Marrubium vulgare extract inhibits human-LDL oxidation and enhances HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophage

Inhibitory Effects of Marrubium vulgare L. Extract on the Female Hormones Based on Bioautography-HPTLC-MS

Background

Hormonal imbalances related to women's health, physical activity, and fluctuations are prevalent metabolic disorders in several nations and have significantly impacted women's health for an extended period. The application of individual or combined botanical extracts in traditional, alternative, and complementary medicine is employed to manage and alleviate these issues.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to examine the suppressive properties of horehound (Marrubium vulgare L.) on pivotal hormones associated with feminine disorders.

Methods

The horehound plant was exposed to ultrasonic radiation while five different solvents (methanol, ethyl acetate, n-hexane, acetone, and water) were used to extract its components. The individuals were isolated using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). The most powerful compounds were analyzed using a direct antioxidant assay (DPPH test) and a hormone inhibitory assay (Oestrogen, Progesterone, Estradiol, and Testosterone) on the HPTLC plate. The compounds that had a significant effect were then identified using LC-ESI/MSMS.

Results

The antioxidant properties of the extracts and hormone inhibitors were evaluated, and the substances were separated from the HPTLC plate and analyzed using mass spectrometry. The results showed strong antioxidant capabilities, with an IC50 range of 8.24 - 12.42 µg/mL. Moreover, the plant extract showed beneficial effects on hormones associated with female health issues.

Conclusions

The extract was subjected to chemical and molecular analysis using the HPTLC technique, followed by LC-ESI/MSMS. The study revealed the presence of vulgarole, marrubiin, and marrubenol chemicals.

Essential oils of Origanum compactum Benth: Chemical characterization, in vitro, in silico, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities

This study was performed to investigate the phytochemical profile, and the, in vitro, and, in silico, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the essential oil (EO) extracted from Origanum compactum. EO phytochemical screening was examined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The antioxidant potential, in vitro, was assessed using reducing power(FRAP), free 2,2 diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacity tests. Antibacterial properties against two Gram (−) and two Gram (+) bacteria were assessed using the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the disc diffusion methods. By use of molecular docking, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of oregano EO were also tested. Thymol (75.53%) was the major compound among the nine compounds identified in the EO of Origanum compactum, followed by carvacrol (18.26%). Oregano EO showed an important antioxidant capacity, as tested by FRAP and DPPH assays, with EC50 and IC50 values of 13.300 ± 0.200 and 0.690 ± 0.062 mg/mL, respectively. The same EO has a total antioxidant capacity of 173.900 ± 7.231 mg AAE/g EO. The antibacterial results showed significant activity of Origanum compactum EO against all tested bacteria, especially against S. aureus (MIC = 0.25 mg/mL) and B. subtilis (MIC = 0.06 mg/mL). In silico, carvacrol was the most active molecule against nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (2CDU) and S. aureus nucleoside diphosphate kinase (3Q8U) with a glide score of −6.082, and −6.039 kcal/mol, respectively. Regarding the inhibition of E. coli beta-ketoacyl-[acyl carrier protein] synthase (1FJ4), piperitenone was the most active molecule with a glide score of −7.112 kcal/mol. In light of the results obtained, the EO of Origanum compactum Moroccan species can be used as promising natural food conservatives and an agent to fight antibiotic-resistant nosocomial microbes.

Solanum elaeagnifolium Var. Obtusifolium (Dunal) Dunal: Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Antifungal Activities of Polyphenol-Rich Extracts Chemically Characterized by Use of In Vitro and In Silico Approaches

The present work was designed to study the chemical composition and the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of fruits (SFr) and leaf (SF) extracts from Solanum elaeagnifolium var. obtusifolium (Dunal) Dunal (S. elaeagnifolium). The chemical composition was determined using HPLC-DAD analysis. Colorimetric methods were used to determine polyphenols and flavonoids. Antioxidant capacity was assessed with DPPH, TAC, and FRAP assays. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using disk diffusion and microdilution assays against two Gram (+) bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC-6633 and Bacillus subtilis DSM-6333) and two Gram (-) bacteria (Escherichia coli K-12 and Proteus mirabilis ATCC-29906), while the antifungal effect was tested vs. Candida albicans ATCC-1023. By use of in silico studies, the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the studied extracts were also investigated. HPLC analysis showed that both fruits and leaf extracts from S. elaeagnifolium were rich in luteolin, quercetin, gallic acid, and naringenin. Both SFr and SF generated good antioxidant activity, with IC50 values of 35.15 ± 6.09 μg/mL and 132.46 ± 11.73 μg/mL, respectively. The EC50 of SFr and SF was 35.15 ± 6.09 μg/mL and 132.46 ± 11.73 μg/mL, respectively. SFr and SF also showed a good total antioxidant capacity of 939.66 ± 5.01 μg AAE/and 890.1 ± 7.76 μg AAE/g, respectively. SFr had important antibacterial activity vs. all tested strains-most notably B. subtilis DSM-6333 and E. coli, with MICs values of 2.5 ± 0.00 mg/mL and 2.50 ± 0.00 mg/mL, respectively. SFr demonstrated potent antifungal activity against C. albicans, with an inhibition diameter of 9.00 ± 0.50 mm and an MIC of 0.31 ± 0.00 mg/mL. The in silico approach showed that all compounds detected in SFr and SF had high activity (between -5.368 and 8.416 kcal/mol) against the receptors studied, including NADPH oxidase, human acetylcholinesterase, and beta-ketoacyl-[acyl carrier protein] synthase.

