Celastrus paniculatus seed water soluble extracts protect cultured rat forebrain neuronal cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative injury

Neurogrit Gold Attenuates 6-OHDA-Induced Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration in Parkinson's Model of Caenorhabditis elegans by Reducing α-Synuclein Accumulation and Pink/Pdr-1 Driven Mitochondrial Dysfunction

INTRODUCTION

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder majorly associated with movement and behavioral disturbances. Pathologically, the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons triggered by the deposition of α-synuclein (SNCA) leads to the decrease in dopamine levels affecting motor and cognitive functions of the brain. Current pharmacotherapy for PD only addresses its symptoms but is not able to halt its progression. Traditional medicines are being increasingly used for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

AIM

The present study investigated the effects of Neurogrit Gold (NG), a herbo-mineral prescription medicine, on a Parkinson's model of Caenorhabditis elegans.

METHODS

Chemical characterization of NG was performed on HPLC and GC-MS/MS platforms. Evaluation of NG was done in the neurotoxicant 6-OHDA-induced N2, BZ555, and NL5901 strains of C. elegans.

RESULTS

It was observed that NG treatment did not hamper the lifespan, survival, and progeny development of C. elegans strains. The worms treated with NG were able to resist the deleterious effects of 6-OHDA on survival, progeny development, body bends, and chemotaxis in N2 and DA neuron degeneration in BZ555 worms. In NL5901 worms, NG treatment reduced SNCA aggregation, restored lipid content, as well as improved body bends, chemotaxis, and food uptake. Gene expression studies on 6-OHDA exposed and NG-treated N2 worms suggest that the neuroprotective effects of NG stem from its ability to regulate genes involved in mitochondrial autophagy (pink-1, pdr-1); dopamine synthesis (cat-2); redox (sod-3) and protein folding homeostasis (hsf-1, hsp-12.3).

CONCLUSION

Neurogrit Gold has robust neuroprotective effects, making it a suitable treatment option against etiologies of Parkinson's disease.

Role of Cytoskeletal Elements in Regulation of Synaptic Functions: Implications Toward Alzheimer's Disease and Phytochemicals-Based Interventions

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a multifactorial disease, is characterized by the accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques. AD is triggered via several factors like alteration in cytoskeletal proteins, a mutation in presenilin 1 (PSEN1), presenilin 2 (PSEN2), amyloid precursor protein (APP), and post-translational modifications (PTMs) in the cytoskeletal elements. Owing to the major structural and functional role of cytoskeletal elements, like the organization of axon initial segmentation, dendritic spines, synaptic regulation, and delivery of cargo at the synapse; modulation of these elements plays an important role in AD pathogenesis; like Tau is a microtubule-associated protein that stabilizes the microtubules, and it also causes inhibition of nucleo-cytoplasmic transportation by disrupting the integrity of nuclear pore complex. One of the major cytoskeletal elements, actin and its dynamics, regulate the dendritic spine structure and functions; impairments have been documented towards learning and memory defects. The second major constituent of these cytoskeletal elements, microtubules, are necessary for the delivery of the cargo, like ion channels and receptors at the synaptic membranes, whereas actin-binding protein, i.e., Cofilin's activation form rod-like structures, is involved in the formation of paired helical filaments (PHFs) observed in AD. Also, the glial cells rely on their cytoskeleton to maintain synaptic functionality. Thus, making cytoskeletal elements and their regulation in synaptic structure and function as an important aspect to be focused for better management and targeting AD pathology. This review advocates exploring phytochemicals and Ayurvedic plant extracts against AD by elucidating their neuroprotective mechanisms involving cytoskeletal modulation and enhancing synaptic plasticity. However, challenges include their limited bioavailability due to the poor solubility and the limited potential to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), emphasizing the need for targeted strategies to improve therapeutic efficacy.

