Alkaloid extracts from Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) inhibit phosphodiesterase-5, arginase activities and oxidative stress in rats penile tissue

Ameliorative Effect of Rauwolfia vomitoria Ethanol Extract on the Erectile Dysfunction Complicated with Coronary Artery Disease: An In-Vivo and Molecular Docking Approach

Erectile dysfunction in men may result as a side effect of the use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as paroxetine. Enzymes like phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5) and arginase are promising therapeutic targets for managing erectile dysfunction while creatinine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) serves as a marker for coronary artery disease. To manage these conditions, it is necessary to seek options in medicinal herbs. Rauwolfia vomitoria (RV) is a plant that has been used as an aphrodisiac but the inhibitory mechanism against these enzymes remain unclear. The study used in-vivo enzymatic biomarkers and molecular docking approach to better understand their inhibitory mechanism. Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups of eight rats: naive control, paroxetine (PXT, 10 mg/kg), PXT+sildenafil citrate (4 mg/kg), PXT + RVE (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg). Exposure to PXT lasted for twenty-one days, and treatment with sildenafil citrate and RVE took place for the next seven days. On day twenty-nine, the rats were sacrificed under anaesthesia and various biochemical assays (PDE-5, Arginase, nitric oxide (NO) were carried out on penile tissue homogenate while CK-MB, lipid profile and testosterone were assayed in the serum of rats. This study also employed gas chromatography -flame ionization detection (GC-FID) to identify the phytoconstituents in RV. From our findings, PXT significantly increased PDE-5, Arginase activities with a concomitant decrease in NO concentration. Rauwolfia vomitoria extract (RVE) decreased the activities of the penile PDE 5 and arginase activities, and increased NO concentrations in dose-dependent ways (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg body weight). RVE showed an increase in testosterone and a decrease in CK-MB activities. Moreover, the result of lipid profile revealed the significant reversal of the changes caused by PXT administration, indicating the potential of the extract in ameliorating paroxetine-induced dyslipidemia. All of the phytochemicals found by GC-FID docked against PDE-5 had the lowest binding energies ( - 9.4 to -7.0 kcal/mol) when likened to that of sildenafil citrate ( - 7.4 kcal/mol). The phytochemicals were also docked against arginase which released the lowest binding energy between -10.5 and -9.0 kcal/mol when compared with sildenafil citrate ( - 9.4 kcal/mol). This study is relevant in the design of new treatment option for ED and coronary artery disease.

Insights into bioactive constituents of onion (Allium cepa L.) waste: a comparative metabolomics study enhanced by chemometric tools

BACKGROUND

Onion waste was reported to be a valuable source of bioactive constituents with potential health-promoting benefits. This sparked a surge of interest among scientists for its valorization. This study aims to investigate the chemical profiles of peel and root extracts of four onion cultivars (red, copper-yellow, golden yellow and white onions) and evaluate their erectogenic and anti-inflammatory potentials.

METHODS

UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS analysis and chemometric tools were utilized to determine the chemical profiles of onion peel and root extracts. The erectogenic potential of the extracts was evaluated using the PDE-5 inhibitory assay, while their anti-inflammatory activity was determined by identifying their downregulating effect on the gene expression of IL-6, IL-1β, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated WBCs.

RESULTS

A total of 103 metabolites of diverse chemical classes were identified, with the most abundant being flavonoids. The organ's influence on the chemical profiles of the samples outweighed the influence of the cultivar, as evidenced by the close clustering of samples from the same organ compared to the distinct separation of root and peel samples from the same cultivar. Furthermore, the tested extracts demonstrated promising PDE-5 and anti-inflammatory potentials and effectively suppressed the upregulation of pro-inflammatory markers in LPS-stimulated WBCs. The anti-inflammatory activities exerted by peel samples surpassed those of root samples, highlighting the importance of selecting the appropriate organ to maximize activity. The main metabolites correlated with PDE-5 inhibition were cyanidin 3-O-(malonyl-acetyl)-glucoside and quercetin dimer hexoside, while those correlated with IL-1β inhibition were γ-glutamyl-methionine sulfoxide, γ-glutamyl glutamine, sativanone, and stearic acid. Taxifolin, 3'-hydroxymelanettin, and oleic acid were highly correlated with IL-6 downregulation, while quercetin 4'-O-glucoside, isorhamnetin 4'-O-glucoside, and p-coumaroyl glycolic acid showed the highest correlation to IFN-γ and TNF-α inhibition.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a fresh perspective on onion waste as a valuable source of bioactive constituents that could serve as the cornerstone for developing new, effective anti-PDE-5 and anti-inflammatory drug candidates.

