Phenolic Glycosides from Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Sesquilignans: Current research and potential prospective

Lignans are widely distributed in nature, primarily found in the xylem and resins of plants, with the constituent units C6-C3, and their dimers are the most common in plants. In recent years, the trimeric sesquilignans have also received increasing attention from scholars. More than 200 derivatives have been isolated and identified from nearly 50 families, most of which are different types (monoepoxy lignans, bisepoxy lignans, benzofuran lignans) connected with simple phenylpropanoids through ether bonds, C-C bonds, and oxygen-containing rings to constitute sesquilignans. Some of them also possess pharmacological properties, including antioxidants, hepatoprotectives, antitumors, anti-inflammatory properties, and other properties. In addition, the chemical structure of sesquilignans is closely related to the pharmacological activity, and chemical modification of methoxylation enhances the pharmacological activity. In contrast, phenolic hydroxyl and hydroxyl glycosides reduce the pharmacological activity. Therefore, the present review aims to summarize the chemical diversity, bioactivities, and constitutive relationships to provide a theoretical basis for the more profound development and utilization of sesquilignans.

Effect of Plasma-Activated Water (PAW) on the Postharvest Quality of Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

Plasma-activated water (PAW) treatment is an effective technique for the quality retention of fresh vegetables with cold atmospheric plasma using controllable parameters. This study investigated the effect of PAW on the postharvest quality of shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris). The results displayed that PAW treatment with an activation time of 5, 10, 15, and 20 min reduced the yellowing rate and weight loss of the shepherd's purse during 9 days of storage. Compared with untreated samples, PAW treatment at different times reduced the number of total bacteria, coliform, yeast, and mold by 0.18-0.94, 0.59-0.97, 0.90-1.18, and 1.03-1.17 Log CFU/g after 9 days of storage, respectively. Additionally, the treatments with PAW-5 and PAW-10 better preserved ascorbic acid, chlorophyll, total phenol, and total flavonoid contents. They also maintained the higher antioxidant and CAT activity and inhibited the formation of terpenes, alcohols, and nitrogen oxide compounds of the shepherd's purse at the end of storage. The microstructural result illustrated that the cells of the shepherd's purse treated with PAW-5 and PAW-10 were relatively intact, with a small intercellular space after storage. This study demonstrated that PAW treatment effectively improved the postharvest quality of shepherd's purse.

Phytochemical Constituents from the Seeds of Capsella bursa-pastoris and Their Antioxidant Activities

Phytochemical investigation of 70% EtOH extract of the seeds of Capsella bursa-pastoris led to the isolation of a new cyclobutane organic acid (1), and fourteen known compounds, including two organosulfur compounds (2, 3), two quinonoids (4, 5), five flavonoids (6-10), three sterols (11-13) and two other types (14, 15). The structures of the compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses as well as comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. The antioxidant capacities of all compounds and extractive fractions were evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging test and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Then the antioxidative substances were evaluated for their neuroprotective effects against H2O2-induced HT22 cell injury. The results indicated the strong scavenging ability to free radical of the extractive fractions and compounds 1-3, 8-10 and 13, and the ferric reducing antioxidant power of the extractive fractions and compounds 1-3, 8 and 10, which were close to or higher than that of the positive control trolox. The EtOAc fraction, n-BuOH fraction, and compounds 1, 3 and 8 can protect HT-22 cells from oxidative damage.

Medicinal Plants of the Flora of Kazakhstan Used in the Treatment of Skin Diseases

The skin shows the physiological condition of the body's organs and systems that prevent infections and physical damage. Throughout the ages, in folk medicine, phytotherapy was considered a primary form of treatment in all countries, including Kazakhstan, due to the abundance and availability of plant-based remedies. This paper discusses several medicinal plants that are traditionally used in the treatment of skin diseases in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The chemical composition of these plants was analyzed, with a particular focus on the biologically active basic compounds responsible for their therapeutic efficiency in treating skin ailments.

Genus Equisetum L: Taxonomy, toxicology, phytochemistry and pharmacology

INTRODUCTION

The genus Equisetum (Equisetaceae) is cosmopolitan in distribution, with 41 recognized species. Several species of Equisetum are widely used in treating genitourinary and related diseases, inflammatory and rheumatic problems, hypertension, and wound healing in traditional medicine practices worldwide. This review intends to present information on the traditional uses, phytochemical components, pharmacological activities, and toxicity of Equisetum spp. and to analyze the new insights for further study.

METHODS

Relevant literature has been scanned and collected via various electronic repositories, including PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Springer Connect, and Science Online, from 1960 to 2022.

RESULTS

Sixteen Equisetum spp. were documented as widely used in traditional medicine practices by different ethnic groups throughout the world. A total of 229 chemical compounds were identified from Equisetum spp. with the major group of constituents being flavonol glycosides and flavonoids. The crude extracts and phytochemicals of Equisetum spp. exhibited significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerogenic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and diuretic properties. A wide range of studies have also demonstrated the safety of Equisetum spp.