Neuroprotective Potential of Seed Extracts: Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

INTRODUCTION

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by neuronal dysfunction and death. Studies suggest that some seed extracts have a neuroprotective effect. Considering the increased incidence of these diseases and the need for new effective therapies with fewer side effects, this review aimed to assess the evidence of the efficacy and safety of seed extracts in experimental models of neurodegeneration.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The search was carried out through studies published between 2000 and 2021 in Science Direct, PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and Latin American Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) databases, in which the effects of seed extracts in in vitro and in vivo experimental models of neurodegeneration were investigated. Based on the eligibility criteria, 47 studies were selected for this review.

RESULTS

In the in vitro models, the neuroprotection of the seed extracts was a result of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. In the in vivo models, neuroprotection resulted from the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, a decrease in motor deficits, an improvement in learning and memory, as well as the increased release of neurotransmitters. The results show promise for the future of clinical research on new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. However, the studies are still limited, which does not allow us to extrapolate the results to human beings with ND.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, clinical trials are needed in order to prove the results of the in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as to assess the ideal, safe, and effective dose of these seed extracts in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

Phytochemistry and pharmacology of Celastrus paniculatus Wild.: a nootropic drug

OBJECTIVES

Celastrus paniculatus Wild is an evergreen climbing shrub. The plant is of great significance in the traditional Indian System of Medicine, such as Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha. The seeds and their oil are extensively used to treat neurological disorders such as cognitive dysfunction, paralysis, epilepsy, insomnia, and other ailments like rheumatism, arthritis, sciatica, and leprosy. This paper aims to highlight the nootropic activity of C. paniculatus and explore its phytochemistry, traditional uses, and other pharmacological activities.

METHODS

All available information concerning C. paniculatus has been searched in the internationally accepted scientific databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Additional knowledge was gathered from the classical Textbooks and Unani Pharmacopoeia.

RESULTS

C. paniculatus is a rich source of several secondary metabolites, such as β-Dihydroagarofuranoids sesquiterpenes, alkaloids (Celastrine, Celapanin, Celapagin, and paniculatin), flavonoids, terpenoid (β-amyrin, Lupeol, Pristimerin), sterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, α-tocopherol, γ-Tocopherol), fatty acid (palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic acids) and non-fatty acids (Benzoic acid, Cinnamic acid). The various study shows that the extracts and active constituent of this plant possess potent nootropic activity. Besides nootropic activity, it has also been reported for anti-Alzheimer, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, gastroprotective, anti-psoriatic, wound healing, antibacterial, antimalarial, and several other properties.

CONCLUSIONS

Several in vitro and in vivo trials confirm the conventional use of C. paniculatus in cognitive dysfunction. However, the relations between the possible mechanisms of other activities and traditional uses of the C. paniculatus remain indistinct. Still, pharmacological studies also explored the effects of C. paniculatus, which were not recognized in ancient times, such as cytotoxic, ACE inhibitor, and antidiabetic activities. These discoveries are may be beneficial in the development of the new drug to treat various diseases. It is also confirmed that the β-dihydroagarofuranoids exhibit significant AChE inhibitory, cytotoxic, antibacterial, and insecticidal effects. This versatile medicine is truly a life elixir. Considering the therapeutic importance of the C. paniculatus and the absence of any reported clinical studies, extensive clinical trials are needed to explore its memory enhancing and other activities.

Application of Green Technologies in Design-Based Extraction of Celastrus paniculatus (Jyotishmati) Seeds, SEM, GC-MS Analysis, and Evaluation for Memory Enhancing Potential

BACKGROUND

The Celastrus paniculatus (CP), commonly known as Jyotishmati, is considered as "elixir of life" by Indian people for the prevention or management of many ailments. The seed powder and its extract have widely used commercially for the preparation of various Ayurvedic formulations for the improvement of memory. CP seeds were generally extracted by conventional extraction methods (CEMs) which are assumed to impact environment burden and also produce low extract yield. Green extraction with possible improvement in extract yield has always been the need of hour for selected medicinal plant.

