Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers Leaf Extract Attenuates Lung Tumorigenesis via Alleviating Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Apoptosis

Protective effects of chlorogenic acid against cyclophosphamide induced liver injury in mice

We investigated possible protective effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) against cyclophosphamide (CP) induced hepatic injury in mice. We measured aminotransferase alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels in the serum. We assayed catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in hepatic tissue. We assessed expression of nuclear transcription factor 2 (Nrf2) and Kelch sample related protein-1 (keap1) proteins in hepatic tissues using immunohistochemistry. The relative mRNA expression levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NADH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Hematoxylin & eosin staining was used to assess liver histopathology. We found that administration of CGA prior to induction of injury by CP decreased serum ALT, AST and MDA expressions in hepatic tissue, while CAT, SOD, GSH and GSH-Px concentrations were increased. We found that hepatocytes of animals administered CGA gradually returned to normal morphology. CGA increased the protein expression of Nrf2 in murine hepatic tissue. Administration of CGA up-regulated mRNA expression levels of HO-1, NQO1, TNF-α and IL-6 in hepatic tissue. CGA exhibited a marked protective effect on CP induced liver injury in mice.

Lagerstroemia speciosa Pers. (Lythraceae) Ethanolic Extract Attenuates Isoniazid-Induced Oxidative Stress and Hepatic Inflammation in Rats

Background Drug-induced liver injury is a common cause of acute liver failure. Isoniazid (INH) is used as a first-line treatment for tuberculosis. Clinical and experimental studies have reported abnormal liver function after INH therapy. Lagerstroemia speciosa Pers., commonly known as banaba, has been traditionally used to treat various ailments including diabetes and obesity due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Aim To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic banaba leaf extract (EBLE) against INH-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Materials and methods A total of 30 male Wistar albino rats (150 - 200 g) were divided into five groups (n = 6). Group I rats were served as a control and were administered dimethyl sulfoxide for the first 30 days and water for the next 30 consecutive days. Group II rats were administered INH (50 mg/kg, p.o.) once in the first 30 consecutive days and sacrificed at Day 30. Group III rats were administered INH for 30 consecutive days and left without treatment for the next 30 days. In Groups IV and V, rats were post-treated orally with EBLE 250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o. (0.3 ml/rat) for 30 days after INH administration. At the end of Day 60, the remaining group of animals were sacrificed. The blood and liver tissues were collected. The marker enzymes of hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory markers, and histopathology were analyzed. Results INH administration induced significant elevation of marker enzymes (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, bilirubin, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) of hepatotoxicity in the serum. This treatment also increased lipid peroxidation and proinflammatory marker expression (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) except inhibitor of NF-κB) and decreased antioxidants such superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione in the liver tissue. All these abnormalities were significantly mitigated after treatment with EBLE. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that EBLE can be used for INH-induced hepatotoxicity.

Antibacterial activity of Lagerstreomia speciosa and its active compound, corosolic acid, enhances cefotaxime inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus

AIMS

Various epidemiology studies have reported the emergence of Staphylococcus aureus and its methicillin resistance strain causing global health concerns, especially during and post-COVID-19 pandemic. This pathogen presents as a co-infection in patients with COVID-19. In addition, certain virulence factors and resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, including cefotaxime, have been identified. We aimed to investigate the antibacterial activity of Lagerstreomia speciosa, a medicinal plant with antidiabetic activity, against S. aureus, including the strain resistant to methicillin. Furthermore, we examined whether the extract and one of its bioactive compounds, corosolic acid, can enhance the therapeutic effect of cefotaxime on antibiotic-resistant S. aureus.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The minimum inhibitory concentration of each substance was determined using the standard broth microdilution test following the checkerboard dilution. The type of interactions, synergistic, additivity, indifference, or antagonism, were determined using isobolograms analysis and the dose reduction index (DRI). The evaluation of synergy and bactericidal activity of the natural products in combination with cefotaxime was performed using the time-kill kinetic assay. Corosolic acid, L. speciosa leaves extract, and bark extract alone showed antibacterial activity against all tested S. aureus ATCC 33591, S. aureus ATCC 29213, S. aureus ATCC 25923, and clinical isolated S. aureus. Corosolic acid enhanced the antibacterial activity of cefotaxime, showing a synergistic effect and greater DRI of cefotaxime against all tested S. aureus strains. Time-kill kinetic assay showed that corosolic acid has a more profound effect than L. speciosa extracts to potentiate the bactericidal activity of cefotaxime. Whereas L. speciosa leaves and bark extract showed some inhibitory effect on the growth of S. aureus after a single administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Lagerstreomia speciosa leaves and bark extract and its active compound, corosolic acid, could be used as a potential anti-Staphylococcus aureus treatment to enhance the therapeutic use of cefotaxime.

