In-vitro activity of S. lavandulaefolia (Spanish sage) relevant to treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Are Prepubertal Gynaecomastia and Premature Thelarche Linked to Topical Lavender and Tea Tree Oil Use?

Various studies, conducted since 2007, have reported a total of eight boys with prepubertal gynaecomastia and four girls with premature thelarche following exposure to lavender and/or tree tea oil. All patients experienced regression of the breast tissue after they stopped using these oils. Both of these essential oils, and several of their constituents, have oestrogenic and antiandrogenic activity in vitro. However, limited dermal penetration of some of the components means that the in vitro findings cannot be extrapolated to the in vivo situation. There are unanswered questions as to how much lavender or tea tree oil was actually present in the skincare products used by the children and a lack of information about exposure to other agents. Furthermore, since both prepubertal gynaecomastia and premature thelarche often spontaneously regress, it cannot be concluded that the use of lavender and/or tree tea oil is the cause of the gynaecomastia and thelarche in these children.

Cocktail of three isoquinoline alkaloids derived from Glaucium grandiflorum Boiss. & A. Huet subsp. refractum (Nábelek) Mory inhibits the production of LPS-induced ROS, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and mediators through the down-regulation of p38 MAPK in BV-2 cells

Glaucium grandiflorum extracts have traditionally been used to treat brain-related disorders. G. grandiflorum extracts also exhibited inhibitory effects on cholinesterase enzymes, as well as antigenotoxic activity. However, no research has been done on the effect of G. grandiflorum alkaloid extracts on the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. In this study we aimed to evaluate the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of the alkaloid extract obtained from G. grandiflorum as well as the mechanisms responsible for their neuroprotective effects in neuronal damage caused by LPS in BV2 cells. We used LC-MS/MS and 1H, 13C NMR analysis to determine the presence of major alkaloids (allocryptopine, tetrahydropalmatine, and tetrahydroberberine N-oxide (trans-cannadine-N-oxide) in the alkaloid extracts. We used flow cytometry to study the alkaloid extracts' effects on ROS production; we also employed qRT-PCR and Western Blot to analyze the effects of oxidative stress and inflammation-related genes and proteins. ROS production within the cell was inhibited by chloroform alkaloid extract (CAE). There occurred marked CAE-induced reductions in IL-1β, Cox-2, and iNOS mRNA expressions. We also observed marked reductions in IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expressions with methanol alkaloid extract (MAE). CAE effectively suppressed IL-1β and iNOS protein levels, especially as in qRT-PCR studies, while MAE effectively reduced IL-6 and TNF-α protein levels. Additionally, MAE was found to be prominent in suppressing the levels of Cox-2 protein, unlike qRT-PCR studies. According to our study findings, oxidative stress brought about by inflammation was suppressed by alkaloid extracts from G. grandiflorum which can be attributed to their suppressor effects on the pro-inflammatory cytokines-mediators, and p38 MAPK. As a result, a drug active substance that suppresses oxidative stress and inflammation has been brought to the neuropharmacological field.

Downregulation of inflammatory erectile dysfunction by Mantisa religiosa egg-cake through NO-cGMP-PKG dependent NF-kB signaling cascade activated by mixture of salt intake

We hypothesized whether 10% praying-mantis-egg-cake (10% PMEC) can be applied against inflammatory-erectile-dysfunction and whether it could be linked to NO-cGMP-dependent PKG signaling cascade. Ninety male albino-rats were randomly distributed into nine (n = 10) groups. Group I was given distilled water. Group II and III were pre-treated with 80 mg/kg NaCl and 75 mg/kg MSG, respectively. Group IV was pre-treated with 80 mg/kg NaCl + 75 mg/kg MSG. Group V was administered with 80 mg/kg NaCl+ 3 mg/kg Amylopidin. Group VI was given 80 mg/kg NaCl + 10% PMEC. Group VII was treated with 75 mg/kg MSG + 10% PMEC. Group VIII was treated with 80 mg/kg NaCl+ 75 mg/kg MSG + 10% PMEC. Group IX was post-treated with 10% PMEC for 14 days. Penile PDE-5¹, arginase, ATP hydrolytic, cholinergic, dopaminergic (MAO-A) and adenosinergic (ADA) enzymes were hyperactive on intoxication with NaCl and MSG. The erectile dysfunction caused by inflammation was linked to alteration of NO-cGMP-dependent PKG signaling cascade via up-regulation of key cytokines and chemokine (MCP-1). These lesions were prohibited by protein-rich-cake (10% PMEC). Thus, protein-rich-cake (10% PMEC) by a factor of 4 (25%) inhibited penile cytokines/MCP-1 on exposure to mixture of salt-intake through NO-cGMP-PKG dependent-NF-_KB signaling cascade in rats.

Phenolic Content, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antihyperglycemic, and α-Amylase Inhibitory Activities of Aqueous Extract of Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl

Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl essential oil is becoming more popular as a cognitive enhancer and treatment for memory loss. It is high in natural antioxidants and has spasmolytic, antiseptic, analgesic, sedative, and anti-inflammatory properties. Its aqueous extract has hypoglycemic activity and is used to treat diabetic hyperglycemia, but few studies have focused on it. The objective of this work is to evaluate the various biological and pharmacological powers of Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl leaf aqueous extract. Quality control of the plant material was first carried out. Followed by a phytochemical study on the aqueous extract of S. lavandulifolia leaves, namely phytochemical screening and determination of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins contents. Then, the biological activities were undertaken, in particular the antioxidant activity (total antioxidant activity and trapping of the DPPH° radical) and the antimicrobial activity. The chemical composition of this extract was also determined by HPLC-MS-ESI. Finally, the inhibitory effect of the α-amylase enzyme as well as the antihyperglycaemic effect was evaluated in vivo in normal rats overloaded with starch or D-glucose. The aqueous extract obtained by use of the decoction of leaves of S. lavandulifolia contains 246.51 ± 1.69 mg EQ of gallic acid/g DE, 23.80 ± 0.12 mg EQ quercetin/g DE, and 2.46 ± 0.08 mg EQ catechin /g DE. Its total antioxidant capacity is around 527.03 ± 5.95 mg EQ of ascorbic acid/g DE. At a concentration of 5.81 ± 0.23 µg/mL, our extract was able to inhibit 50% of DPPH° radicals. Moreover, it showed bactericidal effect against Proteus mirabilis, fungicidal against Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and fungistatic against Candida krusei. A marked antihyperglycemic activity (AUC = 54.84 ± 4.88 g/L/h), as well as a significant inhibitory effect of α-amylase in vitro (IC50 = 0.99 ± 0.00 mg/mL) and in vivo (AUC = 51.94 ± 1.29 g/L/h), is recorded in our extract. Furthermore, its chemical composition reveals the presence of 37.03% rosmarinic acid, 7.84% quercetin rhamnose, 5.57% diosmetin-rutinoside, 5.51% catechin dimer, and 4.57% gallocatechin as major compounds. The antihyperglycemic and α-amylase inhibitory activities, associated with the antioxidant properties of S. lavandulifolia, justify its use in the treatment of diabetes in traditional medicine and highlight its potential introduction into antidiabetic drugs.

