Revisiting the Multifaceted Therapeutic Potential of Withaferin A (WA), a Novel Steroidal Lactone, W-ferinAmax Ashwagandha, from Withania Somnifera (L) Dunal

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, abundant in the Indian subcontinent as Ashwagandha or winter cherry, is a herb of unprecedented therapeutic value. The number of ailments for which crude Ashwagandha extract can be used as a preventive or curative is practically limitless; and this explains why its use has been in vogue in ancient Ayurveda since at-least about four thousand years. The therapeutic potential of Ashwagandha mainly owes from its reservoir of alkaloids (isopelletierine, anaferine), steroidal lactones (withanolides) and saponins with an extra acyl group (sitoindoside VII and VIII). Withaferin A is an exceptionally potent withanolide which is found in high concentrations in W. somnifera plant extracts. The high reactivity of Withaferin A owes to the presence of a C-28 ergostane network with multiple sites of unsaturation and differential oxygenation. It interacts with the effectors of multiple signaling pathways involved in inflammatory response, oxidative stress response, cell cycle regulation and synaptic transmission and has been found to be significantly effective in inducing programmed cell death in cancer cells, restoring cognitive health, managing diabetes, alleviating metabolic disorders, and rejuvenating the overall body homeostasis. Additionally, recent studies suggest that Withaferin A (WA) has the potential to prevent viral endocytosis by sequestering TMPRSS2, the host transmembrane protease, without altering ACE-2 expression. The scope of performing subtle structural modifications in this multi-ring compound is believed to further expand its pharmacotherapeutic horizon. Very recently, a novel, heavy metal and pesticide free formulation of Ashwagandha whole herb extract, with a significant amount of WA, termed W-ferinAmax Ashwagandha, has been developed. The present review attempts to fathom the present and future of this wonder molecule with comprehensive discussion on its therapeutic potential, safety and toxicity.Key teaching pointsWithania somnifera (L.) Dunal is a medicinal plant with versatile therapeutic values.The therapeutic potential of the plant owes to the presence of withanolides such as Withaferin A.Withaferin A is a C-28 ergostane based triterpenoid with multiple reactive sites of therapeutic potential.It is effective against a broad spectrum of ailments including neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, inflammatory and oxidative stress disorders and it also promotes cardiovascular and sexual health.W-ferinAmax Ashwagandha, is a heavy metal and pesticide free Ashwagandha whole herb extract based formulation with significant amount of Withaferin A.

Recombinant osmotin inclusion bodies from Calotropis procera produced in E. coli BL21(DE3) prevent acute inflammation in a mouse model of listeriosis

BACKGROUND

The osmotin from the medicinal plant Calotropis procera (CpOsm) has characteristics similar to adiponectin, a human protein with immunoregulatory actions.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate whether recombinant osmotin inclusion bodies from C. procera (IB/rCpOsm) produced in E. coli BL21(DE3) can prevent infection-induced inflammation. A virulent strain of Listeria monocytogenes was used as an infection model.

METHODS

Cells of E. coli BL21(DE3) carrying the plasmid pET303-CpOsm were used to express the recombinant osmotin, which accumulated at reasonable levels as inclusion bodies (IB/rCpOsm). IB/rCpOsm were purified from induced cells and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry analyses confirmed the identity of the major protein band (23 kDa apparent molecular mass) as CpOsm. Peritoneal macrophages (pMØ) from Swiss mice were cultured with IB/rCpOsm (1 or 10 µg/ml) in 96-well plates and then infected with L. monocytogenes. IB/rCpOsm (0.1, 1 or 10 mg/kg) was also administered intravenously to Swiss mice, which were then infected intraperitoneally with L. monocytogenes.

RESULTS

Pretreatment of the pMØ with IB/rCpOsm significantly increased cell viability after infection and reduced the intracellular bacterial load. The infiltration of neutrophils into the peritoneal cavity of mice pretreated with IB/rCpOsm at 10 mg/kg (but not 0.1 and 1 mg/kg) was reduced after infection. In these mice, the bacterial load was high in the peritoneal fluid and the liver, but histological damage was discrete. The treatments with IB/rCpOsm at 10 mg/kg significantly increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that recombinant osmotin inclusion bodies from C. procera were bioactive and prompted anti-inflammatory actions at therapeutic dosages in the L. monocytogenes infection model.

Microparticles vs. Macroparticles as Curcumin Delivery Vehicles: Structural Studies and Cytotoxic Effect in Human Adenocarcinoma Cell Line (LoVo)

This study aimed to characterize the hydrogel micro- and macro-particles designed to deliver curcumin to human colon cancer cells (LoVo). Six series of vehicles based on sodium alginate (micro- and macro-particles, uncoated, coated with chitosan or gelatin) were synthesized. The uncoated microparticles were fabricated using an emulsion-based technique and the uncoated macroparticles with an extrusion technique, with both coupled with ionotropic gelation. The surface morphology of the particles was examined with scanning electron microscopy and the average size was measured. The encapsulation efficiency, moisture content, and swelling index were calculated. The release of curcumin from the particles was studied in an experiment simulating the conditions of the stomach, intestine, and colon. To evaluate the anticancer properties of such targeted drug delivery systems, the cytotoxicity of both curcumin-loaded and unloaded carriers to human colon cancer cells was assessed. The microparticles encapsulated much less of the payload than the macroparticles and released their content in a more prolonged manner. The unloaded carriers were not cytotoxic to LoVo cells, while the curcumin-loaded vehicles impaired their viability-more significantly after incubation with microparticles compared to macroparticles. Gelatin-coated or uncoated microparticles were the most promising carriers but their potential anticancer activity requires further thorough investigation.

