A Study of the Anti-Cancer Effects of the Hexane Fraction of the Methanol Extract of Forsythiae Fructus

The phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, quality control, and toxicity of Forsythiae Fructus: An updated systematic review

Forsythiae Fructus (FF), the dried fruit of F. suspensa, is commonly used to treat fever, inflammation, etc in China or other Asian countries. FF is usually used as the core herb in traditional Chinese medicine preparations for the treatment of influenza, such as Shuang-huang-lian oral liquid and Yin-qiao powder, etc. Since the wide application and core role of FF, its research progress was summarized in terms of traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, quality control, and toxicity. Meanwhile, the anti-influenza substances and mechanism of FF were emphasized. Till now, a total of 290 chemical components are identified in F. suspensa, and among them, 248 components were isolated and identified from FF, including 42 phenylethanoid glycosides, 48 lignans, 59 terpenoids, 14 flavonoids, 3 steroids, 24 cyclohexyl ethanol derivatives, 14 alkaloids, 26 organic acids, and 18 other types. FF and their pure compounds have the pharmacological activities of anti-virus, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant, anti-bacteria, anti-tumor, neuroprotection, hepatoprotection, etc. Inhibition of TLR7, RIG-I, MAVS, NF-κB, MyD88 signaling pathway were the reported anti-influenza mechanisms of FF and phenylethanoid glycosides and lignans are the main active groups. However, the bioavailability of phenylethanoid glycosides and lignans of FF in vivo was low, which needed to be improved. Simultaneously, the un-elucidated compounds and anti-influenza substances of FF strongly needed to be explored. The current quality control of FF was only about forsythoside A and phillyrin, more active components should be taken into consideration. Moreover, there are no reports of toxicity of FF yet, but the toxicity of FF should be not neglected in clinical applications.

Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Chinese Medicinal Herbs: Lonicerae flos, Lonicerae japonicae flos, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, and Forsythia suspensa

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) represents a potent, safe, and efficacious reservoir of treatment options against an array of microbial infections and inflammatory diseases. It has a long history of positive clinical outcomes with minimal or no side effects while enhancing and bolstering the host's protection against infections. With its unique ability to prevent, treat, and manage a wide range of diseased conditions, CHM has been successfully practiced in China for thousands of years. In the modern medical era, where harsh therapeutic drugs and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) present a significant challenge, CHM warrants further exploration. The present review highlights and focuses on 4 major CHM-based herbs, that is, ( Lonicerae flos [ LF] , Lonicerae japonicae flos [ LJF] , Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi [ SBG] , and Forsythia suspensa [ FS]) in terms of their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory efficacies. A detailed literature survey was done by the team using a systematic electronic search from PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Research Gate, books, etc. This was followed by data collecting, pertinent data extraction, in-depth analysis, and composing the final review. Each herb has been discussed in detail describing its mechanism adopted and the bioactive components involved in alleviating bacterial infections and inflammatory damage. Further, proof of efficacy by detailing the major past studies and major findings has been discussed for each of the 4 herbs. This review will give the scientific community the opportunity to update their knowledge on the subject, which is crucial for heralding the process of bringing CHM-based medicines closer to clinical development given the area of alternative medicine's rapid advancements.

Visualizing the spatial distribution of functional metabolites in Forsythia suspensa at different harvest stages by MALDI mass spectrometry imaging

As a traditional Chinese medicine, Forsythia suspensa (F. suspensa) has attracted much attention due to its significant pharmacological activity. Revealing the spatial distribution of metabolites during F. suspensa development is important for understanding its biosynthesis rules and improving the quality of medicinal materials. However, there is currently a lack of information on the spatial distribution of F. suspensa metabolites. In this work, the spatial distribution and growth metabolism patterns of important metabolites of F. suspensa were studied for the first time using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI). Using 2,5-dimethylnaphthalene (DAN) as the matrix and detecting in negative ion mode, the spatial distribution and growth patterns of 11 metabolites obtained from longitudinal sections of F. suspensa included pinoresinol, phillygenin, forsythoside A, forsythoside E, rutin, caffeic acid, malic acid, citric acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid. These results showed the mesocarp and endosperm tissues of F. suspensa were important for storing important functional metabolites. Changes in mesocarp and endosperm growth and development tissues caused large changes in the content of important functional metabolites in F. suspensa. These results provide a basis for understanding the spatial distribution of metabolites in F. suspensa tissues and the significant changes that occur during growth and development, exploring the mechanism of important synthesis of metabolites, regulating the harvest of F. suspensa, and improving the quality of medicinal herbs.

