Efficiency comparison of apigenin-7-O-glucoside and trolox in antioxidative stress and anti-inflammatory properties

Design, synthesis, in vitro and in vivo evaluation and molecular docking study of novel pleuromutilin derivatives as antibacterial agents

14 novel pleuromutilin derivatives were designed and synthesized as inhibitors against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The modification was focused on the C22 position of pleuromutilin. We conducted the characterization, in vitro and in vivo biological assessment of the compounds. Compound 18 exhibited the best antibacterial effect against MRSA (MIC = 0.015 μg/mL, MBC = 0.125 μg/mL). Compound 18 was further studied by time-kill kinetic and post-antibiotic effect (PAE) approaches. Besides, most compounds exhibited low cytotoxicity to RAW 264.7 cells. Compound 18 displayed decent bactericidal activity in vivo (-0.51 log10 CFU/mL). Molecular docking study indicated that compound 18 could be located stably at the ribosome (ΔGb = -7.30 kcal/mol). The results revealed that compound 18 might be further developed into a novel antibiotic.

Thai traditional medicines reduce CD147 levels in lung cells: Potential therapeutic candidates for cancers, inflammations, and COVID-19

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147) is identified as the signaling protein relevant importantly in various cancers, inflammations, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) via interacting with extracellular cyclophilin A (CypA). The reduction of CD147 levels inhibits the progression of CD147-associated diseases. Thai traditional medicines (TTMs): Keaw-hom (KH), Um-ma-ruek-ka-wa-tee (UM), Chan-ta-lee-la (CT), and Ha-rak (HR) have been used as anti-pyretic and anti-respiratory syndromes caused from various conditions including cancers, inflammations, and infections. Thus, these medicines would play a crucial role in the reduction of CD147 levels.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This article aimed to investigate the effects of KH, UM, CT, and HR for reducing the CD147 levels through in vitro study. Additionally, in silico study was employed to screen the active compounds reflexing the reduction of CD147 levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The immunofluorescent technique was used to evaluate the reduction of CD147 levels in human lung epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) stimulated with CypA for eight extracts of KH, UM, CT, and HR obtained from water decoction (D) and 70% ethanol maceration (M) including, KHD, UMD, CTD, HRD, KHM, UMM, CTM, and HRM.

RESULTS

UM extracts showed the most efficiency for reduction of CD147 levels in the cytoplasm and perinuclear of BEAS-2B cells stimulated with CypA. Phenolic compounds composing polyphenols, polyphenol sugars, and flavonoids were identified as the major chemical components of UMD and UMM. Further, molecular docking calculations identified polyphenol sugars as CypA inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

UMD and UMM are potential for reduction of CD147 levels which provide a useful information for further development of UM as potential therapeutic candidates for CD147-associated diseases such as cancers, inflammations, and COVID-19.

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using ethanolic extract of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) kunth. Ex. Walp., stem: Characterizations and their gastroprotective effect on ethanol-induced gastritis in rats

The study presents a significant advancement in drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy through the successful synthesis of Gliricidia sepium(Jacq.) Kunth. ex. Walp., stem zinc oxide nanoparticles(GSS ZnONPs). The phenolic compounds present in Gliricidia sepium stem (GSS) particularly vanillic acid, apegnin-7-O-glucoside, syringic acid, and p-coumaric acid which were identified by HPLC. These compounds shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. GSS ZnONPs demonstrate pronounced gastroprotective effects against ethanol-induced gastritis, evidenced by the reduction in gastric lesions and mucosal injury upon its treatment. Histopathological evaluation and immunohistochemical analysis of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression further validate these results, revealing the amelioration of ethanol-induced gastritis and improved gastric tissue condition due to their treatment. Noteworthy is the dose-dependent response of GSS ZnONPs, showcasing their efficacy even at lower doses against ethanol-induced gastritis which is confirmed by different biomarkers. These findings have substantial implications for mitigating dosage-related adverse effects while preserving therapeutic benefits, offering a more favorable treatment approach. This study aims to investigate the potential gastroprotective activity of GSS ZnONPs against gastritis.

Apigenin-7-glucoside-loaded nanoparticle alleviates intestinal ischemia-reperfusion by ATF3/SLC7A11-mediated ferroptosis

Intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury (II/R injury) is a common and intractable pathophysiological process in critical patients, for which exploring new treatments and mechanisms is of great importance to improve treatment outcomes. Apigenin-7-O-Glucoside (AGL) is a sugar derivative of apigenin natural product with various pharmacological activities to protect against intestinal diseases. In this study, we synthesized two amphiphilic molecules, namely DTPA-N10-10 and mPEG-TK-DA, which can scavenge free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). They were successfully encapsulated AGL through self-assembly, resulting in the formation of multi-site ROS scavenging nanoparticles called PDN@AGL. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that PDN@AGL could protect intestinal tissues by reducing lipid peroxidation, lowering ROS levels and inhibiting ferroptosis during II/R injury. Furthermore, our study revealed, for the first time, that the regulation of the ATF3/SLC7A11 pathway by PDN@AGL may play a crucial role in mitigating II/R injury. In conclusion, our study confirmed the beneficial effects of PDN@AGL in combating II/R injury through the ATF3/SLC7A11-mediated regulation of ferroptosis and oxidative stress. These findings lay the groundwork for the potential application of PDN@AGL in the treatment of II/R injury.

Physio-biochemical and metabolomic responses of the woody plant Dalbergia odorifera to salinity and waterlogging

BACKGROUND

Trees have developed a broad spectrum of molecular mechanisms to counteract oxidative stress. Secondary metabolites via phenolic compounds emblematized the hidden bridge among plant kingdom, human health, and oxidative stress. Although studies have demonstrated that abiotic stresses can increase the production of medicinal compounds in plants, research comparing the efficiency of these stresses still needs to be explored. Thus, the present research paper provided an exhaustive comparative metabolomic study in Dalbergia odorifera under salinity (ST) and waterlogging (WL).

