Steroidal saponins of Trillium govanianum: Quality control, pharmacokinetic analysis, and anti-inflammatory activity

Insecticidal Activities and Mechanism of Action of Steroidal Saponins from Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D. Don Against Plutella xylostella (L.) and Aphis craccivora Koch

Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), is a major pest of cruciferous crops, whereas Aphis craccivora is a major sucking pest of leguminous crops. Indiscriminate use of synthetic insecticides for the control of insect pests leads to insecticide resistance, harmful to natural enemies of pests, pollinators, the environment, and consumers' health. Therefore, it is necessary to screen/identify alternate strategies to control the target pests. Steroidal saponins, a group of specialized amphiphilic metabolites, are known for their various biological properties. There are a few reports on insecticidal activities of steroidal saponins. In the present study, insecticidal activities of nine diverse steroidal saponins isolated from Trillium govanianum were evaluated against Plutella xylostella and Aphis craccivora. Among the molecules, govanoside E (3) was found more effective against Plutella xylostella (LD50 = 0.91 µL/insect) after 96 h of treatment followed by govanosides D and F (1.44 and 1.56 µL/insect, respectively). Similarly, govanoside E was also found effective against Aphis craccivora (LD50 = 1.04 µL/insect) followed by dehydroxy-diosgenin and pennogenin-triglycoside (1.19 and 1.36 µL/insect, respectively). Furthermore, govanoside E (3) showed promising repellency (RC50 = 1043.20 µL/L) against Plutella xylostella. The molecules also showed a dose-dependent relationship with inhibitory effects on the reproduction of Aphis craccivora. In vitro enzyme inhibition/mechanism study confirmed that govanoside E (3) inhibited glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and carboxylesterase (CES1) in test insects. The present study suggested the potential utilization of steroidal saponins for the control of target pests based on field bio-efficacy results.

NADES extraction, UHPLC-ELSD-based quantification, and network pharmacology-guided target identification of fourteen specialised metabolites from Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D.Don

INTRODUCTION

Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D.Don is a folk medicinal herb rich in structurally diverse steroidal saponins. The annual demand for this herb in India is about 200-500 metric tons, highlighting the need for a thorough quality assessment.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to develop an easy and reliable ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detector (UHPLC-ELSD)-based quality assessment method with 14 specialised metabolites of T. govanianum and identify the potential targets of this herb using network pharmacology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A UHPLC-ELSD method was developed and validated with 14 markers of T. govanianum. The developed method and natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES)-assisted extraction were utilised for the recovery enhancement study of targeted specialised metabolites from rhizome samples (collected from five geographically distinct areas). In addition, the network pharmacology approach was performed for these 14 markers to predict the plausible biological targets of T. govanianum.

RESULT

The developed method showed good linearity (r2: 0.940-0.998), limit of detection (LOD) (2.4-9.0 μg), limit of quantification (LOQ) (7.92-29.7 μg), precision (intra-day relative standard deviations [RSDs] 0.77%-1.96% and inter-day RSDs 2.19-4.97%), and accuracy (83.24%-118.90%). NADES sample TG-1* showed the highest recovery (yield: 167.66 ± 4.39 mg/g of dry weight) of total saponin content (TSC) as compared to its hydroethanolic extract (yield: 103.95 ± 5.36 mg/g of dry weight). Sample TG-1* was the most favourable (yield: 167.66 ± 4.39 mg/g) in terms of TSC as compared to other analysed samples (32.68 ± 1.04-88.22 ± 6.79 mg/g). Govanoside D (yield: 3.43-28.06 mg/g), 22β-hydroxyprotodioscin (yield: 3.22-114.79 mg/g), and dioscin (yield: 1.07-20.82 mg/g) were quantified as the major metabolites. Furthermore, network pharmacology analysis of targeted 14 markers indicated that these molecules could be possible therapeutic agents for managing neuralgia, diabetes mellitus, and hyperalgesia.

