A Review of the Pharmacological Potential of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn on Cancer

Spatholobus suberectus Dunn (SSD) has been extensively employed in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat several ailments. SSD and its active compounds are effective therapeutic agents for treating a variety of diseases with negligible side effects. Therefore, we aimed to investigate its phytochemistry, pharmacology, and potential therapeutic effects exclusively in cancer prevention and treatment. Phytochemical and pharmacological information was collected and arranged in a rational order. SSD has been frequently attributed to having antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, hematopoietic, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. Evidence has indicated that the bioactive constituents in SSD have attracted increasing scientific attention due to their preventive role in cancers. Further, the present review provides the current information on the health implications of SSD, thus allowing for future clinical trials to explore its restorative benefits. All data of in vitro and animal investigations of SSD, as well as its effect on human health, were obtained from an electronic search and library database. The diverse pharmacological potential of SSD provides an opportunity for preclinical drug discovery, and this comprehensive review strongly indicates that SSD is an excellent anti-tumorigenic agent that modulates or prevents breast cancer.

Attenuation of UVB-Induced Photo-Aging by Polyphenolic-Rich Spatholobus Suberectus Stem Extract Via Modulation of MAPK/AP-1/MMPs Signaling in Human Keratinocytes

It is well known that ultraviolet light activates mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase by increasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body, enhancing activating protein 1(AP-1) complexes (c-Jun and c-Fos), increasing matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and degrading collagen and elastin. In this study, we confirmed that polyphenolic rich Spatholobus suberectus (SS) stem extracts suppressed ultraviolet (UV)-induced photo-aging. The major active components of SS stem extracts were identified as gallic acid, catechin, vanillic acid, syringic acid and epicatechin. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the stem of SS (SSW and SSE, respectively) significantly reduced the elastase enzyme activity. Moreover, both extracts were suppressed the ROS generation and cellular damage induced by UVB in HaCaT cells. Our results also revealed that SSE could regulate the expression of MMPs, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), elastin (ELN) and hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) at their transcriptional and translational level. Furthermore, SSE was blocked the UVB-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and c-Jun. Moreover, combination of syringic acid, epicatechin and vanillic acid showed strong synergistic effects on elastase inhibition activity, in which the combination index (CI) was 0.28. Overall, these results strongly suggest that the polyphenolics of SSE exert anti-ageing potential as a natural biomaterial to inhibit UVB-induced photo-aging.

Ameliorating Effects of Jixueteng in a Mouse Model of Porphyromonas gingivalis-Induced Periodontitis: Analysis Based on Gingival Microcirculatory System

Jixueteng, the dried stem of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn (Leguminosae), is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that promotes blood circulation and can be used to treat blood stasis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential of Jixueteng as a preventive and therapeutic drug for periodontitis. We investigated the inhibitory effects of Jixueteng on Porphyromonas gingivalis ( P. gingivalis)-induced gingival circulatory disturbances in mice. Seventy-two male C57BL/6N mice (4-week-old) were randomly divided into the following four groups of 12 mice each. Group 1 served as the P. gingivalis noninfected control (control group). Group 2 was administered Jixueteng extract in drinking water to P. gingivalis noninfected control mice. Group 3 was infected orally with P. gingivalis; and group 4 was administered Jixueteng extract in drinking water and then infected with P. gingivalis. To evaluate the effect of Jixueteng on gingival microcirculation systems, we examined gingival blood flow (GBF) in oral microcirculation in vivo in a mouse model of periodontitis. Gingival reactive hyperemia (GRH) was determined using laser Doppler flowmetry. GRH was elicited by the release of occlusive gingival compression by the laser Doppler probe (diameter 1.0 mm) for 1 min. GRH was estimated by basal blood flow, maximum response (Peak), the time taken for the maximum response to fall to one half (T1/2) and increased total amount of blood flow (Mass). Furthermore, to determine the effect of an oral application of P. gingivalis and/or Jixueteng on GBF and gingival microvessel ultrastructure, morphological analysis of gingival microvessels was performed by using a vascular resin cast model. Administration of Jixueteng to P. gingivalis-infected animals significantly reduced GRH, especially T1/2 and Mass, compared to that in P. gingivalis-infected animals. Alternatively, in the morphological analysis, reduction of the gingival capillary network which resulted from P. gingivalis-infection was improved by Jixueteng administration. Since Jixueteng ameliorates P. gingivalis infection-induced gingival circulatory disturbance, it may be useful in the treatment of P. gingivalis-induced periodontitis.