An overview on ethnobotanico-pharmacological studies carried out in Morocco, from 1991 to 2015: Systematic review (part 1)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The full bibliometric records of data retrieved from ethnobotanical field studies carried out in Morocco (1991-2015) was quali-quantitatively analysed. Despite the importance of traditional medicinal uses in Morocco, any comments about the methodologies and approaches adopted by reviewed studies have been undertaken. Include more data about the importance of traditional medicinal uses in Morocco.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Three key points were targeted in this review: (i) to contribute to original compilation of medicinal plants traditionally used by people at whole Morocco, by gathering and documenting the current status of these ancestral medical practices, (ii) to provide a novel insight into the relationship between local and biomedical disease concepts in Moroccan society, taking into account health-related beliefs, and their influences on medicinal plant uses, (iii) to figurout the weaknesses and the strengths of the conceptual approches and methods adopted by researchers in ethnobotanical field works.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

With the help of a computerized database querying, we conducted an extensive literature search respecting our integration criteria. We performed this bibliographic research by using the following search engines available over the Web: Google Scholar, PUBMED, Sciencedirect, Current Content Connect, SCOPUS, SPRINGER LINK, GLOBAL PLANTS, Cochrane Library and SCIRUS. The scientific names listed in the present paper have been validated according to the "The Plant List" and the African Plants Database in order to standardize ethnobotanical data on an international level. For the analysis of data gathered, quali-quantitative analyses have been performed.

RESULTS

A total of 905 medicinal plant species belonging to 116 families and 726 genera have been selected from 63 published articles. The dominant families were ASTERACEAE (111 species) followed by the FABACEAE (77 species), LAMIACEAE (75 species) and APIACEAE (46 species). The plant species listed are used to cure several public ailments. The digestive ailments represented the most important category (494 species) followed by dermatological diseases (407 species), diabetes (315 species) and urinary diseases (277 species). We assigned the importance of the plant species by several measures (including Frequency Cited (FC), Number of Uses (NU), Number of Respondents (NR) and Index of Performance (IP). The ICF (Informant Consensus Factor) calculated was important in all categories of diseases averaging 47%.

CONCLUSION

The results obtained, which cover the whole country, delineate the profile of rich wealth of indigenous knowledge on traditional uses of medicinal plants heald by Moroccan society. The total number of 905 plant species listed in this paper, are currently being utilized as medicines and the number is expected to grow as infrastructure allows greater access to unexplored parts of the country. Furthermore, the know how, regarding the plants used, is consistent because the ICF has recorded important values for most diseases treated. Furthermore, in the present paper, we suggested, for authors, some useful recommendations for ethnobotanical field works such as the respect of ethnobotanical standards including checklist of plants with international data base, the deposited voucher specimens, sampling and collection methods.

Analysis of Low Molecular Weight Substances and Related Processes Influencing Cellular Cholesterol Efflux

Cholesterol efflux is the key process protecting the vascular system from the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Various extracellular and intracellular events affect the ability of the cell to efflux excess cholesterol. To explore the possible pathways and processes that promote or inhibit cholesterol efflux, we applied a combined cheminformatic and bioinformatic approach. We performed a comprehensive analysis of published data on the various substances influencing cholesterol efflux and found 153 low molecular weight substances that are included in the Chemical Entities of Biological Interest (ChEBI) database. Pathway enrichment was performed for substances identified within the Reactome database, and 45 substances were selected in 93 significant pathways. The most common pathways included the energy-dependent processes related to active cholesterol transport from the cell, lipoprotein metabolism and lipid transport, and signaling pathways. The activators and inhibitors of cholesterol efflux were non-uniformly distributed among the different pathways: the substances influencing ‘biological oxidations’ activate cholesterol efflux and the substances influencing ‘Signaling by GPCR and PTK6’ inhibit efflux. This analysis may be used in the search and design of efflux effectors for therapies targeting structural and functional high-density lipoprotein deficiency.