RESULTS

High ST reduced D. odorifera's fresh biomass compared to WL. While WL only slightly affected leaf and vein size, ST had a significant negative impact. ST also caused more significant damage to water status and leaflet anatomy than WL. As a result, WL-treated seedlings exhibited better photosynthesis and an up-regulation of nonenzymatic pathways involved in scavenging reactive oxygen species. The metabolomic and physiological responses of D. odorifera under WL and salinity ST stress revealed an accumulation of secondary metabolites by the less aggressive stress (WL) to counterbalance the oxidative stress. Under WL, more metabolites were more regulated compared to ST. ST significantly altered the metabolite profile in D. odorifera leaflets, indicating its sensitivity to salinity. WL synthesized more metabolites involved in phenylpropanoid, flavone, flavonol, flavonoid, and isoflavonoid pathways than ST. Moreover, the down-regulation of L-phenylalanine correlated with increased p-coumarate, caffeate, and ferulate associated with better cell homeostasis and leaf anatomical indexes under WL.

CONCLUSIONS

From a pharmacological and medicinal perspective, WL improved larger phenolics with therapeutic values compared to ST. Therefore, the data showed evidence of the crucial role of medical tree species' adaptability on ROS detoxification under environmental stresses that led to a significant accumulation of secondary metabolites with therapeutic value.

7,8-dihydroxyflavone displayed antioxidant effect through activating HO-1 expression and inhibiting caspase-3/PARP activation in RAW264.7 cells

Flavonoids, which contain a benzo-γ-pyrone (C6-C3-C6) skeleton, have been reported to exhibit effective antioxidant ability. This study aimed to compare the antioxidant activities of 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) and 7-hydroxyflavone (7-HF) in H2 O2 , lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced RAW264.7 cells, respectively. The antioxidant capacities of 7,8-DHF and 7-HF were firstly evaluated by 2,2-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Then, reactive oxygen species (ROS), super oxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) productions in H2 O2 , LPS, or t-BHP-induced RAW264.7 cells were tested and compared, respectively. Finally, the antioxidant mechanisms of 7-HF and 7,8-DHF were initially investigated by western blot. Our results showed that 7,8-DHF possessed stronger free-radical scavenging capacity than 7-HF. Both 7,8-DHF and 7-HF suppressed MDA production and ROS accumulation, improved the activity of SOD in H2 O2 , LPS, or t-BHP-induced RAW264.7 cells, respectively. And 7,8-DHF exerted a better antioxidant effect than 7-HF, especially in t-BHP-induced oxidative stress. Mechanically, 7,8-DHF prevented the activation of poly ADP-ribosepolymerase and caspase-3, meanwhile markedly upregulated the expression of HO-1 protein in t-BHP-induced oxidative stress. These results suggested that 7,8-DHF might serve as a potential pharmaceutical drug against oxidative stress injury.

Identification of key phenolic compounds for alleviating gouty inflammation in edible chrysanthemums based on spectrum-effect relationship analyses

Edible chrysanthemum is a common food resource for tea and functional foods with potential benefits for human health. Studies have indicated that chrysanthemum has the potential effect on inflammatory diseases, while the effects on gouty inflammation remain underexplored. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-gout activity and characterize the active ingredients of chrysanthemums by using metabolite profiles, in vitro experiments, and spectrum-effect analysis. Results showed that 'Boju' (BJ), 'Hangbaiju' (HBJ), and 'Huaiju' (HJ) exhibited regulatory effects on monosodium urate (MSU)-induced inflammation. At the dose of 50 µg/mL, the inhibitory rates of IL-1β secretion were 24.53 %, 14.36 %, and 38.10 %, respectively. A total of 32 phenolic compounds were identified or preliminarily assigned in UPLC-Q/TOF-MS analysis. And seven phenolics related to anti-gout activity were identified by spectrum-effect relationships. According to ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) evaluation and experiments verification, luteolin, acacetin-7-O-glucoside, and apigenin-7-O-glucoside were critical constituents potentially associated with the reduction of inflammation in gout. Additionally, these phenolics might be suitable as quality control indicators. This study clarified the anti-gout properties of different cultivars of chrysanthemums and active compounds, providing a theoretical basis for its scientific utilization in functional foods.

Integrated network pharmacology and metabolomics analyses of the mechanism underlying the efficacy of Ma-Mu-Ran Antidiarrheal Capsules against dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis

The current study utilizes a comprehensive network pharmacology and metabolomics analysis to investigate the mechanism of action of Ma-Mu-Ran Antidiarrheal Capsules (MMRAC) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). In this study, we established a mouse model of UC using dextran sulfate sodium. Colonic tissues were collected from mice and then subjected to hematoxylin and eosin staining, as well as histopathological analysis, to assess the therapeutic effect of MMRAC. Furthermore, we assessed the mechanisms through which MMRAC combats UC by employing integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology strategies. Lastly, we validated the key targets identified through western blot and molecular docking. An integrated network of metabolomics and network pharmacology was constructed using Cytoscape to identify eight endogenous metabolites involved in the therapeutic action of MMRAC on UC. Further comprehensive analyses were focused on four key targets and their associated core metabolites and pathways. The results of western blot and molecular docking demonstrated that MMRAC could modulate key targets and their expression levels. The cumulative results indicated that MMRAC restored intestinal function in UC, reduced inflammatory responses, and alleviated oxidative stress by influencing the methionine and cysteine metabolic pathways, as well as the urea cycle. In addition, it had an impact on arginine, proline, glutamate, aspartate, and asparagine metabolic pathways and their associated targets.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel pleuromutilin derivatives containing benzimidazoles as effective anti-MRSA agents

