Effect of Vitex rotundifolia on immediate-type allergic reaction

Traditional use, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Viticis Fructus

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Viticis Fructus (called Manjingzi in China) is the dried ripe fruits of the plant species Vitex trifolia subsp. litoralis Steenis and Vitex trifolia L. in the family Lamiaceae. Viticis Fructus has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat illness such as colds, headache, vertigo, anesthesia, and hyperkinesias. More chemical constituents and medicinal effects have been discovered in Viticis Fructus with the development of modern technology.The aim of the review: This review aims to analyze the research progress of Viticis Fructus from the aspects of botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activity, as well as to provide an outlook on the research and use prospects of Viticis Fructus.

Material and methods

A comprehensive literature search using online databases such Science Direct, CNKI, Wiley online library, Spring Link, Web of Science, PubMed, Wanfang Data and SCI-Finder. In addition, information was obtained from local and foreign books on ethnobotany and ethnomedicine.

Results

The application of Viticis Fructus as a medicine can be traced back to around 480 AD. So far, more than 190 compounds have been isolated from Viticis Fructus, including flavonoids, sterols, cyclic enol ether terpenoids, and diterpenoids. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that the extracts of Viticis Fructus have various pharmacological effects, such as anti-allergic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-bacterial effects.

Conclusion

As a widely used traditional medicine, Viticis Fructus is rich in chemical compositions and has an obvious biological activity. However, the application and pharmacological activity of Viticis Fructus have not been scientifically evaluated or convincing due to poor methodology, unclear results and lack of clinical data. Systematic and comprehensive research evaluations are needed to verify its pharmaceutical activity, clinical therapeutic efficacy and safety. As an important herbal medicine, it should be further explored to facilitate the development of new medicines and treatments for a variety of diseases.

Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and Vitex trifolia L.: A review on their traditional medicine, phytochemistry, pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and Vitex trifolia L. belong to the genus Vitex, and Vitex rotundifolia L. f. evolved from Vitex trifolia L. Both are essential ethnic medicinal plants with a long history, commonly used to treat headaches, fever, diarrhea, hair loss, wound recovery, and other diseases.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The research status of Vitex trifolia L. and its relative species Vitex rotundifolia L. f. were reviewed from the aspects of traditional medicinal use, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities, to provide a reference for the further development and utilization of Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and Vitex trifolia L.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this paper, a comprehensive search of published literature was conducted through various books and online databases to obtain relevant information on Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and Vitex trifolia L. The search terms "(Vitex rotundifolia) OR (Vitex trifolia) OR (Fructus viticis)" were entered in PubMed, Web of Science, China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Baidu Scholar, respectively. In addition to setting the year threshold of "2018-2022" on Baidu Scholar, other databases searched all fields and found 889, 283, 1263, 1023, and 147 articles, respectively. Among them, review, repetition, overlapping data, and other reasons were excluded, and finally, a total of 164 articles were included in the review study.

RESULTS

A total of 369 compounds have been identified, including 159 terpenoids, 51 flavonoids, 83 phenylpropanoids, and 76 other compounds. Pharmacological studies have shown that Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and Vitex trifolia L. have a variety of pharmacological activities, such as anti-tumor, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and estrogen-like activity. Modern clinical use for treating cold headaches, diarrhea dysentery, irregular menstruation, and other diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

As traditional medicinal plants, Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and Vitex trifolia L. have wealthy chemical constituents and extensive pharmacological activities and are widely used in clinical practice from traditional to modern times. However, the research on the pharmacological activities of Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and Vitex trifolia L. is not in-depth, and the potential active components still need to be explored.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of genus Vitex (Lamiaceae)

Vitex, the genus of the family Lamiaceae, comprises of about 230 species mostly distributed in the warm regions of Europe and temperate regions of Asia. Several Vitex species have been used as folk medicine in different countries for the treatment of various kinds of diseases and ailments. The main aim of this review is to collect and analyze the scientific information available about the Vitex species regarding their chemical constituents and pharmacological activities. The phytochemical investigation of various Vitex species has resulted in the isolation of about 556 chemical constituents belong to various chemical category viz. iridoids, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, lignans, sesquiterpenoids, monoterpenoids, ecdysteroids, and others. The crude extracts of different Vitex species as well as pure phytochemicals exhibited a wide spectrum of in-vitro and in-vivo pharmacological activities. In the present review, the scientific literature data on the ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, and pharmacological investigations on the genus Vitex are summarized. More attention should be given in future research to evaluate the pharmacological potential with detailed mechanism of actions for the pure compounds, extracts of plants from this genus. Moreover, their clinical study is needed to justify their use in modern medicine and to further exploring this genus for new drug discovery.

