Antispasmodic effects of the essential oil of Croton zehnteneri, anethole, and estragole, on tracheal smooth muscle

Effects of Anethole on Renal Function of Swiss Mice

Background/Objectives: Anethole, a terpenoid with several pharmacologic effects, is the major constituent of the essential oil of Croton zehntneri (EOCz), Pax & K. Hoffm, Euphorbiaceae. Due to the mild renal toxicity associated with high doses of EOCz, its potential therapeutic effects on several diseases, and the fact that its chemical composition consists of 80% anethole, the renal effects of anethole in mice were investigated. Methods: Mice were randomly divided into eight groups, dosed daily as follows: Group 1-CTRL (control; vehicle only); Groups 2-A100, 3-A1252x, and 4-A250 (dosed with 100, 125 twice daily, and 250 mg/kg, per os anethole); Group 5-SUBAKI (i.p. albumin to induce hyperproteinemia and proteinuria; subclinical acute kidney injury); and Groups 6-SUBAKI+A100, 7-SUBAKI+A1252x, and 8-SUBAKI+A250 (per os anethole + i.p. albumin). Results: The A1252x and A250 groups significantly increased urinary proteinuria and interstitial inflammation (p < 0.001, for these groups). SUBAKI+A100, SUBAKI+A1252x, and SUBAKI+A250 showed a neither protective nor additive effect in the proteinuria induced by anethole and by administered albumin. The anethole-induced proteinuria was spontaneously reversible in approximately 4 weeks. In vitro experiments showed that anethole (300 µg/mL) inhibits albumin uptake from the culture medium by tubular cells. Conclusions: Anethole at high doses bears renal acute toxicity that, although mild and spontaneously fully reversible, must be taken into consideration in a cost-benefit analysis.

Biphasic effect of limonene on contraction of isolated rat aorta

Limonene, a monoterpene found in essential oils, has various activities, such as antifungal, antioxidant, neuroprotective, gastroprotective and vasorelaxant. However, the observation of limonene's biphasic effect in preclinical studies provides crucial information about its dose-dependent actions. Understanding this behavior is essential for optimizing therapeutic doses and anticipating possible side effects prior to clinical trials. The objective of this study is to provide a more detailed characterization and investigation of the mechanisms of action of limonene on the contractile tonus of isolated aorta.The experiments were carried out on aortic rings isolated from rats, subjected to isometric recording of contractions in their circular smooth muscle and exposed to different concentrations of limonene. It was found that limonene blocked the contraction induced by KCl (60 mM), but had a biphasic effect on the contraction induced by phenylephrine (0.1 μM). At lower concentrations, limonene was able to amplify the contraction induced by phenylephrine, while at higher concentrations, it inhibited it. The nitric oxide synthase blockers L-NAME and ruthenium red, a TRP ion channel blocker, did not significantly interfere with the biphasic character of limonene. However, indomethacin, a blocker of arachidonic acid derivatives, completely blocked the amplification of contraction induced by phenylephrine. In addition, limonene promoted relaxation in contractions induced by BAY-K 8644, a calcium channel agonist and by Ba2+. Limonene has complex effects on aortic tone, amplifying or inhibiting contractions, suggesting that the therapeutic window should be carefully studied to optimize clinical results.

Croton grewioides essential oil and anethole reduce oxidative stress and improve growth of bovine primordial follicles during culture of ovarian tissue

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to evaluate the effects of Croton grewioides essential oil (CGEO) and anethole on follicle survival, growth, and oxidative stress in cultured bovine ovarian tissues.

METHODS

Ovarian tissues were cultured for 6 days in a medium supplemented with different concentrations (1, 10, 100, or 1000 µg mL-1) of CGEO or anethole and then, follicular survival and growth, collagen content, and stromal cell density in ovarian tissues cultured in vitro were evaluated by histology. The mRNA levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), peroxirredoxin 6 (PRDX6), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) were evaluated by real-time PCR. The activity of SOD, CAT, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and thiol concentrations were investigated.

