Main chemical constituents and mechanism of anti-tumor action of Solanum nigrum L

OBJECTIVE

Solanum nigrum L. (SNL) is a natural drugwith diverse bioactive components and multi-targeted anti-tumor effects, gaining increasing attention in clinical application.

METHOD AND RESULTS

This paper reviews the studies on SNL by searching academic databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct,and Web of Science, among others), analyzing its chemical compositions (alkaloids, saponins, polysaccharides, and polyphenols, among others), andbriefly describes the anti-tumor mechanisms of the main components.

DISCUSSION

This paper discusses the shortcomings of the current research on SNL and proposes corresponding solutions, providing theoretical support for further research on its biological functions and clinical efficacy.

Aqueous extract of Solanum nigrum attenuates Angiotensin-II induced cardiac hypertrophy and improves cardiac function by repressing protein kinase C-ζ to restore HSF2 deSUMOlyation and Mel-18-IGF-IIR signaling suppression

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Solanum nigrum, commonly known as Makoi or black shade has been traditionally used in Asian countries and other regions of world to treat liver disorders, diarrhoea, inflammatory conditions, chronic skin ailments (psoriasis and ringworm), fever, hydrophobia, painful periods, eye diseases, etc. It has been observed that S. nigrum contains substances, like steroidal saponins, total alkaloid, steroid alkaloid, and glycoprotein, which show anti-tumor activity. However; there is no scientific evidence of the efficacy of S. nigrum in the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy.

AIM

To investigate the ability of S. nigrum to attenuate Angiotensin II - induced cardiac hypertrophy and improve cardiac function through the suppression of protein kinase PKC-ζ and Mel-18-IGF-IIR signaling leading to the restoration of HSF2 desumolyation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cardiomyoblast cells (H9c2) were challenged with 100 nM Angiotensin-II (AngII) for 24 h and were then treated with different concentration of S.nigrum or Calphostin C for 24 h. The hypertrophic effect in cardiomyoblast cells were determined by immunofluorescence staining and the modulations in hypertrophic protein marker along with Protein Kinase C-ζ, MEL18, HSF2, and Insulin like growth factor II (IGFIIR), markers were analyzed by western blotting. In vivo experiments were performed using 12 week old male Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) separated into five groups. [1]Control WKY, [2] WKY -100 mg/kg of S.nigrum treatment, [3] SHR, [4] SHR-100 mg/kg of S.nigrum treatment, [5] SHR-300 mg/kg of S.nigrum treatment. S. nigrum was administered intraperitoneally for 8 week time interval.

RESULTS

Western blotting results indicate that S. nigrum significantly attenuates AngII induced cardiac hypertrophy. Furthermore, actin staining confirmed the ability of S. nigrum to ameliorate AngII induced cardiac hypertrophy. Moreover, S. nigrum administration suppressed the hypertrophic signaling mediators like Protein Kinase C-ζ, Mel-18, and IGFIIR in a dose-dependent manner and HSF2 activation (restore deSUMOlyation) that leads to downregulation of IGF-IIR expression. Additionally in vivo experiments demonstrate the reduced heart sizes of S. nigrum treated SHRs rats when compared to control WKY rats.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, the data reveals the cardioprotective effect of S. nigrum inhibiting PKC-ζ with alleviated IGF IIR level in the heart that profoundly remits cardiac hypertrophy for hypertension-induced heart failure.

Antioxidant Activities of Methanol Extracts of Thirteen Cameroonian Antibacterial Dietary Plants

