Cyathea gigantea (Cyatheaceae) as an antimicrobial agent against multidrug resistant organisms

Exploring in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of the Thai traditional remedy Kheaw-Hom and its bioactive compound, ethyl p-methoxycinnamate, and ethnopharmacological analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Kheaw-Hom (KH) remedy, a Thai traditional medicine (TTM) on the National List of Essential Medicines, has long been clinically used to treat fever and inflammation in children. However, no in vitro or in vivo anti-inflammatory or bioactive compound studies are published in the literature.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

To explore the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of KH remedy and its bioactive compound and analyze relationships between flavor and ethnopharmacological activities of plant components in KH remedy according to TTM theory.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC), a bioactive compound of KH remedy was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro anti-inflammatory activities of ethanolic extract (KHE), aqueous extract (KHA), acid-hydrolysis of KHA (KHA-h), acid-hydrolysis of KH powder (KHP-h), and EPMC were investigated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) production in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. In vivo anti-inflammatory activities of KH powder (KHP) and KHE were determined using carrageenan-induced paw edema and ethyl phenylpropiolate (EPP)-induced ear edema in rats and PGE2 production in tissue samples was examined.

RESULTS

KHP-h showed the highest EPMC content (21.33 ± 1.08 mg/g of extract) and inhibited PGE2, NO, and TNF-α production with IC50 values of 11.92 ± 0.21, 30.61 ± 3.12, and 56.71 ± 2.91 μg/mL, respectively, followed by KHE and KHA-h while KHA did not. EPMC, a bioactive compound of KH remedy showed high anti-inflammatory activities through three pathways. KHP oral administration (100 mg/kg) significantly minimized rat paw inflammation at 1, 2, and 3 h while KHE (100 mg/kg) noticeably reduced at 2 and 3 h. KHP (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) and KHE (100 mg/kg) significantly inhibited PGE2 production. KHP (1% w/v) notably reduced rat ear edema at 30, 60, and 120 min whereas KHE at all concentrations decreased swelling at 120 min. KHP and KHE at all doses significantly inhibited PGE2 production. Cool flavor was the main KH remedy flavor. Spicy plant components and some fragrant components showed high anti-inflammatory activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from the in vivo study strongly paralleled the in vitro study. These findings support the rational use of KH remedy according to TTM theory for fever treatment and inflammation in children.

Tissue Extract from Brittle Star Undergoing Arm Regeneration Promotes Wound Healing in Rat

This study set out to evaluate the wound healing properties of brittle star extracts in vitro and in vivo. Due to the great arm regeneration potential of the brittle star, Ophiocoma cynthiae, the present study aimed to evaluate the wound healing effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of brittle star undergoing arm regeneration in wound healing models. The brittle star samples were collected from Nayband Bay, Bushehr, Iran. After wound induction in the arm of brittle stars, hydroalcoholic extracts relating to different times of arm regeneration were prepared. The GC-MS analysis, in vitro MTT cell viability and cell migration, Western blot, and computational analysis tests were performed. Based on the in vitro findings, two BSEs were chosen for in vivo testing. Macroscopic, histopathological and biochemical evaluations were performed after treatments. The results showed positive proliferative effects of BSEs. Specifically, forty-two compounds were detected in all groups of BSEs using GC-MS analysis, and their biological activities were assessed. The MTT assay showed that the 14 d BSE had a higher proliferative effect on HFF cells than 7 d BSE. The cell migration assay showed that the wound area in 7 d and 14 d BSEs was significantly lower than in the control group. Western blot analysis demonstrated an increase in the expression of proliferation-related proteins. Upon the computational analysis, a strong affinity of some compounds with proteins was observed. The in vivo analysis showed that the evaluation of wound changes and the percentage of wound healing in cell migration assay in the 7 d BSE group was better than in the other groups. Histopathological scores of the 7 d BSE and 14 d BSE groups were significantly higher than in the other groups. In conclusion, the hydroalcoholic extract of O. cynthiae undergoing arm regeneration after 7 and 14 days promoted the wound healing process in the cell and rat skin wound healing model due to their proliferative and migratory biological activity.