A Focused Review on Cognitive Improvement by the Genus Salvia L. (Sage)-From Ethnopharmacology to Clinical Evidence

Ethnopharmacology has been an important starting point in medical and pharmaceutical sciences for discovering drug candidates from natural sources. In this regard, the genus Salvia L., commonly known as sage, is one of the best-known medicinal and aromatic plants of the Lamiaceae family; it has been recorded as being used for memory enhancement in European folk medicine. Despite the various uses of sage in folk medicines, the records that have pointed out sage's memory-enhancing properties have paved the way for the aforementioned effect to be proven on scientific grounds. There are many preclinical studies and excellent reviews referring to the favorable effect of different species of sage against the cognitive dysfunction that is related to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Hence, the current review discusses clinical studies that provide evidence for the effect of Salvia species on cognitive dysfunction. Clinical studies have shown that some Salvia species, i.e., hydroalcoholic extracts and essential oils of S. officinalis L. and S. lavandulaefolia leaves in particular, have been the most prominently effective species in patients with mild to moderate AD, and these species have shown positive effects on the memory of young and healthy people. However, the numbers of subjects in the studies were small, and standardized extracts were not used for the most part. Our review points out to the need for longer-term clinical studies with higher numbers of subjects being administered standardized sage preparations.

Traditional application of Sage (Salvia) in conductive education and its potential evidence- based background

Conductive education originated in Hungary in the late 1940s as a unique form of education and rehabilitation for children with neurological motor disorder. The basic idea of András Pető's unique system (conductive pedagogical system) was that our nervous system, despite being damaged, has reserved the possibility of building new connections, which can be mobilised by the proper control of the learning-teaching process. Based on the accessible documents, the paper provides a comprehensive overview of the sageuse implemented by András Pető, the internationally acknowledged founder of conductive education. Besides the traditional application of sage in conductive education it also reviews the known phytotherapeutic effects and recent clinical trials. The available clinical trials confirm the successful traditional application of sage extracts in conductive education and provide a promising starting point for evidence-based studies regarding its application in conductive education.

A Review of the Potential Use of Pinene and Linalool as Terpene-Based Medicines for Brain Health: Discovering Novel Therapeutics in the Flavours and Fragrances of Cannabis

"Medicinal cannabis" is defined as the use of cannabis-based products for the treatment of an illness. Investigations of cannabis compounds in psychiatric and neurological illnesses primarily focus on the major cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), which are hypothesised to benefit multiple illnesses manifesting cognitive impairment, neurodegeneration and neuro-inflammation, as well as chronic pain, epilepsy and post-traumatic stress disorder, respectively. The cannabis plant contains >500 compounds, including terpenes responsible for the flavour and fragrance profiles of plants. Recently, research has begun providing evidence on the potential use of certain plant-derived terpenes in modern medicine, demonstrating anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects of these compounds. This review examined the effects of two key terpenes, pinene and linalool, on parameters relevant to neurological and psychiatric disorders, highlighting gaps in the literature and recommendations for future research into terpene therapeutics. Overall, evidence is mostly limited to preclinical studies and well-designed clinical trials are lacking. Nevertheless, existing data suggests that pinene and linalool are relevant candidates for further investigation as novel medicines for illnesses, including stroke, ischemia, inflammatory and neuropathic pain (including migraine), cognitive impairment (relevant to Alzheimer's disease and ageing), insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Linalool and pinene influence multiple neurotransmitter, inflammatory and neurotrophic signals as well as behaviour, demonstrating psycho-activity (albeit non-intoxicating). Optimising the phytochemical profile of cannabis chemovars to yield therapeutic levels of beneficial terpenes and cannabinoids, such as linalool, pinene and CBD, could present a unique opportunity to discover novel medicines to treat psychiatric and neurological illnesses; however, further research is needed.

Biogenic zinc-oxide nanoparticles of Moringa oleifera leaves abrogates rotenone induced neuroendocrine toxicity by regulation of oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase activity

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) from plant origin were postulated to regulate complex hormonal control through the hypothalamus- pituitary-testicular axis and somatic cells due to their unique small size and effective drug delivery to target tissues. This study therefore investigates the biogenic synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) from Moringa oleifera leaves on key endocrine hormones (LH, FSH and testosterone), MDA level, antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT), acetylcholineesterase (AChE) activity and reactive nitrogen species (NO•) level in rotenone induced male rat. The animals were divided into six groups (n = 8). Group I was orally given olive oil as vehicle; Group II received 60 mg/kg of rotenone (RTNE) only; Group III (RTNE + ZnONPs) received 60 mg/kg RTNE + 10 mg/kg ZnONPs; Group IV (RTNE + ZnCAP) received 60 mg/kg RTNE + 50 mg/kg zinc capsule; Group V (ZnONPs only) received 10 mg/kg ZnONPs only. Group VI received 50 mg/kg ZnCAP only. The experiment lasted 10 days. TEM and XRD images revealed ZnO NPs. Moreover, the presence of organic molecules in bio-reduction reactions from the FTIR spectrum showed the stabilization of the nanoparticles. Also, animals induced with rotenone exhibited impairment in the leydig cells by depleting LH, FSH, and testosterone levels with reduced AChE activity and significant (p < 0.05) alteration in cerebral enzymatic antioxidants. There was also brain increase in NO• production: marker of pro-inflammation. Nanotherapeutically, ZnONPs regulated hypothalamus-pituitary-testicular axis via modulation of cerebral NO•, FSH, LH, testosterone and AChE activity with induction of anti-oxidative enzymes.

Estrogenic Plants: to Prevent Neurodegeneration and Memory Loss and Other Symptoms in Women After Menopause

In mammals, sexual hormones such as estrogens play an essential role in maintaining brain homeostasis and function. Estrogen deficit in the brain induces many undesirable symptoms such as learning and memory impairment, sleep and mood disorders, hot flushes, and fatigue. These symptoms are frequent in women who reached menopausal age or have had ovariectomy and in men and women subjected to anti-estrogen therapy. Hormone replacement therapy alleviates menopause symptoms; however, it can increase cardiovascular and cancer diseases. In the search for therapeutic alternatives, medicinal plants and specific synthetic and natural molecules with estrogenic effects have attracted widespread attention between the public and the scientific community. Various plants have been used for centuries to alleviate menstrual and menopause symptoms, such as Cranberry, Ginger, Hops, Milk Thistle, Red clover, Salvia officinalis, Soy, Black cohosh, Turnera diffusa, Ushuva, and Vitex. This review aims to highlight current evidence about estrogenic medicinal plants and their pharmacological effects on cognitive deficits induced by estrogen deficiency during menopause and aging.

