New constituents from the rhizomes of Egyptian Iris germanica L

A Powerful Tool in the Treatment of Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: Natural and Nanoscale Modified Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI) constitutes a pivotal determinant impacting the long-term prognosis of individuals afflicted by ischemic cardiomyopathy subsequent to reperfusion therapy. Stem cells have garnered extensive application within the realm of MI/RI investigation, yielding tangible outcomes. Stem cell therapy encounters certain challenges in its application owing to the complexities associated with stem cell acquisition, a diminished homing rate, and a brief in vivo lifespan. Small extracellular vesicles (sEV) originating from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been demonstrated to possess the benefits of abundant availability, reduced immunogenicity, and a diminished tumorigenic incidence. They can exert their effects on damaged organs, improving injuries by transporting a lot of constituents, including proteins, RNA, lipid droplets, and more. This phenomenon has garnered substantial attention in the context of MI/RI treatment. Simultaneously, MSC-derived sEV (MSC-sEV) can exhibit enhanced therapeutic advantages through bioengineering modifications, biomaterial incorporation, and natural drug interventions. Within this discourse, we shall appraise the utilization of MSC-sEV and their derivatives in the context of MI/RI treatment, aiming to offer valuable insights for future research endeavors related to MI/RI.

Anti-viral and Anti-inflammatory Isoflavonoids from Ukrainian Iris aphylla Rhizomes: Structure-Activity Relationship Coupled with ChemGPS-NP Analysis

Dried Iris rhizomes have been used in Chinese and European traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as bacterial infections, cancer, and inflammation, as well as for being astringent, laxative, and diuretic agents. Eighteen phenolic compounds including some rare secondary metabolites, such as irisolidone, kikkalidone, irigenin, irisolone, germanaism B, kaempferol, and xanthone mangiferin, were isolated for the first time from Iris aphylla rhizomes. The hydroethanolic Iris aphylla extract and some of its isolated constituents showed protective effects against influenza H1N1 and enterovirus D68 and anti-inflammatory activity in human neutrophils. The promising anti-influenza effect of apigenin (13: , almost 100% inhibition at 50 µM), kaempferol (14: , 92%), and quercetin (15: , 48%) were further confirmed by neuraminidase inhibitory assay. Irisolidone (1: , almost 100% inhibition at 50 µM), kikkalidone (5: , 93%), and kaempferol (14: , 83%) showed promising anti-enterovirus D68 activity in vitro. The identified compounds were plotted using ChemGPS-NP to correlate the observed activity of the isolated phenolic compounds with the in-house database of anti-influenza and anti-enterovirus agents. Our results indicated that the hydroethanolic Iris aphylla extract and Iris phenolics hold the potential to be developed for the management of seasonal pandemics of influenza and enterovirus infections.

Making a Virtue of Necessity: The Use of Wild Edible Plant Species (Also Toxic) in Bread Making in Times of Famine According to Giovanni Targioni Tozzetti (1766)

In 1766, the agricultural scientist Giovanni Targioni Tozzetti described for the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, the wild and cultivated plant species that could be used, in times of famine, to increase the quantity of flour or vegetable mass in bread making. These wild plants can be defined as wild edible plants (WEPs) or "alimurgic species", a concept usually traced back to Giovanni Targioni Tozzetti himself. The 342 plant names mentioned in the text are in the Tuscan vernacular, so a research work was done on bibliographic sources from the 1800s in order to match them with their current nomenclature. This process led to an "alimurgic flora" repertoire based on the writing of Targioni Tozzetti; and a comparison with our AlimurgITA database of 1103 wild edible plants used in Italy. It is particularly interesting that in his short treatise, Giovanni Targioni Tozzetti identified eight toxic plants (corresponding to 14 species), indicating how to eliminate the poisonous substances from their useful roots. We treat them in detail, examining their current and past use, their geographical distribution in Italy, and their eventual toxicity. We obtained 343 matches, of which 198 were reliable (certain matches) and 145 possessed some degree of uncertainty (due to generic or collective vernacular names). Among the 198 certain identifications, 140 species are present in the AlimurgITA database (92 mentioned for Tuscany) and 58 are not; for bread-making there are only documentary traces of 53 species for Italy and 7 for Tuscany. Moreover, among the total 198 species, 84 showed some degree of hazard. Researching edible toxic spontaneous species allows: (1) investigation, from an unusual perspective, of a historical period in which the poor conditions of some social strata led to finding unusual solutions to food provision; (2) idea generation to re-enable potentially useful WEPs whose use has been lost. Making a virtue of necessity!

UPLC-ESI-MS/MS profiling of the underground parts of common Iris species in relation to their anti-virulence activities against Staphylococcusaureus

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The use of plant extracts and their phytochemicals as candidates for targeting the microbial resistance inhibition is increasingly focused in last decades. In Mongolian traditional medicine, Irises were long used for the treatment of bacterial infections. Irises have been used since the Ancient Egyptians.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Chemical composition and virulence inhibition potential of both polar (PF) and non-polar fractions (NPF) of three common Iris species (I. confusa, I. pseudacorus and I. germanica) were explored.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Secondary metabolites profiling was characterized by the UPLC-HRMS/MS technique. Multi-variate data analysis was performed using Metaboanalyst 3.0. Anti-virulence inhibitory activity was evaluated via anti-haemolytic assay and Quantitative biofilm inhibition assay.

