Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities of Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less.: An Updated Review

Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less. is a perennial herbaceous plant found mainly in tropical areas, particularly in Southeast Asia, South America, and India. Various parts of V. cinerea have traditionally been used in folk medicine to treat several diseases, such as malaria, fever, and liver diseases. V. cinerea has so far yielded about 92 secondary metabolites. The majority of these are sesquiterpene lactones, but triterpenes, flavonoids, steroids, phenolics, and other compounds are present as well. V. cinerea crude extracts reportedly exhibit anti-inflammatory, antiprotozoal, antidiabetic, anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and renoprotective activities. This study aims to provide the latest up-to-date information on the botanical characterization, distribution, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activity of V. cinerea. Information on V. cinerea was thoroughly reviewed. The literature published between 1950 and 2024 was compiled through online bibliographic databases, including SciFinder, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Springer Link, Wiley, and the MDPI online library. The keywords used for the literature search included Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less. and the synonyms Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H.Rob., Conyza cinerea L., and various others.

Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the complete chloroplast genome of Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H. Rob

Cyanthillium cinereum is a member of the tribe Vernonieae from the family Compositae. The tribe was traditionally placed in the subfamily Cichorioideae, but is recently proposed to be placed in its own subfamily Vernonioideae. The complete chloroplast genome (cp genome) of the genus Cyanthillium is sequenced for the first time. The cp genome of C. cinereum is 152,750 bp in length. It contained a large single copy (LSC) region (83,871 bp), and small single copy (SSC) region (18,487 bp), and two inverted repeats (IRs, 25,196 bp). Phylogenetic analysis of 20 species was conducted. C. cinereum and Gymnanthemum amygdalinum which are members of tribe Vernonieae nested outside of the monophyletic clade formed by members of subfamily Cichorioideae. The findings would be useful to understand the phylogeny of the genus Cyanthillium and the subfamily Vernonioideae.

Natural products modulating interleukins and other inflammatory mediators in tumor-bearing animals: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by abnormal cell growth and proliferation. Natural products are a potentially important source for bioactive phytochemicals in the management of cancer, which regulate a broad range of biological events via the modulation of interleukins (ILs), pro- and anti-inflammatory modulators, and other cancer hallmark-mediated signaling pathways.

PURPOSE

To systematically review the literature to identify in vivo studies investigating the anticancer properties of medicinal plants and natural molecules as modulators of ILs and their related pro- and anti-inflammatory signaling markers in tumor-bearing animals.

METHODS

Articles published in English were searched, without any constraint in respect of countries. The electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were used for the literature search for studies published between January 2010 and January 2022. The search terms used included medicinal plants, anticancer, antineoplasic agent, ILs, cytokine, and their combinations. A manual search to detect any articles not found in the databases was also made. The identified studies were then critically reviewed and relevant data were extracted and summarized.

RESULTS

Natural products were found to modulate ILs, including IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, IL-23, and IL-12, and interferon gamma; increase tissue inhibitor metalloprotease; decrease vascular endothelial growth factor, tumor necrosis factor alpha, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and nuclear factor kappa B; augment immunity by increasing the major histocompatibility complexes II and CD4+, cluster of differentiation 8 + T cell and class II trans-activator expression; and heighten the action of antioxidant enzymes, which are involved in the detoxification of free radicals and reactive oxygen species.

CONCLUSION

Natural products discussed in this review show great potential to regulate ILs and weaken associated pro- and anti-inflammatory signaling markers in tumor-bearing animals. Flavonoids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, alkaloids and tannins are important phytochemicals in the modulation of ILs, especially pro-inflammatory ones. However, in terms of future research, the importance of clinical trials to investigate their beneficial properties should be warranted.

Differentiation of Cyanthillium cinereum, a smoking cessation herb, from its adulterant Emilia sonchifolia using macroscopic and microscopic examination, HPTLC profiles and DNA barcodes

Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H.Rob. is one of the most popular herbal smoking cessation aids currently used in Thailand, and its adulteration with Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. is often found in the herbal market. Therefore, the quality of the raw material must be considered. This work aimed to integrate macro- and microscopic, chemical and genetic authentication strategies to differentiate C. cinereum raw material from its adulterant. Different morphological features between C. cinereum and E. sonchifolia were simply recognized at the leaf base. For microscopic characteristics, trichome and pappus features were different between the two plants. HPTLC profiles showed a distinct band that could be used to unambiguously differentiate C. cinereum from E. sonchifolia. Four triterpenoid compounds, β-amyrin, taraxasterol, lupeol, and betulin, were identified from the distinct HPTLC band of C. cinereum. The use of core DNA barcode regions; rbcL, matK, ITS and psbA-trnH provided species-level resolution to differentiate the two plants. Taken together, the integration of macroscopic and microscopic characterization, phytochemical analysis by HPTLC and DNA barcoding distinguished C. cinereum from E. sonchifolia. The signatures of C. cinereum obtained here can help manufacturers to increase the quality control of C. cinereum raw material in commercialized smoking cessation products.

