Chemical constituents and coagulation activity of Agastache rugosa

Anti-Amnesic Effect of Agastache rugosa on Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment in Mice

Agastache rugosa, a traditional Asian herbal medicine, is primarily used for digestive problems; yet, its cognitive benefits remain unexplored. This study evaluated the anti-amnesic effects of A. rugosa extract (ARE) on scopolamine (SCO)-induced memory impairment in mice. Mice received 100 or 200 mg/kg ARE orally for 5 days, followed by SCO injection. The ARE demonstrated significant antioxidant (DPPH IC50: 75.3 µg/mL) and anti-inflammatory effects (NO reduction). Furthermore, the ARE significantly improved memory performance in the passive avoidance test (escape latency: 157.2 s vs. 536.9 s), the novel object recognition test (novel object preference: 47.6% vs. 66.3%) and the Morris water maze (time spent in the target quadrant: 30.0% vs. 45.1%). The ARE reduced hippocampal acetylcholinesterase activity (1.8-fold vs. 1.1-fold) while increasing choline acetyltransferase (0.4-fold vs. 1.0-fold) and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtype I (0.3-fold vs. 1.6-fold) expression. The ARE improved hippocampal neurogenesis via doublecortin- (0.4-fold vs. 1.1-fold) and KI-67-positive (6.3 vs. 12.0) cells. Therefore, the ARE exerts protective effects against cognitive decline through cholinergic system modulation and antioxidant activity, supporting its potential use as a cognitive enhancer.

Rapid purification and scale-up of tilianin using counter-current chromatography with rectangular horizontal tubing

In counter-current chromatography (CCC), linear scale-up is an ideal amplification strategy. However, when transferring from analytical to predictable preparative processes with high throughput, linear scale-up would be challenging due to limitations imposed by differences in instrument parameters, such as gravitational forces, tubing cross-section area, tubing length, column volume and flow rate. Some effective scale-up strategies have been studied for different instrument parameters, but so far, these scale-up works have only been tested on standard circular (SC) tubing. The previous research of our group found that rectangular horizontal (RH) tubing can double the separation efficiency compared with conventional SC tubing, and has industrial production potential. This paper used the separation of tilianin from Dracocephalum moldavica L. as an example to demonstrate how to scale up the optimized process from analytical SC tubing to preparative RH tubing. After systematic optimization of solvent systems, sample concentration and flow rate on the analytical CCC, the optimized parameters obtained were successfully transferred to the preparative CCC. The results showed that a crude sample of 2.07 g was successfully separated using a solvent system of n-hexane - ethyl acetate - ethanol - water (1:4:1:5, v/v/v/v) in reversed phase mode, and the three consecutive separations produced a total of 380 mg tilianin in 75 min with high purities of 98.3%, as analyzed by HPLC. The total throughput achieved from the analytical to semi-preparative scale was improved by 138 times (from 12 mg/h to 1.66 g/h), while the column volume was increased by only 46.5 times (from 15.5 mL to 720 mL). This is the successful application of CCC for the separation and purification of tilianin. Given that SC tubing is the traditional configuration for CCC columns, this study is a necessary step to prove the applicability of RH tubing columns for routine use and potential large-scale industrial applications.

A multidimensional strategy for characterization, distinction, and quality control of two Clinopodium medicinal plants

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Clinopodium chinense Kuntze (CC) and Clinopodium polycephalum (Vaniot) C. Y. Wu & S. J. Hsuan (CP) are both included in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (edition 2020) as the legitimate source of "Duan Xue Liu" (DXL), which is a crucial traditional Chinese medicine used as a clinical remedy for bleeding diseases. However, the differences in plant endogenous metabolites and bioactivities between CC and CP are still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to provide a scientific basis to investigate the differences between CC and CP ensuring the efficient and safe use of DXL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A multidimensional strategy including plant metabolomics, digital reference standard (DRS) analyzer, and biological activities assay was creatively constructed for the characterization, distinction, and quality control of CC and CP.

