Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of indigo and indirubin from Isatis indigotica Fort. and their antioxidant capacities

Systematic Screening of the Chemical Constituents of Lanqin Oral Liquid by Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Combined with Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive method that combined ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (UHPLC-FT-ICR-MS) was used to identify the chemical constituents in Lanqin oral liquid. On the basis of UHPLC-FT-ICR-MS analysis, systematic characterization of the chemical profile of Lanqin oral liquid was carried out, and a total of 441 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, organic acids, phenylpropanoids, and other types. The results provide a reference for improving quality control, contribute to establishing higher quality standards, provide a scientific basis for further research on the pharmacodynamic material basis, and help illustrate the relationship between the complicated constituents and therapeutic effects of Lanqin oral liquid.

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties of a Traditional Herb, Strobilanthes Cusia (Nees) Kuntze

The present investigation aimed to determine the effectiveness of bioactive components extracted from Hom herbs (Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze) using the solvent-free microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) method. The obtained bioactive components were analyzed for total phenolic content (TPC) and active ingredient content. The Hom extracts were examined for antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and anticancer activities. The comparative analysis of extraction methods MAE was studied by using different solvents such as ethanol (EtOH), 50% ethanol (50EtOH) and distilled water (DW). The results obtained by the MAE method with DW as solvent show the TPC of 104.41±1.36 mg GAE/g crude and tryptanthrin 0.1138±0.0014 mg/g crude and indigo 0.0622±0.0015 mg/g crude. Comparatively, values ​​detected in the 50% EtOH extract were not significantly different at the 95% confidence level. At the same time, levels of indirubin were detected at levels equivalent to that of ethanol extracts. The DW extract from MAE had an IC50 value against the DPPH scavenging assay of 0.1927±0.0756 mg/ml, comparable to the test results of extracts of ethanol and 50% ethanol. The bioactive extracted using the MAE with water as solvent had minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and could suppress infection at 10 mg/disc. It was also observed that the extracts from the conventional extraction technique using ethanol as the solvent continued to be highly effective against Bacillus cereus even after employing the EtOH or 50% EtOH. Hom extract's MIC value representing inhibiting B. cereus was 0.625 mg/disc. Still, EtOH-extracted Hom demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity against 16HBEo- by reducing cell survival rate by less than 50% while the others did not. Interestingly, Hom that had been extracted using 50EtOH and DW with MAE had an anticancer impact on A549 by reducing the survival rate in a dose-dependent manner.

Isatidis Radix and Isatidis Folium: A systematic review on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Isatidis Radix (called Banlangen, BLG in Chinese) and Isatidis Folium (called Daqingye, DQY in Chinese) are common traditional edible-medicinal herbs in detoxifying for thousands of years, have been traditionally applied in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Both of them are bitter in taste, coolness in nature, acting on the heart and stomach channels. They are often used to treat influenza and other viral infectious diseases in clinic, as well as could treat fever, dizziness, and cough and sore throat caused by lung heat.

AIMS OF THE REVIEW

This review aimed at summarizing the latest and comprehensive information of BLG and DQY on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and clinical application to explore the therapeutic potential of them. In addition, outlooks and perspective for possible future researches that related are also discussed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Related information concerning BLG and DQY were gathered from the internet database of Google Scholar, PubMed, Baidu Scholar, GeenMedical, CNKI and Web of Science, as well as other relevant textbooks, reviews, and documents (e.g., Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 2020 edition, Chinese herbal classic books and PhD and MSc thesis, etc.). Among of them with the keywords including "Isatis indigotica" "Isatidis Radix", "Isatidis Folium", "phytochemistry", "pharmacology", "toxicology", "clinical application" etc. and their combinations.

RESULTS

To date, 39 Chinese patent medicines containing BLG and/or DQY have been developed on basis of the data of NMPA. Besides, 304 and 142 compounds have been found in BLG and DQY, respectively. The main chemical differences between BLG and DQY were concentrated on alkaloids and lignans, such as indican, indirubin, (R, S)-epigoitrin, 4(3H)-quinazolinone, clemastanin B and isatindigotindolines A-D. In 2020 Edition ChP, (R, S)-goitrin and indirubin are now used as the official marker to monitor the quality of BLG and DQY, respectively. Modern pharmacology has mainly studied some monomer components such as 4(3H)-quinazolinone, clemastanin B, erucic acid and adenosine, etc., all of which have shown good effects. These active compounds can resist various viruses, such as influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, herpes simplex virus, etc.. By regulating the level of immunity and a variety of inflammatory factors, inhibit the growth and reproduction of the virus. At the same time, it is worth noting that different components of BLG and DQY lead to BLG is more powerful in antiviral and immunomodulatory activity than DQY, while DQY possesses a higher intensity than BLG in anti-oxidant activity.

