Cytotoxicity potentials of eleven Bangladeshi medicinal plants

Pharmacological properties of Hoya (Apocynaceae): a systematic review

In tropical forests, Hoya, a plant with significant indigenous medicinal applications, has been underexplored in pharmacological studies. This systematic review meticulously investigates the diverse pharmacological effects exhibited by various Hoya species on human health. A comprehensive literature search, encompassing Scopus, ScienceDirect, and SpringerLink databases, employed specific keyword combinations ('Hoya' and 'pharmacological properties' OR 'pharmacology property'). The included studies exclusively focused on Hoya's impact on human health. The findings underscore Hoya's potential as a medicinal plant, demonstrating promising attributes such as anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antinociceptive, and parasympatholytic effects. Despite these promising indications, the review underscores the necessity for further in vivo investigations to fully unlock Hoya's therapeutic potential. A comprehensive understanding of its mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety in living systems is imperative for realising its holistic therapeutic benefits.

A Scoping Review of Genus Viscum: Biological and Chemical Aspects of Alcoholic Extracts

The genus Viscum comprises a large number of semi-parasitic shrubs popularly known as Mistletoe. The Viscum species grow in many countries of Europe, Africa and Asia with different popular uses in ornamentation, foods and medicine. Many studies about Viscum have been done over the last years focusing on biological activities and chemical composition of the aqueous extracts, mainly related to anthroposophical medicines. However, it is known that non-aqueous preparations, as alcoholic extracts, have demonstrated different biological activities that are species-and host tree-dependent. Considering the potential of these alcoholic extracts, a scoping review was conducted using data from three online databases: PubMed, Scopus and Embase. Inclusion criteria consisted of the in vitro, in vivo, ex vivo, clinical and chemical studies of alcoholic extracts from Viscum species. The present review summarized 124 original publications about fourteen Viscum species. Viscum album, Viscum articulatum and Viscum coloratum were the main studied species. Alcoholic extracts demonstrated hypotensive, anticancer, antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory capabilities, among other biological activities. Flavonoids, phenolic acids and terpenoids represented 48%, 24% and 11% of the total identified compounds, respectively. This review contributes to the knowledge of alcoholic preparations of the Viscum species and points out the lack of clinical studies concerning these different extracts.

Hepatoprotective potency of Litsea glutinosa (L.) C.B. Rob. leaf methanol extract on H2O2-induced toxicity in HepG2 cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Leaves of Litsea glutinosa (L.) (Lauraceae) are traditionally used to treat hepatitis and liver injury by Bangladeshi folks. However, the hepatoprotective study of leaves of L. glutinosa has not been supported by any research.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of leaves of methanol extract of L. glutinosa using the HepG2 cell line. Phytochemicals were identified with the help of a GC-MS study followed by In-silico docking of the promising compounds to justify our hepatoprotective effect.

MATERIALS & METHODS

The dried leaves of L. glutinosa (LGAO) were extracted by Soxhlet using methanol as solvent. Antioxidant effects were investigated using Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Reduced glutathione (GSH), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in HepG2 cells against H₂O₂ intoxicated group. The In-vitro hepatoprotective effect of LGAO (100 μg/ml) was determined in HepG2 cells as compared with the Silymarin-treated standard group (100 μg/ml) along with morphological changes of cells. Twelve numbers of phytochemicals were identified by GC-MS study. In-silico studies are performed for their inhibitory effects against Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α) and Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) using AUTODOCK Tools-1.5.6 and Discovery studio 4.0.

RESULTS

Methanol extract of L. glutinosa possesses (LGAO) significant (p < 0.0001) increase in SOD, GSH, and GPx levels and a decrease in MDA as compared with the control one. MTT assay in HepG2 cells showed a significant (p < 0.0001) increase in the percentage of cell viability in LGAO and Silymarin-treated group i.e., 71.98%, 88.59% respectively as compared with the H₂O₂ intoxicated group alone i.e., 22.74%. Restoration of cell architecture in HepG2 cells was obtained by the LGAO and Silymarin-treated group treated with H₂O₂. Further, the In-silico study of Neophytadiene compound showed the highest docking score -10.2 and -8.6 towards receptors.

CONCLUSION

Methanol extract of leaves of L. glutinosa showed potential hepatoprotective effect In-vitro which justified our traditional claim. The presence of phytochemical Neophytadiene may be responsible for the said effect. Furthermore, molecular docking scores were consistent with the In-vitro results. They targeted the substantial inhibitory effects of Litsea glutinosa against receptors to establish the correlation between experimental and theoretical results.