RESULTS

There were apparent differences in the metabolites between CC and CP. 7 compounds contributing to the differences were successfully identified. On that basis, linear calibration using two reference substances (LCTRS) methods was proved as a more accurate and specific quality analysis method for CC and CP. In addition, bioactivity assays showed that both CC and CP exhibited obvious hemostatic activity, while CC showed greater potential to resist inflammation and free radicals.

CONCLUSION

In summary, it was the first time to investigate the chemical constituents and bioactivities differences between CC and CP with the help of plant metabolomics, DRS study, and biological activity assays. These two plants were significantly separated in the integrated analysis, suggesting that we should pay attention to the distinction to prevent unexpected risks caused by medicinal materials.

Shuangshen ningxin formula attenuates cardiac microvascular ischemia/reperfusion injury through improving mitochondrial function

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Shuangshen Ningxin Formula (SSNX) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula used to treat myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). A randomized controlled trial previously showed that SSNX reduced cardiovascular events, and experiments have also verified that SSNX attenuated ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the mechanism of SSNX in the treatment of microvascular I/R injury is still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To determine whether SSNX protects the microvasculature by regulating I/R induction in rats and whether this effect depends on the regulation of NR4A1/Mff/Drp1 pathway.

METHODS

The anterior descending coronary artery was ligated to establish a rat MIRI model with 45 min of ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion. The rats were subjected to a 7-day pretreatment with SSNX and nicorandil, after which their cardiac function and microvascular functional morphology were evaluated through diverse methods, including hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining, and transmission electron microscopy. Cell apoptosis was assessed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Additionally, serum levels of ET-1 and eNOS were determined through an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of NR4A1, Mff, and proteins related to mitochondrial fission were examined by Western blot (WB). Cardiac microcirculation endothelial cells (CMECs) were cultured and the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was duplicated. Following treatment with SSNX and DIM-C-pPhOH, an NR4A1 inhibitor, cell viability was assessed. Fluorescence was used to evaluate mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening. Moreover, vascular endothelial function was evaluated through transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER), Transwell assays and tube formation assays.

RESULTS

The results showed that SSNX reduced the infarction area and no-flow area, improved cardiac function, mitigated pathological alterations, increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression, protected endothelial function, and attenuated microvascular damage after I/R injury. I/R triggered mitochondrial fission and apoptotic signaling in CMECs, while SSNX restored mitochondrial fission to normal levels and inhibited mitochondrial apoptosis. A study using CMECs revealed that SSNX protected endothelial function after OGD/R, attenuating the increase in NR4A1/Mff/Drp1 protein and inactivating VDAC1, HK2, cytochrome c (cyt-c) and caspase-9. Research also shows that SSNX can affect CMEC cell migration and angiogenesis, reduce mitochondrial membrane potential damage, and inhibit membrane opening. Moreover, DIM-C-pPhOH, an NR4A1 inhibitor, partially imitated the effect of SSNX.

CONCLUSION

SSNX has a protective effect on the cardiac microvasculature by inhibiting the NR4A1/Mff/Drp1 pathway both in vivo and in vitro.

Undescribed compounds from Clinopodium chinense (Benth.) O. Kuntze and their coagulation activity studies

Four rare compounds (1-4), including one 1,4-epoxy-benzoxepane derivative and one ringed prenylated naphthoquinoid skeleton, as well as one isopimarane-type diterpenoid and one megastigmane-type glycoside, along with three known megastigmane-type glycosides (5-7) were isolated from the ethanol extracts of C. chinense. Their structures were determined on the basis of 1D, 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS and DP4+ analysis. Meanwhile, the in vitro evaluation indicated that compound 2 and 6 exhibited excellent procoagulant activities, which can significantly shorten prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), respectively.