CONCLUSION

By collecting and collating a large number of literature and various data websites, we concluded that the common compounds are mainly alkaloids. Recent findings regarding the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of BLG and DQY have confirmed their traditional uses in antiviral, antibacterial and treatment immune diseases. Without doubt, their significant differences on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology can be used as evidence of separate list of BLG and DQY. For shortcomings, some comprehensive studies should be well designed for further utilization of BLG and DQY.

Medicinal plants used for the treatment of mucositis induced by oncotherapy: a systematic review

PURPOSE

This systematic review aimed to identify effective medicinal plants for the treatment of mucositis induced by oncotherapy.

METHODS

The clinical question was the following: "Which medicinal plants are effective in the treatment of oral mucositis induced by cancer treatment?" (PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Lilacs, and SciELO). The keywords were the following: phytotherapy OR "herbal drug" OR "plant extract" OR plant OR "medicinal plant" OR pharmacognosy OR ethnobotany OR ethnomedicine OR ethnopharmacology OR "flower essences" OR "natural product" AND mucositis OR mucositides OR stomatitis OR stomatitides OR "oral ulcer" AND chemotherapy OR radiotherapy OR immunotherapy OR cancer OR neoplasm OR neoplasm OR tumor OR tumor. The inclusion criteria for the selection of articles were the type of study design (clinical trials) and the studied population (cancer patients presenting lesions of oral mucositis having undergone treatment with medicinal plants).

RESULTS

After evaluation of the works, 24 of 893 articles were selected. Matricaria chamomilla (chamomilla) presented promising results, such as a reduction in severity and lesion incidence with improved pain symptomatology. The plant extracts Isatis indigótica, Olea europaea, Calendula officinalis, A. digitatae, and M. sylvestris improved the lesions. Mucotrol™ and QRLYD herbal products improved the degree of severity of the lesions, while SAMITAL® and MUCOSYTE allowed for greater pain control.

CONCLUSION

The complementary treatment of oral mucositis in cancer patients, with analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions with lower side effects, is an alternative for healthcare professionals.

Optimization of Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Baphicacanthus cusia Leaves by Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvents

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are considered as efficient and green solvents for the extraction of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants. In this work, a novel method of DES-based ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from Baphicacanthus cusia leaves (BCL) was established. Systematic screening and the morphology of the original and treated BCL were observed with scanning electron microscopy to determine the extraction efficiency of different solvents. The extraction conditions were optimized by Box–Behnken design (BBD) tests and the optimal extraction conditions were as follows: lactic acid/L-menthol ratio of 5: 2 (mol/mol), solid–liquid ratio of 80.0 mL/g and temperature of 60.5 °C. The extraction yields of tryptanthrin, indigo and indirubin reached 0.356, 1.744 and 0.562 mg/g, respectively. The results of a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical scavenging activity test indicated the feasibility of DESs in the extraction of bioactive compounds. This study indicated that L-menthol/lactic acid was a green and efficient solvent for the extraction of bioactive compounds from BCL, and DES-based ultrasound-assisted extraction could be used as an effective application strategy for the extraction of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants.

From natural dye to herbal medicine: a systematic review of chemical constituents, pharmacological effects and clinical applications of indigo naturalis

Background

Indigo naturalis is a blue dye in ancient, as well as an extensive used traditional Chinese medicine. It has a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties and can be used to treat numerous ailments such as leukemia, psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis. This article aims to expand our understanding of indigo naturalis in terms of its chemical constituents, pharmacological action and clinical applications.

Methods

We searched PubMed, web of science, CNKI, Google academic, Elsevier and other databases with the key words of “Indigo naturalis”, and reviewed and sorted out the modern research of indigo naturalis based on our research results.

