Pharmacological screening of Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) A. DC. for antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities

An overview of the effect of medicinal herbs on pain

This paper is typically intended to carefully collect and properly review the antinociceptive activities of medicinal plants. In this review article, by searching keywords of medicinal plants, pain, herbal medicine, antinociceptive, phytotherapy in databases of Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Springer, Wiley, Proquest, PubMed, Nature, Magiran, Emerald, SID, ISI, and some other indexing cites, or traditional books, desired articles were obtained until 2021. The title of medicinal plants was searched diligently in Persian and English. Ultimately, 270 articles were studied. The findings possibly indicated that several medicinal plants are among the most valuable plants that have antinociceptive activities. There efficiently are various antinociceptive compounds in medicinal plants. The antinociceptive activity of these specific compounds may be through their peculiar effects on the opioid system, cholinergic pathways, and stimulation of GABA receptors, with the peripheral and central antinociceptive mechanism. Antiinflammatory processes, inhibition of the synthesis, and the release of arachidonic acid, prostaglandins, phospholipase, nitric oxide, and cyclooxygenase-2 have been reported as analgesic mechanisms of some herbs. In a reasonable conclusion, our review thoughtfully provides a comprehensive summary of present data from some scientific studies on the common herbs with antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities.

Pharmacological insights into Chukrasia velutina bark: Experimental and computer-aided approaches

BACKGROUND

Chukrasia velutina is an enthnomedicinally used plant reported to have significant medicinal values. The present study aimed to explore the pharmacological activities of bark methanol extract using in vitro, in vivo and in silico models.

METHODS

The study was designed to investigate the pharmacological effects of methanol extract of Chukrasia velutina bark (MECVB) through in vitro, in vivo and in silico assays. Analgesic activity was tested using formalin-induced nociception and acetic acid-induced writhing assays while the antipyretic effect was tested using yeast-induced hyperthermia in mice model. The antioxidant effect was tested using the DPPH and reducing power assay and the cytotoxic screening was tested using the brine shrimp lethality bioassay. In addition, in silico studies were conducted using computer aided methods.

RESULTS

In the acetic acid-induced writhing assay, the extract showed 28.36% and 56.16% inhibition of writhing for doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Moreover, a dose-dependent formalin-induced licking response was observed in both early and late phase. In yeast-induced pyrexia, the MECVB exhibited (p < 0.05) antipyretic effect. The extract demonstrated an IC₅₀ value of 78.86 μg/ml compared with ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ 23.53 μg/ml) in the DPPH scavenging assay. The compounds sitosterol, 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin and scopoletin were seen be effective in molecular docking scores against COX-I (2OYE), COX-II (6COX) and human peroxiredoxin 5 (1HD2). In ADME/T analysis, 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin and scopoletin satisfied Lipinski's rule of five and thus are potential drug candidates.

CONCLUSION

The bark of Chukrasia velutina showed significant analgesic and antipyretic properties and is a potential source of natural anti-oxidative agents.

Pharmacological activities and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis for the identification of bioactive compounds from Justicia adhatoda L

The current study aimed to assess the pharmacological potential of Justicia adhatoda by evaluating the presence of biologically active compounds using the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry approach and to undertake biological activities for the effectiveness of the present compounds using standard tests. A total of 21 compounds were identified in the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction in which 14 of the identified compounds are recognized for their pharmacological potential in the literature. In total, four fractions (ethyl acetate, chloroform, n-hexane, and aqueous) were evaluated for pharmacological activities. In carrageenan-induced inflammation, the chloroform fraction exhibited high anti-inflammatory activity (46.51%). Similarly, the analgesic potential of ethyl acetate fraction was the most effective (300 mg/kg) in the acetic acid-induced test. Similarly, in the formalin test, ethyl acetate fraction exhibited maximum inhibition in both early (74.35%) and late phases (88.38). Maximum inhibition of pyrexia (77.98%) was recorded for the ethyl acetate fraction (300 mg/kg). In DPPH assay, the ethyl acetate fraction revealed the highest scavenging potential among other fractions (50 μg/ml resulted in 50.40% and 100 μg/ml resulted in 66.74% scavenging).