Vitex agnus-castus safeguards the lung against lipopolysaccharide-induced toxicity in mice

Vitex agnus-castus (VAC, Verbenaceae) is widely used in Chinese traditional medicine as an antiinflammatory agent. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of the VAC extract to protect against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury. The results have shown that VAC had a potent protective activity against LPS-induced acute lung damage. It significantly decreased pulmonary edema as there was a significant decrease in lung wet/dry ratio and in protein content. VAC also decreased the lactate dehydrogenase's activity in the bronchoalveolar fluid. VAC ameliorated LPS-induced inflammatory cells infiltration into the lung tissue and reversed the histopathological lesions of the lung. Furthermore, VAC counteracted LPS-induced oxidative stress as it attenuated the lipid peroxidation marker, malondialdehyde, in the lung. VAC increased the antioxidant activity as evident by elevated superoxide dismutase activity and increased reduced glutathione content in the lung tissue. Collectively, VAC has a protective activity against LPS-induced acute lung damage through its antioxidant potential. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Vitex agnus-castus has been used in various traditional medicines for treating various ailments as digestive complains, acne, rheumatic pains, menstrual irregularities, premenstrual syndrome, infertility, and hyperprolactinemia. Its leaves are used as a spice and the fruits are used as a substitute for pepper. VAC food supplements are used by women against psychic and somatic premenstrual symptoms. The findings of this study can demonstrate the potent protective activity of the VAC extract against LPS-induced acute lung damage due to its antioxidative effects. Therefore, VAC could be developed as a health functional food to improve acute lung damage and many diseases caused by oxidative damage.

SRVF, a novel herbal formula including Scrophulariae Radix and Viticis Fructus, disrupts focal adhesion and causes detachment-induced apoptosis in malignant cancer cells

When cells lose adhesion, they undergo detachment-induced apoptosis, known as anoikis. In contrast, tumor cells acquire resistance to anoikis, enabling them to survive, even after separating from neighboring cells or the ECM. Therefore, agents that restore anoikis sensitivity may serve as anti-cancer candidates. In this study, we constructed a novel herbal formula, SRVF, which contains Scrophulariae Radix (SR) and Viticis Fructus (VF). SRVF rapidly decreased cell adhesion, altered the cell morphology to round, and induced cell death; however, SR, VF, or their co-treatment did not. SRVF arrested HT1080 cells in G₂/M phase, increased the levels of pro-apoptotic proteins, and decreased the levels of anti-apoptotic proteins. Furthermore, SRVF efficiently reduced cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions by disrupting the F-actin cytoskeleton and down-regulating the levels of focal adhesion-related proteins, suggesting that SRVF efficiently triggers detachment-induced apoptosis (i.e., anoikis) in malignant cancer cells. In xenograft mouse models, daily oral administration of 50 or 100 mg/kg SRVF retarded tumor growth in vivo, and repeated administration of SRVF did not cause systemic toxicity in normal mice. These data collectively indicate that SRVF induces cancer cell death by restoring anoikis sensitivity via disrupting focal adhesion. Therefore, SRVF may be a safe and potent anti-cancer herbal decoction.

Pyranopyran-1,8-dione, an Active Compound from Vitices Fructus, Attenuates Cigarette-Smoke Induced Lung Inflammation in Mice

Previously, we isolated and identified pyranopyran-1,8-dione (PPY) from Viticis Fructus, as a bioactive compound possessing anti-inflammatory properties. The present study was aimed to evaluate the preventive benefit of PPY on cigarette-smoke (CS)-induced lung inflammation. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to CS for 2 weeks while PPY was administrated by oral injection 2 h before CS exposure. To validate the anti-inflammatory effects of PPY, the numbers of immune cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were counted. Proinflammatory cytokines (Tumor necrosis factor-α: TNF-α, IL-6) and keratinocyte chemokine (KC/CXCL1) were also measured. Histopathologic analysis and cellular profiles showed that inflammatory cell infiltrations were significantly decreased in peribronchial and perivascular area by PPY treatment. The alveolar destruction by CS was markedly ameliorated by PPY treatment. In addition, the TNF-α, IL-6, and KC levels were declined in the PPY groups. These observations suggest that PPY has a preventive potential for lung inflammatory diseases.

