Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity of Acalypha hispida Leaf and Analysis of its Major Bioactive Polyphenols by HPLC

Polyphenols: Secondary Metabolites with a Biological Impression

Polyphenols are natural compounds which are plant-based bioactive molecules, and have been the subject of growing interest in recent years. Characterized by multiple varieties, polyphenols are mostly found in fruits and vegetables. Currently, many diseases are waiting for a cure or a solution to reduce their symptoms. However, drug or other chemical strategies have limitations for using a treatment agent or still detection tool of many diseases, and thus researchers still need to investigate preventive or improving treatment. Therefore, it is of interest to elucidate polyphenols, their bioactivity effects, supplementation, and consumption. The disadvantage of polyphenols is that they have a limited bioavailability, although they have multiple beneficial outcomes with their bioactive roles. In this context, several different strategies have been developed to improve bioavailability, particularly liposomal and nanoparticles. As nutrition is one of the most important factors in improving health, the inclusion of plant-based molecules in the daily diet is significant and continues to be enthusiastically researched. Nutrition, which is important for individuals of all ages, is the key to the bioactivity of polyphenols.

Supplementation of syringic acid-rich Phrynium pubinerve leaves imparts protection against allergic inflammatory responses by downregulating iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB expressions

Background

The present study was designed to characterize the role of ethanolic leaf extract of Phrynium pubinerve Blume (EPP) supplement in attenuating allergic inflammation, encouraged by the presence of syringic acid in it, as this phenolic acid is reportedly promising in suppressing serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and inflammatory cytokine levels.

Materials and methods

HPLC-DAD dereplication analysis was performed to determine the presence of the vital polyphenolic metabolites. The efficacy of EPP against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells was evaluated by measuring its inhibitory effects on NO and ROS/RNS production. The expressions of major inflammation-associated molecules (iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α) in RAW 264.7 cells were assessed through Western blot. Physiological and behavioral changes, BMI, and different biochemical parameters in mice blood serum were investigated in the toxicological assays. Formaldehyde-induced paw edema test in mice was conducted using established animal model. TDI-induced allergic model in mice was carried out to determine different allergy-like symptoms, and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. The intermolecular interaction analysis of the identified major metabolite of EPP with H1R and iNOS was studied by molecular docking.

Results

HPLC-DAD analysis showed the presence of syringic acid (89.19 mg/100 g EPP) and a few other compounds. LPS-induced NO generation was reduced by EPP in a concentration-dependent manner, showing IC50 of 28.20 ± 0.27 μg/mL. EPP exhibited a similar inhibitory effect on ROS/RNS production with IC50 of 29.47 ± 2.19 μg/mL. Western blotting revealed that EPP significantly downregulated the expressions of iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α in RAW 264.7 cells when challenged with LPS. The toxicological assays confirmed the dosage and organ-specific safety of EPP. In the formaldehyde-induced paw edema test, EPP caused a 66.41% reduction in mice paw volume at 500 mg/kg dose. It ameliorated TDI-induced allergy-like symptoms and decreased different inflammatory WBCs in mice's blood and BAL fluid in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, syringic acid demonstrated mentionable intermolecular binding affinity towards H1R (-6.6 Kcal/moL) and iNOS (-6.7 Kcal/moL).

Conclusions

Collectively, considerable scientific reasoning was obtained in favor of the suppressive potential of EPP against allergic inflammatory responses that are proposed to be exerted via the downregulation of iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB expressions, H1R antagonism and suppression of cytokines, such as IL-6, and TNF-α.