Antioxidative-, Antimicrobial-, Enzyme Inhibition-, and Cytotoxicity-Based Fractionation and Isolation of Active Components from Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) A. DC. Stem Extracts

The current study elaborates the pharmacological potential of the methanolic extract and its fractions of the stems of Monotheca buxifolia based on thin-layer chromatography and column chromatography analyses, exploiting biological and phytochemical assays. The results suggest that bioassay-guided isolation and fractionation led to the accumulation of biologically active components in the most active fractions that resulted in the isolation of different compounds. Structural elucidation of the purified compounds was accomplished using spectroscopic one-dimensional (¹H, ¹³C) and two-dimensional NMR (heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence, heteronuclear multiple bond coherence, and correlation spectroscopy) and spectrometric (electron ionization mass spectrometry and high-resolution electron ionization mass spectrometry) techniques. The n-hexane, CHCl₃, and EtAOc fractions led to the isolation of lupeol from different fractions. 1-Triacontanol was also isolated from the n-hexane fraction, while benzoic acid, methyl benzoate, ursolic acid, and 3-hydroxybenzoic acid were obtained from the EtOAc fraction. The compounds depicted good-to-moderate total antioxidative potential and total reducing power activity and significant free-radical scavenging activity. All the compounds showed significant urease and lipase inhibitory activity with poor-to-moderate amylase inhibition. Significant zone of inhibition was observed against different bacterial strains by the isolated compounds. This work therefore states that bioassay-guided isolation plays a vital role in the isolation of biologically active constituents that can be exploited for drug development.

Detailed approach toward the anti-hyperglycemic potential of Sterculia diversifolia G. Don against alloxan-induced in vivo hyperglycemia model

OBJECTIVE

To investigate Sterculia diversifolia G. Don for potential anti-diabetic activity in the in vivo mouse model of alloxan-induced hyperglycemia.

METHODS

Sterculia diversifolia (S. diversifolia) was subjected to extraction and isolation techniques and structural characterization of the isolated compounds were performed using spectroscopic methods. The acute toxicity test was performed by orally administering S. diversifolia in doses of 500-2000 mg/kg. For the assessment of anti-hyperglycemic activity, S. diversifolia bark and leaves extracts were administered orally in doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, along with metformin (150 mg/kg, i.p) as positive control, after confirmation of alloxan (150 mg/kg, i.p.) induced hyperglycemia in BALB/c mice. Serum biochemical parameters were monitored for the period of study.

RESULTS

The phytochemical studies showed the presence of quercetin and kaempferol in S. diversifolia. The IC50 values in the in vivo acute toxicity study revealed the safety margin of S. diversifolia bark (1166.66 mg/kg) and leaves (683.34 mg/kg) extracts. A significant attenuation of alloxan induced hyperglycemia was produced by S. diversifolia extracts at 50 mg/kg (P < 0.05), 100 mg/kg (P < 0.05, < 0.01), and 150 mg/kg (P < 0.05, < 0.01, < 0.001) during 1-4 h, which was comparable to metformin (P < 0.001). Significant (P < 0.001) improvement appeared in blood hemoglobin, protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine, HDL, and LDL of the stem bark and leaves extracts treated diabetic mice.

CONCLUSION

These findings connote the usefulness of S. diversifolia as an anti-diabetic in traditional medicine and this might be attributed to the presence of quercetin and kaempferol, among other phytochemicals.

Antioxidant, antimicrobial, enzyme inhibition, and cytotoxicity guided investigation of Sideroxylon mascatense (A.DC.) T.D. Penn. leaves extracts

The present study demonstrates the pharmacological tendency of Sideroxylon mascatense leaves extracts, fractions and sub-fractions using thin layer chromatography, column chromatography, and phytochemical (phenolics, flavonoids) and biological assays (free radical scavenging, antioxidative, antimicrobial, enzyme inhibition). The results disclosed that fractionation practice accumulated the active phytochemicals in few fractions and finally leads to the isolation of active compounds. The structural elucidation was carried out using spectroscopic 1D (¹H, ¹³C) 2D NMR and spectrometric techniques. The n-hexane fraction led to isolation of lupeol. From the CHCl₃ and EtOAc fractions, two compounds were isolated, hentriacontanol, and lupeol, respectively. The isolated compounds were also characterized for biological activities. This study concludes that bioactivity guided isolation can be performed for isolation of active constituents from S. mascatense which can be further explored for drug development.

A mechanistic study on the inhibition of bacterial growth and inflammation by Nerium oleander extract with comprehensive in vivo safety profile

Background

Nerium oleander (L.) is well known traditionally used medicinal plant with several pharmacological activities. However, the anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory activity and in vivo toxicity potential of floral parts of this plant are not reported. Therefore the present study was designed to investigate these activities of Nerium oleander ethanolic flower extract (NOEE) in different animal models.

