Profiling of secondary metabolites and DNA typing of three different Annona cultivars grown in Egypt

A pharmaco-metabolomics study of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Boswellia sarca, and Acacia nilotica in acute allergic dermatitis

Acute allergic contact dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by swollen, itchy lesions. This study aimed to evaluate the soothing and wound-healing effects of fixed and volatile oils of Boswellia sarca, as well as extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Acacia nilotica, on acute contact dermatitis in rats. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, triterpenoids, alkaloids, and cardiac glycosides in Acacia nilotica and, Glycyrrhiza glabra extracts, with Boswellia sarca showing a dominance of volatile oils. The study included a normal group and six acute allergic dermatitis groups induced by subcutaneous histamine injection. One group served as a positive control without treatment, while five groups were treated topically at inflamed sites with Boswellia sarca oils, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Acacia nilotica extracts, alongside betamethasone as a standard treatment. The effects were evaluated through inspection, serum levels of ICAM-1, LTB4, and ILβ-4, as well as histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. GC/MS analysis identified Incensole acetate (50.12%) and Incensole (32.44%) as major compounds in BS fixed oil, with significant terpenoids and volatile components. Metabolomic profiling using LC-MS/MS highlighted diverse secondary metabolites in Acacia nilotica and, Glycyrrhiza glabra, including polyphenolic acids, flavonoids, and amino acids, showcasing their therapeutic potential. All topical treatments reduced ICAM-1 and LTB4 levels to varying degrees and exhibited better histopathological and immunohistochemical results compared to the untreated positive control group. Among the treatments, Boswellia oils and, Glycyrrhiza glabra extracts demonstrated the most effective soothing and curative effects on allergic dermatitis. Boswellia sarca oils and, Glycyrrhiza glabra extract showed the best soothing and curative effects against allergic dermatitis.

Role of rich phenolics and betanin profiles from Opuntia ficus-indica fruits in the prevention of diabetic complications using metabolomics study

Opuntia ficus-indica red fruit (OFI-RF) is a member of the Cactaceae family and native to South America. Phytochemical evaluation of the plant has revealed variable bioactive components; therefore, this study explored the medicinal value of butanol (BE) and ethylacetate extracts (EE) by evaluating their antidiabetic, antioxidant and antihypercholesterolemic properties. Selected solvents were used for phytochemical extraction according to established protocols, and then pharmacological effects of phenolic and betanin-rich extracts were evaluated. Results indicated that butanol was the most effective solvent for extracting polyphenolics followed by ethyl acetate, yielding: 148.91 ± 0.95 and 110.96 ± 0.61 μg/g, respectively. Identification analysis of OFI-RF using UPLC/HESI-MS/MS revealed a diverse range of 101 metabolites, including polyphenolics (phenolic acids, phenolic glycosides, flavanols, flavanonols, flavonoids and biflavonoids), alkaloids, pyridine, betalains, coumarins, vitamins, fatty acids and other therapeutic compounds. Biological studies (in vitro and in vivo) demonstrated that both EE and BE exhibited significant antidiabetic, antioxidant and antihypercholestremic activities. These findings were further supported via histopathological examination.

Appraisal terpenoids rich Boswellia carterri ethyl acetate extract in binary cyclodextrin oligomer nano complex for improving respiratory distress

Boswellia carterii (BC) resins plants have a long historical background as a treatment for inflammation, as indicated by information originating from multiple countries. Twenty-seven diterpenoids have been identified in ethyl acetate and total methanol BC, comprising seventeen boscartins of the cembrane-type diterpenoids and ten boscartols of the prenylaromadendrane-type diterpenoids. Moreover, twenty-one known triterpenoids have also been found, encompassing nine tirucallane-type, six ursane-type, four oleanane-type, and two lupane-type. The cembrane-type diterpenoids hold a significant position in pharmaceutical chemistry and related industries due to their captivating biological characteristics and promising pharmacological potentials. Extraction of BC, creation and assessment of nano sponges loaded with either B. carterii plant extract or DEX, are the subjects of our current investigation. With the use of ultrasound-assisted synthesis, nano sponges were produced. The entrapment efficiency (EE%) of medications in nano sponges was examined using spectrophotometry. Nano sponges were characterized using a number of methods. Within nano sponges, the EE% of medicines varied between 98.52 ± 0.07 and 99.64 ± 1.40%. The nano sponges' particle sizes varied from 105.9 ± 15.9 to 166.8 ± 26.3 nm. Drugs released from nano sponges using the Korsmeyer-Peppas concept. In respiratory distressed rats, the effects of BC plant extract, DEX salt and their nano formulations (D1, D5, P1 and P1), were tested. Treatment significantly reduced ICAM-1, LTB4, and ILβ 4 levels and improved histopathologic profiles, when compared to the positive control group. Boswellia extract and its nano sponge formulation P1 showed promising therapeutic effects. The effect of P1 may be due to synergism between both the extract and the formulation. This effect was achieved by blocking both ICAM-1 and LTB4 pathways, therefore counteracting the effects of talc powder.