CONCLUSION

The reported pharmacological properties of Equisetum spp. support its use in traditional medicine, though there are gaps in understanding the traditional usage of these plants for clinical experiments. The documented information revealed that the genus is not only a great herbal remedy but also has several bioactives with the potential to be discovered as novel drugs. Detailed scientific investigation is still needed to fully understand the efficacy of this genus; hence, very few Equisetum spp. were studied in detail for phytochemical and pharmacological investigation. Moreover, its bioactives, structure-activity connection, in vivo activity, and associated mechanism of action ought to be explored further.

Phytochemicals targeting nitric oxide signaling in neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are a set of diseases in which slow and progressive neuronal loss occurs. Nitric oxide (NO) as a neurotransmitter performs key roles in the stimulation and blockade of various inflammatory processes. Although physiological NO is necessary for protection against a variety of pathogens, reactive oxygen species-mediated oxidative stress induces inflammatory cascades and apoptosis. Activation of glial cells particularly astrocytes and microglia induce overproduction of NO, resulting in neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disorders. Hence, inhibiting the overproduction of NO is a beneficial therapeutic approach for numerous neuroinflammatory conditions. Several compounds have been explored for the management of neurodegenerative disorders, but they have minor symptomatic benefits and several adverse effects. Phytochemicals have currently gained more consideration owing to their ability to reduce the overproduction of NO in neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, phytochemicals are generally considered to be safe and beneficial. The mechanisms of NO generation and their implications in neurodegenerative disorders are explored in this review article, as well as several newly discovered phytochemicals that might have NO inhibitory activity. The current review could aid in the discovery of new anti-neuroinflammatory drugs that can suppress NO generation, particularly during neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions.

Four organosulfur compounds from the seeds of Capsella bursa-pastoris and their anti-inflammatory activities

Phytochemical investigation of the seeds of Capsella bursa-pastoris led to the isolation of four organosulfur compounds. There were two new compounds, 10-methylsulfinyl-decanamide (1) and 11-methylsulfinyl-undecanamide (2), along with two known compounds (3 - 4), which all have a sulfoxide group and an amide or a nitrile group. Their chemical structures were elucidated by analysing UV, IR, ESI-MS and NMR spectroscopy. In addition, compounds 1 - 4 were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities by using LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds 1 - 4 exhibited potential anti-inflammatory activities on NO release characterised by decreasing the mRNA expression levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cytokines cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and interleukin 6 (IL-6).

New lignans from the fruits of Leonurus japonicus and their hepatoprotective activities

Twelve tetrahydrofuran lignans (1-12), including six new compounds (1-6), were isolated from the 70% EtOH extract of the fruits of Leonurus japonicus. Spectroscopic analyses and ECD and OR calculations were used to determine their structures. Compounds 5 and 6 were unusual alkaloidal lignans with a butyrolactam unit. Based on the beneficial effects of the fruits of L. japonicus (Chongweizi in Chinese) on the liver in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the hepatocyte protective activities of the isolates were studied by MTT, Hoechst 33,342 staining, and western blotting. The MTT results revealed that compounds 1, 2, 7, and 8 significantly increased the survival rates of HL-7702 cells injured by acetaminophen, with EC₅₀ values of 10.41 ± 0.90 μM, 19.86 ± 3.13 μM, 9.68 ± 1.93 μM, and 21.35 ± 3.58 μM, respectively. In the Hoechst 33,342 fluorescence staining, compounds 1 and 7 suppressed the apoptosis of the injured HL-7702 cells. Furthermore, the western blot analysis showed that compounds 1 and 7 increased the Bcl-2/Bax protein expression ratio and procaspase-3 protein expression, indicating that compounds 1 and 7 may exert hepatoprotective activity by regulating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Nitric Oxide as a Target for Phytochemicals in Anti-Neuroinflammatory Prevention Therapy

Nitric oxide (NO) is a neurotransmitter that mediates the activation and inhibition of inflammatory cascades. Even though physiological NO is required for defense against various pathogens, excessive NO can trigger inflammatory signaling and cell death through reactive nitrogen species-induced oxidative stress. Excessive NO production by activated microglial cells is specifically associated with neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ischemia, hypoxia, multiple sclerosis, and other afflictions of the central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, controlling excessive NO production is a desirable therapeutic strategy for managing various neuroinflammatory disorders. Recently, phytochemicals have attracted considerable attention because of their potential to counteract excessive NO production in CNS disorders. Moreover, phytochemicals and nutraceuticals are typically safe and effective. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of NO production and its involvement in various neurological disorders, and we revisit a number of recently identified phytochemicals which may act as NO inhibitors. This review may help identify novel potent anti-inflammatory agents that can downregulate NO, specifically during neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