Role of natural plant products against Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the major neurodegenerative disorder. Deposition of amyloid fibrils and tau protein are associated with various pathological symptoms. Currently limited medication is available for AD treatment. Most of the drugs are basically cholinesterase inhibitors and associated with various side effects. Natural plant products have shown potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of AD symptoms. Variety of secondary metabolites like flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids and phenols are used to reduce the progression of the disease. Plant products have less or no side effect and are easily available. The present review gives a detailed account of the potential of natural plant products against the AD symptoms.

Maternal Reproductive Toxicity of Some Essential Oils and Their Constituents

Even though several plants can improve the female reproductive function, the use of herbs, herbal preparations, or essential oils during pregnancy is questionable. This review is focused on the effects of some essential oils and their constituents on the female reproductive system during pregnancy and on the development of the fetus. The major concerns include causing abortion, reproductive hormone modulation, maternal toxicity, teratogenicity, and embryo-fetotoxicity. This work summarizes the important studies on the reproductive effects of essential oil constituents anethole, apiole, citral, camphor, thymoquinone, trans-sabinyl acetate, methyl salicylate, thujone, pulegone, β-elemene, β-eudesmol, and costus lactone, among others.

Sulfated polysaccharides of some seaweeds exhibit neuroprotection via mitigation of oxidative stress, cholinergic dysfunction and inhibition of Zn - induced neuronal damage in HT-22 cells

Background

Sulfated polysaccharides from marine algae are known to possess antioxidative activities, however, their therapeutic role in metal-induced neurodegeneration has not been explored. In this study, the neuroprotective potentials of sulfated polysaccharides isolated from Ecklonia maxima (PKPM), Gelidium pristoides (PMNP), Ulva lactuca (PULV), Ulva rigida (PURL) and Gracilaria gracilis (PGCL) against Zn-induced neurodegeneration in rats’ hippocampal neuronal cells (HT-22) were assessed.

Methods

Cells were cultured and maintained at 37 °C. Control cells did not contain Zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄) while other experimental groups contain Zn (50 μM) alone or in combination with sulfated polysaccharides (0.4 or 0.8 mg/mL). Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay while apoptotic assay was also determined using acridine orange and ethidium bromide staining technique. Oxidative stress parameters (superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, glutathione and nitric oxide levels) and acetylcholinesterase activity were also assessed in neuronal cells treated with or without Zn.

Results

Zn significantly reduced cell viability to about 50%. However, sulfated polysaccharides improved cell viability to about 95%. The sulfated polysaccharides also prevented late apoptosis and necrosis triggered by Zn. Furthermore, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities including glutathione content were significantly low in cells induced with Zn. Treatment with sulfated polysaccharides triggered a significant increase in antioxidant enzymes and glutathione content as well as a decrease in the activity of acetylcholinesterase in cells treated with Zn.

Conclusion

PKPM, PGCL, PURL, PULV and PMNP exhibit neuroprotective effects against neuronal damage induced by Zn and this may be attributed to inhibition of apoptosis, oxidative damage and acetylcholinesterase activity. These polysaccharides may be good therapeutic agents to protect neuronal cells against Zn - induced pathological processes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Cholinesterase inhibitory activity, antioxidant properties, and phytochemical composition of Chlorococcum sp. extracts

In this study, Chlorococcum sp. was investigated for its cholinesterase inhibitory potentials and antioxidant activity. The algal sample was cultivated, harvested, and extracted sequentially using n-hexane, dichloromethane, and ethanol. The extracts were characterized using Fourier transmission infra-red (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The metal chelating, radical scavenging activities, as well as anticholinesterase potentials of the algal extract, was also investigated. FTIR characterization of the microalgal biomass revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, alkaloids, polysaccharides, and fatty acids. The extracts showed the presence of phytol, neophytadiene, butylated hydroxyl toluene, and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole. The ethanol extract showed the highest DPPH (IC₅₀  = 147.40 µg/ml) and OH (IC₅₀  = 493.90 µg/ml) radical scavenging and metal chelating (IC₅₀  = 83.25 µg/ml) activities. Similarly, the ethanol extract (IC₅₀  = 13.83 µg/ml) exhibited the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, while the dichloromethane extract showed the highest butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. All the extracts exhibited antioxidant properties and inhibitory effects against butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase; however, ethanol extracts showed better activity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Biomass obtained from some microalgal species is commonly used as dietary supplements and nutraceuticals due to the presence of high-valued products. However, the antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities of biomass from Chlorococcum sp. have not been explored. Chlorococcum sp. extracts contain some antioxidants such as 3-tert-Butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, phytol, and neophytadiene. Characterization of the extracts also revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, and fatty acids. These compounds may contribute to the observed antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities of Chlorococcum sp. The result of this study suggests that Chlorococcum sp. may contain some nutraceuticals which could be used as antioxidants and cholinesterase inhibitors.

Anticholinesterase and Antioxidant Activities of Natural Abietane Diterpenoids with Molecular Docking Studies

Background:

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent causes of dementia in the world, and no drugs available that can provide a complete cure. Cholinergic neurons of the cerebral cortex of AD patients are lost due to increased activity of cholinesterase enzymes.

Objectives:

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) are the two major classes of cholinesterases in the mammalian brain. The involvement of oxidative stress in the progression of AD is known. Thus, the objective of this study is to determine strong ChE inhibitors with anti-oxidant activity.

Methods:

In this study, 41 abietane diterpenoids have been assayed for antioxidant and anticholinesterase (both for AChE and BuChE) properties in vitro, which were previously isolated from Salvia species, and structurally determined by spectroscopic methods, particularly intensive 1D- and 2DNMR and mass experiments. Molecular modeling studies were performed to rationalize the in vitro ChE inhibitory activity of several abietane diterpenoids compared with galantamine.

Results:

Thirteen out of the tested 41 abietane diterpenoids exhibited at least 50% inhibition on either AChE or BuChE. The strongest inhibitory activity was obtained for Bractealine against BuChE (3.43 μM) and AChE (33.21 μM) while the most selective ligand was found to be Hypargenin E against BuChE enzyme (6.93 μM). A full correlation was not found between anticholinesterase and antioxidant activities. The results obtained from molecular modelling studies of Hypargenin E and Bractealine on AChE and BuChE were found to be in accordance with the in vitro anti-cholinesterase activity tests.