Atheroprotective action of a modified organoselenium compound: in vitro evidence

ABSTRACT Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been strongly suggested to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Thus, reducing LDL oxidation is a potential approach to decrease the risk of the atherosclerosis. Organoselenium compounds have demonstrated promising atheroprotective properties in experimental models. Herein, we tested the in vitro atheroprotective capability of a modified organoselenium compound, Compound HBD, in protecting isolated LDL from oxidation as well as foam cells formation. Moreover, the glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-like activity of Compound HBD was analyzed in order to explore the mechanisms related to the above-mentioned protective effects. The Compound HBD in a concentration-dependent manner reduced the Cu2+-induced formation of conjugated dienes. The protein portion from LDL were also protected from Cu2+-induced oxidation. Furthermore, the Compound HBD efficiently decreased the foam cell formation in J774 macrophage cells exposed to oxidized LDL. We found that the atheroprotective effects of this compound can be, at least in part, related to its GPx-like activity. Our findings demonstrated an impressive effect of Compound HBD against LDL-induced toxicity, a further in vivo study to investigate in more detail the antioxidant and antiatherogenic effects of this compound could be considered.

An Insight into a Blockbuster Phytomedicine; Marrubium vulgare L. Herb. More of a Myth than a Reality?

Aerial parts and the root of Marrubium vulgare L. (white horehound) have been traditionally used in Europe and in southern and eastern Mediterranean countries. During colonization, the plant was introduced in America to great levels of popularity because of the simplicity of its growing; it was especially popular in Mexico and Brazil, where it has been known as 'maromba', 'marroio' or 'marroio-branco'. Ethnopharmacological uses of M. vulgare include treating respiratory diseases such as acute or chronic bronchitis, colds and asthma. The plant is also used in cases where there is a lack of appetite or dyspepsia and for diagnosed type II diabetes. It has even been used for antihypertensive therapy. For decades, scientists have carried out extensive research trying to explain these and other pharmacologic actions. It is time to systematize and critically analyse the quality of results found to date. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Evaluation of hypolipidemic Marrubium vulgare effect in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in mice

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglyceridemic activities of four Marrbium vulgare herb extracts using Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in mice.

METHODS

Hyperlipidemia was developed by intraperitoneal injection of Triton (200 mg/kg body weight). The animals were divided into main four groups of eight mice each: normal control group, hyperlipidemic control group, hyperlipidemic plus tween-40 control and treated group. The fourth one was divided into four subgroups, petroleum ether extract group, chloroform extract group, ethyl acetate extract group and methanol extract treated group each of them contains two sub-sub group for treating animals with two doses at 0.1 and 0.25 LD50.

RESULTS

After 7 h and 24 h of treatment, the intragastric administration of all extracts caused a significant decrease of plasma total cholesterol. Triglyceride levels were also significantly lowered by all extracts while petroleum ether produced the lowest decreasing level. Similar results were observed for LDL-cholesterol concentrations. Furthermore, more polar extracts (methanol and ethyl acetate)-soluble fractions showed a significant ameliorative action on elevated atherogenic index (AI) and LDL/HDL-C ratios, while these atherogenic markers were not statistically suppressed by the chloroform and petroleum ether-soluble extract.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicated that Marrubium may contain polar products able to lower plasma lipid concentrations and might be beneficial in treatment of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.

Evaluating Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Activity of Marrubium crassidens

PURPOSE

Naturally occurring substances as novel drugs in cancer therapy, at all times, represent a challenge to science since medicinal plants are proving to be brilliant sources of new chemopreventive agents.

METHODS

In the present study, methanol extract from aerial parts of Marrubium crassidens was assessed for its antiproliferative activity in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 through MTT bioassay using cell viability and cytotoxicity indices. The antioxidant property of M. crassidens extract together with its phenolic and flavonoids content were evaluated, as well.

RESULTS

According to data obtained in the study, M. crassidens exhibited antiproliferative activity with a gradual rise in cytotoxicty effect setting out on 240µg/mL concentration of the extract. Moreover, the RC50 value for antioxidant activity of the extract was determined as 40µg/mL and values for the total phenolic and flavonoids were calculated as 512.64mg gallic acid equivalent and 212.73mg quercetin equivalent per 100g of dry plant material.

CONCLUSION

Generally, the observed antiproliferative and antioxidant properties of M. crassidens could be certified to the high amounts of phenolic and flavonoid content detected in the extract.

Characterization of Non-Terpenoids in Marrubium crassidens Boiss. Essential Oil

PURPOSE

Marrubium crassidens, a plant belonging to the family Lamiaceae, was studied for its volatile components present in the aerial parts of the plant during the flowering stage.

METHODS

The essential oil of the plant obtained through hydrodistillation of the dried plant material was assessed for its chemical composition by GC/MS and GC-FID analyses.