RESULTS

I. pseudacorus PF exhibited the most potent effect against S. aureus haemolytic activity. All the tested fractions from all species, except I. pseudacorus NPF, have no significant inhibition on the biofilm formation of methicillin resistant and sensitive (MRSA and MSSA) S. aureus. I. pseudacorus NPF showed potent biofilm inhibitory potential of 71.4 and 85.8% against biofilm formation of MRSA and MSSA, respectively. Metabolite profiling of the investigated species revealed ninety and forty-five metabolites detected in the PFs and NPFs, respectively. Nigricin-type, tectorigenin-type isoflavonids and xanthones allowed the discrimination of I. pseudacorus PF from the other species, highlighting the importance of those metabolites in exerting its promising activity. On the other hand, triterpene acids, iridals, triacylglycerols and ceramides represented the metabolites detected in highest abundance in I. pseudacorus NPF.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the sole map represents the secondary metabolites profiling of the PFs and NPFs of common Iris species correlating them with the potent explored Staphylococcus aureus anti-virulence activity.

Herbal Phytomedicine 'Irisolidone' in Chronic Diseases: Biological Efficacy and Pharmacological Activity

BACKGROUND

Plant-derived products have been used in medicine as a source of bioactive molecules, mainly due to their medicinal importance and therapeutic potential. Nowadays, plant derived products have been used in the medicine for the development of novel drug leads. Polyphenols are an important class of secondary metabolites found to be present in plants and their derived products. Polyphenols play an important role in the nutrition of human beings and also have a significant role in plant resistance against pests and diseases. Scientific studies have proven the biological importance of flavonoids in medicine and other allied health sectors. Anti-oxidant, analgesic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-tumor and anti-allergic activities are the important pharmacological features of flavonoids. Irisolidone is an important isoflavone found to be present in Pueraria lobata flowers.

METHODS

To know the medicinal importance and therapeutic potential of irisolidone in the medicine, numerous scientific research data have been collected from Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus. Pharmacological activity data of irisolidone has been collected and analyzed in the present works to know their health beneficial aspects in the medicine. Detailed pharmacological activities of irisolidone have been investigated through scientific data analysis of scientific research works.

RESULTS

Scientific research data analysis of irisolidone revealed the anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, anti-cancer, anti-platelet, anti-oxidant, anti-hyperlipidemic, immunomodulating, hepatoprotective and estrogenic potential. However, the biological effect of irisolidone on the gastric system, aldose reductase enzymes, malignant gliomas, and JC virus has also been investigated. Scientific data analysis revealed the significance of analytical tools for the separation and identification of irisolidone.

CONCLUSION

Present work signified the biological importance and therapeutic potential of irisolidone in medicine.

Chromane Derivatives from Underground Parts of Iris tenuifolia and Their In Vitro Antimicrobial, Cytotoxicity and Antiproliferative Evaluation

Phytochemical investigation of the ethanol extract of underground parts of Iris tenuifolia Pall. afforded five new compounds; an unusual macrolide termed moniristenulide (1), 5-methoxy-6,7-methylenedioxy-4-O-2′-cycloflavan (2), 5,7,2′,3′-tetrahydroxyflavanone (3), 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyisoflavone-2′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (9), 5,2′,3′-dihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyisoflavone (10), along with seven known compounds (4–8, 11–12). The structures of all purified compounds were established by analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HR-ESI-MS. The antimicrobial activity of the compounds 1–3, 5, 9, and 10 was investigated using the agar diffusion method against fungi, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In consequence, new compound 3 was found to possess the highest antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis VRE and Mycobacterium vaccae. Cell proliferation and cytotoxicity tests were also applied on all isolated compounds and plant crude extract in vitro with the result of potent inhibitory effect against leukemia cells. In particular, the newly discovered isoflavone 10 was active against both of the leukemia cells K-562 and THP-1 while 4–6 of the flavanone type compounds were active against only THP-1.

Mechanistic support of traditional Persian medicine for the treatment of acne vulgaris: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris is one of the most prevalent skin diseases, which also contributes to many psychological problems. Despite the recent progress in the treatment of acne vulgaris, the necessity for discovering more effective solutions has motivated many lines of research on natural and medicinal plants. The Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) introduced some plants and remedies for acne treatment. Given the universal welcome for herbal medicine, this review was performed to formally assess the evidence for herbal medicines for acne vulgaris in TPM.

METHODS

The medicinal plants used in this study for treating acne vulgaris were selected based on common references to the plants in five famous textbooks of TPM from different time periods. Then, the anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects of these medicinal plants were investigated according to the recent literature available in five electronic databases including Scopus, Web of Sciences, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct.

