Toxicological evaluations of betulinic acid and ursolic acid; common constituents of Houttuynia cordata used as an anthelmintic by the Naga tribes in North-east India

Neuroprotective potential of Betulinic acid against TIO2NP induced neurotoxicity in zebrafish

Betulinic acid (BA) is a natural triterpenoid extracted from Bacopa monnieri. BA has been reported to be used as a neuroprotective agent, but their molecular mechanisms are still unknown. Therefore, in this study, we attempted to investigate the precise mechanism of BA for its protective effect against Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NP) induced neurotoxicity in zebrafish. Hence, our study observation showed that 10 µg/ml dose of TiO2NP caused a rigorous behavioral deficit in zebrafish. Further, biochemical analysis revealed TiO2NP significantly decreased GSH, and SOD, and increased MDA, AChE, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels, suggesting it triggers oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. However, BA at doses of 2.5,5,10 mg/kg improved behavioral as well as biochemical changes in zebrafish brain. Moreover, BA also significantly raised the levels of DA, NE, 5-HT, and GABA and decreased glutamate levels in TiO2NP-treated zebrafish brain. Our histopathological analysis proved that TiO2NP causes morphological changes in the brain. These changes were expressed by increasing pyknotic neurons, which were dose-dependently reduced by Betulinic acid. Likewise, BA upregulated the levels of NRF-2 and HO-1, which can reduce oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Thus, our study provides evidence for the molecular mechanism behind the neuroprotective effect of Betulinic acid. Rendering to the findings, we can consider BA as a suitable applicant for the treatment of AD-like symptoms.

Neuroprotective properties of Betulin, Betulinic acid, and Ursolic acid as triterpenoids derivatives: a comprehensive review of mechanistic studies

Cognitive deficits are the main outcome of neurological disorders whose occurrence has risen over the past three decades. Although there are some pharmacologic approaches approved for managing neurological disorders, it remains largely ineffective. Hence, exploring novel nature-based nutraceuticals is a pressing need to alleviate the results of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. Some triterpenoids and their derivates can be considered potential therapeutics against neurological disorders due to their neuroprotective and cognitive-improving effects. Betulin (B), betulinic acid (BA), and ursolic acid (UA) are pentacyclic triterpenoid compounds with a variety of biological activities, including antioxidative, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. This review focuses on the therapeutic efficacy and probable molecular mechanisms of triterpenoids in damage prevention to neurons and restoring cognition in neurodegenerative diseases. Considering few studies on this concept, the precise mechanisms that mediate the effect of these compounds in neurodegenerative disorders have remained unknown. The findings can provide sufficient information about the advantages of these compounds against neurodegenerative diseases.

Houttuynia Cordata Thunb.: A comprehensive review of traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology and safety

BACKGROUND

Houttuynia Cordata Thunb. (H. cordata; Saururaceae) is a medicine food homology plant that is grown in many Asian countries. Its main phytochemical constituents are volatile oils, flavonoids, polysaccharides and alkaloids. It has considerable clinical applications and health benefits.

PURPOSE

This paper reviews the existing literatures and patents, summarizes the phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, safety and economic botanical applications of H. cordata, and provides a reference for systematic study of the pharmacological effects of H. cordata, improvement of quality standards and further development of its medicinal resources.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of literature and patents on H. cordata and its active ingredients published before June 2023 was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and China Knowledge Network.

RESULTS

H. cordata is not only edible and medicinal but also used in various aspects of daily life such as fermented beverages, nutraceuticals, feed and cosmetics. The main phytochemical constituents of H. cordata are volatile oils, flavonoids, organic acids and alkaloids. Several in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical trials have found that H. cordata extracts possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, hepatoprotective and renal, immunomodulatory and potent antiviral effects. The mechanisms of expression of these pharmacological effects are related to the blood-brain barrier, lipophilicity, cAMP signaling and skin permeability, including blocking the MAPK signaling pathway, inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and IL-1β, and activating the AMPK pathway.

CONCLUSION

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the progress of research on the traditional applications, botany, chemical composition, pharmacological effects and safety of H. cordata and discusses for the first time the economic botanical aspects, which were not explored in the previous reviews. H. cordata has a wide range of bioactive substances whose therapeutic potential has not been fully exploited, and it could provide a new non-toxic approach to many diseases. This traditional medicinal food plant should receive more attention and in-depth research in the future.

Natural Products for Cancer Therapy: A Review of Their Mechanism of Actions and Toxicity in the Past Decade

The ethnopharmacological information gathered over many centuries and the presence of diverse metabolites have made the medicinal plants as the prime source of drugs. Despite the positive attributes of natural products, there are many questions pertaining to their mechanism of actions and molecular targets that impede their development as therapeutic agents. One of the major challenges in cancer research is the toxicity exerted by investigational agents towards the host. An understanding of their molecular targets, underlying mechanisms can reveal their anticancer efficacy, help in optimal therapeutic dose selection, to mitigate their side effects and toxicity towards the host. The purpose of this review is to collate details on natural products that are recently been investigated extensively in the past decade for their anticancer potential. Besides, critical analysis of their molecular targets and underlying mechanisms on multiple cancer cell lines, an in-depth probe of their toxicological screening on rodent models is outlined as well to observe the prevalence of their toxicity towards host. This review can provide valuable insights for researchers in developing methods, strategies during preclinical and clinical evaluation of anticancer candidates.