Alcea rosea root extract as a preventive and curative agent in ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis in rats

Which Extraction Solvents and Methods Are More Effective in Terms of Chemical Composition and Biological Activity of Alceafasciculiflora from Turkey?

The bioactive content, antioxidant properties, and enzyme inhibition properties of extracts of Alcea fasciculiflora from Turkey prepared with different solvents (water, methanol, ethyl acetate) and extraction methods (maceration, soxhlet, homogenizer assisted extraction, and ultrasound assisted extraction) were examined in this study. UHPLC-HRMS analysis detected or annotated a total of 50 compounds in A. fasciculiflora extracts, including 18 hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids, 7 Hexaric acids, 7 Coumarins, 15 Flavonoids, and 3 hydroxycinnamic acid amides. The extracts had phenolic and flavonoid levels ranging from 14.25 to 24.87 mg GAE/g and 1.68 to 25.26 mg RE/g, respectively, in the analysis. Both DPPH and ABTS tests revealed radical scavenging capabilities (between 2.63 and 35.33 mg TE/g and between 13.46 and 76.27 mg TE/g, respectively). The extracts had reducing properties (CUPRAC: 40.38–78 TE/g and FRAP: 17.51–42.58 TE/g). The extracts showed metal chelating activity (18.28–46.71 mg EDTAE/g) as well as total antioxidant capacity (phosphomolybdenum test) (0.90–2.12 mmol TE/g). DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and metal chelating tests indicated the water extracts to be the best antioxidants, while the ethyl acetate extracts had the highest overall antioxidant capacity regardless of the extraction technique. Furthermore, anti-acetylcholinesterase activity was identified in all extracts (0.17–2.80 mg GALAE/g). The water extracts and the ultrasound-assisted ethyl acetate extract were inert against butyrylcholinesterase, but the other extracts showed anti-butyrylcholinesterase activity (1.17–5.80 mg GALAE/g). Tyrosine inhibitory action was identified in all extracts (1.79–58.93 mg KAE/g), with the most effective methanolic extracts. Only the ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts produced by maceration and homogenizer aided extraction showed glucosidase inhibition (0.11–1.11 mmol ACAE/g). These findings showed the overall bioactivity of the different extracts of A. fasciculiflora and provided an overview of the combination of solvent type and extraction method that could yield bioactive profile and pharmacological properties of interest and hence, could be a useful reference for future studies on this species.

Nanoliposome-encapsulated phenolic-rich fraction from Alcea rosea as a dietary phytobiotic in mice challenged by Escherichia coli

Purpose

This research was performed to evaluate the antibacterial and health-promoting potentials of nanoliposome-encapsulated phenolic-rich fraction (PRF) from Alcea rosea leaves, as a dietary phytobiotic, in mice as challenged by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli; O157: H7).

Method

The PEF was encapsulated in nanoliposomes (PEF-NLs), and the phenolic profiling of PEF-NLs was confirmed by HPLC. Next, 40 white male balb/c mice were assigned to four treatment groups to assess the antibacterial potential of PEF-NLs by measuring the blood parameters and the liver’s lipid peroxidation in the mice as a result of the infection caused by E. coli. Finally, the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were determined in the miceʼs ileum tissues. A real-time PCR was used to analyze the relative fold changes in the population of E. coli in the ileum.

Results

The overall results demonstrated that the nanoliposome-loaded PRF contained gallic acid, salicylic acid, pyrogallol, cinnamic acid, catechin, naringin, and ferulic acid. The E. coli intervention impaired the mice's weight gain, food intake, liver enzymes, lipid peroxidation, and the ileum’s morphometric characteristics. The challenge also upregulated the inflammatory genes (COX2, iNOS), downregulated the antioxidant-related genes (SOD and GPx), and increased the population of E. coli in the ileum. The dietary inclusion of the nonencapsulated PRF and the nanoliposome-encapsulated PRF, at the concentration of 10 mg TPC/kg BW/day, improved these parameters. However, compared to nonencapsulated PRF, the nanoliposome-encapsulated PRF appeared to be more effective in improving the health parameters in mice.

Conclusion

As a promising phytobiotic, the nanoliposome-encapsulated PRF could play a critical role against the E. coli infection in mice probably due to the increase in the higher intestinal solubility, bioavailability, and absorption of phenolic compounds encapsulated in the nanoliposome carrier.

Integrative role of traditional and modern technologies to combat COVID-19

INTRODUCTION

With the development of various branches of sciences, we will be able to resolve different clinical aspects of various diseases better. The convergence of these sciences can potentially tackle the new corona crisis.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we attempted to explore and describe various scientific branches studying COVID-19. We have reviewed the literature focusing on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19. The primary databases targeted were Science Direct, Scopus and PubMed. The most relevant reports from the recent two decades were collected utilizing keywords including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, COVID-19, epidemiology, therapeutics and diagnosis.

