Investigation of the Key Pharmacological Activities of Ficus racemosa and Analysis of Its Major Bioactive Polyphenols by HPLC-DAD

Ellagic Acid: A Green Multi-Target Weapon That Reduces Oxidative Stress and Inflammation to Prevent and Improve the Condition of Alzheimer's Disease

Oxidative stress (OS), generated by the overrun of reactive species of oxygen and nitrogen (RONS), is the key cause of several human diseases. With inflammation, OS is responsible for the onset and development of clinical signs and the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is a multifactorial chronic neurodegenerative syndrome indicated by a form of progressive dementia associated with aging. While one-target drugs only soften its symptoms while generating drug resistance, multi-target polyphenols from fruits and vegetables, such as ellagitannins (ETs), ellagic acid (EA), and urolithins (UROs), having potent antioxidant and radical scavenging effects capable of counteracting OS, could be new green options to treat human degenerative diseases, thus representing hopeful alternatives and/or adjuvants to one-target drugs to ameliorate AD. Unfortunately, in vivo ETs are not absorbed, while providing mainly ellagic acid (EA), which, due to its trivial water-solubility and first-pass effect, metabolizes in the intestine to yield UROs, or irreversible binding to cellular DNA and proteins, which have very low bioavailability, thus failing as a therapeutic in vivo. Currently, only UROs have confirmed the beneficial effect demonstrated in vitro by reaching tissues to the extent necessary for therapeutic outcomes. Unfortunately, upon the administration of food rich in ETs or ETs and EA, URO formation is affected by extreme interindividual variability that renders them unreliable as novel clinically usable drugs. Significant attention has therefore been paid specifically to multitarget EA, which is incessantly investigated as such or nanotechnologically manipulated to be a potential "lead compound" with protective action toward AD. An overview of the multi-factorial and multi-target aspects that characterize AD and polyphenol activity, respectively, as well as the traditional and/or innovative clinical treatments available to treat AD, constitutes the opening of this work. Upon focus on the pathophysiology of OS and on EA's chemical features and mechanisms leading to its antioxidant activity, an all-around updated analysis of the current EA-rich foods and EA involvement in the field of AD is provided. The possible clinical usage of EA to treat AD is discussed, reporting results of its applications in vitro, in vivo, and during clinical trials. A critical view of the need for more extensive use of the most rapid diagnostic methods to detect AD from its early symptoms is also included in this work.

A review of Ficus L. genus (Moraceae): a source of bioactive compounds for health and disease. Part 1

The Ficus L. genus, belonging to the Moraceae family, includes around 850 species that are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions around the world; including the Eastern Mediterranean, Asia, Africa, Australia, and a large territory of America. Among the most important species are F. deltoidea, F. exasperata, F. sycomorus, F. religiosa, F. microcarpa, F. hirta Vahl, F. benghalensis, F. racemosa, F. elástica, and F. carica. Different parts of Ficus plants (root, stem bark, latex, leaves, pulp and fruits) contain bioactive compounds [flavonoids (flavanols, flavones, flavonols, isoflavones, chalcones, anthocyanins), phenolic acids (hidroxylcinnamic acids, hidroxylbenzoic acids), phytosterols, terpenes (triterpenes, tetraterpenes, diterpenes, sesquiterpenes, monoterpenes), coumarins, hydroxybenzoates, phenylpropanoids, chlorins, pheophytins, megastigmanes, chitinases, organic acids, fatty acids, amino acids, alkaloids, glycosides] which together, are currently useful to more than 30 traditional ethnomedical uses. The present manuscript is the result of scientific search processed with the main electronic databases (PubMEd, SciELO, Latindex, Redalyc, BiologyBrowser, ScienceResearch, ScienceDirect, Academic Journals, Ethnobotany, and Scopus). This first review (Part 1), compiles information from published research (in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies) on its antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-helminthic, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties; as well as its possible adverse and/or toxicological effects. Given the amount of evidence described in this review it aims to trigger a more detailed scientific research on the important pharmacological properties of all angiosperm plants of the genus Ficus L.

Recent advances in methods of extraction, pre-concentration, purification, identification, and quantification of kaempferol

As a naturally widely-occurring dietary, cosmetic, and therapeutic flavonoid, kaempferol has gained much consideration for its nutritional and pharmaceutical properties in recent years. Although there have been performed a high number of studies associated with different aspects of kaempferol's analytical investigations, the lack of a comprehensive summary of the various methods and other plant sources that have been reported for this compound is being felt, especially for many biological applications. This study, aimed to provide a detailed compilation consisting of sources (plant species) and analytical information that was precisely related to the natural flavonoid (kaempferol). There is a trend in analytical research that supports the application of modern eco-friendly instruments and methods. In conclusion, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) is the most general advanced method used widely today for the extraction of kaempferol. During recent years, there is an increasing tendency towards the identification of kaempferol by different methods.

