Cytotoxic, hypoglycemic activity and phytochemical analysis of Rubus imperialis (Rosaceae)

Study on Supergenus Rubus L.: Edible, Medicinal, and Phylogenetic Characterization

Rubus L. is one of the most diverse genera belonging to Rosaceae; it consists of more than 700 species with a worldwide distribution. It thus provides an ideal natural "supergenus" for studying the importance of its edible, medicinal, and phylogenetic characteristics for application in our daily lives and fundamental scientific studies. The Rubus genus includes many economically important species, such as blackberry (R. fruticosus L.), red raspberry (R. ideaus L.), black raspberry (R. occidentalis L.), and raspberry (R. chingii Hu), which are widely utilized in the fresh fruit market and the medicinal industry. Although Rubus species have existed in human civilization for hundreds of years, their utilization as fruit and in medicine is still largely inadequate, and many questions on their complex phylogenetic relationships need to be answered. In this review, we briefly summarize the history and progress of studies on Rubus, including its domestication as a source of fresh fruit, its medicinal uses in pharmacology, and its systematic position in the phylogenetic tree. Recent available evidence indicates that (1) thousands of Rubus cultivars were bred via time- and labor-consuming methods from only a few wild species, and new breeding strategies and germplasms were thus limited; (2) many kinds of species in Rubus have been used as medicinal herbs, though only a few species (R. ideaus L., R. chingii Hu, and R. occidentalis L.) have been well studied; (3) the phylogeny of Rubus is very complex, with the main reason for this possibly being the existence of multiple reproductive strategies (apomixis, hybridization, and polyploidization). Our review addresses the utilization of Rubus, summarizing major relevant achievements and proposing core prospects for future application, and thus could serve as a useful roadmap for future elite cultivar breeding and scientific studies.

Antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic activities of the aqueous leaf extract of Rubus Erlangeri Engl (Rosacea) in mice

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is on the inexorable rise despite the promises of a wide range of conventional medications. Thus, there is a need to scientifically investigate plants for antidiabetic effect.

METHODS

After the Rubus Erlanrige Engl (Rosaceae) leaf has been decocted, the plant extract's antidiabetic activity was first investigated in vitro and then in vivo. The in vitro activity was assessed using 3, 5-Dinitrosalicylic acid, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine method for α-amylase inhibition and antioxidant effect respectively. On the other hand, the in vivo antidiabetic activity was carried out in normoglycemic, glucose loaded (2.5 g/kg) and single dose streptozotocin (200 mg/kg) induced diabetic mice.

RESULTS

Acute toxicity study showed the extract is safe with ≥2 g/kg. The in vitro results demonstrated the extract has an IC50 of 7.34 ± 0.02 and 10.38 ± 0.0.62 μg/ml for antioxidant and α-amylase inhibition activity respectively. On the other hand, the in vivo study revealed that the extract significantly reduced blood glucose level following glucose loading. The extract did not, however, produce a significant reduction of glucose level in normal mice indicating low risk of hypoglycemia. The extract also significantly decreased blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. In the single dose study, the extract lowered blood glucose level all except by lower dose at the 3rd and 4th h (p < 0.05). In repeated dose studies, the reduction in fasting blood glucose was significant with all doses of the extract from the 2nd week onwards. In addition, the extract produced less reduction in body weight after diabetic induction.

CONCLUSION

The findings collectively indicate that the extract has an antidiabetic activity, with low risk of hypoglycemia, probably mediated by various secondary metabolites that act in synergy.

Cytotoxic and antimicrobial potential of different leaves extracts of R. fruticosus used traditionally to treat diabetes

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Rubus fruticosus is an indigenous plant used traditionally in Oman to treat different disorders.

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Antimicrobial activity of crude extracts and isolated fractions of the selected plant was determined by diffusion method.

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Cytotoxic activity of crude extracts and isolated fractions of the selected plant was determined by brine shrimp method.

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Hydro alcoholic extract showed the highest activity and it could be used as folk medicine to treat diseases.

