Isolation and Characterization of Two New Secondary Metabolites From Quercus incana and Their Antidepressant- and Anxiolytic-Like Potential

Experimental and pharmacoinformatic approaches unveil the neuropharmacological and analgesic potential of chloroform fraction of Roktoshirinchi (Achyranthes ferruginea Roxb.)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Achyranthes ferruginea (A. ferruginea) Roxb. is a common plant used in traditional medicine in Asia and Africa. It has a variety of local names, including "Gulmanci" in Nigeria, "Dangar" in Pakistan, "Thola" in Ethiopia, and "Roktoshirinchi" in Bangladesh. It is edible and has several ethnomedical uses for a wide range of illnesses, including hysteria, dropsy, constipation, piles, boils, asthma, and shigellosis. However, the neuropharmacological and analgesic potential of A. ferruginea remains uninvestigated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To assess the neuropharmacological and analgesic potential of A. ferruginea through a multifaceted approach encompassing both experimental and computational models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Methanol was used to extract the leaves of A. ferruginea. It was then fractionated with low to high polar solvents (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water) to get different fractions, including chloroform fraction (CLF). The study selected CLF at different doses and conducted advanced chemical element and proximate analyses, as well as phytochemical profiling using GC-MS. Toxicological studies were done at 300 μg per rat per day for 14 days. Cholinesterase inhibitory potential was checked using an in-vitro colorimetric assay. Acetic acid-induced writhing (AAWT) and formalin-induced licking tests (FILT) were used to assess anti-nociceptive effects. The forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), elevated plus maze (EPM), hole board test (HBT), and light and dark box test (LDB) were among the behavioral tests used to assess depression and anxiolytic activity. Network pharmacology-based analysis was performed on selected compounds using the search tool for interacting chemicals-5 (STITCH 5), Swiss target prediction tool, and search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes and proteins (STRING) database to link their role with genes involved in neurological disorders through gene ontology and reactome analysis.

RESULTS

Qualitative chemical element analysis revealed the presence of 15 elements, including Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, and Zn. The moisture content, ash value, and organic matter were found to be 11.12, 11.03, and 88.97%, respectively. GC-MS data revealed that the CLF possesses 25 phytoconstituents. Toxicological studies suggested the CLF has no effects on normal growth, hematological and biochemical parameters, or cellular organs after 14 days at 300 μg per rat. The CLF markedly reduced the activity of both acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase (IC50: 56.22 and 13.22 μg/mL, respectively). Promising dose-dependent analgesic activity (p < 0.05) was observed in chemically-induced pain models. The TST and FST showed a dose-dependent substantial reduction in immobility time due to the CLF. Treatment with CLF notably increased the number of open arm entries and time spent in the EPM test at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. The CLF showed significant anxiolytic activity at 200 mg/kg b.w. in the HBT test, whereas a similar activity was observed at 400 mg/kg b.w. in the EPM test. A notable increase in the amount of time spent in the light compartment was observed in the LDB test by mice treated with CLF, suggesting an anxiolytic effect. A network pharmacology study demonstrated the relationship between the phytochemicals and a number of targets, such as PPARA, PPARG, CHRM1, and HTR2, which are connected to the shown bioactivities.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the safety of A. ferruginea and its efficacy in attenuating cholinesterase inhibitory activity, central and peripheral pain, anxiety, and depression, warranting further exploration of its therapeutic potential.

Antiacne and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Phenolic Compounds from Quercus acutissima Carruth. Leaves

Quercus plants are widely distributed in Korea and have been used for their antiallergic and anti-inflammatory properties to treat dermatitis. The phenolic compounds of Quercus acutissima Carruth (QA) are estimated to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, based on the results of previous studies with Quercus mongilica, Quercus stenophylla, Quercus gilva Blame., and Quercus acuta Thunb. We yield QA extract and the isolated phenolic compounds (hyperoside (1), astragalin (2), kaempferol 3-O-(6″- galloyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (KGG) (3), quercetin 3-O-(6″-O-galloyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (QGG) (4), pedunculagin (5), and casuarinin (6)) and were identified using NMR. Among them, KGG (3) and QGG (4) were isolated for the first time from QA. QA extract and the isolated phenolic compounds demonstrated antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiacne activities in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells in vitro. 3-6 demonstrated strong inhibitory activities in the DPPH scavenging and NO production assay and anti-inflammatory and antiacne activities through western blotting (NLRP3, IL-1β, and 5α-reductase). The most outstanding activity in all experiments was casuarinin (6). The study findings suggest potential therapeutic candidates for acne.

