A new specific method for isolation of tomentosin with a high yield from Inula viscosa (L.) and determination of its bioactivities

Tomentosin mitigates the LPS induced cardiac injury by regulating Nrf-2/Nf-κβ pathway in mice

Endotoxemic shock is a severe complication characterized by multiple organ failure, hypotension, and impaired tissue perfusion, all contributing to high morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have highlighted the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of tomentosin. This study investigates the protective effects of tomentosin against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiac injury and elucidates its underlying mechanisms. Mice were pre-treated with tomentosin before the LPS administration. Subsequently, cardiac injury markers, oxidative stress parameters, inflammatory mediators, and Nrf-2/NF-κB protein expression levels were analysed. The results demonstrated that tomentosin significantly reduced Troponin and CK-MB levels, alleviated oxidative stress, and suppressed inflammatory responses. Furthermore, tomentosin inhibited NF-κB activation while enhancing Nrf-2 expression. In conclusion, our findings suggest that tomentosin exerts cardioprotective effects by modulating the Nrf-2/NF-κB pathway, positioning it as a potential therapeutic candidate for preventing LPS-induced cardiac dysfunction.

Inhibition of carbohydrate digestive enzymes by a complementary essential oil blend: in silico and mixture design approaches

Background

The increasing demand for natural alternatives in diabetes treatment has driven research into plant-derived metabolites, particularly essential oils (EOs) with bioactive properties. This study aims to optimize an EO mixture for inhibiting two key enzymes involved in glucose digestion: pancreatic α-amylase and intestinal α-glucosidase.

Methods

Essential oils were extracted from three Moroccan medicinal plants: false yellowhead (Inula viscosa L.), rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L'Hér.), and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf.). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified key metabolites in each EO. A statistical mixture design was employed to evaluate different EO ratios for their inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Additionally, density functional theory (DFT) calculations and molecular docking simulations were conducted to assess the key metabolites' electronic properties and interaction potential with target enzymes.

Results

GC-MS analysis identified 32 metabolites in P. graveolens, with citronellol (18.67%), eucalyptol (13.30%), and 2-octen-1-ol (8.12%) as major components. I. viscosa contained 18 metabolites, dominated by 2-camphanol acetate (51.12%) and camphol (19.32%), while C. citratus had 23 metabolites, with α-citral (24.70%) and 2-isopropenyl-5-methylhex-4-enal (29.25%) as key constituents. The optimal formulation for α-glucosidase inhibition was a binary mixture of 73% C. citratus and 27% P. graveolens. In contrast, the best blend for α-amylase inhibition consisted of 56% P. graveolens and 44% I. viscosa. DFT calculations confirmed the electrophilic nature of key metabolites, supporting their potential for enzyme interaction. Molecular docking simulations suggested that these phytochemicals could exhibit stronger inhibitory effects than acarbose, a widely used antidiabetic drug.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the potential of optimized EO formulations as natural alternatives for managing hyperglycemia and developing novel diabetes therapies.

Damsin and neoambrosin: Two sesquiterpene lactones with affinity and different activity for PPAR and TRPA1 receptors

Ambrosia maritima L. (family Asteraceae) is an annual herb widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean region and Africa. The herb is employed in folk medicine for the treatment of many ailments. Herein, we report a comprehensive investigation of the diverse biological potential of two sesquiterpene lactones, damsin and neoambrosin, isolated from Ambrosia maritima. 1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS/MS were employed to characterize the chemical structures of both compounds. In order to identify biological targets of both compounds we investigated their potential affinity for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, which are pleiotropic classes of receptors implicated in essential functions of the body. This was investigated using a luciferase assay and a calcium fluorometric assay. A carbonic anhydrase inhibition assay was also performed using stopped flow CO2 hydrase spectrophotometric assay. Our analysis revealed that unlike damsin, neoambrosin showed a selective partial agonist effect on PPARγ receptors and TRPA1 channels. Its binding mode was investigated through in silico analysis. Both compounds showed no affinity for the tested carbonic anhydrases. Overall, our study details the chemical properties of neoambrosin and damsin and highlights neoambrosin as novel, cost-effective partial agonist of PPARɣ and TRPA1 receptors despite additional in vivo studies are needed to elucidate its biological and pharmacological properties.

