Therapeutic and biological activities of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br

Natural Product-Derived Phytochemicals for Influenza A Virus (H1N1) Prevention and Treatment

Influenza A (H1N1) viruses are prone to antigenic mutations and are more variable than other influenza viruses. Therefore, they have caused continuous harm to human public health since the pandemic in 2009 and in recent times. Influenza A (H1N1) can be prevented and treated in various ways, such as direct inhibition of the virus and regulation of human immunity. Among antiviral drugs, the use of natural products in treating influenza has a long history, and natural medicine has been widely considered the focus of development programs for new, safe anti-influenza drugs. In this paper, we focus on influenza A (H1N1) and summarize the natural product-derived phytochemicals for influenza A virus (H1N1) prevention and treatment, including marine natural products, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids and their derivatives, phenols and their derivatives, polysaccharides, and derivatives of natural products for prevention and treatment of influenza A (H1N1) virus. We further discuss the toxicity and antiviral mechanism against influenza A (H1N1) as well as the druggability of natural products. We hope that this review will facilitate the study of the role of natural products against influenza A (H1N1) activity and provide a promising alternative for further anti-influenza A drug development.

Anti-Leishmania major activity of Calotropis procera extract by increasing ROS production and upregulating TNF-α, IFN-γ and iNOS mRNA expression under in vitro conditions

BACKGROUND

Leishmaniasis, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, is a neglected tropical disease with 700,000 to 1,000,000 global new cases annually. Adverse effects associated with expense, long-term treatment and drug resistance have made conventional therapies unfavorable, encouraging the search for alternative drugs based on plant products. In this study, the effect of Calotropis procera (Asclepiadaceae) extract against viability of promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania major was evaluated in vitro.

METHODS

The extract from the leaves of C. procera seedlings was prepared using a methanol maceration method. The colorimetric cell viability 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the growth-inhibitory effect of the extract on promastigotes. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in promastigote cultures was determined after treatment with the extract using the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) method and compared with untreated cultures (control). After exposure to the extract the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) genes were determined and compared to control in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) infected with L. major.

RESULTS

Based on the MTT assay, the C. procera extract significantly reduced the proliferation of L. major promastigotes with IC50 values of 377.28 and 222.44 μg/mL for 24 and 72 h, respectively (p < 0.01). After treatment with 222.44 and 377.28 μg/mL of C. procera extract, ROS production in L. major promastigote cultures increased 1.2- to 1.65-fold and 2- to 4-fold compared to the control, respectively (p < 0.05). C. procera extract induced significant increases in gene expression of TNF-α (2.76-14.83 fold), IFN-γ (25.63-threefold) and iNOS (16.32-3.97 fold) in infected PBMCs compared to control (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of its anti-leishmanial activity, C. procera can be considered as a promising new plant source for the potential treatment of leishmaniasis.

Calotropis procera (L.) mediated synthesis of AgNPs and their application to control leaf spot of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (L.)

Abstract Nature is gifted with a wide range of ornamental plants, which beautify and clean the nature. Due to its great aesthetic value, there is a need to protect these plants from a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (L.) is an ornamental plant and it is commonly known as China rose or shoeblack plant. It is affected by several fungal and bacterial pathogens. Current study was designed to isolate leaf spot pathogen of H. rosa-sinensis and its control using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Based on molecular and morphological features, the isolated leaf spot pathogen was identified as Aspergillus niger. AgNPs were synthesized in the leaf extract of Calotropis procera and characterized. UV-vis spectral analysis displayed discrete plasmon resonance bands on the surface of synthesized AgNPs, depicting the presence of aromatic amino acids. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) described the presence of C-O, NH, C-H, and O-H functional groups, which act as stabilizing and reducing molecules. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the average size (~32.43 nm) of AgNPs and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) depicted their spherical nature. In this study, in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of AgNPs was investigated. In vitro antifungal activity analysis revealed the highest growth inhibition of mycelia (87%) at 1.0 mg/ml concentration of AgNPs. The same concentration of AgNPs tremendously inhibited the spread of disease on infected leaves of H. rosa-sinensis. These results demonstrated significant disease control ability of AgNPs and suggested their use on different ornamental plants.

Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Effects of Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing field of research that studies materials having dimensions of less than 100 nanometers. It is applicable in many areas of life sciences and medicine including skin care and personal hygiene, as these materials are the essential components of various cosmetics and sunscreens. The aim of the present study was to synthesize Zinc oxide (ZnO) and Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) by using Calotropis procera (C. procera) leaf extract. Green synthesized NPs were characterized by UV spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to investigate their structure, size, and physical properties. The antibacterial and synergistic effects of ZnO and TiO₂ NPs along with antibiotics were also observed against bacterial isolates. The antioxidant activity of synthesized NPs was analyzed by their α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. In vivo toxic effects of the synthesized NPs were evaluated in albino mice at different doses (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight) of ZnO and TiO₂ NPs administered orally for 7, 14, and 21 days. The antibacterial results showed that the zone of inhibition (ZOI) was increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Among the bacterial strains, Staphylococcus aureus showed the highest ZOI, i.e., 17 and 14 mm against ZnO and TiO₂ NPs, respectively, while Escherichia coli showed the lowest ZOI, i.e., 12 and 10 mm, respectively. Therefore, ZnO NPs are potent antibacterial agents compared to TiO₂ NPs. Both NPs showed synergistic effects with antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and imipenem). Moreover, the DPPH activity showed that ZnO and TiO₂ NPs have significantly (p > 0.05) higher antioxidant activity, i.e., 53% and 58.7%, respectively, which indicated that TiO₂ has good antioxidant potential compared to ZnO NPs. However, the histological changes after exposure to different doses of ZnO and TiO₂ NPs showed toxicity-related changes in the structure of the kidney compared to the control group. The current study provided valuable information about the antibacterial, antioxidant, and toxicity impacts of green synthesized ZnO and TiO₂ NPs, which can be influential in the further study of their eco-toxicological effects.

Antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and cytotoxic activities of green synthesized nanoparticles from Acacia honey and Calotropis procera

Calotropis procera and Somra (Acacia) honey are used in traditional medicine. The benefits of mixing 20% Somra honey and C. procera leaf water extract (CPLWExt) were aimed to be studied. Honey/CPLWExt were utilized to produce silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) separately. AgNPs were characterized via UV/Vis and electron microscope scanning. Bio-molecules in CPLWExt/honey were investigated utilizing FT-IR spectroscopy. Biological activities of CPLWExt and honey were tested. The outcomes showed that CPLWExt and honey have numerous functional groups and could produce AgNPs. CPLWExt, CPLWExt + AgNPs, honey and honey + AgNPs hindered the growth of rat splenocytes, while CPLWExt + honey invigorated it. Antimicrobial power was found in CPLWExt and honey, which increased in the presence of AgNPs. Honey/honey + AgNPs suppressed the proliferation of HeLa and HepG2 cells. In conclusion, honey/CPLWExt could produce AgNPs and showed immunomodulatory and antibacterial power. Somra honey/honey + AgNPs have anticancer power. Somra honey + CPLWExt reflected a good immunostimulatory powers that can be nominated as an immunostimulant.

Essential Oil of Calotropis procera: Comparative Chemical Profiles, Antimicrobial Activity, and Allelopathic Potential on Weeds

Plants are considered green resources for thousands of bioactive compounds. Essential oils (EOs) are an important class of secondary compounds with various biological activities, including allelopathic and antimicrobial activities. Herein, the present study aimed to compare the chemical profiles of the EOs of the widely distributed medicinal plant Calotropis procera collected from Saudi Arabia and Egypt. In addition, this study also aimed to assess their allelopathic and antimicrobial activities. The EOs from Egyptian and Saudi ecospecies were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed via GC-MS. The correlation between the analyzed EOs and those published from Egypt, India, and Nigeria was assessed by principal component analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC). The allelopathic activity of the extracted EOs was tested against two weeds (Bidens pilosa and Dactyloctenium aegyptium). Moreover, the EOs were tested for antimicrobial activity against seven bacterial and two fungal strains. Ninety compounds were identified from both ecospecies, where 76 compounds were recorded in Saudi ecospecies and 33 in the Egyptian one. Terpenes were recorded as the main components along with hydrocarbons, aromatics, and carotenoids. The sesquiterpenes (54.07%) were the most abundant component of EO of the Saudi sample, while the diterpenes (44.82%) represented the mains of the Egyptian one. Hinesol (13.50%), trans-chrysanthenyl acetate (12.33%), 1,4-trans-1,7-cis-acorenone (7.62%), phytol (8.73%), and myristicin (6.13%) were found as the major constituents of EO of the Saudi sample, while phytol (38.02%), n-docosane (6.86%), linoleic acid (6.36%), n-pentacosane (6.31%), and bicyclogermacrene (4.37%) represented the main compounds of the Egyptian one. It was evident that the EOs of both ecospecies had potent phytotoxic activity against the two tested weeds, while the EO of the Egyptian ecospecies was more effective, particularly on the weed D. aegyptium. Moreover, the EOs showed substantial antibacterial and antifungal activities. The present study revealed that the EOs of Egyptian and Saudi ecospecies were different in quality and quantity, which could be attributed to the variant environmental and climatic conditions. The EOs of both ecospecies showed significant allelopathic and antimicrobial activity; therefore, these EOs could be considered as potential green eco-friendly resources for weed and microbe control, considering that this plant is widely grown in arid habitats.