KEY FINDINGS

Ovarian tissues cultured with 1 µg mL-1 CGEO or anethole had a higher percentage of healthy follicles than those cultured in a control medium (P < .05). The 1 µg mL-1 CGEO also increased the number of stromal cells, collagen fibers, and thiol levels. Anethole (1 µg mL-1) increased CAT activity and reduced that of GPx. The activity of SOD was reduced by CGEO. In contrast, 1 µg mL-1 anethole reduced mRNA for CAT, PRDX1, and NRF2 (P < .05). In addition, 1 µg mL-1 CGEO reduced mRNA for CAT, PRDX6, and GPx1 (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of 1 µg mL-1 anethole or CGEO in a culture medium promotes follicle survival and regulates oxidative stress and the expression of mRNA and activity of antioxidant enzymes in cultured bovine ovarian tissues.

State-Dependent Blockade of Dorsal Root Ganglion Voltage-Gated Na+ Channels by Anethole

Anethole is a phenolic compound synthesized by many aromatic plants. Anethole is a substance that humans can safely consume and has been studied for years as a biologically active molecule to treat a variety of conditions, including nerve damage, gastritis, inflammation, and nociception. Anethole is thought to carry out its biological activities through direct interaction with ion channels. Anethole is beneficial for neurodegenerative Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Nevertheless, nothing has been investigated regarding the effects of anethole on voltage-gated Na+ channels (VGSCs), which are major players in neuronal function. We used cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons from neonatal rats as a source of natively expressed VGSCs for electrophysiological studies using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Our data show that anethole interacts directly with VGSCs. Anethole quickly blocks and unblocks (when removed) voltage-activated Na+ currents in this preparation in a fully reversible manner. Anethole's binding affinity to these channels increases when the inactive states of these channels are populated, similar to lidocaine's effect on the same channels. Our data show that anethole inhibits neuronal activity by blocking VGSCs in a state-dependent manner. These findings relate to the putative anesthetic activity attributable to anethole, in addition to its potential benefit in neurodegenerative diseases.

Anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective potentials of anethole in Parkinson's disease-like motor and non-motor symptoms induced by rotenone in rats

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurological disorder characterized by a combination of motor and non-motor symptoms (NMS). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds are considered a potential therapeutic strategy against PD. The present study examined the neuroprotective effects of anethole as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent against motor and non-motor deficits induced by rotenone toxicity. Rats were treated with anethole (62.5, 125, and 250 mg/kg, i.g) concomitantly with rotenone (2 mg/kg, s.c) for 5 weeks. After the treatment, behavioral tests were performed to evaluate motor function and depression-/anxiety-like behaviors. After the behavioral tests, rats were decapitated and brains were removed for histological analysis. Striatum samples were also isolated for neurochemical, and molecular analysis. Our data showed that rotenone-induced motor deficit, anxiety-and depression-like behaviors were significantly improved in rats treated with anethole. Furthermore, anethole treatment reduced inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 in the striatum of rotenone-induced PD rats. Western blot analysis showed that treatment with anethole markedly suppressed caspase-3 activation induced by rotenone. Moreover, histological examination of striatum showed an increase in the number of surviving neurons after treatment with anethole. Anethole also significantly enhanced the striatal levels of dopamine in rotenone-induced PD rats. In addition, treatment with L-Dopa as a positive control group had effects similar to those of anethole on histological, neurochemical, and molecular parameters in rotenone-induced parkinsonian rats. Our results suggested the neuroprotective effects of anethole through anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant mechanisms against rotenone-induced toxicity in rats.

The preeclampsia condition alters external potassium-evoked contraction of human umbilical vessels

INTRODUCTION

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a disease of high incidence in parturients, that adversely affects both mother and fetus. Although PE prevalence is high, there are few studies on literature describing its etiology or its mechanism of action. Thus, the aim of this study was to elucidate PE-induced alterations of contractile reactivity in umbilical vessels.

METHOD

Segments of human umbilical artery (HUA) and human umbilical vein (HUV) from neonates of normotensive or PE parturients were obtained and contractile responses measured with a myograph. The segments were allowed to stabilize (2 h) under 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 g force (gf) at pre-stimulation and, then, were stimulated with high isotonic K⁺ concentrations ([K⁺]_o; 10-120 mM).

RESULTS

All preparations responded to increases in isotonic K⁺ concentrations. In HUA and HUV of neonates of normotensive parturients, and in HUV of neonates of PE parturients, the contraction saturated at nearly 50 mM [K⁺]_o, while in HUA of neonates of PE parturients, saturation occurred at 30 mM [K⁺]_o. Additionally, several differences between contractile responses of HUA and HUV from neonates of normotensive parturients and those from neonates of parturients with PE were observed. PE alters the contractile response of the HUA and HUV to increased [K⁺]_o, and its contractile modulation by the pre-stimulus basal tension. Moreover, in HUA of PE, reactivity is decreased for 2.0 and 3.0 gf basal tensions and increased for 1.0 gf; in the HUV of PE condition, it is increased for all basal tensions.

