Rare tradition of the folk medicinal use of Aconitum spp. is kept alive in Solčavsko, Slovenia

Screening tools to evaluate the neurotoxic potential of botanicals: building a strategy to assess safety

AREAS COVERED

This paper outlines the selection of NAMs, including in vitro assays using primary rat cortical neurons, zebrafish embryos, and Caenorhabditis elegans. These assays aim to assess neurotoxic endpoints such as neuronal activity and behavioral responses. Microelectrode array recordings of rat cortical neurons provide insights into the impact of botanical extracts on neuronal function, while the zebrafish embryos and C. elegans assays evaluate neurobehavioral responses. The paper also provides an account of the selection of botanical case studies based on expert judgment and existing neuroactivity/toxicity information. The proposed battery of assays will be tested with these case studies to evaluate their utility for neurotoxicity screening.

EXPERT OPINION

The complexity of botanicals necessitates the use of multiple NAMs for effective neurotoxicity screening. This paper discusses the evaluation of methodologies to develop a robust framework for evaluating botanical safety, including complex neuronal models and key neurodevelopmental process assays. It aims to establish a comprehensive screening framework.

In silico study of alkaloids with quercetin nucleus for inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 protease and receptor cell protease

Covid-19 disease caused by the deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus is a serious and threatening global health issue declared by the WHO as an epidemic. Researchers are studying the design and discovery of drugs to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 virus due to its high mortality rate. The main Covid-19 virus protease (Mpro) and human transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2) are attractive targets for the study of antiviral drugs against SARS-2 coronavirus. Increasing consumption of herbal medicines in the community and a serious approach to these drugs have increased the demand for effective herbal substances. Alkaloids are one of the most important active ingredients in medicinal plants that have wide applications in the pharmaceutical industry. In this study, seven alkaloid ligands with Quercetin nucleus for the inhibition of Mpro and TMPRSS2 were studied using computational drug design including molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation (MD). Auto Dock software was used to evaluate molecular binding energy. Three ligands with the most negative docking score were selected to be entered into the MD simulation procedure. To evaluate the protein conformational changes induced by tested ligands and calculate the binding energy between the ligands and target proteins, GROMACS software based on AMBER03 force field was used. The MD results showed that Phyllospadine and Dracocephin-A form stable complexes with Mpro and TMPRSS2. Prolinalin-A indicated an acceptable inhibitory effect on Mpro, whereas it resulted in some structural instability of TMPRSS2. The total binding energies between three ligands, Prolinalin-A, Phyllospadine and Dracocephin-A and two proteins MPro and TMRPSS2 are (-111.235 ± 15.877, - 75.422 ± 11.140), (-107.033 ± 9.072, -84.939 ± 10.155) and (-102.941 ± 9.477, - 92.451 ± 10.539), respectively. Since the binding energies are at a minimum, this indicates confirmation of the proper binding of the ligands to the proteins. Regardless of some Prolinalin-A-induced TMPRSS2 conformational changes, it may properly bind to TMPRSS2 binding site due to its acceptable binding energy. Therefore, these three ligands can be promising candidates for the development of drugs to treat infections caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Recurrent malignant ventricular arrhythmias and paresthesia-a mystery revealed as aconitine poisoning: a case report

BACKGROUND

We report a case of a clinical challenge lasting for 12 months, with severe and unresolved clinical features involving several medical disciplines.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 53-year-old Caucasian male, who had been previously healthy apart from a moderate renal impairment, was hospitalized 12 times during a 1-year period for a recurrent complex of neurological, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal symptoms and signs, without any apparent etiology. On two occasions, he suffered a cardiac arrest and was successfully resuscitated. Following the first cardiac arrest, a cardiac defibrillator was inserted. During the 12th admission to our hospital, aconitine poisoning was suspected after a comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation and confirmed by serum and urine analyses. Later, aconitine was also detected in a hair segment, indicating exposure within the symptomatic period. After the diagnosis was made, no further episodes occurred. His cardiac defibrillator was later removed, and he returned to work. A former diagnosis of epilepsy was also abandoned. Criminal intent was suspected, and his wife was sentenced to 11 years in prison for attempted murder. To make standardized assessments of the probability for aconitine poisoning as the cause of the eleven prior admissions, an "aconitine score" was established. The score is based on neurological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and other clinical features reported in the literature. We also make a case for the use of hair analysis to confirm suspected poisoning cases evaluated after the resolution of clinical features.