A series of pleuromutilin derivatives containing benzimidazole were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their antibacterial activities against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in this study. The in vitro antibacterial activities of the synthesized derivatives against four strains of S. aureus (MRSA ATCC 43300, S. aureus ATCC 29213, S. aureus 144, and S. aureus AD3) were determined by the broth dilution method. Among these derivatives, compound 58 exhibited superior in vitro antibacterial effect against MRSA (minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC] = 0.0625 μg/mL) than tiamulin (MIC = 0.5 μg/mL). Compound 58 possessed a faster bactericidal kinetic and a longer post-antibiotic effect time against MRSA than tiamulin. Meanwhile, at 8 μg/mL concentration, compound 58 did not display obviously cytotoxic effect on the RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, compound 58 (-2.04 log10 CFU/mL) displayed superior in vivo antibacterial efficacy than tiamulin (-1.02 log10 CFU/mL) in reducing MRSA load in mice thigh infection model. In molecular docking study, compound 58 can successfully attach to the 50S ribosomal active site (the binding free energy is -8.11 kcal/mol). Therefore, compound 58 was a potential antibacterial candidate for combating MRSA infections.

A review on in silico virtual screening methods in COVID-19 using anticancer drugs and other natural/chemical inhibitors

The present coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic scenario has posed a difficulty for cancer treatment. Even under ideal conditions, malignancies like small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are challenging to treat because of their fast development and early metastases. The treatment of these patients must not be jeopardized, and they must be protected as much as possible from the continuous spread of the COVID-19 infection. Initially identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, the contagious coronavirus illness 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Finding inhibitors against the druggable targets of SARS-CoV-2 has been a significant focus of research efforts across the globe. The primary motivation for using molecular modeling tools against SARS-CoV-2 was to identify candidates for use as therapeutic targets from a pharmacological database. In the published study, scientists used a combination of medication repurposing and virtual drug screening methodologies to target many structures of SARS-CoV-2. This virus plays an essential part in the maturation and replication of other viruses. In addition, the total binding free energy and molecular dynamics (MD) modeling findings showed that the dynamics of various medications and substances were stable; some of them have been tested experimentally against SARS-CoV-2. Different virtual screening (VS) methods have been discussed as potential means by which the evaluated medications that show strong binding to the active site might be repurposed for use against SARS-CoV-2.

Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease: Biological efficacy and toxicity aspects

The emergence of the highly contagious respiratory disease, COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a significant global public health concern. To combat this virus, researchers have focused on developing antiviral strategies that target specific viral components, such as the main protease (Mpro), which plays a crucial role in SARS-CoV-2 replication. While many compounds have been identified as potent inhibitors of Mpro, only a few have been translated into clinical use due to the potential risk-benefit trade-offs. Development of systemic inflammatory response and bacterial co-infection in patients belong to severe, frequent complications of COVID-19. In this context, we analysed available data on the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities of the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors for possible implementation in the treatment of complicated and long COVID-19 cases. Synthetic feasibility and ADME properties were calculated and included for better characterisation of the compounds' predicted toxicity. Analysis of the collected data resulted in several clusters pointing to the most prospective compounds for further study and design. The complete tables with collected data are attached in Supplementary material for use by other researchers.

Integrated Secondary Metabolomic and Antioxidant Ability Analysis Reveals the Accumulation Patterns of Metabolites in Momordica charantia L. of Different Cultivars

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) contains rich bioactive ingredients and secondary metabolites; hence, it has been used as medicine and food product. This study systematically quantified the nutrient contents, the total content of phenolic acids (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), and triterpenoids (TTC) in seven different cultivars of bitter gourd. This study also estimated the organic acid content and antioxidative capacity of different cultivars of bitter gourd. Although the TPC, TFC, TTC, organic acid content, and antioxidative activity differed significantly among different cultivars of bitter gourd, significant correlations were also observed in the obtained data. In the metabolomics analysis, 370 secondary metabolites were identified in seven cultivars of bitter gourd; flavonoids and phenolic acids were significantly more. Differentially accumulated metabolites identified in this study were mainly associated with secondary metabolic pathways, including pathways of flavonoid, flavonol, isoflavonoid, flavone, folate, and phenylpropanoid biosyntheses. A number of metabolites (n = 27) were significantly correlated (positive or negative) with antioxidative capacity (r ≥ 0.7 and p < 0.05). The outcomes suggest that bitter gourd contains a plethora of bioactive compounds; hence, bitter gourd may potentially be applied in developing novel molecules of medicinal importance.

Inhibition of Cell Proliferation and Cell Death by Apigetrin through Death Receptor-Mediated Pathway in Hepatocellular Cancer Cells