Identification of luteolin -7-glucoside and epicatechin gallate from Vernonia cinerea, as novel EGFR L858R kinase inhibitors against lung cancer: Docking and simulation-based study

Lung cancer ranks number one among the all cancer types in the world, out of which 85% are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In case of NSCLC, a substitution mutation of Leu 858 Arg (L858R) in the gene of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) has been reported. Hence, targeting EGFR containing L858R mutation using inhibitors is well reported strategy to discover potential drugs against NSCLC. The present work aims to identify the potent inhibitors against EGFR L858R from Vernonia cinerea plant. A library of 45 phytochemicals was subjected to virtual screening using rigid and flexible docking. 12 potential phytochemicals were screened by molecular docking with high binding energy (between -8.0 and -9.7 kcal mol^-1). Two compounds viz., luteolin -7-glucoside and epicatechin gallate showed interaction with Met793 of EGFR-L858R which was similar to the reference inhibitor PD168393. To analyze the stability of the luteolin -7-glucoside and epicatechin gallate with EGFR L858R, molecular dynamics simulations were conducted in explicit water conditions using 60 nanosecond. The results of hydrogen bonding patterns, radius of gyration, deviations in conformational elements, fluctuations in the residual components, and solvent accessible surface area revealed better stability of luteolin -7-glucoside and epicatechin gallate with EGFR-L858R as compared to PD168393. Therefore, we conclude that luteolin -7-glucoside and epicatechin gallate have excellent inhibition properties thus they can be used further to develop effective drugs against lung cancer having EGFR-L858R mutation.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Vernonia cinerea water extract improves insulin resistance in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Vernonia cinerea (V cinerea) is a plant distributed in grassy areas in Southeast Asia and has several pharmacological effects, including antidiabetic activity. However, the information available regarding the effect of V cinerea on insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice is not yet determined. We hypothesized that V cinerea water extract (VC) improves insulin sensitivity in HFD-induced obese mice by modulating both phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathways in liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. Obesity was induced in mice from the Institute for Cancer Research by feeding an HFD 188.28 kJ (45 kcal % lard fat) for 12 weeks. During the last 6 weeks of the HFD, obese mice were treated with VC (250 and 500 mg/kg). We found that VC at both doses significantly reduced the hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia, and hyperlipidemia. Obese mice treated with VC could increase serum adiponectin but reduce the proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The extracts decreased triglyceride storage in liver and skeletal muscle of obese mice. The average size of fat cells was smaller in VC-treated groups than that of the HFD group. The protein expressions of PI3K and AMPK pathways in liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue were upregulated (increased phosphorylation of PI3K, protein kinase B, AMPK, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase) by VC treatment. Furthermore, the glucose transporter 4 was increased in muscle and adipose tissue in obese mice treated with VC. These data indicate that VC treatment stimulates phosphorylation of PI3K and AMPK pathways in liver, muscle, and adipose tissue. Stimulating these pathways may improve impaired glucose and lipid homeostasis in an HFD-induced obesity mouse model. Based on these findings, it appears that VC has potential as a functional food or therapeutic agent in management of insulin resistance related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Evaluation of Fluorine-18-Labeled α1(I)-N-Telopeptide Analogs as Substrate-Based Radiotracers for PET Imaging of Melanoma-Associated Lysyl Oxidase