RESULTS

Twenty-one herbs were commonly references in traditional TPM texts as helpful for topical treatment of acne vulgaris. The data collected from the electronic databases demonstrated most of these plants (eg, Astragalus sarcocolla, Ficus carica, and Hordeum vulgare) have both anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial mechanisms, which may assist to treat acne vulgaris.

CONCLUSION

This scoping review demonstrated many medicinal plants recommended by TPM books have therapeutic potential for acne vulgaris via multiple mechanisms.

Cytotoxic Effect of Iris germanica L. Rhizomes Extract on Human Melanoma Cell Line

Background: Melanoma is the leading cause of 80% of skin cancer worldwide due to its high proliferation rate, metastatic nature, and limited effective therapies. Given the rapid increase in its incidence compared to other skin cancers, new therapeutic agents are needed to control the disease. Scientists are interested in medicinal plants due to their anticancer properties. The rhizomes of the Iris germanica L., known as “Irsa”, is one of the herbs used in traditional Persian medicine for the treatment of various skin cancers. Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the cytotoxic effects of Iris germanica on A375 melanoma and AGO-1522 normal human fibroblast cell lines for the first time. Methods: The ethanolic extract was prepared by the maceration method. Cell viability and cytotoxic activities were assessed through 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometric assay, using annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining. Results: IC50 values were estimated for the A375 melanoma and the AGO-1522 normal cell lines. We revealed that the IC50 for the A375 melanoma was 0.0438 mg/mL and for the AGO-1522 normal cell line was 0.8494 mg/mL after 48 hours of treatment. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis illustrated that 0.125 mg/mL of the Iris germanica extract could lead to 55.24% apoptosis of the A375 melanoma cell line. The same concentration of the Iris germanica extracts only lead to 8.76% apoptosis in the AGO-1522 cell line. Conclusions: Iris germanica extract has considerable cytotoxic effects on the human melanoma cell line. Further studies are required to demonstrate the therapeutic effects of Iris germanica on melanoma cancer.

Anti-Allergic, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Hyperglycemic Activity of Chasmanthe aethiopica Leaf Extract and Its Profiling Using LC/MS and GLC/MS

This study aims to comprehensively explore the phytoconstituents as well as investigate the different biological activities of Chasmanthe aethiopica (Iridaceae) for the first time. Metabolic profiling of the leaf methanol extract of C. aethiopica (CAL) was carried out using HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS. Twenty-nine compounds were annotated belonging to various phytochemical classes including organic acids, cinnamic acid derivatives, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and fatty acids. Myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside was the major compound identified. GLC/MS analysis of the n-hexane fraction (CAL-A) resulted in the identification of 45 compounds with palmitic acid (16.08%) and methyl hexadecanoic acid ester (11.91%) representing the major constituents. CAL-A exhibited a potent anti-allergic activity as evidenced by its potent inhibition of β-hexosaminidase release triggered by A23187 and IgE by 72.7% and 48.7%, respectively. Results were comparable to that of dexamethasone (10 nM) in the A23187 degranulation assay showing 80.7% inhibition for β-hexosaminidase release. Both the n-hexane (CAL-A) and dichloromethane (CAL-B) fractions exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity manifested by the significant inhibition of superoxide anion generation and prohibition of elastase release. CAL showed anti-hyperglycemic activity in vivo using streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model by reducing fasting blood glucose levels (FBG) by 53.44% as compared with STZ-treated rats along with a substantial increase in serum insulin by 22.22%. Molecular modeling studies indicated that dicaffeoylquinic acid showed the highest fitting with free binding energies (∆G) of -47.24 and -60.50 Kcal/mol for human α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively confirming its anti-hyperglycemic activity. Thus, C. aethiopica leaf extract could serve as an effective antioxidant natural remedy combating inflammation, allergy, and hyperglycemia.

Discrimination of common Iris species from Egypt based on their genetic and metabolic profiling

INTRODUCTION

Irises have been medicinally used in Ancient Egyptians, Anatolian, Chinese, British and Irish folk medicine. They are also well-known ornamental plants that have economic value in the perfume industry. The main obvious diagnostic difference between the different species is based on the morphology of the flowers. The flowering cycle is very short as well as the persistence of the fully opened flowers extends for a few days only. Moreover, the climatic conditions significantly causes fluctuation in their blooming time from year to year. This makes the morphological discrimination very difficult. The discrimination of different iris species is of a great importance, as each species is reported to possess different folk medicinal activities.

OBJECTIVES

Finding genetic and metabolic markers for differentiation between Iris confusa Sealy (Subgen. Limniris Sect. Lophiris), I. pseudacorus L. (Subgen. Limniris Sect. Limniris) and I. germanica L. (Subgen. Iris Sect. Iris) on levels other than traditional taxonomic features.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The highest similarity was found between I. pseudacorus L. and I. germanica L. and the least similarity was between I. confusa Sealy and I. pseudacorus L. The metabolic profiling of the leaves confirmed genetic profiling discriminating I. confusa from the other two species. The primary metabolites of the underground parts showed clear discrimination between the three species.

