Antibacterial Effect of Ethanolic and Methanolic Extracts of Plantago ovata and Oliveria decumbens Endemic in Iran Against Some Pathogenic Bacteria

Phytochemistry of Oliveria decumbens Vent. (Apiaceae) and its therapeutic potential: A systematic review

Oliveria decumbens Vent., an annual herb resistant to harsh environmental conditions, is an aromatic medicinal plant of the Apiaceae family. O. decumbens has numerous pharmacological, food and feed, and cosmetic applications. This species is endemic to Iran, Iraq, and Turkey. Published literature, available until 30 November 2022 on the morphology, phytochemistry, and bioactivity of O. decumbens, has been reviewed, and appraised for the potential therapeutic potential of this species, utilizing the databases, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Dictionary of Natural Products. The search term used was O. decumbens. Some manuscripts were issued on the chemical components of O. decumbens essential oil (EO) and various extracts. The EO of O. decumbens was evaluated for its chemical composition and medicinal potential against various diseases. Thymol and carvacrol constituted the primary oxygenated monoterpenes detected in substantial amounts within the EO. Additionally, diverse metabolites of O. decumbens were examined for their bactericidal, antioxidant, larvicidal, and immunomodulatory effects. This review article discusses morphology, phenology, and geographical distribution of O. decumbens and presents a critical appraisal of its phytochemistry and therapeutic potential as documented in the published literature.

Therapeutic Efficacy of a Formulation Prepared with Linum usitatissimum L., Plantago ovata Forssk., and Honey on Uncomplicated Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Analyzed with Machine Learning Techniques

A single-blind double-dummy randomized study was conducted in diagnosed patients (n = 66) to compare the efficacy of Linseeds (Linum usitatissimum L.), Psyllium (Plantago ovata Forssk.), and honey in uncomplicated pelvic inflammatory disease (uPID) with standard drugs using experimental and computational analysis. The pessary group received placebo capsules orally twice daily plus a per vaginum cotton pessary of powder from linseeds and psyllium seeds, each weighing 3 gm, with honey (5 mL) at bedtime. The standard group received 100 mg of doxycycline twice daily and 400 mg of metronidazole TID orally plus a placebo cotton pessary per vaginum at bedtime for 14 days. The primary outcomes were clinical features of uPID (vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain (LAP), low backache (LBA), and pelvic tenderness. The secondary outcomes included leucocytes (WBCs) in vaginal discharge on saline microscopy and the SF-12 health questionnaire. In addition, we also classified both (pessary and standard) groups using machine learning models such as Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Logistic Regression (LR), and AdaBoost (AB). The pessary group showed a higher percentage reduction than the standard group in abnormal vaginal discharge (87.05% vs. 77.94%), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)-LAP (80.57% vs. 77.09%), VAS-LBA (74.19% vs. 68.54%), McCormack pain scale (McPS) score for pelvic tenderness (75.39% vs. 67.81%), WBC count of vaginal discharge (87.09% vs. 83.41%) and improvement in SF-12 HRQoL score (94.25% vs. 86.81%). Additionally, our DT 5-fold model achieved the maximum accuracy (61.80%) in the classification. We propose that the pessary group is cost-effective, safer, and more effective as standard drugs for treating uPID and improving the HRQoL of women. Aucubin, Plantamajoside, Herbacetin, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, Secoisolariciresinol Monoglucoside, and other various natural bioactive molecules of psyllium and linseeds have beneficial effects as they possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory properties. The anticipated research work is be a better alternative treatment for genital infections.

Antimicrobial screening of polyherbal formulations traditionally used against gastrointestinal diseases

Emerging antibiotic resistance has become a cosmopolitan problem and evoking researchers to search for new antimicrobials from natural constituents. The present study was intended to test the antimicrobial potential of traditionally used unexplored polyherbal recipes for curing digestive ailments. A total of 25 plants species were combined in different ratios to form 14 polyherbal recipes. After collecting and grinding plant parts, methanolic extracts of 14 polyherbal recipes were prepared by the cold maceration process. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of the polyherbal extracts was checked by agar well diffusion method at a concentration of 50 mg/ ml while minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by serial dilution method. Polyherbal recipes B and D showed significant inhibition zone each against Vibrio cholerae (25.63; p < 0.001). Recipe G (23.33; p < 0.001) showed better efficacy against Escherichia coli. Recipe E and G significantly inhibited Proteus species (28.33; 24.33; p < 0.001). Recipe B was highly effective against Salmonella typhi. Recipe C, A and F had significant antifungal affect and inhibited Aspergillus nigar (28.67; p < 0.05), Aspergillus fumigatus (27; p < 0.01) Trichoderma (30; p < 0.001), Rhizopus (19.67; p < 0.01), and Fusarium graminearum (28.67;p < 0.001). Polyherbal formulations A, B, D, K, and N were active with the lowest concentration. MIC ranges within 3.12–25 mg/ml while minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) between 12.5 and 50 mg/ml. Polyherbal recipes’ A, B, D, G, K and N have enhanced antimicrobial potential with better efficacy than tested antibiotics and should be evaluated for further scientific validation.