Casticin, an active compound isolated from Vitex Fructus, ameliorates the cigarette smoke-induced acute lung inflammatory response in a murine model

The aim of this study was to determine of the effect of casticin, as an anti-inflammatory agent, on an acute lung inflammation in vivo model established through exposure to cigarette smoke (CS). Casticin is a phytochemical from Vitex species such as Vitex rotundifolia and Vitex agnus-castus that was recently shown to exert an anti-inflammatory effect in vivo. To demonstrate the effects of casticin, C57BL/6 mice were whole-body exposed to mainstream CS or fresh air for two weeks and treated with 1, 2, and 10mg/kg casticin via an i.p. injection. Immune cell infiltrations and cytokine productions were assessed from bronchoalveolar lavage Fluid (BALF), and lung histological analysis was performed. Treatment with casticin was observed to significantly inhibit the numbers of total cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes and reduce the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the BALF. In addition, casticin significantly decreased the infiltration of peribronchial and perivascular inflammatory cells and the epithelium thickness. The results of this study indicate that casticin has significant effects on the lung inflammation induced by CS in a mouse model. According to these outcomes, casticin may have therapeutic potential in inflammatory lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Treatment with pyranopyran-1, 8-dione attenuates airway responses in cockroach allergen sensitized asthma in mice

Chronic allergic asthma is characterized by Th2-typed inflammation, and contributes to airway remodeling and the deterioration of lung function. Viticis Fructus (VF) has long been used in China and Korea as a traditional herbal remedy for treating various inflammatory diseases. Previously, we have isolated a novel phytochemical, pyranopyran-1, 8-dione (PPY), from VF. This study was conducted to evaluate the ability of PPY to prevent airway inflammation and to attenuate airway responses in a cockroach allergen-induced asthma model in mice. The mice sensitized to and challenged with cockroach allergen were treated with oral administration of PPY. The infiltration of total cells, eosinophils and lymphocytes into the BAL fluid was significantly inhibited in cockroach allergen-induced asthma mice treated with PPY (1, 2, or 10 mg/kg). Th2 cytokines and chemokine, such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and eotaxin in BAL fluid were also reduced to normal levels following treatment with PPY. In addition, the levels of IgE were also markedly suppressed after PPY treatment. Histopathological examination demonstrated that PPY substantially inhibited eosinophil infiltration into the airway, goblet cell hyperplasia and smooth muscle hypertrophy. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PPY possesses a potent efficacy on controlling allergic asthma response such as airway inflammation and remodeling.

Vitex rotundifolia L. prevented airway eosinophilic inflammation and airway remodeling in an ovalbumin-induced asthma mouse model

Vitex rotundifolia L. (VR) as long been used in China and Korea in traditional medicine. This study was conducted to evaluate the ability of Vitex rotundifolia L. to prevent airway inflammation and remodeling in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine asthma model. The total cell number and number of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were counted. The levels of cytokines in the BAL fluid and serum IgE levels were measured using an ELISA. For histological analysis, hematoxylin and eosin staining, periodic acid-Schiff staining and immunohistochemistry were evaluated. The release of total cells into the BAL fluid was significantly inhibited in OVA-induced asthmatic mice treated with VR extract. In addition, eosinophilia and lymphocytosis were reduced significantly in mice that received VR extract. Furthermore, levels of the T(h)2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 and pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in the BAL fluid and total IgE in serum were markedly suppressed by VR extract. OVA-specific IgE in the serum and IL-13 in the BAL fluid were decreased, but not significantly. The allergic effects of VR extract were accompanied by a reduction in airway hyperresponsiveness. Additionally, morphologic findings demonstrated that VR extract substantially inhibited OVA-induced eosinophilia, goblet cell hyperplasia and smooth muscle mass production. This finding suggests that VR extract may have pharmacological effects that would be useful for the treatment of asthma via the inhibition of the T(h)2 response and airway remodeling.