This study falls within the search for alternative solutions to problems related to diseases associated with oxidative stress. It involved the evaluation of antioxidant activities extracts from thirteen antibacterial Cameroonian food plants, namely, P. nigrum, A. cruentus, L. sativa, S. edule, S. nigrum, V. amygdalina, A. hybridus, V. hymenolepis, L. capensis, M. esculenta, C. melo, T. occidentalis, and T. triangulare. The thirteen plant extracts with a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity all showed total reducing powers ranging between 2.41 and 27.81 AAE (mg ascorbic acid equivalents per gram of dried extract) and total phenol contents between 2.65 and 35.03 GAE (mg of gallic acid equivalents per gram of dried extract) of dry extract. Except for extracts of L. capensis, the other 12 extracts showed flavonoid contents ranging between 0.29 and 5.99 RE (rutin equivalents per gram of dried extract). All 13 plant extracts also showed free radical scavenging activity against DPPH· with IC50 ranging between 1.65 and 310.52 μg/ml, while 12 of these extracts exhibited inhibitory activity against NO· radical (IC50 ranging from 19.77 to 157.72 μg/ml). Statistically insignificant positive correlations ( $p>0.5$ ) were found between antibacterial activities of these plants and their antioxidant activities. The different results of this study provide scientific evidence for the use of these antibacterial food plants in the control of different conditions associated with oxidative stress.

Antiproliferative activity of new pentacyclic triterpene and a saponin from Gladiolus segetum Ker-Gawl corms supported by molecular docking study

A new triterpenoidal saponin identified as 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-2β,3β,16α-trihydroxyolean-12-en-23,28-dioic acid-28-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranoside 1 together with a new oleanane triterpene identified as 2β,3β,13α,22α-tetrahydroxy olean-23,28-dioic acid 2 and 6 known compounds (3–8) have been isolated from Gladiolus segetum Ker-Gawl corms. The structural elucidation of the isolated compounds was confirmed using different chemical and spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments as well as HR-ESI-MS. Moreover, the in vitro cytotoxic activity of the fractions and that of the isolated compounds 1–8 were investigated against five human cancer cell lines (PC-3, A-549, HePG-2, MCF-7 and HCT-116) using doxorubicin as a reference drug. The results showed that the saponin fraction exhibited potent in vitro cytotoxic activity against the five human cancer cell lines, whereas the maximum activity was exhibited against the PC-3 and A-549 cell lines with the IC₅₀ values of 1.13 and 1.98 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. In addition, compound 1 exhibited potent activity against A-549 and PC-3 with the IC₅₀ values of 2.41 μg mL⁻¹ and 3.45 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. Interestingly, compound 2 showed the maximum activity against PC-3 with an IC₅₀ of 2.01 μg mL⁻¹. These biological results were in harmony with that of the molecular modeling study, which showed that the cytotoxic activity of compound 2 might occur through the inhibition of the HER-2 enzyme.

A new triterpenoidal saponin 1, a new oleanane triterpene 2, and 6 known compounds (3–8) have been isolated from Gladiolus segetum Ker-Gawl corms.

1-Carbomethoxy-β-Carboline, Derived from Portulaca oleracea L., Ameliorates LPS-Mediated Inflammatory Response Associated with MAPK Signaling and Nuclear Translocation of NF-κB

Portulaca oleracea is as a medicinal plant known for its neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, antiulcerogenic, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the specific active compounds responsible for the individual pharmacological effects of P. oleracea extract (95% EtOH) remain unknown. Here, we hypothesized that alkaloids, the most abundant constituents in P. oleracea extract, are responsible for its anti-inflammatory activity. We investigated the phytochemical substituents (compounds 1–22) using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and screened their effects on NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages. Compound 20, 1-carbomethoxy-β-carboline, as an alkaloid structure, ameliorated nitric oxide (NO) production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and proinflammatory cytokines associated with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Subsequently, we observed that compound 20 suppressed nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) using immunocytochemistry. Moreover, we recently reported that compound 8, trans-N-feruloyl-3’, 7’-dimethoxytyramine, was originally purified from P. oleracea extracts. Our results suggest that 1-carbomethoxy-β-carboline, the most effective anti-inflammatory agent among alkaloids in the 95% EtOH extract of P. oleracea, was suppressing the MAPK pathway and nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Therefore, P. oleracea extracts and specifically 1-carbomethoxy-β-carboline may be novel therapeutic candidates for the treatment of inflammatory diseases associated with the activation of MAPKs and NF-κB.