Water extract of shepherd's purse prevents high-fructose induced-liver injury by regulating glucolipid metabolism and gut microbiota

Shepherd's purse as a wild vegetable is getting more and more attention on health benefits. Water extract of shepherd's purse (WESP) was prepared and analyzed for the chemical constituents. The mice were fed high-fructose (HF) diet and treated with WESP at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg·bw for 8 weeks. The HF-fed mice receiving WESP exhibited the inhibitions against abnormal weight gain, hepatic fat accumulation and lipid metabolic by down-regulating FAS and ACC expressions. WESP also significantly alleviated hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response by regulating of NF-κB pathway. Moreover, WESP dose-dependently increased the acetic, propionic, and butyric acids levels in HF-fed mice. Furthermore, WESP significantly alleviated the HF-induced gut dysbiosis by reducing the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and increasing the abundance of potential beneficial bacteria. Our findings indicate that WESP may be an effective dietary supplement for preventing the liver damage.

Chemical constituents of the root bark of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica and their potential biological activities

The root bark of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (Ulmaceae), commonly known as yugeunpi, has been used as a traditional Korean medicine for the treatment of gastroenteric and inflammatory disorders. As part of continuing projects to discover bioactive natural products from traditional medicinal plants with pharmacological potential, phytochemical investigation of the root bark of this plant was carried out. This led to the successful isolation of a new chromane derivative (1) and 22 known compounds: catechin derivatives (2-5), megastigmane glycoside (6), dihydrochalcone glycosides (7 and 8), flavanone glycosides (9 and 10), coumarins (11 and 12), lignan derivatives (13-17), and phenolic compounds (18-23). The structure of the new compound (1) was determined with 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HR-ESIMS, and its absolute configurations were achieved by chemical reactions and the gauge-including atomic orbital (GIAO) NMR chemical shifts calculations. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their potential biological activities including neuro-protective, anti-neuroinflammatory, and anti-Helicobacter pylori activities. Among the isolates, compounds 1, 8, and 20 displayed stronger potency by causing a greater increase in the production and the activity of nerve growth factor (NGF) in C6 glioma cells (147.04 ± 4.87, 206.27 ± 6.70, and 143.70 ± 0.88%, respectively), whereas compounds 11, 14, and 19 inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine microglial cells (IC₅₀ of 18.72, 12.31, and, 21.40 µM, respectively). In addition, compounds 1, 11, 18, and 20 showed anti-H. pylori activity with MIC values of 25 or 50 µM against two strains of H. pylori 51 and 43504. These findings provide scientific evidence that supports the traditional usage of U. davidiana var. japonica root bark in the treatment of gastroenteric and inflammatory disorders.

Genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation identifies novel differentially methylated regions associated with lipid accumulation improved by ethanol extracts of Allium tubersosum and Capsella bursa-pastoris in a cell model

Hepatic steatosis is the most common chronic liver disease in Western countries. Both genetic and environmental factors are known as causes of the disease although their underlying mechanisms have not been fully understood. This study investigated the association of DNA methylation with oleic acid-induced hepatic steatosis. It also examined effects of food components on DNA methylation in hepatic steatosis. Genome-wide DNA methylation of oleic acid (OA)-induced lipid accumulation in vitro cell model was investigated using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing. Changes of DNA methylation were also analyzed after treatment with food components decreasing OA-induced lipid accumulation in the model. We identified total 81 regions that were hypermethylated by OA but hypomethylated by food components or vice versa. We determined the expression of seven genes proximally located at the selected differentially methylated regions. Expression levels of WDR27, GNAS, DOK7, MCF2L, PRKG1, and CMYA5 were significantly different between control vs OA and OA vs treatment with food components. We demonstrated that DNA methylation was associated with expression of genes in the model of hepatic steatosis. We also found that food components reversely changed DNA methylation induced by OA and alleviated lipid accumulation. These results suggest that DNA methylation is one of the mechanisms causing the hepatic steatosis and its regulation by food components provides insights that may prevent or alleviate lipid accumulation.

Shepherd's Purse Polyphenols Exert Its Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidative Effects Associated with Suppressing MAPK and NF-κB Pathways and Heme Oxygenase-1 Activation

Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik.), a wild herb as a traditional herbal medicine, has been proved with multiple healthy benefits. In this study, the chemical constituents of shepherd's purse were identified by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. The antioxidative and anti-inflammatory potential of shepherd's purse extract (SPE) were also investigated applying lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophages and a carrageenan-induced mice paw edema model. Twenty-four chemical compounds were identified mainly including phenolic acids and flavonoids. The data also indicated SPE inhibited the productions of NO, PGE₂, TNF-α, and IL-6 stimulated with LPS. In addition, SPE inhibited the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulated the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). We further found that SPE inhibited the phosphorylation of P38 MAPK and activation of NF-κB. In vivo mice model also indicated that SPE showed strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity.