In vitro anti-aging activities of extracts from leaves of Ma Kiang (Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala)

In Vitro Evaluation of Antidiabetic Potential of Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala Fruit Extract

Diabetes mellitus is a complex global public health condition. Medicinal plants are significant resources in the research of alternative new drug active compounds. Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala (C. nervosum) is an indigenous berry fruit widely grown in Southeast Asia. The fruit of C. nervosum exhibit various medicinal properties and health benefits. This study aimed to investigate antidiabetic properties of C. nervosum fruit extract by in vitro assays and in vitro models. C. nervosum fruit extracted using three different solvents (hexane, ethanol, and distilled water) were tested for α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, followed by glucose uptake in HepG2 and L6 myoblasts. Lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells treated with C. nervosum fruit extracts was then examined. The results revealed that ethanolic extract of C. nervosum fruit showed better inhibition against α-amylase (IC₅₀ of 0.42 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ of 0.23 μg/mL) compared with other extracts. Furthermore, ethanolic extract showed higher glucose uptake potential than the standard antidiabetic drug, metformin, in HepG2 cells. The ethanolic extracts resulted in enhanced glucose utilization in L6 myoblasts compared to untreated control. All extractions showed no significantly increased lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells compared to the untreated control cells. The investigation confirmed that the ethanolic extract exhibited the highest antidiabetic activity among all extracts. These results imply that C. nervosum fruit extract has antidiabetic properties and therefore they may be used as useful therapeutic agents for treating diabetes.

Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala Berry Promotes Antioxidant Response and Suppresses Glutamate-Induced Cell Death via SIRT1/Nrf2 Survival Pathway in Hippocampal HT22 Neuronal Cells

Excessive glutamate neurotransmitters result in oxidative neurotoxicity, similar to neurodegeneration. An indigenous berry of Thailand, Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala (CNP), has been recognized for its robust antioxidants. We investigated the effects and mechanisms of CNP fruit extracts on antioxidant-related survival pathways against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. The extract showed strong antioxidant capability and had high total phenolic and flavonoid contents, particularly resveratrol. Next, the protective effects of the CNP extract or resveratrol on the glutamate-induced neurotoxicity were examined in HT22 hippocampal cells. Our investigation showed that the pretreatment of cells with the CNP extract or resveratrol attenuated glutamate-induced neuronal death via suppression of apoptosis cascade by inhibiting the levels of cleaved- and pro-caspase-3 proteins. The CNP extract and resveratrol suppressed the intracellular ROS by increasing the mRNA expression level of antioxidant enzymes (SODs, GPx1, and CAT). We found that this extract and resveratrol significantly increased SIRT1 expression as a survival-related protein. Moreover, they also promoted the activity of the Nrf2 protein translocation into the nucleus and could bind to the promoter containing the antioxidant response element, inducing the expression of the downstream GPx1-antioxidant protein. Our data illustrate that the CNP extract and resveratrol inhibit apoptotic neuronal death via glutamate-induced oxidative neurotoxicity in HT22 cells through the activation of the SIRT1/Nrf2 survival mechanism.

Skin Aging, Cellular Senescence and Natural Polyphenols

The skin, being the barrier organ of the body, is constitutively exposed to various stimuli impacting its morphology and function. Senescent cells have been found to accumulate with age and may contribute to age-related skin changes and pathologies. Natural polyphenols exert many health benefits, including ameliorative effects on skin aging. By affecting molecular pathways of senescence, polyphenols are able to prevent or delay the senescence formation and, consequently, avoid or ameliorate aging and age-associated pathologies of the skin. This review aims to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge in skin aging and cellular senescence, and to summarize the recent in vitro studies related to the anti-senescent mechanisms of natural polyphenols carried out on keratinocytes, melanocytes and fibroblasts. Aged skin in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic will be also discussed.

Cordycepin inhibits cell senescence by ameliorating lysosomal dysfunction and inducing autophagy through the AMPK and mTOR-p70S6K pathway

Cell senescence is closely related to autophagy. In this article, we identified a natural nucleoside analogue, cordycepin, that has the ability to significantly improve lysosomal function, enhance the activity of the lysosomal representative protease cathepsin B (CTSB), and promote the expression of the functional protein lysosomal‐associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2) on the lysosomal membrane. Cordycepin then restores the damaged autophagy level of aging cells by activating the classic AMPK and mTOR–p70S6K signaling pathways, thus inhibiting cell senescence in an H₂O₂‐induced stress‐induced premature senescence (SIPS) cell model. This study provides new theoretical support for the further development of cordycepin and clinical antiaging drugs to inhibit cell senescence and suggests that the regulatory mechanisms of lysosomes in senescent cells should be considered when treating age‐related diseases.

Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology of Syzygium nervosum

Syzygium nervosum, which belongs to the Myrtaceae plant family, is widely distributed and cultivated in South East Asian countries. The decoction of S. nervosum leaves and flower buds has been consumed regularly as a beverage among the Vietnamese and Chinese communities. In addition, it has also been used in traditional medicine for a variety of purposes, notably for influenza, skin diseases, and digestive conditions. To date, there has been a considerable number of publications on chemical profiling and pharmacological activities of S. nervosum crude extract and pure isolated compounds. Our analysis indicated the characteristic chemical scaffolds and potential bioactivities on cancer, diabetes, and inflammatory diseases of this plant. The review aims to summarize up-to-date past study results and suggest future research direction on this species, in order to promote clinical applications of S. nervosum.

Potential Thai medicinal plants for neurodegenerative diseases: A review focusing on the anti-glutamate toxicity effect

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) are a range of debilitating conditions of the brain involving progressive loss of neurons, many of which are still currently incurable despite enormous efforts on drug discovery and development in the past decade. As NDD is closely linked to old age, the rapid worldwide growth in the aging population contributes to an increasing number of people with one of these incurable diseases and therefore it is considered a significant global health issue. There is an urgent need for novel effective treatments for NDD, and many new research strategies are centered on traditional medicine as an alternative or complementary solution. Several previous findings have suggested that glutamate toxicity drives neurodegeneration in many NDD, and the medicinal plants with anti-glutamate toxicity properties can be potentially used for their treatment. In order to obtain data relating to natural products against glutamate toxicity, six candidate plant species of Thailand were identified. Studies utilizing these herbs were searched for using the herb name (Latin and common names) along with the term "glutamate" in the following databases across all available years: PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. This review emphasizes the importance of glutamate toxicity in NDD and summarizes individual plants and their active constituents with the mechanism of action against glutamate toxicity-mediated neuronal cell death that could be a promising resource for future NDD therapy.

TAXONOMY CLASSIFICATION BY EVISE

Alzheimer's disease, Neurodegenerative diseases, Cell culture, Molecular Biology, Traditional herbal medicine, Oxidative stress, Glutamate neurotransmitter.

Advances in the Tyrosinase Inhibitors from Plant Source

Tyrosinase is a multifunctional copper-containing oxidase which catalyses the oxidation of tyrosine to produce melanin. The alteration in melanin biosynthesis occurs in many diseases. The pigment has a protecting role against skin photo-carcinogenesis, but anomalous melanin pigmentation is an aesthetic problem in human beings. Moreover, the formation of neuromelanin in human brain could contribute to the neurodegeneration associated with Parkinson's disease. Finally, tyrosinase is also responsible for undesired browning in fruits and vegetables. These topics encouraged the search for new inhibitors of this enzyme for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and foods industries. This review is to report recent trends in the discovery of tyrosinase inhibitors from plant sources, to provide a rationale for the continued study of natural tyrosinase inhibitors, and to recognise the potential therapeutic rewards associated with the identification of these agents.

Antiaging, Stress Resistance, and Neuroprotective Efficacies of Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala Fruit Extracts Using Caenorhabditis elegans Model

Plant parts and their bioactive compounds are widely used by mankind for their health benefits. Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala is one berry fruit, native to Thailand, known to exhibit various health benefits in vitro. The present study was focused on analyzing the antiaging, stress resistance, and neuroprotective effects of C. nervosum in model system Caenorhabditis elegans using physiological assays, fluorescent imaging, and qPCR analysis. The results suggest that the fruit extract was able to significantly extend the median and maximum lifespan of the nematode. It could also extend the healthspan by reducing the accumulation of the “age pigment” lipofuscin, inside the nematode along with regulating the expression of col-19, egl-8, egl-30, dgk-1, and goa-1 genes. Further, the extracts upregulated the expression of daf-16 while downregulating the expression of daf-2 and age-1 in wild-type nematodes. Interestingly, it could extend the lifespan in DAF-16 mutants suggesting that the extension of lifespan and healthspan was dependent and independent of DAF-16-mediated pathway. The fruit extract was also observed to reduce the level of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) inside the nematode during oxidative stress. The qPCR analysis suggests the involvement of skn-1 and sir-2.1 in initiating stress resistance by activating the antioxidant mechanism. Additionally, the fruit could also elicit neuroprotection as it could extend the median and maximum lifespan of transgenic strain integrated with Aβ. SKN-1 could play a pivotal role in establishing the antiaging, stress resistance, and neuroprotective effect of C. nervosum. Overall, C. nervosum can be used as a nutraceutical in the food industry which could offer potential health benefits.

Influence of Extraction Methods on Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Properties of Some of the Commonly Used Plants in Thailand

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Several plants have been commonly used in Thailand for health improvement, but the phytochemical content and its bio-activities are not yet elucidated completely. The aim of this research was to study the influence of extraction method on total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of representative plants such as Punica granatum, Hibiscus sabdariffa, leistocalyx operculatus (Roxb.) Merr., litoria ternatea Linn., Mulberry and Oryza sativa L. indica.

METHODOLOGY

The samples were subjected to different extraction procedures. The TPC and phenolic compounds were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric assay and HPLC, respectively. The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was measured by 2, 2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays and ferrous ion (Fe2+) chelating assay.

RESULTS

The maximum TPC was observed in pomegranate peel (TTP) extract (0.1 M HCl: Ethanol extraction) and low TPC was recorded in aqueous extract of butterfly pea flower (BP) samples. The high content of protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic acid were observed in pomegranate seed and seed coat (TTS). Gallic and syringic acids were found to be rich in pomegranate peel (TTP) and flower of butterfly pea (BP), respectively. Roselle flower samples (KJ) showed high content of chlorogenic, p-coumaric and caffeic acids.

CONCLUSION

The maximum antioxidant activity was observed in extracts obtained by 0.1 M HCl: Ethanol extraction methods, especially pomegranate peel exhibited high free radical scavenging activity compared to that of the other samples. The results strongly revealed that the extraction method greatly influences the phytochemical content and bioactivity and strongly recommends that any plant samples, intended to study, must undergo several extraction processes to reveal the actual phytochemical content.

Anti-photoageing and anti-melanogenesis activities of chrysin

CONTEXT

Melanin plays an important role in preventing skin photoageing by blocking ultraviolet B (UVB). However, East Asian women prefer light and fair skin, therefore they want to keep their skin from photoageing and at the same time reduce the melanin in their skin. Chrysin is a kind of natural flavonoid with luxurious biological activities, which has a very promising effect on achieving this goal.

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the effects and mechanisms of chrysin on photoageing and melanogenesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) and B16 murine melanoma cells were incubated with chrysin (0-25 μM) for 48 h. Anti-photoageing activity was examined in HDF by assessment of synthesis/degradation of collagen I, antioxidative and antisenescent activities through ELISA and colorimetric method. Anti-melanogenesis activity was tested by assessment of melanin, tyrosinase (TYR), melanogenic proteins inhibition activities in B16 cells using colorimetric and ELISA method.

RESULTS

Chrysin increased collagen I secretion (50-121.54% at 6.25-25 μM) and chrysin showed anti-photoageing activity by decreasing the degradation of collagen I, repairing oxidation damage and reducing the rate of HDF senescence. Furthermore, chrysin exhibited inhibitory activities with 3.00-20.35% reduction of melanin content at 6.25-25 μM, and inhibited melanin synthesis through the inhibition of TYR activity and the suppression of melanogenic proteins (TYR, TYR-related protein-1/2 and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) expressions.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Chrysin may have potential for developing a functional cosmetic agent because of its anti-photoageing and anti-melanogenesis activities.

