α-Cyperone of Cyperus rotundus is an effective candidate for reduction of inflammation by destabilization of microtubule fibers in brain

The Potential Mechanism and the Role of Antioxidants in Mitigating Oxidative Stress in Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent cause of dementia and a significant contributor to health issues and mortality among older individuals. This condition involves a progressive deterioration in cognitive function and the onset of dementia. Recent advancements suggest that the development of AD is more intricate than its underlying brain abnormalities alone. In addition, Alzheimer's disease, metabolic syndrome, and oxidative stress are all intricately linked to one another. Increased concentrations of circulating lipids and disturbances in glucose homeostasis contribute to the intensification of lipid oxidation, leading to a gradual depletion of the body's antioxidant defenses. This heightened oxidative metabolism adversely impacts cell integrity, resulting in neuronal damage. Pathways commonly acknowledged as contributors to AD pathogenesis include alterations in synaptic plasticity, disorganization of neurons, and cell death. Abnormal metabolism of some membrane proteins is thought to cause the creation of amyloid (Aβ) oligomers, which are extremely hazardous to neurotransmission pathways, especially those involving acetylcholine. The interaction between Aβ oligomers and these neurotransmitter systems is thought to induce cellular dysfunction, an imbalance in neurotransmitter signaling, and, ultimately, the manifestation of neurological symptoms. Antioxidants have a significant impact on human health since they may improve the aging process by combating free radicals. Neurodegenerative diseases are currently incurable; however, they may be effectively managed. An appealing alternative is the utilization of natural antioxidants, such as polyphenols, through diet or dietary supplements, which offer numerous advantages. Within this framework, we have extensively examined the importance of oxidative stress in the advancement of Alzheimer's disease, as well as the potential influence of antioxidants in mitigating its effects.

Examining the role of antioxidant supplementation in mitigating oxidative stress markers in Alzheimer's disease: a comprehensive review

Alzheimer's disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. One of the key pathological features of Alzheimer's disease is oxidative stress, which is characterized by an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and the body's ability to neutralize them with antioxidants. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the potential role of antioxidant supplementation in mitigating oxidative stress markers in Alzheimer's disease. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current research on antioxidant supplementation in Alzheimer's disease and its effects on oxidative stress markers. The paper will examine the underlying mechanisms of oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease, the potential benefits of antioxidant supplementation, and the challenges and limitations of using antioxidants as a therapeutic strategy.

Cyperus articulatus: Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of a medicinal plant from the Amazon

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cyperus articulatus L., popularly known as priprioca, is a plant used in the Amazon for perfumed baths and homemade perfumes. In traditional medicine, its rhizomes are used to treat diseases related to inflammatory processes.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Due to its promising bioactive properties, this study sought to investigate its phytochemistry and the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of the essential oil obtained from C. articulatus (CAEO) in in vitro and in vivo tests.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The essential oil was obtained from the rhizomes of C. articulatus and extraction was carried out via hydrodistillation. Then, the oil was analyzed by GC-MS analyses. Initially, culture of RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to evaluate cytotoxicity and interference in the production of mediators of the inflammatory process (nitrite, IL-1β, TNF-α and PGE2) after exposure to CAEO. The acute toxicity of CAEO was evaluated and the results were used to define doses of 10, 100 and 400 mg kg-1 for evaluation of CAEO in in vivo tests using mice. The carrageenan-induced air pouch models and the Evans test were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity by measuring the number of total leukocytes and vascular permeability. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated via tests of contortions induced by acetic acid, hot plate, and formalin.

RESULTS

Treatment with CAEO reduced the levels of nitrite IL-1β, TNF-α and PGE2 in the macrophage culture, revealing its anti-inflammatory potential. CAEO decreased carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration and vascular permeability, which are important events related to the acute inflammatory response. Nociceptive activity was significantly inhibited by CAEO in the acetic acid-induced contortions model, hot plate, and in both phases of the formalin test. The treatment with naloxane reversed the antinociceptive effect observed in the formalin test, suggesting the participation of opioid receptors in the mechanism of action of CAEO.

CONCLUSION

The observed results reveal the anti-inflammatory and antinocipeptive activity of C. articulatus essential oil in vivo and support the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of different diseases involving inflammation and pain.

Cyperus rotundus Extract and Its Active Metabolite α-Cyperone Alleviates Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathic Pain via the Modulation of the Norepinephrine Pathway

BACKGROUND

Paclitaxel is a widely used anticancer drug for ovarian, lung, breast, and stomach cancers; however, its clinical use is often limited by the side effects of peripheral neuropathy. This study evaluated the effects of Cyperus rotundus (C. rotundus) extract and its active metabolite, α-cyperone, on paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain.

METHODS

The oral administration of C. rotundus extract at doses of 500 mg/kg and intraperitoneal administration of α-cyperone at doses of 480 and 800 μg/kg prevented both the development of cold and mechanical pain.

RESULTS

The gene and protein expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase and noradrenergic receptors (α1- and α2-adrenergic), which were upregulated by paclitaxel, were significantly downregulated in the C. rotundus extract-treated group. In the locus coeruleus region of the mouse brain, C. rotundus extract administration also reduced the elevated expression of tyrosine hydroxylase induced by paclitaxel. The concentration of α-cyperone in C. rotundus extract was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In the group treated with α-cyperone, at levels corresponding to its content in C. rotundus, both cold and mechanical allodynia were effectively prevented.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that α-cyperone shows potential as a preventive agent for paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain.