Conclusion:

Abietane diterpenoids are promising molecules for the treatment of mild-moderate AD.

Age related neurodegenerative Alzheimer's disease: Usage of traditional herbs in therapeutics

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common progressive neurodegenerative disease mainly associated with cognition impairment. Studies in last more than six decades have suggested that the disease pathology primarily includes the depleted cholinergic neurons, accumulation of amyloid beta plaques and hyper phosphorylation of tau proteins. However, the disease etiology remains enigmatic and no therapy is available to modify the disease status. Studies in experimental models and in post mortem brain of AD patients have suggested the involvement of oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, unfolded protein responses and apoptosis in disease pathology, yet the information is deficit to develop the disease modifying therapeutics. Owing to the need of novel effective treatment, chronic consumption of medicines with minimum side effects, recently the researchers turned towards the traditional medicines. This review is mainly focusing on the traditional herbs which have been suggested to contain disease related antidote activities and may be utilized for the effective treatment of AD patients.

HPTLC based approach for bioassay-guided evaluation of antidiabetic and neuroprotective effects of eight essential oils of the Lamiaceae family plants

A high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method combined with effect-directed-analysis (EDA) was developed to screen the antioxidant, neuroprotective and antidiabetic effects in essential oils derived from lavender flower, lemon myrtle, oregano, peppermint, sage, and rosemary leaves (Lamiaceae family). HPTLC hyphenated with microchemical (DPPH•, p-anisaldehyde, and ferric chloride) derivatizations, was used to evaluate antioxidant activity, presence of phytosterols and terpenoids, and polyphenolic content, while the combination with biochemical (α-amylase and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) enzymatic) derivatizations was used to asses α-amylase and AChE inhibitory activities. The superior antioxidant activity of oregano leaf extract is attributed to the presence of high levels of aromatic compounds, like polyphenolic acids. The strongest α-amylase inhibition was observed in lemon myrtle and rosemary plus extracts due to the presence of monoterpenes. Rosemary and sage extracts exhibit the highest AChE inhibition activity, with 1 μL essential oils being more potent than the recommended daily dose of donepezil. This superior neuroprotection was attributed to the presences of di- and triterpenes that displayed strong AChE inhibition and antioxidant potential in DPPH• free radical assay. Antioxidant activity was related to phenolic content (R = 0.49), while α-amylase inhibitory activity was positively related to antioxidant activity (R = 0.20) and terpenoid/sterol content (R = 0.31). AChE inhibitory activity was correlated (R = 0.80) to the combined effect of phenolics and terpenoids. Thus, the superior AChE inhibitory and neuroprotection potential of rosemary and sage essential oils could be attributed to joint effects of main phenolic and terpene constituents. The hyphenated HPTLC method provided rapid bioanalytical profiling of highly complex essential oil samples.

Terpenoids from Iranian Salvia Species

Apart from their common constituents (terpenoids and flavonoids) and their interesting biological activities, the genus Salvia is unusual as it is the only genus in the Labiatae that contains sesterterpenes (C25). Since these rare and interesting compounds were, for the first time, isolated and identified from Iranian Salvia species by the senior author, their NMR spectroscopic data are briefly reviewed. The terpenoid constituents of the Iranian Salvia species are also summarized.

Essential oils and functional herbs for healthy aging

As total life expectancy increases, the prevalence of age-related diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease is also increasing. Many hypotheses about Alzheimer’s disease have been developed, including cholinergic neuron damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Acetylcholine is a major neurotransmitter in the brain and cholinergic deficits leads to cognitive dysfunction and decline. Recent studies have linked diabetes as a risk factor in developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. The incidence of patients with type II diabetes and increased levels and activity of α-amylase is higher in patients with dementia. It has been shown that aromatherapy with essential oils from the mint family can improve cognitive performance in Alzheimer’s disease patients. Selected monoterpenoids from these essential oils are reported to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, both in vitro and in vivo. Terpenoids are small, fat-soluble organic molecules that can transfer across nasal mucosa if inhaled, or penetrate through the skin after topical application, enter into the blood and cross the blood-brain barrier. Recent evidence supports the idea that the common constituents of essential oils also inhibit α-amylase, a starch digestive enzyme that plays an important role in the control of diabetes. The mint family is a fragrant plant family that contains most of the culinary herbs found in the Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet is considered to be one of the healthiest diets in the world, and is found to be beneficial not only for the heart but also for the brain. Herbs used in this diet are rich in antioxidants that can prevent oxidative damage caused by free radicals. However, our study shows that they also contain biologically active compounds with potent α-amylase and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. Consumption of fresh herbs can help boost memory and reduce sugar levels in the body. The use of herbs as a functional food could lead to significant improvements in health. Cognitive stimulation with medical food and medical herbs could delay development of cognitive decline, and improve the quality of life of Alzheimer’s disease patients. This effect can be enhanced if combined with aromatherapy, topically or by inhalation, and/or by ingestion. Terpenes and terpenoids, the primary constituents of these essential oils are small, lipid soluble organic molecules that can be absorbed through the skin or across nasal mucosa into the systemic blood circulation. Many terpenes can also cross the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, topical application or inhalation of essential oils will also produce a systemic effect.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Essential Oils of Curcuma Species

Members of the genus Curcuma L. have been used in traditional medicine for centuries for treating gastrointestinal disorders, pain, inflammatory conditions, wounds, and for cancer prevention and antiaging, among others. Many of the biological activities of Curcuma species can be attributed to nonvolatile curcuminoids, but these plants also produce volatile chemicals. Essential oils, in general, have shown numerous beneficial effects for health maintenance and treatment of diseases. Essential oils from Curcuma spp., particularly C. longa, have demonstrated various health-related biological activities and several essential oil companies have recently marketed Curcuma oils. This review summarizes the volatile components of various Curcuma species, the biological activities of Curcuma essential oils, and potential safety concerns of Curcuma essential oils and their components.

In vitro anticholinesterase, antimonoamine oxidase and antioxidant properties of alkaloid extracts from kola nuts (Cola acuminata and Cola nitida)

Background

The development of cholinesterase (ChE) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors for management of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has come with their undesirable side effects. Hence, research for potent but natural ChE and MAO inhibitors with little or no side effects is essential. This study investigated the potentials of alkaloid extracts from two Cola species as nutraceuticals for prevention and management of AD.