Inhibitory Action of Ethanolic Extract of Seeds of Moringa oleifera Lam. On Systemic and Local Anaphylaxis

The current study characterizes the mechanism by which the seed extract of Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) decreases the mast cell-mediated immediate type hypersensitivity reaction. The immediate type hypersensitivity reaction is involved in many allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. Moringa oleifera, a shrub widely used in the traditional medicine in India, has been reported to possess anti-cancer, hypotensive, anti-arthritic, and anti-inflammatory activities. In the present study, the effects of the ethanolic extract of seeds of Moringa oleifera (MOEE-herbal remedy) on systemic and local anaphylaxis were investigated. The potential anti-anaphylactic effect of MOEE was studied in a mouse model of Compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic shock. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis activated by anti IgE-antibody was also used to assess the effect of MOEE. In addition, rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) were used to investigate the effect of MOEE on histamine release induced by compound 48/80. When administered 1 hr before 48/80 injection, MOEE at doses of 0.001-1.000 g/kg completely inhibited the inducible induced anaphylactic shock. MOEE significantly inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis activated by anti-IgE antibody at a dose of 1 g/kg. When MOEE extract was given as pretreatment at concentrations ranging 0.1-100 mg/ml, the histamine release from the mast cells that was induced by the 48/80 was reduced in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest a potential role for MOEE as a source of anti-anaphylactic agents for use in allergic disorders.

Inhibitory effects of casticin on migration of eosinophil and expression of chemokines and adhesion molecules in A549 lung epithelial cells via NF-κB inactivation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The fruits of Vitex rotundifolia L. have long been used for the treatment of inflammation of the respiratory tract in East Asia.

AIM

To determine if casticin, one of the constituents of Vitex rotundifolia L., has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects in asthma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of casticin was studied in A549 human type II-like epithelial lung cells using an eotaxin inhibition assay. Additionally, its effects on eotaxin, regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, and inter-cellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression were investigated by real time-polymerase chain reaction (real time-PCR). The inhibition of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activity in the presence of casticin was determined by analyzing confocal microscopy images of fluorescence immunocytochemical analysis while the suppression of inhibitory κB (IκB)-α phosphorylation was studied using Western blot analysis. Finally, the inhibitory effect of casticin on eosinophil migration toward prestimulated A549 cell media was measured using the human eosinophilic leukemia cell line.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Casticin significantly suppressed eotaxin production in cytokine activated A549 lung epithelial cells. Casticin also suppressed the mRNA expression levels of eotaxin, RANTES, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1, which subsequently contributed to the inhibition of eosinophil migration. Furthermore, casticin inhibited IκB-α phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 in A549 cells.

CONCLUSION

Casiticin inhibited the eosinophil migration and activity of chemokines and adhesion molecules involved in the inflammatory process of asthma by suppressing the NF-κB pathway. These results suggest that casticin has the potential for use in the treatment of allergic asthma.

A review on herbal antiasthmatics

In traditional systems of medicine, many plants have been documented to be useful for the treatment of various respiratory disorders including asthma. In the last two decades the use of medicinal plants and natural products has been increased dramatically all over the world. Current synthetic drugs used in pharmacotherapy of asthma are unable to act at all the stages and targets of asthma. However some herbal alternatives employed in asthma are proven to provide symptomatic relief and assist in the inhibition of disease progression also. The herbs have shown interesting results in various target specific biological activities such as bronchodilation, mast cell stabilization, anti-anaphylactic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-allergic, immunomodulatory and inhibition of mediators such as leukotrienes, lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase, platelet activating, phosphodiesterase and cytokine, in the treatment of asthma. This paper is an attempt to classify these pharmacological and clinical findings based on their possible mechanism of action reported. It also signifies the need for development of polyherbal formulations containing various herbs acting at particular sites of the pathophysiological cascade of asthma for prophylaxis as well as for the treatment of asthma.

Characterisation of the anti-inflammatory potential of Vitex trifolia L. (Labiatae), a multipurpose plant of the Pacific traditional medicine

AIM OF THE STUDY

Vitex trifolia L. (Labiatae) is a plant commonly employed against Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP) in the Pacific region. Here, the anti-inflammatory potential of an aqueous extract of Vitex trifolia leaves was evaluated by monitoring its effects on the modulation of cytokines, the mediators of inflammation, as well as on the expression profiles of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) which produces the free radical nitric oxide (NO).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We prepared an aqueous extract from Vitex trifolia leaves and evaluated its anti-inflammatory potency by monitoring its effect on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytokines and iNOS mRNA over-production in RAW 264.7 macrophages using quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) methods.