Epidemiologic research recommends using flavonoids in the diet due to their overall health benefits. Apigetrin (Apigenin 7-O-glucoside) is a glycoside phytonutrient found in fruits and vegetables and known for different biological activities such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is a major health concern because of its adverse prognosis and side effects of chemotherapeutic agents. In the present study, we determine the impact of apigetrin on HepG2 cells and its cell death mechanism. Apigetrin reduced HepG2 cell proliferation with morphological changes and floating cells in treated cells. Colony formation and wound healing assays showed a reduced cell number in treatment groups. Further, we checked for the cell cycle through flow cytometry to understand the cell death mechanism. Apigetrin induced G2/M phase arrest in HepG2 cells by regulating Cyclin B1 and CDK1 protein levels in HepG2 cells. Annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) staining was performed to confirm the apoptotic cell population in treated groups. At the higher concentration, apigetrin showed a late apoptotic population in HepG2 cells. Chromatin condensation was also found in the treatment groups. Western blot analysis showed an increased expression of extrinsic apoptotic proteins such as FasL, Cleaved caspase 8, Cleaved caspase 3, and cleavage of PARP. In comparison, intrinsic apoptotic pathway markers showed no changes in Bax, Bcl-xL, and Cleaved caspase 9. Altogether, these findings strongly indicate that apigetrin causes cell death in HepG2 cells through the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, and that the intrinsic/mitochondrial pathway is not involved.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Daniellia oliveri (Fabaceace) stem bark extract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel (Fabaceae) is used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and pains (chest pain, toothache and lumbago) and rheumatism.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study investigates the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of D. oliveri and possible mechanism of antiinflammatory action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Acute toxicity of the extract was evaluated in mice using the limit test. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed in xylene-induced paw oedema and carrageenan-induced air-pouch models at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o. Volume of exudate, total protein, leukocyte counts, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and concentration of cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) were measured in the exudate of rats in the carrageenan-induced air-pouch model. Other parameters include lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO) and antioxidant indices (SOD, CAT and GSH). Histopathology of the air pouch tissue was also carried out. The antinociceptive effect was assessed using acetic acid-induced writhing, tail flick and formalin tests. Locomotor activity was done in the open field test. The extract was analysed with HPLC-DAD-UV technique.

RESULTS

The extract showed significant anti-inflammatory effect (73.68 and 75.79%, inhibition) in xylene-induced ear oedema test at the dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. In carrageenan air pouch model, the extract significantly reduced exudate volume, protein concentration, the migration of leukocytes and MPO production in the exudate. The concentrations of cytokines TNF-α (12.25 ± 1.80 pg/mL) and IL-6 (21.12 pg/mL) in the exudate at the dose of 200 mg/kg were reduced compared to carrageenan alone group (48.15 ± 4.50 pg/mL; 82.62 pg/mL) respectively. The extract showed significant increase in the activities of CAT and SOD and GSH concentration. The histopathological assessment of the pouch lining revealed reduction of immuno-inflammatory cell influx. Nociception was significantly inhibited by the extract in acetic acid-induced writhing model and the second phase of formalin test indicating a peripheral mechanism of action. The open field test showed that D. oliveri did not alter locomotor activity. The acute toxicity study did not cause mortality or signs of toxicity at 2000 mg/kg, p.o. We identified and quantified caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, rutin, apigenin-7-glucoside, quercetin and kaempferol in the extract.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study showed that the stem bark extract of D. oliveri possesses anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities thereby supporting its traditional use in the treatment of some inflammatory and painful disorders.

Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Potential of Echinops ritro L. Extracts on Induced Oxidative Stress In Vitro/In Vivo

Echinops ritro L. (Asteraceae) is traditionally used in the treatment of bacterial/fungal infections and respiratory and heart ailments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of extracts from E. ritro leaves (ERLE) and flowering heads (ERFE) as antioxidant and hepatoprotective agents on diclofenac-induced lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress under in vitro and in vivo conditions. In isolated rat microsomes and hepatocytes, the extracts significantly alleviated oxidative stress by increasing cell viability and GSH levels and reducing LDH efflux and MDA production. During in vivo experiments, the administration of the ERFE alone or in combination with diclofenac resulted in a significant increase in cellular antioxidant protection and a decrease in lipid peroxidation witnessed by key markers and enzymes. A beneficial influence on the activity of the drug-metabolizing enzymes ethylmorphine-N-demetylase and aniline hydroxylase in liver tissue was found. In the acute toxicity test evaluation, the ERFE showed no toxicity. In the ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis, 95 secondary metabolites were reported for the first time, including acylquinic acids, flavonoids, and coumarins. Protocatechuic acid O-hexoside, quinic, chlorogenic and 3, 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, apigenin; apigenin 7-O-glucoside, hyperoside, jaceosidene, and cirsiliol dominated the profiles. The results suggest that both extracts should be designed for functional applications with antioxidant and hepatoprotective capacity.

Exploring the Potential of Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Matricaria chamomilla White Ray Florets as a Source of Bioactive (Cosmetic) Ingredients

Aromatic and medicinal plants are a great source of useful bioactive compounds for use in cosmetics, drugs, and dietary supplements. This study investigated the potential of using supercritical fluid extracts obtained from Matricaria chamomilla white ray florets, a kind of industrial herbal byproduct, as a source of bioactive cosmetic ingredients. Response surface methodology to optimize the supercritical fluid extraction process by analyzing the impact of pressure and temperature on yield and the main bioactive compound groups were used. High-throughput 96-well plate spectrophotometric methods were used to analyze the extracts for total phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and sugars, as well as their antioxidant capacity. Gas chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine the phytochemical composition of the extracts. The extracts were also analyzed for antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity, phototoxicity, and melanin content. Statistical analysis was performed to establish correlations between the extracts and develop models to predict the targeted phytochemical recovery and chemical and biological activities. The results show that the extracts contained a diverse range of phytochemical classes and had cytotoxic, proliferation-reducing, and antimicrobial activities, making them potentially useful in cosmetic formulations. This study provides valuable insights for further research on the uses and mechanisms of action of these extracts.

Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Pleuromutilin Derivatives Containing 6-Chloro-1-R-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4-amino Side Chain

Two series of pleuromutilin derivatives were designed and synthesized as inhibitors against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). 6-chloro-4-amino-1-R-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine or 4-(6-chloro-1-R-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4-yl)amino-phenylthiol were connected to pleuromutilin. A diverse array of substituents was introduced at the N-1 position of the pyrazole ring. The in vitro antibacterial activities of these semisynthetic derivatives were evaluated against two standard strains, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ATCC 43300, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), ATCC 29213 and two clinical S. aureus strains (144, AD3) using the broth dilution method. Compounds 12c, 19c and 22c (MIC = 0.25 μg/mL) manifested good in vitro antibacterial ability against MRSA which was similar to that of tiamulin (MIC = 0.5 μg/mL). Among them, compound 22c killed MRSA in a time-dependent manner and performed faster bactericidal kinetics than tiamulin in time-kill curves. In addition, compound 22c exhibited longer PAE than tiamulin, and showed no significant inhibition on the cell viability of RAW 264.7, Caco-2 and 16-HBE cells at high doses (≤8 μg/mL). The neutropenic murine thigh infection model study revealed that compound 22c displayed more effective in vivo bactericidal activity than tiamulin in reducing MRSA load. The molecular docking studies indicated that compound 22c was successfully localized inside the binding pocket of 50S ribosomal, and four hydrogen bonds played important roles in the binding of them.

