Essential oil from waste leaves of Curcuma longa L. alleviates skin inflammation

Exploring the chemical characterization and insecticidal activities of Curcuma angustifolia roxb. leaf essential oils against three major stored product insects

Botanical pesticides are safe and widely used in pest management. Curcuma angustifolia belongs to the family Zingiberaceae and is a rhizomatous medicinal herb. Following rhizome harvesting, leaves are discarded as waste. However, they can be effectively utilized by extracting essential oils, which are potential biopesticides. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of the leaf essential oil of Curcuma angustifolia as a potential biopesticide against three stored grain pests, Lasioderma serricorne, Tribolium castaneum, and Callasobruchus chinensis, by their contact, fumigant, and repellent activities. The leaves yield 0.39 ± 0.02 % of oil by hydrodistillation. GC-MS/MS characterization identified curzerenone (18.37 %), geranyl-p-cymene (17.32 %), α-elemenone (13.59 %), eucalyptol (7.58 %) as the main constituents. When exposed to different concentrations of C. angustifolia oil, the test insect displayed noticeably high repellency rates. It also showed better contact toxicity at 24 h, LC50 = 0.22 mg/cm2 for cigarette beetle, LC50 = 0.64 mg/cm2 for red flour beetle, LC50 = 0.07 mg/cm2 for pulse beetle) and fumigation toxicities (LC50 = 10.8 mg/L air at 24 h, for cigarette, LC50 = 29.5 mg/L air for red flour beetle, LC50 = 7.9 mg/L air for pulse beetle). Additionally, a phytotoxicity study was done on paddy seeds, and the results showed no effect on seed germination or seedling growth. It was evident from this study that C. angustifolia oil from waste leaves can be utilized as a botanical pesticide to manage the adults of these storage pests.

Multiplicative Effects of Essential Oils and Other Active Components on Skin Tissue and Skin Cancers

Naturally derived essential oils and their active components are known to possess various properties, ranging from anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-cancer activities. Numerous types of essential oils and active components have been discovered, and their permissive roles have been addressed in various fields. In this comprehensive review, we focused on the roles of essential oils and active components in skin diseases and cancers as discovered over the past three decades. In particular, we opted to highlight the effectiveness of essential oils and their active components in developing strategies against various skin diseases and skin cancers and to describe the effects of the identified essential-oil-derived major components from physiological and pathological perspectives. Overall, this review provides a basis for the development of novel therapies for skin diseases and cancers, especially melanoma.

Acyclic monoterpenoid-rich essential oil of Cymbopogon distans mitigates skin inflammation: a chemico-pharmacological study

The topical application of essential oils is considered an effective treatment for skin diseases. Cymbopogon distans (Nees ex Steud.) Wats (Poaceae) is a promising aromatic grass widespread in the Himalayan temperate zone. Therefore, using in-vitro and in-vivo bioassays, we examined the chemical and pharmacological characteristics of essential oil hydro-distilled from C. distans coded as CDA-01, specifically concerning skin inflammation. Characterization using GC-FID and GC-MS provided a chemical fingerprint for CDA-01, enabling the identification of 54 compounds; amongst them, citral (34.3%), geranyl acetate (21.2%), and geraniol (16.4%) were the most abundant. To examine the anti-inflammatory potential, CDA-01 treatment on LPS-stimulated macrophage cells in addition to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) generated cutaneous inflammatory reaction in the mouse ear was assessed through quantification of the inflammatory markers. Consequently, CDA-01 demonstrated protection against inflammation caused by LPS by lowering the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) level in HaCaT cells with negligible cytotoxicity. Consistent with the in-vitro findings, CDA-01 treatment reduced pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-, IL-6, and NO) and lipid peroxidation in an in-vivo investigation. Subcutaneous inflammation in TPA-treated mice ears was similarly decreased, as evidenced by the histological and morphological studies. As a result of our findings, it is possible that CDA-01 could be an effective treatment for skin inflammation disorders.