Phytotherapy and Herbal Medicines for Kidney Stones

BACKGROUND

Kidney stones are one of the longest known and most common diseases in the urinary tract, with a prevalence that ranges from 1% to 20%. Many phytotherapeutic and herbal medicines have been described for the treatment and prevention of kidney stones.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive review of publications on various phytotherapeutic and herbal medicines, including both clinical and animal studies.

RESULTS

Phytotherapy may influence the risk of recurrence of calcium oxalate and uric acid stones. The most solid evidence relates to Phyllanthus niruri, one of the most studied phytotherapeutics; findings suggest that it interferes with calcium oxalate crystallization, reduces hyperoxaluria and hyperuricosuria, and increases the efficacy of shock wave lithotripsy due to reduced crystallization, without significant adverse effects. Theobromine has been shown to reduce the crystallization of uric acid in patients and appears to be a promising supplement to treat such stones.

CONCLUSION

Many phytotherapeutic and herbal agents have been studied for the treatment of urolithiasis, most of them only in a small number of patients or in animal models. Further randomized clinical trials are needed to evaluate the effects of these agents on kidney stones.

Phytotherapeutic and Natural Compound Applications for Age-Related, Inflammatory and Serious Eye Ailments

BACKGROUND

Tissue cells of the eye are sensitive to oxidative stress leading to oxidative damage and inflammation, which have crucial roles in the pathogenesis of most of the eye diseases. Moreover, factors such as age, angiogenesis, ischemia, genetic predisposition, diabetes, obesity, and smoking affect the onset and progression of ocular anomalies. Major eye diseases are either age-related such as Age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, dry eye, or inflammatory eye diseases such as blepharitis, conjunctivitis, uveitis and other retinal pathologies, which can cause ocular damage and visual problems through oxidative stress, inflammation pathways. Although there are conventional chemical or surgical treatments, due to their mainly antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, phytotherapeutic preparations and their natural compounds can be applied to prevent or treat eye disease as follows: oral, topical or both. Thus, this study aims to comprehensively evaluate the pre-clinical and clinical studies of the phytotherapeutics and natural compounds used in the prevention and treatment of common serious and painful eye diseases. Moreover, for the first time, nature-derived preparations/supplements commonly used for eye problems also included in this review to present applications of the extracts/compounds in the pharmaceutical field.

Cardioprotective Potential of Plant-Derived Molecules: A Scientific and Medicinal Approach

Since the beginning of human civilization, plants have been used in alleviating the human distress and it was recorded for about thousands of years ago that the plants are being used for medicinal purposes. Natural bioactive compounds called phytochemicals are obtained from medicinal plants, vegetables, and fruits, which functions to combat against various ailments. There is dire need to explore the plant biodiversity for its medicinal and pharmacological potentials. Different databases such as Google scholar, Medline, PubMed, and the Directory of Open Access Journals were searched to find the articles describing the cardioprotective function of medicinal plants. Various substances from a variety of plant species are used for the treatment of cardiovascular abnormalities. The cardioprotective plants contain a variety of bioactive compounds, including diosgenin, isoflavones, sulforaphane, carotinized, catechin, and quercetin, have been proved to enhance cardioprotection, hence reducing the risk of cardiac abnormalities. The present review article provides the data on the use of medicinal plants particularly against cardiac diseases and to explore the molecules/phytoconstituents as plant secondary metabolites for their cardioprotective potential.

Important issues in plant tissues analyses by HR-MAS NMR

INTRODUCTION

High-resolution magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (HR-MAS NMR) spectroscopy enables the analysis of the metabolic profile of plant and animal tissues under close to natural conditions, as well as of other heterogeneous natural or synthetic materials. Neither sample pretreatment is required after fragmentation nor powdering of the sample before insertion into the rotor. However, the efficiency of the method depends strongly on the sample preparation, rotor insertion procedure, and analysis conditions.

OBJECTIVE

To identify some of the variables that affect the spectral data and to propose solutions that minimise their impact on the quality of the analyses and results.

METHODS

Dried plant tissues were powdered, weighed, and homogenised in a 50 μL rotor with an optimised volume of deuterated solvent and sample in order to prevent material from escaping during spacer insertion, avoiding variations in magnetic susceptibility. Factors affecting the quality of HR-MAS NMR analysis such as particle size, sample and solvent amounts, solvent polarity, swelling time, rotor manipulation and pulse sequence setting were evaluated.

RESULTS

A strong correlation was observed between the signal area and the particle size of the powdered sample. The spectral profile varied depending on the deuterated solvent used. An incubation period was necessary to achieve adequate swelling of the sample and to ensure good data reproducibility. Proper sealing of the rotor, number of cycles and τ time on cpmgpr1d pulse sequence were found to affect the signal areas.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights the need for standardised sample preparation and instrumental setup protocols in order to achieve high reproducibility and obtain reliable data from HR-MAS NMR analyses.