Effect of Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. on Inflammation, Senescence and Cell Migration

Aromatic plants are reported to display pharmacological properties, including anti-aging. This work aims to disclose the anti-aging effect of the essential oil (EO) of Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav., an aromatic and medicinal plant widely used as a spice, as well as of the hydrodistillation residual water (HRW), a discarded by-product of EO hydrodistillation. The phytochemical characterization of EO and HRW was assessed by GC-MS and HPLC-PDA-ESI-MSⁿ, respectively. The DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays were used to disclose the antioxidant properties. The anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages by assessing NO production, iNOS, and pro-IL-1β protein levels. Cell migration was evaluated using the scratch wound assay, and the etoposide-induced senescence was used to assess the modulation of senescence. The EO is mainly characterized by carvacrol, while the HRW is predominantly characterized by rosmarinic acid. The HRW exerts a stronger antioxidant effect in the DPPH and FRAP assays, whereas the EO was the most active sample in the ABTS assay. Both extracts reduce NO, iNOS, and pro-IL-1β. The EO has no effect on cell migration and presents anti-senescence effects. In opposition, HRW reduces cell migration and induces cellular senescence. Overall, our study highlights interesting pharmacological properties for both extracts, EO being of interest as an anti-aging ingredient and HRW relevant in cancer therapy.

Engineered production of bioactive polyphenolic O-glycosides

Polyphenolic compounds (such as quercetin and resveratrol) possess potential medicinal values due to their various bioactivities, but poor water solubility hinders their health benefits to humankind. Glycosylation is a well-known post-modification method to biosynthesize natural product glycosides with improved hydrophilicity. Glycosylation has profound effects on decreasing toxicity, increasing bioavailability and stability, together with changing bioactivity of polyphenolic compounds. Therefore, polyphenolic glycosides can be used as food additives, therapeutics, and nutraceuticals. Engineered biosynthesis provides an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach to generate polyphenolic glycosides through the use of various glycosyltransferases (GTs) and sugar biosynthetic enzymes. GTs transfer the sugar moieties from nucleotide-activated diphosphate sugar (NDP-sugar) donors to sugar acceptors such as polyphenolic compounds. In this review, we systematically review and summarize the representative polyphenolic O-glycosides with various bioactivities and their engineered biosynthesis in microbes with different biotechnological strategies. We also review the major routes towards NDP-sugar formation in microbes, which is significant for producing unusual or novel glycosides. Finally, we discuss the trends in NDP-sugar based glycosylation research to promote the development of prodrugs that positively impact human health and wellness.

Influence of storage variables on the antioxidant and antitumor activities, phenolic compounds and vitamin C of an agglomerate of Andean berries

Berry consumption is increasing worldwide due to their high content of bioactive compounds. However, such fruits have a very short shelf life. To avoid this drawback and to offer an effective alternative for its consumption at any time of the year, an agglomerated berry powder mix (APB) was developed. The aim of this work was to evaluate the stability of APB during a 6-months-period storage at 3 temperatures. The stability of APB was determined by moisture, a_w, antioxidant activity, total phenolics, total anthocyanins, vitamin C, color, phenolic profiles, and MTT assay. APB showed differences in antioxidant activity between 0 and 6 months. It experimented non-enzymatic browning, which was more remarkable at 35 °C. APB at time 0 exhibited growth inhibitory effects against HT-29 human cancer cells. Most properties were significantly modified by storage temperature and time, which induces a significant decreasing of bioactive compounds.

Metabolomics Analysis of Different Tissues of Lonicera japonica Thunb. Based on Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry

Lonicera japonica Thunb. (LJT) has been widely used as medicines or food additives in Asian countries for thousands of years. The flower buds are often medicinally used, and the other tissues are ignored. However, flowers, leaves and stems have also been reported to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In the current study, un-targeted metabolomics analysis was performed to investigate the metabolic difference among different tissues (flowers, flower buds, stems and leaves) of LJT based on liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. A total of 171 metabolites were identified, including 28 flavonoids, 35 phenolic acids, 43 iridoids, 9 amino acids, 6 nucleotides, 16 fatty acids, 22 lipids and 12 others. Four new secondary metabolites were discovered. Some flavonoids and iridoids were not detected in leaves and stems. Principal component analysis showed significant differences among four different tissues. Some 27, 81, 113 differential metabolites were found between flowers/flower buds, leaves/flower buds, stems/flower buds, respectively. Primary metabolites showed a higher content in the flowers and flower buds. For the flavonoids, flavones were mainly accumulated in the leaves, flavonols were mainly accumulated in the flower buds, and acylated flavonol glucosides were mainly accumulated in the flowers. Most phenolic acids showed a higher content in the flowers or flower buds, while phenolic acid-glucosides showed significantly higher content in the flower buds. The most abundant iridoids in the LJT also showed a higher content in the flowers and flower buds. These results can provide new insights into the understanding of the metabolites changes in different tissues, and lay a theoretical foundation for the comprehensive utilization of LJT.