Nanoparticle Encapsulation of the Hexane Fraction of Cyperus Rotundus Extract for Enhanced Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities in vitro

Aim

Cyperus rotundus L. (CR) is traditionally used in medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. In particular, α-cyperone, which is isolated from the essential oil and found primarily in the n-hexane fraction of the ethanolic extract, is known to inhibit NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. However, high concentrations of α-cyperone are required for sufficient anti-inflammatory activity. Even, essential oil obtained from C. rotundus has the disadvantage of low solubility and stability in aqueous environment, which makes it difficult to be applied in various fields and easily loses its activity. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to increase the extraction yield of C. rotundus by microbubble extraction and prepare nanoparticles (NPs) that can preserve its activity in a stable and bioavailable manner by utilizing nanoprecipitation.

Methods

C. rotundus rhizomes were extracted in 50% ethanol using microbubbles and then fractionated with n-hexane to obtain α-cyperone-rich C. rotundus n-hexane fraction (CRHF). The biodegradable plant extract, α-cyperone, was prepared as green nanoparticles (CR@NPs) by nanoprecipitation technique under mild reaction conditions. The physicochemical properties of CR@NPs, including size, polydispersity index, and surface charge, were determined using dynamic light scattering. The extraction yield and encapsulation efficiency of α-cyperone were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated by DPPH assay and in vitro ROS and NO assays, and biocompatibility was assessed by MTT assay.

Results

C. rotundus loaded nanoparticles demonstrated overcoming the limitation of α-cyperone solubility and stability in CRHF and also the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties as evidenced by in vitro assays in cellular models.

Conclusion

The versatility of green chemistry, such as α-cyperone, enables the production of nanoparticles with promising biomedical applications such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food products.

Antiobesity and antidiabetes effects of Cyperus rotundus rhizomes presenting protein tyrosine phosphatase, dipeptidyl peptidase 4, metabolic enzymes, stress oxidant and inflammation inhibitory potential

Diabetes is a significant global health concern that increases the vulnerability to various chronic illnesses. In view of this issue, the current research aimed to examine the effects of administering an extract derived from the tubers of Cyperus rotundus L (CrE) on obesity, type 1 diabetes, and liver-kidney toxicity. Through the utilization of HPLC-DAD analysis, it was discovered that the extract contained several components, including quercetin (47.8%), luteolin glucoside (17%), luteolin (7.56%), apigenin-7-glucoside (6.29%), naringinin (4.52%), and seven others. In vitro experiments they have demonstrated that CrE effectively inhibited key digestive enzymes associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, such as DPP-4, PTP1B, lipase, and α-amylase, as evidenced by their respective IC50 values are about 23, 51,83, and 67 μg/ml respectively. Furthermore, when diabetic rats were administered CrE, the activity of pancreatic enzymes linked to inflammation, namely 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), hyaluronidase (HAase), and myeloperoxidase (MPO), was significantly suppressed by 48, 41, 75, and 47%, respectively. Moreover, CrE exhibited protective effects on pancreatic β-cells by inhibiting the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) by 65% and the induction of superoxide Dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities by 62, 108, and 112% respectively as compared to diabetic untreated rat. Additionally, CrE significantly inhibited the activities of intestinal, pancreatic, and serum lipase and α-amylase activities. In diabetic rats, CrE administration suppressed glycogen phosphorylase (GP) stimulated glycogen synthase (GS) activities by 45 and 30%; and this increased liver glycogen content by 45%. Furthermore, CrE modulated key hepatic enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, including hexokinase (HK), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P), and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP). Notably, the average food and water intake (AFI and AWI) of diabetic rats treated with CrE was reduced by 15 and 16% respectively as compared to those without any treatment. Therefore, this study demonstrated the effectiveness of Cyperus rotundus tubers in preventing and treating obesity and diabetes.

Sanpian decoction ameliorates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating SIRT1/ERK/HIF-1α pathway through in silico analysis and experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) is a complex pathophysiological process involving multiple factors, and becomes the footstone of rehabilitation after ischemic stroke. Sanpian decoction (SPD) has exhibited protective effects against CIRI, migraine, and other cerebral vascular diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been completely elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study sought to explore the potential mechanisms underlying the effect of SPD against CIRI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) were carried out to determine the chemical constituents of SPD. A network pharmacology approach combined with experimental verification was conducted to elucidate SPD's multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway mechanisms in CIRI occurrence. The pharmacodynamics of the decoction was evaluated by establishing the rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R). In vivo and in vitro experiments were carried out, and the therapeutic effects of SPD were performed using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and Nissl staining. We used terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining and flow cytometry to evaluate cortex apoptosis. The quantification of mRNA and corresponding proteins were performed using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot respectively.