Chemical Constituents and Uses of Calotropis Procera and Calotropis Gigantea – A Review (Part I – The Plants as Material and Energy Resources)

The traditional and current use of Calotropis procera and C. gigantea, two soft-wooded, xerophytic shrubs of the family Apocynaceae, are reviewed against the background of the plants' chemical constituents and their biological properties. The focus is on the usage of the plants for building materials, natural pesticides, animal feed and bioremediative purposes.

Anti-ulcerative colitis activity of Calotropis procera Linn

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-ulcerative colitis activity of Calotropis procera. Different extracts of the investigated plant were evaluated; total alcohol extract, polar extract and non-polar extract. All the investigated extracts at doses 200 &400 mg/kg possessed a dose-dependent anti-ulcerative colitis potential when administrated for 5 consecutive days after colitis induction by acetic acid in rats. They reduced different parameters of UC. Only polar extract at both doses (200, 400 mg/kg) was more effective than the standard drug Prednisolone (50 mg/kg), it produced percent protection of control colitis by 63.8% and78.4% respectively, while the standard drug Prednisolone produced 54.9% protection. The anti-ulcerative colitis activity may be attributed to the active principles i.e. flavonoids. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed that the plant contains flavonoids, unsaturated sterols and/or triterpenoides, cardiac glycosides, carbohydrates or glycosides, proteins and/or amino acids, tannins and coumarins. The total alcohol extract was safe up to 4000 mg/kg and there were no side effects reported on liver and kidney functions.

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Artemisia sieberiand Calotropis procera Medical Plant Extracts and their Characterization using SEM Analysis

ABSTRACT: The synthesis, characterization and application of biologically synthesized nanomaterials have become important research areas in nanotechnology, and the green synthesis of nanoparticles using plants is being increasingly studied largely because this approach is considered to lack the problems associated with conventional synthesis. Here we report the synthesis and characterization (using a scanning electron microscope) of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) obtained using extracts of leaves of the medicinal plants, Artemisia sieberi and Calotropis procera. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies revealed the characteristics of the synthesized nanoparticles which were confirmed by analyzing the excitation of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) using UV–vis spectrophotometer at 482 nm. SEM analysis of the synthesized Ag NPs clearly showed that the particles were predominantly spherical in shape, mostly aggregated and having a size around 8–20 nm. Finally, we consider that the nanoparticles synthesized in this study have potential for wide application in nanotechnology and nanomedicine.

Herbal Drugs from Sudan: Traditional Uses and Phytoconstituents

Sudan folklore medicine is characterized by a unique combination of Islamic, Arabic, and African cultures. In poor communities, traditional medicine has remained as the most reasonable source of treatment of several diseases and microbial infections. Although the traditional medicine is accepted in Sudan, to date there is no updated review available, which focuses on most effective and frequently used Sudanese medicinal plants. Thus, this review aims to summarize the published information on the ethnobotanical uses of medicinal plants from Sudan, preparation methods, phytochemistry, and ethnopharmacology. The collected data demonstrate that Sudanese medicinal plants have been reported to possess a wide range of traditional medicinal uses including different microbial infections, gastrointestinal disorders, malaria, diabetes, rheumatic pain, respiratory system disorders, jaundice, urinary system inflammations, wounds, cancer, and different microbial infections. In most cases, the pharmacological studies were in agreement with traditional uses. Moreover, several bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, steroids, terpenes, tannins, fatty acids, and essential oils have been identified as active constituents. Although this review demonstrates the importance of ethnomedicine medicines in the treatment of several diseases in Sudan, further researches to validate the therapeutic uses and safety of these plants through phytochemical screening, different biological activity assays, and toxicological studies are still needed.