Extraction and chemical characterisation of agro-waste from turmeric leaves as a source of bioactive essential oils with insecticidal and antioxidant activities

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is a significant crop that has historically been used worldwide as a medicinal plant, spice, food colouring agent, and a significant ingredient in cosmetic industries. After harvesting rhizomes, leaves are considered waste material. This research study aims to extract and chemically characterise the essential oil from the leaves waste of turmeric with an evaluation of different insecticidal, antioxidant, and phytotoxic activities. Subsequently, the contact toxicity, fumigant toxicity, and repellent activity were evaluated against two key stored grain insect species. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) characterisation revealed that α-phellandrene (28.95%), 2-carene (16.51%), eucalyptol (10.54%) and terpinolene (10.24%) were the major chemical constituents. The study's findings on the insecticidal effects of essential oils extracted from turmeric leaves revealed noteworthy repellent, contact (at 24 h, LC50 = 6.51 mg/cm2 for Tribolium castaneum and LC50 = 4.74 mg/cm2 for Rhyzopertha dominica) and fumigant toxicities (at 24 h, LC50 = 2.57 mg/L air for T. castaneum and LC50 = 2.83 mg/L air for R. dominica), against two key stored grain insects. In addition, turmeric leaf essential oil showed notable antioxidant activity (IC50 = 10.04 ± 0.03 µg/mL for DPPH assay; IC50 = 14.12 ± 0.21 µg/mL for ABTS assay. Furthermore, a phytotoxicity study was carried out on stored paddy seeds and no toxic effects were found on germination rate and seedling growth. So, it might be expected that the essential oils extracted from the turmeric leaf waste could be valorised and demonstrate their potential as safe botanical insecticides against stored-product insects, with noble antioxidant properties.

In vitro and in silico analysis of 'Taikong blue' lavender essential oil in LPS-induced HaCaT cells and RAW264.7 murine macrophages

BACKGROUND

'Taikong blue' lavender, a space-bred cultivar of Lavandula angustifolia, is one of the main lavender essential oil production crops in Xinjiang Province, China. Several cases of local usage indicated that 'Taikong blue' lavender essential oil (TLEO) had excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties for skin problems. However, to date, substantial data on these functions are lacking. In this study, we aimed to investigate the composition and bioactivities of TLEO and the potential underlying mechanisms through LPS-induced inflammatory models of HaCaT and RAW264.7 cells.

METHODS

The composition of TLEO was determined by GC‒MS. To study the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of TLEO, we induced HaCaT and RAW264.7 cells by LPS. TLEO (0.001%-0.1%, v/v) was used to treat inflamed cells with dexamethasone (DEX, 10 μg/mL) as the standard drug. A variety of tests were carried out, including biochemical assays, ELISA, RT‒PCR, and western blotting. Docking of components was performed to predict potential ligands.

RESULTS

The GC‒MS analysis revealed that 53 compounds (> 0.01%) represented 99.76% of the TLEO, and the majority of them were esters. TLEO not only reduced the levels of oxidative stress indicators (NO, ROS, MDA, and iNOS at the mRNA and protein levels) but also protected the SOD and CAT activities. According to the RT‒PCR, ELISA, and Western blot results, TLEO decreased inflammation by inhibiting the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and key proteins (IκBα, NF-кB p65, p50, JNK, and p38 MAPK) in MAPK-NF-кB signaling. Molecular docking results showed that all of the components (> 1% in TLEO) were potent candidate ligands for further research.

CONCLUSION

The theoretical evidence for TLEO in this study supported its use in skin care as a functional ingredient for cosmetics and pharmaceutics.

Role of Natural Compounds and Target Enzymes in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurological condition. The rising prevalence of AD necessitates the rapid development of efficient therapy options. Despite substantial study, only a few medications are capable of delaying the disease. Several substances with pharmacological activity, derived from plants, have been shown to have positive benefits for the treatment of AD by targeting various enzymes, such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), β-secretase, γ-secretase, and monoamine oxidases (MAOs), which are discussed as potential targets. Medicinal plants have already contributed a number of lead molecules to medicine development, with many of them currently undergoing clinical trials. A variety of medicinal plants have been shown to diminish the degenerative symptoms associated with AD, either in their raw form or as isolated compounds. The aim of this review was to provide a brief summary of AD and its current therapies, followed by a discussion of the natural compounds examined as therapeutic agents and the processes underlying the positive effects, particularly the management of AD.

p-Menthadienols-rich essential oil from Cymbopogon martini ameliorates skin inflammation

Cymbopogon martini variety sofia, commonly known as ginger-grass, is an important aromatic crop used by the perfumery, medicinal and cosmetic industries worldwide. This study explores the chemical and possible pharmacological profile of hydro-distilled essential oil of C. martini variety sofia against skin inflammation. The essential oil extracted by the hydrodistillation process was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) to identify its constituents, and was coded as CMA-01 for further in vitro and in vivo pharmacological study related to skin inflammation. The chemical fingerprint revealed that CMA-01 oil has (E)-p-mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol (21.0%), (E)-p-mentha-1(7),8-dien-2-ol (18.1%), (Z)-p-mentha-1(7),8-dien-2-ol (17.4%), (Z)-p-mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol (9.0%), limonene (7.7%), and (E)-carveol (5.7%) as major components. The pre-treatment of CMA-01 showed significant inhibition of pro-inflammatory markers in activated HaCat cells without cytotoxic effect. The in vivo study revealed the ameliorative impact of CMA-01 against skin inflammation induced by TPA in mouse ears as evidenced by a reduction of ear edema, pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNF-α), oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde and nitric-oxide) and histological changes in ear tissues without any skin irritation response on rabbit skin. These findings suggest the suitability of CMA-01 as a valuable therapeutic candidate for the treatment of skin inflammation.

