Studies on activity of various extracts of Mentha arvensis Linn against drug induced gastric ulcer in mammals

Optimized Extraction of Polyphenols from Unconventional Edible Plants: LC-MS/MS Profiling of Polyphenols, Biological Functions, Molecular Docking, and Pharmacokinetics Study

Plant bioactive phenolic metabolites have recently attracted the attention of researchers due to their numerous health advantages. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate with advanced techniques the bioactive metabolites and antioxidant and antidiabetic capacity of four unconventional edible plant leaves: lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf), chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.), and ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). The extraction process was optimized using different solvents. These plants' phenolic composition, identification, and characterization have been determined herein using LCESI-QTOF-MS/MS. This research identified 85 phenolic compounds, including 24 phenolic acids, 31 flavonoids, 7 stilbenes and lignans, and 17 other metabolites. Moreover, the study determined that moringa has the highest total phenolic content (TPC; 18.5 ± 1.01 mg GAE/g), whereas ryegrass has the lowest (3.54 ± 0.08 mg GAE/g) among the selected plants. It seems that, compared to other plants, moringa was found to have the highest antioxidant potential and antidiabetic potential. In addition, twenty-two phenolic compounds were quantified in these chosen edible plants. Rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, chicoric acid, ferulic acid, protocatechuic acid, and caffeic acid were the most abundant phenolic acids. In silico molecular docking was also conducted to investigate the structure-function relationship of phenolic compounds to inhibit the alpha-glucosidase. Finally, the simulated pharmacokinetic characteristics of the most common substances were also predicted. In short, this investigation opens the way for further study into these plants' pharmaceutical and dietary potential.

Characterization and bioactivities of M. arvensis, V. officinalis and P. glabrum: In-silico modeling of V. officinalis as a potential drug source

In current study the pharmaceutically active herbs was used against coccidiosis, caused by a protozoan: Eimeria, lead to $ 3 billion loss annually. The aqueous and methanolic extracts of whole plants were applied in-vitro to assess sporulation inhibition (spi) assay and calculated the inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀). For in-vivo study 9 groups of 14 day old broiler chicks were infected with Eimeria tenella and three groups were treated different concentrations of methanolic extracts of Verbena officinalis and Polygonum glabrum post infection. The mean weight gain, oocyst count, diarrhea, biochemical tests, hematology, and histopathology of all groups were analyzed. The herbs were characterized by antioxidant assay, phytochemical screening, Fourier transmission and infrared (FT-IR), Ultra Violet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and Gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The GC-MS identified phyto-compounds of V. officinalis were docked with S-Adenosyl methionine (SAM) synthetase. The in-vitro study revealed that V. officinalis and P. glabrum have minimum IC₅₀ of 0.14 and 12 mg/ml respectively. The in-vivo experiment showed that V. officinalis had significantly high anticoccidial potential with significant hematological profile like drug treated controls. The histology of treated chicks also showed recovery in the studied tissues. The antioxidant assay showed that V. officinalis have 4.19U/mg Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and 33.96 µM/mg Glutathione (GSH) quantities. The chemical characterization confirmed the presence of large number of organic compounds, however Flavonoids found only in V. officinalis, which suggests the anticoccidial potential of V. officinalis because flavonoids as antagonist of thiamine (Prinzo, 1999), because it promotes the carbohydrate synthesis required. Strychane, 1-acetyl-20a-hydroxy-16-methylene has best binding of with target protein with lowest binding score (-6.4 Kcal/mol), suggests its anticoccidial potential in poultry.

Fermented Mentha arvensis administration provides neuroprotection against transient global cerebral ischemia in gerbils and SH-SY5Y cells via downregulation of the MAPK signaling pathway

Background

Globally, ischemic stroke is a major health threat to humans that causes lifelong disability and death. Mentha arvensis (MA) has been used in traditional medicine to alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation-related disorders. In the present study, the neuroprotective properties of fermented MA (FMA) extract were investigated in the gerbil and SH-SY5Y cells. model of transient global cerebral ischemia.

Methods

Bilateral common carotid artery occlusion-induced transient global cerebral ischemia in gerbil and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-mediated neurotoxic effects in human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) were investigated. FMA (400 mg/kg) was orally administered for 7 days before induction of ischemic stroke. To evaluate the neuroprotective activity of FMA, we implemented various assays such as cell viability assay (MTT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), histofluorescence, and western blot.