Medicinal plant as herbal medicine is widely used to cure infectious diseases. Rubus fruticosus L (R. fruticosus) has been studied for its antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Different polarity leave extracts were prepared by using hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and hydro alcoholic solvents. Agar diffusion method has been used to assess the antibacterial activity against two gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus and two gram-negative Escherichia coli and Haemophilus influenza bacterial strains. Cytotoxic activity was carried out against brine shrimp using the nauplii method (BSL). The results so obtained for various experiments demonstrates the total number of extracts produces moderate to strong antibacterial activity against the gram (+ and -). The best activity was discovered within hydro alcoholic upon all concentrations, whereas the inhibition zone exists within the range of 6−11 mm. In addition to that, the cytotoxic activity test confirms that hydro alcoholic extracts the maximum toxicity for values LC₅₀ (4.68–6.96 μg/ml), where the LC₅₀ values for all extracts be located within the range of 4.68–6.96 μg/ml. Finally, the plant itself and its derived extracts have been used as a folk medicine to treat serious infectious diseases.

Histochemistry and immunolocalisation of glucokinin in antidiabetic plants used in traditional Mexican medicine

Mexico is a megadiverse country that has 3,600 to 4,000 species of medicinal plants, of which approximately 800 are used to treat conditions related to diabetes mellitus (DM). DM is a chronic degenerative disease of energy metabolism that exists as two types: type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2). DM is considered a public health problem that affects 7% of the Mexican population older than 20 years. DM is clinically controlled with hypoglycaemic drugs, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, insulin secretion stimulants or the direct application of insulin. The hypoglycaemic effectiveness of specific molecules has been determined only for some medicinal plants in Mexico used to treat DM2. The presence of molecules called glucokinins, wich are similar to animal insulin molecules, has been reported in some plant species; glucokinins act as both growth factors and regulators of glucose metabolism in plants. Therefore, we hypothesized that the hypoglycaemic effectiveness of some of the popularly used species for the control of DM could be due to the presence of glucokinin, as reported for Bauhinia variegata. The goal of this work was to use histochemistry to detect, the accumulation of protein that is immunocytochemically compatible with glucokinin in slide sections of hypoglycaemic species used as remedies for DM2. The top fourteen most used medicinal plants in Mexico were selected for study via microscopic sections. Proteins were histochemically detected using naphthol blue black and Johansen's quadruple stain, and the immunocytochemical correspondence of the proteins with glucokinin was investigated using an insulin antibody. All species studied reacted positively to proteins and glucokinin in the same structures. The presence of glucokinin in these structures and the corresponding hypoglycaemic effects are discussed in the contex of the actions of other compounds.

In vivo evaluation of the genetic toxicity of Rubus niveus Thunb. (Rosaceae) extract and initial screening of its potential chemoprevention against doxorubicin-induced DNA damage

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Rubus niveus Thunb. plant belongs to Rosaceae family and have been used traditionally to treat wounds, burns, inflammation, dysentery, diarrhea and for curing excessive bleeding during menstrual cycle. The present study was undertaken to investigate the in vivo genotoxicity of Rubus niveus aerial parts extract and its possible chemoprotection on doxorubicin (DXR)-induced DNA damage. In parallel, the main phytochemicals constituents in the extract were determined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The animals were exposed to the extract for 24 and 48 h, and the doses selected were 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg b.w. administered by gavage alone or prior to DXR (30 mg/kg b.w.) administered by intraperitoneal injection. The endpoints analyzed were DNA damage in bone marrow and peripheral blood cells assessed by the alkaline alkaline (pH>13) comet assay and bone marrow micronucleus test.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The results of chemical analysis of the extract showed the presence of tormentic acid, stigmasterol, quercitinglucoronide (miquelianin) and niga-ichigoside F1 as main compounds. Both cytogenetic endpoints analyzed showed that there were no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) between the negative control and the treated groups with the two higher doses of Rubus niveus extract alone, demonstrating absence of genotoxic and mutagenic effects. Aneugenic/clastogenic effect was observed only at 2000 mg/kg dose. On the other hand, in the both assays and all tested doses were observed a significant reduction of DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations in all groups co-treated with DXR and extract compared to those which received only DXR. These results indicate that Rubus niveus aerial parts extract did not revealed any genotoxic effect, but presented some aneugenic/clastogenic effect at higher dose; and suggest that it could be a potential adjuvant against development of second malignant neoplasms caused by the cancer chemotherapic DXR.

