Immunomodulatory activity of various fractions derived from Physalis angulata L extract

Physalin pool from Physalis angulata L. leaves and physalin D inhibit P2X7 receptor function in vitro and acute lung injury in vivo

P2X7 receptor promotes inflammatory response and neuropathic pain. New drugs capable of impairing inflammation and pain-reducing adverse effects extracted from plant extracts have been studied. Physalis angulate L. possesses traditional uses and exhibits antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antinociceptive, antimalarial, antileishmanial, immunosuppressive, antiasthmatic. diuretic, and antitumor activities. The most representative phytochemical constituents identified with medicinal importance are the physalins and withanolides. However, the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action is scarce. Although some physalins and withanolides subtypes have anti-inflammatory activity, only four physalins subtypes (B, D, F, and G) have further studies. Therefore, we evaluated the crude ethanolic extract enriched with physalins B, D, F, and G from P. angulata leaves, a pool containing the physalins B, D, F, G, and the physalins individually, as P2X7 receptor antagonists. For this purpose, we evaluated ATP-induced dye uptake, macroscopic currents, and interleukin 1-β (IL-1β) in vitro. The crude extract and pool dose-dependently inhibited P2X7 receptor function. Thus, physalin B, D, F, and G individually evaluated for 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-induced dye uptake assay, whole-cell patch-clamp, and cytokine release showed distinct antagonist levels. Physalin D displayed higher potency and efficacy than physalin B, F, and G for all these parameters. In vivo mice model as ATP-induced paw edema was potently inhibited for physalin D, in contrast to physalin B, F, and G. ATP and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pleurisy in mice were reversed for physalin D treatment. Molecular modeling and computational simulation predicted the intermolecular interactions between the P2X7 receptor and physalin derivatives. In silico results indicated physalin D and F as a potent allosteric P2X7 receptor antagonist. These data confirm physalin D as a promisor source for developing a new P2X7 receptor antagonist with anti-inflammatory action.

Physalis angulata reduces the progression of chronic experimental periodontitis by immunomodulatory mechanisms

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Physalis angulata is an herb found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world; it is widely applied in popular medicine due to the therapeutic properties of the whole plant and its parts. Extracts and infusions of this plant have been extensively applied in folk medicine worldwide to treat inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases, including oral inflammatory conditions such as sore throat and gingivitis.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of the ethanolic extract of P. angulata (EEPA) in a murine model of chronic periodontitis, aiming to corroborate its traditional use as an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agent, and to point out possible mechanisms involved in these effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

EEPA was obtained from the stems of P. angulata collected in Belém (PA, Brazil). Chronic periodontitis was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by 12 administrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 20 μg/1μL) into the gingival papilla in the course of 28 days. Starting from the 15^th day after the first LPS injection, mice were daily treated with EEPA (50 or 100 mg/kg), nimesulide (25 mg/kg, reference drug), or vehicle by oral route for 14 days. At the end of the experimental period, alveolar bone loss was evaluated along with the gingival expression of biomarkers of periodontitis and cytokines by RT-q-PCR and ELISA. Hematological and biochemical parameters suggestive of systemic toxicity were also evaluated. The transcriptional activity of NF-κB was investigated using the luciferase assay in macrophages.

RESULTS

Mice with chronic experimental periodontitis suffered alveolar bone loss that was prevented by the treatment with EEPA (50 or 100 mg/kg) or nimesulide (25 mg/kg). EEPA (50 and 100 mg/kg) and nimesulide (25 mg/kg) reduced mRNA levels of MMP-9 mRNA, but not of TIMP-1 in gingival tissue of periodontitis-induced mice. Both treatments also reduced the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6. The treatment with EEPA (100 mg/kg) increased the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β. No hematological or biochemical alterations were caused by the daily treatment with EEPA. In vitro luciferase assay suggested that a putative mechanism of EEPA is reducing the transcriptional activity of NF-κB.

CONCLUSIONS

EEPA exhibited a disease-modifying effect in the chronic experimental periodontitis, along with unidentifiable systemic toxicity. This work corroborates the traditional use of P. angulata in oral inflammatory conditions and provides mechanistic hypotheses to explain its therapeutic effects.

In vitro and In Vivo Immunomodulatory Activity of Physalis angulata Concentrated Ethanolic Extract

The need for new immunomodulatory drugs is due to the side effects associated with the prolonged use of the currently used immunomodulatory drugs. In this context, the present work aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of an ethanolic concentrated extract from Physalis angulata. The cytotoxicity of samples was determined using peritoneal macrophages though the Alamar Blue assay. The immunomodulatory activity of the ethanolic extract from P. angulata on activated macrophages was determined by measurement of nitrite and cytokine production. The immunosuppressive effects of the ethanolic extract from P. angulata was evaluated on lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production. The effects of the extract on cell cycle progression and cell death on lymphocytes were evaluated by flow cytometry. Lastly, the ethanolic extract from P. angulata was tested in vivo in toxicological tests and in models of peritonitis and delayed-type hypersensitivity response. The ethanolic extract from P. angulata decreased nitrite, interleukin-6, interleukin-12, and TNF-α production by activated macrophages without affecting the cell viability. In addition, the ethanolic extract from P. angulata inhibited lymphoproliferation and the secretion of interleukin-2, interleukin-6, and IFN-γ, and increased interleukin-4 secretion by activated splenocytes. Flow cytometry analysis in lymphocyte cultures showed that treatment with the ethanolic extract from P. angulata induces cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase followed by cell death by apoptosis. Moreover, mice treated with the extract from P. angulata at 100 or 200 mg/kg did not show signs of toxicity or alterations in serum components. Finally, the ethanolic extract from P. angulata significantly reduced neutrophil migration and reduced paw edema in bovine serum albumin-induced the delayed-type hypersensitivity response model. Our results demonstrate the potential of the ethanolic extract of P. angulata as an alternative for the treatment of immune-inflammatory diseases.