Effectiveness of silver nitrate application on plant growth and bioactive compounds in Agastache rugosa (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) kuntze

The objective of this study was to determine the optimal dose of silver nitrate (AgNO3) for plant growth and to increase the main bioactive compounds in A. rugosa cultivated in a hydroponic system. The application of soaked diniconazole (120 μmol mol-1) to all plants at 7 days after transplanting (DAT) for dwarfing plant height, optimizing cultivation space in the plant factory. Subsequently, plants were soaked with 50, 100, 200, and 400 μmol mol-1 AgNO3 for 10 min at 25 DAT and harvested at 39 DAT. The results indicated that 200 and 400 μmol mol-1 treatments tended to severely decrease plant growth parameters compared to treatments with lower concentrations. The net photosynthetic rate was significantly reduced by the 200 and 400 μmol mol-1 treatments compared to treatments with other concentrations. The 400 μmol mol-1 treatment led to the lowest concentrations of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll a/b, total carotenoid, chlorophyll b, and the total chlorophyll. However, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was considerably increased in 50, 100, 200, and 400 μmol mol-1 compared to that of the control plants. A higher rosmarinic acid (RA) concentration in the whole plant was noticed with the 400 μmol mol-1 treatment compared with that of the untreated plants. The 100 μmol mol-1 treatment exhibited the highest concentration and content of tilianin in the whole plant. Concentration of acacetin 1 significantly increased in the whole plant with 100 and 200 μmol mol-1 treatments compared with that of the untreated plants. Concentrations of acacetin 2 and 3 in the whole plant were the highest with 100 and 200 μmol mol-1 treatments, respectively. The results demonstrated that 100 μmol mol-1 treatments can be used to increase bioactive compounds without severely limiting the plant growth and reducing chlorophyll concentrations of A. rugosa. Implementing this optimal dose can enable growers and researchers to cultivate A. rugosa more efficiently, enhancing bioactive compound content and overall plant performance, thus harnessing the potential health benefits of this valuable plant species.

Agastache Species: A Comprehensive Review on Phytochemical Composition and Therapeutic Properties

The Agastache genus is part of the Lamiaceae family and is native to North America, while one species, Agastache rugosa (A. rugosa), is native to East Asia. A review on the phytochemistry and bioactivity of Agastache genus was last performed in 2014. Since then, a lot of progress has been made on the characterization of the phytochemical and pharmacological profiles of Agastache species. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to present a summary of the findings on the phytochemistry and biological effects of several Agastache species, including both extracts and essential oil characterization. We performed a comprehensive search using PubMed and Scopus databases, following PRISMA criteria regarding the study selection process. The available data is focused mainly on the description of the chemical composition and bioactivity of A. rugosa, with fewer reports referring to Agastache mexicana (A. mexicana) and Agastache foeniculum (A. foeniculum). Agastache species are characterized by the dominance of flavonoids and phenolic acids, as well as volatile compounds, particularly phenylpropanoids and monoterpenes. Moreover, a series of pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, anti-atherosclerotic, and cardioprotective properties, have been reported for species from the Agastache genus.

Interactive network pharmacology and electrochemical analysis reveals electron transport-mediating characteristics of Chinese medicine formula Jing Guan Fang

Background

Jing Guan Fang (JGF) is an anti-COVID-19 Chinese Medicine decoction comprised of five medicinal herbs to possess anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties for treatment. This study aims to electrochemically decipher the anti-coronavirus activity of JGF and show that microbial fuel cells may serve as a platform for screening efficacious herbal medicines and providing scientific bases for the mechanism of action (MOA) of TCMs.

Methods

Electrochemical techniques (e.g., cyclic voltammetry) and MFCs were adopted as the bioenergy-based platforms to assess the bioenergy-stimulating characteristics of JGF. Phytochemical analysis correlated polyphenolic and flavonoid content with antioxidant activity and bioenergy-stimulating properties. Network pharmacology on the active compounds was employed to identify anti-inflammatory and anti-COVID-19 protein targets, and molecular docking validated in silico results.

Significant findings

This first-attempt results show that JGF possesses significant reversible bioenergy-stimulation (amplification 2.02 ± 0.04) properties suggesting that its antiviral efficacy is both bioenergy-steered and electron mediated. Major flavonoids and flavone glycosides identified by HPLC (e.g., baicalein and baicalin, respectively) possess electron-shuttling (ES) characteristics that allow herbal medicines to treat COVID-19 via (1) reversible scavenging of ROS to lessen inflammation; (2) inhibition of viral proteins; and (3) targeting of immunomodulatory pathways to stimulate the immune response according to network pharmacology.

