Hepatoprotective activity of Cichorium endivia L. extract and its chemical constituents

Phytochemistry, pharmacological applications, and therapeutic effects of green synthesized nanomaterials using Cichorium species-a comprehensive review

Cichorium is a genus of potential medicinal herbs that finds widespread cultivation in regions spanning Asia and Europe. Belonging to the Asteraceae family, these plants are typically biennial or perennial in nature. Among the various explored varieties of chicory plants, the most commonly studied ones include Cichorium intybus, Cichorium endivia, and Cichorium pumilum. In Ayurveda, chicory has long been used as a remedy for many health problems. This versatile plant is renowned for its efficacy in managing conditions such as gallstones, gastroenteritis, sinus ailments, and the treatment of skin abrasions and wounds. Numerous bioactives, including polysaccharides, caffeic acid, flavonoids, coumarins, steroids, alkaloids, organic acids, triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and essential oils, are present, according to a thorough phytochemical examination. The phytochemicals isolated from chicory have displayed significant therapeutic activities, including antidiabetic effects, hepatoprotective benefits, anti-obesity properties, and anti-cancer potential, as extensively documented by numerous researchers. The incorporation of these bioactive compounds into one's diet as part of a healthy lifestyle has demonstrated considerable advantages for human well-being. Green synthesis is a recent technology in which plant extracts or phytochemicals are used for synthesizing nanoparticles since plant extracts are generally less toxic and contain capping and reducing agents. This review summarizes current developments in green synthesis employing phytoconstituents from Cichorium species and extracts from various plant parts and their application to scientific problems. In order to preserve lifestyles and cure human diseases, the investigation emphasizes the therapeutic effects of the chemical components and nanoparticles obtained from the extract of Cichorium species.

Nano-silicon and sodium mitigate damage by potassium deficiency in chicory

Chicory is a food with high nutritional. The use of beneficial elements in plants, such as sodium (Na) and silicon (Si), may be important to mitigate nutritional disorders, such as potassium (K) deficiency, but research is lacking on this topic. The objective was to evaluate the effects of sodium and nano-silicon on the nutritional, physiological, growth, and quality parameters of chicory under K deficiency and sufficiency. We used a concentration for sufficient K (3.0 mmol L-1), K-deficiency (1.5 mmol L-1), combined with the lack or presence of Na (2.0 mmol L-1) and Si (2.0 mmol L-1). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with six treatments corresponding to K sufficiency, K-sufficiency with Na, K-sufficiency with Si, K deficiency, K-deficiency with Na, and K-deficiency with Si, with six replications. The following growth variables were evaluated: (i) plant height, (ii) stem diameter, (iii) number of leaves, (iv) leaf area, and (v) plant biomass. Potassium and Si contents in the above ground part and K utilization efficiency were assessed, and the accumulation of K, Na, and Si was calculated. The efficiency of the quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) and the photosynthetic pigments was determined. Electrolyte leakage index and relative water content, as well as phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, and leaf firmness index were also determined. We found that supplying nano-Si and Na to a K-deficient nutrient solution increased K accumulation by 60% and 50% and K use efficiency by 79% and 62% compared to plants without supply of those elements. Nano-Si reduced electrolyte leakage, being 41% less than Na in K-deficient chicory. However, when Na was added to a nutrient solution with sufficient potassium, the K use efficiency decreased by 48% compared to sufficient potassium without Na. Under the same condition of sufficient supply of potassium and Na, K accumulation decreased by 20% in chicory compared to sufficient potassium without Na, and the photosynthetic pigments-total chlorophyll and carotenoids-were reduced by 5% and 10%, respectively. Our findings contribute to improve cultivation systems with low supply of K as the supply of Na and nano-Si mitigates the damage caused to the metabolism of chicory under K deficiency.

Evaluation of hepatoprotective and antidiarrheal activities of the hydromethanol crude extract and solvent fractions of Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) leaf and fruit in mice

Background

Liver disease is any disease that negatively affects the normal function of the liver, and it is a major health problem that challenges not only healthcare professionals, but also the pharmaceutical industry and drug regulatory agencies. Similarly, diarrhea is the second leading cause of death among children under five globally next to pneumonia. The available synthetic drugs for the treatment of liver disorders and diarrhoea have limited safety and efficacy.

Objective

To evaluate the in vivo hepatoprotective and antidiarrheal activities of hydroalcoholic leaf and fruit extracts of Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) in mice.