Physalis angulata Calyces Modulate Macrophage Polarization and Alleviate Chemically Induced Intestinal Inflammation in Mice

As part of the search for new bioactive plants from the Colombian Caribbean, the dichloromethane fraction of the calyces of Physalis angulata L. (PADF) was selected for its anti-inflammatory activity. In this work, we investigated the immunomodulatory effect of PADF in activated macrophages and during dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. PADF displayed a low content of withanolides or phenolic compounds, and a higher content of sucrose esters, representative anti-inflammatory metabolites of the Physalis genus. The PADF fraction at 12.5 μg/mL prevented the induction of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), IL-6, IL-12, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), while increased the levels of arginase (ARG1), IL-10, and mannose receptor C (MRC1). The polarization towards an anti-inflammatory profile was also observed in resting macrophages, without promoting the typical gene profile induced by IL-4, suggesting that PADF promotes a shift to a regulatory status rather than to an alternative one. In vivo, the administration of PADF to mice with chronic DSS-colitis reduced disease signs (i.e., body weight loss and colon shortening), and improved the histology score by diminishing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing the production of IL-10. Overall, results suggest that the regulatory effect on PADF towards macrophages might contribute to the therapeutic activity observed in the murine model of inflammatory bowel disease.

Transcriptome-wide identification of microRNAs and functional insights inferred from microRNA-target pairs in Physalis angulata L

Physalis angulata L., a member of the family Solanaceae, is widely used as the folk medicine in various countries. Continuous research efforts are devoted to the discovery of the effective medicinal ingredients from Physalis angulata. However, due to the limited resources of genome and transcriptome sequencing data, only a few studies have been performed at the gene regulatory level. In this study, the transcriptomes of five organs (roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits) of Physalis angulata were reported. Based on the transcriptome assembly containing 196,117 unique transcripts, a total of 17,556 SSRs (simple sequence repeats) were identified, which could be useful RNA-based barcoding for discrimination of the plants closely relative to Physalis angulata. Additionally, 24 transcripts were discovered to be the potential microRNA (miRNA) precursors which encode a total of 31 distinct mature miRNAs. Some of these precursors showed organ-specific expression patterns. Target prediction revealed 116 miRNA-target pairs, involving 31 miRNAs and 83 target transcripts in Physalis angulata. Taken together, our results could serve as the data resource for in-depth studies on the molecular regulatory mechanisms related to the production of medicinal ingredients in Physalis angulata.

Cellular target identification of Withangulatin A using fluorescent analogues and subsequent chemical proteomics

Find the target of Withangulatin A with the combination of fluorescent probes and chemical proteomics.

In vitro antileishmanial effects of Physalis angulata root extract on Leishmania infantum

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, we evaluated the effects of the aqueous extract of Physalis angulata root (AEPa) on Leishmania infantum proliferation, morphology, and the driving mechanism in leishmanicidal activity and modulatory action on macrophages.

METHODS

L. infantum promastigotes were treated with 50 and 100 µg/mL AEPa for 72 h and then antipromastigote assay was performed by counts in a Newbauer chamber, morphological changes were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and the mechanism of the leishmanicidal activity was detected. In addition, macrophages were infected with L. infantum and were used to evaluate anti-amastigote activity of AEPa and effects of AEPa on cytokine secretion after 72-hour treatment.

RESULTS

Treatment with AEPa reduced the numbers of L. infantum promastigotes (50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) = 65.9 μg/mL; selectivity index (SI) = 22.1) and amastigotes (IC₅₀ = 37.9 μg/mL; SI = 38.5) compared with the untreated control. Amphotericin B reduced 100% of the promastigote numbers after 72 h of treatment (IC₅₀ = 0.2 μg/mL). AEPa induced several morphological changes and increased the production of reactive oxygen species and apoptotic death in promastigotes after treating for 72 h. AEPa (100 μg/mL) promoted tumor necrosis factor-α secretion in macrophages infected with L. infantum after 72 h of treatment, but did not induce an increase in this cytokine in noninfected macrophages. In addition, AEPa showed no cytotoxic effect on J774-A1 cells (50% cytotoxic concentration >1000 μg/mL).

CONCLUSION

AEPa presented antileishmanial activity against the promastigotes and amastigotes of L. infantum without macrophage cytotoxicity; these results show that natural products such as P. angulata have leishmanicidal potential and in the future may be an alternative treatment for leishmaniasis.

Downregulation of TIGAR sensitizes the antitumor effect of physapubenolide through increasing intracellular ROS levels to trigger apoptosis and autophagosome formation in human breast carcinoma cells

Physapubenolide (PB) is a cytotoxic withanolide isolated from Physalis angulata that was used as a traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, we investigated the role of TIGAR and ROS in PB-induced apoptosis and autophagosome formation in human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. PB induced apoptosis by decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential and elevating the Bax/Bcl-2 protein expression ratio in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. Caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK treatment partly blocked PB induced cytotoxicity, suggesting that apoptosis serves as an important role in the anti-proliferative effect of PB. Meanwhile, PB induced autophagosome formation, as characterized by increased acridine orange-stained positive cells, accumulation of punctate LC3B fluorescence and a greater number of autophagic vacuoles under electron microscopy. Furthermore, PB inhibited autophagic flux as reflected by the overlapping of mCherry and GFP fluorescence when MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with GFP-mCherry-LC3 plasmid. Depletion of LC3B, ATG5 or ATG7 reduced PB-induced cytotoxicity, indicating that autophagosome associated cell death participated in the anti-cancer effect of PB. Moreover, PB-induced apoptosis and autophagosome formation were linked to the generation of intracellular ROS, and pre-treatment with the antioxidant NAC obviously mitigated the effects. Interestingly, PB treatment slightly increased TIGAR expression at low concentrations but decreased TIGAR expression drastically at high concentrations. Downregulation of TIGAR by small interfering RNA augmented low concentrations of PB-induced apoptosis and autophagosome formation, which contributed to the observed anti-cancer effect of PB and were reversed by NAC pre-treatment. Consistently, in MDA-MB-231 or MCF-7 xenograft mouse model, PB suppressed tumor growth through ROS induced apoptosis and autophagosome associated cell death accompanied with the downregulation of TIGAR. Taken together, these results indicate that downregulation of TIGAR increased PB-induced apoptosis and autophagosomes associated cell death through promoting ROS generation in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells.

In vitro biological action of aqueous extract from roots of Physalis angulata against Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis

BACKGROUND

Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by various species of the protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus and transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. The protozoa multiply in phagocytic cells, mainly macrophages, which play an important role defending the organism from pathogens. The most effective treatment for leishmaniasis is the chemotherapy and besides the high cost, these drugs are toxic and require a long period of treatment. Currently, some herbal products are considered an important alternative source of a new leishmanicidal agent, which includes the plant Physalis angulata, . We evaluated effects of an aqueous extract from roots of Physalis angulata (AEPa) on Leishmania proliferation, morphology and also determined whether physalins were present in the extract contributing to the knowledge of its pharmacological efficacy.

METHODS

Morphological alterations were determined by light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Host cell viability was evaluated by MTT, and propidium iodide. AEPa were submitted in full HRESITOF analysis.

RESULTS

AEPa promoted a dose-dependent reduction on promastigotes (IC50 = 39.5 μg/mL ± 5.1) and amastigotes (IC50 = 43.4 μg/mL ± 10.1) growth. This growth inhibition was associated with several morphological alterations observed in promastigote forms. No cytotoxic effect in mammalian cells was detected (IC50 > 4000 μg/mL). Furthemore, the presence of physalins A, B, D, E, F, G and H were described, for the first time, in the P. angulata root.

CONCLUSIONS

Results demonstrate that AEPa effectively promotes antileishmanial activity with several important morphological alterations and has no cytotoxic effects on host cells.

Antinociceptive properties of physalins from Physalis angulata

Pain is the most common reason a patient sees a physician. Nevertheless, the use of typical painkillers is not completely effective in controlling all pain syndromes; therefore further attempts have been made to develop improved analgesic drugs. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antinociceptive properties of physalins B (1), D (2), F (3), and G (4) isolated from Physalis angulata in inflammatory and centrally mediated pain tests in mice. Systemic pretreatment with 1-4 produced dose-related antinociceptive effects on the writhing and formalin tests, traditional screening tools for the assessment of analgesic drugs. On the other hand, only 3 inhibited inflammatory parameters such as hyperalgesia, edema, and local production of TNF-α following induction with complete Freund's adjuvant. Treatment with 1, 3, and 4 produced an antinociceptive effect on the tail flick test, suggesting a centrally mediated antinociception. Reinforcing this idea, 2-4 enhanced the mice latency reaction time during the hot plate test. Mice treated with physalins did not demonstrate motor performance alterations. These results suggest that 1-4 present antinociceptive properties associated with central, but not anti-inflammatory, events and indicate a new pharmacological property of physalins.

Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae): a potential host-plant of stink bugs Edessa meditabunda F. (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae)

Physalis angulata is native to South America. In Brazil is popularly known as camapú, balãozinho, juá-de-capote, bucho-de-rã, camambu, mata-fome, bate-testa and balão-rajado. Even being a species with wide ecological adaptation the studies on pest insects associated with these plants are incipient. Thus, this study reports for the first time the occurrence of stink bugs Edessa meditabunda on plants P. angulata in the Amazon region.

Three new physalins from Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii

Three new physalin steroids, physalin III (1), physalin IV (2), 3-O-methylphysalin X (3), together with five known physalins (4–8) were isolated from the 80% EtOH extract of calyces of Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii. The structures of the new compounds were revealed through 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic studies.

Physalin F induces cell apoptosis in human renal carcinoma cells by targeting NF-kappaB and generating reactive oxygen species

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the molecular mechanisms of physalin F, an effective purified extract of Physalis angulata L. (Solanacae), in renal carcinoma A498 cells.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Physalin F was observed to significantly induce cytotoxicity of three human renal carcinoma A498, ACHN, and UO-31 cells in a concentration-dependent manner; this was especially potent in A498 cells. The physalin F-induced cell apoptosis of A498 cells was characterized by MTT assay, nuclear DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation. Using flow cytometry analysis, physalin F induced A498 cell apoptosis as demonstrated by the accumulation of the sub-G1 phase in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, physalin F-mediated accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused Bcl-2 family proteins, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL degradation, which led to disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol. These effects were associated with induction of caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity, which led to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. However, the antioxidant N-acetyl-_L-cysteine (NAC) and glutathione (GSH) resulted in the inhibition of these events and reversed physalin F-induced cell apoptosis. In addition, physalin F suppressed NF-κB activity and nuclear translocation of p65 and p50, which was reversed by NAC and GSH.

Conclusion

Physalin F induced cell apoptosis through the ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway and suppressed NF-κB activation in human renal cancer A498 cells. Thus, physalin F appears to be a promising anti-cancer agent worthy of further clinical development.

Inhibitory effects of Physalis angulata on tumor metastasis and angiogenesis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELAVENCE: Physalis angulata is well-known in traditional Chinese medicine as a ingredient for various herbal formulation; also, it has been shown to exhibit anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the ability of P. angulata to inhibit tumor metastasis and angiogenesis was investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Anti-proliferative activity of ethyl acetate extracts of P. angulata (PA extracts), was determined against human oral squamous carcinoma (HSC-3) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by trypan blue exclusion method. Wound-healing migration, trans-well invasion, Western blotting and chick chorioallantoic membrane assay were carried out to determine the anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenic effects of PA extracts in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that at sub-cytotoxic concentrations of PA extracts (5-15 μg/mL) markedly inhibited the migration and invasion of highly metastatic HSC-3 cells as shown by wound-healing repair assay and trans-well assay. Gelatin zymography assay showed that PA extracts suppressed the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and -2, and urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA) in HSC-3 cells. In addition, Western blot analysis confirmed that PA extracts significantly decreased MMP-2 and u-PA protein expression in HSC-3 cells. Notably, PA extracts significantly augmented the expression of their endogenous inhibitors, including tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMP-1 and -2), and plasminogen activator inhibitors (PAI-1 and -2). Further investigations revealed that non-cytotoxic concentration of PA extracts (5-15 μg/mL) inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced proliferation, and migration/invasion of HUVECs in vitro. PA extracts also suppressed the activity of MMP-9, but not MMP-2, in HUVECs. Further, we observed, PA extracts strongly suppressed neovessel formation in the chorioallantoic membrane of chick embryos in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

These results strongly support an anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenic activity of P. angulata that may contribute to the development of better chemopreventive agent for cancer and inflammation.

Activity of physalin F in a collagen-induced arthritis model

The effects of physalin F (1), a steroid derivative purified from Physalis angulata, were investigated in models of collagen-induced arthritis in DBA/1 mice and allergic airway inflammation in BALB/c mice. Oral treatment with 1 or dexamethasone caused a marked decrease in paw edema and joint inflammation when compared to vehicle-treated arthritic mice. In contrast, treatment with 1 had no effect in mice with allergic airway inflammation caused by ovalbumin immunization, whereas dexamethasone significantly reduced the number of inflammatory cells and eosinophils in the broncoalveolar lavage fluid and in lung sections of challenged mice. To further demonstrate that 1 acts through a mechanism different from that of glucocorticoids, a nuclear translocation assay was performed of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) using COS-7 cells transfected with a plasmid encoding for a yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-GR fusion protein. Untreated or treated cells with 1 had YFP staining mainly in the cytoplasm, whereas in dexamethasone-treated cells the YFP staining was concentrated in the nuclei. It is concluded that the mechanism of the immunosuppressive activity of physalin F is distinct from that of the glucocorticoids.

Withagulatin A inhibits hepatic stellate cell viability and procollagen I production through Akt and Smad signaling pathways

AIM

To investigate the effects of the natural product Withagulatin A on hepatic stellate cell (HSC) viability and type I procollagen production. The potential mechanism underlying the pharmacological actions was also explored.

METHODS

The effect of Withagulatin A on cell viability was evaluated in HSC and LX-2 cells using a sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed using flow cytometry. Type I procollagen gene expression was determined using real-time PCR. Regulation of signaling molecules by Withagulatin A was detected using Western blotting.

RESULTS

Primary rat HSCs and the human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 treated with Withagulatin A (0.625-20 micromol/L) underwent a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability, which was associated with S phase arrest and the induction of cell apoptosis. In addition, the natural product decreased phosphorylation of the Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway that controls cell proliferation and survival. Furthermore, Withagulatin A (1, 2 mumol/L) inhibited transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) stimulated type I procollagen gene expression, which was attributable to the suppression of TGF-beta stimulated Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylation.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated that Withagulatin A potently inhibited HSC viability and type I procollagen production, thereby implying that this natural product has potential use in the development of anti-fibrogenic reagents for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

In-vitro and in-vivo antitumour activity of physalins B and D from Physalis angulata

We have evaluated the in-vitro and in-vivo antitumour activity of physalin B and physalin D isolated from the aerial parts of Physalis angulata. In-vitro, both compounds displayed considerable cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines, showing IC50 values in the range of 0.58 to 15.18 μg mL−1 for physalin B, and 0.28 to 2.43 μg mL−1 for physalin D. The antitumour activity of both compounds was confirmed in-vivo using mice bearing sarcoma 180 tumour cells. The in-vivo antitumour activity was related to the inhibition of tumour proliferation, as observed by the reduction of Ki67 staining in tumours of treated animals. Histopathological examination of the kidney and liver showed that both organs were affected by physalin treatment, but in a reversible manner. These compounds were probably responsible for the previously described antitumour activity of ethanol extracts of P. angulata, and their identification and characterization presented here could explain the ethnopharmacological use of this species in the treatment of cancer.

Physalis angulata extract exerts anti-inflammatory effects in rats by inhibiting different pathways

Physalis angulata is a popular medicine used in Brazil due to its anti-inflammatory effects, but the pharmacological mechanisms underlying these actions remain to be better understood. In the present work, lyophilized aqueous extract from the roots of Physalis angulata Linneu (AEPa) was used to control the inflammatory response induced by the injection of 1% carrageenan into subcutaneous rat's air pouches. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity, nitrite level, and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) level were used to evaluate the action of inflammatory mediators. Tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) level was used as a bioindicator of immunomodulatory response. Rats were injected with vehicle, indomethacin, or AEPa (0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, and 5 mg/kg i.p.), 1h before carrageenan administration. AEPa at 0.5 mg/kg had no effect. However, 1mg/kg of AEPa showed significant anti-inflammatory effects, decreasing exudate volume, total number of inflammatory cells, ADA activity, nitrite level, and PGE(2) level in 50%, 41%, 20%, 60%, and 41%, respectively. The anti-inflammatory effects of 5 mg/kg AEPa appeared to be more effective than those of 1 mg/kg AEPa (84%, 80%, 43%, 70%, and 75%, respectively). In addition, TGF-beta level was upregulated to 9700 pg/ml after 5mg/kg AEPa, in comparison with 160 pg/ml in the vehicle-treated group, and 137 pg/ml in the indomethacin-treated group. The results indicate that AEPa exerts powerful anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities, interfering with the cyclooxygenase pathway, lymphocyte proliferation, NO, and TGF-beta production.

Toxic Chemical Compounds of the Solanaceae

The Solanaceae is comprised of some 2500 species of cosmopolitan plants, especially native to the American continent. They have great value as food, like the well-known potato, tomato and eggplants, and medicines, like species of Atropa, Withania and Physalis, but many plants of this family are toxic, and sometimes lethal to mammals, in particular to man. Some of them also produce hallucinations and perceptual changes. The toxic species of this family are characterized by the occurrence of a variety of chemical compounds, some of which are responsible for the toxicity and lethality observed after ingestion, while others are suspected to be toxic. In this review, the following toxic compounds belonging to different members of the Solanaceae family are described: Tropane alkaloids ( Atropa, Datura, Hyoscyamus, Mandragora); pyrrolidine and pyrrolic alkaloids ( Nierembergia, Physalis, Solanum); protoalkaloids ( Nierembergia); glycoalkaloids ( Lycopersicon, Solanum); nicotine ( Nicotiana); cardenolides ( Cestrum, Nierembergia); capsaicinoids ( Capsicum); kaurene-type tetracyclic diterpenes ( Cestrum); steroidal glycosides ( Cestrum, Solanum); 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and vitamin D3 ( Cestrum, Solanum, Nierembergia); and withasteroids, withanolides ( Withania), and physalins ( Physalis). Other bioactive chemical constituents of members of this family are sugar esters and lectins. Phenylpropanoids are not included in this paper.