Exploring the Antimicrobial, Anticancer, and Apoptosis Inducing Ability of Biofabricated Silver Nanoparticles Using Lagerstroemia speciosa Flower Buds against the Human Osteosarcoma (MG-63) Cell Line via Flow Cytometry

Biosynthesized nano-composites, such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), can be engineered to function as smart nano-biomedicine platforms for the detection and management of diverse ailments, such as infectious diseases and cancer. This study determined the eco-friendly fabrication of silver nanoparticles using Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers. flower buds and their efficacy against antimicrobial and anticancer activities. The UV-Visible spectrum was found at 413 nm showing a typical resonance spectrum for L. speciosa flower bud extract-assisted silver nanoparticles (Ls-AgNPs). Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed the presence of amines, halides, and halogen compounds, which were involved in the reduction and capping agent of AgNP formation. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the face-centered cubic crystals of NPs. Energy dispersive X-ray verified the weight of 39.80% of silver (Ag), TEM analysis revealed the particles were spherical with a 10.27 to 62.5 nm range, and dynamic light scattering recorded the average particle size around 58.5 nm. Zeta potential showed a significant value at -39.4 mV, and finally, thermo-gravimetric analysis reported higher thermal stability of Ls-AgNPs. Further, the obtained Ls-AgNPs displayed good antimicrobial activity against clinical pathogens. In addition, a dose-dependent decrease in the anticancer activity by MTT assay on the osteosarcoma (MG-63) cell line showed a decrease in the cell viability with increasing in the concentration of Ls-AgNPs with an IC₅₀ value of 37.57 µg/mL. Subsequently, an apoptotic/necrosis study was conducted with the help of Annexin-V/PI assay, and the results indicated a significant rise in early and late apoptosis cell populations. Therefore, green synthesized Ls-AgNPs were found to have potent antimicrobial and anticancer properties making them fascinating choices for future bio-medical implementations.

Ginkgolide C Alleviates Acute Lung Injury Caused by Paraquat Poisoning via Regulating the Nrf2 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways

Paraquat (PQ), a highly toxic herbicide and primary attack for lung, results in severe acute lung injury (ALI) appeared as evident oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Increasing evidence elucidates that nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its associated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) exhibit many merits for protection of ALI by coordinating a fine-turned response to oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Ginkgolide C (GC) has been reported to be a safe and potent therapeutic agent against ALI. However, whether GC could protect ALI induced by PQ poisoning and the possible underlining mechanisms have remained not to be fully elucidated. A rat model of ALI and a model of acute type II alveolar epithelial cell (RLE-6TN) injury constructed by exposure to PQ were applied to discuss the protective effect of GC. Furthermore, Nrf2 gene silencing RLE-6TN cells were used to discuss the exact mechanism. We confirmed that GC significantly ameliorated the histopathological damages, ultrastructural changes, lung injury score, W/D ratio, and Hyp activity of lung tissue and inhibited polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) infiltration after PQ poisoning. Further results revealed that GC remarkably activated Nrf2-based cytoprotective system and inhibited NF-κB-induced inflammatory injury as well as apoptosis. Taken together, we concluded that GC preserved protection of PQ-induced ALI via the Nrf2-NF-κB dependent signal pathway, which may provide us novel insights into the treatment strategies for PQ poisoning.

Bioactive compound from Lagerstroemia speciosa: activating apoptotic machinery in pancreatic cancer cells

The study was aimed at the identification of a potential anti-cancer compound from the leaf extract of Lagerstroemia speciosa, against pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1). Out of different extracts tested, methanolic extract showed significant cytotoxicity at an IC₅₀ of 289.5 ± 0.03 µg/mL after 24 h (MTT assay). The safety of the extract was ascertained using normal pancreatic cells (hTERT-HPNE). Methanolic extract was able to induce apoptosis in 28.9 ± 0.01% of PANC-1 cells as determined by flow cytometry. RT-PCR analysis of PANC-1 cells also recorded an increase in the mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic genes i.e., Caspase-3 (12.82 folds), Rb (10 folds) and Bad (8.74 folds) after treatment. Expression of other pro-apoptotic genes such as Bax and TNF was also upregulated by 4.04 and 4.01 folds, respectively. However, the mRNA expression of anti-apoptotic genes, NF-κB, Cdk and Bcl-2 was found to be downregulated. The bioactive extract was then fractionated on preparative silica gel plates into 24 bands. Out of these, band fraction 9 exhibited significant cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ 219 ± 0.04 µg/mL) on the PANC-1 cells. The mass spectral (HPLC-MS) and FTIR analysis of the fraction indicated the bioactive compound to be a derivative of Diosgenin, which can be a possible candidate for cancer therapeutics in future.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03155-w.

