Cytotoxic evaluation of Melia azedarach in comparison with, Azadirachta indica and its phytochemical investigation

A Comparative Study on the Antidiabetic Activity, Cytotoxicity and Lipid Profile of Trichilia emetica Oils

The Trichilia emetica plant is traditionally used for medicinal and food purposes. However, there are limited studies on the bioactivity and cytotoxicity of its seed butter and aril oil. This study aimed to assess the antidiabetic activity and cytotoxicity of seed butter and aril oil, obtained via two different extraction methods, and compare their lipid profiles. The plant samples were collected from the Faifa mountains and extracted using a Soxhlet apparatus for hot extraction and a magnetic stirrer for cold maceration. The antidiabetic activity and cytotoxicity were evaluated using the α-amylase and MTT assays, respectively. The fatty acids were quantified utilizing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. This study proves the impact of the extraction method on the yield, cytotoxicity, antidiabetic activity and lipid profile. The highest cytotoxicity was observed with the seed butter obtained via Soxhlet extraction. The α-amylase inhibition was observed at the highest levels with the seed butter and aril oil obtained via cold maceration. The palmitic acid (PA) and oleic acid (OA) were detected at their maximal concentrations in the seed butter obtained via Soxhlet extraction and aril oil obtained via cold maceration, respectively. This study represents an essential basis for understanding the importance of T. emetica as a valuable tree for food, cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Further experiments can lead to the development of green extraction techniques and isolation of the cytotoxic and antidiabetic molecules that can be developed into new pharmaceutical products or serve as lead molecules for new drugs.

Improvement and prediction of the extraction parameters of lupeol and stigmasterol metabolites of Melia azedarach with response surface methodology

BACKGROUND

Melia azedarach is known as a medicinal plant that has wide biological activities such as analgesic, antibacterial, and antifungal effects and is used to treat a wide range of diseases such as diarrhea, malaria, and various skin diseases. However, optimizing the extraction of valuable secondary metabolites of M. azedarach using alternative extraction methods has not been investigated. This research aims to develop an effective, fast, and environmentally friendly extraction method using Ultrasound-assisted extraction, methanol and temperature to optimize the extraction of two secondary metabolites, lupeol and stigmasterol, from young roots of M. azedarach using the response surface methodology.

METHODS

Box-behnken design was applied to optimize different factors (solvent, temperature, and ultrasonication time). The amounts of lupeol and stigmasterol in the root of M. azedarach were detected by the HPLC-DAD. The required time for the analysis of each sample by the HPLC-DAD system was considered to be 8 min.

RESULTS

The results indicated that the highest amount of lupeol (7.82 mg/g DW) and stigmasterol (6.76 mg/g DW) was obtained using 50% methanol at 45 °C and ultrasonication for 30 min, and 50% methanol in 35 °C, and ultrasonication for 30 min, respectively. Using the response surface methodology, the predicted conditions for lupeol and stigmasterol from root of M. azedarach were as follows; lupeol: 100% methanol, temperature 45 °C and ultrasonication time 40 min (14.540 mg/g DW) and stigmasterol 43.75% methanol, temperature 34.4 °C and ultrasonication time 25.3 min (5.832 mg/g DW).

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that the amount of secondary metabolites lupeol and stigmasterol in the root of M. azedarach could be improved by optimizing the extraction process utilizing response surface methodology.

Antibacterial Properties of Methanolic Leaf Extracts of Melia azedarach L. against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Pathogenic Bacteria