Methods

Hepatoprotective activity of the extracts was evaluated by using CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in mice model. In this model, mice were divided into groups and treated as follows. The normal control and toxicant control groups were treated with the vehicle used for reconstitution, the positive control was treated with the standard drug (silymarin), and the test groups were treated with different doses of plant extracts daily in the morning for seven days. Additionally, all groups except the normal control were treated with CCl4 (2 mg/kg, IP) on the 4th day of treatment, 30 min post-dose. On the 7th day, blood was collected from each mouse via a cardiac puncture. The collected blood was centrifuged, and serum levels of ALT, AST, and ALP were determined using an automated chemistry analyser. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's post-hoc test.The antidiarrheal activity of the extract was investigated using castor oil-induced diarrhoea, enteropooling, and small intestine transit. The test groups received various doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) of the extract, whereas the positive control received loperamide (3 mg/kg), and the negative control received the vehicle (distilled water, 10 ml/kg).

Result

Hepatoprotective activity: The leaf and fruit crude extracts showed significant improvement in the body weight and liver weight of mice compared to the untreated toxicant control. Additionally, treatment with hydromethanol leaf and fruit extracts caused a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in liver biomarkers compared to the toxicant control. Similarly, the n-butanol and chloroform fractions of the fruit extract caused a significant reduction (P < 0.01) in serum AST, ALT, ALP and Bilirubin levels and a significant (P < 0.001) increase in total protein compared to the toxicant control. However, none of the three solvent fractions (n-butanol, chloroform, and aqueous) of the fruit extract significantly affected (P > 0.05) the level of albumin compared with the toxicant control.Antidiarrheal activity: In the castor oil-induced diarrheal model, the 80 % methanol extract delayed the onset of defaecation and significantly reduced the number and weight of faeces at all tested doses compared to the negative control. In the enteropooling test, 80 ME significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the weight and volume of intestinal fluid at all tested doses compared with the negative control. Results from the charcoal meal test revealed that the extracts produced a significant anti-motility effect at all tested doses compared with the negative control.

Conclusion

This study confirmed the hepatoprotective and antidiarrheal activities of hydroalcoholic extracts. The highest test dose produced the maximum hepatoprotective and antidiarrheal activities in all models.

Three new amide derivatives from the fungus Alternaria brassicicola

Three new amide derivatives (alteralkaloids A-C, 1-3) and three known alkaloids (4-6) were afforded after phytochemical investigation of fungus Alternaria brassicicola. The structures of these compounds were confirmed by NMR spectroscopic and HRESIMS data. Furthermore, the absolute configuration of 1 was determined using the single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 1-3 belong to a class of amide derivatives that have not been found in nature before, sharing the same characteristic signals of the butyl moiety and amide group. These isolated compounds mentioned above were tested for the cytotoxic activity.

Potential Gonado-Protective Effect of Cichorium endivia and Its Major Phenolic Acids against Methotrexate-Induced Testicular Injury in Mice

Cichorium endivia L. (Asteraceae) is a wide edible plant that grows in the Mediterranean region. In this study, a phytochemical investigation of C. endivia L. ethanolic extract led to the isolation of stigmasterol (1), ursolic acid (2), β-amyrin (3), azelaic acid (4), vanillic acid (5), (6S, 7E)-6-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3,9-dione (S(+)-dehydrovomifoliol) (6), 4-hydroxy phenyl acetic acid (7), vomifoliol (8), ferulic acid (9), protocatechuic acid (10), kaempferol (11), p. coumaric acid (12), and luteolin (13). In addition, the total phenolic content as well as the in vitro antioxidant activity of C. endivia L. extract were estimated. Moreover, we inspected the potential gonado-protective effect of C. endivia crude extract, its phenolic fraction, and the isolated coumaric, vanillic, and ferulic acids against methotrexate (MTX)-induced testicular injury in mice. There were seven groups: normal control, MTX control, MTX + C. endivia crude extract, MTX + C. endivia phenolic fraction, MTX + isolated coumaric acid, MTX + isolated vanillic acid, and MTX + isolated ferulic acid. MTX was given by i.p. injection of a 20 mg/kg single dose. The crude extract and phenolic fraction were given with a dose of 100 mg/kg/day, whereas the compounds were given at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day. A histopathological examination was done. The testosterone level was detected in serum together with the testicular content of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated x protein (Bax), p53, and miR-29a. C. endivia crude extract, the phenolic fraction, and the isolated compounds showed significant elevation in their levels of testosterone, CAT, SOD, Bcl-2 with a significant decrease in their levels of MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, Bax, P53, and miR-29a compared to those of the MTX control group. In conclusion, C. endivia mitigated MTX-induced germ cell toxicity via anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects.