A comprehensive tool in recycling plant-waste of Gossypium barbadense L agricultural and industrial waste extracts containing gossypin and gossypol: hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects

Improper management of agricultural and industrial cotton wastes causes environmental pollution and worsens the climate change challenge. Green recycling of cotton could contribute to a circular economy. One of the economic values of cotton wastes lies in their bioactive components. Two types of cotton wastes-agricultural and industrial-of the species Gossypium barbadense L. Giza 95 were targeted in the current study, aiming to maximize their medicinal value and investigate the anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant activities of their phytochemical extracts. Phytochemical extraction was performed using different solvents extraction. An anti-inflammatory effect was tested in carrageenan-induced acute edema in a rat paw model. A carbon tetrachloride chronic model of liver injury was used for the assessment of hepatoprotective potential. Liver enzymes (AST and ALT), oxidative stress markers (MDA and GSH), inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein), and histopathological features were investigated. As a result, ethyl acetate proved to be the solvent of best choice to extract the gossypin polyphenolics, where the extracted amount reached 14,826.2 µg/g, followed by butanol (8751.4 µg/g extract). The chloroform (CHCL3) fraction showed the highest amounts of gossypol (190.7 µg/g extract), followed by petroleum ether. Cotton waste's composition analysis showed a wide range of components, including 33 metabolites such as gossypetin, polyphenolics, and other metabolites that possess therapeutic effects. Both chloroform extract and industrial waste extracts showed superior anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects in comparison to other extracts. All tested extracts (ethyl acetate, chloroform, and industrial waste) showed proper antioxidant activities.

Comprehensive Tools of Alkaloid/Volatile Compounds-Metabolomics and DNA Profiles: Bioassay-Role-Guided Differentiation Process of Six Annona sp. Grown in Egypt as Anticancer Therapy

Trees of the Annona species that grow in the tropics and subtropics contain compounds that are highly valuable for pharmacological research and medication development and have anticancer, antioxidant, and migratory properties. Metabolomics was used to functionally characterize natural products and to distinguish differences between varieties. Natural products are therefore bioactive-marked and highly respected in the field of drug innovation. Our study aimed to evaluate the interrelationships among six Annona species. By utilizing six Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) and six Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) primers for DNA fingerprinting, we discovered polymorphism percentages of 45.16 and 35.29%, respectively. The comparison of the profiles of 78 distinct volatile oil compounds in six Annona species was accomplished through the utilization of GC-MS-based plant metabolomics. Additionally, the differentiation process of 74 characterized alkaloid compound metabolomics was conducted through a structural analysis using HPLC-ESI-MSn and UPLC-HESI-MS/MS, and antiproliferative activities were assessed on five in vitro cell lines. High-throughput, low-sensitivity LC/MS-based metabolomics has facilitated comprehensive examinations of alterations in secondary metabolites through the utilization of bioassay-guided differentiation processes. This has been accomplished by employing twenty-four extracts derived from six distinct Annona species, which were subjected to in vitro evaluation. The primary objective of this evaluation was to investigate the IC50 profile as well as the antioxidant and migration activities. It should be noted, however, that these investigations were exclusively conducted utilizing the most potent extracts. These extracts were thoroughly examined on both the HepG2 and Caco cell lines to elucidate their potential anticancer effects. In vitro tests on cell cultures showed a significant concentration cytotoxic effect on all cell lines (HepG2, HCT, Caco, Mcf-7, and T47D) treated with six essential oil samples at the exposure time (48 h). Therefore, they showed remarkable antioxidant activity with simultaneous cytotoxic effects. In total, 50% and 80% of the A. muricata extract, the extract with the highest migratory activity, demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of migration. It was strong on highly metastatic Caco cells 48 h after treatment and scraping the Caco cell sheet, with the best reduction in the migration of HepG2 cells caused by the 50% A. reticulata extract. Also, the samples showing a significant IC50 value showed a significant effect in stopping metastasis and invasion of various cancer cell lines, making them an interesting topic for further research.

Fighting cytokine storm and immunomodulatory deficiency: By using natural products therapy up to now

A novel coronavirus strain (COVID-19) caused severe illness and mortality worldwide from 31 December 2019 to 21 March 2023. As of this writing, 761,071,826 million cases have been diagnosed worldwide, with 6,879,677 million deaths accorded by WHO organization and has spread to 228 countries. The number of deaths is closely connected to the growth of innate immune cells in the lungs, mainly macrophages, which generate inflammatory cytokines (especially IL-6 and IL-1β) that induce "cytokine storm syndrome" (CSS), multi-organ failure, and death. We focus on promising natural products and their biologically active chemical constituents as potential phytopharmaceuticals that target virus-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines. Successful therapy for this condition is currently rare, and the introduction of an effective vaccine might take months. Blocking viral entrance and replication and regulating humoral and cellular immunity in the uninfected population are the most often employed treatment approaches for viral infections. Unfortunately, no presently FDA-approved medicine can prevent or reduce SARS-CoV-2 access and reproduction. Until now, the most important element in disease severity has been the host's immune response activation or suppression. Several medicines have been adapted for COVID-19 patients, including arbidol, favipiravir, ribavirin, lopinavir, ritonavir, hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, dexamethasone, and anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical drugs, such as tocilizumab, glucocorticoids, anakinra (IL-1β cytokine inhibition), and siltuximab (IL-6 cytokine inhibition). However, these synthetic medications and therapies have several side effects, including heart failure, permanent retinal damage in the case of hydroxyl-chloroquine, and liver destruction in the case of remdesivir. This review summarizes four strategies for fighting cytokine storms and immunomodulatory deficiency induced by COVID-19 using natural product therapy as a potential therapeutic measure to control cytokine storms.