Methods

Alkaloid extracts were obtained from two Cola species (Cola nitida [KN] and Cola acuminata [KA]) by solvent extraction method. The extracts were characterized for their alkaloid contents using gas chromatography (GC). The effects of the extracts on ChE and MAO activities were investigated in vitro. Also, the extracts’ ability to inhibit Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate, scavenge DPPH and OH radicals, as well as chelate Fe2+ were determined.

Results

GC characterization revealed the presence of augustamine and undulatine as the predominant alkaloids in the extracts. There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the inhibitory effects of the extracts on ChE activities. However, KA extract exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.05) MAO inhibitory effect than KN. Also, KA extract inhibited Fe2+- induced malondialdehyde (MDA) production in rat brain homogenate more significantly than KN, while there was no significant difference in DPPH and OH radicals scavenging, as well as Fe2+-chelating abilities of the extracts.

Conclusions

Our findings revealed that KN and KA alkaloid extracts exhibited significant effect in vitro on biological pathways that may contribute to neuroprotection for the management of neurodegenerative diseases.

Estrogenic terpenes and terpenoids: Pathways, functions and applications

Terpenes are made of the isoprene unit (C₅), and along with their derivatives, terpenoids, they are widely distributed in plants as active ingredients involved in anti-inflammation, anti-carcinogenesis and neuroprotection. Estrogenic terpenes and terpenoids are an important category of phytoestrogens and have been used as traditional medicines. The comprehensive list of estrogenic terpenes and terpenoids includes hemi-, mono-, sesqui-, di-, tri-, tetra- and polyterpenes, their derivatives, and meroterpenes, along with the signaling pathways and cellular functions on which their estrogenicity is exerted. Signaling pathways are further classified as bidirectional or unidirectional, the latter being further divided into two types depending upon the presence of both ligands, or the absence of one or both ligands. Although estrogenic activity of terpenes and terpenoids was evaluated by ligand-binding assays, yeast two-hybrid assays, reporter-gene assays, transcription assays, protein assays, cell assays and animal testing, the mechanism of estrogenic activity is still not fully understood. Applications of estrogenic terpenes and terpenoids are categorized into cancer treatment and prevention, cardioprotection, endocrine toxicity/reproductive dysfunction, food/supplement/traditional medicine, immunology/inflammation, menopausal syndromes and neuroprotection, where their benefits are discussed based on their availability, stability and variations.

The Essentials of a Global Index for Cognitive Function

Cognition is comprised of the faculties: perception, creativity, intuition, and ratiocination. Optimal levels of cognition are needed for independent functioning and balanced living. With an aging population that continues to grow, dietary supplements that tilt the balance towards maintenance of cognition are being marketed for vulnerable populations facing these challenges. Randomized clinical trials provide the causal inference necessary to define the efficacy of emerging nutraceuticals. Cognition testing, in particular, requires a battery of tests that encompass all brain regions involved in cognition so as to provide endpoints necessary for product validation. The lack of well controlled studies for comparison analyses, limited sample sizes, ambiguous dosages, and poor cognitive measures result in data that cannot be compared across studies to determine the efficacy of supplements claiming to enhance cognition. Clinical trials for the nutraceutical industry should consider the multifaceted nature of supplements, where clinical endpoints must be comprehensive while remaining feasible. Combining endpoints of cognition with physiological biomarkers of immunity and metabolism to arrive at a global index for cognitive health may be necessary for claim substantiation in order to fully justify and scientifically validate improvements in cognitive health. The issues and needs of a global index will be discussed here.

Composition and Antioxidant, Antienzymatic and Antimicrobial Activities of Volatile Molecules from Spanish Salvia lavandulifolia (Vahl) Essential Oils

The current study describes the composition of Salvia lavandulifolia (Vahl) essential oils (SlEOs) obtained from plants cultivated in Murcia (Spain), as determined by gas chromatography. Relative and absolute concentrations, the enantiomeric ratios of chiral compounds and the in vitro antioxidant, antienzymatic and antimicrobial activities are described. The main components of the SlEOs were camphor, 1,8-cineole, camphene and α-pinene, and the main enantiomers were (+)-camphor and (-)-camphene. The activities against free radicals and the capacity to reduce and chelate metallic ions were measured. SlEO-3 showed the highest activity in ORAC, DPPH, ABTS and reducing power methods, while SlEO-1 exhibited the highest chelating power. The activity of lipoxygenase and acetylcholinesterase could be inhibited by all the SlEOs, being bornyl acetate and limonene the most active individual compounds against lipoxygenase and 1,8-cineole against acetylcholinesterase. SlEOs and some individual compounds inhibited Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. These results increase our knowledge of SlEOs and, particularly, provide for the first time a complete characterization of SlEOs from Murcia, Spain, while proposing possible biotechnological uses for them.

Potential of tocotrienols in the prevention and therapy of Alzheimer's disease

Currently there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease (AD); clinical trials are underway to reduce amyloid generation and deposition, a neuropathological hallmark in brains of AD patients. While genetic factors and neuroinflammation contribute significantly to AD pathogenesis, whether increased cholesterol level is a causative factor or a result of AD is equivocal. Prenylation of proteins regulating neuronal functions requires mevalonate-derived farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP). The observation that the levels of FPP and GGPP, but not that of cholesterol, are elevated in AD patients is consistent with the finding that statins, competitive inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, reduce FPP and GGPP levels and amyloid β protein production in preclinical studies. Retrospective studies show inverse correlations between incidence of AD and the intake and serum levels of the HMG CoA reductase-suppressive tocotrienols; tocopherols show mixed results. Tocotrienols, but not tocopherols, block the processing and nuclear localization of sterol regulatory element binding protein-2, the transcriptional factor for HMG CoA reductase and FPP synthase, and enhance the degradation of HMG CoA reductase. Consequently, tocotrienols deplete the pool of FPP and GGPP and potentially blunt prenylation-dependent AD pathogenesis. The antiinflammatory activity of tocotrienols further contributes to their protection against AD. The mevalonate- and inflammation-suppressive activities of tocotrienols may represent those of an estimated 23,000 mevalonate-derived plant secondary metabolites called isoprenoids, many of which are neuroprotective. Tocotrienol-containing plant foods and tocotrienol derivatives and formulations with enhanced bioavailability may offer a novel approach in AD prevention and treatment.

Major selected monoterpenes α-pinene and 1,8-cineole found in Salvia lavandulifolia (Spanish sage) essential oil as regulators of cellular redox balance

CONTEXT

Salvia lavandulifolia has been employed in folk medicine for the treatment of memory and dementia problems. This specie contains numerous bioactive terpenes which may contribute to its effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the composition of essential oil of S. lavandulifolia and to investigate the potential in vitro cytoprotective and antioxidant activities of its major compounds, α-pinene and 1,8-cineole, against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in the U373-MG cell line.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography; antioxidant capacity was measured using the ORAC assay, and cytoprotective activity was evaluated using the MTT assay (for cell viability) (range of concentrations: 10-400 μM), DCFH-DA assay (for intracellular ROS generation), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) method (for lipid peroxidation), and spectrofometric techniques and Western blot (for enzymatic activity and protein expression, respectively) at 10 and 25 µM.