Bioactivities and chemical profiling comparison and metabolomic variations of polyphenolics and steroidal glycoalkaloids in different parts of Solanum nigrum L

INTRODUCTION

Solanum nigrum L. is a traditional medicinal herb and edible plant. Many studies provide evidence that S. nigrum L. is a nutritious vegetable. Polyphenols and steroidal glycoalkaloids are the main components.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to systemically evaluate the phytochemical profile, quantification, and bioactivities of polyphenolics and glycoalkaloids in different parts of S. nigrum L.

RESULTS

Total polyphenols (TPC) and total glycoalkaloids (TGK) were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu and acid dye colorimetric methods, respectively. A total of 55 polyphenolic constituents (including 22 phenolic acids and 33 flavonoids) and 24 steroidal glycoalkaloids were identified from different parts using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography Q-exactive high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-HRMS), of which 40 polyphenols (including 15 phenolic acids and 25 flavonoids) and one steroidal glycoalkaloid were characterised for the first time in S. nigrum L. Moreover, typical polyphenols and glycoalkaloids were determined using HPLC-UV and HPLC-evaporative light-scattering detector (ELSD), respectively. In addition, the TPC and TGK and their typical constituents were compared in different anatomical parts. Finally, the antioxidant capacities of polyphenolic extracts from different parts of S. nigrum L. were evaluated by ·OH, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay in vitro. In addition, the antitumour effects of TGK from different parts of S. nigrum L. on the proliferation of PC-3 cells were investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Polyphenolic and glycoalkaloid extracts from different parts of S. nigrum L. showed different antioxidant and cytotoxic capacities in vitro.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to systematically differentiate between polyphenolic and glycoalkaloid profiles from different parts of S. nigrum L.

Immune boosting and ameliorative properties of aqueous extract of Vernonia amygdalina Delile against MSG-induced genotoxicity: An in silico and in vivo approach

Vernonia amygdalina (VA) is popularly consumed as food and as medicine due to its nutritional and bioactive constituents. This study assessed the anti-genotoxic effect of aqueous leaf extract of VA against monosodium (MSG) -induced genotoxicity. Crude extraction and phytochemical analysis were done using standard methods. In silico studies was done using compounds in the extract against Bcl-2, NF-kB 50, DNA polymerase lambda, DNA ligase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). Twelve rats were divided into three groups with four rats in each group. Group I was fed on food and water, group II received MSG (4 g/kg) per body weight (pbw) intraperitoneally, group III received MSG (4 g/kg) pbw intraperitoneally followed by oral dose of VA leaf extract (250 mg/kg) per body weight. The number of the micronucleated red blood cells and white blood cells were determined from blood smears microscopically. Results showed that aqueous extract of VA contained in mg/100 g alkaloids (7.04 ± 0.16), saponins (3.91 ± 0.13), flavonoid (1.64 ± 0.16), phenol (3.40 ± 0.12) and tannins (0.07 ± 0.32). In silico studies revealed high binding interaction (ΔG > -8.6) of vernoniosides D and E with all the tested proteins. There was a reduction in the number of micronucleated cells, neutrophils and eosinophils of the treated group compared to the MSG group, while there was an increase in the lymphocyte count. The anti-genotoxic effects of VA leaf extract might be attributed to the synergistic interaction of the various bioactive components in the extract. VA could be a potential plant for the prevention of cancer and other diseases that attenuate the immune system.

Role of Nutraceuticals in Treating Erectile Dysfunction via Inhibition of Phosphodiesterase-5 Enzyme: A Mini Review

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent sexual health condition affecting a significant portion of the male population worldwide. The conventional therapeutic approaches for ED often involve the use of pharmaceutical agents targeting the phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) enzyme. Currently, treatment with PDE-5 inhibitors is the standard approach for ED, and four PDE-5 inhibitors, namely sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil, and avanafil, are in use. However, these pharmaceutical interventions may be associated with adverse effects and limitations. As a result, there has been a growing interest in exploring alternative and complementary treatment options for ED, such as nutraceuticals, which are bioactive compounds derived from natural sources. Nutraceuticals, which include vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other dietary supplements, have gained popularity for their potential health benefits. Certain nutraceuticals have demonstrated the ability to modulate various physiological pathways, including those involved in erectile function. A notable mechanism of action is the inhibition of the PDE5 enzyme, which plays a pivotal role in the regulation of cGMP levels. By inhibiting PDE5, nutraceuticals can promote the accumulation of cGMP, leading to enhanced penile blood flow and improved erectile function. A comprehensive analysis of the literature showcases various nutraceutical agents, including plant-derived compounds like flavonoids, polyphenols, and amino acids which have exhibited PDE5 inhibitory effects. Mechanistic insights into their action involve modulation of NO release, cGMP elevation, and relaxation of penile smooth muscles, all critical factors for achieving and sustaining erections. This review focuses on elucidating the role of nutraceuticals in treating erectile dysfunction through the inhibition of the PDE5 enzyme.

Advances in the development of biopolymeric adsorbents for the extraction of metabolites from nutraceuticals with emphasis on Solanaceae and subsequent pharmacological applications

Biopolymers are renowned for their sustainable, biodegradable, biocompatible and most of them have antitoxic characteristics. These versatile naturally derived compounds include proteins, polynucleotides (RNA and DNA) and polysaccharides. Cellulose and chitosan are the most abundant polysaccharides. Proteins and polysaccharides have been applied as emulsifiers. Additional applications of proteins and polysaccharides include cosmetics, food and wastewater treatment for adsorption of dyes and pesticides. However, more interesting applications of biopolymers are emerging, such as use in transport systems for delivery of plant derived nutraceuticals to sites of inflammation, due to its inherent ability to immobilize different biological and chemical systems. This review aims to give a summary on new trends and complement what is already known in the development of polysaccharides and proteins as adsorbents of nutraceutical compounds. The application of polysaccharides/protein containing the adsorbed Solanum derived nutraceutical compounds for drug deliveryis also reviewed.

Moringa oleifera leaf and seed inclusive diets influenced the restoration of biochemicals associated with erectile dysfunction in the penile tissue of STZ-induced diabetic male rats treated with/without Acarbose drug

We aim to evaluate the effect of Moringa leaf (ML) and seed (MS) inclusive diets on critical biomarkers [acetylcholinesterase (AChE), monoamine oxidase (MAO), angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE), adenosine deiminase (ADA) and arginase activities, and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) level] associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) in the penile tissue of diabetic male rats treated with/without Acarbose (ACA). About 60 mg/kg BW streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were fed with ML and MS inclusive diets and cotreated with ACA for 14 days. The result indicated that AChE, MAO, ADA, ACE, and arginase activities, as well as TBARS level were (p < .05) restored in the diabetic rats fed with ML/MS inclusive diets treated with/without ACA compared to the untreated diabetic rats. In conclusion, the combination therapy of ML/MS inclusive diets plus ACA could be explored toward the management of diabetic-induced ED. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: We discovered in this study, treatments of diabetic rats with ACA and co-fed with 2% and 4% of Moringa leaf and seed inclusive diets for 14 days, could be of great benefit toward the management of ED caused by diabetes, as evidenced by the expression of some ED-related biomarkers in the penile tissue of diabetes male rats, compared to that of ACA treated alone. Thus, it seems reasonable to explore the effect of food-drug interaction on the large-scale clinical trial to manage diabetes complications, such as the potential effect of Moringa leaf and seed inclusive diets co-administered with ACA for the holistic management of diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction (ED).