EXPERT OPINION

Based on this literature review, both traditional and emerging approaches are vital for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. The traditional sciences play an essential role in the preventive and supportive care of corona infection, and modern technologies appear to be useful in the development of precise diagnosis and powerful treatment approaches for this disease. Indeed, the integration of these sciences will help us to fight COVID-19 disease more efficiently.

Dietary Plants for the Prevention and Management of Kidney Stones: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence and Molecular Mechanisms

Kidney stones are one of the oldest known and common diseases in the urinary tract system. Various human studies have suggested that diets with a higher intake of vegetables and fruits play a role in the prevention of kidney stones. In this review, we have provided an overview of these dietary plants, their main chemical constituents, and their possible mechanisms of action. Camellia sinensis (green tea), Rubus idaeus (raspberry), Rubia cordifolia (common madder), Petroselinum crispum (parsley), Punica granatum (pomegranate), Pistacia lentiscus (mastic), Solanum xanthocarpum (yellow-fruit nightshade), Urtica dioica (stinging nettle), Dolichos biflorus (horse gram), Ammi visnaga (khella), Nigella sativa (black-cumin), Hibiscus sabdariffa (roselle), and Origanum vulgare (oregano) have received considerable interest based on scientific evidence. Beside these dietary plants, phytochemicals—such as catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, diosmin, rutin, quercetin, hyperoside, and curcumin—as antioxidant dietary phyto-phenols were found to be effective for the prevention of urolithiasis (the process of stone formation in the urinary tract). The main underlying mechanisms of these dietary plants and their isolated phytonutrients in the management of urolithiasis include diuretic, antispasmodic, and antioxidant activity, as well as an inhibitory effect on crystallization, nucleation, and aggregation of crystals. The results as presented in this review demonstrate the promising role of dietary plants and phytophenols in the prevention and management of kidney stones. Further investigations are required to confirm the safety and efficacy of these compounds.

Antiurolithiatic and antioxidant efficacy of Musa paradisiaca pseudostem on ethylene glycol-induced nephrolithiasis in rat

OBJECTIVE

Musa paradisiaca has been used in the treatment of urolithiasis by the rural people in South India. Therefore, we plan to evaluate its efficacy and possible mechanism of antiurolithiatic effect to rationalize its medicinal use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Urolithiasis was induced in hyperoxaluric rat model by giving 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) for 28 days along with 1% ammonium chloride (AC) for the first 14 days. Antiurolithiatic effect of aqueous-ethanol extract of M. paradisiaca pseudostem (MUSA) was evaluated based on urine and serum biochemistry, microscopy of urine, oxidative/nitrosative indices, kidney calcium content, and histopathology.

RESULTS

Administration of EG and AC resulted in increased crystalluria and oxaluria, hypercalciuria, polyuria, crystal deposition in urine, raised serum urea, and creatinine as well as nitric oxide concentration and erythrocytic lipid peroxidation in lithiatic group. However, MUSA treatment significantly restored the impairment in above kidney function test as that of standard treatment, cystone in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings demonstrate the efficacy of MUSA in EG-induced urolithiasis, which might be mediated through inhibiting various pathways involved in renal calcium oxalate formation, antioxidant effect, and potential to inhibit biochemical markers of renal impairment.

Amelioration of hyperglycaemia and modulation of antioxidant status by Alcea rosea seeds in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

CONTEXT

Alcea rosea L. (Malvaceae) has various medicinal uses including anticancer, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. However, there is no report on its antidiabetic activity.

OBJECTIVE

Alcea rosea seed extracts were evaluated for antihyperglycaemic and antioxidative potential in diabetic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Single intra-peritoneal injection of alloxan (130 mg/kg b.w.) was used for induction of diabetes in Albino Wistar rats. Antihyperglycaemic and antioxidant activities of methanol and aqueous extracts of Alcea rosea seed (100 and 300 mg/kg b.w.), administered orally on daily basis for 15 days, were assessed in vivo for fasting blood glucose level and antioxidant status of liver and pancreas. Metformin was used as a positive control.

RESULTS

Aqueous and methanol extracts (300 mg/kg b.w.) decreased blood glucose level in diabetic rats by 24% and 46%, respectively. Administration of aqueous and methanol extracts at 300 mg/kg b.w. significantly (p < 0.01) modulated the antioxidant status of liver in diabetic rats by increasing levels of GR (22.5 ± 1.0, 24.4 ± 1.02 μg GSSG utilized/min/mg of protein), GPx (20.7 ± 1.2, 23.6 ± 2.04 μg GSH utilized/min/mg of protein), SOD (36.1 ± 1.7, 39.05 ± 1.5 units/mg of protein) and CAT (1744.5 ± 132.5, 1956.6 ± 125.2 nmol H₂O₂ decomposed/min/mg of protein), respectively. Similar results were observed for pancreas.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Antihyperglycaemic and antioxidative potentials of Alcea rosea seeds suggest its usefulness in management of diabetes and its complications. This is the first report on antidiabetic activity of this plant.