Potent in vitro anti-proliferative, apoptotic and anti-oxidative activities of semi-purified Job's tears (Coix lachryma-jobi Linn.) extracts from different preparation methods on 5 human cancer cell lines

ETHONOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCES

Job's tears (Coix lacryma-jobi Linn.) is commonly used as an herbal medicine. The low incidence of cancer has been observed in the area of China where regularly consume Job's tears. The effects of preparation methods of Job's tears on anti-cancer activities were investigated. Potent in vitro anti-proliferative, apoptotic and anti-oxidative activities of semi-purified Job's tears extracts from different preparation methods on 5 human cancer cell lines comparing with standards and commercial product were observed.

AIM OF STUDY

To study the anti-proliferative, apoptotic and anti-oxidative activities of semi-purified Job's tear extracts from different preparation methods on 5 human cancer cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The crude methanolic extracts of non-cooked, steamed and roasted Job's tears cultivars were prepared and further semi-purified by liquid-liquid extraction techniques. Both of crude and semi-purified extracts were tested for anti-proliferative, apoptotic induction, anti-oxidative activities and phytochemicals content.

RESULTS

The highest yields of crude and-purified extracts were 4.60% and 1.46%, respectively. In crude extracts, the steamed whole Thai Black Loei Job's tears (W-TBL-S1) extract showed the highest anti-proliferative activity in mouth epidermal carcinoma cell (KB) at the IC50 of 43.61±0.76μg/ml (0.005 folds of doxorubicin), whereas the roasted whole Laos White Loei Job's tears (W-LWL-R2) extract showed the highest apoptotic activity in cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) at 21.52±1.50% (0.22 and 15.05 folds of doxorubicin and commercial product, respectively). After liquid-liquid extraction, almost all of the semi-purified extracts showed increases in anti-proliferative activity. Ethyl acetate fraction of the roasted whole Laos White Loei Job's tears (W-LWL-R2) showed the highest anti-proliferative activity in HeLa cell at the IC50 of 0.97±0.82μg/ml (7.82 and 45.39 folds of doxorubicin and crude extract, respectively) and apoptotic activity of 18.77±6.31% (0.19 folds of doxorubicin). The commercial product showed no anti-proliferative activity in all cell lines but induced apoptosis in HeLa cell at 1.43±0.34%. The butanol and hexane soluble fractions of the roasted whole of Laos White Loei Job's tears (W-LWL-R2) showed the highest free radical scavenging (SC50) and metal chelating activity (MC50) of 0.31±0.06mg/ml (0.64 folds of ascorbic acid) and 0.08±0.01mg/ml (6.37 folds of EDTA), respectively. All ethyl acetate fractions contain high content of carotenoid and tannin, whereas the hexane soluble fraction of the roasted hull of Laos Black Loei Job's tears (H-LBL-R1) showed the highest linoleic acid content of 8.09±0.74% w/w.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has demonstrated the potent anti-cancer activity of the semi-purified extracts from roasted Job's tears with high potential for further development to modern anti-cancer drug.

Protective Effect of Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala Fruit Extract against Oxidative Renal Damage Caused by Cadmium

Cadmium nephrotoxicity is a serious environmental health problem as it will eventually end up with end stage renal disease. The pathobiochemical mechanism of this toxic heavy metal is related to oxidative stress. This study investigated whether Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala fruit extract (CNFE) could protect the kidney against oxidative injury caused by cadmium. Initial analysis of the extract revealed antioxidant abilities and high levels of polyphenols, particularly catechin. Its potential renal benefits was further explored in rats treated with vehicle, CNFE, cadmium (2 mg/kg), and cadmium plus CNFE (0.5, 1, 2 g/kg) for four weeks. Oxidative renal injury was developed after cadmium exposure as evidenced by blood urea nitrogen and creatinine retention, glomerular filtration reduction, renal structural damage, together with increased nitric oxide and malondialdehyde, but decreased antioxidant thiols, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in renal tissues. Cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity was diminished in rats supplemented with CNFE, particularly at the doses of 1 and 2 g/kg. It is concluded that CNFE is able to protect against the progression of cadmium nephrotoxicity, mostly via its antioxidant power. The results also point towards a promising role for this naturally-occurring antioxidant to combat other human disorders elicited by disruption of redox homeostasis.