Botanical origin of Indian celery seed (fruit)

Apium extract alleviates indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats via modulating the VEGF and IK-κB/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway: insights from in silico and in vivo investigations

BACKGROUND

Gastric ulcers represent a worldwide health problem, characterized by erosions that affect the mucous membrane of the stomach and may even reach the muscular layer, leading to serious complications. Numerous natural products have been assessed as anti-ulcerogenic agents, and have been considered as new approaches for treatment or prevention of gastric ulcers. The present research investigated the preventive benefits of Apium graveolens L. (Apiaceae), known as celery, seed extract towards indomethacin-induced ulceration of the stomach in rats.

METHODS

Metabolomic profiling, employing liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-HR-ESI-MS), was implemented with the aim of investigating the chemical profile of the seeds. Histopathological analysis of gastric tissues, as well as assessment of numerous inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress indicators, confirmed the in vivo evaluation.

RESULTS

The prior treatment with A. graveolens seed extract resulted in a substantial reduction in the ulcer index when compared to the indomethacin group, indicating an improvement in stomach mucosal injury. Moreover, the gastroprotective effect was demonstrated through examination of the oxidative stress biomarkers which was significantly attenuated upon pre-treatment with A. graveolens seed extract. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a fundamental angiogenic factor that stimulates angiogenesis, was markedly inhibited by indomethacin. A. graveolens seed extract restored this diminished level of VEGF. The dramatic reductions in NF-κB protein levels indicate a considerable attenuation of the indomethacin-induced IKκB/NF-κB p65 signaling cascade. These activities were also correlated to the tentatively featured secondary metabolites including, phenolic acids, coumarins and flavonoids, previously evidenced to exert potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. According to our network pharmacology study, the identified metabolites annotated 379 unique genes, among which only 17 genes were related to gastric ulcer. The PTGS2, MMP2 and PTGS1 were the top annotated genes related to gastric ulcer. The top biological pathway was the VEGF signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

A. graveolens seed extract possesses significant anti-ulcer activity, similar to famotidine, against gastric lesions induced by indomethacin in rats. It is worth highlighting that the extract overcomes the negative effects of conventional chemical anti-secretory drugs because it does not lower stomach acidity.

Identification of Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors from Celery Seeds Using Affinity Ultrafiltration-Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Celery seeds have been used as an effective dietary supplement to manage hyperuricemia and diminish gout recurrence. Xanthine oxidase (XOD), the critical enzyme responsible for uric acid production, represents the most promising target for anti-hyperuricemia in clinical practice. In this study, we aimed to establish a method based on affinity ultrafiltration-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UF-LC-MS) to directly and rapidly identify the bioactive compounds contributing to the XOD-inhibitory effects of celery seed crude extracts. Chemical profiling of celery seed extracts was performed using UPLC-TOF/MS. The structure was elucidated by matching the multistage fragment ion data to the database and publications of high-resolution natural product mass spectrometry. Thirty-two compounds, including fourteen flavonoids and six phenylpeptides, were identified from celery seed extracts. UF-LC-MS showed that luteolin-7-O-apinosyl glucoside, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin-7-O-malonyl apinoside, luteolin-7-O-6'-malonyl glucoside, luteolin, apigenin, and chrysoeriol were potential binding compounds of XOD. A further enzyme activity assay demonstrated that celery seed extract (IC50 = 1.98 mg/mL), luteolin-7-O-apinosyl glucoside (IC50 = 3140.51 μmol/L), luteolin-7-O-glucoside (IC50 = 975.83 μmol/L), luteolin-7-O-6'-malonyl glucoside (IC50 = 2018.37 μmol/L), luteolin (IC50 = 69.23 μmol/L), apigenin (IC50 = 92.56 μmol/L), and chrysoeriol (IC50 = 40.52 μmol/L) could dose-dependently inhibit XOD activities. This study highlighted UF-LC-MS as a useful platform for screening novel XOD inhibitors and revealed the chemical basis of celery seed as an anti-gout dietary supplement.

Treatment of women's sexual dysfunction using Apium graveolens L. Fruit (celery seed): A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional manuscripts refer to plants such as Apium graveolens L. Fruit (celery seed), which could be used to improve sexual function among women. Since that time, local herbal shops in Iran continue to provide this herb as a natural aphrodisiac product.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of celery seed for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

In this parallel, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial, 80 women were assigned to receive either 500 mg of celery seed or placebo 3 times a day for a period of 6 weeks (n = 40 per group). The female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire was used to evaluate women's sexual function before and after treatment.

RESULTS

At the end of the sixth week, an improvement in the total FSFI score was significantly greater in celery seed-treated women than those receiving the placebo (P < 0.001). Increased total FSFI score is mainly contributed by improvement in the sexual desire (p < 0.001), arousal (p < 0.001), lubrication (p < 0.001), and pain (p = 0.033) domains at the endpoint of study. No serious side effects were noticed in both groups during the study period.

CONCLUSION

It seems that celery seed improved sexual function in women and could be used as a safe, well-tolerated, and effective herbal medicine in women with sexual dysfunction.

Growth-disrupting, larvicidal and neurobehavioral toxicity effects of seed extract of Seseli diffusum against Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae)

Plant extracts that kill, deform the post-embryonic molting stages of mosquitoes could be a valuable approach in integrated vector management programmes to replace synthetic chemical pesticides, containing persistent toxic substances. Crude ethanolic seed extract was obtained by maceration of seeds of Indian celery, Seseli diffusum (Apiaceae). The ethanolic seed extract induced strong neurobehavioral toxicity against the 4th instar larvae of Aedes aegypti which resulted in a high level of larval knock-down with EC(50) of 238.15 ppm, after 4h of treatment. The extract at concentration of 200 ppm exhibited a potent larvicidal effect against 4th instar A. aegypti, produced 88% and 96% mortality, after 24 and 48 h of treatment with LC(50) of 126.13 ppm and LC(50) of 112.53 ppm, respectively. The ethanolic seed extract at higher concentration (>400 ppm) produced 100% mortality, after 24 h and 48 h of treatment. At lower concentration of 100 ppm, extract induced a high level of morphological deformities in larvae, after 48 h of treatment. A high level of growth and/or molting disrupting effect of extract against larvae was also observed which resulting in the formation of larval-pupal intermediates, after 48 h of treatment. At concentrations of 200-300 ppm, ethanolic seed extract induced morphological deformities in dead pupae, after 72 h of treatment. The results showed that S. diffusum is a promising candidate for the development of new botanical biopesticide having multiple potentials for controlling insect pest of medical and agricultural importance.