Antioxidant and Inflammatory Effects of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Leaves

Optimizing Extraction, Evaluating Antioxidant Activity, and Analyzing Bioactive Compounds in Trikaysornmas Formula

The Trikaysornmas formula (TKM) represents a prevalent Thai traditional remedy utilized extensively in Thailand. Its traditional uses include appetite enhancement, functions as a nourishing tonic, and exhibits adaptogenic properties. Comprising Aegle marmelos fruit, Nelumbo nucifera stamen, and Jatropha multifida bark, this formula embodies the synergy among these three herbs. The objective of this study was to optimize the extraction method, determine the active compounds in the TKM, and evaluate its antioxidant activity. The optimization of the extraction method for this formula was studied using an experimental design. Phytochemical components such as total phenolics, total flavonoids, total carotenoids, and total alkaloids were assessed utilizing a colorimetric method. Antioxidant activities were assessed through DPPH free radical scavenging, ABTS radical cation decolorization, oxygen radical absorbance capacity, ferric reducing antioxidant power, metal chelating activity, and lipid peroxidation assay. For the analysis of active constituents in the formula, gallic acid, kaempferol-3-o-glucoside, imperatorin, vitexin, and scopoletin, a validated reversed-phase column high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed. The total active contents including phenolic, flavonoid, carotenoid, and alkaloid compounds were found in the formula. The developed HPLC method exhibited reliable results in all validation parameters. TKM demonstrated antioxidant activity in the models used in this research. The findings from this study can serve as valuable tools for standardization and quality control measures. Additionally, they can contribute to maximizing the possibilities inherent in this traditional Thai formulation.

Synthesis, characterization, and mechanistic insights into the enhanced anti-inflammatory activity of baicalin butyl ester via the PI3K-AKT pathway

Objective

To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism of Baicalin derivative (Baicalin butyl ester, BE).

Methods

BE was synthesized and identified using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. Its anti-inflammatory potential was explored by an in vitro inflammation model. Network pharmacology was employed to predict the anti-inflammatory targets of BE, construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, and analysis topological features and KEGG pathway enrichment. Additionally, molecular docking was conducted to evaluate the binding affinity between BE and its core targets. qRT-PCR analysis was conducted to validate the network pharmacology results. The organizational efficiency was further evaluated through octanol-water partition coefficient and transmembrane activity analysis.

Results

UV-Vis, FT-IR, MS, and HPLC analyses confirmed the successfully synthesis of BE with a high purity of 93.75%. In vitro anti-inflammatory research showed that BE could more effectively suppress the expression of NO, COX-2, IL-6, IL-1β, and iNOS. Network pharmacology and in vitro experiments validated that BE's anti-inflammatory effects was mediated through the suppression of SRC, HSP90AA1, PIK3CA, JAK2, AKT1, and NF-κB via PI3K-AKT pathway. Molecular docking results revealed that the binding affinities of BA to the core targets were lower than those of BE. The Log p-value of BE (1.7) was markedly higher than that of BA (-0.5). Furthermore, BE accumulated in cells at a level approximately 200 times greater than BA.

Conclusion

BE exhibits stronger anti-inflammatory activity relative to BA, possibly attributed to its better lipid solubility and cellular penetration capabilities. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of BE may be mediated through the PI3K-AKT pathway.

Effects of Haskap (Lonicera caerulea L.) Extracts against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in RAW 264.7 Cells

This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Lonicera caerulea L. ethanol extract (LCEE) and water extract (LCWE) in vitro. We primarily evaluated the improvement effect of LCWE and LCEE on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative damage and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory damage in RAW 264.7 cells by detecting oxidation-related indicators and inflammatory factors, respectively. Cellular studies showed that LCWE and LCEE increased superoxide dismutase and catalase antioxidant enzyme levels and decreased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide peroxide levels in H2O2-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, LCWE and LCEE decreased the secretion of inflammatory factors [e.g., interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α] in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. In conclusion, LCWE and LCEE demonstrated excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. However, LCWE was superior to LCEE, which may be related to its chemical composition and requires further research.