IL-10 ameliorates PM2.5-induced lung injury by activating the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway

Exposure to fine particulate matter with a diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) can cause a number of respiratory diseases. However, there is currently no safe treatment for PM2.5-induced lung damage. This study investigated the protective effect of IL-10 against lung injury and the possible involvement of AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling. The mean diameter, particle size distribution, and zeta potential of PM2.5 samples were assessed using a Zetasizer Nano ZS90 analyzer. Thereafter, Wistar rats were exposed to PM2.5 (1.8, 5.4, or 16.2 mg/kg) alone or high-dose PM2.5 with recombinant rat IL-10 (rrIL-10; 5 μg/rat). Treatment with rrIL-10 ameliorated PM2.5-induced acute lung injury, reduced mitochondrial damage, and inhibited inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in the PM2.5-treated rats. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression of AMPK, SIRT1, and PGC-1α were upregulated by rrIL-10 treatment. In conclusion, rrIL-10 protected lung tissues against PM2.5-induced inflammation by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis via activating AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling.

Identification, ADMET evaluation and molecular docking analysis of Phytosterols from Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.)Pers) seed extract against breast cancer

Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers., (Lythraceae), commonly called Banaba, is a native plant of Southeast Asia and is widely used in the treatment of diabetics, obesity, kidney diseases, and other inflammatory disorders. L. speciosa consists of several phytoconstituents like glycosides, flavones, corosolic acid, ellagic acids, triterpenes, tannins, which are reported to be present in leaves, stem, flowers, fruit, bark, and roots. This paper presents an investigation on the binding interaction of phytosterols derivatives identified from the ethanolic extract of Lagerstroemia speciosa seeds against breast cancer target protein. The ethanolic extracts Lagerstroemia speciosa seeds were analyzed via GC-MS for the identification of their chemical constituent. In silico methods are adopted to predict ADME parameters, pharmacokinetic properties, drug-likeliness, and acute toxicity of the identified phytosterols molecules. Molecular docking analysis of the phytosterols was performed against three breast cancer targets. A total of 29 compounds were identified from the extract by GC-MS analysis, among which four phytosterols derivatives namely cholesterol margarate, 7-dehydrodiosgenin, Stigmastan-3,5-diene, and γ-sitosterol have been considered for the present study. These phytosterols are identified as non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and non-mutagenic. Molecular docking studies reveal the extent of molecular interaction with breast cancer targets. The outcomes of the investigation suggest that the phytosterols obtained from the ethanolic seed extract of Lagerstroemia speciosa could act as a promising candidate against breast cancer.

Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers., ethanolic leaves extract attenuates dapsone-induced liver inflammation in rats

Drug-induced liver injury is a common cause of acute liver failure. Dapsone is increasingly used in combination with rifampicin for the treatment of leprosy and also for several dermatological disorders. Clinically, abnormal liver function and focal bile duct destruction were reported after dapsone therapy. Lagerstroemia speciosa Pers., commonly known as Banaba has been traditionally used to treat various ailments including diabetes and obesity due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacies. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic banaba leaves extract (EBLE) against dapsone-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Dapsone (30 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered twice daily for 30 days. In separate groups, rats were post-treated orally with EBLE (250 and 500 mg/kg) and silymarin (100 mg/kg) once daily for 30 days after dapsone administration. The marker enzymes of hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory markers and histopathology of liver were done. HPTLC analysis confirmed the presence of 12.87 µg of corosolic acid per mg of EBLE. Dapsone administration-induced significant (p < 0.001) elevation of marker enzymes of hepatotoxicity in serum. This treatment also increased lipid peroxidation (p < 0.001) and pro-inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta, and nuclear factor kappa-B) expressions (p < 0.001) and decreased antioxidants (p < 0.001) such superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione in the liver tissue. All these abnormalities were significantly (p < 0.001) mitigated after EBLE (500 mg/kg) and silymarin post-treatments. The results of this study suggest that silymarin and EBLE can be used for dapsone-induced hepatotoxicity.