Lipoxygenase inhibitors from the latex of Calotropis Procera

A radical-scavenging, guided phytochemical study of the latex of Calotropis Procera afforded five lignans (1-5), including a new one (4). The structural determination was accomplished using 1D- and 2D-NMR, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), and correlation with known compounds. Among the isolated compounds, acylated lignans (3-5) showed stronger antioxidant activity than non-acylated derivatives (1,2). Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by determining the inhibitory potential against 5- and 15-lipoxygenase enzymes. The highest anti-inflammatory activity was observed in compound 4, with IC50s values of 7.6 µM and 2.7 µM against 5-LOX and 15-LOX, respectively.

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by communities of Northern Kordofan region, Sudan

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The present study provides significant ethnopharmacological information on plant species used in North Kordofan region, western Sudan. The study was undertaken with an aim to document the medicinal uses of the species known to some Northern Kordofan communities.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted between 2012 and 2013. The plants were identified and voucher specimens prepared. Information was collected by means of semi-structured interviews with 258 informants (195 men and 63 women). In addition, the use value (UV) of the species was determined and the informant consensus factor (ICF) was calculated for the medicinal plants researched in the study. Further analysis was carried out to compare results with previous studies from the study area and other regions of Sudan.

RESULTS

A total of 44 plant species representing 24 families were found to be commonly used in the treatment of 73 different human health problems. The families most represented were Leguminosae (18%), Caesalpiniaceae (9%), Malvaceae (9%), Asclepiadaceae (6.8%) and Combretaceae (6.8%). The highest number of plant species are used against digestive system disorders (23 species) followed by microbial infections (21 species) and dermatology (19 species). Among all the plant parts leaves (20%), roots (19%), fruits and bark (14% each) were the most preferred plant parts used by the informants. There was strong agreement among the informants as to the usages of the plants (informant consensus factor 0.63-0.93). The most important plants on the basis of use-value were Acacia nilotica, Acacia seyal, Balanites aegyptiaca, Cassia occidentalis, Cassia senna, Guiera senegalensis and Tamarindus indica.

CONCLUSION

This study has helped to document information that may otherwise be lost to future generations. This is the first ethnobotanical study in which statistical calculations about plants are carried out by means of the ICF and UV methods in the study area. Plants with high ICF and UV values should be subjected for further phytochemical and pharmacological investigation for scientific validation.

Biological activities and medicinal properties of Gokhru (Pedalium murex L.)

Bada Gokhru (Pedalium murex L.) is perhaps the most useful traditional medicinal plant in India. Each part of the neem tree has some medicinal property and is thus commercially exploitable. During the last five decades, apart from the chemistry of the Pedalium murex compounds, considerable progress has been achieved regarding the biological activity and medicinal applications of this plant. It is now considered as a valuable source of unique natural products for development of medicines against various diseases and also for the development of industrial products. This review gives a bird's eye view mainly on the biological activities of some of this compounds isolated, pharmacological actions of the extracts, clinical studies and plausible medicinal applications of gokharu along with their safety evaluation.

Two novel cardenolides from Calotropis procera

Two new cardenolides, named ischarin and ischaridin in addition to 10 known compounds, were isolated from Calotropis procera Ait. (Asclepiadaceae), growing wild in Jordan. Their structures were established mainly by the extensive application of one- and two-dimensional (1)H and (13)C-NMR spectroscopy.

In vitro anti-influenza virus activities of a new lignan glycoside from the latex of Calotropis gigantea

