Ethnobotany, Pharmacology and Phytochemistry of the Genus Phoebe (Lauraceae)

Inhibiting pathogenicity of vaginal Candida albicans by lactic acid bacteria and MS analysis of their extracellular compounds

Maintaining healthy vaginal microflora post-puberty is critical. In this study we explore the potential of vaginal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and their extracellular metabolites against the pathogenicity of Candida albicans. The probiotic culture free supernatant (PCFS) from Lactobacillus crispatus, L. gasseri, and L. vaginalis exhibit an inhibitory effect on budding, hyphae, and biofilm formation of C. albicans. LGPCFS manifested the best potential among the LAB PCFS, inhibiting budding for 24 h and restricting hyphae formation post-stimulation. LGPCFS also pre-eminently inhibited biofilm formation. Furthermore, L. gasseri itself grew under RPMI 1640 stimulation suppressing the biofilm formation of C. albicans. The PCFS from the LAB downregulated the hyphal genes of C. albicans, inhibiting the yeast transformation to fungi. Hyphal cell wall proteins HWP1, ALS3, ECE1, and HYR1 and transcription factors BCR1 and CPH1 were downregulated by the metabolites from LAB. Finally, the extracellular metabolome of the LAB was studied by LC-MS/MS analysis. L.gasseri produced the highest antifungal compounds and antibiotics, supporting its best activity against C. albicans. Vaginal LAB and their extracellular metabolites perpetuate C. albicans at an avirulent state. The metabolites produced by these LAB in vitro have been identified, and can be further exploited as a preventive measure against vaginal candidiasis.

Temporospatial pattern of flavonoid metabolites and potential regulatory pathway of PbMYB211-coordinated kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside biosynthesis in Phoebe bournei

Phoebe is a well-known timber tree species that contains abundant metabolites characterized by flavonoids that are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. Nevertheless, temporospatial flavonoid metabolism variations substantially impact the Phoebe industry. Thus, a metabolomics analysis was carried out and identified 465 metabolites (102 flavonoids) in P. bournei, revealing distinct distribution patterns among five studied organs, and most of the flavonoids were dominant in the leaves. Furthermore, three kaempferol glycoside derivatives were significantly accumulated in the leaves and showed higher contents in young leaves than in mature leaves and differences between spring and autumn. For instance, greater accumulation of kaempferol-7-O-rhamnoside was detected in spring, whereas higher contents of kaempferol-3-O-arabinofuranoside and kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside were found in autumn. Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics identified 20 transcription factors (TFs) and 12 structural genes that participate in kaempferol derivative synthesis and elucidated a potential regulatory mechanism in P. bournei. Of the identified genes, PbMYB211 might contribute significantly to the kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside content by regulating the target structural gene PbUGT139, as revealed by transient overexpression analysis. Overall, this study illuminated the temporospatial accumulation of flavonoids among different organs, seasons, and developmental stages in P. bournei and elucidated a potential regulatory pathway of kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside. The results provide important insights into harvest techniques and a theoretical basis for the comprehensive utilization of P. bournei.

Chemical Constituents of Phoebe poilanei and Their Cytotoxic Activity

Two new flavonol glycosides, rhamnocitrin 3- O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and quercetin 3- O-6- Z- p-coumaroyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (2), along with 3 flavonol glycosides, isoquercitrin (3), rutin (4), and quercetin 3- O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-galactopyranoside (5), and two known sesquiterpenes, alismol (6) and spathulenol (7), were isolated from the leaves of Phoebe poilanei Kosterm. Their chemical structures were elucidated by analyses of their high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectral data and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data and comparison with those reported in the literature. Two sesquiterpenes 6 and 7 were found to exhibit moderate cytotoxic activity with IC50 values ranging from 21.6 to 29.8 µM.

From arrow poison to herbal medicine--the ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological significance of Cissampelos (Menispermaceae)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cissampelos species have a rich history of traditional use, being used for both therapeutic and toxic properties. It is traditionally applied therapeutically in a diverse range of conditions and diseases including asthma, cough, fever, arthritis, obesity, dysentery, snakebite, jaundice and heart, blood pressure and skin-related problems. Conversely, it was traditionally included in preparations of curare applied as arrow poison during hunting to cause death of animals by asphyxiation. This review unites the ethnobotanical knowledge on Cissampelos with the phytochemistry and pharmacological activity which has been explored thus far. In addition, it identifies knowledge gaps and suggests further research opportunities.