DISCUSSION

In conclusion, PE promotes several alterations in HUA and HUV contractile reactivity, vessels in which important circulatory alterations are known to occur.

Chemistry and Bioactivity of Croton Essential Oils: Literature Survey and Croton hirtus from Vietnam

Using essential oils to control vectors, intermediate hosts, and disease-causing microorganisms is a promising approach. The genus Croton in the family Euphorbiaceae is a large genus, with many species containing large amounts of essential oils, however, essential oil studies are limited in terms of the number of Croton species investigated. In this work, the aerial parts of C. hirtus growing wild in Vietnam were collected and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A total of 141 compounds were identified in C. hirtus essential oil, in which sesquiterpenoids dominated, comprising 95.4%, including the main components β-caryophyllene (32.8%), germacrene D (11.6%), β-elemene (9.1%), α-humulene (8.5%), and caryophyllene oxide (5.0%). The essential oil of C. hirtus showed very strong biological activities against the larvae of four mosquito species with 24 h LC50 values in the range of 15.38-78.27 μg/mL, against Physella acuta adults with a 48 h LC50 value of 10.09 μg/mL, and against ATCC microorganisms with MIC values in the range of 8-16 μg/mL. In order to provide a comparison with previous works, a literature survey on the chemical composition, mosquito larvicidal, molluscicidal, antiparasitic, and antimicrobial activities of essential oils of Croton species was conducted. Seventy-two references (seventy articles and one book) out of a total of two hundred and forty-four references related to the chemical composition and bioactivity of essential oils of Croton species were used for this paper. The essential oils of some Croton species were characterized by their phenylpropanoid compounds. The experimental results of this research and the survey of the literature showed that Croton essential oils have the potential to be used to control mosquito-borne and mollusk-borne diseases, as well as microbial infections. Research on unstudied Croton species is needed to search for species with high essential oil contents and excellent biological activities.

Bridging the Chemical Profile and Biological Activities of a New Variety of Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntze Extracts and Essential Oil

This study investigated the phytochemical content of alcoholic extracts and essential oil of a new variety of medicinal plants, Agastache foeniculum (Pursh), which Kuntze adapted for cultivation in Romania, namely “Aromat de Buzău”. The essential oil was investigated by GC-MS, while the identification and quantification of various compounds from alcoholic extracts were performed by HPLC-DAD. The total phenol and flavonoid contents of the extracts were evaluated by using standard phytochemical methods. The antioxidant activities of ethanol, methanol extracts, and essential oil of the plant were also assessed against 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•), 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS•+), and by ferric reducing power (FRAP) using spectroscopic methods. Cyclic voltammetry was used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of the essential oil. The concentrations of phenolic compounds were higher in methanolic extract compared to ethanolic extract. A significant correlation was found between total phenol and total flavonoid contents (r = 0.9087). Significant high correlations were also found between the total phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activities of the extracts (r ≥ 0.8600, p < 0.05). In addition, the extracts and essential oil showed good antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities. Estragole was detected as the major constituent of the essential oil (94.89%). The cytotoxic activity of the essential oil was evaluated by the MTT assay. At lower concentrations (1 µg/mL) high cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells was observed but not on the non-tumoral dermal fibroblasts (HDF) which indicated selectivity for cancer cells and suggests the presence of biologically active components that contribute to the observed high cytotoxic effect. Findings from the present study offer new perspectives on the use of A. foeniculum as a potential source of bioactive compounds and a good candidate for pharmaceutical plant-based products.