RESULTS

Our research showed that pretreatment with SPD improved neurological function and inhibited CIRI. Network pharmacology revealed that the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway-mediated apoptosis may be associated with CIRI. In vivo and in vitro experiments, we confirmed that SPD increased cerebral blood flow, improved neural function, and reduced neural apoptosis via up-regulating the expression of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and down-regulating phospho-extracellular regulated protein kinases (p-ERK)/ERK and HIF-1α levels in CIRI rats.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, the present study systematically revealed the potential targets and signaling pathways of SPD in the treatment of CIRI using in silico prediction and verified the therapeutic effects of SPD against CIRI via ameliorating apoptosis by regulating SIRT1/ERK/HIF-1α.

The dual face of microglia (M1/M2) as a potential target in the protective effect of nutraceuticals against neurodegenerative diseases

The pathophysiology of different neurodegenerative illnesses is significantly influenced by the polarization regulation of microglia and macrophages. Traditional classifications of macrophage phenotypes include the pro-inflammatory M1 and the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes. Numerous studies demonstrated dynamic non-coding RNA modifications, which are catalyzed by microglia-induced neuroinflammation. Different nutraceuticals focus on the polarization of M1/M2 phenotypes of microglia and macrophages, offering a potent defense against neurodegeneration. Caeminaxin A, curcumin, aromatic-turmerone, myricetin, aurantiamide, 3,6'-disinapoylsucrose, and resveratrol reduced M1 microglial inflammatory markers while increased M2 indicators in Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid beta-induced microglial M1 activation was suppressed by andrographolide, sulforaphane, triptolide, xanthoceraside, piperlongumine, and novel plant extracts which also prevented microglia-mediated necroptosis and apoptosis. Asarone, galangin, baicalein, and a-mangostin reduced oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in M1-activated microglia in Parkinson's disease. Additionally, myrcene, icariin, and tenuigenin prevented the nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome and microglial neurotoxicity, while a-cyperone, citronellol, nobiletin, and taurine prevented NADPH oxidase 2 and nuclear factor kappa B activation. Furthermore, other nutraceuticals like plantamajoside, swertiamarin, urolithin A, kurarinone, Daphne genkwa flower, and Boswellia serrata extracts showed promising neuroprotection in treating Parkinson's disease. In Huntington's disease, elderberry, curcumin, iresine celosia, Schisandra chinensis, gintonin, and pomiferin showed promising results against microglial activation and improved patient symptoms. Meanwhile, linolenic acid, resveratrol, Huperzia serrata, icariin, and baicalein protected against activated macrophages and microglia in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis. Additionally, emodin, esters of gallic and rosmarinic acids, Agathisflavone, and sinomenine offered promising multiple sclerosis treatments. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of using nutraceuticals to treat neurodegenerative diseases involving microglial-related pathways.

A New Perspective for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: Exosome-like Liposomes to Deliver Natural Compounds and RNA Therapies

With the increment of the aging population in recent years, neurodegenerative diseases exert a major global disease burden, essentially as a result of the lack of treatments that stop the disease progression. Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is an example of a neurodegenerative disease that affects millions of people globally, with no effective treatment. Natural compounds have emerged as a viable therapy to fill a huge gap in AD management, and in recent years, mostly fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, RNA-based therapeutics have become a hot topic in the treatment of several diseases. Treatments of AD face significant limitations due to the complex and interconnected pathways that lead to their hallmarks and also due to the necessity to cross the blood-brain barrier. Nanotechnology has contributed to surpassing this bottleneck in the treatment of AD by promoting safe and enhanced drug delivery to the brain. In particular, exosome-like nanoparticles, a hybrid delivery system combining exosomes and liposomes' advantageous features, are demonstrating great potential in the treatment of central nervous system diseases.

Nature's Toolbox Against Tau Aggregation: An Updated Review of Current Research

Tau aggregation is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia, and progressive supranuclear palsy. Hyperphosphorylated tau is believed to contribute to the degeneration of neurons and the development of these complex diseases. Therefore, one potential treatment for these illnesses is to prevent or counteract tau aggregation. In recent years, interest has been increasing in developing nature-derived tau aggregation inhibitors as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative disorders. Researchers have become increasingly interested in natural compounds with multifunctional features, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, resveratrol, and curcumin, since these molecules can interact simultaneously with the various targets of AD. Recent studies have demonstrated that several natural compounds can inhibit tau aggregation and promote the disassembly of pre-formed tau aggregates. Nature-derived tau aggregation inhibitors hold promise as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative disorders. However, it is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which these compounds exert their effects and their safety and efficacy in preclinical and clinical studies. Nature-derived inhibitors of tau aggregation are a promising new direction in the research of neurodegenerative complexities. This review focuses on the natural products that have proven to be a rich supply for inhibitors in tau aggregation and their uses in neurodegenerative complexities, including AD.