Melia azedarach L., a Meliaceae family tree, is widely used in traditional folkloric medicine for its pharmaceutical properties. In the present study, we investigated the phytochemical composition of four methanolic leaf extracts of M. azedarach of various origins (Algeria and Tunisia) using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antibacterial efficacy and mechanisms of action against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic microorganisms were then evaluated. Our findings revealed a presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids, such as gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, hyperoside, isoquercetin, quercetin, and isorhamnetin both in Algerian and Tunisian localities, with an abundance of phenolic acids compared to flavonoids. Additionally, the studied extracts exhibit a broad spectrum of antibacterial activities, with MIC values ranging from 31.25 mg/mL to 125 mg/mL. Methanolic leaf extracts of M. azedarach from Algeria exhibited more potent biofilm eradication, with a percentage of inhibition reaching 72.17% against the S. aureus strain. Furthermore, inhibitory concentrations of tested substances, particularly the extract from the Relizane area, were capable of disrupting the membrane integrity of the treated bacteria as well as producing oxidative stress through ROS generation. Likewise, our results reveal that plant extract induces lipid peroxidation by raising MDA levels in comparison to untreated cells, particularly with the plant extract of Blida. M. azedarach extracts also reduced the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes (CAT and SOD). Our findings illustrate that M. azedarach remains a plant with significant antibacterial potential and distinct mechanisms of action that are closely related to the origins of this specimen.

Evaluation of Chemical Compositions and the Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Properties of the Aqueous Extract of Tri-Yannarose Recipe (Areca catechu, Azadirachta indica, and Tinospora crispa)

Tri-Yannarose is a Thai traditional herbal medicine formula composed of Areca catechu, Azadirachta indica, and Tinospora crispa. It possesses antipyretic, diuretic, expectorant, and appetite-stimulating effects. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activities, cytotoxicity, and chemical constituents of an aqueous extract following a Tri-Yannarose recipe and its plant ingredients. The phytochemical analysis was performed using LC-QTOF-MS. Antioxidant activities were determined using DPPH, ABTS, TPC, TFC, FRAP, NBT, MCA, and ORAC assays. Cytotoxicity was investigated using a methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay. In addition, the relationship between the chemical composition of Tri-Yannarose and antioxidant activities was investigated by examining the structure-activity relationship (SAR). The results of the LC-QTOF-MS analysis revealed trigonelline, succinic acid, citric acid, and other chemical constituents. The aqueous extract of the recipe showed significant scavenging effects against ABTS and DPPH radicals, with IC₅₀ values of 1054.843 ± 151.330 and 747.210 ± 44.173 µg/mL, respectively. The TPC of the recipe was 92.685 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g of extract and the TFC was 14.160 mg of catechin equivalent/g of extract. All extracts demonstrated lower toxicity in the Vero cell line according to the MTT assay. In addition, the SAR analysis indicated that prenyl arabinosyl-(1-6)-glucoside and quinic acid were the primary antioxidant compounds in the Tri-Yannarose extract. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Tri-Yannarose and its plant ingredients have potent antioxidant activities with low toxicity. These results support the application of the Tri-Yannarose recipe for the management of a range of disorders related to oxidative stress.

Cytochrome P450 inhibition activities of non-standardized botanical products

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

R-tab, H-tab and E-cap botanical products are used for the treatment of various ailments. R-tab is traditionally prescribed for improving urination, H-tab is for relieving piles, hemorrhoids, fissures, and rectal inflammation and E-cap is for regulating menstruation.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

To extract the botanical products and determine their potential interaction with the cytochrome P450 (CYP1A2, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4) enzymes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

R-tab, H-tab and E-cap botanical products were first extracted using solvents and analyzed using HPLC and LC-MS/MS. The effects of methanol extracts on the cytochrome induction and inhibition activities were determined using a series of in vitro assays, including multiplex RT-qPCR, CYP activity assays (P450-Glo™) and LC-MS/MS-based assays. For the CYP induction assay, omeprazole, rifampicin and dexamethasone were used as CYP1A2, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inducers, respectively. Ketoconazole and acetaminophen were used as positive and negative controls for the CYP3A4 inhibition assay, whereas furafylline and ketoconazole were used as positive and negative controls for the CYP1A2 inhibition assay.