Chemical composition, biological activities, and molecular mechanism of Inula viscosa (L.) bioactive compounds: a review

Inula viscosa is an herbaceous plant mainly found in Mediterranean regions, predominantly, used in developing countries as a folk remedy for treating numerous diseases using different traditional methods of preparation that includes infusion, decoction, and external application. Researchers have been interested in studying the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antidiabetic, and antitumor effects of I. viscosa extracts, due to its high countenance of bioactive molecules. The chemical studies of ethanol, methanol, chloroform, aqueous, petroleum ether, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate extracts from different parts of I. viscosa, growing around the world, and analyzed by different analytical techniques allowed to isolate and identify a great number of secondary metabolites from terpenes, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and polyketides, and complementary in vitro and in vivo studies indicated the pharmacological activities of an isolated compound, a mixture, or the crude extract. I. viscosa extracts had a great in vivo potential reducing mice paw, ear, and the severity of pulmonary edema, and the occurrence of skin carcinoma growing; in vitro recent study results showed, in addition, the high antioxidant, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase inhibitory activity, and neuroprotectivity effects; a correlation with the in vivo studies confirming the anti-inflammatory and antitumor proprieties, elucidating some molecular mechanisms: showing that tomentosin reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion (IFNγ, IL-1, IL-2, TNF-α, and IL-6) via the suppression of transcription factor NF-κB and MAP kinase (p38/JNK) activation, and that the two phenolic compounds banaxanthone E and paxanthone inhibited the antiapoptotic protein BCL-2, activating the apoptotic process leading to the antiproliferative effect.

Overview of Ethnobotanical-Pharmacological Studies Carried Out on Medicinal Plants from the Serra da Estrela Natural Park: Focus on Their Antidiabetic Potential

The Serra da Estrela Natural Park (NPSE) in Portugal stands out as a well-preserved region abundant in medicinal plants, particularly known for their pharmaceutical applications in diabetes prevention and treatment. This comprehensive review explores these plants' botanical diversity, traditional uses, pharmacological applications, and chemical composition. The NPSE boast a rich diversity with 138 medicinal plants across 55 families identified as traditionally and pharmacologically used against diabetes globally. Notably, the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families are prevalent in antidiabetic applications. In vitro studies have revealed their significant inhibition of carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes, and certain plant co-products regulate genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and insulin secretion. In vivo trials have demonstrated antidiabetic effects, including glycaemia regulation, insulin secretion, antioxidant activity, and lipid profile modulation. Medicinal plants in NPSE exhibit various activities beyond antidiabetic, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-cancer, and more. Chemical analyses have identified over fifty compounds like phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and polysaccharides responsible for their efficacy against diabetes. These findings underscore the potential of NPSE medicinal plants as antidiabetic candidates, urging further research to develop effective plant-based antidiabetic drugs, beverages, and supplements.

Methanolic Extracts of D. viscosa Specifically Affect the Cytoskeleton and Exert an Antiproliferative Effect on Human Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines, According to Their Proliferation Rate

Numerous studies have reported the pharmacological effects exhibited by Dittrichia viscosa, (D. viscosa) including antioxidant, cytotoxic, antiproliferative, and anticancer properties. In our research, our primary objective was to validate a prescreening methodology aimed at identifying the fraction that demonstrates the most potent antiproliferative and anticancer effects. Specifically, we investigated the impact of various extract fractions on the cytoskeleton using a screening method involving transgenic plants. Tumors are inherently heterogeneous, and the components of the cytoskeleton, particularly tubulin, are considered a strategic target for antitumor agents. To take heterogeneity into account, we used different lines of colorectal cancer, specifically one of the most common cancers regardless of gender. In patients with metastasis, the effectiveness of chemotherapy has been limited by severe side effects and by the development of resistance. Additional therapies and antiproliferative molecules are therefore needed. In our study, we used colon-like cell lines characterized by the expression of gastrointestinal differentiation markers (such as the HT-29 cell line) and undifferentiated cell lines showing the positive regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and TGFβ signatures (such as the DLD-1, SW480, and SW620 cell lines). We showed that all three of the D. viscosa extract fractions have an antiproliferative effect but the pre-screening on transgenic plants anticipated that the methanolic fraction may be the most promising, targeting the cytoskeleton specifically and possibly resulting in fewer side effects. Here, we show that the preliminary use of screening in transgenic plants expressing subcellular markers can significantly reduce costs and focus the advanced characterization only on the most promising therapeutic molecules.