CONCLUSIONS

This study represents the sole complete map for distinguishing the three Iris species on genetic and metabolic bases.

A review on phytochemical and therapeutic potential of Iris germanica

Objectives

Iris germanica L. is a medicinal plant, which has a long history of uses, mainly in medieval Persia and many places worldwide for the management of a wide variety of diseases. In this study, we aimed to review ethnopharmacological applications in addition to phytochemical and pharmacological properties of I. germanica.

Key findings

Ethnomedical uses of I. germanica have been reported from many countries such as China, Pakistan, India, Iran and Turkey. The medicinal part of I. germanica is the rhizome and the roots. Based on phytochemical investigations, different bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, triterpenes, sterols, phenolics, ceramides and benzoquinones, have been identified in its medicinal parts. Current pharmacological studies represent that the plant possesses several biological and therapeutic effects, including neuroprotective, hypoglycaemic, hypolipidaemic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antiplasmodial, antifungal, immunomodulatory, cytotoxic and antimutagenic effects.

Summary

Although the majority of preclinical studies reported various pharmacological activities of this plant, however, sufficient clinical trials are not currently available. Therefore, to draw a definitive conclusion about the efficacy and therapeutic activities of I. germanica and its bioactive compounds, further clinical and experimental studies are required. Moreover, it is necessary to focus on the pharmacokinetic and safety studies on the extracts of I. germanica.

Phytochemistry and Biological Activities of Iris Species Growing in Iraqi Kurdistan and Phenolic Constituents of the Traditional Plant Iris postii

A dozen Iris species (Iridaceae) are considered traditional remedies in Kurdistan, especially for treating inflammations. Phytochemical studies are still scarce. The information reported in the literature about Iris species growing in Kurdistan has been summarized in the first part of this paper, although, except for Iris persica, investigations have been performed on vegetal samples collected in countries different from Kurdistan. In the second part of the work, we have investigated, for the first time, the contents of the methanolic extracts of Iris postii aerial parts and rhizomes that were collected in Kurdistan. Both extracts exhibited a significant dose-dependent free radical scavenging and total antioxidant activities, comparable to those of ascorbic acid. Medium-pressure liquid chromatographic separations of the two extracts afforded l-tryptophan, androsin, isovitexin, swertisin, and 2″-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl swertisin from the aerial parts, whereas ε-viniferin, trans-resveratrol 3,4′-O-di-β-d-glucopyranoside, and isotectorigenin were isolated from the rhizomes. This is the first finding of the last three metabolites from an Iris species. The various remarkable biological activities of isolated compounds scientifically sustain the traditional use of I. postii as a medicinal plant.

Flavonoids and Xanthones From the Genus Iris: Phytochemistry, Relationships with Flower Colors and Taxonomy, and Activities and Function

The genus Iris consists of approximately 360 species and is distributed to Eurasia, North Africa, and North America. Belamcanda chinensis was incorporated into the genus Iris by APG III as Iris domestica. Iris species have also been cultivated as ornamentals since ancient times. Many flavonoids are isolated and identified from the flowers, leaves, and rhizomes. So far as we know, 6 anthocyanidins, 13 flavones, 20 flavonols, 20 C-glycosylflavones, 14 flavanones, 11 dihydroflavonols, 6 flavan and proanthocyanidins, and 85 isoflavonoids were reported as aglycones and glycosides. However, chalcones, dihydrochalcones, aurones, biflavonoids, and neoflavonoids are not found in the genus Iris. Fifteen xanthones that are related to flavonoids were also isolated from Iris species. In this review, we describe the flavonoids and xanthones that were isolated and characterized from Iris species. Moreover, their phytochemistry, contribution to the flower colors, relationships with taxonomy, and activities and functions are also discussed.

Antioxidant properties of the Lebanese plant Iris x germanica L. crude extracts and antagonism of chlorpromazine toxicity on Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Iris x germanica L., which belongs to the Iridaceae family, has been reported in the literature for its antioxidant properties in acellular chemical-antioxidant assays. Chlorpromazine (CPZ) is an antipsychotic drug known to cause adverse reactions in humans. Oxidative stress is among the main mechanisms by which CPZ exerts its toxicity in animal cell models as well as in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this study we investigated the protective effects of I. germanica L. crude extracts against CPZ toxicity. We demonstrated that methanolic extracts from rhizome (R-M), leaf (L-M) and flower (Fl-M) had potent antioxidant activity by scavenging the free radical DPPH, with half-maximal effective concentrations (EC₅₀) 193, 107, and 174 µg/mL, respectively. R-M, L-M and Fl-M at doses up to 1000 µg/mL, didn't affect yeast cell growth. In addition, we demonstrated for the first time that L-M at 1000 µg/mL and R-M at all tested doses counteracted CPZ toxicity, probably by promoting yeast cell antioxidant agents. The R-M capacity to counteract CPZ toxicity was lost in the yeast strain mutant in catalase-encoding gene (Cta1), while strains mutant in Sod2, Skn7 and Rap1 showed mild or full R-M-induced protective effect against CPZ toxicity. Our results demonstrated that I. germanica L. R-M extract counteracted CPZ toxicity in the yeast cell model. Further studies are planned to isolate the involved bioactive compounds and identify the involved genes and the antioxidant agents.