Extraction and Identification of Antioxidant Ingredients from Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) Iljinsk Using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS-Based Molecular Networking

Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja (LCP) leaves have been widely employed in food and traditional medicine for treating hyperlipidaemia and its complications, possibly owing to their antioxidant properties. The aim of the present study is to identify the chemical ingredients of antioxidant extracts from LCP by using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS-based molecular networking, a very recent and useful tool for annotation of chemical constituents in mixtures. The extraction conditions of antioxidant extracts from LCP were optimised by single-factor analysis and response surface methodology (RSM). The optimised conditions were a methanol concentration of 32%, a liquid-to-solid ratio of 0.4 ml/mg, an extraction temperature of 25°C, and an extraction time of 32 min. Under these conditions, the antioxidant yield was 516.20 ± 28.52 μmol TE/ml. The main active ingredients in the antioxidants were identified by UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS-based molecular networking. In total, 42 compounds were identified, including 20 flavonoids, 16 quinic acid derivatives, 4 caffeoyl derivatives, and 2 coumaroyl derivatives. The findings of the present work suggest that LCP could be a suitable source of natural antioxidant compounds, which might be applicable in the development of potential pharmaceutical drugs targeting diseases related to oxidative stress.

Comparative Investigation of Chemical Constituents of Kernels, Leaves, Husk, and Bark of Juglans regia L., Using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS Analysis and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities

Leaves, husk, kernels, and bark methanolic extracts of Juglans regia L. were tested for their in vitro antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. For these purposes, α-amylase and α-glucosidase were used as the main enzymes to evaluate antidiabetic activities. Moreover, lipoxidase and tyrosinase activities were tested to estimate anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidant properties of Juglans regia L., extracts were determined using three different assays. Leaves extract has an important radical scavenging activity and a-amylase inhibition. Similarly, husk extracts showed high total phenolic content (306.36 ± 4.74 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry extract) with an important α-amylase inhibition (IC50 = 75.42 ± 0.99 µg/mL). Kernels exhibit significant tyrosinase (IC50 = 51.38 ± 0.81 µg/mL) correlated with antioxidant activities (p < 0.05). Husk and bark extracts also showed strong anti-lipoxidase activities with IC50 equal to 29.48 ± 0.28 and 28.58 ± 0.35 µg/mL, respectively. HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analysis highlights the phenolic profile of methanolic extracts of Juglans regia L. plant parts. The identified polyphenols were known for their antioxidant, antidiabetic (dicaffeoyl-quinic acid glycoside in kernels), and anti-inflammatory (3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid in leaves) activities. Further investigations are needed to determine molecular mechanisms involved in these effects as well as to study the properties of the main identified compounds.

Design, synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies of novel pleuromutilin derivatives containing nitrogen heterocycle and alkylamine groups

A series of pleuromutilin derivatives containing alkylamine and nitrogen heterocycle groups were designed and synthesised under mild conditions. The in vitro antibacterial activity of these semisynthetic derivatives against four strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA ATCC 43300, S.aureus ATCC 29213, S.aureus AD3, and S.aureus 144) were evaluated by the broth dilution method. Compound 13 was found to have excellent antibacterial activity against MRSA (MIC = 0.0625 μg/mL). Furthermore, compound 13 was further studied by the time-killing kinetics and the post-antibiotic effect approach. In the mouse thigh infection model, compound 13 exhibited superior antibacterial efficacy than that of tiamulin. Meanwhile, compound 13 showed a lower inhibitory effect than that of tiamulin on RAW264.7 and 16HBE cells at the concentration of 10 μg/mL. Molecular docking study revealed that compound 13 can effectively bind to the active site of the 50S ribosome (the binding free energy = −9.66 kcal/mol).

Achillea moschata Wulfen: From Ethnobotany to Phytochemistry, Morphology, and Biological Activity

A multidisciplinary investigation on Achillea moschata Wulfen (Asteraceae) is outlined herein. This work, part of the European Interreg Italy-Switzerland B-ICE project, originated from an ethnobotanical survey performed in Chiesa in Valmalenco (Sondrio, Lombardy, Northern Italy) in 2019-2021 which highlighted this species' relevance of use in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, this contribution included analyses of the: (a) phytochemical profile of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of the dried flower heads using LC-MS/MS; (b) morpho-anatomy and histochemistry of the vegetative and reproductive organs through Light, Fluorescence, and Scanning Electron Microscopy; (c) biological activity of the aqueous extract concerning the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential through cell-based in vitro models. A total of 31 compounds (5 phenolic acids, 13 flavonols, and 13 flavones) were detected, 28 of which included in both extracts. Covering and secreting trichomes were observed: the biseriate 10-celled glandular trichomes prevailing on the inflorescences represented the main sites of synthesis of the polyphenols and flavonoids detected in the extracts, along with volatile terpenoids. Finally, significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract were documented, even at very low concentrations; for the first time, the in vitro tests allowed us to formulate hypotheses about the mechanism of action. This work brings an element of novelty due to the faithful reproduction of the traditional aqueous preparation and the combination of phytochemical and micromorphological research approaches.

A Comprehensive Study of Therapeutic Applications of Chamomile

Chamomile has a long history of traditional medicinal uses. The two commonly used varieties with therapeutic applications are German chamomile known as Matricaria chamomilla L. and Roman chamomile or Chamaemelum nobile L. The plant contains many components, namely, flavonoids, terpenoids, and coumarins, which are responsible for its medicinal properties. The review discusses recent developments that help in establishing its role as a therapeutic agent in various areas as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, anti-allergic, anticancer, and anti-hypertensive agent. Not much is known about its role in the treatment of CNS disorders and metabolic syndromes, which are also discussed. The chemical components responsible for the therapeutic activity and the respective mechanism of action are also elaborated.