Characterization of in-vitro antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic and membrane stabilizing potential of different extracts of Cheilanthes tenuifolia and Stigmasterol isolation from n-hexane extract

Background

Cheilanthes tenuifolia, a member of the Pteridaceae family, is an evergreen and small fern could be abundant of bioactive compounds. The present study was designed to investigate its many therapeutic properties and isolation of bioactive compounds from extracts of Cheilanthes tenuifolia.

Methods

The dried coarse plant powder was extracted with methanol and dried with rotary evaporator. The extract was further partitioned according to the increasing polarity: N-hexane < chloroform < ethyl-acetate < methanol by modified Kupchan method. Then each extract fractions were investigated for their pharmacologic properties. Compounds were isolated from n-hexane fraction through column chromatography, followed by TLC and structure was determined by analysis of sample using 1H-NMR and matched with published phytochemistry report.

Results

Methanol fraction of Cheilanthes tenuifolia showed highest amount of total phenol content (11.32 ± 0.28 mg/gm GAE) followed by chloroform fraction (9.71 ± 0.31 mg/gm GAE) > N-hexane fraction (6.69 ± 0.67 mg/gm GAE) > ethyl acetate fraction (5.36 ± 0.54 mg/gm GAE). The methanol fraction of Cheilanthes tenuifolia possessed highest amount (7.11 ± 0.52 mg/gm QE) of total flavonoid content. Our present study indicates that methanol extract was most potent (IC50 = 9.926 μg/ml) inhibitor of DPPH free radicals. In brine shrimp lethality bio assay, all the extracts showed dose dependent increment of mortality and chloroform extract was found most cytotoxic (LC50 = 34.493 μg/ml) compared to other plant extracts. The chloroform fraction of Cheilanthes tenuifolia was most potent in terms of thrombolytic activity. A compound was isolated (CT-2) using column chromatography followed by TCL and PTLC (35% pet ether in CHCl3) and analyzed by 1H-NMR. The structure of stigmasterol was confirmed by comparing the 1H-NMR data with previously published phytochemistry report.

Conclusion

Cheilanthes tenuifolia could be a potential candidate for bioactive compounds and further studies on isolation and characterization of its bioactive compounds are highly required.

Terpenoids and phytosteroids isolated from Commelina benghalensis Linn. with antioxidant activity

Background Commelina benghalensis Linn. (Family: Commelinaceae) is a common weed available in Bangladesh with several uses in traditional medicine. However, the chemical profile of this medicinal plant is scarce in relation to its medicinal uses. The aerial parts of this plant have been investigated for the isolation of secondary metabolites and evaluation of the biological activities. Methods Major phytochemical groups were analyzed using chromogenic reagents, whereas n-hexane soluble fractionates of the methanol extract were subjected to 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analysis. The antioxidant property of the obtained compounds was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH). Results Dammara-12-en-3-one (CB-1), stigmasterol (CB-2) and 3 (2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxy)-cinnamoyl dammara-12-ene (CB-3) were isolated from the n-hexane fractionate of methanol extract of C. benghalensis. In the study of DPPH radical scavenging activity, IC50 values were predicted to be 790.18, 4186.94 and 2001.16 μg/mL for CB-1, CB-2 and CB-3, respectively, whereas standard ascorbic acid showed IC50 at 1.26 μg/mL. Conclusions Two new dammarane-type triterpene (CB-1 and CB-3) and one phytosterol (CB-2) were identified in C. benghalensis with mild antioxidant property.

Interrogation of ethnomedicinal plants for synthetic lethality effects in combination with deficiency in the DNA repair endonuclease RAD1 using a yeast cell-based assay

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plant materials used in this study were selected based on the ethnobotanical literature. Plants have either been utilized by Thai practitioners as alternative treatments for cancer or identified to exhibit anti-cancer properties.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To screen ethnomedicinal plants using a yeast cell-based assay for synthetic lethal interactions with cells deleted for RAD1, the yeast homologue of human ERCC4 (XPF) MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethanolic extracts from thirty-two species of medicinal plants utilized in Thai traditional medicine were screened for synthetic lethal/sick interactions using a yeast cell-based assay. Cell growth was compared between the parental strain and rad1∆ yeast following exposure to select for specific toxicity of plant extracts. Candidate extracts were further examined for the mode of action using genetic and biochemical approaches.

RESULTS

Screening a library of ethanolic extracts from medicinal plants identified Bacopa monnieri and Colubrina asiatica as having synthetic lethal effects in the rad1∆ cells but not the parental strain. Synthetic lethal effects for B. monneiri extracts were more apparent and this plant was examined further. Genetic analysis indicates that pro-oxidant activities and defective excision repair pathways do not significantly contribute to enhanced sensitivity to B. monneiri extracts. Exposure to B. monneiri extracts resulted in nuclear fragmentation and elevated levels of ethidium bromide staining in rad1∆ yeast suggesting promotion of an apoptosis-like event. Growth inhibition also observed in the human Caco-2 cell line suggesting the effects of B. monnieri extracts on both yeast and human cells may be similar.