Larvicidal activity of phytosteroid compounds from leaf extract of Solanum nigrum against Culex vishnui group and Anopheles subpictus

BACKGROUND

Vector control is facing a menace due to the appearance of resistance to synthetic insecticides. Insecticides of plant origin may provide appropriate substitute biocontrol techniques in the future. The present study was carried out to investigate the bio control potentiality of active ingredient isolated from chloroform: methanol (1:1 v/v) extract of mature leaves of Solanum nigrum L. (Solanaceae) against early 3rd instar larvae of Culex vishnui group (comprising of Cx. vishnui Theobald, Cx. pseudovishnui Colless and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus Giles) and Anopheles subpictus Grassi. S. nigrum is a common plant distributed in many parts of India with medicinal properties.

METHODS

Bioactive compound isolated from chloroform: methanol (1:1 v/v) extract of mature leaves of S. nigrum was (25, 45, 60 mg/L) tested against early 3rd instar larvae of Cx. vishnui group and An. subpictus. The lethal concentration was determined by log probit analysis. The chemical nature of the active substance was also evaluated following gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and infrared (IR) analysis. The compound was also studied on non target organisms such as Daphnia sp. and Diplonychus annulatum.

RESULTS

TLC spot having Rf value of 0.94 (Rf = 14.1/15 = 0.94) showed larvicidal activity. In a 72 h bioassay experiment, mortality rate at 60 mg/L was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those at 25 and 45 mg/L against early 3rd instar. Result of log-probit analysis (at 95% confidence level) revealed that LC50 and LC90 values gradually decreased with the exposure period showing the lowest value at 72 h of exposure. A clear dose-dependent mortality was observed, as the rate of mortality (Y) was positively correlated with the concentration (X) having regression coefficient value close to one in each case. The compound was found to be eco-friendly as it did not show any adverse effect to the studied non target organisms. Chemical characterization (GC-MS and IR analyses) of the active ingredient revealed the presence of phytosteroid compounds responsible for mosquito larvicidal activity.

CONCLUSION

Leaf extract of S. nigrum has great potential as bio control agent against Cx. vishnui group and An. subpictus. In near future the isolated bioactive phytochemical could be used as a source of an effective mosquitocidal agent.

A review of hepatoprotective plants used in saudi traditional medicine

Liver disease is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality across the world. According to WHO estimates, about 500 million people are living with chronic hepatitis infections resulting in the death of over one million people annually. Medicinal plants serve as a vital source of potentially useful new compounds for the development of effective therapy to combat liver problems. Moreover herbal products have the advantage of better affordability and acceptability, better compatibility with the human body, and minimal side effects and is easier to store. In this review attempt has been made to summarize the scientific data published on hepatoprotective plants used in Saudi Arabian traditional medicine. The information includes medicinal uses of the plants, distribution in Saudi Arabia, ethnopharmacological profile, possible mechanism of action, chemical constituents, and toxicity data. Comprehensive scientific studies on safety and efficacy of these plants can revitalise the treatment of liver diseases.

Glucosinolate from leaf of Solanum nigrum L. (Solanaceae) as a new mosquito larvicide

The present study was carried out to investigate the biocontrol potentiality of active ingredient isolated from ethyl acetate extract of mature leaves of Solanum nigrum L. (Solanaceae) against the larval form of Culex quinquefasciatus Say. Mortality rate at a concentration of 25 mg/L of the active compound was highest (P < 0.05) amongst all tested concentrations. Result of log-probit analysis (at 95% confidence level) revealed that LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values are inversely proportional to exposure period of bioassay. A clear dose-dependent mortality was observed, as the rate of mortality (Y) was positively correlated with the concentrations of the compound (X); having regression coefficient value close to 1. The compound was found to be ecofriendly as it did not show any adverse effect to the studied nontarget organisms. Chemical characterization of the active ingredient was also carried out by infrared spectroscopic analysis (IR), mass analyses (GC-MS) and carbon-hydrogen-nitrogen-sulphur analyses (CHNS), that revealed the presence of a glucosinolate compound [1-thio-ß-D-glucopyranose-1-[(R)-3-hydroxy-2-ethyl-N-hydroxysulfonyloxy propanimidate] having the molecular formula of C₁₁H₂₁NO₁₀S₂.

