Role of Blepharis maderaspatensis and Ammannia baccifera plant extracts on in vitro oxygen radical scavenging, secretion of gastric fluid and gastroprotection on ulcer induced rats

Electroacupuncture ameliorates peptic ulcer disease in association with gastroduodenal microbiota modulation in mice

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a common disease and frequently encountered in the clinic. Accumulating evidence suggests that PUD is associated with the gastrointestinal microbiota. Electroacupuncture (EA) is an improved version of acupuncture, which can improve the clinical effect by increasing the stimulation and delivering appropriate electrical pulses to needles. This method has been widely used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. However, its effect on gastrointestinal microbiota remains unclear. Therefore, in the present study, the ameliorative effect of EA was evaluated on the gastroduodenal mucosa, and the regulatory effect of the gastroduodenal microbiota was assessed in PUD mice. A total of 48 male Kun Ming mice were randomly divided into the following groups: normal control group (NC), PUD model group (PUD), Shousanli group (LI10), and Zusanli group (ST36) (n=12). The mice in groups LI10 and ST36 were treated with EA at LI10 and ST36, respectively. This intervention was continued for 7 days. Subsequently, we evaluated the morphological changes in the gastric and duodenal mucosa, and specific indices were measured, including the contents of serum dopamine (DA), the trefoil factor (TFF), and the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). In addition, the gastric and duodenal microbiota were assessed via 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing. The results indicated that EA at LI10 or ST36 significantly reduced the injury of the gastroduodenal mucosa in PUD mice. The gastric microbial community structure of the groups LI10 and ST36 was similar to that of the NC group following comparison with the microbial community structure of the PUD model group. Moreover, the abundance of Firmicutes in the stomach was decreased, whereas that of Bacteroidetes was increased, and the abundance of Firmicutes in the duodenum was decreased. Furthermore, the microbial diversity and richness of the gastric microbiota in group LI10 were also significantly increased, and the serum dopamine and trefoil factor levels in group ST36 were significantly increased. Therefore, it is suggested that EA ameliorating PUD is in association with improving the levels of DA and TFF and regulating the relative abundances of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the gastric microbiota.

Genus Blepharis (Acanthaceae): A review of ethnomedicinally used species, and their phytochemistry and pharmacological activities

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Blepharis is an Afro-Asiatic genus belonging to the family Acanthaceae. It comprises about 126 species that occur in arid and semi-arid habitats. Some species of Blepharis are used in traditional medicines in different countries mainly for their anti-inflammatory, wound healing activities along with treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and bone fractures.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The present review aims to collate and analyze the available data and information on distribution, traditional uses, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Blepharis.

METHODS

Scientific information of genus Blepharis was retrieved from the online bibliographic databases such as MEDLINE/PubMed, SciFinder, Web of Science and Google Scholar and secondary resources including books and proceedings.

RESULTS

Seven species of Blepharis were found to be reported frequently as useful in folklore in African and Asian countries. B. maderaspatensis was found to be widely used in Indian traditional medicines whereas the B. ciliaris and B. edulis were common in folklore of Egypt, Jordan, and Arabia. Active phytochemicals of Blepharis are flavonoids from B. ciliaris, alkaloids from B. sindica, phenolic acid derivatives, and phytosterols, and derivatives of hydroxamic acids from B. edulis resulted in possessing diverse biological properties such as anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Various species of Blepharis were found to be used in traditional medicine systems in African and Asian countries. Few of these species were studied for their bioactive chemical constituents however the activity guided isolation studies are not performed. Similarly, detailed pharmacological studies in animal models to explore their mechanism of action are also not reported. Future studies should focus on these aspects related to the medicinally used species of Blepharis. The detailed and comprehensive comparative analysis presented here gives valuable information of the currently used Blepharis species and pave the way to investigate other useful species of Blepharis pertaining to ethnobotany, phytochemistry and discovery of new drugs.

Systematic Analysis of Monoterpenes: Advances and Challenges in the Treatment of Peptic Ulcer Diseases

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a multifactorial and complex disease caused by an imbalance of protective and aggressive factors (endogenous and exogenous). Despite advances in recent years, it is still responsible for substantial mortality and triggering clinical problems. Over the last decades, the understanding of PUD has changed a lot with the discovery of Helicobacter pylori infection. However, this disease continues to be a challenge due to side-effects, incidence of relapse from use of various anti-ulcer medicines, and the rapid appearance of antimicrobial resistance with current H. pylori therapies. Consequently, there is the need to identify more effective and safe anti-ulcer agents. The search for new therapies with natural products is a viable alternative and has been encouraged. The literature reports the importance of monoterpenes based on the extensive pharmacological action of this class, including wound healing and anti-ulcerogenic agents. In the present study, 20 monoterpenes with anti-ulcerogenic properties were evaluated by assessing recent in vitro and in vivo studies. Here, we review the anti-ulcer effects of monoterpenes against ulcerogenic factors such as ethanol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and Helicobacter pylori, highlighting challenges in the field.

Chrysin Modulates Genes Related to Inflammation, Tissue Remodeling, and Cell Proliferation in the Gastric Ulcer Healing

Chrysin exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Here, the gastroprotective effect of chrysin was investigated in mouse models of gastric ulcer induced by absolute ethanol, acetic acid, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. The gastric-healing effect was evaluated at 7 and 14 days after treatment; the mechanism of action was verified using the expression of metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and 9 (MMP-9), caspase-3, cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and 2 (COX-2), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and interleukin-10. Chrysin (10 mg/kg) inhibited macroscopic lesions and increased catalase activity in the mouse model established using absolute ethanol. It ameliorated the gastric ulcer caused by acetic acid by improving the expression of inflammatory genes such as COX-2, inhibiting negative remodeling promoted by MMP-9, increasing cell proliferation effect via EGF, and reducing cellular apoptosis by modulating caspase-3. A faster healing effect was evident in the first 7 days of treatment compared to 14 days of treatment, indicating the pharmacological potential of chrysin. Overall, these results demonstrate the potent effect of chrysin in the gastrointestinal tract and elucidate the genes involved in the healing of gastric ulcers. Moreover, an increase in the levels of gastric mucosa defensive factors is involved in the activity of chrysin in the gastric mucosa.