Selected Natural Products in Neuroprotective Strategies for Alzheimer's Disease-A Non-Systematic Review

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) are distinguished by the irreversible degeneration of central nervous system function and structure. AD is characterized by several different neuropathologies-among others, it interferes with neuropsychiatrical controls and cognitive functions. This disease is the number one neurodegenerative disorder; however, its treatment options are few and, unfortunately, ineffective. In the new strategies devised for AD prevention and treatment, the application of plant-based natural products is especially popular due to lesser side effects associated with their taking. Moreover, their neuroprotective activities target different pathological mechanisms. The current review presents the anti-AD properties of several natural plant substances. The paper throws light on products under in vitro and in vivo trials and compiles information on their mechanism of actions. Knowledge of the properties of such plant compounds and their combinations will surely lead to discovering new potent medicines for the treatment of AD with lesser side effects than the currently available pharmacological proceedings.

Phytochemical and pharmacological investigation of the ethanol extract of Byttneria pilosa Roxb

Background

Traditionally, the herb Byttneria pilosa Roxb. is used for bone fractures, boils, scabies, rheumatalgia, snake bites, syphilis, elephantiasis, poisoning, and eye infection. Scientific reports suggest that it has significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-diarrheal, anxiolytic, locomotion, sedative and anti-obesity effects. This study aims at the investigation of the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the ethanol extract of this herb.

Methods

Fresh whole plant was extracted with absolute ethanol. A preliminary phytochemical investigation was followed by the evaluation of thrombolytic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive activities by applying human clotted blood lysis, egg albumin, and acetic acid-induced writhing models, respectively.

Results

Phytochemical investigation suggests that B. pilosa possesses alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, and reducing sugars. The extract exhibited clot lysis and anti-inflammatory effects in a concentration-dependent manner. B. pilosa extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg also showed significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent anti-nociceptive activity in Swiss albino mice.

Conclusion

The B. pilosa ethanol extract contains many important secondary metabolites and has thrombolytic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive activities. More research is necessary on this hopeful medicinal herb.

Neuroprotective Potential of Ellagic Acid: A Critical Review

Ellagic acid (EA) is a dietary polyphenol present in various fruits, vegetables, herbs, and nuts. It exists either independently or as part of complex structures, such as ellagitannins, which release EA and several other metabolites including urolithins following absorption. During the past few decades, EA has drawn considerable attention because of its vast range of biological activities as well as its numerous molecular targets. Several studies have reported that the oxidative stress-lowering potential of EA accounts for its broad-spectrum pharmacological attributes. At the biochemical level, several mechanisms have also been associated with its therapeutic action, including its efficacy in normalizing lipid metabolism and lipidemic profile, regulating proinflammatory mediators, such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, upregulating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and inhibiting NF-κB action. EA exerts appreciable neuroprotective activity by its free radical-scavenging action, iron chelation, initiation of several cell signaling pathways, and alleviation of mitochondrial dysfunction. Numerous in vivo studies have also explored the neuroprotective attribute of EA against various neurotoxins in animal models. Despite the increasing number of publications with experimental evidence, a critical analysis of available literature to understand the full neuroprotective potential of EA has not been performed. The present review provides up-to-date, comprehensive, and critical information regarding the natural sources of EA, its bioavailability, metabolism, neuroprotective activities, and underlying mechanisms of action in order to encourage further studies to define the clinical usefulness of EA for the management of neurological disorders.

Plants as Sources of Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Plants represent the main source of molecules for the development of new drugs, which intensifies the interest of transnational industries in searching for substances obtained from plant sources, especially since the vast majority of species have not yet been studied chemically or biologically, particularly concerning anti-inflammatory action. Anti-inflammatory drugs can interfere in the pathophysiological process of inflammation, to minimize tissue damage and provide greater comfort to the patient. Therefore, it is important to note that due to the existence of a large number of species available for research, the successful development of new naturally occurring anti-inflammatory drugs depends mainly on a multidisciplinary effort to find new molecules. Although many review articles have been published in this regard, the majority presented the subject from a limited regional perspective. Thus, the current article presents highlights from the published literature on plants as sources of anti-inflammatory agents.

Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Capabilities, and Bioavailability: Ellagic Acid or Urolithins?