Results

FMA pretreatment effectively decreased transient ischemia (TI) induced neuronal cell death as well as activation of microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampal region. The protective effects of FMA extract against H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity of SH-SY5Y cells were observed by MTT and LDH assay. However, FMA pretreatment significantly increased the expression of the antioxidant marker proteins such as superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1) and superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD-2) in the hippocampus and SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) further activated a cascade of outcomes such as neuroinflammation and apoptosis. FMA pretreatment notably decreased TI and H₂O₂ induced activation of MAPK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), and p38) proteins in hippocampus and SH-SY5Y cells respectively. Besides, pretreatment with FMA markedly reduced H₂O₂ mediated Bax/Bcl2 expression in SH-SY5Y cells.

Conclusion

Thus, these results demonstrated that neuroprotective activities of FMA might contribute to regulating the MAPK signaling pathway.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-022-03653-7.

Chinese sumac (Rhus chinensis Mill.) fruits alleviate indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in mice by improving oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

According to traditional Chinese medicine and a previous literature, many parts of Chinese sumac (Rhus chinensis Mill.), including fruits, are used as traditional herb to prevent or cure many diseases, such as inflammation, diarrhea, malaria, and other acute or chronic gastrointestinal diseases. However, the effects of the fruits on the prevention of gastric ulcer and the underlying mechanisms have not been reported.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This experiment aimed to investigate the preventive effect of ethanol extract (RM) from Chinese sumac fruits on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in mice and the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single gavage of indomethacin was used to induce a gastric ulcer model in Kunming male mice. According to the results of histopathological analysis, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analysis, as well as the expression of prostaglandin E-2, antioxidant enzymes and cytokines, the protective effect of RM on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer was evaluated. The expression levels of several key proteins involved in oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in gastric tissue were detected to illuminate the underlying mechanisms.

RESULTS

RM significantly reduced the ulcer index and pepsin activity, improved the microstructure of gastric mucosa and the prostaglandin E-2 content, restored the levels of glutathione and superoxide dismutase, and decreased the contents of malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products, TNF-α, IL-1 β and IL-6. Further experimental results showed that RM could improve the expression levels of HO-1 and NQO1 by activating the Nrf2 protein pathway to alleviate oxidative stress in gastric tissue. At the same time, RM significantly down-regulated the expressions of p-NF-κB, p-IκBα and iNOS to relieve inflammatory response, and inhibited the cellular apoptosis of gastric tissue by up-regulating Bcl-2 and down-regulating Bax and cleaved Caspase-3.

CONCLUSIONS

The current work clarified that the ethanol extract from Chinese sumac fruits can improve the oxidative stress level, inflammatory response and cell apoptosis in gastric tissue by interfering with the expressions of several key regulatory proteins to prevent indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in mice. This study may provide some insights and scientific evidence on the application of Chinese sumac fruits as a traditional herb to prevent or alleviate gastric ulcer.

The Confrontation between Ethnopharmacology and Pharmacological Tests of Medicinal Plants Associated with Mental and Neurological Disorders

For neurological disorders, pharmacological tests have shown promising results in the reduction of side effects when using plants with known therapeutic effects in the treatment of some types of dementia. Therefore, the goals of this study are to gather data about the major medicinal plants used in the nervous system as described in ethnopharmacological surveys from South America and Brazil and to compare this data with the results from pharmacological tests on the active principles of those same plants found in the scientific literature. After collecting the data about each plant, their respective popular indication was compared with the results found through pharmacological tests. The discrepancy rate between the effects observed by ethnopharmacological and pharmacological methods in this study is greater than 50%. In conclusion, despite the importance of ethnopharmacological data, it is important to make comparisons with pharmacological tests for the same plants, since the pharmacological studies, although few, have shown a high rate of discrepancy in the results.

Biotechnological aspects of plants metabolites in the treatment of ulcer: A new prospective

Ulcer is one of the most common diseases affecting throughout the world population. The allopathic treatment of ulcer adversely affects the health by causing harmful side effects. Currently, many herbal plants and secondary metabolites have been used for the ulcer treatment. In the present review, many herbal plants and their parts (root, rhizome, bark, leaves and fruits) have been listed in the table are currently being used for ulcer treatment. These metabolites are responsible for ulcer-neutralization or anti-inflammatory properties. In silico study, plant metabolites showed interaction between protodioscin (secondary metabolites of Asparagus racemosus) and interferon-γ (virulent factor of gastric ulcer) during molecular docking. All the residues of interferon-γ exhibited hydrophobic interactions with plant metabolites. These interactions helps in understanding the plant secondary metabolites vis a vis will open a new door in the research field of new drug discovery and designing for the ulcer treatment.