RESULTS

α-Pinene (18.39%) and 1,8-cineole (19.57%) were identified as major compounds in S. lavandulifolia essential oil. Pretreatments with these monoterpenes protected U373-MG cells against H2O2-induced oxidative injury by attenuating the loss of cell viability (IC50 : 79.70 µM to α-pinene and 66.23 µM to 1,8-cineole) and cell morphology, inhibiting ROS production (the most active compound was 1,8-cineole by decreasing the ROS production over 30-45% at 10 and 25 μM) and lipid peroxidation and increasing the endogenous antioxidant status (glutathione levels and CAT, SOD, GR, GPx, and HO-1 activity and protein expression).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate for the first time the effects of the monoterpenes 1,8-cineole and α-pinene identified in S. lavandulifolia essential oil as regulators of cellular redox balance in astrocytes.

Protective properties of Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl. essential oil against oxidative stress-induced neuronal injury

Salvia lavandulifolia Vahl., known as "Spanish sage", has potential value in dementia for its sedative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticholinesterase properties. This work aimed to evaluate the in vitro neuroprotective activity of S. lavandulifolia essential oils, obtained from plants at different phenological stages (vegetative and flowering phases) and plants grown at different densities, against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells. The effect on cell viability and morphology, lipid peroxidation, GSH/GSSG ratio, intracellular ROS levels, antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GR, GPx, HO-1) and apoptotic enzymes was investigated. Comparing with H2O2-treated PC12 cells, pretreatments with essential oil samples attenuated morphological changes and loss of cell viability, decreased MDA levels and intracellular ROS production and increased GSH/GSSG ratio. Moreover, Spanish sage increased antioxidant status as evidenced in an increase of antioxidant enzyme activity and protein expression and inhibited caspase-3 activity. Furthermore, our results suggest that S. lavandulifolia essential oils are able to activate Nrf2 transcription factor. Collectively, the sample of essential oil obtained with the highest densities of planting and at flowering phase exerted the major neuroprotective activity. Our findings demonstrate that S. lavandulifolia essential oils may have therapeutic value for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress-induced neuronal injury.

Acetylcholinesterase activity of electric eel is increased or decreased by selected monoterpenoids and phenylpropanoids in a concentration-dependent manner

The profitable insecticidal action of monoterpenoids prompted us to test their efficiency against stored-grain beetle species, via inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). For this, we first studied the ability of the monoterpenoids geraniol, linalool, camphor, fenchone, carvone and γ-terpinene, besides the phenylpropanoids trans-anethole and estragole to inhibit Electrophorus AChE. The results indicated that while AChE activity increased (15-35%) with 40 μM geraniol, camphor, γ-terpinene and linalool, the activity decreased (60-40%) with 5mM carvone, γ-terpinene, and fenchone. The Km for AChE was 0.52 ± 0.02 mM in control assays, which fell to 0.28 ± 0.01 mM or 0.32 ± 0.01 mM in assays with 20 μM linalool or γ-terpinene added. In the millimolar range, the terpenoids behaved as weak inhibitors. Unexpectedly, AChE inhibition by camphor, carvone, γ-terpinene, and fenchone gave Hill numbers ranging 2.04-1.57, supporting the idea that AChE was able to lodge more than one monoterpenoid molecule. The plots of 1/v vs. 1/S at varying monoterpenoid provided straight lines, fenchone and γ-terpinene acting as competitive inhibitors and carvone and camphor as non-competitive inhibitors. Moreover, the secondary plots of the slope KM(app)/Vmax(app) vs. [I] and of 1/Vmax(app) vs. [I] gave parabolic curves, which lent support to the proposed capacity of AChE to bind more than one monoterpenoid molecule. The fitting of the curves to a second-order polynomial equation allowed us to calculate the inhibition constants for the interaction of AChE with fenchone, γ-terpinene, carvone and camphor. The previously unnoticed increase in AChE activity with monoterpenoids should be considered as a reminder when advising the use of essential oils of plants or their constituents as anti-AChE agents to attenuate pathological signs of Alzheimer's disease.

Anticholinesterase and Antioxidative Properties of Aqueous Extract of Cola acuminata Seed In Vitro

Background. Cola acuminata seed, a commonly used stimulant in Nigeria, has been reportedly used for the management of neurodegenerative diseases in folklore without scientific basis. This study sought to investigate the anticholinesterase and antioxidant properties of aqueous extracts from C. acuminata seed in vitro. Methodology. The aqueous extract of C. acuminata seed was prepared (w/v) and its effect on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase activities, as well as some prooxidant (FeSO₄, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and quinolinic acid (QA)) induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain in vitro, was investigated. Results. The results revealed that C. acuminata seed extract inhibited AChE (IC₅₀ = 14.6 μg/mL) and BChE (IC₅₀ = 96.2 μg/mL) activities in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, incubation of rat's brain homogenates with some prooxidants caused a significant increase P < 0.05 in the brain malondialdehyde (MDA) content and inhibited MDA production dose-dependently and also exhibited further antioxidant properties as typified by their high radicals scavenging and Fe²⁺ chelating abilities. Conclusion. Inhibition of AChE and BChE activities has been the primary treatment method for mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, one possible mechanism through which the seed exerts its neuroprotective properties is by inhibiting cholinesterase activities as well as preventing oxidative-stress-induced neurodegeneration. However, this is a preliminary study with possible physiological implications.

Nutrigenomics of Essential Oils and their Potential Domestic Use for Improving Health

The use of essential oils as industrial food additives is notorious, like their medicinal properties. However, their use in household food spicing is for now limited. In this work, we have made a review to reveal the nutrigenomic actions exerted by their bioactive components, to promote awareness of their modulating gene expression ability and the potential that this implies. Also considered is how essential oils can be used as flavoring and seasoning after cooking and before consumption, such as diet components which can improve human health. Genetic mechanisms involved in the medicinal properties of essential oils for food use are identified from literature. These genetic mechanisms reveal nutrigenomic actions. Reviews on the medicinal properties of essential oils have been particularly considered. A wide diversity of nutrigenomic effects from essential oils useful potentially for food spicing is reviewed. General ideas are discussed about essential oils and their properties, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immunomodulatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, bone-reparation, anti-depressant and mitigatory for Alzheimer's disease. The essential oils for food use are potentially promoting health agents, and, therefore, worth using as flavoring and condiments. Becoming aware of the modulating gene expression actions from essential oils is important for understanding their potential for use in household dishes as spices to improve health.

