Antiallergic, anthelmintic and cytotoxic potentials of dried aerial parts of Acanthus ilicifolius L

Supplementation of syringic acid-rich Phrynium pubinerve leaves imparts protection against allergic inflammatory responses by downregulating iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB expressions

Background

The present study was designed to characterize the role of ethanolic leaf extract of Phrynium pubinerve Blume (EPP) supplement in attenuating allergic inflammation, encouraged by the presence of syringic acid in it, as this phenolic acid is reportedly promising in suppressing serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and inflammatory cytokine levels.

Materials and methods

HPLC-DAD dereplication analysis was performed to determine the presence of the vital polyphenolic metabolites. The efficacy of EPP against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells was evaluated by measuring its inhibitory effects on NO and ROS/RNS production. The expressions of major inflammation-associated molecules (iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α) in RAW 264.7 cells were assessed through Western blot. Physiological and behavioral changes, BMI, and different biochemical parameters in mice blood serum were investigated in the toxicological assays. Formaldehyde-induced paw edema test in mice was conducted using established animal model. TDI-induced allergic model in mice was carried out to determine different allergy-like symptoms, and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. The intermolecular interaction analysis of the identified major metabolite of EPP with H1R and iNOS was studied by molecular docking.

Results

HPLC-DAD analysis showed the presence of syringic acid (89.19 mg/100 g EPP) and a few other compounds. LPS-induced NO generation was reduced by EPP in a concentration-dependent manner, showing IC₅₀ of 28.20 ± 0.27 μg/mL. EPP exhibited a similar inhibitory effect on ROS/RNS production with IC₅₀ of 29.47 ± 2.19 μg/mL. Western blotting revealed that EPP significantly downregulated the expressions of iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α in RAW 264.7 cells when challenged with LPS. The toxicological assays confirmed the dosage and organ-specific safety of EPP. In the formaldehyde-induced paw edema test, EPP caused a 66.41% reduction in mice paw volume at 500 mg/kg dose. It ameliorated TDI-induced allergy-like symptoms and decreased different inflammatory WBCs in mice's blood and BAL fluid in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, syringic acid demonstrated mentionable intermolecular binding affinity towards H1R (-6.6 Kcal/moL) and iNOS (-6.7 Kcal/moL).

Conclusions

Collectively, considerable scientific reasoning was obtained in favor of the suppressive potential of EPP against allergic inflammatory responses that are proposed to be exerted via the downregulation of iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB expressions, H1R antagonism and suppression of cytokines, such as IL-6, and TNF-α.

Toxicological screening and evaluation of anti-allergic and anti-hyperglycemic potential of Sonneratia caseolaris (L.) Engl. fruits

Background

Sonneratia caseolaris (L.) Engl. (S. caseolaris) belonging to the Sonneratiaceae family is commonly known as Ora. It is traditionally used as an astringent, antiseptic, to treat sprains, swellings, cough and in arresting hemorrhage. The ethanolic extract of S. caseolaris (L.) Engl. fruits was investigated in the present study for its toxicity as well as anti-allergic and anti-hyperglycemic potentials.

Methods

Major phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by HPLC. Behavioral change, body weight, mortality and different blood parameters were measured to assess the toxicological effect of the extract. Anti-allergic activity was evaluated using TDI-induced allergic model mice. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and STZ-induced diabetic mice were used to evaluate the anti-hyperglycemic activity.

Results

Crude extract contained ellagic acid, vanillic acid and myrecitin (27.41, 3.06 and 7.93 mg per 100 g dry extract respectively). No major toxicity was observed in both acute and sub-acute toxicity study. Oral administration of the extract significantly ameliorated TDI-induced allergic symptoms like sneezing, scratching, swelling, redness and watery rhinorrhoea in the experimental mice. The extracts also reduced the total and differential count of leukocytes in the blood. The extract treated mice showed significant reduction in blood glucose, SGOT, SGPT, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine and bilirubin level.

Conclusions

S. caseolaris contains bioactive phytoconstituents which may be the possible precursors to isolate and characterize the novel compounds targeting the diseases like allergy and diabetes.

Analysis of Unusual Sulfated Constituents and Anti-infective Properties of Two Indonesian Mangroves, Lumnitzera littorea and Lumnitzera racemosa (Combretaceae)

Lumnitzera littorea and Lumnitzera racemosa are mangrove species distributed widely along the Indonesian coasts. Besides their ecological importance, both are of interest owing to their wealth of natural products, some of which constitute potential sources for medicinal applications. We aimed to discover and characterize new anti-infective compounds, based on population-level sampling of both species from across the Indonesian Archipelago. Root metabolites were investigated by TLC, hyphenated LC-MS/MS and isolation, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was used for genetic characterization. Phytochemical characterization of both species revealed an unusual diversity in sulfated constituents with 3,3’,4’-tri-O-methyl-ellagic acid 4-sulfate representing the major compound in most samples. None of these compounds was previously reported for mangroves. Chemophenetic comparison of L. racemosa populations from different localities provided evolutionary information, as supported by molecular phylogenetic evidence. Samples of both species from particular locations exhibited anti-bacterial potential (Southern Nias Island and East Java against Gram-negative bacteria, Halmahera and Ternate Island against Gram-positive bacteria). In conclusion, Lumnitzera roots from natural mangrove stands represent a promising source for sulfated ellagic acid derivatives and further sulfur containing plant metabolites with potential human health benefits.