Polycephalums A and B, New Anticoagulant Constituents Isolated from Clinopodium polycephalum

Two previously undescribed compounds (1 and 2) were isolated from Clinopodium polycephalum, a medicinal plant distributed in southwestern and eastern China. Their structures were elucidated using MS analyses and extensive 2D-homo and heteronuclear NMR data interpretations. Both compounds 1 and 2 could significantly shorten APTT and PT, and their procoagulant effect was comparable to that of positive drugs. At the same time, compound 2 had certain antioxidant activity (IC50 value of 2.25±0.05 μM in ABTS assay).

Effects and mechanism of action of Chrysanthemum morifolium (Jinsi Huangju) on hyperlipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

As a popular healthy tea beverage, Jinsi Huangju has been consumed in China for hundreds of years. However, its active ingredients which dissolved in hot water have not been fully determined. In this study, 14 compounds were identified by different spectroscopic techniques, including 11 compounds identified in this plant for the first time. For in-depth studies, apigenin-7-O-6″-malonylglucoside (8) and luteolin-7-O-6″-malonylglucoside (9) were synthesized for the first time by 5 steps in 1.2% overall yields. Further analyses of the natural compounds showed that 8 could inhibit pancreatic lipase, reduce cellular lipid contents, and attenuate insulin resistance in vitro. Furthermore, 8 restore lipid and inflammatory profiles in the plasma and liver (TG, TC, ALT, AST, LDL-C, HDL-C, MPO, and IL-6) and attenuated hepatic steatosis in NAFLD mouse models. In conclusion, Jinsi Huangju and its active ingredients are candidates for developing drug, functional foods and therapeutic strategies for hyperlipidaemia and NAFLD.

Potent Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activity of Constituents of Agastache rugosa (Fisch. and C.A.Mey.) Kuntze

The aerial parts of Agastache rugosa are used as a food material and traditional medicine in Asia. A 50% ethanol extract exhibited potent xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 32.4 µg/mL). To investigate the major components responsible for this effect, seven known compounds were identified from A. rugosa; among these, salvianolic acid B (2) was isolated from this plant for the first time. Moreover, acacetin (7) exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ value of 0.58 µM, lower than that of allopurinol (IC₅₀ = 4.2 µM), which is commonly used as a XO inhibitor. Comparative activity screening revealed that the C6-bonded monosaccharides (3) or sugars substituted with acetyl or malonyl groups (4-6) are critical for XO inhibition when converted to aglycone (7). The most potent inhibitor (7) in the A. rugosa extract (ARE) exhibited mixed-type inhibition kinetics and reversible inhibition toward XO. Furthermore, the hydrolysis of ARE almost converted to an inhibitor (7), which displayed the highest efficacy; UPLC-qTof MS revealed an increased content, up to five times more compared with that before treatment. This study will contribute to the enhancement in the industrial value of ARE hydrolysates as a functional ingredient and natural drug toward the management of hyperuricemia and treatment of gout.

Changes in Human Electroencephalographic Activity in Response to Agastache rugosa Essential Oil Exposure

Agastache rugosa (Korean mint) is an important medicinal and aromatic plant and its aerial parts have a pleasant fragrance. A. rugosa leaves are used as an ingredient in salads and soups for enhancing the aroma and taste of foods in Korea. However, there is no report on the influence of the aroma of A. rugosa on human psychophysiological activity. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of exposure to the essential oil of Korean A. rugosa on human electroencephalographic (EEG) activity. The essential oil of A. rugosa was isolated using steam distillation extraction and its composition was determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. In the EEG study, 38 healthy volunteers (19 men and 19 women) participated. The EEG readings were analyzed for 25 EEG indices from 29 electrodes placed on the scalp according to the international 10-20 system. The major component in the essential oil of A. rugosa was estragole (89.49%) followed by D-limonene (3.40%), menthone (1.80%), and pulegone (1.86%). In the EEG study, significant decreases in absolute theta (AT) and relative theta (RT) power spectra were observed during the exposure to A. rugosa essential oil when compared to that of no odor exposure. Whereas relative alpha (RA), relative slow alpha (RSA), spectral edge frequency 50% (SEF50), and spectral edge frequency 50% of alpha (ASEF) power spectra values significantly increased. These results reveal that the EEG power spectra changes incurred during the exposure to the essential oil of A. rugosa may be associated with the enhancement of freshness and concentration states of the human brain.

Antithrombotic and antihemolytic effects of Lagerstroemia speciosa (Lythraceae) aqueous extract

Introduction: Aqueous extract of Lagerstroemia speciosa (EALS) (Lythraceae) is widely used to treat diabetes. This plant has been shown an in vitro thrombolytic activity that indicates its potential to prevent the formation of blood clots in vivo. Thus, this study was undertaken to evaluate the antithrombotic and antihemolytic effects of EALS. Methods: Rats of both sexes (200 ± 5 g) were divided into five groups of six animals. Each group received orally distilled water, EALS (250, 500, 1000 mg/kg), and acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/kg) for five days. After treatment, the FeCl3-induced arterial thrombus formation method was used to determine occlusion time. A coagulometer was used to detect activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT). Rabbit blood was used to determine clot lysis activity in vitro and antihemolytic activity using the 2,2-azobis hydrochloride (2-methylpropionamidine) (AAPH) method. Results: EALS increased the occlusion time in a dose-dependent manner. At the dose of 1000 mg/kg, EALS increased the occlusion time significantly, from 4.59 ± 2.45 minutes to 15.52 ± 2.38 minutes (P<0.01). At high concentrations (1-4 mg/mL), EALS showed a significant increase in aPPT and PT (P<0.05). Streptokinase and EALS (4 mg/mL) induced significant clot lysis with percentage values of 78.48 ± 2.2 % and 49.5 ± 1.53 %, respectively (P<0.001). EALS inhibited AAPH-induced hemolysis. Conclusion: EALS exhibited antithrombotic and antihemolytic activities. The antithrombotic property of the plant could be attributed to its anticoagulant and thrombolytic activities. Regular consumption of L. speciosa leaves may prevent or treat thrombotic diseases.

Holistic quality evaluation of commercial Agastache rugosa by multiple chromatographic and chemometric analysis

In present study, a comprehensive strategy integrating multiple chromatographic and chemometric methods to simultaneously characterize the volatile and non-volatile components was developed for the holistic quality evaluation of commercial Agastache rugosa (AR), a common edible and medicinal herb, collected in China. The volatile components and the non-volatile components were characterized by GC-MS and UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS, respectively. And the data were analyzed either independently or integratively by multivariate statistical analysis (MVS) for the quality assessment of commercial samples. The results revealed that the commercial AR samples were different in both the composition and the content of volatile components. However, the compositions of non-volatile components in commercial AR were generally similar, whereas the contents of some components were different. All the results indicated that the holistic quality of commercial AR was inconsistent, and the commercial samples collected could be classified into two main groups, the volatile components were majorly responsible for the classification. Whether or not the holistic quality variations affect the efficacy of AR deserves further investigation.

Comparison of Pulegone and Estragole Chemotypes Provides New Insight Into Volatile Oil Biosynthesis of Agastache rugosa

The aerial parts of Agastache rugosa are rich in essential oils containing monoterpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and aromatic compounds. These are used as herbs, perfume plants, and ornamental plants. Based on the difference in the constituents of the essential oil, A. rugosa is divided into pulegone and estragole chemotypes, but the mechanism of key metabolite biosynthesis in these two A. rugosa chemotypes remains unclear. In this study, we compared the morphological differences, metabolite constituents, and transcriptomic data between the two chemotypes of A. rugosa. Monoterpenoid was the main compound in the pulegone chemotype, and phenylpropanoid was the main compound in the estragole chemotype; however, limonene was detected in both chemotypes. Furthermore, 46 genes related to pulegone and estragole biosynthesis were identified. Limonene synthase, limonene-3-hydroxylase, and isopiperitenol dehydrogenase were upregulated in the pulegone chemotype, while phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, 4-coumarate: CoA ligase, CYP73A, coumaroyl-aldehyde dehydrogenase, and eugenol synthase were downregulated in the pulegone chemotype. We identified chavicol methyl transferase and limonene-3-hydroxylase in A. rugosa. This work not only provides the difference in morphology and metabolites in pulegone and estragole chemotypes, but also offers a molecular mechanism of volatile oil biosynthesis, which could be a basis for specialized metabolites in specialized chemotypes.