Chemical component and in vitro protective effects of Matricaria chamomilla (L.) against lipopolysaccharide insult

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is a popular herbal tea for the treatment of hepatitis and cholecystitis in traditional Uygur medicines.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity and chemical composition of M. chamomilla, and clarify its molecular mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

M. chamomilla was extracted with 75% ethanol and then extracted with different solvents to obtain five fractions, namely petroleum ether fraction (EOPE), dichloromethane fraction (EOD), ethyl acetate fraction (EOEA), n-butanol fraction (EOB), and water fraction (EOW). Cytotoxicity and the effect on the nitric oxide (NO) production of RAW264.7 cells induced by LPS of the five fractions were screened, and the most active one (EOD) was selected for further investigations. The components of EOD were identified by LC-MS/MS analysis in combination with comparison of retention time and UV absorption with authentic compounds by HPLC. In addition, five most abundant compounds of EOD were isolation by column chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC and their structures were further confirmed by HRMS and NMR data analysis and comparison with data in literatures. Then the underlying anti-inflammatory mechanism of EOD were predicted through Network pharmacology using the identified compounds from EOD, and further verified by Western Blot and ELISA experiments.

RESULTS

EOD showed the most significant inhibition ratio against NO in RAW264.7 cells without toxicity among the tested five fractions. Thirty-seven compounds including flavonoid-O-glycoside, flavonoid aglycone, methylated flavonoid aglycone, phenolic acid, coumarin, sesquiterpene, and triterpene were identified from EOD by LC-MS/MS and comparison with authentic compounds. The five most abundant compounds in EOD were isolated and determined to be axillarin (26), tricin (30), chrysoeriol (31), centaureidin (33) and chrysosplenetin (35). IL-6, NF-κB, ERK1 and ERK2 cascade, TNF were the most important anti-inflammatory targets of EOD predicted by Network pharmacology. Western Blot and ELISA experiments revealed that EOD significantly decreased the protein expression levels of inflammatory factors (PGE₂, MCP-1, IL-6, TNF-α), iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB (p-P65 and p-IκBα), MAPKs (p-p38, p-ERK and p-JNK), and increased the protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1 and CYP2E1. In addition, EOD blocked the p65 protein into the nucleus and promoted the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in RAW264.7 cells induced by LPS.

CONCLUSION

M. chamomilla exerted anti-inflammatory effect via NF-κB, MAPK and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways. It could be further applied as a safe anti-inflammatory agent from natural source.

Diosmin and Trolox Have Anti-Arthritic, Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Potencies in Complete Freund’s Adjuvant-Induced Arthritic Male Wistar Rats: Roles of NF-κB, iNOS, Nrf2 and MMPs

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive, autoimmune disease caused by a malfunction of the immune system. The aim of this study was to examine the anti-arthritic effects and suggest the mechanisms of actions of diosmin and trolox in male Wistar rats. Complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) was used to establish RA in the animals by subcutaneous injection of 100 µL CFA/rat into plantar region of right hind leg in two consecutive days. Diosmin and/or trolox were administered orally at a dosage of 20 mg/kg/day to CFA-induced arthritic rats for 2 weeks. The normal and arthritic control groups were orally given the same equivalent volume of a vehicle (1% carboxymethyl cellulose) in which treatment agents were dissolved. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from the jugular vein for the detection of the total leukocyte count (TLC) and differential leukocyte count (DLC) in blood and the detection of rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-13 (IL-13), and interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), as well as markers of oxidative stress and the antioxidant defense system in serum. The right hind ankle regions of three rats from each group were dissected out and fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin for histological examination and the other three were kept at −30 °C for Western blot analysis of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) protein 50 (NF-κB p50), NF-κB p65, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 (MMP-1), MMP-3, and MMP-9. The CFA injection was deleterious to the ankle joint’s histological architecture, manifesting as infiltration of inflammatory cells into the articular cartilage, hyperplasia of the synovium, and erosion of the cartilage. All these effects were ameliorated by diosmin and/or trolox, with the combined dose being the most effective. The two compounds significantly lowered the elevated serum levels of RF, ACPA, TNF-α, and IL-17, as well as other pro-inflammatory mediators, such as NF-κB p50, NF-κB p65, iNOS, MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-9. They also increased the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-13, and the cytoprotective transcription factor Nrf2. The compounds stimulated higher activities of antioxidants, such as glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, and reduced lipid peroxidation in the serum of arthritic rats. In conclusion, diosmin, trolox, and their combination, which was the most potent, exerted anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by suppressing NF-κB signaling, inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases, and activating Nrf2.

Semisynthetic pleuromutilin antimicrobials with therapeutic potential against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by targeting 50S ribosomal subunit

A series of pleuromutilin analogs with a substituted 1,2,4-triazole were designed, synthesized and assessed for their in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity. Initially, the MIC of the synthesized derivatives against five strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA ATCC 43300, S. aureus ATCC 29213, clinical isolation of S. aureus AD3, S. aureus 144 and S. aureus SA17) were tested by the broth dilution method. Compounds 30a, 31b and 32a were the most active antibacterial agents in vitro against MRSA (MIC = 0.0625 μg/mL). The results of the time-kill curves showed that compounds 30a and 32a could reduce the amount of MRSA in vitro quickly (-7.70 log10 CFU/mL and -7.10 log10 CFU/mL reduction). In the experiment to further evaluate the in vivo antibacterial activity of compound 30a against MRSA, compound 30a (-1.71 log10 CFU/g) was effective in reducing MRSA load in thigh infected mice. Compound 30a (survival rate was 50%) displayed superior in vivo efficacy to that of tiamulin (survival rate was 30%) in the mouse systemic model. The results of further pharmacokinetic studies on compound 30a showed that the half-life (t1/2), clearance rate (Cl) and the area under the plasma concentration time curve (AUC0→∞) of compound 30a were 0.37 h, 5.43 L/h/kg and 1.84 μg h/mL, respectively. After affinity measurement by surface plasmon resonance (SPR), compound 30a exhibited high affinity with the 50S ribosome, with KD value of 1.95 × 10-6 M. Furthermore, the results of molecular docking studies revealed that compound 30a was successfully localized inside the binding pocket of 50S ribosomal subunit (ΔGb = -9.40 kcal/mol). Meanwhile, most of these compounds had no significant inhibitory effect on RAW 264.7 cells and 16HBE cells at the concentration of 8 μg/mL. The obtained outcomes showed that compound 30a could be utilized as an encouraging perspective in the development of a new therapeutic candidate for bacterial infection.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of pleuromutilin-Schiff base hybrids as potent anti-MRSA agents in vitro and in vivo