CONCLUSION

The current study represents the first report for the simultaneous quantification and a network pharmacology-based analysis of 14 chemical marker compounds isolated from T. govanianum.

Network pharmacology-guided therapeutic exploration of a new trihydroxy fatty ester isolated from rhizomes of Trillium govanianum

One new previously undescribed trihydroxy fatty ester (1) and three known aliphatic alkenes (2-4) have been isolated from the rhizomes of Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D.Don. The structures of isolated molecules were elucidated using extensive spectroscopic techniques including NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and FT-IR, respectively. This is the first report on the isolation of compounds 3 and 4 from the Trillium genus. Moreover, through a network pharmacology approach, the therapeutic potential of the isolated molecules was investigated. This analysis revealed that these fatty alkenes can be utilised for managing health conditions such as pneumonitis, inflammatory pain, and endothelial dysfunction.

Antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities of crude leave extract and solvent fractions of Commelina latifolia Hochst. ex C.B.Clarke (Commelinaceae) leaves in murine model

Ethnopharmacological relevance: In the past, Ethiopian traditional medicine employed the leaves of the native Commelina latifolia Hochst. ex C.B. Clarke plant to treat wounds, pain, and malaria. Aim of the study: The crude extract and solvent fractions of C. latifolia Hochst. ex C.B. Clarke leaves were examined in the present investigation to determine their ability to have an antiinflammatory effect and provide an antinociceptive effect in animal models. Materials and methods: The leaves of C. latifolia were extracted with 80% methanol, and the CL crude extract was further fractionated with chloroform, pure methanol, and distilled water. The carrageenan-induced paw edema model was used to test the extracts' ability to reduce inflammation. The hotplate model and the acetic acid-induced writhing test on rodents were used to test the extracts' potential antinociceptive effect to reduce pain. Results: Inflammation was decreased by 64.59% with CL crude extract (400 mg/kg); 56.34% (400 mg/kg) of methanol fraction, 64.59% of aqueous fraction (400 mg/kg), and 38.27% of chloroform fraction in the carrageenan-induced inflammatory model. All extracts demonstrated a considerable lengthening of the nociception reaction time in the hot plate test, with a maximum antinociceptive effect of 78.98% (crude extract) and 71.65% (solvent fractions). At a dosage of 400 mg/kg, the natural C. latifolia crude extract and aqueous fraction demonstrated considerable antinociceptive effects against acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) during the writhing test (48.83% and 45.37than%, respectively). The current findings support Ethiopia's traditional user's assertions that the herb can alleviate inflammation and pain.

Molecular docking and dynamic simulation approach to decipher steroidal sapogenins (genus Trillium) derived agonists for glucocorticoid receptor

Steroidal sapogenins (SS) are structural analogues of steroidal drugs, which are frequently used for the treatment of several diseases including reproductive, malignancies, neurological, and inflammation-related diseases. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a nuclear receptor that regulates development, metabolism, and inflammation, in response to steroidal ligands. Therefore, GR is considered as a potential therapeutic target for steroidal agents to the treatment of inflammation-related diseases. We hypothesized that SS may act as an agonist for GR due to structural similarity with corticosteroids. In this study, we carried out in silico screening of various SS from the genus Trillium to check their potential as an agonist for GR. Our data suggest that out of 42 SS, only 7 molecules have interacted with GR. However, molecular mechanics with generalized Born and surface area (MM-GBSA) analysis revealed that only two SS (SS 38 and SS 39) molecules bind favorably to GR. Among these, SS 38 (docking score: -9.722 Kcal/mol and MM-GBSA ΔG_bind: -50.192 Kcal/mol) and SS 39 (docking score: -11.20 Kcal/mol and MM-GBSA ΔG_bind: -58.937 Kcal/mol) have best docking and MM-GBSA scores. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies of SS 38, SS 39, and dexamethasone-GR complex revealed that both SS shows hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction with GR over the 120 ns simulation with mild fluctuations. The current study suggests that SS 38 and SS 39 may be further explored as a potential agonist to treat several disease conditions mediated by GR.