In Vitro Activity of Cordia myxa Mucilage Extract Against Leishmania major and L. infantum Promastigotes

Therapeutic and palliative role of a Unani herbal decoction in COVID-19 and similar respiratory viral illnesses: Phytochemical & pharmacological perspective

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Outbreaks of respiratory viral infections like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome, and Coronavirus Disease-2019 have been a regular occurrence in the past 100 years. A significant proportion of the morbidity and mortality in influenza is attributed to the co-morbidities and complications induced by the disease, involving the vital organs and physiological functions. In this context, traditional medicines offer effective protective, palliative, and therapeutic benefits, as observed in several studies on various types of influenza, including COVID-19. The Unani herbal decoction comprising of 'Unnāb (Ziziphus jujuba Mill. fruit), Sapistān (Cordia dichotoma G. Forst. fruit), and Behīdāna (Cydonia oblonga Mill. seed) was originally prescribed by Hakim Ajmal Khan (1868-1927 AD) for various respiratory ailments as a bronchodilator, anti-inflammatory, and for clearing the respiratory tract. During COVID-19, the decoction was prescribed by the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH), Government of India, for mild patients in home isolation, and also as a self-care drink for healthy people. Preliminary studies are of the view that the decoction could reduce COVID-19 incidence and prevent severe disease in the population where it was administered.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

We intend to review the pharmacological activity of the Unani decoction ingredients, i.e., Z. jujuba, C. dichotoma, and C. oblonga, in context with respiratory viral infections and their co-morbidities, to develop an understanding of its action mechanism.

METHODOLOGY

We reviewed Unani classical textbooks for information on the therapeutic activity of the decoction ingredients. Scientific studies published in English from the year 2000 onwards on leading scientific websites (PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Springer) were searched for information regarding the efficacy of the drugs in influenza and its common complications. Non-English language articles, or those published prior to 2000, and those which included plant parts other than those traditionally included in the decoction were excluded.

OBSERVATIONS

A wide range of therapeutic and palliative effects have been observed in the three herbs included in the Unani decoction, including anti-viral, anti-bacterial, immuno-modulatory, anti-inflammatory, hepato-, and nephroprotective, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-tussive, broncho-dilatory, and regulation of gut microbiota. Together, these effects can help to mitigate and prevent most of the complications caused as a result of respiratory viral infections.

CONCLUSION

The combined effects of ingredients in this Unani herbal decoction can potentially help to mitigate most of the pathological changes and complications caused by influenza viruses. With further clinical research, the decoction may be potentially utilized as a prophylactic and therapeutic against viral influenza.

In-vitro and in-vivo comparative effects of the spring and autumn-harvested Artemisia aucheri Bioss extracts on Leishmania major

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Artemisia aucheri Bioss contains flavonoid, coumarin and santonin with antioxidant, antimicrobial and antileishmanial effects. The current study was aimed to comparatively evaluate the effects of spring and autumn extracts of A. aucheri Bioss on Leishmania major both in-vitro and in-vivo conditions.

METHODS

HPLC analysis was used to evaluate the percentages of compounds in spring and autumn extracts of A. aucheri. For in-vitro assay, the effect of different concentrations of spring and autumn extracts of A. aucheri was tested on L. major promastigotes and amastigotes. MTT and flow cytometry methods were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity and probable apoptosis of A. aucheri extracts on L. major promastigotes. On the other hand, for in-vivo assay, the extracts were used as ointments to treat lesions developed on BALB/c mice after 28 days post inoculation of L. major. The diameter of lesions and the survival rates of infected BALB/c mice were measured weekly for a period of two months.

