A new hepatoprotective flavone glycoside from the flowers of Onopordum alexandrinum growing in Egypt

Exploring the Biological and Phytochemical Potential of Jordan's Flora: A Review and Update of Eight Selected Genera from Mediterranean Region

Jordan's flora is known for its rich diversity, with a grand sum of 2978 plant species that span 142 families and 868 genera across four different zones. Eight genera belonging to four different plant families have been recognized for their potential natural medicinal properties within the Mediterranean region. These genera include Chrysanthemum L., Onopordum Vaill. Ex. L., Phagnalon Cass., and Senecio L. from the Asteraceae family, in addition to Clematis L. and Ranunculus L. from the Ranunculaceae family, Anchusa L. from the Boraginaceae family, and Eryngium L. from the Apiaceae family. The selected genera show a wide variety of secondary metabolites with encouraging pharmacological characteristics including antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-ulcer, and neuroprotective actions. Further research on these genera and their extracts will potentially result in the formulation of novel and potent natural pharmaceuticals. Overall, Jordan's rich flora provides a valuable resource for exploring and discovering new plant-based medicines.

Three new phenylpropanoid glucosides and a new tyramine-type alkamide from Piper puberulum

Three new phenylpropanoid glycosides, piperpubelide (1), 1-propionyl-3-hydroxy-phenyl-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), and 1-propionyl-4-hydroxy-phenyl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), a new tyramine-type alkamide, puberulumine L (4), together with thirteen known compounds (5-17) were isolated from Piper puberulum (Benth.) Maxim. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data involving NMR, IR, UV, and HRESIMS data. Calculated and experimental ECD was used to confirm the configuration of compound 1. Compounds 14, 16, and 17 exhibited relatively positive DPPH radical scavenging activities, with corresponding EC50 of 10.23, 24.12, and 21.83 μM, respectively. In addition, compound 5 inhibited LPS-induced NO production in BV-2 microglia with an IC50 value of 18.05 μM.

In Vitro Cytotoxic Potential of Selected Jordanian Flora and Their Associated Phytochemical Analysis

Traditional medicines are a significant source of phytochemicals with potential anticancer effects. Ten Jordanian plants were chosen to be tested for cytotoxicity on human colorectal (HT-29) and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell lines. The ethanol extracts were screened for their potential cytotoxic effects using a Sulforhodamine B (SRB) colorimetric assay, using doxorubicin as positive control. Plants extracts exhibiting marked cytotoxic activity were further investigated by qualitative and quantitative phytochemical methods. Total phenolics were quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, while flavonoids were quantified using aluminum chloride. The total saponins of the n-butanol fraction were estimated using diosgenin as a standard. The total alkaloids and total terpenoids were also evaluated using the gravimetric method. As results, Senecio leucanthemifolius (IC₅₀: 13.84 μg/mL) and Clematis cirrhosa (IC₅₀: 13.28 μg/mL) exhibited marked cytotoxic effects on human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cell lines. Total phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, and terpenoids found in Senecio leucanthemifolius were (91.82, 14.90, 14.27, 101, and 135.4 mg/g of dry extract), respectively. They were revealed to be (68.18, 7.16, 31.25, 73.6, and 180 mg/g of dry extract) in Clematis cirrhosa, respectively. Senecio leucanthemifolius and Clematis cirrhosa have been found to possess cytotoxicity against colorectal (HT-29). In conclusion, the findings of this study offer a new perspective on Jordanian plant extracts anticancer activity research.

Sesquiterpenoids from Chrysanthemum indicum with Inhibitory Effects on NO Production

Three new guaianolide lactones (1-3) and four new 9-oxonerolidol glucosides (5-8) together with 20 known compounds were isolated from the MeOH extract of the flowers of Chrysanthemum indicum. Their structures were elucidated based on the interpretation of NMR, HRESIMS, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data along with acid hydrolysis. Of the isolates, sesquiterpenoids 1-4 and 15 and flavones 17 and 18 exhibited inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells with IC₅₀ values in the range 0.2-27.0 μM.

Hispidulin: A novel natural compound with therapeutic potential against human cancers

Cancer is one of the most devastating disease and leading cause of death worldwide. The conventional anticancer drugs are monotarget, toxic, expensive and suffer from drug resistance. Development of multi-targeted drugs from natural products has emerged as a new paradigm to overcome aforementioned conventionally encountered obstacles. Hispidulin (HIS), is a biologically active natural flavone with versatile biological and pharmacological activities. The anticancer, antimutagenic, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of HIS have been reported. The aim of this review is to summarize the findings of several studies over the last few decades on the anticancer activity of HIS published in various databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. HIS has been shown to reduce the growth of cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, arresting cell cycle, inhibiting angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis via modulating multiple signaling pathways implicated in cancer initiation and progression. Multitargeted anticancer activity of HIS remains the strongest point for developing it into potential anticancer drug. We also highlighted the natural sources, anticancer mechanism, cellular targets, and chemo-sensitizing potential of HIS. This review will provide bases for design and conduct of further pre-clinical and clinical trials to develop HIS into a lead structure for future anticancer therapy.

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.

