Owing to the diversity of chemical structures, they exhibited an inconsistent trend in tissue distribution. However, all of them had high levels in the liver and no specific distribution in other tissues. More interestingly, seven proteins-HMGCR (1HWK), NR3C1 (4P6W), CYP1A2 (2HI4), RXRA (4PP3), CES1 (1MX1), HSD11B1 (2RBE) and CYP1A1 (4I8V)-showed significant binding affinity with three or more markers, suggesting that they may be the target proteins of B. bipinnata L. This study preliminarily sheds light on the tissue distribution and targets of B. bipinnata L., providing some useful information on the underlying mechanisms of the antihyperlipidemia effect.

Phytotoxicity Study on Bidens sulphurea Sch. Bip. as a Preliminary Approach for Weed Control

Farmers of the Franca region in Brazil observed that Bidens sulphurea was able to eliminate the Panicum maximum weed, which infected coffee plantations, without affecting the crop. In an effort to determine if the inhibitory effects observed were due to the presence of phytotoxic compounds from leaves and roots, a biodirected isolation and spectroscopic characterization has been carried out. The leaf dichloromethane and root acetone extracts were the most active, and the former appeared to be more phytotoxic to the target species, including four weeds. A total of 26 compounds were isolated from leaves and roots, and four of them are described here for the first time. The major compounds in the leaf extract are the sesquiterpene lactones costunolide, reynosin, and santamarine, and these showed marked inhibition. Amaranthus viridis and Panicum maximum were the most sensitive species of the weeds tested. These three phytotoxic lactones were also evaluated on A. viridis and P. maximum under hydroponic conditions. A. viridis was the most affected species with the three lactones, and santamarine was the most phytotoxic compound on both. This is the first time that the phytotoxicity of sesquiterpene lactones has been evaluated on hydroponic culture. The work described here is a preliminary approach for the use of B. sulphurea for weed control in agriculture, both as a cover crop and by use of its components as natural herbicide leads.

Uptake and decomposition of the herbicide propanil in the plant Bidens pilosa L. dominating in the Yangtze Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), China

Propanil (3',4'-dichloropropionanilide) is a selective post emergence herbicide for controlling broad leaf and grass weeds in rice (Oryza sativa L.). After being taken up by plants, the fate of propanil in decomposing plant material is of particular importance to the phytoremediation of the environment. Therefore, we investigated the biotransformation of propanil in the plant Bidens pilosa under conditions close to those present in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), China. Plants pre-treated with ¹⁴C-ring-labeled propanil were either (treatment a) directly submerged in TGR water for 90 days or (treatment b) pre-extracted with organic solvents, and subsequently only insoluble materials and non-extractable residues (NER) of the pesticide fractions were similarly incubated. After incubation in TGR water (treatment a), 30 % of applied radioactivity was released into water and simultaneously, amounts of NER in the plant debris appeared to increase with time finally amounting to 40 % of applied ¹⁴C. The radioactivity contained in the extractable fractions were identified as propanil, 3,4-dichloroaniline (DCA), and N-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3,4-dichloroaniline (DCA-Glu). In treatment b, significant ¹⁴C amounts were released to the water (6 % of applied ¹⁴C) and the solubilized radioactivity fractions were demonstrated to agree with those found in the extractable fractions. Therefore, if residues of the pesticide propanil are taken up by plants, it may enter again the aquatic environment after plant death and submergence. This phenomenon may have a potential impact on aquatic organisms, which to our knowledge has not been reported before. As plant uptake and degradation of xenobiotics are recognized as detoxification, we consider B. pilosa with its high uptake potential, at least for propanil, as suitable species for phytoremediation.

Anti-hyperglycaemic and antioxidant effects of Bidens tripartita and quantitative analysis on its active principles

OBJECTIVES

Bidens species are used for their antidiabetic properties traditionally in many countries. Aim of this study is to evaluate hypoglycaemic and antidiabetic activity of Bidens tripartita extract and to identify its active compounds through bioactivity guided isolation technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hypoglycaemic effects of B. tripartita extract and its sub-extracts were investigated in normal and glucose-hyperglycaemic rats. Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats were used to examine antidiabetic activity of the extract and its sub-extracts after acute and sub-acute administration. Additionally, in vitro enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activities were evaluated. HPLC analyses were carried out to determine the active constituents of the extract and its sub-extracts.

