Unveiling the anti-inflammatory activity of Sutherlandia frutescens using murine macrophages

Evaluation of the Neuroprotective Potential of Sutherlandia frutescens in a Rotenone-Induced Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease

Sutherlandia frutescens (SF) is a plant used traditionally in South Africa for various health conditions, including neurological disorders. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, resulting in motor symptoms. Rotenone, a pesticide, has been linked to PD-like symptoms in both in vitro and in vivo studies. However, SF-specific effects of SF on PD-related symptoms have not been extensively studied. This study was aimed at investigating the potential neuroprotective effects of SF against rotenone-induced PD using in vivo electrophysiological recordings from the hippocampus and an open-field test to assess motor behavior. Rats were divided into three groups: a control group receiving sunflower oil, a rotenone group treated with rotenone (2.0 mg/kg), and an SF group treated with hydroponically grown SF extract. Electrophysiological recordings from the hippocampus were conducted to assess neuronal activity, and an open-field test was used to evaluate motor behavior. Rats treated with SF exhibited significantly higher motor activity compared to both the sunflower oil and rotenone groups, suggesting an activating effect of SF on motor behavior. In contrast, the rotenone group displayed reduced activity levels and exploratory behavior, highlighting the suppressive impact of rotenone on motor function. These findings suggest that SF modulates hippocampal neuronal activity and may offer neuroprotective benefits against rotenone-induced PD-like symptoms. SF, a plant with traditional medicinal applications, shows potential in modulating motor behavior and hippocampal neuronal activity in a rotenone-induced PD model. Further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms and evaluate the clinical relevance of SF in PD management.

Anti-inflammatory activities of novel heat shock protein 90 isoform selective inhibitors in BV-2 microglial cells

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a family of chaperone proteins that consists of four isoforms: Hsp90α, Hsp90β, glucose-regulated protein 94 (Grp94), and tumor necrosis factor type 1 receptor-associated protein (TRAP1). They are involved in modulating the folding, maturation, and activation of their client proteins to regulate numerous intracellular signaling pathways. Previous studies demonstrated that pan-Hsp90 inhibitors reduce inflammatory signaling pathways resulting in a reduction of inflammation and pain but show toxicities in cancer-related clinical trials. Further, the role of Hsp90 isoforms in inflammation remains poorly understood. This study aimed to determine anti-inflammatory activities of Hsp90 isoforms selective inhibitors on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in BV-2 cells, a murine microglial cell line. The production of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was measured. We also investigated the impact of Hsp90 isoform inhibitors on the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). We found that selective inhibitors of Hsp90β reduced the LPS-induced production of NO, IL-1β, and TNF-α via diminishing the activation of NF-κB and Extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) MAPK. The Hsp90α, Grp94, TRAP1 inhibitors had limited effect on the production of inflammatory mediators. These findings suggest that Hsp90β is the key player in LPS-induced neuroinflammation. Thereby providing a more selective drug target for development of medications involved in pain management that can potentially contribute to the reduction of adverse side effects associated with Hsp90 pan inhibitors.

The effect of Aspalathin linearis, Cyclopia intermedia and Sutherlandia frutescene on sperm functional parameters of healthy male wistar rats

Introduction: Rooibos (Aspalathin linearis), honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia), and sutherlandia (Sutherlandia frutescene) are three Southern Africa indigenous plants, of which the extracts have become house-hold items and are consumed on a large scale. Although, they are known for their antioxidant properties, studies have highlighted danger in the excessive intake. Therefore, the current study investigated whether treatment with rooibos, honeybush, and sutherlandia will impact sperm functional parameters positively or otherwise, in healthy rats. Methods: Fourteen-week-old pathogen-free adult male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were randomly divided into four groups of ten, including a control, rooibos (RF), honeybush (HB) and a sutherlandia (SL) group. After 7 weeks of treatment, animals were sacrificed. Spermatozoa were retrieved from the cauda epididymis for motility, morphology and concentration analysis and the testis was used for all biochemical assays. Results: The infusion treated animals (RF, HB, and SL) presented with a non-significant decrease of -14.3%, -18.2%, -17.2% and -24.8%, -20.7%, -27.3% in total motility and progressive motility when compared to the control group, respectively. There was a significant increase in number of spermatozoa with slow speed (p = 0.03), especially in SL treated group compared to the control (p = 0.03). Additionally, there was an increase of 28.8%, 31.7%, 23% in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of RF, HB and SL compared to control, respectively. This was accompanied with a percentage decrease of -21.1%, -23.7%, 45.9% in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels compared to the control group. Conclusion: In summary, animals treated with the respective infusions presented with a percentage increase in SOD activity but have reduced sperm motility and decreased normal morphology. Paradoxically, they presented with increased sperm concentration. Hence, it is presumed that rooibos, honeybush and sutherlandia may enhance sperm quantity (concentration) but may impair sperm quality (motility morphology) when consumed by healthy animals.