Effects of Alcoholic Extracts of Bangladeshi Mangrove Acanthus ilicifolius Linn. (Acanthaceae) Leaf and Stem on Atherogenic Model of Wistar Albino Rats

Acanthus ilicifolius Linn. (Acanthaceae) is a popular mangrove ethnomedicinal plant that cures several ailments, including asthma, diabetes, cancer, and many others. Our experiment was aimed at evaluating the anti-atherogenic effect of A. ilicifolius (leaf and stem) on a high-fat diet-induced atherogenic rat model. Atherosclerosis was developed in 12 weeks. Treatment with the standard drug (3 mg/kg b.w./day, p.o. of Simvastatin), separate doses of methanolic and ethanolic extracts of A. ilicifolius leaf (250 and 500 mg/kg b.w./day, p.o.), and stem (200 and 400 mg/kg b.w./day, p.o.) was subsequently conducted for additional 15 days. The anti-atherogenic effect was evaluated by estimating the change in body weight, systolic blood pressure, and lipid profile. Histopathology of aorta, liver, and kidney of atherogenic models was done for further evaluation. The antioxidant effect of different extracts was performed via DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay using ascorbic acid as standard. The anticoagulant effect was determined after 15 days of treatment with the same doses of the plant extracts and the standard Warfarin (2 mg/kg b.w./day, p.o.). When compared with atherogenic control, treatment with A. ilicifolius significantly reduced (p < 0.01) body weight, systolic blood pressure, and serum lipid levels while it elevated HDL (high-density lipoprotein) level in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, bleeding and clotting time was significantly decreased (p < 0.01) under the treatment of plant extracts. The histopathological data showed considerable improvement in tissue morphology after treatment. Our study evidenced that the alcoholic extracts of A. ilicifolius leaf and stem have anti-atherogenic properties and may be recommended as a potential herbal remedy for preventing cardiovascular diseases.

Anti-Allergic Rhinitis Effects of Medicinal Plants and Their Bioactive Metabolites via Suppression of the Immune System: A Mechanistic Review

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common inflammatory condition of the nasal mucosa and it is an immunoglobulin E-mediated disease. The incidence and prevalence of AR globally have been escalating over recent years. Antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroids, decongestants, intranasal anticholinergics, intranasal cromolyn, leukotriene receptor antagonists and immunotherapy have been used in the treatment of AR. However, there is a need to search for more effective and safer remedies as many of the current treatments have reported side effects. Medicinal plants have been used traditionally to relief symptoms of AR but their efficacy and safety have not been scientifically proven. In this review, up-to-date reports of studies on the anti-allergic rhinitis of several medicinal plants and their bioactive metabolites through suppression of the immune system are compiled and critically analyzed. The plant samples were reported to suppress the productions of immunoglobulin E, cytokines and eosinophils and inhibit histamine release. The suppression of cytokines production was found to be the main mechanistic effect of the plants to give symptomatic relief. The prospect of these medicinal plants as sources of lead molecules for development of therapeutic agents to treat AR is highlighted. Several bioactive metabolites of the plants including shikonin, okicamelliaside, warifteine, methylwarifteine, luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, tussilagone, petasin, and mangiferin have been identified as potential candidates for development into anti-allergic rhinitis agents. The data collection was mainly from English language articles published in journals, or studies from EBSCOHOST, Medline and Ovid, Scopus, Springer, and Google Scholar databases from the year 1985-2020. The terms or keywords used to find relevant studies were allergic rhinitis OR pollinosis OR hay fever, AND medicinal plant OR single plant OR single herb OR phytotherapy. This comprehensive review serves as a useful resource for medicinal plants with anti-allergic rhinitis potential, understanding the underlying mechanisms of action and for future exploration to find natural product candidates in the development of novel anti-allergic rhinitis agents.

Chemical characterization, cytotoxic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme inhibitory effects of different extracts from one sage (Salvia ceratophylla L.) from Turkey: open a new window on industrial purposes

In the present study, the methanolic, hydro-methanolic, dichloromethane, hexane and aqueous extracts of Salvia ceratophylla L. (Family: Lamiaceae), a lemon-scented herb, were tested for total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activities were evaluated using a battery of assays (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (phosphomolybdenum) and metal chelating). Enzyme inhibitory effects were investigated using acetyl- (AChE), butyryl-cholinesterase (BChE), tyrosinase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase as target enzymes. Regarding the cytotoxic abilities, HepG2, B164A5 and S17 cell lines were used. The phytochemical profile was conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Our data showed that the methanolic aerial extracts possessed the highest phenolic (72.50 ± 0.63 mg gallic acid equivalent per g) and flavonoid (43.77 ± 1.09 mg rutin equivalent per g) contents. The hydro-methanolic aerial extract showed significant DPPH radical scavenging activity (193.40 ± 0.27 mg TE per g) and the highest reducing potential against CUPRAC (377.93 ± 2.38 mg TE per g). The best tyrosinase activity was observed with dichloromethane root extract (125.45 ± 1.41 mg kojic acid equivalent per g). Among the tested extracts, hexane root extract exerted the highest antimicrobial potential with a minimum inhibitory concentration value of 0.048 mg mL⁻¹. Methanolic root extract showed the lowest cytotoxicity (28%) against HepG2 cells. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of important polyphenolic compounds including luteolin, gallic acid, rosmarinic acid, to name a few. This research can be used as one methodological starting point for further investigations on this lemon-scented herb.

Our findings suggested that Salvia ceratophylla could be one potential raw material in industrial applications.