α-Cyperone protects dopaminergic neurons and inhibits neuroinflammation in LPS-induced Parkinson's disease rat model via activating Nrf2/HO-1 and suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway

Our previous study showed that α-Cyperone inhibited the inflammatory response triggered by activated microglia and protected dopaminergic neuron in in vitro cell model of Parkinson's disease (PD). It is unclear the effect of α-Cyperone in animal models of PD. In this study, our results indicated that α-Cyperone ameliorated motor dysfunction, protected dopaminergic neurons, and inhibited the reduction of dopamine and its metabolites in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PD rat model. Moreover, α-Cyperone suppressed the activation of microglia and the expression of neuroinflammatory factor (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, iNOS, COX-2 and ROS). Furthermore, the molecular mechanism research revealed that α-Cyperone inhibited neuroinflammation and oxidative stress to exert protective effect in microglia by activating Nrf2/HO-1 and suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway. Moreover, α-Cyperone upregulated the expression of antioxidant enzymes (GCLC, GCLM and NQO1) in microglia. In conclusion, our study demonstrates α-Cyperone alleviates dopaminergic neurodegeneration by inhibiting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in LPS-induced PD rat model via activating Nrf2/HO-1 and suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway.

α-Cyperone ameliorates depression in mammary gland hyperplasia and chronic unpredictable mild stress rat by regulating hormone, inflammation, and oxidative stress

BACKGROUND

Hyperplasia of mammary gland (HMG) is caused by endocrine disorders, and patients are prone to anxiety and depression. α-Cyperone has a variety of pharmacological activities including antidepressant. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect and its possible mechanism of α-Cyperone on HMG-associated depression rats.

METHODS

The depression model was constructed using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), while the HMG model was induced by estrogen, with or without α-Cyperone intervention. The effect of α-Cyperone on the depression-like phenotype of model rats was measured by sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swim test (FST), and open field test (OFT). Dendritic spines density in ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) neurons was evaluated by Golgi staining. The second pair of nipple height, diameter, organ index, and oxidative stress-related factors were analyzed. Serum sex hormone concentration, histopathological changes, inflammatory factor expression, and p65 were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, real-time quantitative PCR and western blot, respectively.

RESULTS

The sucrose preference rate, dendritic spine density decreased, and immobility time increased in CUMS rats; α-Cyperone reversed the effect of CUMS on depression-like behavior and dendritic spine density in rats. α-Cyperone reduced nipple height and diameter, uterine index, estradiol concentration, increased ovary, thymus, spleen index, progesterone, and testosterone concentration, relieved pathological damage, oxidative stress, depression-like behavior, and inflammatory reaction in HMG combine CUMS rats. In addition, α-Cyperone inhibited the phosphorylation of p65 in HMG and CUMS rats.

CONCLUSIONS

α-Cyperone has an effective therapeutic effect on HMG combined with CUMS rats.

Integrative medicine in treating post-stroke depression: Study protocol for a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is one of the most common neuropsychiatric diseases in patients with stroke, and it can increase the disability rate, mortality, and recurrence rate of stroke. Currently, many clinical studies have indicated that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), such as acupuncture and herbs, Western medicine, rehabilitation, repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation, and other treatment methods, are effective in treating PSD. However, no study has formulated a comprehensive treatment plan that integrates TCM, Western medicine, and rehabilitation for PSD. Thus, this trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of integrative medicine for treating PSD.

METHODS

This multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled study aims to form a set of effective clinical treatment schemes that integrate TCM, Western medicine, and rehabilitation for PSD. A total of 202 participants recruited from four centers will be randomized into either the integrative medicine or standard care group. Standard care-basic treatment, general nursing care, and exercise therapy-will be provided to all participants. The integrative medicine group will also receive acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Participants will receive acupuncture and rTMS treatments five times per week for 4 weeks and will be administered Chinese herbs, basic treatment, general nursing care, and exercise therapy for 4 weeks. The primary outcomes include the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADL). And the secondary outcomes include the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). All outcome measures will be evaluated at baseline, week 4 (the end of the treatment courses), and week 8 (the end of follow-up). Safety assessments will be performed throughout the study.

DISCUSSION

This study is expected to verify the efficacy and safety of integrative medicine for treating PSD, providing an evidence-based clinical reference for the future development of a standardized scheme.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT05187975.

Ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants in Sarvabad, Kurdistan province, Iran

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional medicine has a long history and plays an important role in the Kurdish community in Sarvabad county, Kurdistan province, Iran. Despite the great diversity of medicinal plants, cultural history, and variety of herbal medicine uses among Kurdish tribes, very few cohesive ethnopharmacological studies of this unique region are available in the scientific literature. Our study tried to gather medicinal plant species and document the associated indigenous knowledge of the ethnic groups in the Sarvabad district for the first time.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethnobotanical data were collected from 92 local informants through semi-structured questionnaires, open interviews, and field surveys during a period of two years (2018-2020). The statistical analysis included use reports (UR) for each species, and informant consensus factor (FIC) to evaluate the data.

RESULTS

In the present study a total of 156 plant species belonging to 58 botanical families, were recorded for the treatment of 16 diseases categories. The most represented families were Lamiaceae, followed by Asteraceae, and Apiaceae. The most frequently cited plant species with the highest use report (UR) were Pistacia atlantica (161), Hymenocrater longiflorus (128), Melissa officinalis (124), Cyperus rotundus (114), Thymus transcaspicus (112), and Quercus brantii (109). Psychological (ICF = 0.96), musculoskeletal (ICF = 0.94), and digestive (ICF = 0.93), followed by respiratory problems (ICF = 0.92) showed the highest informant consensus factors among all ailment categories. Most herbal remedies were consumed as decoction. Leaves (28.5%) were the most widely used plant parts, followed by flowers (18.7%), aerial parts (14.5%), seeds (13.2%), and terrestrial parts (8.41%). Some interesting new medicinal uses for native and common species were reported. Species such as Cyperus rotundus, Hymenocrater longiflorus, Anthriscus nemorosa, Pistacia atlantica and Quercus brantii would be interesting targets for drug discovery and are suggested for further investigations.

