1
|
Fierascu I, Ungureanu C, Avramescu SM, Cimpeanu C, Georgescu MI, Fierascu RC, Ortan A, Sutan AN, Anuta V, Zanfirescu A, Dinu-Pirvu CE, Velescu BS. Genoprotective, antioxidant, antifungal and anti-inflammatory evaluation of hydroalcoholic extract of wild-growing Juniperus communis L. (Cupressaceae) native to Romanian southern sub-Carpathian hills. BMC Complement Altern Med 2018; 18:3. [PMID: 29301523 PMCID: PMC5755145 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-2066-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Juniperus communis L. represents a multi-purpose crop used in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industry. Several studies present the possible medicinal properties of different Juniperus taxa native to specific geographical area. The present study aims to evaluate the genoprotective, antioxidant, antifungal and anti-inflammatory potential of hydroalcoholic extract of wild-growing Juniperus communis L. (Cupressaceae) native to Romanian southern sub-Carpathian hills. METHODS The prepared hydroethanolic extract of Juniperus communis L. was characterized by GC-MS, HPLC, UV-Vis spectrometry and phytochemical assays. The antioxidant potential was evaluated using the DPPH assay, the antifungal effect was studied on Aspergillus niger ATCC 15475 and Penicillium hirsutum ATCC 52323, while the genoprotective effect was evaluated using the Allium cepa assay. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated in two inflammation experimental models (dextran and kaolin) by plethysmometry. Male Wistar rats were treated by gavage with distilled water (negative control), the microemulsion (positive control), diclofenac sodium aqueous solution (reference) and microemulsions containing juniper extract (experimental group). The initial paw volume and the paw volumes at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 24 h were measured. RESULTS Total terpenoids, phenolics and flavonoids were estimated to be 13.44 ± 0.14 mg linalool equivalent, 19.23 ± 1.32 mg gallic acid equivalent, and 5109.6 ± 21.47 mg rutin equivalent per 100 g of extract, respectively. GC-MS characterization of the juniper extract identified 57 volatile compounds in the sample, while the HPLC analysis revealed the presence of the selected compounds (α-pinene, chlorogenic acid, rutin, apigenin, quercitin). The antioxidant potential of the crude extract was found to be 81.63 ± 0.38% (measured by the DPPH method). The results of the antifungal activity assay (for Aspergillus niger and Penicillium hirsutum) were 21.6 mm, respectively 17.2 mm as inhibition zone. Test results demonstrated the genoprotective potential of J. communis undiluted extract, inhibiting the mitodepressive effect of ethanol. The anti-inflammatory action of the juniper extract, administered as microemulsion in acute-dextran model was increased when compared to kaolin subacute inflammation induced model. CONCLUSION The hydroalcoholic extract obtained from wild-growing Juniperus communis native to Romanian southern sub-Carpathian hills has genoprotective, antioxidant, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irina Fierascu
- The National Institute for Research & Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry, ICECHIM, 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
- University of Agronomic Science and Veterinary Medicine, 59 Marasti Blvd, 011464 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Camelia Ungureanu
- Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Material Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1 Polizu Str., 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Sorin Marius Avramescu
- University of Agronomic Science and Veterinary Medicine, 59 Marasti Blvd, 011464 Bucharest, Romania
- Research Center for Environmental Protection and Waste Management, University of Bucharest, 36-46 M. Kogalniceanu Blvd., 050107 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Carmen Cimpeanu
- University of Agronomic Science and Veterinary Medicine, 59 Marasti Blvd, 011464 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihaela Ioana Georgescu
- University of Agronomic Science and Veterinary Medicine, 59 Marasti Blvd, 011464 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Radu Claudiu Fierascu
- The National Institute for Research & Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry, ICECHIM, 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
- University of Agronomic Science and Veterinary Medicine, 59 Marasti Blvd, 011464 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alina Ortan
- University of Agronomic Science and Veterinary Medicine, 59 Marasti Blvd, 011464 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Nicoleta Sutan
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Pitesti, 1 Targu din Vale, 110040 Pitesti, Arges Romania
| | - Valentina Anuta
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia Str., 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Zanfirescu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia Str., 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristina Elena Dinu-Pirvu
- University of Agronomic Science and Veterinary Medicine, 59 Marasti Blvd, 011464 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia Str., 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Bruno Stefan Velescu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia Str., 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zanfirescu A, Cristea AN, Nitulescu GM, Velescu BS, Gradinaru D. Chronic Monosodium Glutamate Administration Induced Hyperalgesia in Mice. Nutrients 2017; 10:E1. [PMID: 29267217 PMCID: PMC5793229 DOI: 10.3390/nu10010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a widely used food additive. Although it is generally considered safe, some questions regarding the impact of its use on general health have arisen. Several reports correlate MSG consumption with a series of unwanted reactions, including headaches and mechanical sensitivity in pericranial muscles. Endogenous glutamate plays a significant role in nociceptive processing, this neurotransmitter being associated with hyperalgesia and central sensitization. One of the mechanisms underlying these phenomena is the stimulation of Ca2+/calmodulin sensitive nitric oxide synthase, and a subsequent increase in nitric oxide production. This molecule is a key player in nociceptive processing, with implications in acute and chronic pain states. Our purpose was to investigate the effect of this food additive on the nociceptive threshold when given orally to mice. Hot-plate and formalin tests were used to assess nociceptive behaviour. We also tried to determine if a correlation between chronic administration of MSG and variations in central nitric oxide (NO) concentration could be established. We found that a dose of 300 mg/kg MSG given for 21 days reduces the pain threshold and is associated with a significant increase in brain NO level. The implications of these findings on food additive-drug interaction, and on pain perception in healthy humans, as well as in those suffering from affections involving chronic pain, are still to be investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anca Zanfirescu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, TraianVuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania.