Comprehensive study on pharmacognostic, pharmacological, and toxicological features of Ficus racemosa in Alzheimer's disease using GC-MS and molecular docking analyses

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents as a widespread neurodegenerative condition impacting over 55 million individuals globally, with an annual rise of 10 million new cases. Despite its staggering prevalence, the absence of a definitive cure establishes the need for a revisit.

Methods

We explore the alternative strategies, focusing on the potential therapeutic efficacy of ethanolic extracts derived from the fruit and leaf of Ficus racemosa Linn.

Results

The investigation comprehensively explores pharmacognostic, phytochemical, toxicological, and pharmacological characteristics. In addition to pharmacognostic and physicochemical analyses, toxicological evaluations conducted on experimental animals demonstrated the innocuous nature of the ethanolic extracts (from both fruit and leaf) of F. racemosa, as evidenced by assessments of hemocompatibility, oxidative parameters, and vital organ histology. Phytochemical profiling via GC-MS identified 48 and 80 phytoconstituents in the fruit and leaf extracts, respectively. These constituents were screened for bioactive potential using the "Lipinski Rule of Five," resulting in the selection of 25 and 33 constituents from fruit and leaf extracts, respectively. Subsequent molecular docking studies against the AChE enzyme revealed promising interactions of the selected phytoconstituents. Furthermore, the top-scoring phytoconstituents were subjected to in silico screening to assess their interactions with β- and γ-secretase enzymes, in addition to the AChE enzyme. The cumulative findings substantiate the therapeutic utility of the plant extracts, particularly in the context of AD.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our investigation highlights the promising therapeutic potential of selected phytoconstituents derived from ethanolic extracts of F. racemosa in mitigating AD pathology by targeting key enzyme sites such as AChE, β-, and γ-secretase.

Jelly Fig (Ficus awkeotsang Makino) Exhibits Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Activities by Regulating Reactive Oxygen Species Production via NFκB Signaling Pathway

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Ficus awkeotsang Makino extract (FAE) on Hs68 fibroblasts and BALB/c nude-mouse models are evaluated in this study. FAE was found to be non-toxic and showed high levels of DPPH, H₂O₂, and hydroxyl radical scavenging abilities; a ferrous chelating capacity; as well as ferric-reducing antioxidant capability. The antioxidant activity of FAE was strongly associated with polyphenolic content (flavonoids at 10.3 mg QE g⁻¹ and total phenol at 107.6 mg GAE g⁻¹). The anti-inflammatory activity of FAE and the underlying molecular mechanisms were also investigated. The a* value of the mouse dorsal skin after treatment with FAE at 1.5 mg/mL in addition to chronic UVB exposure was found to decrease by 19.2% during a ten-week period. The anti-inflammatory effect of FAE was evidenced by the decreased accumulation of inflammatory cells and skin thickness. Expression levels of UVB-induced inflammatory proteins, including ROS, NF-κB, iNOS, COX-2, and IL-6, were significantly reduced upon FAE treatment in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our results suggest that the inhibition of ROS and UVB-induced activation of the NF-κB downstream signaling pathway by FAE, indicating considerable potential as a versatile adjuvant against free radical damage in pharmaceutical applications.

Regulation of the redox signaling and inflammation by Terminalia myriocarpa leaves and the predictive interactions of it's major metabolites with iNOS and NF-ĸB

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The present study was designed to investigate the regulation of the redox signaling and inflammation by ethanolic leaf extract of Terminalia myriocarpaVan Heurck & Müller (ETM), inspired by the reported antioxidant potential of the plant bark and the anti-edema effect of the same genus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HPLC-DAD dereplication study was conducted to detect the major polyphenolic secondary metabolites. In-vitro DPPH free radical scavenging assay, nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assay, Fe²⁺ ion chelating ability assay and reducing power assay were conducted to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. The molecular mechanism of anti-inflammation was investigated via assessing the NO and NF-ĸB inhibiting properties in different cell lines. In-vivo carrageenan and histamine-induced edema tests were conducted using established animal models. Pro-inflammatory proteins iNOS and NF-κB were docked against the major metabolites of ETM in the in-silico study.