METHODS

The available electronic literature on the genus Cissampelos was collected using database searches including Scopus, Google Scholar, Pubmed, Web of Science, etc. The searches were limited to peer-reviewed English journals with the exception of books and a few articles in foreign languages which were included.

RESULTS

The literature revealed that pharmacological activity including analgesic and antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, bronchodilator, immunomodulatory, memory-enhancing, antidepressant, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antimalarial, antiparasitic, anti-ulcer, anticancer, anti-oxidant, cardiovascular, muscle-relaxant, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, antidiarrhoeal, antifertility, and antivenom activity have been confirmed in vitro and/or in vivo for various Cissampelos species. Cissampelos pareira L. and Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl. are the most explored species of this genus and the smallest number of studies have been conducted on Cissampelos laxiflora Moldenke and Cissampelos tenuipes Engl. Many alkaloids isolated from Cissampelos such as warifteine, methylwarifteine, berberine, hayatin and hayatidin showed promising anti-allergic, immunosuppressive, antidepressant, anticancer, vasodilatory and muscle-relaxant activities.

CONCLUSION

The plants of this genus are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments. These plants are a rich source of bioactive bisbenzylisoquinoline and aporphine alkaloids together with other minor constituents. Although these plants are reputable and revered in various traditional medicine systems, many have not yet been screened chemically or pharmacologically and so there is a vast amount of research still to be conducted to validate their traditional use.

Efficacy and safety of Stephania glabra: an alkaloid-rich traditional medicinal plant

Stephania glabra (Roxb.) Miers (Menispermaceae) has long been used for the treatment of asthma, tuberculosis, dysentery, hyperglycaemia, cancer, fever, intestinal complaints, sleep disturbances and inflammation in many Asian countries. It mainly contains alkaloids and, until now, over 30 alkaloids such as bisbenzylisoquinolines, hasubanalactams, berberines and aporphines have been isolated from its tuber. Most of its traditional medicinal activities are scientifically approved by various in vitro and in vivo studies. It shows remarkable anti-psychotic, anti-diabetic, antipyretic, analgesic, antimicrobial and anti-hypertensive activities. This work includes comprehensive information on the ethnobotany, chemistry and pharmacology of S. glabra. This review also focuses on the future perspectives with main emphasis on the establishment of therapeutic index and safety index of the plant. This review concludes that S. glabra has a great potential to treat various diseases, and could be used as a source for novel healthcare products in the near future, which needs further studies.

Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants around Limu Mountains of Hainan Island, China

AIM OF THE STUDY

The main objectives were to document traditional knowledge on the use of medicinal plants and compare medicinal plant traditions between Li and Hmong living around Limu Mountains of Hainan Island.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Information was obtained from semi-structured interviews, personal conversation and guided fieldtrips with herbalists. Quantitative methods, such as the coefficient of similarity (S), Chi-square analysis and the 'informant agreement ratio' were applied for the comparison of medicinal plant tradition between Li and Hmong.

RESULTS

In all, 224 plant species grown in the study areas are still traditionally used for the treatment of various diseases. Euphorbiaceae (17 species), Rubiaceae (16 species), Papilionaceae and Poaceae (11 species, respectively), Verbenaceae (10 species) and Compositae (7 species) are predominant families used by herbalists. The most species were reported to be used for injuries (25.1% of all the medicinal use-reports), digestive system disorders (24.8%), infections/infestations (14.7%) and muscular-skeletal system disorders (12.3%). The coefficient of similarity (29.0%) shows a relatively high overlap of medicinal plants used by Li and Hmong. Using Chi-square analysis, it was found that habit mentions were dependent upon the culture. Infections/infestations, injuries and muscular-skeletal system disorders scored high IAR value and mention in both Li and Hmong communities.

CONCLUSIONS

Medicinal plants are of importance to indigenous people around Limu Mountains who still rely on medicinal plants to treat a wide range of illnesses. There is a close relationship of medicinal plant tradition between Li and Hmong who are culturally distinct.