In vitro evaluation of nematicidal properties of Solanum sisymbriifolium and S. nigrum extracts on Pratylenchus goodeyi

The root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus goodeyi, is among the most economically damaging parasites of banana plants. Nematode control can benefit from searching for novel bio-nematicides. The present study was carried out to assess the potential nematicidal properties of two Solanum species (Solanum sisymbriifolium and S. nigrum) against P. goodeyi, using dichloromethane, acetone, ethanol and either cold or hot water extracts of the plants. Water extracts of both plants at a concentration of 10 mg ml−1 greatly affected nematode movement and also caused mortality. The analysis of sequential extracts at the same experimental concentrations showed that, although water extracts affect nematode mobility and mortality, the acetone extract from S. nigrum was the most efficient, causing 100% mortality after 23 h exposure. The results showed that S. sisymbriifolium and S. nigrum extracts contain chemical components that induce morphological changes in the body structure of the root-lesion nematode, affect mobility and cause mortality. The nematostatic and nematicidal potential of the extracts described herein merit further studies to find novel bio-nematicides against the root-lesion nematode.

Mosquito larvicidal and antimicrobial activity of synthesized nano-crystalline silver particles using leaves and green berry extract of Solanum nigrum L. (Solanaceae: Solanales)

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) that are synthesized by using aqueous extracts of Solanum nigrum L., is a simple, non-toxic and ecofriendly green material. The present study is based on assessments of the larvicidal and antimicrobial activities of the synthesized AgNPs from fresh leaves, dry leaves and green berries of S. nigrum against larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles stephensi and four human pathogenic and five fish pathogenic bacteria respectively. The synthesized nanoparticles are characterized with UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis. The nanoparticles are spherical to polyhedral in shape with size of 50-100nm (average size of 56.6nm). In larvicidal bioassay with synthesized AgNPs, highest mortality are observed at 10ppm against An. stephensi with LC50 values of 1.33, 1.59, 1.56ppm and LC90 values of 3.97, 7.31, 4.76ppm for dry leaves, fresh leaves and berries respectively. Antibacterial activity test reveals better results against fish pathogenic bacteria than human pathogenic bacteria. Non target organism like Toxorhynchites larvae (mosquito predator), Diplonychus annulatum (predatory water-bug) and Chironomus circumdatus larvae (chironomid) are also exposed to respective lethal concentrations (to mosquito larvae) of dry nanoparticles and no abnormality in the non target organisms are recorded. These results suggest that the synthesized AgNPs of S. nigrum have the potential to be used as an ideal eco-friendly compound for the control of the mosquito larvae and harmful bacteria.

Effect of the administration of Solanum nigrum fruit on blood glucose, lipid profiles, and sensitivity of the vascular mesenteric bed to phenylephrine in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Background

Solanum nigrum fruit is traditionally used in Asia to manage, control, and treat diabetes but there is no scientific evidence of the efficacy of Solanum nigrum fruit in treatment of diabetes. We designed this study to investigate the effect of the administration of oral doses of aqueous extract from Solanum nigrum fruit on plasma glucose, lipid profiles, and the sensitivity of the vascular mesenteric bed to Phenylephrine in diabetic and non-diabetic rats.

Material/Methods

Animals were divided into 5 groups (n=10): 2 groups served as non-diabetic controls (NDC), and the other groups had diabetes induced with a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Solanum nigrum-treated chronic diabetic (CD-SNE) and Solanum nigrum-treated controls (ND-SNE) received 1g/l of Solanum nigrum added to drinking water for 8 weeks. The mesenteric vascular beds were prepared using the McGregor method.