RESULTS

Through in vivo bioactivity-guided fractionation process, ethyl acetate and n-buthanol sub-extracts were found to have potent antidiabetic activity. In vitro enzyme inhibitory activities of the same sub-extracts were found to be potent. The highest total phenol, flavonoid contents and radical scavenging activity was determined in ethyl acetate sub-extract. According to LC-MS analyses, chlorogenic acid, luteolin and 7-O-glucoside of luteolin (cynaroside) were determined as the main components of the active sub-extracts.

CONCLUSION

According to our results, B. tripartita has potent antidiabetic activity and its active constituents might be beneficial for diabetes and its complications.

Cytopiloyne, a polyacetylenic glucoside from Bidens pilosa, acts as a novel anticandidal agent via regulation of macrophages

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Bidens pilosa, a tropical and sub-tropical herbal plant, is used as an ethnomedicine for bacterial infection or immune modulation in Asia, America and Africa. It has been demonstrated that cytopiloyne (CP), a bioactive polyacetylenic glucoside purified from B. pilosa, increases the percentage of macrophages in the spleen but the specific effects on macrophages remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of CP on macrophage activity and host defense in BALB/c mice with Candida parapsilosis infection and investigate the likely mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RAW264.7 cells, a mouse macrophage cell line, were used to assess the effects of CP on macrophage activity by phagocytosis assay, colony forming assay and acridine orange/crystal violet stain. To evaluate the activity of CP against C. parapsilosis, BALB/c mouse infection models were treated with/without CP and histopathological examination was performed. The role of macrophages in the infection model was clarified by treatment with carrageenan, a selective macrophage-toxic agent. RAW264.7 macrophage activities influenced by CP were further investigated by lysosome staining, phagosomal acidification assay, lysosome enzyme activity and PKC inhibitor GF109203X.

RESULTS

The results showed that CP in vitro enhances the ability of RAW264.7 macrophages to engulf and clear C. parapsilosis. In the mouse model, CP treatment improved the survival rate of Candida-infected mice and lowered the severity of microscopic lesions in livers and spleens via a macrophage-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, with CP treatment, the fusion and acidification of phagolysosomes were accelerated and the lysosome enzyme activity of RAW264.7 macrophages was elevated. PKC inhibitor GF109203X reversed the increase in phagocytic activity by CP demonstrating that the PKC pathway is involved in the macrophage-mediated phagocytosis of C. parapsilosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggested that CP, as an immunomodulator, enhances macrophage activity against C. parapsilosis infections.

Total flavonoids of Bidens bipinnata L. ameliorate experimental adjuvant-induced arthritis through induction of synovial apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Bidens bipinnata are widely distributed in China, which have been widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of total flavonoids of Bidens pilosa L. (TFB) on adjuvant arthritis (AA) and its possible mechanisms.

METHODS

The macroscopic scoring of paw edema, secondary paw swelling, and polyarthritis index were measured. Histological examination of the joints and the serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha were examined. Apoptosis in synovial tissue was detected. The expression of Caspase 3 cleavage, serves as a marker undergoing apoptosis, was confirmed by Western blot.

RESULTS

TFB attenuated the severity of arthritis on paw edema, hind paw volume, and polyarthritis index of AA rats, improved the histological status in AA rats as well. TFB can inhibit the production of IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha from serum. Clear DNA ladder formation was observed in DNA extraction of synovium from TFB treated AA rats. The number of apoptosis was increased with TFB treatment in TUNEL assay. TFB treatment on AA rats significantly increased the expression of Caspase 3 in synovium.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that TFB has a significant anti-arthritic effect in AA through the induction of apoptosis in synovial.

Use of Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae) and Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae) to treat intestinal mucositis in mice: Toxico-pharmacological evaluations

INTRODUCTION

Several studies towards the development of an effective treatment for intestinal mucositis have been reported, since this condition represents a major problem in clinical oncology practice due to cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy. However standardized protocols and universally accepted treatment options are yet to be established.

OBJECTIVES

Given above, this study evaluated the protective effects of a mucoadhesive formulation containing both Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae) (BP) and curcuminoids from Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae) (CL) on intestinal mucositis induced by 5-fluoruoacil (5-FU) in mice.

