Bioguided Purification of Active Compounds from Leaves of Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil (Griseb.) Altschul

Anti-inflammatory effect of Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil (Griseb.) Altschul in experimental elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Medicinal plants have shown promise in the search for new treatments of pulmonary emphysema. Anadenanthera colubrina, a species native to the Caatinga biome in northeastern Brazil, is widely recognized and traditionally employed in the treatment of pulmonary diseases. Many studies corroborate popular knowledge about the medicinal applications of A. colubrina, which has demonstrated a remarkable variety of pharmacological properties, however, its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are highlighted.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of the crude hydroethanolic extract of A. colubrina var. cebil (Griseb.) Altschul on pulmonary emphysema in rats as well as to determine its potential genotoxic and cytotoxic effects using the micronucleus assay.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The stem bark of the plant was collected in Pimenteiras-PI and sample was extracted by maceration using 70% ethanol. A portion of the extract underwent phytochemical analyses using TLC and HPLC. In this study, 8-week-old, male Wistar rats weighing approximately ±200 g was utilized following approval by local ethics committee for animal experimentation (No. 718/2022). Pulmonary emphysema was induced through orotracheal instillation of elastase, and treatment with A. colubrina extract or dexamethasone (positive control) concomitantly during induction. Twenty-eight days after the initiation of the protocol, plasma was used for cytokine measurement. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was used for leukocyte count. After euthanasia, lung samples were processed for histological analysis and quantification of oxidative stress markers. The micronucleus test was performed by evaluating the number of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) with micronuclei (MNPCE) to verify potential genotoxic effects of A. colubrina. A differential count of PCE and normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE) was performed to verify the potential cytotoxicity of the extract. Parametric data were subjected to normality analysis and subsequently to analysis of variance and Tukey or Dunnett post-test, non-parametric data were treated using the Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn's post-test for unpaired samples. P value < 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

The A. colubrina extract did not show a significant increase in the number of MNPCE (p > 0.05), demonstrating low genotoxicity. No changes were observed in the PCE/NCE ratio of treated animals, compared with the vehicle, suggesting low cytotoxic potential of the extract. A significant reduction (p < 0.05) in neutrophilic inflammation was observed in the lungs of rats treated with the extract, evidenced by presence of these cells in both the tissue and BAL. The extract also demonstrated pulmonary antioxidant activity, with a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde, and nitrite levels. TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels, as well as alveolar damage, were significantly reduced in animals treated with A. colubrina extract. Phytochemical analyses identified the presence of phenolic compounds and hydrolysable tannins in the A. colubrina extract.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study highlights the safety of the hydroethanolic extract of Anadenanthera colubrina, and demonstrates its potential as a therapeutic approach in the treatment of emphysema. The observed properties of this medicinal plant provide an optimistic outlook in the development of therapies for the treatment of pulmonary emphysema.

Antibacterial Modes of Herbal Flavonoids Combat Resistant Bacteria

The increasing dissemination of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections endangers global public health. How to develop effective antibacterial agents against resistant bacteria is becoming one of the most urgent demands to solve the drug resistance crisis. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with multi-target antibacterial actions are emerging as an effective way to combat the antibacterial resistance. Based on the innovative concept of organic wholeness and syndrome differentiation, TCM use in antibacterial therapies is encouraging. Herein, advances on flavonoid compounds of heat-clearing Chinese medicine exhibit their potential for the therapy of resistant bacteria. In this review, we focus on the antibacterial modes of herbal flavonoids. Additionally, we overview the targets of flavonoid compounds and divide them into direct-acting antibacterial compounds (DACs) and host-acting antibacterial compounds (HACs) based on their modes of action. We also discuss the associated functional groups of flavonoid compounds and highlight recent pharmacological activities against diverse resistant bacteria to provide the candidate drugs for the clinical infection.

Novel approach for purification of major betalains using flash chromatography and comparison of radical scavenging and antioxidant activities

The present study focused on the development of a new purification protocol suitable for betanin and other major betalains, vulgaxanthin I, indicaxanthin and neobetanin, using flash chromatography which is a convenient and fast method to isolate unstable materials. Following preliminary tests, a gradient procedure using 0-60% acetonitrile, with 0.1% (v/v) formic acid as mobile phase, was selected for the purification. Different fractions were collected based on UV detection at 254 and 280 nm and purities were confirmed by reverse-phase HPLC analysis to be 97%, 95%, 79% and 52% for betanin, indicaxanthin, vulgaxanthin I, and neobetanin, respectively, with pigment yields ranging from 120 to 487 mg per 100 g of powdered raw material. Comparative assessment of antioxidant and radial scavenging properties of individual betalains indicated highest potential for betanin followed by neobetanin, vulgaxanthin I and indicaxanthin.

Anandenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan as an inhibitor of HIV-1 BaL infection

We reported the in vitro anti-HIV-1 activity, cytotoxicity, cytokines expression and chemical profile of Anadenanthera colubrina. Cytotoxicity was evaluated on TZM-bl, HL2/3 cells and macrophages. Anti-HIV-1 activity was determined by Luciferase assay (TZM-bl cells) and by HIV-p24 quantification (macrophages) assessed by ELISA. TZM-bl and HL2/3 cells were used to determine cell-cell fusion inhibition. Cytokines expression was assessed by ELISA. Chemical composition was determined by Gas Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry. At 66.6 µg/mL, the extract maintained the cell viability above 90%. At 33.28 µg/mL, the extract reduced 82.8% of HIV-1 infection (TZM-bl cells) and HIV-p24 expression (macrophages). The extract inhibited approximately 70% of TZM-bl and HL2/3 cells fusion. Extract did't induce inflammatory response. Phytochemical analysis showed presence of flavonoid, phenolic acids, fatty acids and sugars. This is the first study presenting the anti-HIV effect of A. colubrina, showing low cytotoxicity and no inflammatory stimuli, important requirements for a microbicide development.

Thin-Layer Chromatography Gradient Optimization Strategy for Wet Load Adsorption Flash Chromatography

Chromatography is one of the most popular methods for the separation of compounds in modern pharmaceutical industry and science. Despite the extensive use of the reversed phase chromatography in analytical and preparative applications, the normal phase adsorption chromatography has a special place in purifying post-reaction mixtures or the separation of natural extracts, especially in wet load mode, because of simplicity and high velocity of preparation. Complex mixtures, more difficult to separate, require gradient methods to obtain better results of separations. These methods can be developed by external software, but the automatic methods are often not very accurate and the negative impact of wet load application on separation quality is considerable in them. Therefore, we present the thin-layer chromatography (TLC) gradient optimization strategy for wet load separations to obtain repeatable results of separations for different compounds without worrying about negative impact of wet loading on separation quality. The strategy provides information about an elution model of desired compound, which is used to develop the gradient method. The strategy also allows to standardize the separation length, because gradient methods performed by the TLC gradient optimization strategy have a very similar duration time in column volumes. The method can also be simply scaled because of using the column volume as a base unit in calculations.

Yeast-Host Interactions: Anadenanthera colubrina Modulates Virulence Factors of C. albicans and Inflammatory Response In Vitro

Oral candidiasis is one of the most common fungal infections in humans. Its incidence has increased widely, as well as the antifungal resistance, demanding for the search for novel antifungal therapeutic agents. Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan is a plant species that has been proven to possess pharmacological effects, including antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities. This study evaluated in vitro the effects of standardized A. colubrina extract on virulence factors of Candida albicans and its regulation on immune response through C. albicans-host interaction. Antifungal activity was evaluated by Broth Microdilution Method against reference Candida strains (C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis; C. dubliniensis). Anti-biofilm effect was performed on C. albicans mature biofilm and quantified by CFU/mL/g of biofilm dry weight. Proleotlytic enzymatic activities of proteinase and phospholipase were assessed by Azocasein and Phosphatidylcholine assays, respectively. Cytotoxicity effect was determined by Cell Titer Blue Viability Assay on Human Gingival Fibroblasts. Co-cultured model was used to analyze C. albicans coexisting with HGF by Scanning Electron Microscopy and fluorescence microscopies; gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR of C. albicans enzymes (SAP-1, PLB-1) and of host inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, IL-10). Cytokines secretion was analysed by Luminex. The extract presented antifungal effect with MIC<15.62 μg/ml against Candida strains. Biofilm and proteolytic activity were significant reduced at 312.4 μg/ml (20 × 15.62 μg/ml) extract concentration. Cell viability was maintained higher than 70% in concentrations up to 250 μg/ml (LD50 = 423.3 μg/ml). Co-culture microscopies demonstrated a substantial decreased in C. albicans growth and minimal toxicity against host cells. Gene expressions of SAP-1/PLB-1 were significantly down-regulated and host immune response was modulated by a significant decreased on IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines secretion. A. colubrina had antifungal activity on Candida strains, antibiofilm, and anti-proteolytic enzyme effects against C. albicans. Presented low cytotoxicity to the host cells and modulatory effects on the host immune response.

Modulation of Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties by Drying of Prunus domestica L. Plum Juice Extracts

The consumption of plums in a fresh form is seasonal, therefore the transformation of plum juice extracts into powdered form is a good alternative for its longer availability throughout the year. The drying process can moderate the physical and chemical properties of the plum extracts, thus, this study examined the changes in biological activity, i.e., antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties moderated by freeze, vacuum, and spray drying. It was suggested that the drying processes and the applied parameters might moderate the content of polyphenolic compounds in the powders, which influence the different levels of growth inhibition against the foodborne pathogens (17% to 58% of inhibition), demonstrating a strain-dependent effect. These powders could also induce cellular protection against oxidative stress by preventing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation (23% to 37% of reduction), but the level of antioxidant capacity may be determined by the conditions applied during the drying process. Moreover, plum extract powders exhibited a greater anti-inflammatory capacity (24% to 39% of inhibition), which would be influenced both, by the type of treatment used and by the temperature used in each treatment. The results demonstrate that the selection of the drying method can be an effective tool for modulating the composition, physical, and bioactive properties of plum extracts powders.