Pharmaceutical Potential of Remedial Plants and Helminths for Treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Research is increasingly revealing that inflammation significantly contributes to various diseases, particularly inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a major medical challenge due to its chronic nature, affecting at least one in a thousand individuals in many Western countries, with rising incidence in developing nations. Historically, indigenous people have used natural products to treat ailments, including IBD. Ethnobotanically guided studies have shown that plant-derived extracts and compounds effectively modulate immune responses and reduce inflammation. Similarly, helminths and their products offer unique mechanisms to modulate host immunity and alleviate inflammatory responses. This review explored the pharmaceutical potential of Aboriginal remedial plants and helminths for treating IBD, emphasizing recent advances in discovering anti-inflammatory small-molecule drug leads. The literature from Scopus, MEDLINE Ovid, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science was retrieved using keywords such as natural product, small molecule, cytokines, remedial plants, and helminths. This review identified 55 important Aboriginal medicinal plants and 9 helminth species that have been studied for their anti-inflammatory properties using animal models and in vitro cell assays. For example, curcumin, berberine, and triptolide, which have been isolated from plants; and the excretory-secretory products and their protein, which have been collected from helminths, have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity with lower toxicity and fewer side effects. High-throughput screening, molecular docking, artificial intelligence, and machine learning have been engaged in compound identification, while clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) gene editing and RNA sequencing have been employed to understand molecular interactions and regulations. While there is potential for pharmaceutical application of Aboriginal medicinal plants and gastrointestinal parasites in treating IBD, there is an urgent need to qualify these plant and helminth therapies through reproducible clinical and mechanistic studies.

An Updated Review on Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn: Chemical Composition, Nutritional Value and Pharmacological Activities

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn is a recognised herbal plant in ancient medical sciences. Each portion of the plant leaf, flower, seed and rhizome is utilised for nutritional and medicinal purposes. The chemical compositions like phenol, alkaloids, glycoside, terpenoids and steroids have been isolated. The plant contains various nutritional values like lipids, proteins, amino acids, minerals, carbohydrates, and fatty acids. Traditional medicine confirms that the phytochemicals of plants give significant benefits to the treatment of various diseases such as leukoderma, smallpox, dysentery, haematemesis, coughing, haemorrhage, metrorrhagia, haematuria, fever, hyperlipidaemia, cholera, hepatopathy and hyperdipsia. To verify the traditional claims, researchers have conducted scientific biological in vivo and in vitro screenings, which have exhibited that the plant keeps various notable pharmacological activities such as anticancer, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antiviral, hypolipidemic, anti-obesity, antipyretic, hypoglycaemic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. This review, summaries the nutritional composition, chemical constituents and biological activities substantiated by the researchers done in vivo and in vitro.

Impact of polyphenol-loaded edible starch nanomaterials on antioxidant capacity and gut microbiota

Starch nanoparticles (SNPs) have the capability to adsorb polyphenol components from apple pomace efficiently, forming bound polyphenols (P-SNPs). These bound polyphenols may have potential bioactivities to affect human health positively. Therefore, in-depth in vivo observation of the antioxidant activity and evaluation of its gut microbiota regulatory function are essential. The results revealed that P-SNPs indicated significant scavenging abilities against DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radicals. Furthermore, the nanomaterials exhibited non-toxic properties, devoid of hepatorenal and intestinal damage, while concurrently stimulating the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) within the gastrointestinal tract. Notably, P-SNPs significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity in serum, liver, and kidney tissues, fostering the proliferation of beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus, Bacillus, norank_f__Muribaculaceae) while suppressing pathogenic bacterial growth (Helicobacter, Odoribacter). This study proposes a novel research concept for the scientific use of polyphenols in promoting gut health.

Lotus leaf extract can attenuate salpingitis in laying hens by inhibiting apoptosis