Ca' Granda, Hortus simplicium: Restoring an Ancient Medicinal Garden of XV-XIX Century in Milan (Italy)

This work is based on the study of 150 majolica vases dated back to the mid XVII century that once preserved medicinal remedies prepared in the ancient Pharmacy annexed to the Ospedale Maggiore Ca' Granda in Milan (Lombardy, Italy). The Hortus simplicium was created in 1641 as a source of plant-based ingredients for those remedies. The main objective of the present work is to lay the knowledge base for the restoration of the ancient Garden for educational and informative purposes. Therefore, the following complementary phases were carried out: (i) the analysis of the inscriptions on the jars, along with the survey on historical medical texts, allowing for the positive identification of the plant ingredients of the remedies and their ancient use as medicines; (ii) the bibliographic research in modern pharmacological literature in order to validate or refute the historical uses; (iii) the realization of the checklist of plants potentially present in cultivation at the ancient Garden, concurrently with the comparison with the results of a previous in situ archaeobotanical study concerning pollen grains. For the species selection, considerations were made also regarding drug amounts in the remedies and pedoclimatic conditions of the study area. Out of the 150 vases, 108 contained plant-based remedies, corresponding to 148 taxa. The remedies mainly treated gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders. At least one of the medicinal uses was validated in scientific literature for 112 out of the 148 examined species. Finally, a checklist of 40 taxa, presumably hosted in the Hortus simplicium, was assembled.

Proximate Composition, Antioxidant Properties, and Hepatoprotective Activity of Three Species of Shellfish of the Pacific Coast of Russia

The objective of the present study was to investigate the proximate composition, antiradical properties and hepatoprotective activity of three species of shellfish, Corbicula japonica, Spisula sachalinensis, and Anadara broughtonii, from the coastal areas of Far East Russia. Biologically active peptides such as taurine (3.74 g/100 g protein) and ornithine (2.12 g/100 g protein) have been found in the tissues of A. broughtonii. C. japonica contains a high amount of ornithine (5.57 g/100 g protein) and taurine (0.85 g/100 g protein). The maximum DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity (36.0 µg ascorbic acid/g protein and 0.68 µmol/Trolox equiv/g protein, respectively) was determined for the tissue of C. japonica. The protein and peptide molecular weight distribution of the shellfish tissue water extracts was investigated using HPLC. It was found that the amount of low molecular weight proteins and peptides were significantly and positively correlated with radical scavenging activity (Pearson’s correlation coefficient = 0.96), while the amount of high molecular weight proteins negatively correlated with radical scavenging activity (Pearson’s correlation coefficient = −0.86). Hepatoprotective activity, measured by the survival rate of HepG2 hepatocytes after cotreatment with t-BHP, was detected for C. japonica. The highest protection (95.3 ± 2.4%) was achieved by the cold water extract of C. japonica at the concentration of 200 mg/mL. Moreover, oral administration of hot water extract of C. japonica to rats before the treatment with CCl₄ exhibited a markedly protective effect by lowering serum levels of ALT and AST, inhibiting the changes in biochemical parameters of functional state of rat liver, including MDA, SOD, GSH and GST.

Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Different Cichorium Species (Asteraceae): A Review

Cichorium species have been used widely in traditional medicine universally. It is reported as a treatment for various respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as diabetes and rheumatism. A range of constituents including phenolic and poly phenolic compounds, fatty and organic acids and essential oils comprise the chemical composition of Cichorium species. Furthermore, modern investigations on these species has shown different pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-inflammation, antibacterial, anti-hyperglycemic, antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effects which are associated with divers molecular pathways and mechanisms. In this chapter, we have summarized comprehensive information regarding traditional and ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical analysis and pharmacological aspects of Cichorium species.