RESULTS

All three botanical products did not show any significant induction in CYP1A2, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 mRNA expression. By contrast, R-tab inhibited the mRNA expression of CYP1A2 significantly from the lowest concentration of 0.01 μg/mL, while, H-tab inhibited the mRNA expression of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 from 0.1 μg/mL. Based on the P450 Glo assays, E-cap extract inhibited the metabolic activity of CYP1A2 with an IC₅₀ value of 37.24 μg/mL. On the other hand, R-tab, H-tab and E-cap showed inhibitory effects on the CYP3A4 enzymatic activity with IC₅₀ values of 17.42, 18.20 and 20.60 μg/mL, respectively. However, using the LC-MS/MS-based methods, the concentration-dependent effects of R-tab and H-tab extracts on the metabolism of testosterone appeared to be more prominent, with IC₅₀ values of 51.90 and 56.90 μg/mL as compared with the rest of the results, which were all above 100 μg/mL CONCLUSION: The CYP3A4 mRNA and enzymatic activity were moderately inhibited by R-tab and H-tab. Methanol extract of botanical products in solid dosage forms can be evaluated for their herb-drug interaction risks using in vitro assays and may provide the minimum data required for safety labeling.

In silico estrogen receptor alpha antagonist studies and toxicity prediction of Melia azedarach leaves bioactive ethyl acetate fraction

The estrogen hormone dependent accounts for a major cause in the incidence of women breast cancer. Thus, their receptor, especially the estrogen receptor α (ER-α), is becoming a target in endocrine treatment. These ligand-inducible nuclear functions are regulated by an array of phytochemical and synthetic compounds, such as 17 β-estradiol and tamoxifen (4-hydroxytamoxifen [4OHT]). The Chinaberry (Melia azedarach) leaves are known naturally for relieving internal and external diseases. Previous studies revealed the potency of Melia's ethanolic extract and ethyl acetate fractions as anticancer; furthermore, this study aimed to resolve possible ER-α antagonist's mechanism and safety from M. azedarach leaves ethyl acetate fraction contents. Melia's phytochemical content was analyzed with electrospray ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, while its ER-α antagonist's potency was investigated by in silico. The computational docking was used to 3ERT (a human ER-α-4OHT binding domain complex) with Autodock Vina and related programs. The results presented Energy binding (ΔG) of Melia's quercetin 3-O-(2'',6''-digalloyl)-β-D-galactopyranoside was similar to 4OHT, and lower than its agonist 17 β-estradiol. Furthermore, the toxicity prediction of these compounds were revealed safer than 4OHT. The Melia's leaves ethyl acetate fraction, therefore, is a potential pharmacological material for further studies.

A Review of Cytotoxic Plants of the Indian Subcontinent and a Broad-Spectrum Analysis of Their Bioactive Compounds

Cancer or uncontrolled cell proliferation is a major health issue worldwide and is the second leading cause of deaths globally. The high mortality rate and toxicity associated with cancer chemotherapy or radiation therapy have encouraged the investigation of complementary and alternative treatment methods, such as plant-based drugs. Moreover, over 60% of the anti-cancer drugs are molecules derived from plants or their synthetic derivatives. Therefore, in the present review, an attempt has been made to summarize the cytotoxic plants available in the Indian subcontinent along with a description of their bio-active components. The review covers 99 plants of 57 families as well as over 110 isolated bioactive cytotoxic compounds, amongst which at least 20 are new compounds. Among the reported phytoconstituents, artemisinin, lupeol, curcumin, and quercetin are under clinical trials, while brazilin, catechin, ursolic acid, β-sitosterol, and myricetin are under pharmacokinetic development. However, for the remaining compounds, there is little or no information available. Therefore, further investigations are warranted on these subcontinent medicinal plants as an important source of novel cytotoxic agents.

Bio-selective hormonal breast cancer cytotoxic and antioxidant potencies of Melia azedarach L. wild type leaves

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1st report on physical qualities and phytochemical content of M. azedarach wild type leaves extract and fractions.

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Ethyl acetate fraction was the most active against bio-selective hormonal breast cancer T47D cell cytotoxic and antioxidant activities.

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The phytochemicals content of active fraction was steroids and triterpene saponin, limonoid (toosendanin, meliarachin, salannin, salannal, 12-hydroxyamoorastatin, meliacarpinin and its derivates), and flavonoids (quercetin glycoside).

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Significant (p < 0.05) correlations were observed between TPC, IC₅₀DPPH, FRAP and IC₅₀T47D.

