Extraction, phytochemical characterization and anti-cancer mechanism of Haritaki churna: An ayurvedic formulation

Phytochemical Analysis of Triphala Extract, In Vitro and In Silico Evaluation of Pancreatic Lipase Inhibition for Obesity Management

Pancreatic lipase (PL) inhibition is a prominent pharmacological strategy for managing obesity, as it reduces the hydrolysis of dietary triglycerides (TAG) into free fatty acids and monoglycerides. Orlistat, an FDA-approved drug, achieves a 30% reduction in body fat through irreversible covalent inhibition of PL. However, the gastrointestinal side effects limit its long-term use. To address these issues, we explored inhibition using natural compounds from Triphala (TRI), a renowned Ayurvedic formulation comprising three plants - Emblica officinalis (EO), Terminalia bellirica (TB), and Terminalia chebula (TC). This study investigated PL inhibition by an 80% hydro-ethanolic extract of individual herbs (EO, TB, TC) as well as, Triphala (TRI) and its fractions and identified key bioactive compounds - Ellagic acid, Chebulic acid and Corilagin via LC-MS/MS. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses revealed that TF1 is rich in phenols and tannins and exhibited significant PL inhibition compared to individual herb extracts. Additionally, Ellagic acid, Chebulic acid and Corilagin of TF1 demonstrated notable PL-inhibition, with IC50 values 58.41 ± 1.92 µg/mL, 125.33 ± 2.80 and 257.81 ± 2.10 µg/mL respectively. Furthermore, the PL inhibition kinetics showed that these bioactives and TRI fractions exhibited mixed inhibition, in contrast to the competitive inhibition of Orlistat (positive control). Molecular docking and 100 ns molecular dynamic simulations of PL-inhibitor complexes revealed that the bioactives bind to key residues in the PL active site. Among the three bioactives, Chebulic acid has better binding energy, primarily due to its substantial electrostatic interactions with the gatekeeper residue D80 of the PL active site. These findings highlight the potential of Triphala bioactives, particularly Chebulic acid and Ellagic acid, to effectively inhibit PL and provide a strategy to manage obesity.

Management of Carcinoma of Esophagus in Old Patient with Panchagavya Therapy as a Palliative Care-A Case Report

Esophageal cancer is a male-dominant, aggressive malignancy with a five-year survival rate of 15%-20%, predominantly affecting developed nations. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common subtype. This case study involves a 70-year-old man with ESCC, who was suffering from difficulty swallowing, inability to burp, constant nausea, and occasional trouble swallowing water for two months. He was successfully treated with Panchagavya Chikitsa, which included Panchagavya Ghrita, Gomutra Arka, Kwath of Amla-Yashtimadhu-Shatpushpa, Haritaki Churna, Haridra Ghanvati, and Vibhitaki Avaleha, along with Nasya, Nabhipurana with Panchagavya Ghrita, and Matra Vasti with Tila Taila over six months. Significant symptom improvement was observed, attributed to the Rasayana (rejuvenative), Balya (strengthening), and Jeevaniya (vitality-enhancing) properties of the treatments. These properties inhibit cancer growth, nourish tissues, and restore balance due to their antioxidant effects. Panchagavya formulations showed promising results without adverse effects, highlighting their efficacy in improving the quality of life for this geriatric patient with ESCC.

Phytochemical profiling and antioxidant evaluation of Rhododendron arboreum Sm leaf and flower: integrative analysis using advanced analytical techniques

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the biological activities of Rhododendron arboreum Sm from the eastern Himalayas, addressing a literature gap on its properties. It explores the plant's phytochemical, antioxidant, and medicinal characteristics.

SIGNIFICANCE

Evaluating methanolic extracts of R. arboreum offers valuable insights into its bioactive potential. Comprehensive GC-MS analysis identified a diverse array of compounds, highlighting the plant's chemical composition.

METHODS

Methanolic leaf and flower extracts underwent sequential extraction and phytochemical profiling using column chromatography, TLC, and GC-MS analysis. Spectral studies aided compound identification, and antioxidant activity was assessed via spectrophotometric assays.