Modulation of neutrophil (dys)function by Ayurvedic herbs and its potential influence on SARS-CoV-2 infection

For centuries, traditional medicines of Ayurveda have been in use to manage infectious and non-infectious diseases. The key embodiment of traditional medicines is the holistic system of approach in the management of human diseases. SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection is an ongoing pandemic, which has emerged as the major health threat worldwide and is causing significant stress, morbidity and mortality. Studies from the individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection have shown significant immune dysregulation and cytokine overproduction. Neutrophilia and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio has been correlated to poor outcome due to the disease. Neutrophils, component of innate immune system, upon stimulation expel DNA along with histones and granular proteins to form extracellular traps (NETs). Although, these DNA lattices possess beneficial activity in trapping and eliminating pathogens, NETs may also cause adverse effects by inducing immunothrombosis and tissue damage in diseases including Type 2 Diabetes and atherosclerosis. Tissues of SARS-CoV-2 infected subjects showed microthrombi with neutrophil-platelet infiltration and serum showed elevated NETs components, suggesting large involvement and uncontrolled activation of neutrophils leading to pathogenesis and associated organ damage. Hence, traditional Ayurvedic herbs exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may act in a manner that might prove beneficial in targeting over-functioning of neutrophils and there by promoting normal immune homeostasis. In the present manuscript, we have reviewed and discussed pathological importance of NETs formation in SARS-CoV-2 infections and discuss how various Ayurvedic herbs can be explored to modulate neutrophil function and inhibit NETs formation in the context of a) anti-microbial activity to enhance neutrophil function, b) immunomodulatory effects to maintain neutrophil mediated immune homeostasis and c) to inhibit NETs mediated thrombosis.

New Insights into the Chemical Composition, Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Inhibition Profile of Davana (Artemisia pallens Wall. ex DC.) Essential Oil and cis-Davanone in Primary Macrophage Cells

Artemisia pallens Wall. ex DC., popularly known as davana, has gained considerable attention because of its unique fragrance, high economic value, and pharmacological properties. The compositional complexity of davana essential oil (DO) has been a challenge for quality control. In this study, the chemical profile of DO was developed using polarity-based fractionation and a combination of gas chromatographic (GC-FID), hyphenated chromatographic (GC/MS), and spectroscopic (Fourier-Transform Infra-Red, 1D, 2D-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) techniques. The analysis led to the identification of ninety-nine compounds. Major components of the DO were cis-davanone (D3, 53.0 %), bicyclogermacrene (6.9 %), trans-ethyl cinnamate (4.9 %), davana ether isomer (3.4 %), spathulenol (2.8 %), cis-hydroxy davanone (2.4 %), and trans-davanone (2.1 %). The study led to identifying several co-eluting novel minor components, which could help determine the authenticity of DO. The rigorous column-chromatography led to the isolation of five compounds. Among these, bicyclogermacrene, trans-ethyl cinnamate, and spathulenol were isolated and characterized by spectroscopic methods for the first time from DO. Pharmacological profile revealed that the treatment of DO and D3 inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in primary macrophages without any cytotoxic effect after administration of their effective concentrations. The result of this study indicates the suitability of DO and D3 for further investigation for the treatment of chronic skin inflammatory conditions.

Phytochemical profile, in vitro antioxidant, and anti-protein denaturation activities of Curcuma longa L. rhizome and leaves