Oxidative stress (OS), triggered by overproduction of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, is the main mechanism responsible for several human diseases. The available one-target drugs often face such illnesses, by softening symptoms without eradicating the cause. Differently, natural polyphenols from fruits and vegetables possess multi-target abilities for counteracting OS, thus representing promising therapeutic alternatives and adjuvants. Although in several in vitro experiments, ellagitannins (ETs), ellagic acid (EA), and its metabolites urolithins (UROs) have shown similar great potential for the treatment of OS-mediated human diseases, only UROs have demonstrated in vivo the ability to reach tissues to a greater extent, thus appearing as the main molecules responsible for beneficial activities. Unfortunately, UROs production depends on individual metabotypes, and the consequent extreme variability limits their potentiality as novel therapeutics, as well as dietary assumption of EA, EA-enriched functional foods, and food supplements. This review focuses on the pathophysiology of OS; on EA and UROs chemical features and on the mechanisms of their antioxidant activity. A discussion on the clinical applicability of the debated UROs in place of EA and on the effectiveness of EA-enriched products is also included.

Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry characterization, anti-inflammatory effect, wound-healing potential, and hair growth-promoting activity of Algerian Carthamus caeruleus L (Asteraceae)

OBJECTIVES:

The roots of Carthamus caeruleus have been used by the population of Northern Algeria to treat several pathological conditions, including wound healing and hair growth. The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity, wound-healing potential, and hair growth-promoting activity attributed to C. caeruleus root.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

In this study, we have investigated the anti-inflammatory effect using carrageenan-induced paw edema test, evaluated the wound-healing potential by linear incision wound model, and evaluated hair growth activity using in vivo hair growth-promoting test attributed to C. caeruleus root. Preliminary phytochemical screening and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) characterization were also performed.

RESULTS:

It was found that the methanolic extract of C. caeruleus was characterized by the presence of tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, leucoanthocyanins, sennosides, free quinones, saponins, glycosides, mucilage, and coumarins. The GC/MS analysis could identify 22 compounds and showed that the major chemical constituents were palmitic acid (12.88%), mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (12.75%), and 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furancarboxaldehyde, (9.19%). The phytoextract strongly inhibited (P < 0.001) paw edema formation in mice. The roots of C. caeruleus also showed a significant (P < 0.05) wound-healing and hair growth-promoting effects.

CONCLUSION:

The results indicate the richness of the roots of the Algerian C. caeruleus in biomolecules. These molecules exhibit an excellent reducing inflammation activity, a wound-healing property, and an interesting hair-promoting growth activity. All in all, the findings promote the usage of the Algerian C. caeruleus as an effective and a safe potential skincare alternative remedy.

Ficus hispida Bark Extract Prevents Nociception, Inflammation, and CNS Stimulation in Experimental Animal Model

Background. Ficus hispida is traditionally used in the ailment of pain, inflammation, and neurological disorders. The present study set out to evaluate the in vivo antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and sedative activity of the ethanol extract of Ficus hispida bark (EFHB). Methods. The antinociceptive activity of EFHB was evaluated by using acetic acid induced writhing, formalin, hot plate, and tail immersion methods in Swiss albino mice. Its anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by using carrageenan and histamine induced rat paw oedema test in Wister rats. The central stimulating activity was studied by using pentobarbital induced hypnosis, hole cross, and open field tests in Swiss albino mice. Results. EFHB demonstrated antinociceptive activity both centrally and peripherally. It showed 62.24% of writhing inhibition. It significantly inhibited licking responses in early (59.29%) and late phase (71.61%). It increased the reaction time to the thermal stimulus in both hot plate and tail immersion. It inhibited the inflammation to the extent of 59.49%. A substantial increase in duration of sleep up to 60.80 min and decrease of locomotion up to 21.70 at 400 mg/kg were also observed. Conclusion. We found significant dose dependent antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties of EFHB in experimental animal models.