A new and effective evaluation method for Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae herbs based on 2-phenylethyl β-d-glucopyranoside, 2-methoxyanofinic acid and gentioxepine by UPLC-QTOF-MS exploring and HPLC-DAD quantification

Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae (RGM) is a traditional Chinese medicine belonging to the Gentiana genus and including four species of herbs. Owing to the lack of characteristic constituents, it is difficult to discriminate RGMs of different origins or even differentiate between herbs in the same genus. The current research aimed to explore the characteristic aromatic compounds, verify their significance in distinguishing different origins of RGM herbs and provide a simple and effective quality evaluation method. A selective extraction method was developed for noniridoid compounds and the extract was then subjected to UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis to obtain the RGM-MS ion pair database for noniridoid components. An HPLC-DAD quantitative analysis method was further developed based on characteristic aromatic compounds (2-phenylethyl β-d-glucopyranoside, 2-methoxyanofinic acid and gentioxepine) after the ion screening in the MS database. By means of principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis analysis, the significant relationship between aromatic compounds contents and different species of RGM was revealed. As a result, the significance of 2-phenylethyl β-d-glucopyranoside, 2-methoxyanofinic acid and gentioxepine in distinguishing four species of RGM herbs was verified and a sensitive and reproducible HPLC-DAD method was established using these markers, which can be used for the classification and quantitative analysis of RGMs.

Tumor Homing Reactive Oxygen Species Nanoparticle for Enhanced Cancer Therapy

Multifunctional nanoparticles that carry chemotherapeutic agents can be innovative anticancer therapeutic options owing to their tumor-targeting ability and high drug-loading capacity. However, the nonspecific release of toxic DNA-intercalating anticancer drugs from the nanoparticles has significant side effects on healthy cells surrounding the tumors. Herein, we report a tumor homing reactive oxygen species nanoparticle (THoR-NP) platform that is highly effective and selective for ablating malignant tumors. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) were selected as an exogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) generator and a superoxide dismutase 1 inhibitor, respectively. DDC-loaded THoR-NP, in combination with SNP treatment, eliminated multiple cancer cell lines effectively by the generation of peroxynitrite in the cells (>95% cell death), as compared to control drug treatments of the same concentration of DDC or SNP alone (0% cell death). Moreover, the magnetic core (ZnFe₂O₄) of the THoR-NP can specifically ablate tumor cells (breast cancer cells) via magnetic hyperthermia, in conjunction with DDC, even in the absence of any exogenous RS supplements. Finally, by incorporating iRGD peptide moieties in the THoR-NP, integrin-enriched cancer cells (malignant tumors, MDA-MB-231) were effectively and selectively killed, as opposed to nonmetastatic tumors (MCF-7), as confirmed in a mouse xenograft model. Hence, our strategy of using nanoparticles embedded with ROS-scavenger-inhibitor with an exogenous ROS supplement is highly selective and effective cancer therapy.

Cinnoline Scaffold-A Molecular Heart of Medicinal Chemistry?

The cinnoline nucleus is a very important bicyclic heterocycle that is used as the structural subunit of many compounds with interesting pharmaceutical properties. Cinnoline derivatives exhibit broad spectrum of pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic and antitumor activities. Some of them are under evaluation in clinical trials. In the present review, we have compiled studies focused on the biological properties of cinnoline derivatives conducted by many research groups worldwide between 2005 and 2019. Comprehensive and target oriented information clearly indicate that the development of cinnoline based molecules constitute a significant contribution to the identification of lead compounds with optimized pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties.

Influence of cultivation sites on sterol, nitrate, total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity in endive and stem chicory edible products

Chicories produce a wide range of vegetables with important nutritional value. We determined the variation of sterol, total polyphenol, nitrate contents and antioxidant capacity (SC, TPC, NC, AC) in endive leaves and stem-chicory novel vegetables, cultivated in two Italian regions. Within a given area, the SC was similar in smooth- and curly leafed endives (106.3-176.0 mg/kg FW); sitosterol and stigmasterol were major fractions (45-56 versus 38-43%). The stem SC was independent of landrace (101.5-118.6 mg/kg FW); sitosterol prevailed on stigmasterol and fucosterol (73-76 versus 12-14% versus 8-9%); the latter reached 15.7 mg/kg FW, conferring value as potential antidiabetes food. The planting site affected the AC and TPC of endives (893.1-1571.4 μmTE/100 g FW, 30.8-76.1 GAE100/g FW) and chicory stems (729.8-1152.5 μmTE/100 g FW; 56.2-124.4 GAE100/g FW), while the NC was recurrently below dangerous thresholds. PCA showed that environment was the major cause of variation, though it modestly affected these parameters.