Genotoxic assessment of Rubus imperialis (Rosaceae) extract in vivo and its potential chemoprevention against cyclophosphamide-induced DNA damage

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Rubus imperialis Cham. Schl. (Rosaceae) is frequently used in traditional medicine as hypoglycemic, antinociceptive and antiviral remedy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Swiss albino mice were distributed in eight groups for acute treatment with Rubus imperialis extract (24 h). The extract doses selected were 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w. administered by gavage alone or plus to CPA (50 mg/kg b.w.) administered by intraperitoneal injection. Control groups were treated in a similar way. Analyses were performed using the comet assay, on leukocytes (collected 4 and 24h after treatment) and liver (collected 24 h after treatment), and using the micronucleus test (MN) in bone marrow cells. Cytotoxicity was assessed by scoring 200 consecutive polychromatic (PCE) and normochromatic (NCE) erythrocytes (PCE/NCE ratio).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The main compounds identified in the Rubus imperialis extract were saponins and steroidal compounds, with niga-ichigoside and tormentic acid being the major compounds. Tested doses of Rubus imperialis extract showed no genotoxic effects on leukocytes from peripheral blood or liver cells by the comet assay. However, the MN test showed an increase in the frequency of micronucleated cells at the two higher doses tested, indicating that this extract has clastogenic/aneugenic effects on bone marrow cells at higher doses. On the other hand, for all cells evaluated, the three tested doses of the Rubus imperialis extract promoted inhibition of DNA damage induced by CPA. Despite the chemoprevention observed, the clastogenicity/aneugenicity observed suggested caution about either continuous or high-dose usage of Rubus imperialis aerial parts extract by humans.

Analysis of the mechanism of antinociceptive action of niga-ichigoside F1 obtained from Rubus imperialis (Rosaceae)

We have previously verified that niga-ichigoside F1 (NI), a triterpene isolated from Rubus imperialis, exhibits significant and potent antinociceptive action when evaluated in some pharmacological models of pain in mice. This effect was confirmed in other experimental models and also the mechanism of action has been evaluated. The antinociception caused by NI (60 mg kg−1) in both phases of the formalin test was significantly attenuated by intraperitoneal injection of mice with haloperidol (a dopaminergic antagonist, 0.20 mg kg−1) and L-arginine (precursor of nitric oxide, 600 mg kg−1). Regarding the cholinergic system, atropine (a cholinergic antagonist 60 mg kg−1) reverted only the second phase. The effect of NI was not affected by treatment of mice with yohimbine (an alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist, 0.15 mg kg−1). The same pharmacological profile was observed for the administration of naloxone (an opioid receptor antagonist, 1 mg kg−1). On the other hand, intraperitoneal injection caused dose-related and significant effects against glutamate- and capsaicin-induced pain, respectively. In conclusion, the marked antinociception of NI appears to be related to the dopaminergic, cholinergic, glutamatergic, tachykininergic and oxinitrergic systems, supporting the ethnomedical use of Rubus imperialis (Rosaceae).

Studies of anticancer and antipyretic activity of Bidens pilosa whole plant

Screening of different extracts and fractions from the plant Bidens pilosa Linn. var. (Asteraceae) has been conducted using the in-vitro comet assay for anticancer and the antipyretic action, which was done with in-vivo models. The extract from whole plant was extracted with n-hexane, chloroform and methanol extract (E1 - E3). The extracts were fractioned by column chromatography method and fractioned with ethyl acetate, acetone and water (F1 - F3). All the extracts and fractions were tested for anticancer and antipyretic activity. Among extracts E1 shows remarkable anticancer activity and E3 bears maximum antipyretic activity. In the antipyretic activity, paracetamol was used as the standard test drug. The most promising material (LC50 < 1500 microg/ml) was F1 ethyl acetate fractions of methanolic extract and methanolic crude extract of whole plants. However, little correlation was observed in the degree of antipyretic activity between the test drug and standard drug. In conclusion, the extract obtained from the whole plant of Bidens pilosa showed a significant cytotoxic effect to methanolic extract against Hela cells by in vitro method and showed a comparable antipyretic activity effect to paracetamol in rabbit pyrogen test.

