Identification of bio-active components in leaf extracts of Aloe vera, Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulasi) and Tinospora cordifolia (Amrutballi)

From Aloe vera Leaf Waste to the Extracts with Biological Potential: Optimization of the Extractions, Physicochemical Characterization, and Biological Activities

In the study, the optimization of the extraction from Aloe vera leaf waste was performed via varying solid-to-solvent ratio, solvent type, extraction time, and technique (maceration, heat-, ultrasound-, and microwave-assisted extractions-HAE, UAE, and MAE, respectively). The optimal extraction conditions for achieving the highest polyphenol content are a 1:30 ratio, 70% ethanol, and 30 min of HAE. Total flavonoid and protein contents were significantly higher in the extract from MAE, while total condensed tannin content was the highest in HAE. LC-MS analysis quantified 13 anthraquinone and chromone compounds. The variations in the FT-IR spectra of the extracts obtained by different extraction procedures are minor. The influence of extraction conditions on the antioxidant ability of the extracts depended on applied antioxidant assays. The extracts possessed medium inhibition properties against Staphylococcus aureus and weak inhibitory activity against Enterococcus feacalis. The extracts had stimulative effect on HaCaT cell viability. Regarding the extraction yield, there was a significant difference between the used extraction techniques (MAE > HAE > maceration and UAE). The presented study is an initial step in the production of polyphenol-rich extracts from A. vera leaf waste aimed to be used for the potential preparation of pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations for the skin.

Cordifolioside: potent inhibitor against Mpro of SARS-CoV-2 and immunomodulatory through human TGF-β and TNF-α

Therapeutic options for SARS-CoV-2 are limited merely to the symptoms or repurposed drugs and non-specific interventions to promote the human immune system. In the present study, chromatographic and in silico approaches were implemented to identify bioactive compounds which might play pivotal role as inhibitor for SARS-CoV-2 and human immunomodulator (TGF-β and TNF-α). Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers was evaluated for phenolic composition and explored for bioactive compounds by high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). Furthermore, the bioactive compounds such as cordifolioside, berberine, and magnoflorine were appraised as human immunomodulatory and potent inhibitor against Main Protease (M^pro) of SARS-CoV-2 through multiple docking strategies. Cordifolioside formed six stable H-bonds with His41, Ser144, Cys145, His163, His164, and Glu166 of M^pro of SARS-CoV-2, which displayed a significant role in the viral replication/transcription during infection acting towards the common conserved binding cleft among all strains of coronavirus. Overall, the study emphasized that the proposed cordifolioside might use for future investigations, which hold as a promising scaffold for developing anti-COVID-19 drug and reduce human cytokine storm.

Effects of a Plantago ovata-based herbal compound in prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy: A double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover trial

BACKGROUND

Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the most common complications of mucotoxic cancer therapy. Mucositis induces clinically significant pain, increases the risk of infections and affects the patients' quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the effects of an herbal preparation from Plantago ovata hydrocolloid in the prevention and treatment of OM, in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with a regimen including adriamycin.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS

This research was a double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover trial. The herbal compound consisted of a mixture of 500 mg of P. ovate husk in 30 mL water plus three drops of vinegar per dose, which was used as a mouthwash. Phytochemical and physicochemical tests of the compound were also performed. Twenty-eight patients who developed mucositis during the chemotherapy screening cycle were randomized to the herbal compound (n = 14) and placebo (n = 14) groups. They received herbal compound or placebo three times per day during their next chemotherapy cycle (cycle 1 of treatment). Patients were crossed over during cycle 2 of treatment and received the alternative therapy. An oral care protocol was prescribed to all patients in cycles 1 and 2 of the treatment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The patients were visited at baseline, the end of the first and second weeks of the screening cycle, and the end of the first and second weeks of each of two treatment cycles. The degree of mucositis was used as the main treatment outcome. Other indexes, such as the severity of pain, xerostomia grade and the quality of life were also measured.

RESULTS

Compared with the placebo, the herbal compound significantly reduced the degree of mucositis, the severity of pain and the xerostomia grade; it also improved the patients' quality of life (P < 0.05). Comparison between the screening cycle and placebo treatment group showed that the oral care protocol had a significant effect in the reduction of OM (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The oral care protocol and the herbal compound based on P. ovata are effective ways for preventing and treating OM in patients undergoing mucotoxic cancer therapy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian registry of clinical trials IRCT20180923041093N1.

Radiomodulatory effects of Aloe vera on hepatic and renal tissues of X-ray irradiated mice

The present study was aimed to explore the protective role of Aloe vera gel extract against hepatic and renal damage caused by X-ray exposure to mice. Male balb/c mice were divided into four groups: control, Aloe vera gel extract [AV] (50 mg/ kg b.w on alternate days for 30 days), X-ray (2 Gy) and AV + X-ray. X-ray irradiation enhanced the serum levels of liver function indices and chromosomal abnormalities in liver. Kidney function markers were found to be deranged and were accompanied by reduced glomerular filtration rate indicating renal dysfunction. Irradiation caused histopathological and biochemical alterations in both tissues which was associated with enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and enhanced apoptosis as revealed by TUNEL assay and DNA fragmentation. The administration of Aloe vera gel extract to X-ray exposed animals significantly improved their hepatic and renal function parameters which were associated with a reduction in ROS/LPO levels, LDH activity and chromosomal abnormalities as compared to their irradiated counterparts. In vitro assays revealed effective radical scavenging ability of Aloe vera gel extract, which may be linked to its potential in exhibiting antioxidant effects in in vivo conditions. This data suggested that Aloe vera may serve to boost the antioxidant system, thus providing protection against hepatic and renal damage caused by X-ray.