CONCLUSION

This report illustrates the medical challenge raised by cases of covert poisoning. In patients presenting with symptoms and signs from several organ systems without apparent cause, poisoning should always be suspected. To solve such cases, insight into the effects of specific toxic agents is needed. We present an "aconitine score" that may be useful in cases of suspected aconitine poisoning.

Dearomative logic in natural product total synthesis

Covering: 2011 to 2022The natural world is a prolific source of some of the most interesting, rare, and complex molecules known, harnessing sophisticated biosynthetic machinery evolved over billions of years for their production. Many of these natural products represent high-value targets of total synthesis, either for their desirable biological activities or for their beautiful structures outright; yet, the high sp3-character often present in nature's molecules imparts significant topological complexity that pushes the limits of contemporary synthetic technology. Dearomatization is a foundational strategy for generating such intricacy from simple materials that has undergone considerable maturation in recent years. This review highlights the recent achievements in the field of dearomative methodology, with a focus on natural product total synthesis and retrosynthetic analysis. Disconnection guidelines and a three-phase dearomative logic are described, and a spotlight is given to nature's use of dearomatization in the biosynthesis of various classes of natural products. Synthetic studies from 2011 to 2021 are reviewed, and 425 references are cited.

Identification and poisoning diagnosis of Aconitum materials using a genus-specific nucleotide signature

Aconitum genus generally contains hypertoxic alkaloids. Poisoning incidents due to the improper ingestion of Aconitum materials frequently occur around the world. DNA barcoding is considered as a powerful tool for species identification, but complete sequences of conventional DNA barcodes are sometimes unattainable from food and highly processed products due to severe DNA degradation. Therefore, a shorter molecular marker will be more profitable for the authentication and poisoning diagnosis of Aconitum materials. In this study, 1246 psbA-trnH sequences and chloroplast genomes representing 183 taxa of Aconitum were collected, and a 23-bp nucleotide signature unique to Aconitum genus (5'-TATATGAGTCATTGAAGTTGCAG-3') was developed. The nucleotide signature was conserved and universal within Aconitum while divergent among other genera. The specific molecular signature was then successfully applied to the detection of processed Aconitum ingredients. To further evaluate the application potential of nucleotide signature in completely unknown mixture samples, boiled food mixtures, containing different ratios of Aconitum materials, were sequenced by high-throughput sequencing technology. The results showed that the nucleotide signature sequence could be directly extracted from raw sequencing data, even at a low DNA concentration of 0.2 ng/µl. Consequently, the 23-bp genus-specific nucleotide signature represents a significant step forward in the use of DNA barcoding to identify processed samples and food mixtures with degraded DNA. This study undoubtedly provides a new perspective and strong support for the identification and detection of Aconitum-containing products, which can be further introduced to the diagnosis of food poisoning.

An in-vitro comparison of four antibacterial agents with and without nicotine and their effects on human gingival fibroblasts

BACKGROUND

To compare anti-bacterial activity of 0.12% Chlorhexidine (CHX), 10% Povidone Iodine (PVD), Vega Oral Care Gel (VEGA) and Antioxidant Gel (AO) on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis with and without nicotine and to evaluate their effects on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs).

METHODS

S. mutans, S. sanguis, P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum were incubated with serial dilutions (1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 and 1/64) of anti-bacterial agents in media (with and without nicotine). Minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MIC/MBC) were measured, and confocal microscopy was performed.  HGFs were exposed to serial dilutions (1/10, 1/100, 1/1000 and 1/10,000) of antibacterial agents with media. Water-soluble tetrazolium-1 (WST-1) assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay were used to assess proliferation and cytotoxicity towards HGFs.

RESULTS

CHX and PVD significantly inhibited growth of all bacterial species (p<0.0001) at all dilutions. AO and VEGA inhibited growth of all bacterial species up to only the 1/4 dilution. CHX and PVD decreased HGF proliferation at 1/10 and 1/100 dilution, while AO at all dilutions (p<0.05). CHX and AO were cytotoxic at all dilutions (p<0.05). VEGA was not cytotoxic to HGFs and did not affect HGF proliferation at any dilution (p>0.05). An increased bacterial growth was seen for all species except P. gingivalis with addition of nicotine.