Rubus - A Review of its Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile

Species of the genus Rubus (family Rosaceae, sub-family Rosoideae, tribe Potentilleae) are widely distributed in the warmer temperate zones of the northern hemisphere. Rubus species have been known since ancient times for their curative properties, and have been used for the treatment of various ailments, such as wounds, diarrhea, colic pain, diabetes, inflammatory disorders, and as antimicrobial agents. However, their use has been based mainly on empirical findings. This contribution provides a comprehensive review of the work published on the phytochemistry and pharmacology of the Rubus species over the past few years, in order to obtain a better understanding of the biological significance of this large genus.

Therapeutic Potential and Chemical Composition of Plants from the Genus Rubus: A Mini Review of the Last 10 Years

Rubus species (Rosaceae) are appreciated for their fruits and their traditional therapeutic uses. Several experimental investigations indicate important biological effects of these plants, related to the presence of different classes of chemical substances, especially terpenoids and phenolic compounds. This work outlines the main biological properties and chemical constituents of the genus Rubus over the last 10 years, with particular emphasis on the plants that occur in Brazil.

Phytochemical and Analgesic Activity of Extract, Fractions and a 19-Hydroxyursane-Type Triterpenoid Obtained from Rubus rosaefolius (Rosaceae)

The Rubus species has been used in folk medicine to treat several ailments, including infectious and dolorous diseases. In this work we evaluate the phytochemical and analgesic activity of hydroalcoholic extract (HE), some fractions (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and butanolic), as well as a pure compound denoted as 28-methoxytormentic acid (1) obtained from aerial parts of R. rosaefolius. The compounds were isolated and identified by chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis. The antinociceptive action was evaluated by two well know models of pain in mice: writhing and formalin induced-pain. The results showed that the HE, fractions and compound (1), exhibits potent and dose-related analgesic activity when evaluated in both models of pain. Compound (1), which seems to be the main active principle, showed promising analgesic effects, being several times more potent than aspirin and paracetamol, two well-known analgesic and antiinflammatory drugs used as reference. In the writhing test, it showed an ID(50) of 5.10 (3.64-7.14) mg kg(-1) and maximum inhibition (MI) of 64.22%. When analyzed by formalin induced-pain test, this compound showed ID(50) values of 9.98 (8.08-12.31) and 6.31 (5.07-7.98) mg kg(-1) and MI of 59.37 and 90.37% for the first and second phases, respectively. The results justify, at least partially the popular use of this plant for the treatment of dolorous processes, suggesting that 1 is one of the active principles of this plant.

Acute and chronic hypoglycemic effect of Ibervillea sonorae root extracts-II

Ibervillea sonorae's root, or "wareque" (Cucurbitaceae), is widely used in Mexican traditional medicine for the control of diabetes mellitus. In the present study, the hypoglycemic effects produced by the acute and chronic administration of various extracts of Ibervillea sonorae were investigated. Both the traditional preparation (aqueous decoction) and the raw extract (juice) from the root resulted in significant reductions of glycemia in healthy mice after intraperitoneal administration at a dose of 600 mg/kg. Additionally, ground dried root was used to obtain a dichloromethane (DCM) extract and a methanol (MeOH) extract. The DCM extract induced a clear reduction of glycemia in healthy (P < 0.05) and in alloxan-diabetic mice. The intraperitoneally administered DCM extract caused a severe hypoglycemia that produced lethality in all the treated animals when doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight were used. Since the DCM extract showed a marked hypoglycemic activity, it was administered daily per os to alloxan diabetic rats, employing corn oil and tolbutamide as controls. After 41 days of DCM extract administration at a dose of 300 mg/kg/day, diabetic rats showed improvement in glycemia, body weight, triglycerides, and GPT in comparison with the diabetic control group. Total cholesterol, GOT, and uric acid blood levels were not affected.