Phenolic Compounds from the Aerial Parts of Blepharis linariifolia Pers. and Their Free Radical Scavenging and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities

Background:Blepharis linariifolia Pers. (Family: Acanthaceae) is used in traditional medicines as a general tonic and for the treatment of various health problems in Sudan. The main aim of this study was to isolate and identify the major chemical constituents from the aerial parts of B. linariifolia and evaluate their bioactivities. Methods: The dried aerial parts of the plant were extracted successively with 100% acetone and 50% acetone, and thereafter the combined extract was subjected to repeated column chromatography to isolate the main components. Free radical scavenging activity was evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical method, and in vitro enzyme inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, and mushroom tyrosinase were evaluated. Results: From the detailed chemical analysis, verbascoside (1), vanillic acid (2), apigenin (3), and 6″-O-p-coumaroylprunin (4), were isolated and their structures were identified on the basis of their nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral data. Among the isolated compounds, verbascoside (1) showed the most potent free radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 22.03 ± 0.04 μM). Apigenin (3) and 6″-O-p-coumaroylprunin (4) showed promising inhibitory activities against all tested enzymes. Apigenin (3) showed the most potent inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and tyrosinase (IC50 = 34.73 ± 1.78 μM and 23.14 ± 1.83 μM, respectively), whereas 6″-O-p-coumaroylprunin (4) showed potent inhibition for lipase (IC50 = 2.25 ± 0.17 μM). Conclusions: Four phenolic compounds were isolated and identified from B. linariifolia acetone extract, which are reported for the first time from this plant. All compounds showed good DPPH free radical scavenging activities, with verbascoside (1) being the most potent. Apigenin (3) was the most active as α-glucosidase and mushroom tyrosinase inhibitor, while 6″-O-p-coumaroylprunin (4) showed potent inhibitory activity for pancreatic lipase.

Anti-inflammatory butenolide derivatives from the coral-derived fungus Aspergillus terreus and structure revisions of aspernolides D and G, butyrolactone VI and 4′,8′′-diacetoxy butyrolactone VI

Chemical investigation of the coral-derived fungus Aspergillus terreus led to the discovery of ten butenolide derivatives (1–10), including four new ones (1–4).

Nitric oxide inhibitory xanthones from the pericarps of Garcinia mangostana

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana, Clusiaceae) is called "queen of fruit" in Southeast Asia. In the current study, three dimeric xanthones, garcinoxanthones A-C, and four monomeric xanthones, garcinoxanthones D-G, together with 18 known xanthones, were isolated from the pericarps of G. mangostana, collected in Thailand. The structures of garcinoxanthones A-G were elucidated by analysis of their 1D and 2D NMR and other spectroscopic data, and their absolute configurations were determined by the CD spectra. All seven compounds were tested for nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Garcinoxanthones B and C significantly inhibited NO production with IC₅₀ values of 11.3 ± 1.7 and 18.0 ± 1.8 μM, respectively, which were comparable with the positive control indomethacin (IC₅₀ 3.9 ± 0.3 μM). Moreover, garcinoxanthone B suppressed inducible NO synthase expression in a dose-dependent manner. These results reveal the presence of rare dimeric xanthones in G. mangostana and their NO inhibitory effect on LPS-stimulated murine macrophage cells.

β Mangostin suppress LPS-induced inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 macrophages in vitro and carrageenan-induced peritonitis in vivo

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The fruit hull of Garcinia mangostana Linn. has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of various inflammatory diseases. Hence, this study aims to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of β mangostin (βM), a major compound present in Garcinia mangostana.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The in silico analysis of inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase (COX) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) were performed via molecular docking. Further evaluation of anti-inflammatory effect was conducted in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. Suppression of activated NF-kB was analyzed by high content screening. βM triggered inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 in vitro were studied using biochemical kit. The in vivo model used in this study was carrageenan-induced peritonitis model, where reduction in carrageenan-induced peritonitis is measured by leukocyte migration and vascular permeability. In addition, the evaluation of βM׳s effect on carrageenan induced TNF-α and IL-1β release on peritoneal fluid was also carried out.

RESULTS

Treatment with βM could inhibit the LPS-induced NO production but not the viability of RAW 264.7. Similarly, βM inhibited PGE2 production and the cytokines: TNF-α and IL-6. The COX catalyzed prostaglandin biosynthesis assay had showed selective COX-2 inhibition with a 53.0±6.01% inhibition at 20 µg/ml. Apart from this, βM was capable in repressing translocation of NF-kB into the nucleus. These results were concurrent with molecular docking which revealed COX-2 selectivity and NF-kB inhibition. The in vivo analysis showed that after four hours of peritonitis, βM was unable to reduce vascular permeability, yet could decrease the total leukocyte migration; particularly, neutrophils. Meanwhile, dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg, successfully reduced vascular permeability. The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in peritoneal fluid was reduced significantly by βM treatment.

CONCLUSION

The current study supports the traditional use of Garcinia mangostana fruit hull for treatment of inflammatory conditions. In addition, it is clear that the anti-inflammatory efficacy of this plant is not limited to the presence of α and γ, but β also with significant activity.