Glycosylated flavonoid kaempferitrin: Electroanalytical detection and the proposal of an oxidation mechanism supported by quantum chemical calculations

In this work, the electrochemical behavior of the glycosylated flavonoid kaempferitrin was studied, and an electroanalytical methodology was developed for its determination in infusions of Bauhinia forficata using a boron-doped diamond electrode (BDD). The electrochemical behavior of the flavonoid was studied by cyclic voltammetry, and two irreversible oxidation peaks at 0.80 and 1.0 V vs Ag/AgCl were observed. The influence of the pH on the voltammograms was examined, and higher sensitivity was found at pH 7.0. The electrochemical process corresponding to peak 1 at 0.80 V is predominantly diffusion-controlled, as the study shows at varying scan rates. An analytical plot was obtained by square wave voltammetry at optimized experimental conditions (frequency = 100 s-1, amplitude = 90 mV, and step potential = 8 mV) in the concentration range from 3.4 μmol L-1 to 58 μmol L-1, with a linearity of 0.99. The limit of detection and limit of quantification values were 1.0 μmol L-1 and 3.4 μmol L-1, respectively. Three samples of Bauhinia forficata infusions (2 g of sample in 100 mL of water) were analyzed, and the KF values found were 5.0 × 10-4 mol L-1, 3.0 × 10-4 mol L-1, and 7.0 × 10-4 mol L-1, with recovery percentages of 98 %, 106 % and 94 %, respectively. Finally, experiments were performed with two other flavonoids (chrysin and apeginin) to compare and propose an electrochemical oxidation mechanism for kaempferitrin, which was supported by quantum chemical calculations.

Gut microbiota and serum metabolome reveal the mechanism by which TCM polysaccharides alleviate salpingitis in laying hens challenged by bacteria

This paper aimed to evaluate the effect of 3 kinds of TCM polysaccharides instead of antibiotics in preventing salpingitis in laying hens. After feeding the laying hens with Lotus leaf polysaccharide, Poria polysaccharide, and Epimedium polysaccharide, mixed bacteria (E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus) were used to infect the oviduct to establish an inflammation model. Changes in antioxidant, serum immunity, anti-inflammatory, gut microbiota, and serum metabolites were evaluated. The results showed that the 3 TCM polysaccharides could increase the expression of antioxidant markers SOD, GSH, and CAT, and reduce the accumulation of MDA in the liver; the contents of IgA and IgM in serum were increased. Decreased the mRNA expression of TLR4, NFκB, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL1β, IL6, and IL8, and increased the mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory factor IL5 in oviduct tissue. 16sRNA high-throughput sequencing revealed that the 3 TCM polysaccharides improved the intestinal flora disturbance caused by bacterial infection, increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroides and Actinobacillus, and decreased the abundance of harmful bacteria such as Romboutsia, Turicibacter, and Streptococcus. Metabolomics showed that the 3 TCM polysaccharides could increase the content of metabolites such as 3-hydroxybutyric acid and isobutyl-L-carnitine, and these results could alleviate the further development of salpingitis. In conclusion, the present study has found that using TCM polysaccharides instead of antibiotics was a feasible way to prevent bacterial salpingitis in laying hens, which might make preventing this disease no longer an issue for breeding laying hens.

Smilax china L.: A review of its botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, actual and potential applications

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Smilax china L., an extensively used traditional Chinese medicine, is known as Baqia in China. It has been used to treat various inflammatory disorders, particularly pelvic inflammation.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The present paper aims to provide an up-to-date review at the advancements of the investigations on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological effect and actual and potential applications of S. china. Besides, the possible tendency and perspective for future research of this plant are discussed, as well.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This article uses "Smilax china L." "S. china" as the keyword and collects relevant information on Smilax china L. plants through electronic searches (Elsevier, PubMed, ACS, CNKI, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, Web of Science), relevant books, and classic literature about Chinese herb.

RESULTS

134 chemical constituents, among which steroid saponins and flavonoids are the predominant groups, have been isolated and identified from S. china. S. china with its active compounds is possessed of wide-reaching biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, detoxify nicotine, anti-diabetes, anti-obesity, anti-hyperuricaemia, anti-hypertension, promoting skin wound and barrier repair and anti-bacterial activity. Besides, S. china is also applied to other fields, such as food industry and detection technology.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the review of the existing phytochemical studies on Smilax china L., the structural characterization of Smilax china L. extract can continue to be the focus of future research. Pharmacological studies in vitro and in vivo have demonstrated some of the traditional uses of Smilax china L. extract, while other traditional uses still need to be confirmed by research.

Smilax china leaf extracts suppress pro-inflammatory adhesion response in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and proliferation of HeLa cells

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of the leaves of Smilax china.Methodology: The aqueous extract was examined for its anti-inflammatory effects on tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced inflammation in HUVECs whereas the aqueous (water), ethyl acetate (EA), butanol (B) and methylene chloride (MC) extracts were examined for their anticancer effect on HeLa cells.Results: The aqueous extract suppressed the (TNF)-α-induced expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and TNF-R1 and attenuated the expression of MCP-1, MMP-9, NF-kB and IFN-γ. The MC extract suppressed the proliferation of HeLa cells at all doses employed (50, 150, and 300 µg/ml). The EA extract demonstrated appreciable anti-proliferative effect whereas the BuOH extract demonstrated mild anti-proliferative activity. The aqueous extract did not show any significant anti-proliferative effect. None of the extracts were toxic to the normal cells (HUVECs).Conclusion: Smilax china leaf extracts possess significant anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects.