Phytochemical Profiling of Tupistra nutans Wall. ex Lindl. Inflorescence Extract and Evaluation of Its Antioxidant Activity and Toxicity in Hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) and Fibroblast (F111) Cells

Tupistra nutans Wall. ex Lindl. is a medicinal plant found in the Eastern Himalayan region. Besides being used as a folk medicine for pain and high blood sugar, its inflorescence is consumed as a vegetable. However, its medicinal properties have not been proven in vitro and in vivo till now. Therefore, in this study, we reported the phytochemicals present in the methanolic extract of Tupistra nutans Wall. ex Lindl. inflorescence (METNI) and its comparative effect in liver carcinoma HepG2 cells against non-cancerous murine fibroblast F111 cells. Phytochemical profiling by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed that METNI was rich in unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, and anticancer compounds like diosgenin, linoleic acid, and palmitoleic acid. METNI was found to have in vitro antioxidant property as determined by DPPH and pyrogallol methods, and UV protection property as investigated by fluorescence-based and spectrophotometric methods. MTT assay revealed METNI caused significantly more cell proliferation inhibition in HepG2 (IC₅₀ = 138 µg/ml) compared to F111 (IC₅₀ = 347 µg/ml) cells. Although in both HepG2 and F111 cells METNI showed significant antioxidant activity, it led to intracellular ROS generation and cell cycle alteration at higher exposure. The obtained results suggest that Tupistra nutans can be a promising application for anticancer drug and skin care product development, but can be harmful if overconsumed.

Biotechnology of the Tree Fern Cyathea smithii (J.D. Hooker; Soft Tree Fern, Katote) II Cell Suspension Culture: Focusing on Structure and Physiology in the Presence of 2,4-D and BAP

The aim of our research was to describe the structure and growth potential of a cell suspension of the tree fern Cyathea smithii. Experiments were performed on an established cell suspension with ½ MS medium supplemented with 9.05 µM 2,4-D + 0.88 µM BAP. In the experiments, attention was paid to the microscopic description of cell suspension, evaluation of cell growth dependent on the initial mass of cells and organic carbon source in the medium, the length of the passage, the content of one selected flavonoid in the post-culture medium, nuclear DNA content, ethylene production, and the antimicrobial value of the extract. For a better understanding of the cell changes that occurred during the culture of the suspension, the following structures of the cell were observed: nucleus, lipid bodies, tannin deposits, starch grains, cell walls, primary lamina, and the filaments of metabolites released into the medium. The nuclear DNA content (acriflavine-Feulgen staining) of cell aggregates distinctly indicated a lack of changes in the sporophytic origin of the cultured cell suspension. The physiological activity of the suspension was found to be high because of kinetics, intensive production of ethylene, and quercetin production. The microbiological studies suggested that the cell suspension possessed a bactericidal character against microaerobic Gram-positive bacteria. A sample of the cell suspension showed bacteriostatic activity against aerobic bacteria.

Enhancing In Vitro Production of the Tree Fern Cyathea delgadii and Modifying Secondary Metabolite Profiles by LED Lighting

The tree ferns are an important component of tropical forests. In view of this, the enhancement of in vitro production of these plants is needed. Thus, the effect of different light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as well as control fluorescent lamps (Fl) and a 3-week-long period of darkness at the beginning of in vitro culture on micropropagation of the tree fern Cyathea delgadii Sternb. was analysed. Moreover, the photosynthetic pigment content and secondary metabolite profiles were estimated. The period of darkness contributed to a high production of somatic embryo-derived sporophytes and a low production of gametophytes. The formation of new sporophytes was stimulated by RBY (35% red, 15% blue, and 50% yellow) and B (100% blue) lights when the stipe explants or whole young sporophytes were used in the culture, respectively. The elongation of the roots and leaves was stimulated by RBfR light (35% red, 15% blue, and 50% far red), while root production increased under RBY light. The RB (70% red and 30% blue) and B lights stimulated the accumulation of chlorophyll better than Fl light. The most abundant metabolite found in the plant extracts was trans-5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (1.013 µg/mg of dry weight). The extract obtained from plants growing in a greenhouse had the best antioxidant activity.