CONCLUSION

The plant use reports, and quantitative data analyzed demonstrate that the relative importance of plant species and shared knowledge of herbal therapies among Kurdish communities of the Sarvabad county is still rich. A systematic study and evaluation of the biological activity of highly consumed plants, could identify the possible mechanism of action.

The association study of chemical compositions and their pharmacological effects of Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu), a potential traditional Chinese medicine for treating depression

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cyperi Rhizoma (CR) derives from the rhizome or tuber of Cyperus rotundus L. of Cyperaceae. It is an herbal medicine which has been widely used in different healthcare systems like in China, India, Iran, and Japan. In Chinese medicine, CR could promote the flow of Qi in the Liver and Sanjiao channels, regulate menstruation and alleviate pain. Clinically, CR is used for depression, flatulence, hypochondriac pain, and dysmenorrhea. Thus, it has a long history and significant curative effect for the treatment of various Qi stagnation symptoms.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

This review focuses on explaining the major antidepressant mechanisms of CR, and assessing the shortcomings of existing work. Besides, clinical applications, pharmacological effects and their corresponding chemical compositions and quality control of CR have been researched.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The search terms "Cyperus rotundus L." was used to obtain the literatures from electronic databases such as Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). The information provided in this review to illustrate material basis of CR were only limited to papers which reported on the chemical compositions and pharmacological effects simultaneously.

RESULT

The study showed that CR has significant application in Qi stagnation, like depressed liver, stomach, and bowel disorders, etc. in different countries or districts. Aqueous extract, EtOH extract, essential oil, total oligomeric flavonoids and five other extracts were effective constituents displaying pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antioxidant, neuroprotective, antihemolytic, and anti-inflammatory effect. 41 kinds of specific components like α-cyperone, nootkatone exhibited corresponding pharmacological activities mentioned above. Different concentrations of ethanol extract, essential oil, decoction of CR and monomer composition like α-cyperone, rotunduside G had anti-depressant effects.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, we have provided scientific information and research developments on traditional uses, phytochemical compositions and corresponding pharmacological activities, and quality control status on CR. The antidepression effect and its corresponding chemical compositions were generalized separately. The pharmacological activities studies should be more focused on the reflection of traditional clinical values. CR could be a significant potential herbal medicine to develop antidepressant drugs with lower side effects.

Quality Status Analysis and Intrinsic Connection Research of Growing place, Morphological Characteristics, and Quality of Chinese Medicine: Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu) as a Case Study

Materials and Methods

The macroscopic characteristics of CR as well as its moisture, ethanol extract, essential oil, total ash, and acid-insoluble ash contents were examined and calculated. In addition, qualitative identification and quantitative determination of α-cyperone, cyperotundone, and nootkatone were simultaneously performed, and a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint chromatogram was established. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and gas chromatography methods recorded in ChP were used to measure the contents of residues of heavy metal and deleterious elements as well as residues of organochlorine pesticide, respectively. Hierarchical cluster analysis and typical canonical correlation analysis were performed using Origin 9.1 and SPSS 23.0 to explore the correlation between CR's growth area, morphological characteristics, and quality.

Results

Of the 47 batches of CR analyzed, only 4 collected from the province of Shandong had a flat appearance, which did not accord with the macroscopic characteristics of CR. Overall, only 4 batches met ChP standards for CR. In addition, 30 and 38 batches did not meet the requirements for moisture content and essential oil content, respectively. The similarity values of HPLC fingerprints ranged from 0.568 to 0.986. Results of hierarchical cluster analysis for ethanol extracts, essential oil, α-cyperone, cyperotundone, and nootkatone and the HPLC fingerprints (total peak time and peak area) suggested that the samples could be classified into four clusters, with no significant difference in growth geographic areas among them. Results of canonical correlation analysis indicated that the first canonical pair could represent the correlation between macroscopic characteristics (vector 1) and chemical quality (vector 2), with shorter diameter and length denoting lower ethanol extract content and higher nootkatone content in a single grain of CR.

Conclusions

Crude medicinal materials were collected and examined in this study to reflect the overall quality status of CR in China. The methods chosen to detect, calculate, and analyze the quality of CR were suitable to the investigation, and the results are crucial not only for estimating the current quality status of CR, but also for conducting further research into its cultivation, quality assurance, and commodity specification. Besides, this mode of investigation could be used to evaluate other medicines.