RESULTS

The HPLC analysis showed the substance Quercitrin was present in the spring A. aucheri extract but not in the autumn extract. The mean numbers of amastigotes in each treated macrophage with the spring and autumn A. aucheri extracts were 1.2 and 1.8 respectively, which showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Flow cytometry revealed that the spring and autumn A. aucheri extracts caused about 32% and 3.78% apoptosis respectively. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) of spring and autumn A. aucheri extracts to amastigotes were determined to be 90 μg/mL and 183 μg/mL respectiovely. In-vivo, the diameter of lesions treated with the spring A. aucheri extract was significantly less (P < 0.05) compared to those treated with the autumn extract (2.6 and 7.8 mm respectively). Also, mice treated with spring A. aucheri extract had higher survival rates compared to control group.

CONCLUSION

Given the above results, it can be concluded that spring A. aucheri extract has a greater fatality effect on L. major promastigotes in-vitro compared to the autum extract. In addition, the spring extract has stronger therapeutic effect on lesions caused by L. major in BALB/c mice than the autum extract.

Airway smooth muscle relaxant activity of Cordia dodecandra A. DC. mainly by cAMP increase and calcium channel blockade

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The fight against chronic respiratory diseases needs the exploration of new active compounds with properties that contribute to diminish the symptoms or resolve the disease alongside current therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight extracts obtained from the bark and leaves of a Mayan medicinal plant used to treat asthma, Cordia dodecandra A. DC., were investigated for their relaxant effect on rat isolated tracheal rings pre-contracted with carbachol [1 µM]. The underlying functional mode of action of the most effective extract was assessed and the chromatographic fingerprints of more active extracts were analyzed.

RESULTS

The dichloromethane bark extract (DECd-b) was the most effective and potent (E_max= 87.57 ± 1.32 %; EC₅₀ = 392.7 ± 5.18 µg/mL). DECd-b relaxant effect was maximized in presence of isoproterenol (β-adrenergic agonist, [10 µM]) and theophylline (phosphodiesterase unspecific inhibitor, [10 µM]). DECd-b also showed efficient relaxation of KCl [80 mM]-induced contraction and inhibition of CaCl₂-induced contraction. Pre-incubation with propranolol (non-selective β-adrenergic antagonist, [10 µM]), SQ22536 (adenylyl cyclase inhibitor; [100 µM]), ODQ (guanylyl cyclase inhibitor; [10 µM]), l-NAME (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor; [10 µM]), indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase unspecific inhibitor; [10 µM]), glibenclamide (ATP-sensitive potassium channel blocker; [10 µM]) and 2-aminopyridine (voltage-gated potassium channel blocker [100 µM]) did not modify the DECd-b relaxant-effect curve. The chromatographic analysis of DECd-b suggests the cordiaquinones presence with double conjugated bounds such as menaquinone.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that DECd-b induces relaxation mainly by cAMP increase and Ca²⁺ channel blockade. The chromatographic profiles and UV spectrum of DECd-b and HECd-l suggest the presence of molecules with structure of meroterpenoid naphthoquinones. This work report scientific evidence of C. dodecandra medicinal specie, which contributes to the pharmacological and phytochemical background of C. dodecandra providing an added value to the traditional use of this specie.

Medicinal plants with promising antileishmanial activity in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem worldwide. The aim of the present study was to investigate medicinal plants with anti-Leishmania activity which used in Iran.

METHODS

Data were systematically gathered from five English databases including Ebsco, Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus, four Persian databases including Magiran, Iran doc, Iran medex and the Scientific Information Database (SID) from 1999 to April 2015. Information obtained included plant family, extraction method, concentrations of extracts, animal models and parasite strains.

RESULTS

A total of 68 articles including 188 experiments (140 in vitro and 48 in vivo) between 1999 and 2015, met our eligibility criteria. Thoroughly, 98 types of plants were examined against three genera of Leishmania spp. For the heterogeneity study conducted, it was showed that there was a great deal of variation among studies. Based on random effect, meta-analysis pooled mean of IC50 was obtained 456.64 (95% CI: 396.15, 517.12).