Cholinesterase inhibitors from botanicals

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, wherein a progressive loss of cholinergic synapses occurs in hippocampus and neocortex. Decreased concentration of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (ACh), appears to be critical element in the development of dementia, and the most appropriate therapeutic approach to treat AD and other form of dementia is to restore acetylcholine levels by inhibiting both major form of cholinesterase: Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Consequently, researches have focused their attention towards finding cholinesterase inhibitors from natural products. A large number of such inhibitors have been isolated from medicinal plants. This review presents a comprehensive account of the advances in field of cholinesterase inhibitor phytoconstituents. The structures of some important phytoconstituents (collected through www.Chemspider.com) are also presented and the scope for future research is discussed.

Essential oils and their constituents as anticancer agents: a mechanistic view

Exploring natural plant products as an option to find new chemical entities as anticancer agents is one of the fastest growing areas of research. Recently, in the last decade, essential oils (EOs) have been under study for their use in cancer therapy and the present review is an attempt to collect and document the available studies indicating EOs and their constituents as anticancer agents. This review enlists nearly 130 studies of EOs from various plant species and their constituents that have been studied so far for their anticancer potential and these studies have been classified as in vitro and in vivo studies for EOs and their constituents. This review also highlights in-depth various mechanisms of action of different EOs and their constituents reported in the treatment strategies for different types of cancer. The current review indicates that EOs and their constituents act by multiple pathways and mechanisms involving apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, antimetastatic and antiangiogenic, increased levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), DNA repair modulation, and others to demonstrate their antiproliferative activity in the cancer cell. The effect of EOs and their constituents on tumour suppressor proteins (p53 and Akt), transcription factors (NF- κB and AP-1), MAPK-pathway, and detoxification enzymes like SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase has also been discussed.

Dietary supplementation with Salvia sahendica attenuates acetylcholinesterase activity and increases mitochondrial transcription factor A and antioxidant proteins in the hippocampus of amyloid beta-injected rats

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory and potential antioxidant effects of Salvia sahendica extract to investigate whether these molecules are involved in learning and memory improvement in rats injected with fibrillar amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide in the CA1 region of their hippocampus.

METHODS

Rats were fed with S. sahendica (100 mg/kg/day) for 1 week before Aβ injection. Western blot analysis and enzymatic assays were carried out 7 days after injections.

KEY FINDINGS

Our results indicated that S. sahendica extract decreased AChE activity. Besides, S. sahendica prevented reduction in the level of nuclear respiratory factor-1 and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). Our data indicated the lack of sensitivity in citrate synthase and reduction in the activity of malate dehydrogenase in the presence of Aβ that was prevented with S. sahendica consumption. Pretreatment with S. sahendica extract impeded reduction of glutathione redox ratio, catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, while decreased the malondialdehyde level.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the importance of AChE activity inhibition and increased TFAM level in the prevention of cognitive impairment, the use of S. sahendica could open a new protective issue in therapeutic fields of neurodegenerative disease.

Possible therapeutic uses of Salvia triloba and Piper nigrum in Alzheimer's disease-induced rats

This study aimed to investigate the role of Salvia triloba L. and Piper nigrum extracts in ameliorating neuroinflammatory insults characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in an experimentally induced rat model. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were classified into Group 1 (n=10): normal healthy animals serving as the negative control group; Group 2 (n=60): the AD-induced group. After AD induction, animals in the AD-induced group were divided randomly and equally into 6 subgroups. The first subgroup served as AD control; the second one, which served as positive control, was treated orally with the conventional therapy for AD (rivastigmine) at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) daily for 3 months. The third and fourth subgroups were, respectively, treated orally with the S. triloba extract at a dose of 750 and 375 mg/kg b.w. daily for 3 months. The fifth and sixth subgroups were, respectively, treated orally with the P. nigrum extract at a dose of 187.5 and 93.75 mg/kg b.w. daily for 3 months. Levels of brain acetylcholine (Ach), serum and brain acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, C-reactive protein (CRP), total nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were estimated. The results showed that administration of AlCl3 resulted in a significant elevation in the levels of AchE activity, CRP, NF-κB, and MCP-1 accompanied with a significant depletion in the Ach level. Treatment of AD rats with each of the selected medicinal plant extracts caused marked improvement in the measured biochemical parameters. In conclusion, S. triloba and P. nigrum methanolic extracts have potent anti-inflammatory effects against neuroinflammation characterizing AD.

Determination of phillygenin in rat plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography and its application to pharmacokinetic studies

The research group has been dedicated to the study of Fructus Forsythiae which was used widely in traditional Chinese medicines. And some research results have been accepted in Chinese Pharmacopeia. In a recent study, phillygenin was found to be a potential "metabolite" of phillyrin and the effective material of phillyrin may be changed according to the in vivo pharmacokinetic process. Therefore, a sensitive, specific, accurate, and reproducible reversed phase HPLC method for the determination of phillygenin in rat plasma was developed. Separation was achieved on a Hypersil ODS C18 column with UV detection at 277 nm. The good linear calibration curves ranged from 0.039 to 20 μg/mL with the limit of quantification estimated as 0.026 μg/mL. The intra- and inter-day precisions were in the range of 98-103 %. The average recoveries of phillygenin were 90.54, 92.47, and 92.15 % for phillygenin of 0.156, 1.25, and 10.0 μg/mL. And the Ruggedness of HPLC method was evaluated. The analytical method was also successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of phillygenin in rat for the first time. A rapid distribution was observed from the plasma concentration-time curves, and was followed by a quick elimination for phillygenin. The mean t 1/2z was 6.02, 5.62, and 5.79 min for 1.4, 2.8, and 5.6 mg/kg, respectively. The AUC (0-t) increased linearly from 166.29 to 332.48 mg/L min. All results indicated that, in the range of the doses examined, the pharmacokinetics of phillygenin in rat was based on first-order kinetics.