Bioactive metabolites of Blumea lacera attenuate anxiety and depression in rodents and computer-aided model

Blumea lacera is an edible plant with imperative medicinal values. However, the anxiolytic and antidepressant roles of B. lacera have not been well-explained. Therefore, the current study aims to explore the impending bioactive metabolites and roles of B. lacera methanol leaf extract (Me-BLL) in attenuating anxiety and depression through several experimental and computer-aided approaches. The chemical characterization of Me-BLL was performed through standard phytochemical and GC-MS analyses. To explore the neuropharmacological insights, Swiss albino mice were treated with Me-BLL at doses of 200-400 mg/kg, p.o. The anxiolytic effects were observed employing elevated plus maze (EPM), light-dark box (LDB), and hole-board (HBT) tests, while antidepressant effects were evaluated using forced swimming (FST) and tail suspension tests (TST). Diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and fluoxetine HCl (20 mg/kg, p.o.) were used as the reference standard. The phytochemical analyses revealed several bioactive metabolites, including higher contents of total phenolics and flavonoids. The EPM and LDB tests demonstrated an increased time spent in open arms and light box, and the HBT showed an increased number of head dipping, indicating the anxiolytic effects of Me-BLL. The TST and FST revealed a decrease in immobility time, meaning the persuasive antidepressant effects. The antioxidative effects of Me-BLL have also been observed prominently. Correspondingly, the computer-aided investigation confirmed several bioactive lead molecules. Specifically, thymol and cuminol revealed potential anxiolytic and antioxidant effects, while stigmast-5-en-3.beta.-ol and gamma-sitosterol possessed promising antidepressant effects. Taken these results as a base, the plant has imperative potentials in managing anxiety and depression-like disorders.

Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities of Quercus Species

Quercus species, also known as oak, represent an important genus of the Fagaceae family. It is widely distributed in temperate forests of the northern hemisphere and tropical climatic areas. Many of its members have been used in traditional medicine to treat and prevent various human disorders such as asthma, hemorrhoid, diarrhea, gastric ulcers, and wound healing. The multiple biological activities including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, anticancer, gastroprotective, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities have been ascribed to the presence of bioactive compounds such as triterpenoids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. This paper aimed to provide available information on the medicinal uses, phytochemicals, and pharmacology of species from Quercus. However, further investigation is needed to fully clarify the mode of action of its bioactive compounds and to evaluate in vivo chronic toxicity, before exploring their potential use as a supplement in functional foods and natural pharmaceutics.

Intervention in Neuropsychiatric Disorders by Suppressing Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Signal and Exploration of In Silico Studies for Potential Lead Compounds from Holigarna caustica (Dennst.) Oken leaves

Holigarna caustica (Dennst.), a popular plant used in folk medicine in Bangladesh, is often used by the local folk practitioner to treat a variety of chronic diseases. The present research is an attempt to find out an innovative therapeutic prospect for the management of neuropsychiatric disorders. The methanol extract of H. caustica leaves (MEHC) were utilized on various behavioral tests for assessing anxiolytic, anti-depressant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The antioxidant potentials and quantitative phytochemicals were evaluated through spectrophotometric methods. Results revealed that treatment of MEHC (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly reduced anxiety like behaviors in mice, particularly, 400 mg/kg efficiently improved % of entries and time spent (p < 0.05) in the open arms in elevated plus maze test, whereas, superior head dipping tendency (p < 0.05) was observed in hole-board test. In contrast, mice treated with 200 mg/kg revealed better anxiolytic effect in both open field and hole-cross tests. During antidepressant evaluation, mice administrated with MEHC exhibited active behaviors (swimming and struggling) in forced swimming and tail suspension tests. In parallel, MEHC manifested a noteworthy (p < 0.001) suppression of inflammatory response induced by histamine. The MEHC also showed strong antioxidant activities in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) (IC50: 57.64 μg/mL) scavenging, H2O2 (IC50: 51.60 μg/mL) scavenging, and ferric reducing power assay. The levels of total phenol, flavonoid, flavonol, condensed tannin, and antioxidant were estimated as higher in MEHC. Moreover, 11 compounds were documented as bioactive, displayed good binding affinities to potassium channel receptor, human serotonin receptor, cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and 2), and xanthine oxidoreductase enzyme targets in molecular docking experiments. Furthermore, ADME/T and Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances (PASS) analyses exposed their drug-likeness, nontoxic upon consumption, and likely pharmacological actions. Overall, the H. caustica is potentially bioactive as evident by in vivo, in vitro, and computational analysis. Our findings support the folkloric value of this plant, which may provide a potential source towards developing drug leads.

An improved light dark box test by using a real-time video tracking system

In the behavioral science field, many of the oldest tests have still most frequently been used almost in the same way for decades. The subjective influence of human observer and the large inter-observer and interlab differences are substantial among these tests. This necessitates the possibility of using technological innovations for behavioral science to obtain new parameters, results and insights as well. The light-dark box (LDB) test is a characteristic tool used to assess anxiety in rodents. A complete behavioral analysis (including both anxiety and locomotion parameters) is not possible by performing traditional LDB test protocol, as it lacks the usage of a real-time video recording of the test. In the current report, we describe an improved approach to conduct LDB test using a real-time video tracking system.