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Acero N, Muñoz-Mingarro D, Navarro I, León-González AJ, Martín-Cordero C. Phytochemical Analysis and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Acanthus mollis L. Rhizome Hexane Extract. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:159. [PMID: 37259310 PMCID: PMC9966330 DOI: 10.3390/ph16020159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The rhizomes of Acanthus mollis have traditionally been used for the treatment of several ailments involving inflammation. However, to the best of our knowledge, their chemical composition and pharmacological properties have not been studied until now. As a first approach, this study analyses the A. mollis rhizome hexane extract phytochemistry and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities in HepG2 and RAW 264.7 cell culture assays. Chemical profiling was performed with gas chromatography mass spectrometry without the modification of native molecules. Free phytosterols (such as β-sitosterol) account for 70% of detected compounds. The anti-inflammatory capacity of the rhizome extract of A. mollis is mediated by the decrease in the NO production in RAW 264.7 that has previously been stimulated with lipopolysaccharide in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, HepG2 pre-treatment with the rhizome extract prevents any damage being caused by oxidative stress, both through ROS scavenge and through the antioxidant cellular enzyme system. In this respect, the extract reduced the activity of glutathione peroxidase and reductase, which were stimulated under oxidative stress conditions. Our results suggest that the extract from the rhizomes of A. mollis may constitute a potential source of natural products with anti-inflammatory activity and could validate the traditional use of A. mollis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Acero
- Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences Department, San Pablo-CEU University, CEU Universities, Urb. Montepríncipe, 28668 Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolores Muñoz-Mingarro
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, San Pablo-CEU University, CEU Universities, Urb. Montepríncipe, 28668 Madrid, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Navarro
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, C/P. García González, 2, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio J. León-González
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, C/P. García González, 2, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Carmen Martín-Cordero
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, C/P. García González, 2, 41012 Seville, Spain
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Bakrim S, Benkhaira N, Bourais I, Benali T, Lee LH, El Omari N, Sheikh RA, Goh KW, Ming LC, Bouyahya A. Health Benefits and Pharmacological Properties of Stigmasterol. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:1912. [PMID: 36290632 PMCID: PMC9598710 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11101912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Stigmasterol is an unsaturated phytosterol belonging to the class of tetracyclic triterpenes. It is one of the most common plant sterols, found in a variety of natural sources, including vegetable fats or oils from many plants. Currently, stigmasterol has been examined via in vitro and in vivo assays and molecular docking for its various biological activities on different metabolic disorders. The findings indicate potent pharmacological effects such as anticancer, anti-osteoarthritis, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, antiparasitic, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. Indeed, stigmasterol from plants and algae is a promising molecule in the development of drugs for cancer therapy by triggering intracellular signaling pathways in numerous cancers. It acts on the Akt/mTOR and JAK/STAT pathways in ovarian and gastric cancers. In addition, stigmasterol markedly disrupted angiogenesis in human cholangiocarcinoma by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) signaling down-regulation. The association of stigmasterol and sorafenib promoted caspase-3 activity and down-regulated levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in breast cancer. Antioxidant activities ensuring lipid peroxidation and DNA damage lowering conferred to stigmasterol chemoprotective activities in skin cancer. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulation also contributes to the neuroprotective effects of stigmasterol, as well as dopamine depletion and acetylcholinesterase inhibition. The anti-inflammatory properties of phytosterols involve the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, the decrease in inflammatory mediator release, and the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Stigmasterol exerts anti-diabetic effects by reducing fasting glucose, serum insulin levels, and oral glucose tolerance. Other findings showed the antiparasitic activities of this molecule against certain strains of parasites such as Trypanosoma congolense (in vivo) and on promastigotes and amastigotes of the Leishmania major (in vitro). Some stigmasterol-rich plants were able to inhibit Candida albicans, virusei, and tropicalis at low doses. Accordingly, this review outlines key insights into the pharmacological abilities of stigmasterol and the specific mechanisms of action underlying some of these effects. Additionally, further investigation regarding pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saad Bakrim
- Molecular Engineering, Biotechnologies and Innovation Team, Geo-Bio-Environment Engineering and Innovation Laboratory, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taroudant, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
| | - Nesrine Benkhaira
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez 1975, Morocco
| | - Ilhame Bourais
- Laboratory of Human Pathologies Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat 10106, Morocco
| | - Taoufiq Benali
- Environment and Health Team, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Safi, Cadi Ayyad University, Sidi Bouzid B.P. 4162, Morocco
| | - Learn-Han Lee
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group (NBDD), Microbiome and Bioresource Research Strength (MBRS), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia
| | - Nasreddine El Omari
- Laboratory of Histology, Embryology, and Cytogenetic, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat 10100, Morocco
| | - Ryan A. Sheikh
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khang Wen Goh
- Faculty of Data Science and Information Technology, INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Malaysia
| | - Long Chiau Ming
- PAP Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei
| | - Abdelhakim Bouyahya
- Laboratory of Human Pathologies Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat 10106, Morocco
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