| | | | - George Mihai Nitulescu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, TraianVuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Bruno Stefan Velescu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, TraianVuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Daniela Gradinaru
- Faculty of Pharmacy, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, TraianVuia 6, 020956 Bucharest, Romania.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fierascu RC, Georgiev MI, Fierascu I, Ungureanu C, Avramescu SM, Ortan A, Georgescu MI, Sutan AN, Zanfirescu A, Dinu-Pirvu CE, Velescu BS, Anuta V. Mitodepressive, antioxidant, antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects of wild-growing Romanian native Arctium lappa L. (Asteraceae) and Veronica persica Poiret (Plantaginaceae). Food Chem Toxicol 2017; 111:44-52. [PMID: 29126799 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 11/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The present study aims to evaluate the potential uses of hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from Romanian native wild-growing plants. The hydroalcoholic extracts were obtained from the burdock roots and respectively the aerial parts of birdeye speedwell. The extracts were characterised by HPLC (quantifying 13 compounds in the V. persica extract, 6 compounds in the A. lappa extract and confirming the presence of arctiin and arctigenin in the burdock extract). The antioxidant potential of the crude extracts was evaluated using two methods: the DPPH assay (79.91% for speedwell extract, 76.23% for burdock extract) and the phosphomolybdate method (296.5 mg/g ascorbic acid equivalents for burdock, 324.4 mg/g for speedwell). The crude extracts were found to be active against both fungal lines used (Aspergillus niger and Penicillium hirsutum), inhibition zones - 17.1 mm and 13.1 mm against P. hirsutum, respectively ca. 22 mm for both extracts against A. niger. The cytogenetic effects (assessed using the Allium cepa assay) revealed a series of chromosomal aberrations and nuclear aberrations induced in the meristematic root cells. The anti-inflammatory effect, estimated in two inflammation experimental models, showed a significant effect, especially for the speedwell extract. The results recommend the evaluated extracts as promising sources of biologically-active compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Radu Claudiu Fierascu
- University of Agronomic Science and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, Romania; The National Institute for Research & Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry, ICECHIM, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Milen I Georgiev
- University of Agronomic Science and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, Romania; Laboratory of Applied Biotechnologies, Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Plovdiv, Bulgaria University, Romania
| | - Irina Fierascu
- University of Agronomic Science and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, Romania; The National Institute for Research & Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry, ICECHIM, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Camelia Ungureanu
- Politehnica of Bucharest, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Material Science, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Sorin Marius Avramescu
- University of Agronomic Science and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, Romania; Research Center for Environmental Protection and Waste Management, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alina Ortan
- University of Agronomic Science and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Anca Nicoleta Sutan
- University of Pitesti, Department of Natural Sciences, Pitesti, Arges, Romania
| | - Anca Zanfirescu
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristina Elena Dinu-Pirvu
- University of Agronomic Science and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, Romania; Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Valentina Anuta
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gruia MI, Negoita V, Vasilescu M, Panait M, Gruia I, Velescu BS, Uivarosi V. Biochemical action of new complexes of ruthenium with quinolones as potential antitumor agents. Anticancer Res 2015; 35:3371-3378. [PMID: 26026097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of the present study paper was to identify the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in apoptosis signaling mechanisms. We used for this purpose two ruthenium complex compounds based on that overproduce these reactive species by their metabolism thus manifesting their antitumor activity too. MATERIALS AND METHODS In vivo studies were performed in Walker 256 carcinoma-bearing Wistar rats treated with two ruthenium (III) (Ru(III)) complexes with -fluoroquinolones norfloxacin and ofloxacin. The treatment started 7 days after tumor grafting. We assayed the dynamics of apoptosis by flow-cytometry and the biochemical oxidative status parameters. The biological samples used were serum and whole-tumor tissues; the results were compared to the untreated control group. RESULTS The results showed an increase of apoptosis from 14.79% to 59.72% 14.79% to 59.72% in tumor cells treated with the most active combination, ruthenium complex with norfloxacin. We also noted an increase of the oxidative status and ROS production during treatment. CONCLUSION The newly-synthesized complexes are less toxic and their activity is based on the induction of oxidative stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ion Gruia
- University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | | |
Collapse
|