Network Pharmacology-Based Analysis of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth Beneficial Effects to Alleviate Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Mice

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth/Huo Xiang (HX) is a perennial herb with unique anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and thus, can positively affect liver function. In this study, we used network pharmacology to predict the potential mechanism of HX on NAFLD. Pharmacological experiments were used to verify the effect of HX on the functions of NAFLD. Network pharmacology identified nine components that interacted with 82 NAFLD-related targets, revealing four target genes: TNF, IL6, TP53, and AKT1. HX prevents the development and progression of NAFLD through different pathways and targets with quercetin-regulated lipid metabolism, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant pathways playing an essential role in the treatment of NAFLD. Compared with feeding HFD, HX significantly attenuated lipid accumulation in vivo with mice and also in vitro with mouse liver cells. A high dose of HX decreased hepatocyte lipid accumulation and the abundance of SREBF1 and FASN. Validation experiments revealed that HX inhibited the activation of NF-κB/IκB signaling and decreased the release and levels of pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6). These data suggest that HX can attenuate abnormal lipid metabolic responses and enhance antioxidant mechanisms. Thus, the pharmacological effects from plants used in traditional Chinese medicine are achievde through a multi-level response.

Chemical Constituents and Coagulation Activity of Amygdalus persica L. Flowers

The ethyl acetate extract of Amygdalus persica L. flowers (family Rosaceae) was fractionated by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and, after recrystallization, oleanolic acid (1), ursolic acid (2), quercetin (3), kaempferol (4), hesperetin (5), naringenin (6), and kaempferol-3- O-glucoside (7) were isolated. Their identities were elucidated by spectral techniques and from their physicochemical properties. Compounds 3-7 were identified from A. persica flowers for the first time. All the compounds were evaluated for their procoagulant activity by determining their activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), and fibrinogen (FIB) in vitro. The coagulation activity results showed that oleanolic acid and ursolic acid could significantly prolong APTT and TT; quercetin could significantly shorten PT and TT; kaempferol and hesperetin could significantly shorten APTT, PT, and TT; and naringenin could significantly shorten APTT, PT, and TT and decrease the content of FIB compared with the blank group. All of the above revealed that quercetin, kaempferol, hesperetin and naringenin possessed significant procoagulant activity, while ursolic acid had anticoagulant activity in vitro.

Pharmacological activities and mechanisms of action of Pogostemon cablin Benth: a review

Patchouli ("Guanghuoxiang") or scientifically known as Pogostemon cablin Benth, belonging to the family Lamiaceae, has been used in traditional Chinse medicine (TCM) since the time of the Eastern Han dynasty. In TCM theory, patchouli can treat colds, nausea, fever, headache, and diarrhea. Various bioactive compounds have been identified in patchouli, including terpenoids, phytosterols, flavonoids, organic acids, lignins, glycosides, alcohols, pyrone, and aldehydes. Among the numerous compounds, patchouli alcohol, β-patchoulene, patchoulene epoxide, pogostone, and pachypodol are of great importance. The pharmacological impacts of these compounds include anti-peptic ulcer effect, antimicrobial effect, anti-oxidative effect, anti-inflammatory effect, effect on ischemia/reperfusion injury, analgesic effect, antitumor effect, antidiabetic effect, anti-hypertensive effect, immunoregulatory effect, and others.For this review, we examined publications from the previous five years collected from PubMed, Web of Science, Springer, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. This review summarizes the recent progress in phytochemistry, pharmacology, and mechanisms of action and provides a reference for future studies focused on clinical applications of this important plant extract.