Phytochemical Composition and In Vitro Biological Activity of Iris spp. (Iridaceae): A New Source of Bioactive Constituents for the Inhibition of Oral Bacterial Biofilms

The inhibition and eradication of oral biofilms is increasingly focused on the use of plant extracts as mouthwashes and toothpastes adjuvants. Here, we report on the chemical composition and the antibiofilm activity of 15 methanolic extracts of Iris species against both mono-(Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus) and multi-species oral biofilms (Streptococcus gordonii, Veillonella parvula, Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum, and Actinomyces naeslundii). The phytochemical profiles of Iris pallida s.l., Iris versicolor L., Iris lactea Pall., Iris carthaliniae Fomin, and Iris germanica were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectroscopy (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) analysis, and a total of 180 compounds were identified among Iris species with (iso)flavonoid dominancy. I. pallida, I. versicolor, and I. germanica inhibited both the quorum sensing and adhesion during biofilm formation in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the extracts were less active against maturated biofilms. Of the five tested species, Iris pallida s.l. was the most effective at both inhibiting biofilm formation and disrupting existing biofilms, and the leaf extract exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect compared to the root and rhizome extracts. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was excluded in human fibroblasts. The inhibition of bacterial adhesion significantly correlated with myristic acid content, and quorum sensing inhibition correlated with the 7-β-hydroxystigmast-4-en-3-one content. These findings could be useful for establishing an effective tool for the control of oral biofilms and thus dental diseases.

Chemical components from the twigs of Caesalpinia latisiliqua and their antiviral activity

Three new compounds, (3S)-dihydrobonducellin 8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), 3',5'-dimethoxy-jezonolid (2), and latisilinoid (3), along with 16 known compounds, were isolated from the twigs of Caesalpinia latisiliqua (Leguminosae). The known compounds were identified as flavonoids, stilbenes, and phenolics as determined by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their antiviral activity in HRV1B-, CVB3-, and EV71-infected cells. Among the tested compounds, three flavonoids (4-6) and two stilbenes (12 and 14) exhibited significant antiviral activity. This is the first phytochemical investigation of C. latisiliqua twigs.

New α-ditetralonyl glucoside from the green walnut husk of Juglans mandshurica

One new α-ditetralonyl glucoside (1), was isolated from the green walnut husk of Juglans mandshurica (Juglandaceae), together with twelve known compounds (2-13). The structure of the new compound was determined as (2R,4S,10S,12S)-2-[7-(12,13,16-trihydroxy-α-tetralonyl-13-O-β-D-glucopyranoside)]- 4,8-dihydroxy-α-tetralone-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses, and acidic hydrolysis. Compounds 6, 7 and 11 were isolated from the genus Juglans for the first time. Compound 1-13 showed weak cytotoxic against A549 and HeLa cell lines.

Phytochemical Analysis and Total Antioxidant Capacity of Rhizome, Above-Ground Vegetative Parts and Flower of Three Iris Species

This study was aimed at investigating the phytochemical composition and antioxidant capacity of rhizomes, above-ground vegetative parts and flowers of three Iris species: Iris humilis Georgi, Iris pumila L. and Iris variegata L. UHPLC-Orbitrap MS analysis was used for determination of phytochemical profile. Total pigments, phenolics, flavonoids, soluble sugars and starch content as well as ABTS antioxidant capacity were also determined. In total, 52 phenolics compounds were identified with 9 compounds (derivatives of iriflophenone, apigenin C-glycosides, luteolin O-glycoside, isoflavones derivatives of iristectorigenin, dichotomitin, nigracin and irilone) never reported before in Iris spp. Differences in phenolic composition profile, pigments, soluble sugar, starch, total phenolics and flavonoids content and total antioxidant capacity were found among Iris species and different part of plants. Significant correlation between total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity was determined. The obtained results are comparable with those obtained for medical plants. These findings could be useful for fingerprinting characterization of Iris species and estimation of possible use in pharmaceutical industries.

Isolation of naturally occurring novel isoflavonoids: an update

This review covers the literature concerning the isolation and identification of new naturally occurring isoflavonoids from Leguminosae and non-Leguminous species between 2012–2017.

Irilone from Red Clover ( Trifolium pratense) Potentiates Progesterone Signaling

The use of botanical dietary supplements is becoming increasingly popular for the alleviation of hormonal-based conditions such as hot flashes, premenstrual syndrome, and fertility. Estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) play an essential role in these processes. However, despite the fact that many therapies used to alleviate gynecological conditions act through PR-mediated mechanisms, few studies have investigated or identified any herbal natural product components that act on this receptor. In the current study, we used a progesterone response element (PRE)-luciferase (Luc) reporter assay to identify four phytoprogestins present in a standardized red clover ( Trifolium pratense) extract. We found that the component irilone (1) potentiated the effect of progesterone in both endometrial and ovarian cancer cell lines. In these cancers, progesterone action is generally associated with positive outcomes; thus the potentiating effect of 1 may provide entirely new strategies for enhancing progesterone signaling as a means of mitigating conditions such as fibroids and endometriosis. Formononetin (3) and biochanin A (4) exhibited mixed agonist activity, while prunetin (2) acted only as an antagonist. Collectively, these results suggest that the effects of red clover extract repeatedly observed in cultured cells and the inverse correlation between risk of various cancers and flavonoid intake may be due, in part, to altered progesterone signaling.