Melia azedarach L. is used widely in traditional medicine for local or systemic ailments. Although studies exist on phytochemicals and potencies of Chinese and Indian cultivars of Melia, the present study investigated in vitro antioxidant properties of Melia wild type and its cytotoxicity against T47D cell. The ethanolic extract of the Melia leaves was fractionated with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and water, and the secondary metabolites were obtained. The antioxidant properties were determined with IC₅₀ DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-pycrylhydrazyl) radical and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power), while the cytotoxicity was determined with the MTT method. The total phenolic (TPC) and β-sitosterol (SC) contents were also measured. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction had higher antioxidant and cytotoxic activities (IC₅₀ 211.89 ± 10.86 and 147.90 ± 8.49 μg/mL, respectively) than others. Significant (p < 0.05) correlations were observed between TPC, IC₅₀DPPH, FRAP and IC₅₀T47D. LC-EI MS analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction revealed the steroid and triterpenoid saponins, limonoids and quercetin glycosides, which influenced the medicinal properties of the Melia leaves. Melia azedarach L. wild type leaf extracts are a promising natural resource for managing breast cancer.

Cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction in breast cancer, skin cancer and glioblastoma cells by plant extracts

Medicinal plants can be candidate as a common alternative for cancer treatment according to natural landscaping and native plants in each country. The aim of this study was the evaluations of cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest induction by using seven leaves extracts of Catharanthus roseus, Calystegia sepium, Berberis integerrima, Mahonia fortunei, Melia azedarach, Plantago major, Betula pendula and one bulb extract of Narcissus tazetta. Extracts were assessed on three cancer cell lines including MCF-7 breast cancer cells, A431 epidermal cell line, and U87-MG glioma cell line that were compared to HGF-1 as normal cells. According to analysis of MTT, methanolic extract of C. sepium leaves increased significantly the rate of cell death in all cancer cell lines when compared to HGF-1 as normal cells. Among different extracts, methanolic extract of C. roseus leaves and methanolic extract of C. sepium leaves indicated a crucial role in apoptosis of cancer cells according to evidences from MTT assay, cell cycle analysis, and apoptosis assay. Doxorubicin has been used as standard drug to compare with IC50 s of different extracts. In addition, the encapsulation of methanolic and ethanolic extracts in small unilamellar vesicles form (SUV) increased the cytotoxicity on cancer cell lines and normal cells. Our results indicated that different extracts can differently affect the cytotoxicity rate in variety of cancer cell lines.

Chemical Constituents of Cymbocarpum erythraeum (DC.) Boiss., and Evaluation of Its Anti-Helicobacter pylori Activity

Objective

Cymbocarpum erythraeum (Apiaceae) is an endemic species in Iran. Up to now, there have been no phytochemical and biological investigations on this species. Therefore, isolation of the main secondary metabolites of the plant along with its anti-H. pylori activity have been considered in this paper.

Materials and Methods

The dried parts of the plant were extracted with different solvents using solvent percolation and the antibacterial activity of the extracts evaluated by the disk diffusion method. Four compounds were isolated using different column chromatography methods.

Results

The compounds were identified by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance as isoquercetin (1), rutin (2), β-sitosterol (3) and 2-decenol (4).

Conclusion

Anti-H. pylori evaluation of the extracts and isolated compounds against three clinical isolates of H. pylori revealed that hexane extract of the plant inhibited all H. pylori strains.

Neem (Azadirachta indica): An indian traditional panacea with modern molecular basis

BACKGROUND

For centuries, agents derived from natural sources (mother nature), especially plants have been the primary source of medicine. Neem, also referred to as Azadirachta indica is one such plant that has been so named because it provides freedom from all diseases, and used for thousands of years in Indian and African continents. Different parts of the plant including flowers, leaves, seeds and bark have been used to treat both acute and chronic human diseases; and used as insecticide; antimicrobial, larvicidal, antimalarial, antibacterial, antiviral, and spermicidal.

PURPOSE

What is there in neem and how it manifests its wide variety of effects is the focus of this review. How neem and its constituents modulate various cellular pathways is discussed. The animal and human studies carried out with neem and its constituents is also discussed.