Derivatives of Natural Chlorophylls as Agents for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy

The rapid growth of drug-resistant bacteria all over the world has given rise to a major research challenge, namely a search for alternative treatments to which bacteria will be unable to develop resistance. Photodynamic therapy is an approach of this kind. It involves the use of photosensitizers in combination with visible light at a certain wavelength to excite the former and generate reactive oxygen species. Various synthetic heterocyclic compounds are used as photosensitizers. Of these, derivatives of natural chlorophylls have a special place due to their properties. This review deals with the use of such compounds in antimicrobial PDT.

A review on traditionally used South African medicinal plants, their secondary metabolites and their potential development into anticancer agents

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Approximately 70% of anticancer drugs were developed or derived from natural products or plants. Southern Africa boasts an enormous floral diversity with approximately 22,755 plant species with an estimated 3000 used as traditional medicines. In South Africa more than 27 million individuals rely on traditional medicine for healthcare. The use of South African plants for the treatment of cancer is poorly documented, however there is potential to develop anticancer agents from these plants. Limited ethnobotanical studies report the use of plants for cancer treatment in traditional medicine. Plants growing in tropical or subtropical regions, such as in South Africa, produce important secondary metabolites as a protective mechanism, which could be used to target various factors that play a key role in carcinogenesis.

AIMS

The aim was to collate information from primary ethnobotanical studies on South African plants traditionally used for the treatment of cancer. Evaluation of literature focused on traditionally used plants that have been tested for their in vitro activity against cancer cells. Secondary metabolites, previously identified within these plant species, were also included for discussion regarding their activity against cancer. The toxicity was evaluated to ascertain the therapeutic potential in further studies. Additionally, the aim was to highlight where a lack of reports were found regarding plant species with potential activity and to substantiate the need for further testing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A review of ethnobotanical surveys conducted in South Africa for plants used in the treatment of cancer was performed. Databases such as Science Direct, PubMed and Google Scholar, university repositories of master's dissertations and PhD theses, patents and books were used. Plant species showing significant to moderate activity were discussed regarding their toxicity. Compounds identified within these species were discussed for their activity against cancer cells and toxicity. Traditionally used plants which have not been scientifically validated for their activity against cancer were excluded.

RESULTS

Twenty plants were documented in ethnobotanical surveys as cancer treatments. Numerous scientific reports on the potential in vitro activity against cancer of these plants and the identification of secondary metabolites were found. Many of the secondary metabolites have not been tested for their activity against cancer cells or mode of action and should be considered for future studies. Lead candidates, such as the sutherlandiosides, sutherlandins, hypoxoside and pittoviridoside, were identified and should be further assessed. Toxicity studies should be included when testing plant extracts and/or secondary metabolites for their potential against cancer cells to give an indication of whether further analysis should be conducted.

CONCLUSION

There is a need to document plants used traditionally in South Africa for the treatment of cancer and to assess their safety and efficacy. Traditionally used plants have shown promising activity highlighting the importance of ethnobotanical studies and traditional knowledge. There are many opportunities to further assess these plants and secondary metabolites for their activity against cancer and their toxic effects. Pharmacokinetic studies are also not well documented within these plant extracts and should be included in studies when a lead candidate is identified.

Immunoactive photosensitizers had photodynamic immunostimulatory and immunomodulatory effects on mammalian macrophages

Photodynamic compounds have great potential in biological applications. Their controlled and localized activation with specific wavelength of light provides opportunities to potentially evade the side effects of today's cancer therapies. Biologically compatible photosensitizers can be used in therapy against cancer, infections as well as inflammatory and immune disorders. In this study, we examined chlorophyll derivatives for anti-microbial, immunostimulatory and immunomodulatory activities. Under dark conditions, these chlorophyll derivatives had strong anti-microbial activities on gram positive S.aureus and gram negative E.coli. Photo activation of the chlorophyll derivatives did not alter their anti-microbial activities on gram negative or gram positive bacteria. In order to examine how these anti-microbial chlorophyll derivatives might effect immune reaction of macrophages, they were tested on mammalian macrophages. They had immunostimulatory activities on them in the dark conditions since they led to increased TNF and IL6 cytokine production even in the absence of stimulants lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA). Photo-activation of the compounds led to decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF and IL6, production by LPS or LTA activated macrophages. Therefore, these molecules can be used to regulate the immune response in the patients with bacterial infection while leading to death of bacteria. Light induced activation of the compounds could enable localized and controlled activation of their anti-inflammatory effects.