CONCLUSION

The most Iranian plants used as anti-leishmanial activity were Artemisia species, Allium sativum, Achilleamille folium, Peganum harmala and Thymus vulgaris. The present systematic and meta-analysis review provide valuable information about natural products with anti-Leishmania activity, which would be examined in the future experimental and clinical trials and herbal combination therapy.

In vitro anti-leishmanial activity of Satureja hortensis and Artemisia dracunculus extracts on Leishmania major promastigotes

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the important skin diseases with diverse clinical manifestations. With an incidence of 0.7-1.3 million cases annually, this disease is often reported from six countries, including Iran. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-leishmanial effect of the three plant hydroalcoholic extracts including fleawort (Plantago psyllium L.), savory (Satureja hortensis L.) and tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) on Leishmania major promastigotes. The hydroalcoholic extract from each plant was extracted and its anti-leishmanial effect was evaluated in different concentrations (100-1000 µg/ml) and at various hours (24, 48 and 72 h). Savory herb inhibitory concentration 50 % (IC₅₀) at 24, 48 and 72 h was 790.81, 398.11 and 298.42 µg/ml, respectively. In addition, tarragon herb IC₅₀ at 24, 48 and 72 h was 962.03, 688.36 and 585.51 µg/ml, respectively. Moreover, the fleawort extract was showed the lowest effect, considering that its effect at the concentration of 1000 µg/ml was 48 % after 72 h (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the statistical analysis showed a significant difference for interaction between concentration and time regarding the tarragon and savory extracts with a P value of lower than 0.05. According to the results, the anti-leishmanial effect of the tarragon and savory extracts may make it possible to use them in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis as a complementary or alternative therapy; however, further studies are necessary and should be evaluated in cell culture and in vivo conditions to confirm it.

Holothuria leucospilota Extract Induces Apoptosis in Leishmania major Promastigotes

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to survey antileishmanial activity of methanolic Holothuria leucospilota extract against Leishmania major promastigotes in vitro.

METHODS

Promastigotes were cultured in RPMI 1640 and after reaching the stationary phase, the study was conducted with different concentrations of the extract. Afterwards, MTT colorimetric assay for the obtaining of 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was utilized. Furthermore, in order to determine the possible induction of apoptosis in L. major promastigotes, flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation methods were employed using annexin-V FLUOS staining kit and DNA ladder kit, respectively.

RESULTS

The IC₅₀ value of H. leucospilota extract at three time points of 24, 48, and 72 h was estimated 2000, 300 and 85 μg/ml, respectively. In addition, the extract revealed a dose and time-dependent antileishmanial activity. Furthermore, various characteristics of apoptosis appeared after L. major promastigotes treatment, which included cell shrinkage, formation of apoptotic bodies, blebbing of the cell membrane, and externalization of phosphatidylserine, although no laddering pattern was observed.

CONCLUSION

The methanolic extract of H. leucospilota possesses lethal effect on L. major promastigotes and induces the apoptosis in parasites. Further studies are required to address the apoptosis mechanism in vivo.

Antileishmanial and Immunomodulatory Activity of Allium sativum (Garlic): A Review

Leishmaniasis is caused by an obligate intracellular protozoa belonging to Leishmania genus. The current drugs for treatment of leishmaniasis possess many disadvantages; therefore, researchers are continuously looking for the more effective and safer drugs. The aim of this study is to review the effectiveness, toxicities, and possible mechanisms of pharmaceutical actions of different garlic extracts and organosulfur compounds isolated from garlic against Leishmania spp. in a variety of in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials reports. All relevant databases were searched using the terms "Allium sativum," "Garlic," "Allicin," "Ajoene," "Leishmania," "in vitro," "in vivo," and "clinical trial," alone or in combination from 5 English databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar) and 3 Persian databases (Scientific Information Database, Iran Medex, and Magiran) from 1990 to 2014. In summary, garlic with immunomodulatory effects and apoptosis induction contributes to the treatment of leishmaniasis.