Bauhinia holophylla (Bong.) Steud. leaves-derived extracts as potent anti-dengue serotype 2

"Cow's Hoof" (Bauhinia L., Leguminosae): A Review on Pharmacological Properties of Austral South American Species

The genus Bauhinia s.l. (Leguminosae), known as cow's hoof, unha de boi or pata de vaca, has been used in traditional medicine worldwide. The aim of the present review is to summarize the studies published on the biological activity of the main native medicinal species reported in austral South America. Of the 14 species present in the region, 10 are consumed as leaf infusions to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as used for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and to treat various diseases. Pharmacological properties have been recorded in seven species. Antioxidant, anticoagulant, antihypertensive, diuretic, antimicrobial and antitumor properties have been reported in B. forficata. Together with B. holophylla, they are important for their antidiabetic properties, since several studies indicate their effectiveness as a hypoglycemic agent. B. bauhinioides is distinguished for its anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic activities and S. microstachya for its analgesic properties. Anti-ulcer and wound healing activities recorded in B. holophylla and B. ungulata, respectively, are of particular interest. Most of the species possess antitumor activity. The antioxidant capacity of flavonoids and other bioactive compounds make these plants good candidates to assist or treat various alterations related with oxidative stress, such as diabetic complications. Thus, these species constitute promising targets for new bioactive substance research and phytotherapy.

Flavonoid-Rich Fractions of Bauhinia holophylla Leaves Inhibit Candida albicans Biofilm Formation and Hyphae Growth

This study evaluated the effect of the extract and fractions of Bauhinia holophylla on Candida albicans planktonic growth, biofilm formation, mature biofilm, and hyphae growth. Three C. albicans strains (SC5314, ATCC 18804, and ATCC 10231) were tested. The crude extract and the fractions were obtained by exhaustive percolation and liquid–liquid partition, respectively. Phytochemical analyses of B. holophylla extract and fractions were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode-array detector and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS). A microdilution assay was used to evaluate the effect of the B. holophylla extract and fractions on C. albicans planktonic growth, and crystal violet staining was used to measure the total biomass of the biofilm. Hyphae growth was analyzed using light microscopy. Thirteen flavonoids were identified, with a predominance of the flavonol-3-O-glycoside type based on quercetin, myricetin, and kaempferol. Flavonoid-rich fractions of B. holophylla leaves displayed antifungal activity and inhibited both biofilm formation and hyphae growth in all the tested strains, but were not effective on C. albicans planktonic growth and mature biofilm. This study indicates that flavonoid-rich fractions from B. holophylla leaves interfere with the virulence of Candida species and support the use of Bauhinia spp. in folk medicine to treat infections.

Toxic Potential of Cerrado Plants on Different Organisms

Cerrado has many compounds that have been used as biopesticides, herbicides, medicines, and others due to their highly toxic potential. Thus, this review aims to present information about the toxicity of Cerrado plants. For this purpose, a review was performed using PubMed, Science Direct, and Web Of Science databases. After applying exclusion criteria, 187 articles published in the last 20 years were selected and analyzed. Detailed information about the extract preparation, part of the plant used, dose/concentration tested, model system, and employed assay was provided for different toxic activities described in the literature, namely cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal, antiparasitic, and molluscicidal activities. In addition, the steps to execute research on plant toxicity and the more common methods employed were discussed. This review synthesized and organized the available research on the toxic effects of Cerrado plants, which could contribute to the future design of new environmentally safe products.

Phytoconstituents as Lead Compounds for Anti-Dengue Drug Discovery

Dengue is an arthropod-borne viral disease common in subtropical and tropical regions. The widespread use of traditional medicines in these regions for dengue fever (DF) has encouraged researchers to explore the therapeutic effect of herbs and their phytochemicals in dengue infection. Phytochemicals such as quercetin, baicalein, luteolin, oxindole alkaloids, celastrol and geraniin have shown significant inhibition of dengue virus in vitro. Many phytoconstituents have better selectivity index supporting their safety profile for future development. However, in vivo studies supporting therapeutic potency for these active phytoconstituents are limited. There is a need for studies translating anti-dengue profile of active phytoconstituents to find successful anti-dengue compounds.

A systematic review on phytochemicals for the treatment of dengue

Dengue fever is prevalent in subtopic regions, producing mortality and morbidity worldwide, which have been of major concern to different governments and World Health Organization. The search of new anti-dengue agents from phytochemicals was assumed to be highly emergent in past. The phytochemicals have been used in wide distribution of vector ailments such as malaria. The demand of the phytochemicals is based on the medicines which are mostly considered to be safer, less harmful than synthetic drugs and nontoxic. This review mentions majorly about the phytochemicals potentially inhibiting dengue fever around the world. The phytochemicals have been isolated from different species, have potential for the treatment of dengue. Different crude extracts and essential oils obtained from different species showed a broad activity against different phytochemicals. The current studies showed that natural products represent a rich source of medicines toward the dengue fever. Furthermore, ethnobotanical surveys and laboratory investigation established identified natural plants species in the development of drug discovery to control the dengue fever.