Indian medicinal herb: Antimicrobial efficacy of Mesua ferrea L. seed extracted in different solvents against infection causing pathogenic strains

The whole chloroplast genome of Mesua ferrea: Insight into the dynamic pattern of evolution and its comparison with species from recently diverged families

Mesua ferrea is an important source of timber, oil and herbal medicines. In the present investigation, we assembled the whole chloroplast genome of M. ferrea of size 161.4 kb. The genome contained 86 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNAs, 8 rRNA genes and exhibited a characteristic quadripartite structural orientation, with two inverted repeats (27,614 bp) separated by an LSC (88,746 bp) region and an SSC (27,614 bp) (17,470 bp). Interestingly, no gene loss was identified in the M. ferrea genome, contrary to what has been observed in other Clusioid species. We compared the chloroplast genome of M. ferrea with the chloroplast genome of Bonnetia and Garcinia belonging to Bonnetiaceae and Clusiaceae families. Overall, the compared genomes possess a similar synteny of gene order except for a small inversion in Garcinia species. M. ferrea has the largest chloroplast genome size in Clusioid clade owing to the lengthening of the LSC, IR, and non-coding regions. Substantial differences were observed in population of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and RNA editing sites among the studied genomes. A comparative assessment of chloroplast genomes revealed five highly divergence regions: rpl32, trnS-GCU_trnG-UCC, petN-psbM, psbZ_trnG-GCC and ccsA_ndhD among the analyzed sequences. Phylogenetic analyses and sequence homology search indicate that M. ferrea is closely related to the Garcinia species.

Cytotoxic xanthones from the roots of Mesua ferrea L

Five undescribed xanthones, 4-methoxypyranojacareubin, 4-hydroxy-3-prenylpyranoxanthone, 1-hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxyxanthone, 5-hydroxy-1,6,7-trimethoxyxanthone and 2-hydroxy-1,5-dimethoxyxanthone, together with thirty-three known xanthones were isolated from the roots of Mesua ferrea L. The structures of all isolated xanthones were elucidated based on spectroscopic methods. 5-Hydroxy-1,6,7-trimethoxyxanthone and 2-hydroxy-1,5-dimethoxyxanthone were also confirmed by X-ray diffraction data. In addition, the isolated compounds were determined for antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. The known 1,5,6-trihydroxyxanthone showed cytotoxicity against A375, PC-3 and HaCaT cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 5.73 μg/mL, 5.93 μg/mL and 8.94 μg/mL, respectively.

Development of Ayurveda - Tradition to trend

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ayurveda entails a scientific tradition of harmonious living and its origin can be traced from ancient knowledge in Rigveda and Atharvaveda. Ayurveda is a traditional healthcare system of Indian medicine since ancient times. Several Ayurvedic medicines have been exploiting for treatment and management of various diseases in human beings. The several drugs have been developed and practiced from Ayurveda since ancient time to modern practice as 'tradition to trend'. The potential of Ayurvedic medicine needs to be explored further with modern scientific validation approaches for better therapeutic leads.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was aimed to explore the various aspects of Ayurveda and inspired drug discovery approaches for its promotion and development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We have reviewed all the literature related to the history and application of Ayurvedic herbs. Various aspects for the quality control, standardization, chemo-profiling, and metabolite fingerprinting for quality evaluation of Ayurvedic drugs. The development of Ayurvedic drugs is gaining momentum with the perspectives of safety, efficacy and quality for promotion and management of human health. Scientific documentation, process validation and several others significant parameters are key points, which can ensure the quality, safety and effectiveness of Ayurvedic drugs.

RESULTS

The present review highlights on the major goal of Ayurveda and their significant role in healthcare system. Ayurveda deals with several classical formulations including arka, asavas, aristas, churna, taila, vati, gutika, bhasma etc. There are several lead molecules that have been developed from the Ayurvedic herbs, which have various significant therapeutic activities. Chemo-profiling of Ayurvedic drug is essential in order to assess the quality of products. It deals with bioactive compound quantification, spurious and allied drug determination, chromatographic fingerprinting, standardization, stability and quality consistency of Ayurvedic products.

CONCLUSIONS

Scientific validation and the documentation of Ayurvedic drugs are very essential for its quality evaluation and global acceptance. Therapeutic efficacy of Ayurvedic herbs may be enhanced with high quality, which can be achieved by identity, purity, safety, drug content, physical and biological properties. Ayurvedic medicines need be explored with the modern scientific approaches for its validation. Therefore, an attempt has been made in the present review to highlight the crucial aspects that need to be considered for the promotion and development of Ayurvedic medicine.