An ornamental plant targets epigenetic signaling to block cancer stem cell-driven colon carcinogenesis

Phytochemicals modulate key cellular signaling pathways and have proven anticancer effects. Alcea rosea(AR; Hollyhock) is an ornamental plant with known anti-inflammatory properties. This study explored its role as an anticancer agent. The AR seed extract (AR extract) inhibited proliferation and colony formation in a dose- and time-dependent manner and promoted apoptosis as was evidenced by cleavage of PARP and increased expression of Bax accompanying reduced levels of BCL-xl protein in HCT116 and SW480 cells, respectively. In addition, AR extract-arrested cells at Go/G1 phase of cell cycle and exhibited decreases in Cyclin D1. AR extract-treated cells exhibited reduced number and size of colonospheres in a dose-dependent manner concomitant with decreases in cancer stem cell (CSC) markers ALDH1A1 and Dclk1. Relative levels of β-catenin, Notch-ICD, Hes1 and EZH2 were also attenuated by AR extract. TOP-flash reporter activity, a measure of Wnt signaling, decreased significantly in response to treatment while overexpression of wild type but not mutant EZH2, reversed the inhibitory effects. Moreover, WIF1 (a Wnt antagonist) promoter activity increased dramatically following treatment with AR extract which phenocopied increases in WIF1 reporter activity following EZH2 knockdown.In vivo, AR extract attenuated tumor growth due probably to reduced levels of EZH2, β-catenin, CyclinD1 and Ki-67 along with reduced levels of CSC markers. Since partial purification via HPLC yielded a prominent peak, efforts are underway to identify the active ingredient(s). Taken together, the results clearly suggest that AR extract/active component(s) can be an effective preventative/therapeutic agent to target colon cancer.

Biochemical and Pathological Study of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Achillea millefolium L. on Ethylene Glycol-Induced Nephrolithiasis in Laboratory Rats

BACKGROUND

Nephrolithiasis is of the most prevalent urinary tract disease. It seems worthwhile to replace the conventional treatments with more beneficial and safer agents, particularly herbal medicines which are receiving an increasing interest nowadays.

AIMS

In this study, we investigated the protective and curative effects of Achillea millefolium L. on ethylene glycol (EG)-induced nephrolithiasis in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The extract of A. millefolium was prepared by soxhlet method. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (N = 8) as follows. The negative control (group A) received tap drinking water. Rats in sham (positive control group B), curative (group C and D), and preventive (group E) groups all received 1% EG in drinking water according to the experimental protocol for 30 days. In the curative groups, dosages of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (BW) of A. millefolium extract were administered orally from day 15 to the end of the experiment, group C and D, respectively. Group E received 200 mg/kg A. millefolium extract from the 1(st) day throughout the experiment. Urinary oxalate and citrate concentrations were measured by spectrophotometer on the first and 30(th) days. On day 31, the kidneys were removed and examined histopathologically for counting the calcium oxalate (CaOx) deposits in 50 microscopic fields.

RESULTS

In the curative and preventive groups, administration of A. millefolium extract showed significant reduction in urinary oxalate concentration (P < 0.05). Also, urinary citrate concentration was significantly increased in group C, D, and E. The CaOx deposits significantly decreased in group C to E compared with the group B.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our results, A. millefolium extract had preventive and curative effects on EG-induced renal calculi.

The inhibitory effect of an ethanol extract of the spores of Lygodium japonicum on ethylene glycol-induced kidney calculi in rats

We investigated the effect of an ethanol extract of Lygodii spora (LS) as a preventive and therapeutic agent for experimentally induced calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis with ethylene glycol (EG) in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into preventive (n = 18, for 28 days) and therapeutic (n = 24, for 42 days) groups. The preventive group was further subdivided into three groups of six rats each: preventive control, preventive lithiatic control (EG) and preventive lithiatic LS (EG + 400 mg/kg LS). Similarly, the therapeutic group was subdivided into four groups of six rats each: therapeutic control, therapeutic lithiatic control, therapeutic lithiatic untreated, and therapeutic lithiatic LS. Lithiasis was induced by adding 0.75% EG to the drinking water of all groups except the preventive and therapeutic control groups. Preventive and therapeutic subjects also received the LS ethanol extract in drinking water at a dose of 400 mg/kg, since day 0 or day 28, respectively. At the end of the each experimental period, various biochemical parameters were measured in urine and kidney homogenates. The kidneys were subjected to histopathological analysis. The results revealed that treatment with the LS preventive protocol significantly decreased the levels of urinary calcium, oxalate and uric acid, and increased the levels of urinary citrate as compared to those in the EG control. No significant changes in the urinary parameters except oxalate and citrate levels were observed in the rats in the therapeutic protocol. In both preventive and therapeutic protocols, the extract significantly decreased kidney peroxides, renal calcium, oxalate content, and the number of kidney oxalate deposits as compared to those in the EG group. We conclude that LS is useful as a preventive and therapeutic agent against the formation of oxalate kidney stones.