Accumulating evidence suggests an unequivocal role of lysyl oxidases as key players of tumor progression and metastasis, which renders this enzyme family highly attractive for targeted non-invasive functional imaging of tumors. Considering their function in matrix remodeling, malignant melanoma appears as particularly interesting neoplasia in this respect. For the development of radiotracers that enable PET imaging of the melanoma-associated lysyl oxidase activity, substrates derived from the type I collagen α1 N-telopeptide were labeled with fluorine-18 using N-succinimidyl 4-[¹⁸F]fluorobenzoate ([¹⁸F]SFB) as prosthetic reagent. With regards to potential crosslinking to tumor-associated collagen in vivo, their interaction with triple-helical type I collagen was studied by SPR. A mouse model of human melanoma was established on the basis of the A375 cell line, for which the expression of the oncologically relevant lysyl oxidase isoforms LOX and LOXL2 was demonstrated in Western blot and immunohistochemical experiments. The radiopharmacological profiles of the peptidic radiotracers were evaluated in normal rats and A375 melanoma-bearing mice by ex vivo metabolite analysis, whole-body biodistribution studies and dynamic PET imaging. Out of three ¹⁸F-labeled telopeptide analogs, the one with the most favorable substrate properties has shown favorable tumor uptake and tumor-to-muscle ratio. Lysyl oxidase-mediated tumor uptake was proven by pharmacological inhibition using β-aminopropionitrile and by employing negative-control analogs of impeded or abolished targeting capability. The latter were obtained by substituting the lysine residue by ornithine and norleucine, respectively. Comparing the tumor uptake of the lysine-containing peptide with that of the non-functional analogs indicate the feasibility of lysyl oxidase imaging in melanoma using substrate-based radiotracers.

Understanding cancer and its treatment in Thai traditional medicine: An ethnopharmacological-anthropological investigation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Thai traditional medicine (TTM) is widely practiced in Thailand and continues to gain importance in cancer management, but little is known about the TTM practitioners' emic concepts and practice.

AIM OF THE STUDY

With this study we firstly aim to document the practice of cancer treatment and prevention by TTM practitioners and, secondly, to evaluate how such traditional concepts and practices are correlated with biomedical ones. This in turn can form the basis for developing novel strategies for designing pharmacological experiments and longer term strategies to develop TTM practice.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews with 33 TTM practitioners were performed in five provinces in different regions of Thailand. The following information were recorded; basic information of informants, descriptions of cancer (mareng in Thai), causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Plants used in the treatment and prevention of mareng were also collected.

RESULTS

Using an in depth ethnographic approach four representative case studies to assist in a better understanding of the characteristics of mareng, its diagnosis, treatment, and prevention are reported here. Five characteristics of mareng - waste accumulation (khong sia), chronic illnesses (krasai), inflammation (kan aksep), bad blood (luead) and lymph (namlueang), and the imbalance of four basic elements (dhātu si) - have been identified. Explanatory models of cancer in TTM were linked with biomedical concepts and relevant pharmacological actions. Traditional uses and available scientific evidence of medicinal plants mentioned in the case studies for the treatment or prevention of mareng are presented and discussed.

CONCLUSION

Here for the first time five main characteristics of cancer based on Thai traditional medical concepts are analysed. Our findings are relevant not only for the planning of clinical studies or pharmacological experiment in the search for novel compounds for cancer treatment and prevention, but also for the integration of Thai traditional medicine in cancer care.

Effects of Vernonia cinerea Compounds on Drug-metabolizing Cytochrome P450s in Human Liver Microsomes

Vernonia cinerea has been widely used in traditional medicines for various diseases and shown to aid in smoking abstinence and has anticancer properties. V. cinerea bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and hirsutinolide-type sesquiterpene lactones, have shown an inhibition effect on the nicotine-metabolizing cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) enzyme and hirsutinolides reported suppressing cancer growth. In this study, V. cinerea ethanol extract and its bioactive compounds, including four flavonoids and four hirsutinolides, were investigated for an inhibitory effect on human liver microsomal CYPs 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4 using cocktail inhibition assays combined with LC-MS/MS analysis. Among tested flavonoids, chrysoeriol was more potent in inhibition on CYP2A6 and CYP1A2 than other liver CYPs, with better binding efficiency toward CYP2A6 than CYP1A2 (K_i values in competitive mode of 1.93 ± 0.05 versus 3.39 ± 0.21 μM, respectively). Hirsutinolides were prominent inhibitors of CYP2A6 and CYP2D6, with IC₅₀ values of 12-23 and 15-41 μM, respectively. These hirsutinolides demonstrated time-dependent inhibition, an indication of mechanism-based inactivation, toward CYP2A6. Quantitative prediction of microsomal metabolism of these flavonoids and hirsutinolides, including half-lives and hepatic clearance rate, was examined. These findings may have implications for further in vivo studies of V. cinerea. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Inhibition of human cytochromes P450 2A6 and 2A13 by flavonoids, acetylenic thiophenes and sesquiterpene lactones from Pluchea indica and Vernonia cinerea

