1
|
Popescu VS, Zhang L, Papa G, Giuliani C, Ribaudo G, Abate G, Bulgari D, Mac Sweeney E, Pucci M, Bottoni M, Milani F, Zizioli D, Negri I, Gianoncelli A, Gobbi E, Uberti D, Lucini L, Memo M, Fico G, Peron G, Mastinu A. Ecotoxicological evaluation of an aqueous phytoextract of Melia azedarach L. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 950:175314. [PMID: 39117217 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Melia azedarach L. is a Meliaceae that has shown important insecticidal activities. However, few researchers have extensively studied the toxicology of aqueous extracts of M. azedarach (MAE). Therefore, the main objective of this study was to characterize the phyto-eco-toxicological profile of MAE. First, a botanical and phytochemical characterization of MAE was performed using a histological, and metabolomic multi-analytical approach. Second, the toxicological effects on pollinating insects (Apis mellifera ligustica) and soil collembola (Folsomia candida) were evaluated. In addition, acute toxicity was evaluated in zebrafish (Danio rerio) to assess effects on aquatic fauna, and toxicity was determined in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and fibroblast (FB-21) cell models. Finally, phytotoxic effects on germination of Cucumis sativus L., Brassica rapa L. and Sorghum vulgare L. were considered. Metabolomic analyses revealed the presence of not only limonoids but also numerous alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids in MAE. Histological analyses allowed us to better localize the areas of leaf deposition of the identified secondary metabolites. Regarding the ecotoxicological data, no significant toxicity was observed in bees and collembola at all doses tested. In contrast, severe cardiac abnormalities were observed in zebrafish embryos at concentrations as low as 25 μg/mL. In addition, MAE showed toxicity at 1.6 μg/mL and 6.25 μg/mL in FB-21 and SH-SY5Y cells, respectively. Finally, MAE inhibited seed germination with inhibitory concentrations starting from 5.50 μg/mL in B. rapa, 20 μg/mL in S. vulgare, and 31 μg/mL in C. sativus. Although M. azedarach extracts are considered valuable natural insecticides, their ecological impact cannot be underestimated. Even the use of an environmentally friendly solvent (an aqueous solution), for the first time, is not without side effects. Therefore, the data collected in this study show the importance of evaluating the dosages, modes of administration and production methods of M. azedarach phytoextracts in agricultural settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vlad Sebastian Popescu
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Leilei Zhang
- Department of Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122 Piacenza, Italy.
| | - Giulia Papa
- Department of Sustainable Crop Production-DIPROVES, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy.
| | - Claudia Giuliani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; Ghirardi Botanical Garden, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Religione 25, Toscolano Maderno, Brescia, 25088, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Ribaudo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Giulia Abate
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Daniela Bulgari
- Department of Food, Environmental, and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Eileen Mac Sweeney
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Mariachiara Pucci
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Martina Bottoni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; Ghirardi Botanical Garden, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Religione 25, Toscolano Maderno, Brescia, 25088, Italy.
| | - Fabrizia Milani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; Ghirardi Botanical Garden, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Religione 25, Toscolano Maderno, Brescia, 25088, Italy.
| | - Daniela Zizioli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Negri
- Department of Sustainable Crop Production-DIPROVES, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Gianoncelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Gobbi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Daniela Uberti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Luigi Lucini
- Department of Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122 Piacenza, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Gelsomina Fico
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; Ghirardi Botanical Garden, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Religione 25, Toscolano Maderno, Brescia, 25088, Italy.
| | - Gregorio Peron
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Andrea Mastinu
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dias MC, Pinto DCGA, Costa M, Araújo M, Santos C, Silva AMS. Phytochemical and Antioxidant Profile of the Medicinal Plant Melia azedarach Subjected to Water Deficit Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113611. [PMID: 36362399 PMCID: PMC9656347 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental stress triggered by climate change can alter the plant’s metabolite profile, which affects its physiology and performance. This is particularly important in medicinal species because their economic value depends on the richness of their phytocompounds. We aimed to characterize how water deficit modulated the medicinal species Melia azedarach’s lipophilic profile and antioxidant status. Young plants were exposed to water deficit for 20 days, and lipophilic metabolite profile and the antioxidant capacity were evaluated. Leaves of M. azedarach are rich in important fatty acids and oleamide. Water deficit increased the radical scavenging capacity, total phenol, flavonoids, and catechol pools, and the accumulation of β-sitosterol, myo-inositol, succinic acid, sucrose, d-glucose and derivatives, d-psicofuranose, d-(+)-fructofuranose, and the fatty acids stearic, α-linolenic, linoleic and palmitic acids. These responses are relevant to protecting the plant against climate change-related stress and also increase the nutritional and antioxidant quality of M. azedarach leaves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Celeste Dias
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Diana C. G. A. Pinto
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Maria Costa
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Márcia Araújo
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
- IB2 Lab, Department of Biology & LAQV/REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences, Rua do Campo, Alegre, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Conceição Santos
- IB2 Lab, Department of Biology & LAQV/REQUIMTE, Faculty of Sciences, Rua do Campo, Alegre, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Artur M. S. Silva
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mammari N, Krier Y, Albert Q, Devocelle M, Varbanov M. Plant-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides as Potential Antiviral Agents in Systemic Viral Infections. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14080774. [PMID: 34451871 PMCID: PMC8400714 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have led to a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of viruses in systemic infections for the development of prevention strategies and very promising antiviral therapies. Viruses still remain one of the main causes of human diseases, mainly because the development of new vaccines is usually challenging and drug resistance has become an increasing concern in recent decades. Therefore, the development of potential antiviral agents remains crucial and is an unmet clinical need. One abundant source of potential therapeutic molecules are plants: they biosynthesize a myriad of compounds, including peptides which can have antimicrobial activity. Our objective is to summarize the literature on peptides with antiviral properties derived from plants and to identify key features of these peptides and their application in systemic viral infections. This literature review highlights studies including clinical trials which demonstrated that plant cyclotides have the ability to inhibit the growth of viruses causing human diseases, defensin-like peptides possess anti-HIV-1 activity, and lipid transfer proteins and some lectins exhibit a varied antimicrobial profile. To conclude, plant peptides remain interesting to explore in the context of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nour Mammari
- L2CM, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, F-54000 Nancy, France;
| | - Ysaline Krier
- Faculté de Pharmacie, 7 Avenue de la Foret de Haye, 54505 Vandoeuvre-Les-Nancy, France;
| | - Quentin Albert
- Fungal Biodiversity and Biotechnology, INRAE/Aix-Marseille University, UMR1163, 13009 Marseille, France;
- CIRM-CF, INRAE/Aix Marseille University, UMR1163, 13009 Marseille, France
| | - Marc Devocelle
- SSPC (SFI Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals), V94T9PX Limerick, Ireland;
- Department of Chemistry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 123, St. Stephen’s Green, D02 YN77 Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mihayl Varbanov
- L2CM, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, F-54000 Nancy, France;
- Correspondence:
| | | |
Collapse
|