Immune depression in Rhodnius prolixus by seco-steroids, physalins

A comparative study of the effects of physalins, seco-steroidal substances of Physalis angulata (Solanaceae), on the immune reactions of R. prolixus was carried out. Ecdysis and mortality were not affected by treatment with physalins B, D, F or G (1-10 microg/ml of blood meal). R. prolixus larvae fed with blood containing physalins and inoculated with 1 microl of Enterobacter cloacae beta12 (5 x 10(3)/insect) exhibited mortality rates three times higher than controls. The insects treated with physalin B, and F (1 microg/ml) and inoculated with E. cloacae beta12 showed significant differences on lysozyme activity in the hemolymph compared to untreated insects. Furthermore, physalin D (1 microg/ml) significantly reduced the antibacterial activity. Concerning cellular immune reactions, all insects treated with physalins (1 microg/ml), exhibited drastic reductions in the quantity of yeast cell-hemocyte binding and subsequent internalization. Insects inoculated with bacteria and treated with physalins B, F and G showed reductions of microaggregate formation but physalin D did not. Physalins B and F also reduced total hemocyte count in the hemolymph. These results suggest that, in different ways, probably due to their different chemical structures, physalin B, D, F and G are immunomodulatory substances for the bloodsucking insect, R. prolixus.

New leishmanicidal physalins fromPhysalis minima

Two new physalins, 16,24-cyclo-13,14-secoergosta-2-ene-18,26-dioic acid-14 : 17,14 : 27-diepoxy-11beta,13,20,22-tetrahydroxy-5alpha-methoxy-1,15-dioxo-gamma-lactone delta-lactone (1), and 16,24-cyclo-13,14-secoergosta-2-ene-18,26-dioic acid-14 : 17,14 : 27-diepoxy-5alpha,11beta,13,20,22-pentahydroxy-1,6,15-trioxo-gamma-lactone delta-lactone (2), have been isolated from the whole plant of Physalis minima Linn. (var. indica). Their structures were deduced on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Both of these compounds have shown potent leishmanicidal activity against the promastigotes of Leishmania major.

Cytotoxic Withanolides fromPhysalis angulata L

Four new withanolides, physagulins L-O (1-4), were isolated from the MeOH extract of the aerial parts of Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae), together with seven known withanolides, compounds 5-11. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic techniques, including 1H-, 13C-NMR (DEPT), and 2D-NMR (HMBC, HMQC, 1H,1H-COSY, NOESY) experiments, as well as by HR-MS. All eleven compounds were tested for their antiproliferative activities towards human colorectal-carcinoma (HCT-116) and human non-small-cell lung-cancer (NCI-H460) cells. Compound 5 exhibited the highest anticancer activity against the HCT-116 cell line, with an IC50 value of 1.64+/-0.06 microM. Compound 9 exhibited the highest cytotoxicity towards the NCI-H460 cell line, with an IC50 value of 0.43+/-0.02 microM.

Physalis angulata induced G2/M phase arrest in human breast cancer cells

Physalis angulata (PA) is employed in herbal medicine around the world. It is used to treat diabetes, hepatitis, asthma and malaria in Taiwan. We have evaluated PA as a cancer chemopreventive agent in vitro by studying the role of PA in regulation of proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis in human breast cancer cell lines. PA inhibited cell proliferation and induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis in human breast cancer MAD-MB 231 and MCF-7 cell lines. In this study, under treatment with various concentrations of PA in MDA-MB 231 cell line, we checked mRNA levels for cyclin A and cyclin B1 and the protein levels of cyclin A and cyclin B1, Cdc2 (cyclin-dependent kinases), p21(waf1/cip1) and P27(Kip1) (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors), Cdc25C, Chk2 and Wee1 kinase (cyclin-dependent kinase relative factors) in cell cycle G2/M phase. From those results, we determined that PA arrests MDA-MB 231 cells at the G2/M phase by (i) inhibiting synthesis or stability of mRNA and their downstream protein levels of cyclin A and cyclin B1, (ii) increasing p21(waf1/cip1) and P27(kip1) levels, (iii) increasing Chk2, thus causing an increase in Cdc25C phosphorylation/inactivation and inducing a decrease in Cdc2 levels and an increase in Wee1 level. According to the results obtained, PA appears to possess anticarcinogenic properties; these results suggest that the effect of PA on the levels of phosphorylated/inactivated Cdc25C are mediated by Chk2 activation, at least in part, via p21(waf1/cip1) and P27(kip1) cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors pathway to arrest cells at G2/M phase in breast cancer carcinoma cells.

Antinociceptive effect of the aqueous extract obtained from roots of Physalis angulata L. on mice

In this study, we attempted to identify the possible antinociceptive action of aqueous extract (AE) obtained from roots of Physalis angulata, known in Brazil as "Camapu", used to treat various pain-related physiological conditions. The AE of Physalis angulata (10-30 mg/kg) given by i.p. or p.o. route, 0.5 and 1h prior, produced significant inhibition of abdominal constrictions caused by acetic acid, with ID(50) values of 18.5 (17.4-19.8) and 21.5 (18.9-24.4)mg/kg and inhibitions of 83+/-8 and 66+/-5%, respectively. The AE (10-60 mg/kg, i.p.) also caused significant inhibition of the late-phase of formalin-induced pain, with an ID(50) value of 20.8 (18.4-23.4)mg/kg and inhibition of 100%. Treatment of mice with AE (60 mg/kg, i.p.) or with morphine (10mg/kg, i.p.) produced a significant increase of the reaction time in the hot-plate test. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that the AE of Physalis angulata produce marked antinociception against the acetic acid-induced visceral pain and inflammatory pain responses induced by formalin in mice. The mechanism by which the AE produces antinociception still remains unclear. However, pharmacological and chemical studies are continuing in order to characterize the mechanism(s) responsible for the antinociceptive action and also to identify the active principles present in Physalis angulata. Moreover, the antinociceptive action demonstrated in the present study supports, at least partly, the ethnomedical uses of this plant.