CONCLUSION

CHX and PVD demonstrate superior antibacterial properties, but significantly reduce HGF proliferation. AO is bacteriostatic at lower dilutions but is highly toxic to HGFs. VEGA was bacteriostatic and demonstrated no detrimental effects on HGF's. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Components and Pharmacodynamical Mechanism of Yinfupian Based on Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Analyses

Objective: According to the treatment records of Yang deficiency syndrome (YDS) with characteristic decoction pieces of lateral root of Aconitum carmichaelii—Yinfupian (YF) in traditional Chinese medicine prepare school, known as “Jianchangbang”. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the composition and therapeutic mechanism of the unprocessed lateral root of Aconitum carmichaelii (ULRA) and its processed product (YF).

Methods: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis method were used to determine and screen the main components of ULRA and YF. Changes in the histological structure and morphology of gonads in rats were observed using hematoxylin-eosin. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the contents of serum cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate in YDS rats treated with ULRA and YF. Tandem mass tag proteomics analysis was used to identify the differentially expressed proteins in YDS rats treated with ULRA and YF.

Results: Both ULRA and YF exerted certain therapeutic effects on rats with YDS. They improved the gonadal morphology and increased the contents of serum cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate. After processing of ULRA into YF, the content of C19-diester-diterpenoid alkaloids decreased (converted into C19-monoester-diterpenoid alkaloids and C19-alkylol amine-diterpenoid alkaloids), whereas that of C20-diterpene alkaloids increased. Proteomics analysis showed that cytochrome P450 and aldehyde oxidase 3 (AOX3) were downregulated, whereas cathepsin G (CTSG) was upregulated in rats with YDS. Treatment with ULRA mainly downregulated the expression of α-actinin, fast skeletal troponin, creatine kinase, and myosin. Treatment with YF mainly upregulated the expression of mitochondrial ribosomal protein and mitochondrial inner membrane protein.

Conclusion: ULRA and YF exerted good therapeutic effects on YDS; the main difference in components between these preparations was in C19-diterpenoid alkaloids. ULRA mainly acts on the muscle contraction-related proteins and is closely related to inflammation and myocardial injury. YF mainly acts on the mitochondrial proteins and is closely related to adenosine triphosphate energy metabolism.

Diversity in Chemical Structures and Biological Properties of Plant Alkaloids

Phytochemicals belonging to the group of alkaloids are signature specialized metabolites endowed with countless biological activities. Plants are armored with these naturally produced nitrogenous compounds to combat numerous challenging environmental stress conditions. Traditional and modern healthcare systems have harnessed the potential of these organic compounds for the treatment of many ailments. Various chemical entities (functional groups) attached to the central moiety are responsible for their diverse range of biological properties. The development of the characterization of these plant metabolites and the enzymes involved in their biosynthesis is of an utmost priority to deliver enhanced advantages in terms of biological properties and productivity. Further, the incorporation of whole/partial metabolic pathways in the heterologous system and/or the overexpression of biosynthetic steps in homologous systems have both become alternative and lucrative methods over chemical synthesis in recent times. Moreover, in-depth research on alkaloid biosynthetic pathways has revealed numerous chemical modifications that occur during alkaloidal conversions. These chemical reactions involve glycosylation, acylation, reduction, oxidation, and methylation steps, and they are usually responsible for conferring the biological activities possessed by alkaloids. In this review, we aim to discuss the alkaloidal group of plant specialized metabolites and their brief classification covering major categories. We also emphasize the diversity in the basic structures of plant alkaloids arising through enzymatically catalyzed structural modifications in certain plant species, as well as their emerging diverse biological activities. The role of alkaloids in plant defense and their mechanisms of action are also briefly discussed. Moreover, the commercial utilization of plant alkaloids in the marketplace displaying various applications has been enumerated.