Application Potential of Plant-Derived Medicines in Prevention and Treatment of Platinum-Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity

As observed with other chemotherapeutic agents, the clinical application of platinum agents is a double-edged sword. Platinum-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) is a common adverse event that negatively affects clinical outcomes and patients’ quality of life. Considering the unavailability of effective established agents for preventing or treating PIPN and the increasing population of cancer survivors, the identification and development of novel, effective interventions are the need of the hour. Plant-derived medicines, recognized as ideal agents, can not only help improve PIPN without affecting chemotherapy efficacy, but may also produce synergy. In this review, we present a brief summary of the mechanisms of platinum agents and PIPN and then focus on exploring the preventive or curative effects and underlying mechanisms of plant-derived medicines, which have been evaluated under platinum-induced neurotoxicity conditions. We identified 11 plant extracts as well as 17 plant secondary metabolites, and four polyherbal preparations. Their effects against PIPN are focused on oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, glial activation and inflammation response, and ion channel dysfunction. Also, ten clinical trials have assessed the effect of herbal products in patients with PIPN. The understanding of the molecular mechanism is still limited, the quality of clinical trials need to be further improved, and in terms of their efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness studies have not provided sufficient evidence to establish a standard practice. But plant-derived medicines have been found to be invaluable sources for the development of natural agents with beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of PIPN.

UPLC/Q-TOF MS Screening and Identification of Antibacterial Compounds in Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl Leaves

Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl (F. suspensa) is a traditional Chinese medical herb and only its fruit is currently used in clinical therapies. However, the discarded parts like leaves also contain a large number of active components. In this study, we used macroporous adsorption resin to enrich the effective components from F. suspensa leaves. The separated active compounds were then identified and quantified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography Active components with antibacterial properties extracted from F. suspensa leaves were confirmed in vitro and the corresponding mechanisms were explored. In sum, a stable and effective method for extracting antibacterial active components from F. suspensa leaves was established in this study, which proved the practicability of F. suspensa leaves as traditional Chinese medicine and is conducive to the more comprehensive utilization of the plant.

Mutagenic and teratogenic toxicity evaluation of Forsythia suspensa leaves aqueous extract

Forsythia suspensa leaves (FSL), rich in phillyrin, forsythiaside A, phillygenin, rutin, and other compounds, is a known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It has been effective in heat retreat and detoxification. In this study, we performed the mutagenic and teratogenic toxicity evaluation of FSL aqueous extract (FSLAE) using the bacterial reverse mutation assay (Ames test), mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay, spermatocyte chromosomal aberration assay in mice. Kunming mice and SD rats were used were for the mutagenic and the teratogenic studies, respectively. We found that FSLAE was not mutagenic and did not induce unfavorable chromosomal events. Additionally, the Ames test revealed FSLAE was not genotoxic and showed no mutagenic activity in histidine dependent strains of Salmonella typhimurium at concentrations up to 5000 μg/plate. Likewise, in vivo test revealed no induced micronucleus of mouse bone marrow or chromosome aberration in spermatocytes up to the dose of 10.00 g/kg BW. For the teratogenic evaluations, pregnant rats were treated with 1.04, 2.08, and 4.17 g/kg FSL, and fetuses were examined on the 6-15 day of pregnancy. We observed no maternal toxicity and embryotoxicity related to the treatment. Based on these in vitro and in vivo studies, we concluded the genotoxic and teratogenic safety of FSL.

Aqueous extract of Forsythia viridissima fruits: Acute oral toxicity and genotoxicity studies

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Forsythia viridissima fruit, one of Forsythiae Fructus (FF) is widely used in traditional medicine to treat diverse diseases-related clinical symptoms, including fever, pain, vomiting, nausea, and abscess. However, the safety of FF has not been fully assessed.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this study, we evaluated the acute oral toxicity and genotoxic potential of an aqueous extract of Forsythia viridissima fruits (EFVF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For an acute oral toxicity test, male and female SD rats (n = 5) orally received a single dose of 5000 mg/kg EFVF. The genotoxic potential of EFVF was evaluated with a battery of tests, including an in vitro bacterial reverse mutation test using five mutant strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA100, TA1535, TA98, TA1537) and Escherichia coli (WP2 uvrA), an in vitro chromosomal aberration test using Chinese hamster lung (CHL/IU) cells, and an in vivo micronucleus test using bone marrow cells in male ICR mice that were orally administered EFVF. All tests were completed in compliance with Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines and/or regional regulatory standards for toxicity tests.