Trypanosoma rangeli: Effects of physalin B on the immune reactions of the infected larvae of Rhodnius prolixus

Physalins are seco-steroids obtained from plants of the family Solanaceae. Herein, we tested Physalis angulata L purified physalin B as an immunomodulatory compound in 5th-instar larvae of Rhodnius prolixus, which were systemically infected with the H14 Trypanosoma rangeli strain protozoan. In uninfected insects, the effective concentration of physalin B, which inhibited 50% of the blood ingested (ED(50)) volume, was 15.2+/-1.6 microg/ml of the meal. Ecdysis processes and mortality in uninfected larvae, treated orally with physalin B in concentrations ranging from 1 to 10 microg/ml, was similar to that observed in insects not treated with physalin B. However, R. prolixus larvae previously fed on blood containing 1.0, 0.1, and 0.01 microg of physalin B/ml exhibited mortality rates of 78.1, 54.3, and 12.7%, respectively, 6 days after inoculation of T. rangeli (1 x 10(3) parasites/insect), whereas only 7.2% mortality was observed in the control group, injected with sterile culture medium. The insects treated with physalin B (0.1 microg/ml) and inoculated with T. rangeli did not modify the phenoloxidase (PO) activity and total hemocyte count in the hemolymph. However, physalin B treatment caused a reduction in hemocyte micro-aggregation and nitric oxide production and enhanced the parasitemia in the hemolymph. These results demonstrate that physalin B from P. angulata is a potent immunomodulatory substance for the bloodsucking insect, R. prolixus.

Mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects of the natural secosteroids physalins in a model of intestinal ischaemia and reperfusion injury

Reperfusion of an ischaemic tissue is associated with an intense inflammatory response and inflammation-mediated tissue injury. Physalins, a group of substances with secosteroidal chemical structure, are found in Physalis angulata stems and leaves. Here, we assessed the effects of physalins on the local, remote and systemic injuries following intestinal ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R) in mice and compared with the effects of dexamethasone. Following I/R injury, dexamethasone (10 mg kg(-1)) or physalin B or F markedly prevented neutrophil influx, the increase in vascular permeability in the intestine and the lungs. Maximal inhibition occurred at 20 mg kg(-1). Moreover, there was prevention of haemorrhage in the intestine of reperfused animals. Dexamethasone or physalins effectively suppressed the increase in tissue (intestine and lungs) and serum concentrations of TNF-alpha. Interestingly, treatment with the compounds was associated with enhancement of IL-10. The anti-inflammatory effects of dexamethasone or physalins were reversed by pretreatment with the corticoid receptor antagonist RU486 (25 mg kg(-1)). The drug compounds suppressed steady-state concentrations of corticosterone, but did not alter the reperfusion-associated increase in levels of corticosterone. The IL-10-enhancing effects of the drugs were not altered by RU486. In conclusion, the in vivo anti-inflammatory actions of physalins, natural steroidal compounds, appear to be mostly due to the activation of glucocorticoid receptors. Compounds derived from these natural secosteroids may represent novel therapeutic options for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Physalins B, F and G, seco-steroids purified from Physalis angulata L., inhibit lymphocyte function and allogeneic transplant rejection

Physalis angulata is a solanaceae widely used in folk medicine in various tropical countries in the world. We have previously described that seco-steroids (physalins) purified from P. angulata are potent inhibitors of macrophage activation, blocking the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and LPS-induced lethality. Herein we investigated the immunomodulatory activities of these substances in lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production and in transplantation. The addition of physalins B, F or G to concanavalin A-activated splenocyte cultures induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of proliferation. Physalin B also inhibited IL-2 production by Con A-activated spleen cells. The addition of 2 mug/ml physalin B to mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) caused a 100% inhibition of proliferation. More importantly, treatment of mice with physalin B, F or G prevented the rejection of allogeneic heterotopic heart transplant. Our results demonstrate the suppressive activity of physalins B, F and G in lymphocyte function and indicate the potential use of physalins as immunosuppressive agents for treatments of pathologies in which inhibition of immune responses is desired.

Effect of some medicinal plants on plasma antioxidant system and lipid levels in rats

Several inflammatory diseases are thought to be related to oxidative injury and free oxygen radicals have been proposed as important causative agents of heart disease and aging. To investigate the effects of daily intake of medicinal plants on antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation and lipid profiles in rat, 28 rats were randomly divided into four groups and administered with three plant extracts (0.2 g/kg body weight): Piper cubeba (fruit), Physalis angulata (flower), Rosa hybrida (flower) and with saline as a control. After 3 weeks, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol levels in plasma were measured. The SOD activity of the Piper cubeba group and the catalase activity of the Piper cubeba and Rosa hybrida groups were significantly increased compared with the control group, while the SOD and catalase activities of the Physalis angulata group were not significantly changed (p<0.05). TBARS, a marker of lipid peroxidation, was significantly lower in all experimental groups compeered with the control group. No significant changes occurred in the TG, total- and LDL-cholesterol of all groups, but the HDL-cholesterol of the Physalis angulata group was significantly increased. This study showed that the intake of medicinal plants in rats results in an increase in antioxidant enzyme activity and HDL-cholesterol, and a decrease in malondialdehyde, which may reduce the risk of inflammatory and heart disease.