OBJECTIVE

In the present research, we aimed to optimize the different extraction factors in microwave and ultrasound-based extraction. The various extracts obtained in conventional and green methods are also evaluated for the possible improvement in memory enhancing potential.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The selected medicinal herb was extracted by CEM (maceration and percolation). In green methods such microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasound assisted-extraction (UAE), various parameters were optimized using Box-Behnken design coupled with response surface methodology. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analyses were also done to confirm the possible improvement in concentration of plant actives. The Swiss albino mice were used to evaluate memory enhancing potential of different extracts.

RESULTS

At the optimized conditions MAE and UAE the extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC) and Total flavonoid content (TFC) are significantly improved. The GC-MS analysis further confirms the improvement in concentration of certain fatty acid esters, pilocarpine, and steroidal compounds in optimized extracts. The optimized extracts also exhibited the significant improvement in behavioral parameters, oxidative stress-induced parameters, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

From the results, we can say that the application of green technologies in design-based extraction of selected herb not only significantly reduces the extraction time but also improves the extract yield and concentration of plant actives. In nutshell, it can be concluded that the green approaches for extraction of seeds of Celastrus paniculatus could be scale up at a commercial level to meet the rising demand for herbal extract.

An extensive review on phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Indian medicinal plant Celastrus paniculatus Willd

Celastrus paniculatus is a traditional herb belonging to the family Celastraceae and is widely used for a number of medicinal activities in the Indian Unani and Ayurvedic systems. In this study, the extensive literature search was carried out on phytochemistry, ethnobotanical uses and pharmacological activities of C. paniculatus (Willd.) in various scientific databases as well as patents. Research on phytochemical investigation has shown the presence of monoterpenes (linalool, α-terpinyl acetate, nerol acetate), sesqueterpene esters (such as malkanguniol, malkangunin, valerenal, globulol, viridiflorol, cubenol and agarofuran derivatives), diterpenoids (such as phytone, isophytol), triterpenoids (such as lupeol, pristimerin, paniculatadiol, zeylasteral, zeylasterone, β-amyrin, squalene), alkaloids (celapanin, celapanigin, celapagin, paniculatine, celastrine, maymyrsine), fatty acids, steroids (β-sitosterol, carpesterol benzoate), flavonoids (paniculatin), benzoic acid, and vitamin C in this plant. All the reported pharmacological activities of this plant could be due to the presence of these phytochemicals. This plant possesses strong antioxidant activity which includes total flavonoid content, total phenolic content, nitric oxide scavenging activity and free radical scavenging activity. This plant possesses multiple pharmacological activities including cognition-enhancing, neuroprotective, antipsychotic, anti-depressant, antibacterial, anti-arthritic, anti-malarial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fertility, cardiovascular, locomotor, anxiolytic, wound healing activity, anti-spasmodic, hypolipidemic, anti-cancerous and iron-chelating activity with different extracts of this plant as well as various phytoconstituents present in this plant. The objective of this review article is to discuss in detail the reported ethnopharmacological uses, phytochemistry and various pharmacological activities of C. paniculatus.

Ameliorating effect of Celastrus paniculatus standardized extract and its fractions on 3-nitropropionic acid induced neuronal damage in rats: possible antioxidant mechanism

CONTEXT

Celastrus paniculatus Wild. (Celasteraceae) (CP) is a well-known Ayurvedic 'Medhya Rasayana' (nervine tonic), used extensively as a neuro-protective and memory enhancer, and in different central nervous system disorders.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of CP against 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) induced Huntington's disease (HD) like symptoms in Wistar male rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ethanol extract of CP seeds (CPEE), prepared by maceration, was standardized on the basis of linoleic acid content (6.42%) using thin layer chromatography densitometric analysis. Protective effect of CPEE (100 and 200 mg/kg) and its various fractions, viz., petroleum ether (40 mg/kg), ethyl acetate (2.5 mg/kg), n-butanol (7 mg/kg) and aqueous (18 mg/kg), administered orally for 20 days, against 3-NP (10 mg/kg, i.p. for 14 days) was assessed by their effect on body weight, locomotor activity, grip strength, gait pattern and cognitive dysfunction and biochemical parameters for oxidative damage in the striatum and cortex regions of the brain.