RESULTS

Aqueous extract of Vitex trifolia leaves showed significant dose- and time-dependent inhibitory activity on interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6 and iNOS mRNA synthesis, but slight effect on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, all of which are involved in the inflammatory response. Moreover, the plant extract seemed to induce the LPS-dependent IL-10 anti-inflammatory cytokine. These results were further confirmed by ELISA using specific antibodies to mouse IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha.

CONCLUSION

The anti-inflammatory effects of Vitex trifolia could validate its utilization as a traditional remedy against CFP and emphasises its potential therapeutic value against other inflammatory diseases. Therefore, this plant is a promising candidate for further screening of its active compounds through activity-guided fractionation.

A new compound, 1H,8H-pyrano[3,4-c]pyran-1,8-dione, suppresses airway epithelial cell inflammatory responses in a murine model of asthma

Clinical and experimental studies have established eosinophilia as a sign of allergic disorders. Activation of eosinophils in the airways is believed to cause epithelial tissue injury, contraction of airway smooth muscle and increased bronchial responsiveness. As part of the search for new antiasthmatic agents produced by medicinal plants, the effects of 270 standardized medicinal plant extracts on cytokine-activated A549 human lung epithelial cells were evaluated. After several rounds of activity-guided screening, the new natural compound, 1H,8H-Pyrano[3,4-c]pyran-1,8-dione (PPY), was isolated from Vitex rotundifolia L. To elucidate the mechanism by which the anti-asthmatic responses of PPY occurred in vitro, lung epithelial cells (A549 cell) were stimulated with TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-1beta to induce the expression of chemokines and adhesion molecules involved in eosinophil chemotaxis. PPY treatments reduced the expression of eotaxin, IL-8, IL-16 and VCAM-1 mRNA significantly. Additionally, PPY reduced eotaxin secretion in a dose-dependent manner and significantly inhibited eosinophil migration toward A549 medium. In addition, PPY treatment suppressed the phosphorylation of p65 and ERK1/2, suggesting that it can inhibit the MAPK/NF-KB pathway. To clarify the anti-inflammatory and antiasthmatic effects of PPY in vivo, we examined the influence of PPY on the development of pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation in a murine model of asthma. To accomplish this, mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) and then examined for the following typical asthmatic reactions: an increase in the number of eosinophils in BALF; the presence of Th2 cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-5 in the BALF; the presence of allergen-specific IgE in the serum; and a marked influx of inflammatory cells into the lung. Taken together, our results revealed that PPY exerts profound inhibitory effects on the accumulation of eosinophils into the airways while reducing the levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in the BALF. Therefore, these results suggest that PPY may be useful as a new therapeutic drug for the treatment of allergic asthma.

Inhibition effects of Vitex rotundifolia on inflammatory gene expression in A549 human epithelial cells

BACKGROUND

Vitex rotundifolia has long been used in traditional medicine to treat asthma and other allergic diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of V rotundifolia in cultured A549 human alveolar epithelial cells.

METHODS

In the present study, A549 cells were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 4, and interleukin 1beta to induce expression of chemokines and adhesion molecules involved in eosinophil chemotaxis. The anti-inflammatory effects of V rotundifolia on stimulated A549 cells were then evaluated by analyzing eotaxin secretion and eosinophil migration. In addition, the effects of V rotundifolia on gene expression profiles in stimulated A549 cells were evaluated by oligonucleotide microarray and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RTRP).

RESULTS

The V rotundifolia-treated A549 cells had significantly suppressed eotaxin secretion and eosinophil migration in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the results of the microarray analysis and RTRP revealed that inflammation-related genes and cell adhesion-related genes were down-regulated in V rotundifolia-treated A549 cells. Furthermore, several genes related to the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway were down-regulated in V rotundifolia-treated A549 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The mechanism responsible for the effects of V rotundifolia on A549 cells is closely associated with regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Thus, V rotundifolia may be useful in the treatment of asthma and other allergic diseases.