Reveal the Antimigraine Mechanism of Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Cyperi Rhizoma Based on the Integrated Analysis of Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology

Migraine is a common neurological disorder that manifests as recurrent attacks of unilateral and throbbing headache. Conioselinum anthriscoides “Chuanxiong” (Apiaceae; Chuanxiong rhizoma) and Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae; Cyperi rhizoma) (CRCR), is a classic prescription for treating migraine. This study aimed to reveal the potential mechanisms of CRCR extract against migraine using integrated analysis of metabolomics and network pharmacology. Behavioral changes in the nitroglycerin rat migraine model were determined from von Frey withdrawal response. Untargeted serum metabolomics was used to identify the differentially expressed metabolites and metabolic pathways. The differentially expressed metabolites were analyzed to obtain the corresponding targets by a compound–reaction–enzyme–gene network. Network pharmacology was used to construct a compound–target–pathway network. The common targets of metabolomics and network pharmacology were further analyzed. Metabolomics analysis identified 96 differentially expressed metabolites and 77 corresponding targets. Network pharmacology analysis identified 201 potential targets for CRCR against migraine. By intersecting 77 targets with 201 targets, monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) were identified as the common targets, and MAO-A, MAO-B, and COMT were involved in the tyrosine metabolism pathway. Further experiments demonstrated that the contents of MAO-A and COMT were significantly increased in serum and brainstem tissue of the migraine rats. CRCR extract significantly decreased the contents of MAO-A and COMT, while no significant difference was found in MAO-B. Metabolomics analysis indicated that the contents of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate (DOPAC) and 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)pyruvate (HPP) were significantly increased in the migraine rats, and CRCR extract caused significant decreases in DOPAC and HPP. Interestingly, DOPAC and HPP were two differentially expressed metabolites involved in the tyrosine metabolism pathway. Correlation analysis showed that DOPAC and HPP were highly positively correlated with MAO-A and COMT. Taken together, two key differentially expressed metabolites (DOPAC and HPP), two key targets (MAO-A and COMT), and one relevant metabolic pathway (tyrosine metabolism) showed great importance in the treatment of migraine. This research could provide a new understanding of the potential mechanism of CRCR against migraine. More attentions should be paid into the tyrosine metabolism pathway in future studies.

Antioxidants in Alzheimer's Disease: Current Therapeutic Significance and Future Prospects

Alzheimer's disease (AD) rate is accelerating with the increasing aging of the world's population. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated AD as a global health priority. According to the WHO report, around 82 million people in 2030 and 152 million in 2050 will develop dementia (AD contributes 60% to 70% of cases), considering the current scenario. AD is the most common neurodegenerative disease, intensifying impairments in cognition, behavior, and memory. Histopathological AD variations include extracellular senile plaques' formation, tangling of intracellular neurofibrils, and synaptic and neuronal loss in the brain. Multiple evidence directly indicates that oxidative stress participates in an early phase of AD before cytopathology. Moreover, oxidative stress is induced by almost all misfolded protein lumps like α-synuclein, amyloid-β, and others. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in activating and causing various cell signaling pathways that result in lesion formations of toxic substances, which foster the development of the disease. Antioxidants are widely preferred to combat oxidative stress, and those derived from natural sources, which are often incorporated into dietary habits, can play an important role in delaying the onset as well as reducing the progression of AD. However, this approach has not been extensively explored yet. Moreover, there has been growing evidence that a combination of antioxidants in conjugation with a nutrient-rich diet might be more effective in tackling AD pathogenesis. Thus, considering the above-stated fact, this comprehensive review aims to elaborate the basics of AD and antioxidants, including the vitality of antioxidants in AD. Moreover, this review may help researchers to develop effectively and potentially improved antioxidant therapeutic strategies for this disease as it also deals with the clinical trials in the stated field.

Neuroprotective Natural Products for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the number one neurovegetative disease, but its treatment options are relatively few and ineffective. In efforts to discover new strategies for AD therapy, natural products have aroused interest in the research community and in the pharmaceutical industry for their neuroprotective activity, targeting different pathological mechanisms associated with AD. A wide variety of natural products from different origins have been evaluated preclinically and clinically for their neuroprotective mechanisms in preventing and attenuating the multifactorial pathologies of AD. This review mainly focuses on the possible neuroprotective mechanisms from natural products that may be beneficial in AD treatment and the natural product mixtures or extracts from different sources that have demonstrated neuroprotective activity in preclinical and/or clinical studies. It is believed that natural product mixtures or extracts containing multiple bioactive compounds that can work additively or synergistically to exhibit multiple neuroprotective mechanisms might be an effective approach in AD drug discovery.

Use of medicinal plants for headache, and their potential implication in medication-overuse headache: Evidence from a population-based study in Nepal

Background

In Nepal, traditional treatment using medicinal plants is popular. Whereas medication-overuse headache is, by definition, caused by excessive use of acute headache medication, we hypothesized that medicinal plants, being pharmacologically active, were as likely a cause.

Methods

We used data from a cross-sectional, nationwide population-based study, which enquired into headache and use of medicinal plants and allopathic medications. We searched the literature for pharmacodynamic actions of the medicinal plants.

Results

Of 2100 participants, 1794 (85.4%) reported headache in the preceding year; 161 (7.7%) reported headache on ≥15 days/month, of whom 28 (17.4%) had used medicinal plants and 117 (72.7%) allopathic medication(s). Of 46 with probable medication-overuse headache, 87.0% (40/46) were using allopathic medication(s) and 13.0% (6/46) medicinal plants, a ratio of 6.7:1, higher than the overall ratio among those with headache of 4.9:1 (912/185). Of 60 plant species identified, 49 were pharmacodynamically active on the central nervous system, with various effects of likely relevance in medication-overuse headache causation.