CONCLUSION

Over 1000 research articles published on neem has uncovered over 300 structurally diverse constituents, one third of which are limonoids including nimbolide, azadarachtin, and gedunin. These agents manifest their effects by modulating multiple cell signaling pathways.

The anti-tubercular activity of Melia azedarach L. and Lobelia chinensis Lour. and their potential as effective anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis candidate agents

Objective

To evaluate the anti-mycobacterial activity of Melia azedarach L. (M. azedarach) and Lobelia chinensis Lour. (L. chinensis) extracts against the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis).

Methods

The anti-M. tuberculosis activity of M. azedarach and L. chinensis extracts were evaluated using different indicator methods such as resazurin microtiter assay (REMA) and mycobacteria growth indicator tube (MGIT) 960 system assay. The M. tuberculosis was incubated with various concentrations (50–800 μg/mL) of the extracts for 5 days in the REMA, and for 4 weeks in MGIT 960 system assay.

Results

M. azedarach and L. chinensis extracts showed their anti-M. tuberculosis activity by strongly inhibiting the growth of M. tuberculosis in a concentration-dependent manner in the REMA and the MGIT 960 system assay. Particularly, the methanol extract of M. azedarach and n-hexane extract of L. chinensis consistently exhibited their effects by effectively inhibiting the growth of M. tuberculosis in MGIT 960 system for 4 weeks with a single-treatment, indicating higher anti-M. tuberculosis activity than other extracts, and their minimum inhibitory concentrations were measured as 400 μg/mL and 800 μg/mL, respectively.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that M. azedarach and L. chinensis extracts not only have unique anti-M. tuberculosis activity, but also induce the selective anti-M. tuberculosis effects by consistently inhibiting or blocking the growth of M. tuberculosis through a new pharmacological action. Therefore, this study suggests the potential of them as effective candidate agents of next-generation for developing a new anti-tuberculosis drug, as well as the advantage for utilizing traditional medicinal plants as one of effective strategies against tuberculosis.

Screening of Korean Natural Products for Anti-Adipogenesis Properties and Isolation of Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside as a Potent Anti-Adipogenetic Compound from Solidago virgaurea

In this study, the anti-adipogenetic activity of 300 plant extracts was investigated using an Oil Red O staining assay in a 3T3-L1 cell line. Our results indicate that three plants, including the stem and leaf of Physalis angulata, the whole grass of Solidago virgaurea, and the root of Dioscorea nipponica, produced over 90% inhibition of adipogenesis. Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, which demonstrated a 48.2% inhibitory effect on adipogenesis without cytotoxicity, was isolated from the butanol layer of a water extract of S. virgaurea guided by the anti-adipogenesis assay in 3T3-L1. PPAR-γ and C/EBPα expression levels were determined using western blot, and our results indicate that kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside has a strong anti-adipogenic effect in 3T3-L1 cells through the suppression of increases in PPAR-γ and C/EBPα expression.

Neem components as potential agents for cancer prevention and treatment

Azadirachta indica, also known as neem, is commonly found in many semi-tropical and tropical countries including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The components extracted from neem plant have been used in traditional medicine for the cure of multiple diseases including cancer for centuries. The extracts of seeds, leaves, flowers, and fruits of neem have consistently shown chemopreventive and antitumor effects in different types of cancer. Azadirachtin and nimbolide are among the few bioactive components in neem that have been studied extensively, but research on a great number of additional bioactive components is warranted. The key anticancer effects of neem components on malignant cells include inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of cell death, suppression of cancer angiogenesis, restoration of cellular reduction/oxidation (redox) balance, and enhancement of the host immune responses against tumor cells. While the underlying mechanisms of these effects are mostly unclear, the suppression of NF-κB signaling pathway is, at least partially, involved in the anticancer functions of neem components. Importantly, the anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of neem components are tumor selective as the effects on normal cells are significantly weaker. In addition, neem extracts sensitize cancer cells to immunotherapy and radiotherapy, and enhance the efficacy of certain cancer chemotherapeutic agents. This review summarizes the current updates on the anticancer effects of neem components and their possible impact on managing cancer incidence and treatment.