In vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of isolated compounds of ethanol extract from Sanchezia speciosa Leonard's leaves

Natural Sources, Pharmacological Properties, and Health Benefits of Daucosterol: Versatility of Actions

Daucosterol is a saponin present in various natural sources, including medicinal plant families. This secondary metabolite is produced at different contents depending on species, extraction techniques, and plant parts used. Currently, daucosterol has been tested and explored for its various biological activities. The results reveal potential pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and anticancer. Indeed, daucosterol possesses important anticancer effects in many signaling pathways, such as an increase in pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bcl2, a decrease in the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, upregulation of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene, inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway, and distortion of cell-cycle progression and tumor cell evolution. Its neuroprotective effect is via decreased caspase-3 activation in neurons and during simulated reperfusion (OGD/R), increased IGF1 protein expression (decreasing the downregulation of p-AKT3 and p-GSK-3b4), and activation of the AKT5 signaling pathway. At the same time, daucosterol inhibits key glucose metabolism enzymes to keep blood sugar levels within normal ranges. Therefore, this review describes the principal research on the pharmacological activities of daucosterol and the mechanisms of action underlying some of these effects. Moreover, further investigation of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology are suggested.

Antioxidant Activity of Laportea decumana (Roxb) Wedd Ethanol and n-Hexane Extracts

Background: Laportea decumana (robx.) wedd. is a traditional medicine used by Indonesian people, especially in eastern Indonesia, Maluku Ambon. But its utilization has not been based on evidence-based research, so it still needs to be developed to be used as complementary nursing therapy in the future. Aim: This study aims to determine the phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of Laportea decumana (robx.) wedd. from Ambon Maluku. Method: Extraction is done by the maceration method with 96% ethanol solvent. Phytochemical tests are performed with thin-layer chromatography (TLC) to look at flavonoids, tannins and triterpenoids, then alkaloids and saponins using tube tests. The antioxidant activity test was conducted using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) method. Results: Laportea decumana (robx.) wedd. phytochemical test positively contains alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids and saponins. The antioxidant activity of Laportea Decumana (Robx) Wedd Ethanol Extract (LDrW-EE) 22.81 ppm, Laportea Decumana (Robx) Wedd n-Hexane Extract (LDrW-NHE) 44.89 ppm and vitamin C 6.03 ppm. Conclusion: LDrW-EE antioxidant activity is better when compared to LDrW-NHE but no better than vitamin C  

Sterubin: Enantioresolution and Configurational Stability, Enantiomeric Purity in Nature, and Neuroprotective Activity in Vitro and in Vivo

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurological disorder with still no preventive or curative treatment. Flavonoids are phytochemicals with potential therapeutic value. Previous studies described the flavanone sterubin isolated from the Californian plant Eriodictyon californicum as a potent neuroprotectant in several in vitro assays. Herein, the resolution of synthetic racemic sterubin (1) into its two enantiomers, (R)-1 and (S)-1, is described, which has been performed on a chiral chromatographic phase, and their stereochemical assignment online by HPLC-ECD coupling. (R)-1 and (S)-1 showed comparable neuroprotection in vitro with no significant differences. While the pure stereoisomers were configurationally stable in methanol, fast racemization was observed in the presence of culture medium. We also established the occurrence of extracted sterubin as its pure (S)-enantiomer. Moreover, the activity of sterubin (1) was investigated for the first time in vivo, in an AD mouse model. Sterubin (1) showed a significant positive impact on short- and long-term memory at low dosages.