RESULTS

In the acute oral toxicity test, the animals did not show any significant mortality and body weight changes for 14 days following a single dose of EFVF at 5000 mg/kg. There was no evidence of genotoxicity of EFVF based on the results of the in vitro bacterial reverse mutation test (up to 5000 μg/plate), the in vivo micronucleus test (up to 5000 mg/kg), and the in vitro chromosomal aberration test (1100-2500 μg/mL).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that EFVF is safe with regard to acute toxicity in rats as well as genotoxicity such as mutagenesis or clastogenesis under the present experimental conditions. These results might support the safety of EFVF as a potential therapeutic material for the traditional use or pharmaceutical development.

Neuroprotective Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Forsythia viridissima and Its Major Constituents on Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

The dried fruits of Forsythia viridissima have been prescribed to relive fever, pain, vomiting, and nausea in traditional medicine. Oxaliplatin (LOHP) is used to treat advanced colorectal cancer; however, it frequently induces peripheral neuropathies. This study was done to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of an aqueous extract of Forsythia viridissima fruits (EFVF) and its major constituents. Chemical constituents from EFVF were characterized and quantified with the UHPLC-diode array detector method, and three major constituents were identified as arctiin, matairesinol, and arctigenin. The in vitro cytotoxicity was measured by the Ez-cytox viability assay, and the in vivo neuroprotection activity was evaluated by a von Frey test in two rodent animal models that were administered LOHP. EFVF significantly alleviated the LOHP-induced mechanical hypersensitivity in the induction model. EFVF also prevented the induction of mechanical hyperalgesia by LOHP in the pre- and co-treatment of LOHP and EFVF. Consistently, EFVF exerted protective effects against LOHP-induced neurotoxicity as well as inhibited neurite outgrowths in PC12 and dorsal root ganglion cells. Among the major components of EFVF, arctigenin and matairesinol exerted protective effects against LOHP-induced neurotoxicity. Therefore, EFVF may be useful for relieving or preventing LOHP-induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with LOHP.

Determination of progesterone compounds in the crude methanol extract of benalu duku leaves

Background and Aim:

Dendrophthoepentandra L. Miq (benalu duku) is a parasitic herb that commonly grows on the host plant Lansium domesticum. Researchers have found that the plant contains anticancer compounds and may contain phytoandrogens, including progesterone-like compounds, in its crude methanol extract. The objective of the current study was to investigate the compound of phyto progesterone in benalu duku leaves after extracted by methanol and prepared using an analytical column of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Materials and Methods:

About 400 g of benalu duku leaves were pulverized, and their compounds were isolated by the isocratic method using an RP-18 analytical column (5 µm) with a mobile phase of 70:30 (methanol: water) in a photodiode array detector adjusted to 254 nm. The phyto progesterone compound was identified at a retention time of approximately 6.01 min.

Results:

By LC-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry focusing on molecular fractions, the fingerprint area of the Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR, cm⁻¹) and ^Hnuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra indicated that the phyto progesterone product isolated was identical to the certified reference material of pure progesterone, particularly the specific functional groups in the FT-IR spectrum at wavenumbers of 1317.43 cm⁻¹ and 1386.86 cm⁻¹ and in the proton ^HNMR spectrum at carbon 21 of progesterone (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

Each 49.888 µg/mL of crude benalu duku leaf extract dissolved in the mobile phase contained 28.515±0.713 µg/mL phyto progesterone.

Anti-Cancer Effects of Paris Polyphylla Ethanol Extract by Inducing Cancer Cell Apoptosis and Cycle Arrest in Prostate Cancer Cells

Objective

To evaluate the potential anti-prostate cancer effects of Paris polyphylla ethanol extract (PPEE) and its underlying mechanisms.

Materials and Methods

The anti-proliferation activity of PPEE was tested on PC3 and DU145 cells using Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The pro-apoptotic and cell cycle arrest effects of PPEE were confirmed by flow cytometry. Apoptosis of prostate cancer cells was induced by PPEE through endogenous and exogenous pathways. A mouse xenograft model was used to examine its anti-prostate cancer effects in vivo.

Results

We found that the IC50 of PPEE on PC3 cells was 3.98 µg/ml and the IC50 of PPEE on DU145 cells was 8 µg/ml. PPEE induced prostate cancer cell apoptosis in a concentration dependent manner, through endogenous and exogenous pathways. PPEE induced PC3 cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 and G2/M phases, while in DU145cell it induced cell arrest in the G0/G1 phase. PPEE inhibited the growth of prostate cancer cells in vivo.

Conclusion

PPEE could inhibit prostate cancer growth in vitro and in vivo, induce apoptosis of prostate cancer cells, and cause cell cycle arrest, which laid the foundation for further research on the anti-tumor mechanism of PPEE.