RESULTS

CPEE (100 and 200 mg/kg) treated animals exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in behavioural and oxidative stress parameters in comparison to only 3-NP treated animals. Amongst various tested fractions of CPEE, aqueous fraction (AF) at 18 mg/kg exhibited maximum reversal of 3-NP induced behavioural and biochemical alterations, and was therefore also tested at 9 and 36 mg/kg. CPEE (100 mg/kg) and AF (36 mg/kg) exhibited maximum and significant (p < 0.05) attenuation of 3-NP induced alterations in comparison to 3-NP treated rats.

CONCLUSIONS

CPEE has a protective action against 3-NP induced HD like symptoms due to its strong antioxidant effect.

Alzheimer's Disease-Current Status and Future Directions

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder of the brain. The presence of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques, neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), loss of neurons, synapses, and altered sensory perceptions, including memory loss, delineate AD. However, the cause of AD is not clearly known. Several genetic and nongenetic factors have been implicated in the disease. Of the genes, the ɛ4 allele of apolipoprotein E is the largest known genetic risk factor of AD. This review article focuses on the various genetic and other predisposing factors that account for AD, pathophysiology of the disease, and the mechanisms by which Aβ plaques and NFTs are formed and could affect AD brain. In addition, recent advances and current diagnostics available for AD patients are detailed. As oxidative stress has been implicated in the etiology of the disease, special emphasis is given for nutrition based antioxidant therapies and interventional strategies for reducing/treating AD.

Neuroprotective effect of Celastrus paniculatus on chronic stress-induced cognitive impairment

Objective:

Several studies report that chronic stress results in impaired spatial learning and working memory and enhanced anxiety-like behavior. However, not many studies have looked into the possible ways of reversing stress-induced deficits. Celastrus paniculatus (CP), a traditional ayurvedic herbal medicine, was used to treat cognitive deficits in mentally retarded children. CP oil has been reported to have neuroprotective and antioxidant activities. However, the effects of CP oil on chronic stress-induced cognitive deficits are unclear. In the present study, we intended to analyze the neuroprotective effects of CP oil on stress-associated cognitive dysfunctions.

Materials and Methods:

Chronic stress was induced by subjecting rats to restrainers for 6 h a day for 21 days. CP oil (400, 600 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) after stress protocol once a day over the next 14 days. Groups used in the present study: normal control, stress, stress + vehicle, stress + CP oil at 2 different doses (400 and 600 mg/kg, i.p.). After the drug treatment, open field and elevated plus maze (EPM) were used to analyze anxiety-like behavior, and partially baited radial arm maze (RAM) and T-maze were used to evaluate spatial learning and memory capabilities. Analysis has been done using two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post hoc test and one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test.

Results:

Stressed rats showed enhanced anxiety-like behavior in EPM (P < 0.001) and impaired performance in RAM (P < 0.001) and T-maze tasks (P < 0.001) compared to normal animals. In contrast, CP oil treatment to these rats improved their performance in both RAM (P < 0.001) and T-maze (P < 0.001). In addition, CP oil significantly reduced stress-induced anxiety behavior (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Chronic treatment with CP oil is to improve cognitive abilities in chronically stressed rats. The current study provides a novel perspective on beneficial effect of herbal therapy on stress-induced cognitive dysfunctions.

Effects of medicinal plants on Alzheimer's disease and memory deficits

Alzheimer's disease is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory deficits. Various studies have been carried out to find therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's disease. However, the proper treatment option is still not available. There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but symptomatic treatment may improve the memory and other dementia related problems. Traditional medicine is practiced worldwide as memory enhancer since ancient times. Natural therapy including herbs and medicinal plants has been used in the treatment of memory deficits such as dementia, amnesia, as well as Alzheimer's disease since a long time. Medicinal plants have been used in different systems of medicine, particularly Unani system of medicines and exhibited their powerful roles in the management and cure of memory disorders. Most of herbs and plants have been chemically evaluated and their efficacy has also been proven in clinical trials. However, the underlying mechanisms of actions are still on the way. In this paper, we have reviewed the role of different medicinal plants that play an important role in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and memory deficits using conventional herbal therapy.