Insular Pharmacopoeias: Ethnobotanical Characteristics of Medicinal Plants Used on the Adriatic Islands

The Adriatic islands in Croatia, usually divided into two archipelagos – the Kvarner and Dalmatian islands – is one of the largest groups of islands in Europe. Over 40 islands are still inhabited. Unfortunately the traditional use of medicinal plants was never properly documented there. Our data comes from 343 interviews carried out in 36 islands, including the 15 largest islands of the archipelago. The medicinal plants are mainly used to make herbal infusions or decoctions, occasionally medicinal liqueurs, syrups, compresses, or juices squeezed out of raw plants. We recorded the use of 146 taxa, among them 131 with at least one medicinal purpose and 15 only for tea. The frequency curve of use is relatively steep – several plants are used very frequently and most are reported only by one or two informants, which can be explained both by the large geographical spread of the area, and even more so by the devolution of local knowledge and disappearance of gathering practices due to specialization in tourism, modernization and depopulation. Most of the gathered plants already occur in ancient and medieval herbals and are a part of the pan-Mediterranean pharmacopoeia.

An Effective Phytoconstituent Aconitine: A Realistic Approach for the Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia pain remains a challenge to treat. Natural compounds may be promising options for relieving pain. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of aconitine in a rat model of trigeminal neuralgia pain. Infraorbital nerve chronic constriction injury was performed in adult Wistar Albino rats. After the neuropathic pain developed, the rats were assigned to one of the treatment groups: carbamazepine 40 or 80 mg/kg; aconitine 0.25, 0.50, or 0.75 mg/kg; or saline injection (control group). Behavioral testing with von Frey filaments and the rotarod test were carried out before the surgical procedure and on the 24th to 29th postoperative days. Following the completion of tests, ipsilateral and contralateral spinal cords were harvested for Western blot analyses to assess NR-1 protein expression. ANOVA followed by Mann-Whitney U test was performed for the statistical analyses. P values of <0.05 were considered significant. Aconitine significantly reduced mechanical sensitivity in a dose-dependent manner. A significant reduction in motor coordination was noted for the higher doses of aconitine which was similar with the 40 and 80 mg/kg doses of carbamazepine. NR-1 expression was reduced in the ipsilateral spinal cord, whereas no significant difference was noted between the groups in the expression of NR-1 in the contralateral spinal cord. Aconitine had a significant pain relieving effect, which was similar to carbamazepine, in a dose-dependent manner. Aconitine may be an alternative pharmacological agent for the control of trigeminal neuralgia pain.

Cytotoxic Effects of Diterpenoid Alkaloids Against Human Cancer Cells

Diterpenoid alkaloids are isolated from plants of the genera Aconitum, Delphinium, and Garrya (Ranunculaceae) and classified according to their chemical structures as C18-, C19- or C20-diterpenoid alkaloids. The extreme toxicity of certain compounds, e.g., aconitine, has prompted a thorough investigation of how structural features affect their bioactivities. Therefore, natural diterpenoid alkaloids and semi-synthetic alkaloid derivatives were evaluated for cytotoxic effects against human tumor cells [A549 (lung carcinoma), DU145 (prostate carcinoma), MDA-MB-231 (triple-negative breast cancer), MCF-7 (estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer), KB (identical to cervical carcinoma HeLa derived AV-3 cell line), and multidrug-resistant (MDR) subline KB-VIN]. Among the tested alkaloids, C19-diterpenoid (e.g., lipojesaconitine, delcosine and delpheline derivatives) and C20-diterpenoid (e.g., kobusine and pseudokobusine derivatives) alkaloids exhibited significant cytotoxic activity and, thus, provide promising new leads for further development as antitumor agents. Notably, several diterpenoid alkaloids were more potent against MDR subline KB-VIN cells than the parental drug-sensitive KB cells.

Common risks of adulterated and mislabeled herbal preparations

Due to the growing trend of returning to nature and the fear of adverse reactions from conventional medicines, people are increasingly resorting to the use of herbal preparations. Because of long-term use and natural origin these preparations give a sense of security. But herbal formulations also possess undesirable effects and, among other dangers, present a risk connected with deliberate addition of synthetic compounds, deliberate or unintentional replacement of the plant species or simply a risk of mislabeling. While the replacement of the plant species occurs in a very different groups of herbal products, reports of added illicit synthetic substances often include groups of herbal weight-loss preparations, sexual enhancers, preparations for treatment of rheumatic and inflammatory diseases, antidiabetic and blood pressure lowering preparations. In the world of Internet ordering, these are the dangers that everyone should be aware of. In this article, we reviewed the safety issues related to adulterated or mislabeled herbal products.