Total flavonoids extracted from the leaves of Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack alleviate oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in a rat model of diabetic cardiomyopathy

A comprehensive review of the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of Murrayae Folium et Cacumen

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Murrayae Folium et Cacumen (MFC) is a plant considered to be a traditional Chinese medicine with culinary value as well. The dry leaves and twigs of Murraya paniculata and M. exotica are used to treat stomach aches, rheumatism, toothaches, swelling, and insect and snake bites. They are also used to prepare spicy chicken dishes. Aim of the review: This review comprehensively summarizes the available information on the botanical characterization, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of MFC. Methods: Relevant scientific literature up to August 2023 was included in the study. Chinese and English studies on MFC were collected from databases, including PubMed, Elsevier, Web of Science, Springer, Science Direct, Wiley, ACS, and CNKI (Chinese). Doctoral and Master's dissertations were also included. Results: In total, 720 compounds have been identified and reported in the literature, including flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, sterols, phenylpropenols, organic acids, spirocyclopentenones, and volatile oils. Flavonoids and coumarins are the two most important bioactive compounds responsible for these pharmacological activities. MFC has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-depressant, potential anti-Alzheimer's disease, chondroprotective, and analgesic properties. The pharmacological effects include interrupting the STAT3/NF-κB/COX-2 and EGFR signaling pathways, downregulating EpCAM expression, inhibiting NF-κB and ERK signals, inhibiting the EP/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway and miR-29a/Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity, and upregulating Foxo3a expression. Conclusion: This review demonstrates that the chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of MFC support its use in traditional Chinese botanical medicines. MFC contains a wide range of chemical compounds. Flavonoids and coumarins promote strong pharmacological activity and, are low-toxicity natural phytomedicines that are widely used in medicine, food, ornamentation, and cosmetics, making MFC a promising compound for development and use in the treatment of several medical conditions.

Protective effects of tree peony seed protein hydrolysate on Cd-induced oxidative damage, inflammation and apoptosis in zebrafish embryos

The objective of this study was to investigate protective effects of tree peony seed protein hydrolysate by Alcalase (AL-TPSPH) on oxidative damage, inflammation and apoptosis using Cd-induced zebrafish embryos. Zebrafish embryos were treated with either Cd (2 μg/L) or AL-TPSPH (25, 50 and 75 μg/mL) alone or in combination of both from 4 to 144 h post fertilization (hpf). The effects of these treatments on developments, antioxidant parameters and mRNA expression of genes related to oxidative damage, inflammation and apoptosis were examined. The results showed that co-treatment with Cd and AL-TPSPH significantly increased hatching and survival rates and decreased malformation rates of zebrafish embryos compared with Cd treatment alone group (P < 0.05). Cd-induced increase of MDA content, decreases of T-AOC content, GSH/GSSG ratio and activities of SOD, CAT and GPx in zebrafish embryos were modified upon treatment with AL-TPSPH. AL-TPSPH treatment significantly suppressed Cd-induced down-regulations of the antioxidant gene expressions (Mn-sod, Cat and GPx1a) in zebrafish embryos (P < 0.05). AL-TPSPH also prevented Cd-induced up-regulations of pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β and IFN-γ) expressions. Moreover, AL-TPSPH inhibited Cd-induced up-regulations of pro-apoptotic genes (C-jun, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9) in zebrafish embryos. Collectively, these results indicated that AL-TPSPH could reduce Cd-induced oxidative damage, inflammation and apoptosis in zebrafish embryos, suggesting its future applications as functional food or pharmaceutical ingredient.

Rosinidin Flavonoid Ameliorates Hyperglycemia, Lipid Pathways and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes is one of the world’s most important public health issues, impacting both public health and socioeconomic advancement; moreover, current pharmacotherapy is still insufficient. The natural flavonoid rosinidin has a long history of use in pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements, but its role in diabetes has been unknown. The current study was intended to confirm the anti-diabetic activity of rosinidin in our laboratory setting, along with its mechanism. Streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, ip) treatment used to induce type II diabetes in rats and the test medication rosinidin was then administered orally (at doses of 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Treatment with rosinidin reduced negative consequences of diabetes. Rosinidin exerted a protective effect on a number of characteristics, including anti-diabetic responses (lower blood glucose, higher serum insulin and improved pancreatic function) and molecular mechanisms (favorable effects on lipid profiles, total protein, albumin, liver glycogen, proinflammatory cytokine, antioxidant and oxidative stress markers, AST, ALT and urea). Furthermore, the improved pancreatic architecture observed in tissues substantiated the favourable actions of rosinidin in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Chemical profiling, in vitro antioxidant, membrane stabilizing and antimicrobial properties of wild growing Murraya paniculata from Amarkantak (M.P.)

The excessive usage of antibiotics in humans and veterinary medicine has lead to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and now requires the use of novel antibiotics. There has been increased interest towards plants as source of drugs because of their pharmacological potency and long traditional usage. The aim of the current study was to evaluate bioactive components, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of the leaf extracts of Murraya paniculata, a plant traditionally used in Indian medicinal system. Evaluations were made for phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, membrane stabilizing, and antimicrobial activities. The methanol extract displayed the highest flavonoid and phenolic content, the acetone extract demonstrated considerable ABTS inhibitory activity (IC50value:555.18 ± 1.68 µg/mL) and the hexane extract exhibited highest H2O2 radical scavenging activity (IC50value: 509.84 ± 3.03 µg/mL). The aqueous extract displayed 19.4 ± 0.66% RBC hemolysis and 80.5 ± 0.66% protection caused by hypotonic solution at high concentration of the extract. The fractions of hexane extract revealed a higher zone of inhibition than crude extract. The major components found in the fractions were cyclohexane (40.11%) and 3-(6-Methoxy-3-methyl-2-benzofuranyl) Cyclohexanone (13.68%) as analyzed by GC-MS/MS technique. The current results validate the traditional use of the M. paniculata and warrant its potential in drug development programs in further investigations.