Celastrus paniculatus Willd. mitigates t-BHP induced oxidative and apoptotic damage in C2C12 murine muscle cells

Identification, exploration and scientific validation of antioxidant rich herbal extracts to mitigate the radical induced cell damage provide new insights in the field of ayurvedic research/therapies. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic potential of Celastrus paniculatus seed extract (CPSE) against tertiary butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) induced mice muscle cell damage. The extract at a dose of 50 µg/ml protected the cells up to 70 % as evidenced by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide cell survival assay and also prevented LDH leakage against t-BHP induced cytotoxicity. CPSE showed potential antioxidant activity by restoring mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibited reactive oxygen species generation and lipid peroxidation. CPSE pretreatment also regulated the antioxidant markers such as superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes content and proteins expression. Further CPSE showed anti-apoptotic effects by regulating cytochrome-C and heat shock protein-70 expression and also showed 43 % muscle cell DNA damage inhibitory activity against t-BHP challenge as observed by single cell gel electrophoresis assay. Overall the extract inhibits the muscle cell damage, thus explaining the possible anti-oxidant/anti-apoptotic defense status of the C. paniculatus seed extract.

Cuscuta chinensis seeds water extraction protecting murine osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells against tertiary butyl hydroperoxide induced injury

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cuscuta chinensis (C. chinensis) is a well-known traditional Chinese herb that has been used to treat heart disease, diabetes, liver injury, cancer, and aging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Murine osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with various concentrations of C. chinensis water extraction at different time intervals. The antioxidant effect of C. chinensis on MC3T3-E1 cells was evaluated using MTT and TUNEL assays. The effect of C. chinensis on cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry with propidium iodide. Lipid peroxidation was measured by the HPLC method. The cellular redox status was determined from the reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG) and the enzymes involved in glutathione metabolism, including glutathione reductase (GR), Glutathione S-transferase (GST), and Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). The changes in relative mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) in the MC3T3-E1 cells were analyzed with rhodamine 123 staining. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the levels of cytochrome c (cyto c), Bax, Bcl-2, caspase 3, Sirt3, and IDH2 expressions.

RESULTS

The C. chinensis water extraction protects tertiary butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-treated MC3T3-E1 cells from death in a dose-dependent manner. C. chinensis treatment significantly inhibited the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, malondialdehyde (MDA) production, and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), GR, GST, and G6PD. The release of cyto c from mitochondria was reduced by C. chinensis, which increased the expression of antiapoptotic IDH2, Sirt3, and Bcl-2 and decreased the expression of Bax, cyto c, and caspase 3.

CONCLUSIONS

C. chinensis modulated the oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells, probably due to its antioxidant activity and functioning via mitochondria-dependent pathways.

Ayurvedic medicinal plants for Alzheimer's disease: a review

Alzheimer's disease is an age-associated, irreversible, progressive neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by severe memory loss, unusual behavior, personality changes, and a decline in cognitive function. No cure for Alzheimer's exists, and the drugs currently available to treat the disease have limited effectiveness. It is believed that therapeutic intervention that could postpone the onset or progression of Alzheimer's disease would dramatically reduce the number of cases in the next 50 years. Ayurvedic medicinal plants have been the single most productive source of leads for the development of drugs, and over a hundred new products are already in clinical development. Indeed, several scientific studies have described the use of various Ayurvedic medicinal plants and their constituents for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Although the exact mechanism of their action is still not clear, phytochemical studies of the different parts of the plants have shown the presence of many valuable compounds, such as lignans, flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols, triterpenes, sterols, and alkaloids, that show a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-amyloidogenic, anti-cholinesterase, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant effects. This review gathers research on various medicinal plants that have shown promise in reversing the Alzheimer's disease pathology. The report summarizes information concerning the phytochemistry, biological, and cellular activities and clinical applications of these various plants in order to provide sufficient baseline information that could be used in drug discovery campaigns and development process, thereby providing new functional leads for Alzheimer's disease.