Curcuma longa L. is a famous spice cultivated in many countries with significant variations reported in its phytochemical contents and biological potential. For the first time, the present work is aimed to identify the major phytochemicals present in methanol:chloroform (MC) and petroleum ether (PE) extracts of Curcuma longa rhizome and leaves (by determining polyphenols and GC/MS analysis), and their in-vitro antioxidant and anti-protein denaturation potential. Results showed that the highest value (P < 0.05) of polyphenolic content was in MC extract of rhizome (51.46 ± 0.46 mg GAE/g) followed by 31.20 ± 0.53 mg GAE/g in MC leaves extract. The strong antiradical activity was evaluated in MC extract of rhizome with IC50 value of 92 ± 0.02 µg/mL. MC extracts of both the rhizome and leaves exerted a potent inhibitory effect against protein denaturation with IC50 values of 106.21 ± 0.53 and 108.06 ± 4.67 μg/mL (P > 0.5), respectively. GC/MS analysis showed that α-tumerone was the main component in the rhizome oil (32.44%), whereas in the leaf oil, palmitic acid was the prominent constituent (28.33%) and α-phellandrene recorded a comparable percentage (7.29). In conclusion, C. longa is a valuable source of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory constituents, as indicated by its high polyphenolic content and by its considerable in vitro antiradical and anti-protein denaturation potential.

Usage of Natural Volatile Organic Compounds as Biological Modulators of Disease

Plants produce a wide variety of natural volatile organic compounds (NVOCs), many of which are unique to each species. These compounds serve many purposes, such as fending off herbivores and adapting to changes in temperature and water supply. Interestingly, although NVOCs are synthesized to deter herbivores, many of these compounds have been found to possess several therapeutic qualities, such as promoting nerve stability, enhancing sleep, and suppressing hyperresponsiveness, in addition to acting as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Therefore, many NVOCs are promising drug candidates for disease treatment and prevention. Given their volatile nature, these compounds can be administered to patients through inhalation, which is often more comfortable and convenient than other administration routes. However, the development of NVOC-based drug candidates requires a careful evaluation of the molecular mechanisms that drive their therapeutic properties to avoid potential adverse effects. Furthermore, even compounds that appear generally safe might have toxic effects depending on their dose, and therefore their toxicological assessment is also critical. In order to enhance the usage of NVOCs this short review focuses not only on the biological activities and therapeutic mode of action of representative NVOCs but also their toxic effects.

A randomized controlled trial of combination of peppermint, lavender, and turmeric oil for antipruritic agent in pregnant women

BACKGROUND Pruritus is the most common dermatological complaint that occurs during pregnancy, which is around 14–20%. No research related to herbal products to reduce some of the characteristics of pruritus at once has been conducted. This study aimed to assess the effect of blending oil to reduce pruritus based on visual analog scale (VAS). METHODS This was a single-blind, randomized clinical trial that included 57 pregnant women who were at 25–38 weeks of gestation, had a pruritus during pregnancy, a single pregnancy, a level I and II pruritus and a moderate to severe pruritus based on VAS. Pruritus scores were measured using VAS in both the treatment and control groups. The treatment and control groups applied blending oil and placebo, respectively, twice a day after bathing for 2 weeks. Mann–Whitney U, paired t, and chi-square tests were used for the analysis. RESULTS Pruritus reduction in pregnant women who received blending oil was higher than those using placebo (61.08% versus 12.41%, p<0.05). 83% of subjects using blending oils had a reduction of pruritus by >25 mm. Pregnant women who used placebo had a six times greater risk of experiencing pruritus than those who used blending oil (RR = 5.8, 95% CI = 2.613–12.874). CONCLUSIONS Blending oil can be used topically to treat a pruritus in pregnant women.

Comparative Study of Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils and Crude Extracts of Four Characteristic Zingiberaceae Herbs

The ginger family (Zingiberaceae) includes plants that are known worldwide to have a distinctive smell and taste, which are often used as spices in the kitchen, but also in various industries (pharmaceutical, medical, and cosmetic) due to their proven biological activity. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the chemical composition and antioxidant activity (AA) of essential oils (EOs) of four characteristic ginger species: Elettaria cardamomum L. Maton (cardamom), Curcuma Longa L. (turmeric), Zingiber Officinale Roscoe (ginger), and Alpinia Officinarum Hance (galangal). Furthermore, the total phenolic content (TPC) and AA of crude extracts obtained after using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and different extraction solvents (80% ethanol, 80% methanol and water) were evaluated. A total of 87 different chemical components were determined by GC-MS/MS in the EOs obtained after hydrodistillation, 14 of which were identified in varying amounts in all EOs. The major compounds found in cardamom, turmeric, ginger, and galangal were α-terpinyl acetate (40.70%), β-turmerone (25.77%), α-zingiberene (22.69%) and 1,8-cineol (42.71%), respectively. In general, 80% ethanol was found to be the most effective extracting solvent for the bioactivities of the investigated species from the Zingiberaceae family. Among the crude extracts, ethanolic extract of galangal showed the highest TPC value (63.01 ± 1.06 mg GA g^-1 DW), while the lowest TPC content was found in cardamom water extract (1.04 ± 0.29 mg GA g^-1 DW). The AA evaluated by two different assays (ferric-reducing antioxidant power-FRAP and the scavenging activity of the cationic ABTS radical) proved that galangal rhizome is the plant with the highest antioxidant potential. In addition, no statistical difference was found between the AA of turmeric and ginger extracts, while cardamom rhizome was again inferior. In contrast to the crude extracts, the EOs resulted in significantly lower ABTS and FRAP values, with turmeric EO showing the highest AA.