In vitro anti-inflammatory properties of Smilax campestris aqueous extract in human macrophages, and characterization of its flavonoid profile

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Extracts of Smilax campestris Griseb (Smilacaceae) have been employed in the treatment of several inflammatory diseases as a traditional herbal medicine. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the observed effects remain elusive. Macrophages are known to play a central role in inflammatory responses. These cells are activated in response to a diversity of danger signals and produce several mediators of inflammation that eventually regulate the immune response. For all the above mentioned, scientific evidence is required to support the popular use of S. campestris.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of S. campestris aqueous extract (SME) in activated THP-1 human macrophages, on the production of some mediators of inflammation and oxidative stress in order to provide scientific support for its popular use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The characterization of SME was assessed by HPLC-MS/MS. The production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines was evaluated by ELISA. The activity of metalloproteases was evaluated by zymography. The subcellular localization of the NF-κB transcription factor was analysed by Western blot. The superoxide anion and glutathione levels were assessed by flow cytometry. The cytotoxicity induced by SME in THP-1 macrophages was also investigated by the LDH release test.

RESULTS

In the present study, we have identified catechin and glycosylated derivatives of quercetin (quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-galactoside, rutin and quercetin-3-rhamnoside) as major components of the aqueous SME. We found that SME significantly decreased the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor (TNF)- α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and the activity of the metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages derived from the monocytic cell line THP-1. Furthermore, SME diminished the expression of NF-κB p65 subunit in the nuclear fraction. In addition, SME decreased the production of superoxide anion in THP-1 macrophages, without altering the levels of reduced glutathione.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that SME exerts its anti-inflammatory effects in human activated macrophages by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases and the NF-κB transcription factor pathway along with a reduction of oxidative stress mediators. Moreover, catechin and glycosylated derivatives of were identified by HPLC-MS/MS in SME. Our findings provide scientific support for the traditional use of the S. campestris extracts.

Free radical scavenging, α-glucosidase inhibitory and anti-inflammatory constituents from Indian sedges, Cyperus scariosus R.Br and Cyperus rotundus L

BACKGROUND

Cyperus scariosus R. Br and Cyperus rotundus L are widely used in ayurvedic preparation for the treatment of diabetes and other diseases. The early literature, so far, does not indicate the presence of any bioactive principle isolated from these plants.

OBJECTIVE

To identify free radical scavenging, anti-diabetic and anti- inflammatory principles from these two species.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The bioassay guided fractionation and isolation of active constituents was done by chromatographic techniques. They also evaluated their anti-oxidant activity by DPPH and ABTS. The anti-diabetic activity was screened by α- glucosidase and α- amylase assays. Also, the further evaluation of in vitro anti-inflammatory activity using THP-1 monocytic cells and in vivo anti- inflammatory activity, was confirmed by carrageenan induced rat paw edema as model.

RESULTS

The activity guided isolation led to isolation of twelve compounds Which are: Stigmasterol^[1], β- sitosterol^[2], Lupeol^[3], Gallic acid^[4], Quercetin^[5], β- amyrin^[6], Oleanolic acid^[7], β- amyrin acetate^[8], 4- hydroxyl butyl cinnamate^[9], 4- hydroxyl cinnamic acid^[10], Caffeic acid,^[11] and Kaempferol^[12] respectively. Among the isolates, the compounds 4 and 5 displayed potent radical scavenging activity with an IC₅₀ values of 0.43 and 0.067 ΅g/ml. The compounds 4, 5 and 10 showed significant anti-diabetic activities. while lupeol^[3] showed potent IL-1 β activity inhibition in THP-1 monocytic cells and also displayed significant (p<0.0025) in vivo anti-inflammatory activity.

CONCLUSION

Inbrief, we isolated twelve compounds from both the species. Collectively, our results suggested that aromatic compounds showed good anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic activities.

SUMMARY

The study investigates the free radical scavenging, α-glucosidase inhibitory and anti-inflammatory effects of constituents isolated from Indian sedges viz. C. scariosus and C. rotundus. The results indicated that phenolic compounds displayed potent fee radical scavenging activty and alpha-glucosidase inhibition activity. While terpene constituent, Lupeol[3] showed good IL-1^β activity inhibition in THP-1 monocytic cells and also displayed significant (p<0.0025) in vivo anti inflammatory activity in carrageenan induced rat paw edema. However, further studies are required to know the exact molecular mechanism. Abbreviations used: DPPH: 2,2- Diphenyl-1-1-picryl hydrazyl, ABTS: 2,2-Azinobis-3-ethylbenzo thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, THP-1: Human leukaemia monocytic cell line, IL-1β: Interleukin-1β, IC₅₀-Inhibitory concentration 50%.