RESULTS

As expected, animals only treated with 5-FU (200 mg/kg) showed a significant reduction of 60.3 and 42.4% in villi and crypts size, respectively, when compared to control. On the other hand, the proposed therapeutic/prophylactic treatment with mucoadhesive formulations managed to reduce histopathologic changes in mice bearing mucositis, especially at 125 mg/kg BP + 15 mg/kg CL dose. The formulation promoted an increase of 275.5% and 148.7% for villi and crypts size, respectively. Moreover, chemotherapy-related weight loss was reduced by 7.4% following the treatment. In addition, an increase of 10 and 30.5% in red and white blood cells was observed when compared to 5-FU group. Furthermore, treatments with the mucoadhesive formulation containing BP/CL up modulated Ki-67 and Bcl-2 expression while reduced pro-apoptotic regulator Bax. The formulation also modulated inflammatory response triggered by 5-FU through reduction of 68% of myeloperoxidase activity and a 4-fold increase in anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels. In parallel, the oxidative stress via lipid peroxidation was reduced as indicated by decrease of 63% of malondialdehyde concentrations. Additionally, the new formulation presented low acute oral systemic toxicity, being classified in the category 5 (2000 mg/kg < LD₅₀ < 5000 mg/kg) of the Globally Harmonized Classification System.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed an interesting potential of the mucoadhesive formulation of BP/CL for the treatment of 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis. Given the perspectives for the development of a new medicine, clinical studies are in progress to better understand the protective effects of this innovative formulation in treating mucositis.

Yang Deficiency Body Constitution Acts as a Predictor of Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Taichung Diabetic Body Constitution Study

Objective. Diabetic retinopathy (DR), the most common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), can cause severe visual impairment and blindness. To prevent the development of DR, identifying the associated risk factors for patient classification is critical. We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine whether body constitution (BC) is an independent predictor of DR. Method. 673 type 2 DM (T2DM) patients were recruited from a medical center, all received DR examination and body constitution questionnaire to assess BC. Other risk factors for DR were also recorded, including life style, history of diabetes, and blood pressure, etc. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) for DR. Results. The prevalence of DR was significantly lower in Yang deficiency patients compared with non-Yang deficiency patients (24.69% versus 38.18% P = 0.02). After adjusting for other risk factors, we observed that patients exhibiting Yang deficiency BC were less likely to present with DR (OR = 0.531; 95% confidence interval = 0.312-0.903, P = 0.018). Conclusion. In addition to traditional risk factors, Yang deficiency BC might be an independent predictor of DR among T2DM patients and the results can be used as evidence for traditional Chinese medicine patient classification.

Mucoadhesive formulation of Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae) reduces intestinal injury from 5-fluorouracil-induced mucositis in mice

Gastrointestinal mucositis induced during cancer treatment is considered a serious dose-limiting side effect of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Frequently, interruption of the cancer treatment due to this pathology leads to a reduction in cure rates, increase of treatment costs and decrease life quality of the patient. Natural products such as Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae), represent a potential alternative for the treatment of mucositis given its anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, B. pilosa glycolic extract was formulated (BPF) with poloxamer, a mucoadhesive copolymer, was used for treatment of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced mucositis in mice. As expected, animals only treated with 5-FU (200 mg/kg) presented marked weight loss, reduction of intestinal villi, crypts and muscular layer, which was associated with severe disruption of crypts, edema, inflammatory infiltrate and vacuolization in the intestinal tissue, as compared to the control group and healthy animals only treated with BPF. On the other hand, the treatment of intestinal mucositis-bearing mice with BPF (75, 100 or 125 mg/kg) managed to mitigate clinical and pathologic changes, noticeably at 100 mg/kg. This dose led to the restoration of intestinal proliferative activity through increasing Ki-67 levels; modulated the expression of Bax, Bcl2 and p53 apoptotic markers protecting intestinal cells from cell death. Moreover, this treatment regulated lipid peroxidation and inflammatory infiltration. No acute toxic effects were observed with this formulation. This work demonstrated that BPF was safe and effective against 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis in mice. Additional studies are already in progress to further characterize the mechanisms involved in the protective effects of this technological formulation toward the development of a new medicine for the prevention and treatment of intestinal injury in patients undergoing chemotherapy/radiotherapy.

Bidens pilosa Formulation Improves Blood Homeostasis and β -Cell Function in Men: A Pilot Study

B. pilosa has long been purported to have antidiabetes activity, but despite the advancement in phytochemistry and animal models of diabetes, no human clinical trials have been conducted to date. Here, we evaluated the effect of a B. pilosa formulation on fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting serum insulin, and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in diabetic subjects. The B. pilosa formulation reduced the level of FBG and HbA1c in diabetics but increased fasting serum insulin in healthy subjects. Moreover, combination of B. pilosa formulation with antidiabetic drugs had better glycemic control in diabetics. The homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) data suggested that the antidiabetic activity of this formulation was via improvement of β-cell function. We also tested the safety of the B. pilosa formulation in healthy subjects and observed no obvious side effects. We conclude that B. pilosa has potential as an antidiabetes treatment.