Methods

Antimicrobial activity of plant extract was compared with five different antibiotics using the disk diffusion method. The time-killing kinetic assay and bacterial killing mechanism of NOEE were also performed. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using granuloma induced by cotton-pellet, rat paw edema induced by carrageenan and levels of different inflammatory biomarkers on healthy Wistar rats. The protein and mRNA expressions of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were also measured. Acute (14 days) and sub-acute (28 days) oral toxicity studies were also performed on healthy Sprague Dawley rats.

Results

NOEE produced highly significant (P < 0.005) and significant (P < 0.05) zones of inhibition at 30 mg/mL and 20 mg/mL respectively against most of the tested bacterial strains. NOEE produced a more drop in viable counts of Gram-negative isolates within 20 min. After 12 h exposure with NOEE, the SEM images of MRSA showed the destruction of cell membrane. NOEE showed highly significant (P < 0.005) anti-inflammatory activity in cotton-pellet and carrageenan inflammatory models. In addition, treatment with NOEE also decreased the production of NO, PGE₂, TNF-α and IL-1β in the rat paw after treated with carrageenan. Similarly, NOEE also suppressed the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), TNF-α, IL-1β, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA expressions. It is also showed highly significant reduction in total leukocyte count (73.09%) and C-reactive protein levels (54.60%). NOEE also inhibited COX-1, COX-2, 5-LO and 12-LO in a highly significant manner. Moreover, acute and sub-acute toxicity studies of NOEE in rats confirm the toxicity with hepatotoxicity at higher doses (2000 mg/kg) i.e. four times greater than the therapeutic dose.

Conclusion

It is concluded that crude flower extract of N. oleander is a potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent with no toxicity potential at therapeutic doses.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-021-03308-z.

Metabolic fingerprinting, antioxidant characterization, and enzyme-inhibitory response of Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) A. DC. extracts

BACKGROUND

Ethnobotanical and plant-based products allow for the isolation of active constituents against a number of maladies. Monotheca buxifolia is used by local communities due to its digestive and laxative properties, as well as its ability to cure liver, kidney, and urinary diseases. There is a need to explore the biological activities and chemical constituents of this medicinal plant.

METHODS

In this work, the biochemical potential of M. buxifolia (Falc.) A. DC was explored and linked with its biological activities. Methanol and chloroform extracts from leaves and stems were investigated for total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was used to determine secondary-metabolite composition, while high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection (HPLC-PDA) was used for polyphenolic quantification. In addition, we carried out in vitro assays to determine antioxidant potential and the enzyme-inhibitory response of M. buxifolia extracts.

RESULTS

Phenolics (91 mg gallic-acid equivalent (GAE)/g) and flavonoids (48.86 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g) exhibited their highest concentration in the methanol extract of stems and the chloroform extract of leaves, respectively. UHPLC-MS analysis identified a number of important phytochemicals, belonging to the flavonoid, phenolic, alkaloid, and terpenoid classes of secondary metabolites. The methanol extract of leaves contained a diosgenin derivative and polygalacin D, while kaempferol and robinin were most abundant in the chloroform extract. The methanol extract of stems contained a greater peak area for diosgenin and kaempferol, whereas this was true for lucidumol A and 3-O-cis-coumaroyl maslinic acid in the chloroform extract. Rutin, epicatechin, and catechin were the main phenolics identified by HPLC-PDA analysis. The methanol extract of stems exhibited significant 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical-scavenging activities (145.18 and 279.04 mmol Trolox equivalent (TE)/g, respectively). The maximum cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) (361.4 mg TE/g), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (247.19 mg TE/g), and total antioxidant potential (2.75 mmol TE/g) were depicted by the methanol extract of stems. The methanol extract of leaves exhibited stronger inhibition against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glucosidase, while the chloroform extract of stems was most active against butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) (4.27 mg galantamine equivalent (GALAE)/g). Similarly, the highest tyrosinase (140 mg kojic-acid equivalent (KAE)/g) and amylase (0.67 mmol acarbose equivalent (ACAE)/g) inhibition was observed for the methanol extract of stems.

CONCLUSIONS

UHPLC-MS analysis and HPLC-PDA quantification identified a number of bioactive secondary metabolites of M. buxifolia, which may be responsible for its antioxidant potential and enzyme-inhibitory response. M. buxifolia can be further explored for the isolation of its active components to be used as a drug.