Natural antioxidants in prevention of accelerated ageing: a departure from conventional paradigms required

The modern lifestyle is characterised by various factors that cause accelerating ageing by the upregulation of oxidative stress and inflammation-two processes that are inextricably linked in an endless circle of self-propagation. Inflammation in particular is commonly accepted as aetiological factor in many chronic disease states, such as obesity, diabetes and depression. In terms of disease prevention or treatment, interventions aimed at changing dietary and/or exercise habits have had limited success in practise, mostly due to poor long-term compliance. Furthermore, other primary stimuli responsible for eliciting an oxidative stress or inflammatory response-e.g. psychological stress and anxiety-cannot always be easily addressed. Thus, preventive medicine aimed at countering the oxidative stress and/or inflammatory responses has become of interest. Especially in developing countries, such as South Africa, the option of development of effective strategies from plants warrants further investigation. A brief overview of the most relevant and promising South African plants which have been identified in the context of inflammation, oxidative stress and chronic disease is provided here. In addition, and more specifically, our group and others have shown considerable beneficial effects across many models, after treatment with products derived from grapes. Of particular interest, specific cellular mechanisms have been identified as therapeutic targets of grape-derived polyphenols in the context of inflammation and oxidative stress. The depth of these studies afforded some additional insights, related to methodological considerations pertaining to animal vs. human models in natural product research, which may address the current tendency for generally poor translation of positive animal model results into human in vivo models. The importance of considering individual data vs. group averages in this context is highlighted.

Immunomodulatory Effect of Agave tequilana Evaluated on an Autoimmunity Like-SLE Model Induced in Balb/c Mice with Pristane

In this work, the immunomodulatory activity of the acetone extract and the fructans obtained from Agave tequilana were evaluated, on the systemic autoimmunity type-SLE model generated by the administration of 2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane (TMPD, also known as pristane) on Balb/c female mice. The systemic autoimmunity type-SLE was observed seven months after the application of TMPD, in which the animals from the negative control group (animals with damage and without any other treatment) developed articular inflammation, proteinuria, an increment of the antinuclear antibody titters and tissue pro-inflammatory cytokines levels (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α e IFN-γ) as well as the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. The administration of the different treatments and the extracts of A. tequilana, provoked the decrease of: articular inflammation, the development of proteinuria, ssDNA/dsDNA antinuclear antibody titters and cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-10. The phytochemical analysis of the acetone extract identified the presence of the following compounds: β-sitosterol glycoside; 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol (phytol); octadecadienoic acid-2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester; stigmasta-3,5-dien-7-one; cycloartenone and cycloartenol. Therefore, A. tequilana contains active compounds with the capacity to modify the evolution of the systemic autoimmunity type-SLE on a murine model.

An Investigation into the Immunomodulatory Activities of Sutherlandia frutescens in Healthy Mice

Sutherlandia frutescens is a medicinal plant that has been traditionally used in southern Africa for cancers, infections, and inflammatory conditions. We recently published experiments demonstrating that an aqueous extract of S. frutescens possessed potent immune-stimulatory activity. This work was carried out with murine macrophages, an immune cell type that plays a pivotal role in host defense from infection and in shaping host inflammatory and immune responses. Here, we conducted a series of follow-up experiments to explore the impact of consuming S. frutescens on host response to bacterial challenge using healthy mice. We found that feeding mice a diet containing S. frutescens failed to significantly alter host response to systemic infection by either a gram-positive or gram-negative bacterium (i.e., L. monocytogenes and E. coli, respectively). In contrast to the in vitro observations, we found no evidence that S. frutescens consumption stimulated in vivo inflammatory responses; instead, consumption of S. frutescens tended to diminish in vivo inflammatory responses. Several possible reasons for this are discussed.

Phytochemicals and botanical extracts regulate NF-κB and Nrf2/ARE reporter activities in DI TNC1 astrocytes

The increase in oxidative stress and inflammatory responses associated with neurodegenerative diseases has drawn considerable attention towards understanding the transcriptional signaling pathways involving NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) and Nrf2 (Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-like 2). Our recent studies with immortalized murine microglial cells (BV-2) demonstrated effects of botanical polyphenols to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) and enhance Nrf2-mediated antioxidant responses (Sun et al., 2015). In this study, an immortalized rat astrocyte (DI TNC1) cell line expressing a luciferase reporter driven by the NF-κB or the Nrf2/Antioxidant Response Element (ARE) promoter was used to assess regulation of these two pathways by phytochemicals such as quercetin, rutin, cyanidin, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, as well as botanical extracts from Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), Sutherlandia frutescens (Sutherlandia) and Euterpe oleracea (Açaí). Quercetin effectively inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB reporter activity and stimulated Nrf2/ARE reporter activity in DI TNC1 astrocytes. Cyanidin and the glycosides showed similar effects but only at much higher concentrations. All three botanical extracts effectively inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB reporter activity. These extracts were capable of enhancing ARE activity by themselves and further enhanced ARE activity in the presence of LPS. Quercetin and botanical extracts induced Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression. Interestingly, Ashwagandha extract was more active in inducing Nrf2 and HO-1 expression in DI TNC1 astrocytes as compared to Sutherlandia and Açaí extracts. In summary, this study demonstrated NF-kB and Nrf2/ARE promoter activities in DI TNC1 astrocytes, and further showed differences in ability for specific botanical polyphenols and extracts to down-regulate LPS-induced NF-kB and up-regulate the NRF2/ARE activities in these cells.