This study aimed to determine whether the lotus leaf extract (LLE) had the effect of treating salpingitis in laying hens. First, the salpingitis model was established by the method of bacterial infection. Differential genes between salpingitis and healthy laying hens were identified by transcriptome sequencing, and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed. Groups of treatment of antibiotics and LLE were established to verify the feasibility of the lotus leaf extract in treating salpingitis. Furthermore, the active component and pharmacological effects of LLE were identified using the UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and network pharmacology technique. At last, the mechanism of LLE treating salpingitis was further evaluated by DF-1 cells infected with bacteria. The results showed that LLE significantly reduced the levels of TLR4 and IFN-γ (P < 0.05), accelerated the levels of IgA and IgG (P < 0.05), regulated the levels of SOD and MDA (P < 0.05) in laying hens with salpingitis. A total of 1,874 differential genes were obtained according to the transcriptome sequencing. It was revealed a significant role in cell cycle and apoptosis by enrichment analysis. In addition, among the 28 components identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, 20 components acted on 58 genes, including CDK1, BIRC5, and CA2 for treating salpingitis. After bacterial infection, cells were damaged and unable to complete the normal progression of the cell cycle, leading to cell cycle arrest and further apoptosis formation. However, with the intervention of LLE, bacterial infection was resisted. The cells proliferation was extensively restored, and the expression of NO was increased. The addition of LLE significantly decreased cell apoptosis. The G1 phase increased, the S phase and the G2 phase decreased in the model group; after the intervention of LLE, the G1 phase gradually returned to the average level, and G2 and S phases increased. The mRNA expression levels of BIRC5, CDK1, and CA2 were consistent with the predicted results in network pharmacology. At the same time, the mRNA expression levels of Caspase-3 and Caspase-7 were reduced after added with LLE. The mRNA expression levels of TNF-α, TRADD, FADD, Caspase-8, Caspase-10, and Caspase-9 (P < 0.05), which would inhibit death receptor activation and decrease the apoptotic cascade, were upregulated after bacterial infection. However, the results in LLE groups were downregulated (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the mRNA expression levels of BCL-2 in LLE groups were increased significantly compared with it in model group (P < 0.05). Notably, LLE administration inhibited apoptosis and regulated the cell cycle distribution in the salpingitis induced by bacterial infection. These results indicated that the LLE attenuated bacterial-induced salpingitis by modulating apoptosis and immune function in laying hens.

Metabolite profiling and screening of callus browning-related genes in lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)

Callus browning is a major drawback to lotus callus proliferation and regeneration. However, the underlying mechanism of its formation remains largely unknown. Herein, we aimed to explore the metabolic and molecular basis of lotus callus browning by combining histological staining, high-throughput metabolomics, and transcriptomic assays for lotus callus at three browning stages. Histological stained brown callus cross sections displayed severe cell death symptoms, accompanied by an obvious accumulation of polyphenols and lignified materials. Widely targeted metabolomics revealed extensively decreased accumulation of most detected flavonoids and benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs), as well as a few phenolic acids, amino acids and their derivatives in callus with browning symptoms. Conversely, the contents of most detected tannins were significantly increased. Subsequent comparative transcriptomics identified a set of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with the biosynthesis and regulation of flavonoids and BIAs in lotus. Notably, callus browning was coupled with significantly up-regulated expression of two polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and 17 peroxidase (POD) encoding genes, while the expression of ethylene associated genes remained at marginal levels. These results suggest that lotus callus browning is primarily controlled at the level of metabolism, wherein the oxidation of flavonoids and BIAs is crucially decisive.

Effects of Nelumbonucifera Gaertn. Petal Tea Extract on Hepatotoxicity and Oxidative Stress Induced by Mancozeb in Rat Model

Mancozeb (Mz) is one of the most widely used pesticides that has been reported to cause adverse human health risks. White Nelumbo nucifera (N. nucifera) petals have therapeutic properties to prevent toxicity. Hence, this study attempted to determine the effects of N. nucifera extract on hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in mancozeb-treated rats. Seventy-two male rats were divided into nine groups and designed with a control; N. nucifera extract was administered at the doses of 0.55, 1.1, and 2.2 mg/kg bw/day, Mz was administered at 500 mg/kg bw/day, and the co-treatment groups (N. nucifera and Mz) were administered 0.55, 1.1, and 2.2 mg/kg bw/day of N. nucifera followed by administering Mz 500 mg/kg bw/day daily for 30 days. The results showed that all doses of N. nucifera extract did not induce hepatic toxicity and could suppress the toxicity of mancozeb by increasing body weight gain and decreasing relative liver weight, lobular inflammation, and total injury score. The combination treatment also decreased the molecular markers of oxidative stress (2-hydroxybutyric acid, 4-hydroxynonenal, l-tyrosine, pentosidine, and N6-carboxymethyllysine). Furthermore, the reduced glutathione and oxidized glutathione contents were adjusted close to the normal level. Therefore, N. nucifera extract is a natural antioxidant supplement that could decrease the toxicity of mancozeb and can be safely consumed.