RESULTS

Column chromatography separated methanol leaf and flower extracts into 17 and 24 distinct fractions, respectively. TLC analysis showed specific Rf values for leaf (0.58, 0.65, 0.75, 0.8, 0.86, 0.9) and flower samples (0.91, 0.38, 0.48, 0.51, 0.56, 0.6, 0.65, 0.75, 0.85, 0.96). GC-MS analysis revealed a variety of organic functional groups, including aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic compounds, heterocyclic molecules, phenolic compounds, steroids, terpenoids, alcohols, esters, and other bioactive compounds. FTIR spectra identified functional groups such as hydroxyls, primary amines, alkanes, and alkynes. NMR data indicated a complex molecular composition with diverse proton environments. Leaf extracts demonstrated superior antioxidant activity compared to flower extracts in DPPH, ABTS, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, lipid peroxidation inhibition, and FRAP assays.

CONCLUSION

The study identifies diverse phytochemicals in R.arboreum extracts and highlights their potential applications in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and functional foods, owing to the superior antioxidant activity of leaf extracts compared to flowers.

Chebulinic Acid: An Incipient Anticancer Agent

BACKGROUND

Terminalia chebula (T. chebula) comprising chebulinic acid as its principle active constituent is used to cure various diseases. T. chebula and chebulinic acid are used as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antimutagenic, radioprotective, cardioprotective, antiproliferative, antiarthritic, anticaries, and so on.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this current study is to give an overview of the recent literature and patents of T. chebula and chebulinic acid including methods of its isolation/extraction and their application in the prevention of various cancers and other diseases.

METHODS

Present research and patents highlighting the anti-cancer potential of T. chebula and chebulinic acid have been studied and discussed keeping in view the scientific novelty and impact.

RESULTS

Both T. chebula and chebulinic acid are currently being explored for their anticancer potential in vitro and in vivo. They are either incorporated alone or in combination with other plants or drugs to show their activity and many clinical trials are also going on various potentials of the plant and chebulinic acid. Novel extraction techniques are also explored and patented. Efforts are being made to improve the bioavailability by developing Novel herbal drug delivery systems of the plant extract or chebulinic acid itself.

CONCLUSION

Anti-cancer potential of T. chebula and chebulinic acid may be well established by promising clinical trials and may open new interventions in various tumors. Clinical trials in conjunction with standard therapies are required to explore and validate the actual potential of T. chebula and chebulinic acid respectively.

Protective Role of Ethanol Extract of Cibotium barometz (Cibotium Rhizome) against Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy in C2C12 Myotubes

Sarcopenia is a progressive muscle disease characterized by the loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, function, and physical performance. Since the disease code was assigned, attention has been focused on natural products that can protect against muscle atrophy. Cibotium barometz (Cibotium Rhizome) has been used as an herbal medicine for the treatment of bone or joint diseases in Asian countries. However, no studies have identified the mechanism of action of Cibotium Rhizome on muscle atrophy related to sarcopenia at the site of myotubes. The aim of this study was to investigate the improvement effect of the ethanol extract of Cibotium Rhizome (ECR) on dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy in an in vitro cell model, i.e., the C2C12 myotubes. High-performance liquid chromatography was performed to examine the phytochemicals in ECR. Seven peaks in the ECR were identified, corresponding to the following compounds: protocatechuic acid, (+)-catechin hydrate, p-coumaric acid, ellagic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid. In atrophy-like conditions induced by 100 μM dexamethasone for 24 h in C2C12, ECR increased the expression of the myosin heavy chain, p-Akt, the p-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p-p70S6K, and repressed the expression of regulated in development and DNA damage responses 1 (REDD1), kruppel-like factor 15 (KLF 15), muscle atrophy F-box, and muscle-specific RING finger protein-1 in C2C12. In addition, ECR alleviated dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy by repressing REDD1 and KLF15 transcription in C2C12 myotubes, indicating the need for further studies to provide a scientific basis for the development of useful therapeutic agents using ECR to alleviate the effects of skeletal muscle atrophy or sarcopenia.