Pharmacological Effects of Agastache rugosa against Gastritis Using a Network Pharmacology Approach

Agastache rugosa is used as a Korean traditional medicine to treat gastric diseases. However, the active ingredients and pharmacological targets of A. rugosa are unknown. In this study, we aimed to reveal the pharmacological effects of A. rugosa on gastritis by combining a mice model and a network pharmacology method. The macrophage and gastritis-induced models were used to evaluate the pharmacological effects of A. rugosa. The results show that A. rugosa relieved mucosal damage induced by HCl/EtOH in vivo. Network analysis identified 99 components in A. rugosa; six components were selected through systematic screening, and five components were linked to 45 gastritis-related genes. The main components were acacetin and luteolin, and the identified core genes were AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor alpha (NFKBIA), and mitogen-activated protein kinase-3 (MAPK3) etc. in this network. The network of components, target genes, protein–protein interactions, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway was closely connected with chemokines and with phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt (PI3K/AKT), tumor-necrosis-factor alpha (TNFα), mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor kappa B, and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. In conclusion, A. rugosa exerts gastro-protective effects through a multi-compound and multi-pathway regulatory network and holds potential for treating inflammatory gastric diseases.

Acacetin, a flavone with diverse therapeutic potential in cancer, inflammation, infections and other metabolic disorders

BACKGROUND

Acacetin is a di-hydroxy and mono-methoxy flavone present in various plants, including black locust, Damiana, Silver birch. Literature information revealed that acacetin exhibits an array of pharmacological potential including chemopreventive and cytotoxic properties in cancer cell lines, prevents ischemia/reperfusion/myocardial infarction-induced cardiac injury, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium ion (MPP+) and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (MPTP)-induced neuroinflammation, LPS and sepsis-induced lung injury, rheumatoid and collagen-induced arthritis, inhibit the microbial growth, obesity, viral-mediated infections as well as hepatic protection.

PURPOSE

This review highlights the therapeutic potential of acacetin, with updated and comprehensive information on the biological sources, chemistry, and pharmacological properties along with the possible mechanism of action, safety aspects, and future research opportunities.

STUDY DESIGN

The information was retrieved from various search engines, including Pubmed, SciFinder, Science direct, Inxight:drugs, Google scholar, and Meta cyc.

RESULT

The first section of this review focuses on the detailed biological source of acacetin, chromatographic techniques used for isolation, chemical characteristics, the method for the synthesis of acacetin, and the available natural and synthetic derivatives. Subsequently, the pharmacological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-obesity, have been discussed. The pharmacokinetics data and toxicity profile of acacetin are also discussed.

CONCLUSION

Acacetin is a potent molecule reported for its strong anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity, however further scientific evidence is essential to validate its potency in disease models associated with inflammation and cancer. There is limited information available for toxicity profiling of acacetin; therefore, further studies would aid in establishing this natural flavone as a potent candidate for research studies at clinical setup.

Polysaccharide composition of an anticoagulant fraction from the aqueous extract of Marsypianthes chamaedrys (Lamiaceae)

Marsypianthes chamaedrys (Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant popularly used against envenomation by snakebite. Pharmacological studies have shown that extracts of M. chamaedrys have antiophidic, anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties, supporting the ethnopharmacological use. In this study, an aqueous extract of aerial parts of M. chamaedrys showed anticoagulant activity in the activated partial thromboplastin time assay (0.54 IU/mg). The bioassay-guided fractionation using ethanol precipitation and gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-50 and Sephadex G-25 resulted in a water-soluble fraction with increased anticoagulant activity (Fraction F2-A; 2.94 IU/mg). A positive correlation was found between the amount of uronic acids and the anticoagulant potential of the active samples. Chemical and spectroscopic analyses indicated that F2-A contained homogalacturonan, type I rhamnogalacturonan, type II arabinogalactan and α-glucan. UV and FT-IR spectra indicated the possible presence of ferulic acid. Pectic polysaccharides and type II arabinogalactans may be contributing to the anticoagulant activity of the aqueous extract of M. chamaedrys in the APTT assay.