A new lignan glycoside, (+)-pinoresinol 4-O-[6″-O-vanilloyl]-β-d-glucopyranoside (1) and two known phenolic compounds, 6′-O-vanilloyltachioside (2) and 6′-O-vanilloylisotachioside (3) were isolated from the latex of Calotropis gigantea (Asclepiadaceae). The structure of the new compound was elucidated by using spectroscopic and chemical methods. Three isolates (1–3) and one authentic compound, (+)-pinoresinol 4-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, were screened for A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) inhibitory activity by cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition assay on MDCK cells. Compound 1 showed inhibitory activity against A/PR/8/34 (H1N1). In sharp contrast, the other three compounds (2, 3 and (+)-pinoresinol 4-O-β-d-glucopyranoside) did not show such activity. An analysis of structure-activity relationship between 1 and (+)-pinoresinol 4-O-β-d-glucopyranoside revealed that the presence of a vanilloyl group in the sugar moiety of 1 is crucial for its anti-influenza virus activity. Compound 1 was further evaluated for in vitro inhibitory activities against a panel of human and avian influenza viruses by CPE inhibition assay. It showed inhibitory effect against human influenza viruses in both subtypes A and B (IC₅₀ values around 13.4–39.8 µM with SI values of 3.7–11.4), while had no effect on avian influenza viruses. Its antiviral activity against human influenza viruses subtype A was further confirmed by plaque reduction assay. The time course assay indicated that 1 exerts its antiviral activity at the early stage of viral replication. A mechanistic study showed that 1 efficiently inhibited influenza virus-induced activation of NF-κB pathway in a dose-dependent manner, but had no effect on virus-induced activation of Raf/MEK/ERK pathway. Further studies demonstrated that nuclear translocation of transcription factor NF-κB induced by influenza virus was significantly blocked by 1, meanwhile, nuclear export of viral ribonucleoproteins was also effectively inhibited. These findings suggest that this new lignan glycoside from Calotropis gigantea, may have therapeutic potential in influenza virus infection through inhibition of NF-κB pathway and viral ribonucleoproteins nuclear export.

2'-Epi-uscharin from the latex of Calotropis gigantea with HIF-1 inhibitory activity

Two stereoisomeric cardenolides, uscharin (1) and a new compound, 2′-epi-uscharin (2), were isolated from the latex of Calotropis gigantea (Asclepiadaceae). Their structures were fully elucidated based on their spectroscopic data, X-ray crystallographic data and chemical evidences. Both epimers (1 and 2) exhibited strong inhibitory effects on HIF-1 activity with different magnitudes. Compound 1 showed much more potent activity than 2 and digoxin, a well-known HIF-1 inhibitor. Discrepancy in potencies between 1 and 2 revealed the contribution of a β-configuration of 2′ hydroxyl moiety for HIF-1 inhibitory activity. This is a first report of the activity of HIF-1 inhibition of thiazoline ring-containing cardenolides.

Biological activities of Wiedemannia multifida (Linnaeus) Bentham and Wiedemannnia orientalis Fisch. & Mey

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate total phenolic, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanolic extracts of the Wiedemannia multifida (W. multifida) and Wiedemannnia orientalis (W. orientalis).

METHODS

Phosmomolybdenum assay, DPPH radical scavenging activity and β-carotene-linoleate bleaching were used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity.

RESULTS

The total phenolics were found to be (22.45±0.60) and (9.53±0.00) mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g in W. multifida and W. orientalis extracts, respectively. The predominant phenolic compounds identified by HPLC-DAD in the both extracts were rutin+ellagic acid and kaempferol. Total antioxidant capacity and DPPH radical scavenging activity of W. multifida were higher than W. orientalis. In β-carotene-linoleic acid system, both extracts exhibited strong inhibition against linoleic acid oxidation. Antimicrobial activity was assessed by the agar diffusion method against fifteen microorganisms. Both extracts exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that methanolic extracts of W. multifida and W. orientalis could be a good source of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents in foods, pharmaceuticals preparations.

Traditional West African pharmacopeia, plants and derived compounds for cancer therapy

Traditional pharmacopeia is strongly involved in the continuous search for the well being of African populations. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 80% of the population of developing countries relies on traditional medicine for their primary care needs. Medicinal plants are the major resource of this folk medicine where several species are used for the treatment of diseases with an inflammatory and/or infectious component as it is the case of old wounds, skin diseases and malfunctions affecting internal organs such as liver, lung, prostate and kidney. Many of these pathologies described by practitioners of traditional medicine have similarities with certain cancers, but the lack of training of many of these healers does not allow them to establish a link with cancer. However, ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological surveys conducted by several researchers allowed to identify plants of interest for cancer treatment. Most scientific investigations on these plants demonstrated an anti-inflammatory or antioxidant effect, and sometimes, antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities against cancer cells were reported as well. The emergence of resistance to cancer chemotherapy has forced researchers to turn to natural products of plant and marine origin. In the West African sub-region, research on natural anti-cancer molecules is still in its infancy stage because of very limited financial resources and the scarcity of adequate technical facilities. However, several plants were investigated for their anticancer properties through north-south or south-south partnerships. In this review, we will review the role of West African traditional pharmacopeia in cancer treatment as well as medicinal plants with anti-cancer properties.