Phytochemistry, Traditional Uses and Pharmacological Properties of Enhydra fluctuans Lour: a Comprehensive Review

Effects of Smallanthus sonchifolius Flour on Metabolic Parameters: A Systematic Review

Smallanthus sonchifolius, popularly known as yacon, is a member of the Asteraceae family. Due to its medicinal and edible value, yacon is consumed by different populations. Yacon is unique due to its high fructo-oligosaccharide and inulin content, as well as flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, and phenolic acids. Roots can be used to produce flour, which is less perishable and can be applied in various industrial products. This systematic review focuses on the effects of yacon flour on metabolic parameters. PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were consulted, and PRISMA guidelines were followed in the selection of the studies. In total, 526 articles were found in the databases, and of these, only 28 full texts were eligible for inclusion. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, seven studies were finally included. The results showed that the use of yacon flour can reduce glycemia, HbA1c, advanced glycation ends, plasma lipids, body fat mass, body weight, and waist circumference and improve intestinal microbiota and the antioxidant status. Further exploration of the effects of yacon flour is warranted, and additional clinical trials are necessary to determine the optimal daily consumption levels required to assist in improving metabolic parameters.

Network pharmacology and molecular modelling study of Enhydra fluctuans for the prediction of the molecular mechanisms involved in the amelioration of nephrolithiasis

In view of the ethno medicinal use of Enhydra fluctuans for the treatment of kidney stones; the present study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the amelioration of nephrolithiasis through a network pharmacology approach. The phytoconstituents were queried in DIGEP-Pred to identify the regulated proteins. The modulated proteins were then enriched in the STRING to predict the protein-protein interactions and the probably regulated pathways were traced in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Further, the network was constructed using Cytoscape ver 3.5.1. Results showed that β-carotene was found to be regulating maximum targets i.e. 26. In addition, 63 proteins were triggered by the components in which the vitamin D receptor was targeted by the maximum phytoconstituents i.e. 16. The enrichment analysis identified the regulation of 67 pathways in which fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis-associated pathways (KEGG entry hsa05418) regulated ten genes. Further, protein kinase C-α was traced in 23 different pathways. In addition, the majority of the regulated genes were identified from the extracellular space via the modulation of 43 genes. Also, nuclear receptor activity had the maximum molecular function via the regulation of 7 genes. Likewise, the response to organic substance was predicted to trigger the top genes i.e. 43. In contrast, Stigmasterol, Baicalein-7-o-glucoside, and Kauran-16-ol were found to have a high affinity to bind with the VDR receptor confirmed by the molecular modelling and the dynamics. Hence, the study elucidated the probable molecular mechanisms of E. fluctuans in managing nephrolithiasis and identified the lead molecules, their targets, and possible pathways.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Ethnomedicinal Use, Phytochemistry, and Other Potential Application of Aquatic and Semiaquatic Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants have been treating various ailments and diseases since ancient times. Aquatic and semiaquatic medicinal plants play an essential role in human welfare to fulfill their daily needs. They have shown biological, pharmacological, nutraceutical, and commercial applications. This review aims to collect and update all recent information on ethnomedicinal, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and nanoparticle synthesis and their uses in aquatic and semiaquatic medicinal plants. Original research papers, review papers, short communications, and book chapters on aquatic and semiaquatic plants have been retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Keywords, ethnomedicinal studies, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and nanoparticle synthesis from aquatic and semiaquatic medicinal plants are used for the search. Different aquatic and semiaquatic medicinal plants belonging to the families Acanthaceae, Alismataceae, Amaranthaceae, Apiaceae, Araceae, Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Ceratophyllaceae, Cyperaceae, Fabaceae, Hydrocharitaceae, Lythraceae, Marsileaceae, Menyanthaceae, Nelumbonaceae, Nymphaeaceae, Onagraceae, Plantaginaceae, Poaceae, Polygonaceae, Pontederiaceae, Primulaceae, Scrophulariaceae, and Zingiberaceae have been studied. They are rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, saponins, tannins, dietary fiber, glycosidic derivatives, carbohydrates, and proteins. These phytochemicals have been used for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, sedative, anticonvulsant, cytotoxic, antiparasitic, and antidiabetic activities. Besides this, various parts of the plants are used as dietary supplements and green nanoparticle synthesis. These plants are also known for their commercial value and are used as an ingredient in some pharmaceutical industries.