Conclusions

MPs are potentially a cause of medication-overuse headache, and not to be seen as innocent in this regard. Numbers presumptively affected in Nepal are low but not negligible. This pioneering project provides a starting point for further research to provide needed guidance on use of medicinal plants for headache.

Traditional Herbal Medicines Against CNS Disorders from Bangladesh

The majority of the population in Bangladesh uses traditional plant-based medicines to manage various ailments, including central nervous system (CNS) disorders. This review presents ethnobotanical information and relevant scientific studies on plants used in traditional healthcare for the management of various CNS disorders in Bangladesh. The information on the medicinal plants of Bangladesh effective against CNS disorders published in scientific journals, books, and reports was compiled from different electronic databases using specific key words. The present article provides comprehensive information on a total of 224 medicinal plant species belonging to 81 families used for the treatment of CNS disorders by the various peoples of Bangladesh. In total, we reviewed more than 290 relevant papers. In this study, leaves were found as the most often used plant organ, followed by roots, fruits, whole plants, barks, seeds, stems, rhizomes, and flowers. The Fabaceae family contributes the highest number of used species, followed by Rubiaceae, Lamiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Vitaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae, and Zingiberaceae. The most frequently used species (in decreasing order) are Asparagus racemosus, Centella asiatica, Stephania japonica, Aegle marmelos, Coccinia grandis, Tabernaemontana divaricata, Bacopa monnieri, Abroma augusta, and Scoparia dulcis. This review may serve as a starting point for a rational search for neuroactive natural products against CNS disorders within the Flora of Bangladesh.

α-Cyperone Confers Antidepressant-Like Effects in Mice via Neuroplasticity Enhancement by SIRT3/ROS Mediated NLRP3 Inflammasome Deactivation

α-Cyperone (Cy) is a major active compound of Cyperus rotundus that has various pharmacological activities. But whether Cy possesses antidepressant effect is unknown. In this study, we exposed mice to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) with or without intervention with Cy. Our results showed that Cy significantly improved the depressive phenotypes in sucrose preference test, tail suspension test and forced swimming test. Meanwhile, increased SIRT3 expression, reduced ROS production and activated NF-κB signal were detected in the hippocampus of mice. NLRP3 inflammasome related proteins including NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18 and GSDMD-N were downregulated after Cy administration. Synaptic proteins including Synapsin-1 and PSD-95 and dendritic spine density were improved after Cy treatment. Moreover, the protective effects of Cy in CUMS mice were compromised when co-administrated with SIRT3 inhibitor 3-TYP. Taken together, these findings suggested that Cy has therapeutic potential for treating depression and that this antidepressant effect may be attributed to SIRT3 stimulated neuroplasticity enhancement by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome.

α-Cyperone inhibits the proliferation of human cervical cancer HeLa cells via ROS-mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

Cervical cancer is the fourth leading killer of female cancer patients worldwide. Each year more than half a million women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and the disease results in over 300, 000 deaths. α-Cyperone is known as the principal active ingredient in the Cyperus rotundus (Family: Cyperaceae). However, the effects of α-Cyperone on cancers, especially on cervical cancer, are yet to be explored. In the present study, the underlying mechanism of the anti-tumor activity of α-Cyperone against HeLa cells was investigated. The results showed that α-Cyperone inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. Mechanistically, α-Cyperone promoted HeLa cells apoptosis via a mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, which was proved by increased level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulated expression of cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-3, PARP, and Bax. Further RNA-sequencing revealed α-Cyperone inhibited the activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in HeLa cells, which confirmed by PI3K inhibitor and agonist. The PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) synergized with α-Cyperone in arresting the growth of HeLa cells, whereas the PI3K agonist (IGF-1) abrogated such an effect. Interestingly, the expression of PD-L1 was attenuated by both α-Cyperone and LY294002, while the supplement of IGF-1 rescued the low expression of PD-L1. In conclusion, our results reveal that the inhibitory effect of α-Cyperone on HeLa cell growth is triggered via the ROS-mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and closely related to a decline in the PD-L1 expression.

α-Cyperone Attenuates H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in SH-SY5Y Cells via Activation of Nrf2

α-Cyperone, extracted from Cyperus rotundus, has been reported to inhibit microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. Oxidative stress and apoptosis play crucial roles in the course of Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD is a common neurodegenerative disease characterized by selective death of dopaminergic neurons. This study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of α-cyperone against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in dopaminergic neuronal SH-SY5Y cells. Neurotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay and the measurement of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured by dichlorodihydrofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining. The apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells was evaluated by annexin-V-FITC staining. The translocation of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was determined by western blot and immunofluorescence staining. Western blot analysis was conducted to determine the expression level of cleaved-caspase-3, the pro-apoptotic factor Bax, and the anti-apoptotic factor, Bcl-2. The results showed that α-cyperone substantially decreased H₂O₂-induced death, release of LDH, and the production of ROS in SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, we found that α-cyperone attenuated H₂O₂-induced cellular apoptosis. Moreover, α-cyperone remarkably reduced the expression of cleaved-caspase-3 and Bax, and upregulated Bcl-2. Furthermore, α-cyperone enhanced the nuclear translocation of Nrf2. Pretreatment with brusatol (BT, an Nrf2 inhibitor) attenuated α-cyperone-mediated suppression of ROS, cleaved-caspase-3, and Bax, as well as α-cyperone-induced Bcl-2 upregulation in H₂O₂-treated SH-SY5Y cells. α-cyperone neuroprotection required Nrf2 activation. In conclusion, α-cyperone attenuated H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells via the activation of Nrf2, suggesting the potential of this compound in the prevention and treatment of PD.