Italian folk plant-based remedies to heal headache (XIX-XX century)

BACKGROUND

Headache has been recognized since antiquity. From the late nineteenth to the early to mid-twentieth century, Italian folk remedies to treat headache were documented in a vast corpus of literature sources.

AIM

The purpose of this paper is to bring to light the plant-based treatments utilized by Italian folk medicine to heal headache in an attempt to discuss these remedies from a modern pharmacological point of view. Moreover, we compare the medical applications described by Hippocrates, Pliny the Elder, Dioscorides, Galen and Serenus Sammonicus with those utilized by Italian folk medicine to check if they result from a sort of continuity of use by over two thousand years.

RESULTS

A detailed search of the scientific data banks such as Medline and Scopus was undertaken to uncover recent results concerning the anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and analgesic activities of the plants. Fifty-eight (78.4%) plant-based remedies have shown in vivo, in vitro or in human trials a large spectrum of anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and analgesic activities. Moreover, thirty-one of remedies (41.9%) were already included in the pharmacopoeia between the 5th century BC and the 2nd century AD.

CONCLUSION

Italian folk medicine could be a promising source of knowledge and could provide evidences for active principles that have not as of yet been fully used for their potential.

PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF IRIS GERMANICA L. IN Β-AMYLOID-INDUCED ANIMAL MODEL OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia that is an irretrievable chronic neurodegenerative disease. In the current study, we have examined the therapeutic effects of Iris germanica extract on Amyloid β (Aβ) induced memory impairment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Wistar rats were divided into five groups of 8 per each. Groups were as followed: control group which were normal rats without induction of AD, Aβ group which received Aβ (50 ng/side), iris 100 group which received Aβ + Iris (100 mg/kg), iris 200 group which received Aβ + Iris (200 mg/kg), and iris 400 group which received Aβ + Iris (400 mg/kg). AD was established by intrahippocampal injection of 50 ng/μl/side Aβ1-42. The day after surgery, animals in treatment groups received different doses of the aqueous extract of Iris by gavage for 30 days. Morris water maze test (MWM) was performed to assess the effects of I. germanica on learning and memory of rats with Aβ induced AD.

RESULTS

Data from MWM tests, including escape latency and traveled distance, demonstrated that I. germanica extract could markedly improve spatial memory in comparison to control. Moreover, the plant had a significantly better effect on the performance of AD rats in the probe test.

CONCLUSION

I. germanica extract can successfully reverse spatial learning dysfunction in an experimental model of AD. Further neuro psyco-pharmacological studies are mandatory to reveal the mechanism of action of this natural remedy in the management of AD symptoms.

Chemical Composition and Antifungal Activity of Essential Oils from Flowers, Leaves, Rhizomes, and Bulbs of the Wild Iraqi Kurdish Plant Iris Persica

Essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of different parts of Iris persica L. were investigated for the first time by GC-FID and GC-MS; moreover, their antifungal activities were determined. 34, 32, 27, and 17 compounds were identified in the oils from air-dried flowers, leaves, rhizomes and fresh bulbs, respectively, representing ≥ 98% each oil. The major constituents of the flower essential oil were phenylethanol (24.8%) and furfural (13.8%), which, as the main component, constituted also 39.0% and 22.2% of the leaf and rhizome volatile fractions, respectively. Phenylacetaldehyde (37.1%) was the main constituent of the bulb volatile fraction. In in vitro tests, moderate antifungal activity was detected for the oils against strains of the human pathogenic fungal species Candida albicans, Microsporum canis, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, the plant-fungal pathogen Pyricularia oryzae, and the fungal food contaminant Aspergillus carbonarius,. The highest activity was exhibited by the essential oils from leaves and flowers, suggesting that they could be considered natural antimicrobial agents.

Mohamed G, I. M. Khedr A, M. Aljaeid B. Anti-oxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Cyclic Diarylheptanoids from Alnus japonica Stem Bark

A new cyclic diarylheptanoid namely alnuheptanoid B (3), along with four known cyclic diarylheptanoids: myricanone (1), (+)-S-myricanol (2), myricanone 5-O- -D-glucopyranoside (4), and (+)-S-myricanol 5-O- -D-glucopyranoside (5) were isolated from the EtOAc fraction of Alnus japonica Steud (family: Betulaceae) stem bark. Their structures were established by different spectroscopic analyses, as well as optical rotation measurement. Compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 are isolated for the first time from A. japonica. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of compounds (1-5) were assessed using DPPH assay and carrageenin induced rat paw edema model, respectively. They displayed significant antioxidant activity in relation to propyl gallate (standard antioxidant) at concentration 50 µM. Compound 2 demonstrated anti-inflammatory effect at a dose 10 mg/kg compared with indomethacin (positive control).