The pharmacological and biological roles of eriodictyol

Eriodictyol is a flavonoid in the flavanones subclass. It is abundantly present in a wide range of medicinal plants, citrus fruits, and vegetables that are considered to have potential health importance. Having the considerable medicinal properties, eriodictyol has been predicted to clarify the mode of action in various cellular and molecular pathways. Evidence for the existing therapeutic roles of eriodictyol includes antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, hepatoprotective, and miscellaneous. Therefore, this review aims to present the recent evidence regarding the mechanisms of action of eriodictyol in different signaling pathways in a specific disease condition. In view of the immense therapeutic effects, eriodictyol may serve as a potential drug source to enhance community health standards.

Isolation of Sesquiterpene-Amino Acid Conjugates, Onopornoids A-D, and a Flavonoid Glucoside from Onopordum alexandrinum

Previous phytochemical investigations have revealed the presence of a variety of compounds such as pyrrolidine derivatives, flavonoids, and megastigmanes in Egyptian plants. Onopordum alexandrinum has been traditionally used by the natives for treatment of skin cancers and leprosy. In this paper the isolation of four new sesquiterpene-amino acid conjugates, onopornoids A-D (1-4), i.e., three elemanes and one germacrane, and a new acylated flavonoid glucoside (5) along with nine known compounds (6-14) from the whole aerial parts of the title plant is discussed. The structures were elucidated based on chemical and spectroscopic/spectrometric data.

Pharmacological credence of the folklore use of Bauhinia malabarica in the management of jaundice

The information on the hepatoprotective effect of Bauhinia malabarica Roxb. (Family Leguminosae) used in the folkloric medical practice in Malabar coast and Walayar valley of southern India for the treatment of liver related disorders is completely unknown. Hence, the efficacy of the aqueous methanolic extract of stem bark of B. malabarica (AqMeOH-Ba) was evaluated for liver function serum biochemical markers along with the antioxidant markers in liver tissues of Wistar albino rats. The biochemical observations as well as the histopathological examination of liver sections manifested considerable hepatoprotective activity of B. malabarica stem bark, and thus validated the folkloric claim.

Medicinal importance, pharmacological activities, and analytical aspects of hispidulin: A concise report

Herbal medicines have been played an important role in the human civilization since very ancient time as a food, cloth, medicine and other aspects. Some of the important drugs in the modern medicine were derived from the natural sources such as aspirin, digitalis, quinine, vincristine, vinblastine etc. Hispidulin (4', 5, 7-trihydroxy-6-methoxyflavone) is a flavones derivative found in plant such as Grindelia argentina, Arrabidaea chica, Saussurea involucrate, Crossostephium chinense, Artemisia and Salvia species. Hispidulin have antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and antineoplastic properties. So far, various analytical methods have been investigated and developed for detection of hispidulin in the plant materials. Productions of hispidulin through different tissue culture techniques have been also investigated. Present review summarized medicinal uses, pharmacological activities and analytical aspects of hispidulin. From the above mentioned aspects, we can conclude that, this review will be helpful to the researcher in the field of natural product for the development of novel molecule for the treatment of different disorders.

cDNA Isolation and Functional Characterization of UDP-d-glucuronic Acid 4-Epimerase Family from Ornithogalum caudatum

d-Galacturonic acid (GalA) is an important component of GalA-containing polysaccharides in Ornithogalum caudatum. The incorporation of GalA into these polysaccharides from UDP-d-galacturonic acid (UDP-GalA) was reasonably known. However, the cDNAs involved in the biosynthesis of UDP-GalA were still unknown. In the present investigation, one candidate UDP-d-glucuronic acid 4-epimerase (UGlcAE) family with three members was isolated from O. caudatum based on RNA-Seq data. Bioinformatics analyses indicated all of the three isoforms, designated as OcUGlcAE1~3, were members of short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDRs) and shared two conserved motifs. The three full-length cDNAs were then transformed to Pichia pastoris GS115 for heterologous expression. Data revealed both the supernatant and microsomal fractions from the recombinant P. pastoris expressing OcUGlcAE3 can interconvert UDP-GalA and UDP-d-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcA), while the other two OcUGlcAEs had no activity on UDP-GlcA and UDP-GalA. Furthermore, expression analyses of the three epimerases in varied tissues of O. caudatum were performed by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Results indicated OcUGlcAE3, together with the other two OcUGlcAE-like genes, was root-specific, displaying highest expression in roots. OcUGlcAE3 was UDP-d-glucuronic acid 4-epimerase and thus deemed to be involved in the biosynthesis of root polysaccharides. Moreover, OcUGlcAE3 was proposed to be environmentally induced.

Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside from Afgekia mahidoliae promotes keratinocyte migration through FAK and Rac1 activation

The restoration of the epidermal epithelium through re-epithelialization is a critical process in wound healing. Directed keratinocyte migration to the wound is required, and the retardation of this process may result in a chronic, non-healing wound. The present study contributes to research aiming to identify promising compounds that promote wound healing using a human keratinocyte model. The effects of three kaempferol glycosides from an Afgekia mahidoliae leaf extract, kaempferol-3-O-arabinoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, on keratinocyte migration were determined. Interestingly, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside exhibited a pronounced effect on wound closure in comparison to the parental kaempferol and other glycosides. The mechanism by which kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside enhances cell migration involves the induction of filopodia and lamellipodia formation, increased cellular levels of phosphorylated FAK (Tyr 397) and phosphorylated Akt (Ser 473), and up-regulation of active Rac1-GTP. The data obtained in this study may support the development of this compound for use in wound healing therapies.