The human liver cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2A6 and the respiratory CYP2A13 enzymes play role in nicotine metabolism and activation of tobacco-specific nitrosamine carcinogens. Inhibition of both enzymes could offer a strategy for smoking abstinence and decreased risks of respiratory diseases and lung cancer. In this study, activity-guided isolation identified four flavonoids 1–4 (apigenin, luteolin, chrysoeriol, quercetin) from Vernonia cinerea and Pluchea indica, four hirsutinolide-type sesquiterpene lactones 5–8 from V. cinerea, and acetylenic thiophenes 9–11 from P. indica that inhibited CYP2A6- and CYP2A13-mediated coumarin 7-hydroxylation. Flavonoids were most effective in inhibition against CYP2A6 and CYP2A13, followed by thiophenes, and hirsutinolides. Hirsutinolides and thiophenes exhibited mechanism-based inhibition and in irreversible mode against both enzymes. The inactivation kinetic K_I values of hirsutinolides against CYP2A6 and CYP2A13 were 5.32–15.4 and 0.92–8.67 µM, respectively, while those of thiophenes were 0.11–1.01 and 0.67–0.97 µM, respectively.

Matrix metalloproteinase enzymes and their naturally derived inhibitors: novel targets in photocarcinoma therapy

The continuous exposure of skin to ultraviolet radiations generates reactive oxygen species leading to photoaging in which degradation of dermal collagen and degeneration of elastic fibers occurs. Matrix metalloproteinase [MMP] enzymes are the proteolytic enzymes which have significant potentiality of cleaving extracellular matrix [ECM] against Ultraviolet [UV] radiation. The important MMPs are MMP1, MMP2 and MMP7 which promote skin cancer when irradiated by UV rays. In lieu of this, the investigation of MMPs and their inhibitors are constantly being studied for successive results. Recent researches have focused on some traditionally used bioactive moieties as natural matrix metalloproteinases inhibitors (MMPIs) and emphasized on the need of more extensive and specific studies on MMPIs, so that a good combination of natural or synthetic MMPIs with the conventional drugs can be evolved for cancer chemotherapy. In this review, we discuss the current view on the feasibility of MMPs as targets for therapeutic intervention in cancer. This review also summarizes the role of small molecular weight natural MMPIs and a clinical update of those natural MMPIs that are under clinical trial stage.

HPLC Analysis and Cytotoxic Activity of Vernonia Cinerea

The extracts of five Cambodian medicinal plants ( Aganosma marginata, Dracaena cambodiana, Harrisonia perforata, Hymenodictyon excelsum and Vernonia cinerea) were evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxic activity against HT29 colon adenocarcinoma cells and HepG2 hepatoma cells, using the MTT assay. Among these five plants, Vernonia cinerea displayed potent cytotoxicity. One main sesquiterpene lactone, 8α-tigloyloxy-hirsutinolide-13- O-acetate was isolated from the whole plant of V. cinerea. This compound was active against both cancer cell lines (IC50 = 3.50 μM for HT29 and IC50 = 4.27 μM for HepG2). To quantify this compound in the plant, an analytical high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and validated.

Identification, quantification of bioactive constituents, evaluation of antioxidant and in vivo acute toxicity property from the methanol extract of Vernonia cinerea leaf extract

CONTEXT

Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less [Compositae (Asteraceae)] is used traditionally for several medical purposes such as inflammation, pain, fever, and cancer.

OBJECTIVES

The present study identified the bioactive constituents in the methanol extract of Vernonia cinerea leaf and evaluated its antioxidant activity and acute toxicity.

METHODS

The identification of phytochemicals was accomplished by GC-MS and the major antioxidant phenolic compounds in the extract were quantified by HPTLC analysis. To quantify the essential elements, atomic absorption spectrophotometeric analysis was carried out. Total phenol and flavonoid content was measured by Folin-Ciocalteau reagent and 2% aluminium chloride, respectively.

RESULTS

GC-MS analysis identified the presence of 27 phytoconstituents. The predominant phenolic compound in the extract as quantified by HPTLC was gallic acid (1.92 mg/g) followed by rutin (0.705 mg/g), quercetin (0.173 mg/g), caffeic acid (0.082 mg/g) and ferulic acid (0.033 mg/g). The following elements were quantified: Fe (0.050 ppm), Mn (0.022 ppm), Co (0.0180 ppm), Pb (0.029 ppm), Hg (3.885 ppm) and Se (4.5240 ppm). The antioxidant activity of the extract increased with increasing concentration and the correlation (r²) for all in vitro assays were satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONS

V. cinerea extract has significant (p < 0.05) antiradical activity. Hence, V. cinerea may have potential medicinal value and can be used in the formulation of pharmacological products for degenerative diseases.