8-Hydroxyirilone 5-methyl ether and 8-hydroxyirilone, new antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitors isoflavonoids from Iris germanica rhizomes

Iris species are well recognized as wealthy sources of isoflavonoids. In the present study, phytochemical investigation of the rhizomes of Iris germanica (Iridaceae) procure the isolation of two new isoflavonoids namely, 8-hydroxyirilone 5-methyl ether (2) and 8-hydroxyirilone (3), along with eight known isoflavonoids: irilone 4'-methyl ether (1), irilone (4), irisolidone (5), irigenin S (6), irigenin (7), irilone 4'-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (8), iridin S (9), and iridin (10). The isolated flavonoids were structurally characterized with the assist of comprehensive spectroscopic analyses (UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR, and HRMS) and comparing with the published data. They were estimated for their antioxidant and antidaibetic capacities using DPPH and α-amylase inhibition assays, respectively. Compounds 2, 3, and 4 exhibited prominent antioxidant activities with IC₅₀ values of 12.92, 9.23, and 10.46μM, respectively compared to propyl gallate (IC₅₀ 7.11μM). Moreover, 2-5 possessed highest α-amylase inhibitory activity with % inhibition 66.1, 78.3, 67.3, and 70.1, respectively in comparison to acarbose (reference α-amylase inhibitor). Additionally, their structure-activity relationship has been discussed.

Ethnobotanical investigation on medicinal plants in the Vesuvio National Park (Campania, Southern Italy)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

This paper illustrates the results of an ethnobotanical study carried out in the Vesuvio National Park (VNP) (Campania, Southern Italy). It describes the medicinal uses of the plants in an ancient area rich in ethnobiodiversity investigated for the first time.

AIM FOR THE STUDY

The main aim of the study was to understand at what extent current knowledge on medicinal plant uses is still alive in VNP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The informations were collected using semi-structured and unstructured interviews performed on 136 persons living in the investigated area from March to November 2014 and from April to October 2015. The age of the informants ranged from 47 to 85 years old; more than half of the informants aged between 61 and 70. Local plant uses were listed and analyzed in a table and compared with uses in other localities in Italy and in other regions of the Mediterranean basin.

RESULTS

In VNP were recorded a total number of 132 plant species, belonging to 110 genera and 51 families mentioned for medicinal purposes. Among the recorded 132 plant species, 70 are spontaneous or subspontaneous and 62 are cultivated above all in the kitchen gardens or in the apartments, as food or as ornamental. Herbs represent the majority, followed by trees and shrubs or subshrubs. The investigated plants were used to cure 116 different human health diseases and 4 veterinary problems. The majority of plants are used in the treatment of gastrointestinal, skin and respiratory problems.

CONCLUSION

The number of medicinal plants reported in this paper reflects a well-preserved traditional popular knowledge (TPK) of the elderly people living in the rural areas and in the small villages of VNP. The conservation of TPK is owed to the persistence of an oral tradition that safeguard the use of plants as herbal medicine. We realized that while the use of some wild plants is decreasing, people continue to gather some cultivated and invasive plants for preparing remedies. Researches like this are necessary to protect ancient memories, to promote the transfer of information to the younger generations, to preserve ethno-biodiversity and to provide a starting point fur further biochemical investigations on medicinal entities.

New ursane triterpenoids from Ficus pandurata and their binding affinity for human cannabinoid and opioid receptors

Phytochemical investigation of Ficus pandurata Hance (Moraceae) fruits has led to the isolation of two new triterpenoids, ficupanduratin A [1β-hydroxy-3β-acetoxy-11α-methoxy-urs-12-ene] (11) and ficupanduratin B [21α-hydroxy-3β-acetoxy-11α-methoxy-urs-12-ene] (17), along with 20 known compounds: α-amyrin acetate (1), α-amyrin (2), 3β-acetoxy-20-taraxasten-22-one (3), 3β-acetoxy-11α-methoxy-olean-12-ene (4), 3β-acetoxy-11α-methoxy-12-ursene (5), 11-oxo-α-amyrin acetate (6), 11-oxo-β-amyrin acetate (7), palmitic acid (8), stigmast-4,22-diene-3,6-dione (9), stigmast-4-ene-3,6-dione (10), stigmasterol (12), β-sitosterol (13), stigmast-22-ene-3,6-dione (14), stigmastane-3,6-dione (15), 3β,21β-dihydroxy-11α-methoxy-olean-12-ene (16), 3β-hydroxy-11α-methoxyurs-12-ene (18), 6-hydroxystigmast-4,22-diene-3-one (19), 6-hydroxystigmast-4-ene-3-one (20), 11α,21α-dihydroxy-3β-acetoxy-urs-12-ene (21), and β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (22). Compound 21 is reported for the first time from a natural source. The structures of the 20 compounds were elucidated on the basis of IR, 1D ((1)H and (13)C), 2D ((1)H-(1)H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) NMR and MS spectroscopic data, in addition to comparison with literature data. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-microbial, anti-malarial, anti-leishmanial, and cytotoxic activities. In addition, their radioligand displacement affinity on opioid and cannabinoid receptors was assessed. Compounds 4, 11, and 15 exhibited good affinity towards the CB2 receptor, with displacement values of 69.7, 62.5 and 86.5 %, respectively. Furthermore, the binding mode of the active compounds in the active site of the CB2 cannabinoid receptors was investigated through molecular modelling.