A series of pleuromutilin derivatives with 1,2,4-triazole-3-substituted Schiff base structure were designed and synthesized under mild conditions. The in vitro antibacterial activities of the synthesized derivatives against 4 strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA ATCC 43300, S.aureus ATCC 29213, S.aureus 144 and S.aureus AD3) and 1 strain of E. coli (ATCC 25922) were evaluated by the broth dilution method. Among these derivatives, compound 60 exhibited superior in vitro antibacterial effect against MRSA (MIC = 0.25 μg/mL) than tiamulin (MIC = 0.5 μg/mL), and compound 60 (-2.28 log10 CFU/mL) also displayed superior in vivo antibacterial efficacy than tiamulin (-1.40 log10 CFU/mL) in reducing MRSA load in the mouse thigh infection model. The time-kill study and the post-antibiotic effect study indicated that compound 60 showed a faster bactericidal kinetic and longer PAE time (exposure to 2 × MIC and 4 × MIC for 2 h, the PAE was 4.06 and 4.27 h) against MRSA compared with tiamulin (exposure to 2 × MIC and 4 × MIC for 2 h, the PAE was 1.72 and 2.14 h). Meanwhile, most of these compounds had no significant inhibitory effect on RAW 264.7 cells and HepG2 cells at the concentration of 4 μg/mL. Additionally, the development of resistance study showed that MRSA did not easily develop resistance against compound 60 compared with tiamulin after induction for 8 passages.

Potential Mechanisms of Plant-Derived Natural Products in the Treatment of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the second most common gynecological malignancy globally; it seriously endangers women’s health because of its high morbidity and mortality. Conventional treatments are prone to drug resistance, recurrence and metastasis. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new drugs with high efficacy and low side effects to prevent and treat cervical cancer. In recent years, plant-derived natural products have been evaluated as potential anticancer drugs that preferentially kill tumor cells without severe adverse effects. A growing number of studies have shown that natural products can achieve practical anti-cervical-cancer effects through multiple mechanisms, including inhibition of tumor-cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, suppression of angiogenesis and telomerase activity, enhancement of immunity and reversal of multidrug resistance. This paper reviews the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of plant-derived natural products on cervical cancer and provides references for developing anti-cervical-cancer drugs with high efficacy and low side effects.

Chamomile as a potential remedy for obesity and metabolic syndrome

Obesity is an increasing health concern related to many metabolic disorders, including metabolic syndrome, diabetes type 2 and cardiovascular diseases. Many studies suggest that herbal products can be useful dietary supplements for weight management due to the presence of numerous biologically active compounds, including antioxidant polyphenols that can counteract obesity-related oxidative stress. In this review we focus on Matricaria chamomilla, commonly known as chamomile, and one of the most popular medicinal plants in the world. Thanks to a high content of phenolic compounds and essential oils, preparations from chamomile flowers demonstrate a number of pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and sedative actions as well as improving gastrointestinal function. Several recent studies have shown certain positive effects of chamomile preparations in the prevention of obesity and complications of diabetes. These effects were associated with modulation of signaling pathways involving the AMP-activated protein kinase, NF-κB, Nrf2 and PPARγ transcription factors. However, the potential of chamomile in the management of obesity seems to be underestimated. This review summarizes current data on the use of chamomile and its individual components (apigenin, luteolin, essential oils) to treat obesity and related metabolic disorders in cell and animal models and in human studies. Special attention is paid to molecular mechanisms that can be involved in the anti-obesity effects of chamomile preparations. Limitation of chamomile usage is also analyzed.

Bioactive Apigenin loaded oral nano bilosomes: Formulation optimization to preclinical assessment

AIM

Diabetic (type-2) is a metabolic disease characterized by increased blood glucose level from the normal level. In the present study, apigenin (AG) loaded lipid vesicles (bilosomes: BIL) was prepared, optimized and evaluated for the oral therapeutic efficacy.

EXPERIMENTAL

AG-BIL was prepared by a thin-film evaporation method using cholesterol, span 60 and sodium deoxycholate. The prepared formulation was optimized by 3-factor and 3-level Box-Behnken design using particle size, entrapment efficiency and drug release as a response. The selected formulation further evaluated for ex-vivo permeation, in vivo pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics study.

RESULTS

The optimized AG bilosomes (AG-BILopt) has shown the vesicle size 183.25 ± 2.43 nm, entrapment efficiency 81.67 ± 4.87%. TEM image showed a spherical shape vesicle with sharp boundaries. The drug release study revealed a significant enhancement in AG release (79.45 ± 4.18%) from AG-BILopt as compared to free AG-dispersion (25.47 ± 3.64%). The permeation and pharmacokinetic studies result revealed 4.49 times higher flux and 4.67 folds higher AUC0-t than free AG-dispersion. The antidiabetic activity results showed significant (P < 0.05) enhancement in therapeutic efficacy than free AG-dispersion. The results also showed marked improvement in biochemical parameters.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggested, the prepared apigenin loaded bilosomes was found to be an efficient delivery in the therapeutic efficacy in diabetes.