RESULTS

HPLC dereplication analysis revealed the presence of considerable amount of ellagic acid, where methyl-(S)-flavogallonate was previously reported in T. myriocarpa. Significant antioxidant activity was found in every in- vitro redox assay conducted. NO was reduced in RAW 264.7 cells, showing 83.67 ± 4.18% inhibitory activity at the highest tested concentration. TNF-α induced NF-κB was also observed to be reduced in 293/NF-кB-luc cells with an inhibitory activity of 66.23 ± 0.81% at the highest dose tested. In-vivo carrageenan-induced edema test demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) at both doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg with 60.10% highest reduction in rat paw volume. Using same doses, histamine-induced edema test exhibited mentionable anti-inflammatory potential (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) with 67.91% highest reduction in rat paw volume. Moreover, ellagic acid and methyl-(S)-flavogallonate showed significant binding affinity with iNOS (-8.5 and -8.7 Kcal/moL, respectively) and NF-κB (-7.3 and -7.3 Kcal/moL, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Mentionable basis was found on behalf of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials of ETM which might be correlated with its NF-ĸB inhibiting properties.

Neuroprotective Potential of Ellagic Acid: A Critical Review

Ellagic acid (EA) is a dietary polyphenol present in various fruits, vegetables, herbs, and nuts. It exists either independently or as part of complex structures, such as ellagitannins, which release EA and several other metabolites including urolithins following absorption. During the past few decades, EA has drawn considerable attention because of its vast range of biological activities as well as its numerous molecular targets. Several studies have reported that the oxidative stress-lowering potential of EA accounts for its broad-spectrum pharmacological attributes. At the biochemical level, several mechanisms have also been associated with its therapeutic action, including its efficacy in normalizing lipid metabolism and lipidemic profile, regulating proinflammatory mediators, such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, upregulating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and inhibiting NF-κB action. EA exerts appreciable neuroprotective activity by its free radical-scavenging action, iron chelation, initiation of several cell signaling pathways, and alleviation of mitochondrial dysfunction. Numerous in vivo studies have also explored the neuroprotective attribute of EA against various neurotoxins in animal models. Despite the increasing number of publications with experimental evidence, a critical analysis of available literature to understand the full neuroprotective potential of EA has not been performed. The present review provides up-to-date, comprehensive, and critical information regarding the natural sources of EA, its bioavailability, metabolism, neuroprotective activities, and underlying mechanisms of action in order to encourage further studies to define the clinical usefulness of EA for the management of neurological disorders.

Cytotoxicity of Ficus Crocata Extract on Cervical Cancer Cells and Protective Effect against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress in HaCaT Non-Tumor Cells

Oxidative stress causes several chronic diseases including cancer. Some chemotherapeutic agents are not selective against tumor cells, causing oxidative stress in non-tumor cells. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of acetone extract of Ficus crocata (Miq.) Mart. ex Miq. (F. crocata) leaves (Ace-EFc) on cervical cancer cells, as well as its protective effect on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced lipoperoxidation and cytotoxicity in non-tumor HaCaT cells. Antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH and ABTS radicals. Cell viability and lipoperoxidation were determined with MTT and 1-methyl-2-phenylindole assays, respectively. A model of H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage in HaCaT cells was established. HaCaT cells were exposed to the extract before or after exposure to H₂O₂, and oxidative damage and cell viability were evaluated. Ace-EFc inhibited the DPPH and ABTS radicals and showed a cytotoxic effect on SiHa and HeLa cells. Furthermore, the extract treatment had a protective effect on hydrogen peroxide-induced lipoperoxidation and cytotoxicity, avoiding the increase in MalonDiAldehyde (MDA) levels and the decrease in cell viability (p < 0.001). These results suggest that the metabolites of F. crocata leaves possess antioxidant and cytoprotective activity against oxidative damage. Thus, they could be useful for protecting cells from conditions that cause oxidative stress.

Antinociceptive and sedative activity of Vernonia patula and predictive interactions of its phenolic compounds with the cannabinoid type 1 receptor

When tested in the acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced paw-licking tests, the ethanol extract of Vernonia patula (VP) aerial parts showed significant antinociceptive activity. In neuropharmacological tests, it also significantly delayed the onset of sleep, increased the duration of sleeping time, and significantly reduced the locomotor activity and exploratory behaviour of mice. Five phenolic compounds, namely gallic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin and kaempferol, were detected in VP following HPLC-DAD analysis. The presence of these phenolic compounds in VP provides some support for the observed antinociceptive and sedative effects. A computational study was performed to predict the binding affinity of gallic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin and kaempferol towards the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor. Caffeic and vanillic acid showed the highest probable ligand efficiency indices towards the CB1 target. Vanillic acid displayed the best blood-brain barrier penetration prediction score. These findings provide some evidence for the traditional use of VP to treat pain.