CONCLUSIONS

B. monneiri extracts may have utility in treatment of colorectal cancers that exhibit deficiency in ERCC4 (XPF).

Antioxidant, Antinociceptive and CNS Activities of Viscum orientale and High Sensitive Quantification of Bioactive Polyphenols by UPLC

Viscum orientale Willd. (Loranthaceae) has long been used in traditional medicine to treat pain, neuropharmacological disorders and various forms of tumor but not yet been reported. The aim of this study is to rationalize the traditional medicinal use of this plant by evaluating the methanol extract of V. orientale leaves (MEVOL) for anti-nociceptive, CNS depressant and antioxidant activities and to quantify the bioactive polyphenols present in this plant. Five polyphenolic compounds namely gallic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, ellagic acid, and quercetin (17.54, 8.99, 99.61, 4523.31, and 100.15 mg/100 g of dry weight, respectively) have been identified in MEVOL using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography. Qualitative antioxidant activity determined by Thin Layer Chromatography indicated the presence of antioxidants. In quantitative antioxidant test using 2,2-diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyl, MEVOL exhibited strong free antioxidant activity in a dose dependant manner (IC₅₀ = 6.63 μg/ml) compared with ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ = 1.91 μg/ml) and butylatedhydroxyanisole (IC₅₀ = 2.27 μg/ml) controls. Total phenolic content determined using Folin Ciocaltu reagent was found to be 73.4 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of extract, while flavonoid content estimated using aluminum chloride colorimetric method was 170.7 mg quercetin equivalent/g of extract. Anti-nociceptive activity of MEVOL measured using acetic acid and formalin induced pain models in mice was significant (p < 0.001). MEVOL showed 65.6 and 88.8% writhing inhibition at 300 and 500 mg/kg body weight, respectively, comparing with standard diclofenac-Na (75.2% inhibition) at 25 mg/kg body weight in acetic acid induced pain model. In formalin induced pain model, paw licking was inhibited 45.93 and 56.4% in early phase and 55.66 and 72.64% in late phase at 300 and 500 mg/kg body weight, respectively, while diclofenac-Na inhibited 60.47 and 61.32% in early and late phase at 10 mg/kg body weight, respectively. In neuropharmacological activity test, overall behavioral test significantly reinforced CNS depressant activity. Spontaneous motor activities were reduced (p < 0.05) in both hole cross and open field tests compared with diazepam. Antioxidant activity of MEVOL is likely due to the phenolic and flavonoid compounds present within the leaf tissues. This study reveals significant in vivo anti-nociceptive and CNS depressant activities which justifies traditional medicinal applications of V. orientale.

Biological screening of selected Pacific Northwest forest plants using the brine shrimp (Artemia salina) toxicity bioassay

The brine shrimp (Artemia salina) bioassay was used to screen 211 methanol extracts from 128 species of Pacific Northwest plants in search of general cytotoxic activity. Strong toxicity (LC50 < 100 µg/ml) was found for 17 extracts from 13 species, with highest activity observed for Angelica arguta roots at <10 µg/ml. Notably, four species of cedar trees and one of juniper in the family Cupressaceae dominated this group with LC50 for heartwood extracts ranging from 15 to 89 µg/ml. Moderate toxicity (LC50 100-500 µg/ml) was found in 38 extracts from 27 species, while weak toxicity (LC50 500-1000 µg/ml) was detected for 17 extracts in 16 species. There were 139 extracts from 99 species that were non-toxic (LC50 > 1000 µg/ml). Our subsequent studies of conifer heartwoods with strong activity confirm the assay's value for identifying new investigational leads for materials with insecticidal and fungicidal activity.

Prospects in the development of natural radioprotective therapeutics with anti-cancer properties from the plants of Uttarakhand region of India

Radioprotective agents are substances those reduce the effects of radiation in healthy tissues while maintaining the sensitivity to radiation damage in tumor cells. Due to increased awareness about radioactive substances and their fatal effects on human health, radioprotective agents are now the topic of vivid research. Scavenging of free radicals is the most common mechanism in oncogenesis that plays an important role in protecting tissues from lethal effect of radiation exposure therefore radioprotectors are also good anti-cancer agents. There are numerous studies indicating plant-based therapeutics against cancer and radioprotection. Such plants could be further explored for developing them as promising natural radioprotectors with anti-cancer properties. This review systematically presents information on plants having radioprotective and anti-cancer properties.