Results

Administration of Solanum nigrum caused Ca/Mg ratio, plasma glucose, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), total cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations to return to normal levels, and was shown to decrease alteration in vascular reactivity to vasoconstrictor agents.

Conclusions

Our results support the hypothesis that Solanum nigrum could play a role in the management of diabetes and the prevention of vascular complications in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Antibacterial activities of the methanol extracts of ten Cameroonian vegetables against Gram-negative multidrug-resistant bacteria

BACKGROUND

Many edible plants are used in Cameroon since ancient time to control microbial infections. This study was designed at evaluating the antibacterial activities of the methanol extracts of ten Cameroonian vegetables against a panel of twenty nine Gram negative bacteria including multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains.

METHODS

The broth microdilution method was used to determine the Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) and the Minimal Bactericidal Concentrations (MBC) of the studied extracts. When chloramphenicol was used as a reference antibiotic, the MICs were also determined in the presence of Phenylalanine-Arginine β-Naphtylamide (PAβN), an efflux pumps inhibitor (EPI). The phytochemical screening of the extracts was performed using standard methods.

RESULTS

All tested extracts exhibited antibacterial activities, with the MIC values varying from 128 to 1024 mg/L. The studied extracts showed large spectra of action, those from L. sativa, S. edule, C. pepo and S. nigrum being active on all the 29 bacterial strains tested meanwhile those from Amaranthus hybridus, Vernonia hymenolepsis, Lactuca.carpensis and Manihot esculenta were active on 96.55% of the strains used. The plant extracts were assessed for the presence of large classes of secondary metabolites: alkaloids, anthocyanins, anthraquinones, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins and triterpenes. Each studied plant extract was found to contain compounds belonging to at least two of the above mentioned classes.

CONCLUSION

These results confirm the traditional claims and provide promising baseline information for the potential use of the tested vegetables in the fight against bacterial infections involving MDR phenotypes.

Anti-inflammatory diterpene from Thyrsanthera suborbicularis

Bioactivity-guided isolation on a n-hexane-soluble fraction of Thyrsanthera suborbicularis led to the isolation of a new rosane-type diterpene, 19-hydroxy-1(10), 15-rosadiene (1), along with three known compounds, taraxerol, acetyl aleuritolic acid, and spathulenol. The structures of isolated compounds were determined by interpretation of NMR spectroscopic data and mass spectrometry. Compound 1 demonstrated significantly inhibitory activity on nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse macrophages with an IC(50) value of 2.91 µg/ml via the suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression.

Mosquito larvicidal activities of Solanum nigrum L. leaf extract against Culex quinquefasciatus Say

The present study was carried out to establish the larvicidal activities of crude and solvent extracts of Solanum nigrum L. leaves against Culex quinquefasciatus Say as target species. The results indicated that the mortality rates at 0.5% concentration were highest amongst all concentrations of the crude extracts tested against all the larval instars at 24, 48 and 72 h of exposure. Result of log probit analysis (at 95% confidence level) revealed that lethal concentration LC(50) and LC(90) values gradually decreased with the exposure periods in bioassay experiment with the crude plant extract. The results of regression analysis of crude extract of S. nigrum revealed that the mortality rate is positively correlated with the concentration of the extracts. Mature leaves of S. nigrum were also extracted with six different solvents [viz. petroleum ether, benzene, ethyl acetate, chloroform: methanol (1:1 v/v), acetone and absolute alcohol] to determine the best extractant for subsequent isolation and characterization of active ingredient. Mortality rate with ethyl acetate extract was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than other extracts when 50-ppm doses were used. The corresponding LC(50) value of acetone, absolute alcohol, petroleum ether, chloroform: methanol (1:1 v/v), benzene and ethyl acetate extracts were 72.91 ppm, 59.81 ppm, 54.11 ppm, 32.69 ppm, 27.95 ppm and 17.04 ppm, respectively, after 24 h of exposure period. Results of this study show that the ethyl acetate extract of S. nigrum may be considered as a potent source of a mosquito larvicidal agent.