Results

We outlined the traditional manufacturing process, chemical composition and quality control of indigo naturalis, systematically reviewed traditional applictions, pharmacological activities and mechanism of indigo naturalis, and summarized its clinical trials about treatment of psoriasis, leukemia and ulcerative colitis.

Conclusions

Indigo naturalis has a variety of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, immunomodulatory and so on. It has very good clinical effect on psoriasis, leukemia and ulcerative colitis. However, it should be noted that long-term use of indigo naturalis may produce some reversible adverse reactions. In summarize, indigo naturalis is an extremely important drug with great value and potential.

Medicinal Plants to Strengthen Immunity during a Pandemic

The development of new effective anti-coronavirus drugs and therapies is important, but it requires significant human, financial and, most importantly, time expenditures. The current pandemic is neither the first nor the last. Humanity has already accumulated considerable survival experience. We cannot do without prevention and epidemiological protection measures. This study reviews medicinal plants that grow in Northeast Asia and whose antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory characteristics are already known, also in the framework of the prevention and treatment of pneumonia of various etiologies. The need for a comprehensive approach to maintaining immunodefences, including functional foods and positive emotions, is emphasized. In the period of pandemics, it is important to research various areas that allow to us accumulate a critical mass of information and cope with the next global disease.

Isatis tinctoria L. (Woad): A Review of its Botany, Ethnobotanical Uses, Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, and Biotechnological Studies

Isatis tinctoria L. (Brassicaceae), which is commonly known as woad, is a species with an ancient and well-documented history as an indigo dye and medicinal plant. Currently, I. tinctoria is utilized more often as medicinal remedy and also as a cosmetic ingredient. In 2011, I. tinctoria root was accepted in the official European phytotherapy by introducing its monograph in the European Pharmacopoeia. The biological properties of raw material have been known from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Over recent decades, I. tinctoria has been investigated both from a phytochemical and a biological point of view. The modern in vitro and in vivo scientific studies proved anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, antimicrobial, antiviral, analgesic, and antioxidant activities. The phytochemical composition of I. tinctoria has been thoroughly investigated and the plant was proven to contain many valuable biologically active compounds, including several alkaloids, among which tryptanthrin, indirubin, indolinone, phenolic compounds, and polysaccharides as well as glucosinolates, carotenoids, volatile constituents, and fatty acids. This article provides a general botanical and ethnobotanical overview that summarizes the up-to-date knowledge on the phytochemistry and biological properties of this valuable plant in order to support its therapeutic potential. Moreover, the biotechnological studies on I. tinctoria, which mainly focused on hairy root cultures for the enhanced production of flavonoids and alkaloids as well as on the establishment of shoot cultures and micropropagation protocols, were reviewed. They provide input for future research prospects.

Discovery of cycloneolignan enantiomers from Isatis indigotica Fortune with neuroprotective effects against MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cell injury

A pair of new cycloneolignan enantiomers (1a and 1b) were isolated from the leaves of Isatis indigotica Fortune. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, MS/MS analysis, together with theoretical electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compounds 1a and 1b were then evaluated for their neuroprotective effects against MPP⁺-induced SH-SY5Y cell injury. As a result, compounds 1a (77.64%) and 1b (78.62%) exhibited moderate neuroprotective activity at the concentration of 12.5 µM compared with that of MPP⁺ treated group (62.00% at 1 mM) by MTT assay. Furthermore, Annexin V-FITC/PI analysis showed that apoptosis ratios of 1a and 1b were reduced to 10.99% and 9.31%, respectively.

Alkaloids with neuroprotective effects from the leaves of Isatis indigotica collected in the Anhui Province, China

Six undescribed alkaloids, indiforine A-F, together with four known ones, were isolated from the leaves of Isatis indigotica Fortune. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configurations of indiforine A and B were determined by comparison of the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra, as well as experimental and calculated optical rotations. The isolated alkaloids were evaluated for their neuroprotective activities against H₂O₂-induced cell injury in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. The results showed that in H₂O₂-induced SH-SY5Y cell injury models, indiforine A and B exhibited potent neuroprotective activities. Further investigation of the most potent indiforine A by Hoechst 33258 staining and Annexin V/PI analysis demonstrated that it could protect SH-SY5Y cells from oxidative damage through inhibiting cell apoptosis.