Comparison study of Beninese and Chinese herbal medicines in treating COVID-19

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The worldwide use of natural remedies is an alternative therapeutic solution to strengthen immunity, fight, and prevent this disease. The rapid spread of the coronavirus disease worldwide has promoted the search for therapeutic solutions following different approaches. China and Benin have seen the use of natural remedies such as Chinese herbal medicine and local endemic plants as alternative solutions in treating COVID-19.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was designed to identify the prevalence of medicinal plant use in four municipalities of Benin most affected by COVID-19 and compare them with traditional Chinese medicine and finally verify the efficacy of the main components of the six plants most frequently used, via in vitro experiments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study targeting market herbalists and traditional healers was conducted in the form of an ethnomedicinal survey in four representative communities (Cotonou, Abomey-Calavi, Zè, and Ouidah) of southern Benin. The chemical compositions of the six most commonly used herbs were investigated using network pharmacology. Network-based global prediction of disease genes and drug, target, function, and pathway enrichment analysis of the top six herbs was conducted using databases including IPA and visualised using Cytoscape software. The natural botanical drugs involved three medicines and three formulas used in the treatment of COVID-19 in China from the published literature were compared with the top six botanical drugs used in Benin to identify similarities between them and guide the clinical medication in both countries. Finally, the efficacy of the common ingredients in six plants was verified by measuring the viability of BEAS-2B cells and the release of inflammatory factors after administration of different ingredients. Binding abilities of six components to COVID-19 related targets were verified by molecular docking.

RESULTS

According to the medication survey investigation, the six most used herbs were Citrus aurantiifolia (13.18%), Momordica charantia (7.75%), Ocimum gratissimum (7.36%), Crateva adansonii (6.59%), Azadirachta indica (5.81%), and Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (5.42%). The most represented botanical families were Rutaceae, Lamiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Meliaceae, and Capparaceae. The network pharmacology of these six herbal plants showed that the flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol, and β-sitosterol were the main active ingredients of the Benin herbal medicine. Chinese and Beninese herbal medicine are similar in that they have the same targets and pathways in inflammation and oxidative stress relief. Mild COVID-19-related targets come from C. aurantiifolia and M. charantia, and severe COVID-19-related targets come from A. indica A. Juss. Cell viability and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results confirmed that six major compounds could protect BEAS-2B cells against injury by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors, among which quercetin and isoimperatorin were more effective. Docking verified that the six compounds have good binding potential with COVID-19 related targets.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that Benin herbal medicine and Chinese herbal medicine overlap in compounds, targets, and pathways to a certain extent. Among the commonly used plants in Benin, C. aurantiifolia and M. charantia may have a good curative effect on the treatment of mild COVID-19, while for severe COVID-19, A. indica can be added on this basis.

Kaempferol ameliorates pulmonary vascular remodeling in chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension rats via regulating Akt-GSK3β-cyclin axis

Excessive proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) is considered a major contributor to elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and a key mechanism of vascular remodeling in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH). Kaempferol is a natural flavonoid compound and can be derived from numerous common medicinal herbs and vegetables, which exhibit antiproliferative and proapoptotic properties, however, the effects of kaempferol on vascular remodeling in HPH remain unexplored. In this study, SD rats were placed in a hypobaric hypoxia chamber for four weeks to establish a pulmonary hypertension model and given either kaempferol or sildenafil (an inhibitor of PDE-5) during days 1-28, after which the hemodynamic parameter and pulmonary vascular morphometry were assessed. Furthermore, primary rat PASMCs were exposed to hypoxic conditions to generate a cell proliferation model, then incubated with either kaempferol or LY294002 (an inhibitor of PI3K). Immunoblotting and real-time quantitative PCR assessed the protein and mRNA expression levels in HPH rat lungs and PASMCs. We found that kaempferol reduced pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular remodeling, and alleviated right ventricular hypertrophy in HPH rats. The mechanistic analysis demonstrated that kaempferol reduced the protein levels of phosphorylation of Akt and GSK3β, leading to decreased expression of pro-proliferation (CDK2, CDK4, Cyclin D1, and PCNA) and anti-apoptotic related proteins (Bcl-2) and increased expression of pro-apoptosis proteins (Bax and cleaved caspase 3). These results collectively demonstrate that kaempferol ameliorates HPH in rats by inhibiting PASMC proliferation and pro-apoptosis via modulation of the Akt/GSK3β/CyclinD axis.