Mentha-Stabilized Silver Nanoparticles for High-Performance Colorimetric Detection of Al(III) in Aqueous Systems

The present paper reports a facile and selective colorimetric method for the detection of potential environmental and health hazardous metal ions using green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Here the organic functional groups present in the plant extract (Mentha arvensis) are used as reductants and stabilizers in the synthesis of AgNPs. They also provide a suitable binding site to the (Al(III)) analyte in the detection mechanism. The leaf extract of Mentha arvensis was used to synthesize AgNPs at room-temperature and at 80 °C. The AgNPs synthesized at 80 °C exhibit excellent selective colorimetric detection of Al(III). The as-synthesized AgNPs have been characterized, and the synthesis, stabilization of NPs and detection mechanism has also been illustrated by using UV-vis, XPS, FTIR, TEM, EDX, SEM, AAS, and TGA analytical tools and techniques. The selectivity of detection probe was supported by the reaction between probe and metal ions followed first-order kinetics having the highest value of the regression coefficient (R² = 0.99) for Al(III) and the analysis of thermodynamic parameters. The prepared sensor showed a lower limit of detection (LOD) of 1 nM (S/N = 3.2) in real water samples. The proposed method can be successfully utilized for the detection of Al(III) from both drinking and real water samples at the nanomolar level.

The Anti-Stress Effect of Mentha arvensis in Immobilized Rats

Stress can lead to inflammation, accelerated aging, and some chronic diseases condition. Mentha arvensis (MA) is a traditional medicine having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The present study investigated the anti-stress role of MA and fermented MA (FMA) extract in immobilized rats. We studied the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells and rats were immobilized for 2 h per day for 14 days using a restraining cage. MA (100 mg/kg) and FMA (100 mg/kg) were orally administered to rats 1 h prior to immobilization. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, we determined the rosmarinic acid content of MA and FMA. The generation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 246.7 cells were suppressed by both MA and FMA. In rats, MA and FMA notably improved the body weight, daily food intake, and duodenum histology. MDA and NO level were gradually decreased by MA and FMA treatment. MA and FMA significantly controlled the stress-related hormones by decreasing corticosterone and β-endorphin and increasing serotonin level. Moreover, protein expression levels of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were markedly downregulated by MA and FMA. Taken together, MA and FMA could ameliorate immobilized-stress by reducing oxidative stress, regulating stress-related hormones, and MAPK/COX-2 signaling pathways in rats. Particularly, FMA has shown greater anti-stress activities than MA.

Gastroprotective activity of chloroform extract of Muntingia calabura and Melastoma malabathricum leaves

CONTEXT

Muntingia calabura L. (family Muntingiaceae) and Melastoma malabathricum L. (family Melastomaceae) are traditionally used to treat gastric ulcer.

OBJECTIVE

The present study determines the mechanisms of gastroprotective activity of the chloroform extract of leaves obtained from both the plants using several in vitro and in vivo assays.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Phytochemical screening, HPLC analysis, and antioxidant activity of the respective extract were carried out. Gastroprotective activity was determined using ethanol-induced gastric ulcer assay while the mechanisms of gastroprotection were determined using the pyloric ligation assay. The test solutions [8% Tween-80 (vehicle), 20 mg/kg omeprazole, and different doses of extracts (50, 250, or 500 mg/kg] were administered orally once daily for 7 consecutive days before the animals were subjected to ethanol induced gastric ulcers.

RESULTS

The chloroform-extracted M. calabura (CEMC) contains tannins, polyphenolics, triterpenes, and steroids while the chloroform-extracted M. malabathricum (CEMM) contains only triterpenes and steroids. CEMC, but not CEMM, exerted remarkably strong antioxidant activity in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)- (86% versus 16%) and superoxide- (73% versus 36%) radical scavenging assays. Both extracts demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) gastroprotection with the EC50 value recorded at 192.3 or 297.7 mg/kg, respectively. In the pylorus ligation assay, CEMC and CEMM significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the total and free acidity and volume; while increased the pH of gastric juice as well as the gastric wall mucus content in comparison with the vehicle-treated group.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

CEMC and CEMM exert gastroprotective effects in animals with ethanol-induced gastric ulcers via antioxidant and anti-secretory effects.

Ethnomedicinal plants used by traditional healers of North Tripura district, Tripura, North East India

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Information about ethnomedicinal plants used by traditional healers in Tripura, India is very much limited. As there is rapid erosion of traditional knowledge in the state, needs has arisen to document the diversity of medicinal plants, their preparation and associated diseases.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Attempts have been made to explore the herbal medicines used by the traditional healers belonging to the various communities in North Tripura district of Tripura, India and document the associated traditional knowledge on the utilisation of medicinal plants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was based on ethnomedicinal field survey covering a period of 1 year from February 2012 to February 2013. The ethnomedicinal information was collected by using semi-structured questionnaires from different healers and knowledge holders. Collected data were analysed through informant consensus factor, Index of Specialisation and Relative frequency of citation to determine culturally significant plants.