Novel chemical library screen identifies naturally occurring plant products that specifically disrupt glioblastoma-endothelial cell interactions

Tumor growth is not solely a consequence of autonomous tumor cell properties. Rather, tumor cells act upon and are acted upon by their microenvironment. It is tumor tissue biology that ultimately determines tumor growth. Thus, we developed a compound library screen for agents that could block essential tumor-promoting effects of the glioblastoma (GBM) perivascular stem cell niche (PVN). We modeled the PVN with three-dimensional primary cultures of human brain microvascular endothelial cells in Matrigel. We previously demonstrated stimulated growth of GBM cells in this PVN model and used this to assay PVN function. We screened the Microsource Spectrum Collection library for drugs that specifically blocked PVN function, without any direct effect on GBM cells themselves. Three candidate PVN-disrupting agents, Iridin, Tigogenin and Triacetylresveratrol (TAR), were identified and evaluated in secondary in vitro screens against a panel of primary GBM isolates as well as in two different in vivo intracranial models. Iridin and TAR significantly inhibited intracranial tumor growth and prolonged survival in these mouse models. Together these data identify Iridin and TAR as drugs with novel GBM tissue disrupting effects and validate the importance of preclinical screens designed to address tumor tissue function rather than the mechanisms of autonomous tumor cell growth.

New fatty acids from the Red Sea sponge Mycale euplectellioides

Chemical investigation of the Red Sea sponge Mycale euplectellioides afforded two new compounds; hexacosa-(6Z,10Z)-dienoic acid methyl ester (1) and hexacosa-(6Z,10Z)-dienoic acid (2), along with two known compounds: icosa-(8Z,11Z)-dienoic acid methyl ester (3) and β-sitosterol (4). The structures were elucidated by the interpretation of their spectral data. The total methanol extract (TME) of the sponge exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against the different strains at a concentration of 100 mg/mL. All tested fractions did not exhibit any activity against Serratia marcescens and tested fungal strains. The TME and different fractions displayed anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg compared with indomethacin (8 mg). The TME exhibited a remarkable hepato-protective effect in CCl4-induced liver damage compared with silymarin. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 2 displayed weak activity against A549 non-small cell lung cancer, the U373 glioblastoma and the PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines.

New thiophene and flavonoid from Tagetes minuta leaves growing in Saudi Arabia

Phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of Tagetes minuta L. (Asteraceae) leaves resulted in the isolation and identification of two new compounds: 5-methyl-2,2',5',2'',5'',2''',5''',2''''-quinquethiophene (1) and quercetagetin-6-O-(6-O-caffeoyl-β-d-glucopyranoside) (9), in addition to seven known compounds: quercetin-3,6-dimethyl ether (2), quercetin-3-methyl ether (3), quercetin (4), axillarin-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), quercetagetin-3,7-dimethoxy-6-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6), quercetagetin-7-methoxy-6-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (7), and quercetagetin-6-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (8). The compounds were identified by UV, IR, 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS spectral data. They showed significant antioxidant activity, comparable with that of propyl gallate. Compounds 8 and 3 showed weak to moderate antileishmanial and antimalarial activities, with IC₅₀ values of 31.0 μg/mL and 4.37 μg/mL, respectively.

Study of the in vitro antiplasmodial, antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities of medicinal plants from Saudi Arabia

The present study investigated the in vitro antiprotozoal activity of sixteen selected medicinal plants. Plant materials were extracted with methanol and screened in vitro against erythrocytic schizonts of Plasmodium falciparum, intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania infantum and Trypanosoma cruzi and free trypomastigotes of T. brucei. Cytotoxic activity was determined against MRC-5 cells to assess selectivity. The criterion for activity was an IC₅₀ < 10 μg/mL (<5 μg/mL for T. brucei) and a selectivity index of ≥4. Antiplasmodial activity was found in the extracts of Prosopis juliflora and Punica granatum. Antileishmanial activity against L. infantum was demonstrated in Caralluma sinaica and Periploca aphylla. Amastigotes of T. cruzi were affected by the methanol extract of Albizia lebbeck pericarp, Caralluma sinaica, Periploca aphylla and Prosopius juliflora. Activity against T. brucei was obtained in Prosopis juliflora. Cytotoxicity (MRC-5 IC₅₀ < 10 μg/mL) and hence non-specific activities were observed for Conocarpus lancifolius.