A Novel Natural Product, KL-21, Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells

Objective:

The aims of this study were to examine the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of KL-21, a novel plant product (produced by Naturin Natural Products, İzmir, Turkey), on 232B4 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells and to determine the cytotoxic effects on healthy BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cells.

Materials and Methods:

The cytotoxic effect of KL-21 was determined by MTT cell proliferation assay. Changes in caspase-3 enzyme activity were measured using the caspase-3 colorimetric assay. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were determined using the JC-1 dye-based method. Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining was performed to measure the apoptotic cell population. Effects of KL-21 on cell cycle profiles of CLL cells were investigated by flow cytometry.

Results:

We detected time- and concentration-dependent increases in the cytotoxic effect of KL-21 on 232B4 CLL cells. However, we also showed that, especially at higher concentrations, KL-21 was less cytotoxic towards BEAS-2B healthy cells than towards CLL cells. Annexin-V/PI double staining results showed that the apoptotic cell population increased in 232B4 cells. Increasing concentrations of KL-21 increased caspase-3 enzyme activity and induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. KL-21 administration resulted in small increases in the percentage of the cells in the G0/G1 phase while it decreased the S phase cell population up to 1 mg/mL. At the highest concentration, most of the cells accumulated in the G0/G1 phase.

Conclusion:

KL-21 has a growth-inhibitory effect on 232B4 CLL cells. KL-21 causes apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1.

Total synthesis of schizocommunin and revision of its structure

A proposed structure for schizocommunin (Z)-1(hydroxy) and its geometric isomer (E)-1(hydroxy), which exist in a keto form, has been synthesized. However, the spectroscopic data of (Z)-1(keto) and (E)-1(keto) were not consistent with those reported for natural schizocommunin. After reinvestigating the spectral data for natural schizocommunin, we synthesized the quinazolinone derivative (Z)-2 as a revised structure for schizocommunin. All of the spectral data of (Z)-2 were completely identical to those reported for natural schizocommunin. (Z)-2 showed moderate antiproliferative activity.

(3S)-1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid from Cichorium endivia. L induces apoptosis of human colorectal cancer HCT-8 cells

Cichorium endivia. L, consumed either cooked or eaten raw in salads, is a popular kind of vegetable cultivated all around the World. Its components have been widely used in folk medicine in anti-inflammatory therapy. However, the anti-cancer activity of the components has never been reported. In this study, (3S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (1), an amino acid isolated from C. endivia. L, was found for the first time to show cytotoxic activity in colorectal cancer cell line HCT-8. Compound 1 at concentrations of 0.5–4 μM induced apoptosis of HCT-8 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The compound 1-induced apoptosis in HCT-8 cells was accompanied by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, the activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9, the up-regulation of Bax and the down-regulation of Bcl-2. In addition, compound 1 suppressed the activation of NF-κB, which acts as an inhibitor of apoptosis. Taken together, these results suggested that compound 1 could significantly induce apoptosis of HCT-8 cells through the suppression of NF-κB signaling pathway, and thus can be considered as a potential candidate for developing chemotherapeutic drugs against cancer.

(1)H and (13)C NMR Assignments of Cytotoxic 3S-1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic Acid from the Leaves of Cichorium endivia

An amino acid, 3S-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid, was isolated for the first time from the leaves of Cichorium endivia. The complete assignment of its (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopic data was carried out also for the first time based on extensive 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Cytotoxicity of this isolated compound against HCT-8 and HepG2 human cancer cell lines was evaluated for the first time, with moderate activities being found.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of pyrazolo[4,3-c]cinnoline derivatives as potential anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents

A series of pyrazolo[4,3-c]cinnoline derivatives was synthesized, characterized and evaluated for anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity. Test compounds that exhibited good anti-inflammatory activity were further screened for their ulcerogenic and lipid peroxidation activity. Compounds 4d and 4l showed promising anti-inflammatory activity with reduced ulcerogenic and lipid peroxidation activity when compared to naproxen. Docking results of these two compounds with COX-2 (PDB ID: 1CX2) also exhibited a strong binding profile. Among the test derivatives, compound 4i displayed significant antibacterial property against gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. However, compound 4b emerged as the best dual anti-inflammatory-antibacterial agent in the present study.