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation on Metabolites in Lotus Leaf Based on Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

The lotus leaf is a raw material commonly used in slimming herbal products, but the deep processing technology is insufficient. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation is an effective method to improve the efficacy of plant materials. In this study, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC–HR-MS) was used to explore the differential metabolites of a lotus leaf aqueous extract before and after fermentation. Information about the metabolites in the water extract of lotus leaves before and after fermentation was collected in positive- and negative-ion modes, and the metabolites identified before and after fermentation were screened by multivariate statistical analysis. A total of 91 different metabolites were obtained. They included flavonoids, alkaloids, phenylpropanoids, organic acids and derivatives, terpenoids, fatty acids and fatty acyls, phenols, amino acid derivatives and others. Compared with the metabolites’ levels before fermentation, the relative contents of 68 metabolites were upregulated after fermentation, and the relative contents of 23 metabolites were downregulated. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis identified 25 metabolic pathways, of which flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, citrate cycle and flavonoid biosynthesis were the main metabolic pathways. The results of this study can provide a basis for further research and the development of products containing lotus leaves fermented by LAB.

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) Leaf-Fermentation Supernatant Inhibits Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and Suppresses Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats

The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) leaf is a typical homologous ingredient of medicine and food with lipid-lowering and weight-loss effects. In the present study, lotus leaves were fermented by two probiotics, Enterococcus faecium WEFA23 and Enterococcus hirae WEHI01, and the anti-adipogenic effect of Enterococcus fermented lotus leaf supernatant (FLLS) was evaluated in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with the aim of exploring whether its anti-obesity ability will be enhanced after fermentation with Enterococcus and to dig out the potential corresponding mechanism. The FLLS fermented by E. hirae WEHI01 (FLLS-WEHI01) was selected and further investigated for its ability to inhibit obesity in vivo in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats (male, 110 ± 5 g, 4 weeks old) due to its superior inhibitory effect on adipogenesis and lipid accumulation (inhibition rate of up to 56.17%) in 3T3-L1 cells (p = 0.008 for WEHI01-L, p < 0.001 for WEHI01-H). We found that the oral administration of both the low and high doses of FLLS-WEHI01 could achieve some effects, namely decreasing body weight (p < 0.001), epididymal fat mass, adipocyte cell size, LDL-C levels (p = 0.89, 0.02, respectively), liver TC levels (p < 0.001, p = 0.01, respectively), and TG levels (p = 0.2137, p = 0.0464, respectively), fasting blood glucose (p = 0.1585, p = 0.0009), and improved insulin resistance (p = 0.33, 0.01, respectively) in rats of the model group. Moreover, the administration of both high and low doses of FLLS-WEHI01 decreased the transcription levels of adipogenic transcription factors and corresponding genes such as Pparγ (p < 0.001), Cebpα (p < 0.001), Acc (p < 0.001), and Fas (p < 0.001) by at least three times. These results indicate that FLLS-WEHI01 can potentially be developed as an healthy, anti-obesity foodstuff.

Blood Coral Polysaccharide Helps Prevent D-Gal/LPS-Induced Acute Liver Failure in Mice

Objective

The liver protection of blood coral polysaccharide (BCP) was investigated.

Materials and Methods

We evaluated the effect of BCP on liver pathology, liver function, oxidation and inflammation-related indicators of D-Gal/LPS-induced acute liver failure (ALF) mice in vivo.

Results

Liver index and liver pathology observation in mice showed that BCP could inhibit liver tissue swelling and hemorrhage, hepatocyte damage, and inflammatory infiltration in ALF. Serum liver function results showed that BCP effectively inhibits the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total bilirubin (TBil), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), myeloperoxidase (MPO). High dose-blood coral polysaccharide (H-BCP) was better than silymarin. Serum antioxidant and immune results showed that BCP increased the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and inhibited the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO). Also, BCP increased immunoglobulins G (IgG) and A (IgA) levels, thereby enhancing humoral immunity. Liver anti-inflammatory ELISA results showed that BCP reduced the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ, and enhanced the level of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10. H-BCP was the most effective treatment. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) of liver tissues confirmed that BCP increases the relative expression levels of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory-related cuprozinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD, SOD1), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD, SOD2), CAT, GSH, GSH-Px, and IL-10. In contrast, it inhibits inflammation-related genes IL-6, IL-1β, IL-17, TNF-α, IFN-γ, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS, NOS2), and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. In addition, BCP also inhibits the nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and enhance B-cell inhibitor-α (IκB-α) gene relative expression in the liver, which may be related to NF-κB pathway inhibition.

Conclusion

BCP prevents D-Gal/LPS-induced ALF in mice, and its effect is concentration dependent.