RESULTS

Twenty-five compounds were identified, which constituted 94.3% of the total oil composition. The major components were identified as, m-tolualdehyde (23.3%), acetophenone (15.8%), nonacosane (13.1%), docosane (7.2%), o-tolualdehyde (4.1%), β-caryophyllene (3.8%) and caryophyllene oxide (3.4%). Non-terpenoids with 75.7% were the most abundant components of the essential oil.

CONCLUSION

Overall, M. crassidens essential oil revealed to include rather higher proportions of non-terpenoid compounds compared with other species of genus Marrubium.

Antiproliferative activity of Marrubium persicum extract in the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line

AIM

Developing antitumor drugs from natural products is receiving increasing interest worldwide due to limitations and side effects of therapy strategies for the second leading cause of disease related mortality, cancer.

METHODS

The antiproliferative activity of a methanolic extract from the aerial parts of Marrubium persicum extract was assessed with the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line using the MTT test for cell viability and cytotoxicity indices. In addition, antioxidant properties of the extract were evaluated by measuring its ability to scavenge free DPPH radicals. Moreover, the total phenolic and flavonoid content of the extract was determined based on Folin-Ciocalteu and colorimetric aluminum chloride methods.

RESULTS

The findings of the study for the antiproliferative activity of the methanolic extract of M. persicum showed that growth of MCF-7 cells was inhibited by the extract in a dose and time dependent manner, where a gradual increase of cytotoxicity effect has been achieved setting out on 200 μg/mL concentration of the plant extract. The antioxidant assay revealed that the extract was a strong scavenger of DPPH radicals with an RC50 value of 52 μg/mL. The total phenolic and flavonoids content of the plant extract was 409.3 mg gallic acid equivalent and 168.9 mg quercetin equivalent per 100g of dry plant material.

CONCLUSION

Overall, M. persicum possesses potential antiproliferative and antioxidant activities on the malignant MCF-7 cell line that could be attributed to the high content of phenolics and flavonoids, and therefore warrants further exploration.

The cardioprotective effects of marrubiin, a diterpenoid found in Leonotis leonurus extracts

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Leonotis leonurus L. (Lamiaceae) is used as a traditional medicine for a variety of ailments in South Africa. The diterpene marrubiin is the major product constituent in specimens of this plant occurring in South Africa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Marrubiin isolated from South African specimens of L. leonurus in addition to an organic extract of L. leonurus were tested in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro for their anticoagulant, antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory activities.

RESULTS

Marrubiin and the organic extract suppressed coagulation, platelet aggregation and inflammatory markers. For the coagulation markers it was found that the organic extract and marrubiin significantly prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). Fibrin and D-dimer formation were drastically decreased. These findings were observed in an ex vivo model and an obese rat model. Chemokines enhance leukocyte recruitment to inflammatory sites. TNF-α and RANTES secretion were significantly reduced by the extract and marrubiin when determined in the obese rat model relative to the controls. Calcium mobilization and TXB(2) synthesis were suppressed by the extract and marrubiin. An in vitro model was used to elucidate the antiplatelet mechanism and it was found that the extract and marrubiin inhibited platelet aggregation by inhibiting the binding of fibrinogen to glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor in a concentration dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

The findings reflect that marrubiin largely contributes to the extract's anticoagulant, antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effects observed.

Effects of extracts from Italian medicinal plants on planktonic growth, biofilm formation and adherence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

AIM OF STUDY

One-third of botanical remedies from southern Italy are used to treat skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI). Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of SSTI, has generated increasing concern due to drug resistance. Many plants possess antimicrobial agents and provide effective remedies for SSTI. Our aim was to investigate plants from different ethnobotanical usage groups for inhibition of growth and biofilms in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three groups were assessed: plant remedies for SSTI, plant remedies not involving the skin, and plants with no ethnomedical application. We screened 168 extracts, representing 104 botanical species, for activity against MRSA (ATCC 33593). We employed broth dilution methods to determine the MIC after 18 h growth using an optical density (OD 600 nm) reading. Anti-biofilm effects were assessed by growing biofilms for 40 h, then fixing and staining with crystal violet. After washing, 10% Tween 80 was added and OD 570 nm readings were taken.

RESULTS

Extracts from 10 plants exhibited an IC50<or=32 microg/ml for biofilm inhibition: Lonicera alpigena, Castanea sativa, Juglans regia, Ballota nigra, Rosmarinus officinalis, Leopoldia comosa, Malva sylvestris, Cyclamen hederifolium, Rosa canina, and Rubus ulmifolius. Limited bacteriostatic activity was evident.

CONCLUSION

This study has demonstrated that the anti-biofilm activity of medicinal plants used for SSTI is significantly greater than plants without any ethnomedical applications.