Identification and quantification of the quality markers and anti-migraine active components in Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Cyperi Rhizoma herbal pair based on chemometric analysis between chemical constituents and pharmacological effects

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Cyperi Rhizoma (CRCR), an ancient and classic herbal pair, has been used in herbal medicines for treating migraine, but its effective components are not clear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aimed to identify and quantify the quality markers and anti-migraine active components in CRCR based on chemometric analysis between chemical constituents and pharmacological effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The HPLC fingerprints of eight batches of CRCR samples were obtained, and their characteristic common peaks were identified by HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The therapeutic effects of eight batches of CRCR samples on nitroglycerin-induced migraine rats were evaluated by migraine-related neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. Similarity analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis were applied to screen the quality markers. Artificial neural network and partial least squares regression models were used to screen the anti-migraine compounds by correlating the chemical constituents in HPLC fingerprints and pharmacological indicators.

RESULTS

Eighteen characteristic common peaks were found in the HPLC fingerprints, including eleven known compounds and seven unknown compounds. Ferulic acid (FA), senkyunolide I (SI), senkyunolide A (SA), 3-n-butylphthalide (NBP), Z-ligustilide (LIG), Z-3-butylidenephthalide (BDPH), nookatone (NKT), levistilide A (LA), α-cyperone (CYP) and other five unknown compounds (P1, P2, P7, P8 and P9) were identified as quality markers. SA, NBP, LIG, NKT, CYP and other three unknown compounds (P1, P4 and P9) can be considered as anti-migraine prototype compounds. The quality markers and anti-migraine active components were further quantified in CRCR extract, rat serum and cerebral cortex by UPLC-MS/MS, which gives a clue to track the dynamic changes of the contents of the main constituents.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study explored the anti-migraine material basis, and could lay a foundation for the improvement of the quality control of CRCR in practice.

Therapeutic Effects of Natural Drugs on Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized as a chronic neurodegenerative disease associated with aging. The clinical manifestations of AD include latent episodes of memory and cognitive impairment, psychiatric symptoms and behavioral disorders, as well as limited activities in daily life. In developed countries, AD is now acknowledged as the third leading cause of death, following cardiovascular disease and cancer. The pathogenesis and mechanism of AD remain unclear, although some theories have been proposed to explain AD, such as the theory of β-amyloid, the theory of the abnormal metabolism of tau protein, the theory of free radical damage, the theory of the inflammatory response, the theory of cholinergic damage, etc. Effective methods to predict, prevent or reverse AD are unavailable, and thus the development of new, efficient therapeutic drugs has become a current research hot spot worldwide. The isolation and extraction of active components from natural drugs have great potential in treating AD. These drugs possess the advantages of multiple targets in multiple pathways, fewer side effects and a long duration of curative effects. This article summaries the latest research progress regarding the mechanisms of natural drugs in the treatment of AD, providing a review of the literature and a theoretical basis for improving the clinical treatment of AD.

Treatment of depression with Chai Hu Shu Gan San: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 42 randomized controlled trials

Background

Depression is a common mental disorder. Chai Hu Shu Gan San, a traditional Chinese medicine, is used to treat depression empirically. We present a systematic review and meta-analysis of the therapeutic efficacy and safety of Chai Hu Shu Gan San in treating depression.

Methods

Several databases, including PubMed, China National Knowledge Internet, Wanfang, Chongqing VIP, and the Cochrane library, were systematically searched from their date of foundation to January 1, 2017. In this review, wehave included randomized control trials that compared Chai Hu Shu Gan San (or its combination with a regular Western medicine) with a regular Western medicine alone for the treatment of depression. Two investigators independently extracted and analyzed the data using RevMan 5.2.0 software. Mean difference (with a 95% confidence interval) was used as efficacy indices for outcomes.

Results

We included 42 studies involving 3234 patients with depression in 15 different types of diseases. Meta analyses showed better effect of Chai Hu Shu Gan San than fluoxetine for pure depression (MD = − 1.59, from − 2.82 to − 0.37, 4 trials, I² = 26%), for post-stroke depression (MD = − 4.20, from − 6.20 to − 2.19, 7 trials, I² = 96%), and for postpartum depression (MD = − 4.10, from − 7.48 to − 0.72 7 trials, I² = 86%). None of the articles reported severe adverse events of oral administration of Chai Hu Shu Gan San. Furthermore, any adverse effects of using Chai Hu Shu Gan San alone were fewer than those of regular Western medicines.

Conclusions

This review found that Chai Hu Shu Gan San has some advantages in treating depression, especially post-stroke depression and post-partum depression. A meticulously designed and conducted randomized control trial is needed for further evaluation.