Research Advances in Lotus Leaf as Chinese Dietary Herbal Medicine

Lotus leaf (Heye), the dry foliage of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn, has been valuable as a dietary herbal medicine for thousands of years. Phytochemical studies indicated that alkaloids and flavonoids are the main components of Heye. Polysaccharides, terpenes, and amino acids are also active ingredients. The drug properties of Heye are mild and bitter. Meridian tropism is mainly distributed in the liver, spleen, and stomach meridian. In the Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theoretical system, it is in many formulas for the therapy of various symptoms, including wasting-thirst induced by summer heat, diarrhea caused by summer heat-dampness and spleen deficiency, hematochezia, flooding and spotting, among others. Nowadays, the extracts and active components of Heye demonstrate multiple bioactivities, for instance anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, cardiovascular protective, anticancer, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, antiviral, antimicrobial, as well as hemostatic activities. This review will provide an overview of Heye serving as a typical plant with functions of both medicine and food, including its practical applications in terms of TCM and healthy diet, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, together with its toxicity. Besides, the new points and prospects of Heye in the overview are also outlined straightforwardly.

Indigenous Uses, Phytochemical Analysis, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Australian Tropical Medicinal Plants

Australian tropical plants have been a rich source of food (bush food) and medicine to the first Australians (Aboriginal people), who are believed to have lived for more than 50,000 years. Plants such as spreading sneezeweed (Centipeda minima), goat’s foot (Ipomoea pes-caprae), and hop bush (Dodonaea viscosa and D. polyandra) are a few popular Aboriginal medicinal plants. Thus far, more than 900 medicinal plants have been recorded in the tropical region alone, and many of them are associated with diverse ethnomedicinal uses that belong to the traditional owners of Aboriginal people. In our effort to find anti-inflammatory lead compounds in collaboration with Aboriginal communities from their medicinal plants, we reviewed 78 medicinal plants used against various inflammation and inflammatory-related conditions by Aboriginal people. Out of those 78 species, we have included only 45 species whose crude extracts or isolated pure compounds showed anti-inflammatory properties. Upon investigating compounds isolated from 40 species (for five species, only crude extracts were studied), 83 compounds were associated with various anti-inflammatory properties. Alphitolic acid, Betulinic acid, Malabaric acid, and Hispidulin reduced proinflammatory cytokines and cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and 2) with IC₅₀ values ranging from 11.5 to 46.9 uM. Other promising anti-inflammatory compounds are Brevilin A (from Centipeda minima), Eupalestin, and 5′-methoxy nobiletin (from Ageratum conyzoides), Calophyllolide (from Calophyllum inophyllum), and Brusatol (from Brucea javanica). D. polyandra is one example of an Aboriginal medicinal plant from which a novel anti-inflammatory benzoyl ester clerodane diterpenoid compound was obtained (compound name not disclosed), and it is in the development of topical medicines for inflammatory skin diseases. Medicinal plants in the tropics and those associated with indigenous knowledge of Aboriginal people could be a potential alternative source of novel anti-inflammatory therapeutics.

Immune-Enhancing Effects of Co-treatment With Kalopanax pictus Nakai Bark and Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner Leaf Extract in a Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Rat Model

Objective

Immune system disorders can result in various pathological conditions, such as infections and cancer. Identifying therapies that enhance the immune response might be crucial for immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, we assessed the immune-enhancing effect of co-treatment with Kalopanax pictus Nakai Bark and Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner leaf extract (KPNN) in a cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced immunosuppressed rat model.

Materials and Methods

For in vitro studies, macrophages and splenocytes were treated with various KPNN doses in the presence or absence of Cy. Macrophage viability, nitric oxide production, splenocyte viability, cytokine production and natural killer (NK) cell activity were analyzed. For in vivo studies, analysis of weekly body weight, dietary intake, tissue weight, immune-related blood cell count, cytokine levels, and spleen biopsy was performed in a Cy-induced immunocompromised animal model.

Results

KPNN significantly increased phospho-NF-κB and phospho-ERK protein levels and cell viability in macrophages. KPNN significantly increased the NK cell activity in splenocytes compared to that in the control. Cy treatment decreased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and interferon-γ production. In the Cy-induced immunosuppression rat model, KPNN-treated rats had significantly higher body weights and tissue weights than the Cy-treated rats. Additionally, KPNN treatment restored the immune-related factors, such as total leukocyte, lymphocyte, and intermediate cell contents, to their normal levels in the blood. The blood cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) were increased, and spleen tissue damage was significantly alleviated.

Conclusions

Collectively, KPNN exerts an immune-enhancing effect suggesting their potential as an immunostimulatory agent or functional food.