Antileishmanial Physalins fromPhysalis minima

Three new physalins (1-3) and a new withanolide 7 have been isolated from the whole plant of Physalis minima, along with three known physalins: physalin H (4), isophysalin B (5), and 5beta,6beta-epoxyphysalin B (6). Their structures were deduced on the basis of in-depth spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1-6 showed significant in vitro leishmanicidal activities (0.92-19.4 microg/ml) against promastigotes of Leishmania major.

Antihepatoma activity of Physalis angulata and P. peruviana extracts and their effects on apoptosis in human Hep G2 cells

Physalis angulata and P. peruviana are herbs widely used in folk medicine. In this study, the aqueous and ethanol extracts prepared from the whole plant of these species were evaluated for their antihepatoma activity. Using XTT assay, three human hepatoma cells, namely Hep G2, Hep 3B and PLC/PRF/5 were tested. The results showed that ethanol extract of P. peruviana (EEPP) possessed the lowest IC50 value against the Hep G2 cells. Interestingly, all extracts showed no cytotoxic effect on normal mouse liver cells. Treatment with carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone, a protonophore, caused a reduction of membrane potential (Deltapsim) by mitochondrial membrane depolarization. At high concentrations, EEPP was shown to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through mitochondrial dysfunction as demonstrated by the following observations: (i) EEPP induced the collapse of Deltapsim and the depletion of glutathione content in a dose dependent manner; (ii) pretreatment with the antioxidant (1.0 microg/ml vitamin E) protected cells from EEPP-induced release of ROS; and (iii) at concentrations 10 to 50 microg/ml, EEPP displayed a dose-dependent accumulation of the Sub-G1 peak (hypoploid) and caused G0/G1-phase arrest. Apoptosis was elicited when the cells were treated with 50 microg/ml EEPP as characterized by the appearance of phosphatidylserine on the outer surface of the plasma membrane. The results conclude that EEPP possesses potent antihepatoma activity and its effect on apoptosis is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.

Investigations of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Piper cubeba, Physalis angulata and Rosa hybrida

The anti-inflammatory activities of Piper cubeba (fruit), Physalis angulata (flower) and Rosa hybrida (flower) were determined by carrageenan-induced paw edema, arachidonic acid-induced ear edema and formaldehyde-induced arthritis in mice. The anti-allergic and analgesic activities of these plants were also studied by using 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact hypersensitivity reaction (type IV) and hot plate test in mice, respectively. These plant extracts clearly exhibited inhibitory effects against acute and subacute inflammation by oral administration (200 mg/kg). Also, administration (200 mg/kg, p.o.) of plant extracts for 1 week significantly inhibited type IV allergic reaction in mice (P<0.05). Rosa hybrida showed an analgesic effect against hot plate-induced thermal stimulation at a dose of 200 mg/kg. These results provide support for the use of Rosa hybrida in relieving inflammatory pain, and insight into the development of new agents for treating inflammatory diseases.

Inhibition of macrophage activation and lipopolysaccaride-induced death by seco-steroids purified from Physalis angulata L

Physalis angulata L. is an annual herb widely used in popular medicine for the treatment of a variety of pathologies. Here, we tested immunomodulatory activities of physalins, seco-steroids purified from P. angulata extracts. Addition of physalins B, F or G, but not D, caused a reduction in nitric oxide production by macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccaride and interferon-gamma. In the presence of physalin B, macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccaride, alone or in combination with interferon-gamma, produced lower levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-12. The inhibitory activity of physalin B, unlike that of dexamethasone, was not reversed by RU486 [(4-dimethylamino) phenyl-17beta-hydroxy-17-(1-propynyl)estra-4,9-dien-3-one], an antiglucocorticoid. Physalin B-treated mice had lower levels of serum TNF-alpha than control mice after lipopolysaccaride challenge. More importantly, mice injected with physalins B, F or G survived after a lethal lipopolysaccaride challenge. These results demonstrate that seco-steroids from P. angulata are potent immunomodulatory substances and act through a mechanism distinct from that of dexamethasone.

In vitro antimycobacterial activities of Physalis angulata L

The HIV-tuberculosis co-infection has caused an impact on tuberculosis epidemiology all over the world and the efficacies of the therapeutic schemes traditionally prescribed in the treatment of tuberculosis, such as isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide, have decreased due to the appearance of multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis strains (MDR). This work is part of research on natural antimicrobial agents from plant extracts through bioassay-guided fractionation, by in vitro determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the microdilution method with Alamar blue oxidation-reduction dye. Crude CHCl3 Physalis angulata extracts and physalin-containing fractions displayed antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium malmoense and Mycobacterium intracellulare.