In vivo assessment of anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects of Syzygium cumini leaves extract in rabbits

Background

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels. is one of the very popular traditionally used medicinal plants with numerous pharmacological activities including antioxidant, hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory. However, actions of S. cumini on blood coagulation and other parameters of blood were poorly pharmacologically studied. Therefore, aim of this present investigation is to examine the effects of methanolic extract of S. cumini on blood coagulation and anticoagulation factors in healthy white albino rabbits at different doses.

Methods

Blood samples were drawn twice during this study and biochemical assays were performed to determine the effect on different parameters such as coagulation, anticoagulation, hematological, Protein C (PC) and thrombin antithrombin (TAT) complex and platelet aggregation.

Results

The results showed significant increase in RBCs, hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelets counts up to 1.4 × 10³/cm, 2.2 g/dl, 6%, 248.2 × 10³/cm respectively. While, thrombin and bleeding time were also prolonged in dose dependent manner which is highly significant (p ≤ 0.005) as compared to control. Similarly, highly significantly increased (p ≤ 0.005) in levels of protein C, thrombin antithrombin complex at dose of 500 mg/kg were observed. Whereas, levels of platelets aggregation and fibrinogen were decreased at high doses.

Conclusion

The obtained findings of hematological and coagulation tests concludes possibly S. cumini possess anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects.

Chemical constituents and coagulation activity of Syringa oblata Lindl flowers

The leaves and bark of Syringa oblata Lindl are used as folk medicine which has heat-clearing, detoxifying, dampness-removing and jaundice-relieving effects. There are many studies about leaves of S. oblata because of its abundant resource, however, less reports about the components of S. oblata flowers. The previous studies on S. oblate flowers were mainly focused on the volatile components and its traditional pharmacological activity. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the nonvolatile chemical constituents and the coagulation activity of S. oblate flowers. The chemical constituents of S. oblate flowers were isolated with various column chromatographies and coagulation activity of the major constituents was investigated by assaying the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen (FIB) on plasma of rabbit in vitro. Fifteen known compounds (namely compound 1-15) were isolated from S. oblata flowers. Compound 6, 10, 11 and 14 were isolated from Syringa genus for the first time. Compound 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and 9 were isolated from the plant for the first time. The results of coagulation activity showed that water part of S. oblate flowers, lauric acid and kaempferol-rutinose significantly shorten PT (P < 0.001), TT (P < 0.001) and APTT (P < 0.001) compared with blank group, thus revealed that water extract of S. oblate flowers, lauric acid and kaempferol-rutinose possessed the procoagulant activity, but the effects were not better than that of Yunnan Baiyao as positive control.

Coagulatory active constituents of Malus pumila Mill. flowers

Background

The flowers of Malus pumila Mill (Rosaceae) is rich in resources, but lack of medicinal value research. Chemical constituents of the same family M. pumila have coagulatory activity. Considering the coagulatory activity could be beneficial for various cardiovascular diseases, the aim of this study is to evaluate coagulatory active constituents of M. pumila flowers.

Methods

Chemical constituents of M. pumila flowers were isolated by various column chromatographies, and their coagulatory activity were evaluated by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen (FIB) in vitro.

Results

Nine compounds were isolated from M. pumila flowers, and identified as kaempferol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), kaempferol-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), kaempferol-3-O-α-l-arabinofuranoside (3), phloridzin (4), kaempferol (5), phloretin (6), β-sitosterol (7), lupeol (8) and pyracanthoside (9). Compounds 1–9 were isolated from the flowers for the first time, compounds 1, 2 and 9 were isolated from the genus for the first time. Compound 2 could significantly shorten APTT, TT and PT, but significantly decrease the content of FIB. Compound 3 could shorten PT. Compound 4 could significantly shorten TT and PT, but significantly decrease the content of FIB. Compound 5 shortened APTT. Compound 6 and 7 could significantly shorten APTT and PT. Compound 9 was able to prolong TT and decrease the content of FIB, but shorten PT.

Conclusions

Compounds 2–7 possessed significant procoagulant activity in vitro, compound 9 had anticoagulant activity in vitro, which showed coagulation potential of compounds from M. pumila flowers, as a new source of bioactive molecules for therapeutic purposes.