Plant-based medicines for anxiety disorders, part 2: a review of clinical studies with supporting preclinical evidence

Research in the area of herbal psychopharmacology has revealed a variety of promising medicines that may provide benefit in the treatment of general anxiety and specific anxiety disorders. However, a comprehensive review of plant-based anxiolytics has been absent to date. Thus, our aim was to provide a comprehensive narrative review of plant-based medicines that have clinical and/or preclinical evidence of anxiolytic activity. We present the article in two parts. In part one, we reviewed herbal medicines for which only preclinical investigations for anxiolytic activity have been performed. In this current article (part two), we review herbal medicines for which there have been both preclinical and clinical investigations of anxiolytic activity. A search of MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, Scopus and the Cochrane Library databases was conducted (up to 28 October 2012) for English language papers using the search terms 'anxiety' OR 'anxiety disorder' OR 'generalized anxiety disorder' OR 'social phobia' OR 'post-traumatic stress disorder' OR 'panic disorder' OR 'agoraphobia' OR 'obsessive compulsive disorder' in combination with the search terms 'Herb*' OR 'Medicinal Plants' OR 'Botanical Medicine' OR 'Chinese herb*', in addition to individual herbal medicines. This search of the literature revealed 1,525 papers, of which 53 plants were included in the review (having at least one study using the whole plant extract). Of these plants, 21 had human clinical trial evidence (reviewed here in part two), with the other 32 having solely preclinical evidence (reviewed in part one). Support for efficacy was found for chronic use (i.e. greater than one day) of the following herbs in treating a range of anxiety disorders in human clinical trials: Piper methysticum, Matricaria recutita, Ginkgo biloba, Scutellaria lateriflora, Silybum marianum, Passiflora incarnata, Withania somniferum, Galphimia glauca, Centella asiatica, Rhodiola rosea, Echinacea spp., Melissa officinalis and Echium amoenum. For several of the plants studied, conclusions need to be tempered due to methodological issues such as small sample sizes, brief intervention durations and non-replication. Current evidence does not support Hypericum perforatum or Valeriana spp. for any anxiety disorder. Acute anxiolytic activity was found for Centella asiatica, Salvia spp., Melissa officinalis, Passiflora incarnata and Citrus aurantium. Bacopa monnieri has shown anxiolytic effects in people with cognitive decline. The therapeutic application of psychotropic plant-based treatments for anxiety disorders is also discussed, specifically Psychotria viridis and Banisteriopsis caarti (ayahuasca), Psilocybe spp. and cannabidiol-enriched (low tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC)) Cannabis spp.

Differentiating organic and conventional sage by chromatographic and mass spectrometry flow injection fingerprints combined with principal component analysis

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and flow injection electrospray ionization with ion trap mass spectrometry (FIMS) fingerprints combined with principal component analysis (PCA) were examined for their potential in differentiating commercial organic and conventional sage samples. The individual components in the sage samples were also characterized with an ultraperformance liquid chromatograph with a quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer (UPLC Q-TOF MS). The results suggested that both HPLC and FIMS fingerprints combined with PCA could differentiate organic and conventional sage samples effectively. FIMS may serve as a quick test capable of distinguishing organic and conventional sages in 1 min and could potentially be developed for high-throughput applications, whereas HPLC fingerprints could provide more chemical composition information with a longer analytical time.

Uterotrophic assay of percutaneous lavender oil in immature female rats

The estrogenic potential of lavender oil was evaluated in a percutaneous uterotrophic bioassay in immature female rats. Four groups of 10 immature female rats each were randomly selected on postpartum day (PPD) 16. During the 3-day treatment period (PPDs 19-21), the immature rats were separated from the dams, caged in groups of 5 in a litter box for 6 hours, and administered the vehicle control article (corn oil) or lavender oil at 20 or 100 mg/kg per day. All dosages were administered as a 5 mL/kg volume in a Hilltop Chamber (25 mm diameter; absorbent material removed) placed on the shaved back of each immature rat, and secured with micropore tape and Vetrap. A positive control group was gavaged twice daily with 2.5 μg/kg per day of 17α-ethinyl estradiol. Daily observations included viability, clinical signs, body weights, and body weight gains. All rats were euthanized 24 hours after the third and final treatment, the uteri and ovaries were removed, and the paired ovaries and wet and blotted uterine weights were recorded. No unscheduled deaths occurred. No skin reactions were observed. Both dosages of lavender oil significantly reduced body weight gains after the third day of treatment, but terminal body weights and mean absolute and relative uterine weights did not differ significantly from vehicle control values. Positive controls showed significant increases in body weight and increased mean absolute and relative uterine weights as expected. Based on these data, lavender oil, at dosages of 20 or 100 mg/kg, was not active in the rat uterotrophic assay and gave no evidence of estrogenic activity.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of Chinese sufu (fermented tofu) ethanol-extract

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities of commercial sufu and self-produced sufu were investigated in this experiment. The anti-AChE activities of commercial sufu samples of 15 brands, sourcing from various parts of China, and self-produced sufu, fermented with Actinomucor elegans 3.118, were measured. The results indicated that ethanol extract of Chinese sufu exhibited significant inhibitory activity against AChE in vitro. The inhibitory activity of No. 5 sufu was the strongest (IC₅₀, 0.191 mg/ml), while the pre-fermented sufu showed the highest inhibitory activity during sufu manufacturing. In addition, soybean extracts and potato extracts were used to culture A. elegans 3.118 in order to estimate which culture was preferable for the production of these AChE inhibitors. The soybean extracts, after fermentation by A. elegans 3.118, showed higher anti-AChE activity than did the potato extracts. The IC₅₀ of the soybean extracts was 1.29 μg/ml.

Medicinal plants and dementia therapy: herbal hopes for brain aging?

An escalating "epidemic" of diseases like Alzheimer's has not yet been met by effective symptomatic treatments or preventative strategies. Among a few current prescription drugs are cholinesterase inhibitors including galantamine, originating from the snowdrop. Research into ethnobotanicals for memory or cognition has burgeoned in recent years. Based on a multi-faceted review of medicinal plants or phytochemicals, including traditional uses, relevant bioactivities, psychological and clinical evidence on efficacy and safety, this overview focuses on those for which there is promising clinical trial evidence in people with dementia, together with at least one other of these lines of supporting evidence. With respect to cognitive function, such plants reviewed include sage, Ginkgo biloba, and complex mixtures of other traditional remedies. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) challenge carers and lead to institutionalization. Symptoms can be alleviated by some plant species (e.g., lemon balm and lavender alleviate agitation in people with dementia; St John's wort treats depression in the normal population). The ultimate goal of disease prevention is considered from the perspective of limited epidemiological and clinical trial evidence to date. The potential value of numerous plant extracts or chemicals (e.g., curcumin) with neuroprotective but as yet no clinical data are reviewed. Given intense clinical need and carer concerns, which lead to exploration of such alternatives as herbal medicines, the following research priorities are indicated: investigating botanical agents which enhance cognition in populations with mild memory impairment or at earliest disease stages, and those for BPSD in people with dementia at more advanced stages; establishing an ongoing authoritative database on herbal medicine for dementia; and further epidemiological and follow up studies of promising phytopharmaceuticals or related nutraceuticals for disease prevention.