Plant Secondary Metabolites: An Opportunity for Circular Economy

Moving toward a more sustainable development, a pivotal role is played by circular economy and a smarter waste management. Industrial wastes from plants offer a wide spectrum of possibilities for their valorization, still being enriched in high added-value molecules, such as secondary metabolites (SMs). The current review provides an overview of the most common SM classes (chemical structures, classification, biological activities) present in different plant waste/by-products and their potential use in various fields. A bibliographic survey was carried out, taking into account 99 research articles (from 2006 to 2020), summarizing all the information about waste type, its plant source, industrial sector of provenience, contained SMs, reported bioactivities, and proposals for its valorization. This survey highlighted that a great deal of the current publications are focused on the exploitation of plant wastes in human healthcare and food (including cosmetic, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and food additives). However, as summarized in this review, plant SMs also possess an enormous potential for further uses. Accordingly, an increasing number of investigations on neglected plant matrices and their use in areas such as veterinary science or agriculture are expected, considering also the need to implement "greener" practices in the latter sector.

A Systematic Review of the Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Properties of 16 Essential Oils of Herbs

Background

Inflammation is a host defense mechanism in the body after it is infected and damaged. If inflammation is not treated in time, then it may cause a variety of diseases, such as cancer and autoimmune diseases. Herbal essential oils are natural extracts that can suppress inflammation effectively and are expected to be used in therapeutic drugs for anti-inflammatory diseases in the future. Aim of the review. We review the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of essential oils derived from 16 herbs. Materials and methods. We searched the literature of the fields of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory herbal essential oil activity published in English within the past five years via databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and The Web of Science).

Results

A total of 1932 papers were found by searching, and 132 papers were screened after removing duplicates and reading article titles. Fifteen articles met the requirements to be included in this review. Among those selected, 11 articles reported in vivo research results, and 10 articles showed research results.

Conclusion

Essential oils extracted from herbs can reduce inflammation by regulating the release of inflammatory cytokines involved in multiple signalling pathways. Herbal essential oils are expected to be developed as anti-inflammatory drugs.

Curative effects of Distemonanthus benthamianus Baillon. Trunk-bark extracts on enteropathogenic Escherichia coli 31-induced diarrhea in rats

Background Distemonanthus benthamianus is used in the Western part of Cameroon to treat diarrheal episodes and infections. This study assessed its trunk-bark extracts activity against enteropathogenic Escherichia coli 31 (EPEC 31)-induced diarrhea in rats. Methods Aqueous and methanolic extracts were analyzed through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MICs/MBCs) were evaluated on Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 10,541), E. coli (ATCC 6539), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 13,883), Salmonella typhi (ATCC 6539) strains and on Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA 01) and Shigella flexneri isolates using the microdilution method. Diarrhea was induced by inoculating rats with EPEC 31 (1.5 × 108 CFU/mL; p.o). Serum transaminases level assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for cytokines determination were performed. Hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) staining was used for intestinal tissue analysis. Results HPLC fingerprints of extracts showed presence of gallic acid and other unidentified compounds. The lowest MIC of 256 µg/mL was obtained with methanolic extract. At 100 mg/kg, both extracts significantly (p<0.001) inhibited diarrhea, with the methanolic extract being the most active. In addition, the methanolic extract significantly (p<0.001) increased the relative mass of the liver compared to negative control (Tween-DMSO 8%). The aqueous extract (100 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.01) increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) serum concentration; while the methanolic extract (100 mg/kg) exhibited similar effect over aspartate aminotransferase (AST). At 50 and 100 mg/kg, the methanolic extract significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.01) decreased the Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) serum level, compared to negative control (Tween-DMSO 8%). Serum level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) significantly (p<0.001) decreased with 100 mg/kg of aqueous extract and all doses of methanolic extract. Inhibition of inflammatory cells tissue infiltration and epithelial regeneration was highly noticed in the ileum and colon of extracts-treated rats than in ciprofloxacin-treated animals. Conclusion These findings suggest that D. benthamianus trunk-bark extracts displayed therapeutic effects against infectious diarrhea in rats.