RESULTS

A total of 75 species of plants under 68 genera belonging to 43 families were collected during the study for the treatment of 15 disease categories. Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts and most of the medicines were prepared in the form of extract and administered orally. FIC values of the present study indicated that there was a high agreement in the use of plants in the treatment of digestive system disorders and respiratory system disorders among the healers. Plants having high ISu are Justicia adhatoda, Pajanelia longifolia, Catharanthus roseus etc.

CONCLUSION

The present study highlighted certain species having higher priority indices for further phytochemical investigation. Counselling of traditional health practitioners should be taken into consideration in order to smooth continuation and extension of traditional medical knowledge and practice for ensuring safe and effective therapy.

Antioxidant activity of herbaceous plant extracts protect against hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes

Background

Herbaceous plants containing antioxidants can protect against DNA damage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant substances, antioxidant activity, and protection of DNA from oxidative damage in human lymphocytes induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Our methods used acidic methanol and water extractions from six herbaceous plants, including Bidens alba (BA), Lycium chinense (LC), Mentha arvensis (MA), Plantago asiatica (PA), Houttuynia cordata (HC), and Centella asiatica (CA).

Methods

Antioxidant compounds such as flavonol and polyphenol were analyzed. Antioxidant activity was determined by the inhibition percentage of conjugated diene formation in a linoleic acid emulsion system and by trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay. Their antioxidative capacities for protecting human lymphocyte DNA from H₂O₂-induced strand breaks was evaluated by comet assay.

Results

The studied plants were found to be rich in flavonols, especially myricetin in BA, morin in MA, quercetin in HC, and kaemperol in CA. In addition, polyphenol abounded in BA and CA. The best conjugated diene formation inhibition percentage was found in the acidic methanolic extract of PA. Regarding TEAC, the best antioxidant activity was generated from the acidic methanolic extract of HC. Water and acidic methanolic extracts of MA and HC both had better inhibition percentages of tail DNA% and tail moment as compared to the rest of the tested extracts, and significantly suppressed oxidative damage to lymphocyte DNA.

Conclusion

Quercetin and morin are important for preventing peroxidation and oxidative damage to DNA, and the leaves of MA and HC extracts may have excellent potential as functional ingredients representing potential sources of natural antioxidants.

Antiulcer activity of the chloroform extract of Bauhinia purpurea leaf

CONTEXT

Bauhinia purpurea L. (Fabaceae) is a native plant species of many Asian countries, including Malaysia and India. In India, the root, stem, bark, and leaf of B. purpurea are used to treat various ailments, including ulcers and stomach cancer.

OBJECTIVE

In an attempt to establish its pharmacological potential, we studied the antiulcer activity of lipid-soluble extract of B. purpurea obtained via extraction of air-dried leaves using chloroform.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The rats were administered the chloroform extract (dose range of 100-1000 mg/kg) orally after 24 h fasting. They were subjected to the absolute ethanol- and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer, and pyloric ligation assays after 30 min. The acute toxicity study was conducted using a single oral dose of 5000 mg/kg extract and the rats were observed for the period of 14 days. omeprazole (30 mg/kg) was used as the standard control.

RESULTS

At 5000 mg/kg, the extract produced no sign of toxicity in rats. The extract exhibited significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent antiulcer activity for the ethanol-induced model. The extract also significantly (p < 0.05) increased the gastric wall mucus production and pH of gastric content, while significantly (p < 0.05) reducing the total volume and total acidity of the gastric content in the pylorus ligation assay.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The extract possesses antiulcer, antisecretory and cytoprotective activities, which could be attributed to its flavonoid and tannin content. These findings provide new information regarding the potential of lipid-soluble compounds of B. purpurea for the prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers.

Evaluation of cytotoxicity and anticarcinogenic potential of Mentha leaf extracts

We examined the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the cytotoxicity and anticarcinogenic potential of Mentha leaf extracts (petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts) on 6 human cancer (HeLa, MCF-7, Jurkat, T24, HT-29, MIAPaCa-2) and normal (IMR-90, HEK-293) cell lines. Of all the extracts tested, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of M piperita showed significant dose- and time-dependent anticarcinogenic activity leading to G1 cell cycle arrest and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, perturbation of oxidative balance, upregulation of Bax gene, elevated expression of p53 and p21 in the treated cells, acquisition of senescence phenotype, while inducing pro-inflammatory cytokines response. Our results provide the first evidence of direct anticarcinogenic activity of Mentha leaf extracts. Further, bioassay-directed isolation of the active constituents might provide basis for mechanistic and translational studies for designing novel anticancer drugs to be used alone or as adjuvant for prevention of tumor progression and/or treatment of human malignancies.