Polyphenol-Enriched Extracts from Trapa acornis Husks Inhibit Her2-Positive SK-BR-3 Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation and In Vivo Tumor Angiogenesis

The study aimed to investigate the antitumor effects of Trapa acornis husks (TAH) extract on SK-BR-3 cells of Her2-positive breast cancer. The bioactive compounds of TAH extracts were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS)/high-performance liquid chromatographic system (HPLC). The effects of TAH extracts on cell proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis of SK-BR-3 cells were determined by CCK-8 and flow cytometry. Besides, the In Vivo antitumor effect of TAH extracts was detected. UPLC-MS/HPLC showed that the main bioactive compounds of TAH were gallic acid and galloylglucose derivatives. TAH extracts significantly inhibited the proliferation of SK-BR-3 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P < 0.01). With the increase of TAH extracts concentration, cells in G2/M stage were increased and cell apoptosis was significantly increased. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that TAH extracts can significantly reduce the positive expression rate of Ki67 and Factor VIII index in tumor tissues. The mRNA expression levels of VEGF, MMP2, MMP9, and uPA were reduced after TAH extracts intervention (P < 0.01). TAH extracts also decreased the protein expression of p-Her2, p-ERK1/2, VEGF, MMP2, MMP9, and uPA (P < 0.01). In conclusion, polyphenol-enriched extracts from TAH might inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation and In Vivo tumor angiogenesis.

Phytochemical and pharmacological evaluation of ethanolic extract of Lepisanthes rubiginosa L. leaves

BACKGROUND

The current study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant, analgesic, antihyperglycemic, neuropharmacological and antidiarrheal activities of ethanolic extract of Lepisanthes rubiginosa L. leaves in different experimental models.

METHODS

Quantitative and qualitative analysis were done by TLC (thin layer chromatography) and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay. Analgesic, antihyperglycemic and antidiarrheal activities were evaluated using acetic acid induced writhing in mice, oral glucose tolerance test and castor oil induced diarrhea, respectively. Neuropharmacological activity was investigated in mice using both Open Field and Hole Board methods.

RESULTS

TLC analysis indicated the presence of antioxidant compounds in the extract we used. The extract showed IC50 value was 31.62 μg/mL whereas the standard ascorbic acid showed 12.02 μg/mL. In acetic acid induced writhing assay, the extract showed 46.07% and 58.43% writhing inhibition at the doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight, respectively whereas standard diclofenac-Na (25 mg/kg) showed 86.52% writhing inhibition. The plant extract showed significant (p < 0.05) antihyperglycemic activity on mice as compared to control groups. In neuropharmacological activity assay the experimental animal showed a noticeable decrease in locomotion by showing a decrease in number of square crossed and head dipping at both doses (250 mg/kg & 500 mg/kg). In antidiarrheal activity test, the plant extract at the doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg showed percent inhibition of defecation 57.89 and 77.19 respectively, whereas standard loperamide (3 mg/kg) showed percent inhibition of defecation 88.59.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated that the extract has potential antioxidant, analgesic, antihyperglycemic, neuropharmacological and antidiarrheal activity.

Ficus hispida Bark Extract Prevents Nociception, Inflammation, and CNS Stimulation in Experimental Animal Model

Background. Ficus hispida is traditionally used in the ailment of pain, inflammation, and neurological disorders. The present study set out to evaluate the in vivo antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and sedative activity of the ethanol extract of Ficus hispida bark (EFHB). Methods. The antinociceptive activity of EFHB was evaluated by using acetic acid induced writhing, formalin, hot plate, and tail immersion methods in Swiss albino mice. Its anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by using carrageenan and histamine induced rat paw oedema test in Wister rats. The central stimulating activity was studied by using pentobarbital induced hypnosis, hole cross, and open field tests in Swiss albino mice. Results. EFHB demonstrated antinociceptive activity both centrally and peripherally. It showed 62.24% of writhing inhibition. It significantly inhibited licking responses in early (59.29%) and late phase (71.61%). It increased the reaction time to the thermal stimulus in both hot plate and tail immersion. It inhibited the inflammation to the extent of 59.49%. A substantial increase in duration of sleep up to 60.80 min and decrease of locomotion up to 21.70 at 400 mg/kg were also observed. Conclusion. We found significant dose dependent antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties of EFHB in experimental animal models.