First Report on the Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Capacity, and Preliminary Toxicity to Artemia salina L. of Croton campinarensis Secco, A. Rosário & PE Berry (Euphorbiaceae) Essential Oil, and In Silico Study

Croton campinarensis Secco, A. Rosário & PE Berry is an aromatic species recently discovered in the Amazon region. This study first reports the chemical profile, antioxidant capacity, and preliminary toxicity to A. salina Leach of the essential oil (EO) of this species. The phytochemical profile of the essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC/MS) and (GC-FID). The antioxidant capacity of the EO was measured by its inhibition of ABTS^•+ and DPPH^• radicals. Molecular modeling was used to evaluate the mode of interaction of the major compounds with acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The results indicate that the EO yield was 0.24%, and germacrene D (26.95%), bicyclogermacrene (17.08%), (E)-caryophyllene (17.06%), and δ-elemene (7.59%) were the major compounds of the EO sample. The EO showed a TEAC of 0.55 ± 0.04 mM·L^-1 for the reduction of the ABTS^•+ radical and 1.88 ± 0.08 mM·L^-1 for the reduction of the DPPH^• radical. Regarding preliminary toxicity, the EO was classified as toxic in the bioassay with A. salina (LC₅₀ = 20.84 ± 4.84 µg·mL^-1). Through molecular docking, it was found that the majority of the EO components were able to interact with the binding pocket of AChE, a molecular target related to toxicity evaluated in A. salina models; the main interactions were van der Waals and π-alkyl interactions.

Dissecting dietary and semisynthetic volatile phenylpropenes: A compile of their distribution, food properties, health effects, metabolism and toxicities

Phenylpropenes represent a major subclass of plant volatiles, including eugenol, and (E)-anethole. They contribute to the flavor and aroma of many chief herbs and spices, to exert distinct notes in food, i.e., spicy anise- and clove-like to fruit. Asides from their culinary use, they appear to exert general health effects, whereas some effects are specific, e.g., eugenol being a natural local anesthetic. This review represents the most comprehensive overview of phenylpropenes with respect to their chemical structures, different health effects, and their food applications as flavor and food preservatives. Side effects and toxicities of these compounds represent the second main part of this review, as some were reported for certain metabolites generated inside the body. Several metabolic reactions mediating for phenylpropenes metabolism in rodents via cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and sulfotransferase (SULT) enzymes are presented being involved in their toxicities. Such effects can be lessened by influencing their pharmacokinetics through a matrix-derived combination effect via administration of herbal extracts containing SULT inhibitors, i.e., nevadensin in sweet basil. Moreover, structural modification of phenylpropanes appears to improve their effects and broaden their applications. Hence, such review capitalizing on phenylpropenes can help optimize their applications in nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and food applications.

Antispasmodic Potential of Medicinal Plants: A Comprehensive Review

Numerous medicinal plants have been utilized for the treatment of different types of diseases and disorders including gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. GI diseases are the most common complaints that normally affects the largest proportion of children and adolescents with overlapping clinical manifestation in diagnosis and medical needs. Drugs with antispasmodic effects are normally applied for the symptomatic treatment of contraction and cramping of smooth muscles in gastrointestinal diseases as well as in other critical clinical situations. In alternative system of medicines, the antispasmodic herbs played a significant role in the cure of GI diseases. These medicinal plants and their herbal products are used from generation to generation because of multiple nutritional and therapeutic benefits. The multiple uses might be attributed to the presence on biologically active chemical constitutes. The main aim of this review is to focus on the medicinal potential of plants possessing antispasmodic activities with their proposed mechanism of action. Several databases such as Google Scholar, Cochrane database, Scopus, and PubMed were used to search the relevant literature regarding "plants with antispasmodic activities." This present study highlights the updated and quantified information on several medicinal plants with antispasmodic activity like Zanthoxylum armatum, Matricaria chamomilla, Foeniculum vulgare, Pycnocycla spinosa, Atropa belladonna, Lavandula angustifolia, Mentha pulegium, Glycyrrhiza ularensis, Anethum graveolens, and Origanum majorana. Moreover, recent studies on other medicinal plant species also have been included in this review article. Additionally, the study also revealed that the active compounds of all these plants possess significant spasmolytic effect which is safest, efficacious, and cost effective as compared to the available synthetic drugs.

Essential Oil of Croton zehntneri Prevents Conduction Alterations Produced by Diabetes Mellitus on Vagus Nerve

Autonomic diabetic neuropathy (ADN) is a complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), to which there is no specific treatment. In this study, the efficacy of the essential oil of Croton zehntneri (EOCz) in preventing ADN was evaluated in the rat vagus nerve. For the two fastest conducting myelinated types of axons of the vagus nerve, the conduction velocities and rheobase decreased, whilst the duration of the components of the compound action potential of these fibers increased. EOCz completely prevented these DM-induced alterations of the vagus nerve. Unmyelinated fibers were not affected. In conclusion, this investigation demonstrated that EOCz is a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of ADN.