Continentalic Acid Rather Than Kaurenoic Acid Is Responsible for the Anti-Arthritic Activity of Manchurian Spikenard In Vitro and In Vivo

A Comprehensive Review of Traditional Medicinal Uses, Geographical Distribution, Botanical Characterization, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology of Aralia continentalis Kitag

Aralia continentalis Kitag. (A. continentalis) holds significant medicinal value among the Aralia genus. It has traditionally been employed in ethnomedicine to address a wide range of conditions, including wind-cold-dampness arthralgia; rheumatic pain in the waist and lower extremities; lumbar muscular strain; injuries resulting from falls, fractures, contusions, and strains; headache; toothache; and abscesses. Modern pharmacological research has validated its therapeutic potential, encompassing anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, insecticidal, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, and cytotoxic properties, among other pharmacological effects. To compile comprehensive knowledge on A. continentalis, a rigorous literature search was undertaken utilizing databases like SciFinder, PubMed, and Web of Science. This review seeks to delve into the plant's traditional applications, geographical distribution, botanical characteristics, phytochemistry, and pharmacology. The objective is to lay a foundation and propose novel research directions for exploring the plant's potential applications. Currently, one hundred and fifty-nine compounds have been isolated and identified from A. continentalis, encompassing diterpenoids, steroids, triterpenoids, volatile components, phenolics, vitamins, trace elements, and other compounds. Notably, diterpenoids, steroids, triterpenoids, volatile components, and phenolics have exhibited pronounced pharmacological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities. However, despite the extensive research conducted, further studies are imperative to unravel new components and mechanisms of action, necessitating more in-depth investigations. This comprehensive exploration could pave the way for advancing and harnessing the potential of A. continentalis.

Naturally Derived Terpenoids Targeting the 3Dpol of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus: An Integrated In Silico and In Vitro Investigation

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) belongs to the Picornaviridae family and is an important pathogen affecting cloven-hoof livestock. However, neither effective vaccines covering all serotypes nor specific antivirals against FMDV infections are currently available. In this study, we employed virtual screening to screen for secondary metabolite terpenoids targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), or 3Dpol, of FMDV. Subsequently, we identified the potential antiviral activity of the 32 top-ranked terpenoids, revealing that continentalic acid, dehydroabietic acid (abietic diterpenoids), brusatol, bruceine D, and bruceine E (tetracyclic triterpenoids) significantly reduced cytopathic effects and viral infection in the terpenoid-treated, FMDV-infected BHK-21 cells in a dose-dependent manner, with nanomolar to low micromolar levels. The FMDV minigenome assay demonstrated that brusatol and bruceine D, in particular, effectively blocked FMDV 3Dpol activity, exhibiting IC50 values in the range of 0.37-0.39 µM and surpassing the efficacy of the antiviral drug control, ribavirin. Continentalic acid and bruceine E exhibited moderate inhibition of FMDV 3Dpol. The predicted protein-ligand interaction confirmed that these potential terpenoids interacted with the main catalytic and bystander residues of FMDV 3Dpol. Additionally, brusatol and bruceine D exhibited additive effects when combined with ribavirin. In conclusion, terpenoids from natural resources show promise for the development of anti-FMD agents.

Design and Evaluation of Continentalic Acid Encapsulated Transfersomal Gel and Profiling of its Anti-arthritis Activity

Rheumatoid arthritis restricts the physical ability of patients and increases the disease burden; therefore, research has always been focused on evaluating better therapeutic options. The present research aimed to design Continentalic acid (CA)-loaded transfersomes (CA-TF) embedded in Carbopol gel containing permeation enhancer (PE) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. CA-TF was developed via a modified thin film hydration method and incorporated into Carbopol 934 gel containing Eucalyptus oil (EO) as PE. The fabricated CA-TF showed particle size of < 140 nm with spherical geometry, optimal encapsulation efficiency (EE), and sustained drug release pattern. CA-TF-gel along with PE (CA-TF-PE-gel) showed better ex vivo skin penetration than plain CA gel and CA-TF-gel without PE. In vivo evaluation supported improved therapeutic outcomes of CA-TF-PE-gel in terms of behavioral findings, arthritic index, and histological findings whereas biochemical assays and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) showed a significant decrease in their levels. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry assay for Nrf2 and HO-1 signaling pathways showed significant improvement in the expression of the Nrf2, and HO-1 proteins to depict improvement in arthritic condition in the animal model. CA-TF-PE-gel significantly delivered CA to the diseased target site via a topical route with promising therapeutic outcomes displayed in the CFA-induced arthritic model.

Chitosan-based antioxidant films incorporated with root extract of Aralia continentalis Kitagawa for active food packaging applications

Aralia continentalis Kitagawa and ginseng are both perennial herbs of Araliaceae. The study aimed to investigate the composite packaging films with better fresh-keeping ability. The different mass concentrations of Aralia continentalis Kitagawa root extract (ARE) 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15% (v/w) were compounded with chitosan (CH) to make composite packaging films. Food-based composite film, its thickness, density, water contact angle (WCA), oxygen barrier properties (OP), solubility, swelling, transparency, water vapor permeability (WVP), and other physical properties, as well as tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EAB), Young’s modulus (YM), and the mechanical properties were measured, and the oxidation resistance, thermal properties, and biodegradability were also evaluated, and the structure was analyzed by infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that when the ARE content in the film was increased from 0.05 to 0.15 mg·mL−1, high antioxidant capacity of the CH/ARE film was exhibited (the DPPH and ABTS+ free radical scavenging rate was increased), and the thickness, density, swelling degree, solubility, TS, EAB, and YM of the CH/ARE composite film increased, while WCA, OP, WVP, transparency, and biodegradability were slightly reduced. We had noticed that with the increase in the ARE content, the surface microstructure in CH/ARE film changed significantly, indicating the good compatibility between CH and ARE. In summary, as a natural active substance, ARE can be combined with CH to form films, and the packaging film made can effectively improve the performance of the composite film.