An Evidence-Based Research on Botanical Sources for Oral Mucositis Treatment in Traditional Persian Medicine

BACKGROUND

Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases associated with heavy complications in treatment. Mucotoxic cancer therapies such as head and neck radiotherapy and some of the chemotherapy agents may lead to oral mucositis. In addition to its economic consequences, mucositis also affects patients' quality of life. In Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) manuscripts, several medicaments have been suggested for the treatment of mucositis.

OBJECTIVE

Considering the public welcome for herbal medicine, the current evidence-based review study is conducted to investigate the herbal remedies which have been proposed for oral mucositis in TPM.

METHODS

At first, a comprehensive survey was done on Qanon fi al-Teb, which is the most important textbook of TPM; then the scientific name of the herbs was authenticated according to the botanical textbooks. At last, data banks including Scopus, Pubmed, Web of science and Science direct were investigated for possible relevant properties of each medicinal plant in the literature.

RESULTS

In total, 30 herbs are introduced in this study. According to the registered documents, 18 herbs are reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-nociceptive and wound healing properties of which the therapeutic effect of only a few herbs including Glycyrrhiza glabra, Malva sylvestris, Morus nigra, Punica granatum, and Solanum nigrum were directly evaluated against oral mucositis on the literature.

CONCLUSION

Despite the lack of human studies on mucositis for the other discussed herbs, their related pharmacological properties can be considered for new natural drug discovery supported by medieval and traditional experiments.

Effects of a Plantago ovata-based herbal compound in prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy: A double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover trial

BACKGROUND

Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the most common complications of mucotoxic cancer therapy. Mucositis induces clinically significant pain, increases the risk of infections and affects the patients' quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the effects of an herbal preparation from Plantago ovata hydrocolloid in the prevention and treatment of OM, in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with a regimen including adriamycin.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS

This research was a double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover trial. The herbal compound consisted of a mixture of 500 mg of P. ovate husk in 30 mL water plus three drops of vinegar per dose, which was used as a mouthwash. Phytochemical and physicochemical tests of the compound were also performed. Twenty-eight patients who developed mucositis during the chemotherapy screening cycle were randomized to the herbal compound (n = 14) and placebo (n = 14) groups. They received herbal compound or placebo three times per day during their next chemotherapy cycle (cycle 1 of treatment). Patients were crossed over during cycle 2 of treatment and received the alternative therapy. An oral care protocol was prescribed to all patients in cycles 1 and 2 of the treatment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The patients were visited at baseline, the end of the first and second weeks of the screening cycle, and the end of the first and second weeks of each of two treatment cycles. The degree of mucositis was used as the main treatment outcome. Other indexes, such as the severity of pain, xerostomia grade and the quality of life were also measured.

RESULTS

Compared with the placebo, the herbal compound significantly reduced the degree of mucositis, the severity of pain and the xerostomia grade; it also improved the patients' quality of life (P < 0.05). Comparison between the screening cycle and placebo treatment group showed that the oral care protocol had a significant effect in the reduction of OM (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The oral care protocol and the herbal compound based on P. ovata are effective ways for preventing and treating OM in patients undergoing mucotoxic cancer therapy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian registry of clinical trials IRCT20180923041093N1.

Structural features and rheological behavior of a water-soluble polysaccharide extracted from the seeds of Plantago ciliata Desf

A water-soluble polysaccharide (PSPC) was extracted from the seeds of Plantago ciliata Desf., a spontaneous Algerian Saharan plant by a hot aqueous extraction then purified by successive ethanolic precipitations. The final extraction yield for PSPC was close to 18.6% (w/v). PSPC was then investigated regarding its global composition, structural features and rheological properties. PSPC is a neutral arabinoxylan, composed of a β-(1,3)/β-(1,4)-d-xylan backbone with side chains of Xylp, and Araf residues attached in O-2 and O-3 positions. The macromolecular characteristics of PSPC in water was determined by SEC/MALLS, with a high molecular weight (Mw) of 700 kDa, a low polydispersity index (PDI) of 1.47 and an intrinsic viscosity [η] close to 157 mL/g. PSPC showed a pseudoplastic behavior in semi-dilute media and the critical overlay concentration (C*) was estimated around 0.32-0.37% (w/v). This current research has supplied original structural information on a new arabinoxylan which could be particularly useful as a novel source of soluble fiber belonging to psyllium.

Antimicrobial effect and mechanism of cinnamon oil and gamma radiation on Shewanella putrefaciens

The aims of this study were to observe the antimicrobial effect and mechanism of cinnamon oil combined with gamma radiation on Shewanella putrefaciens. Gamma radiation increased the antimicrobial activity of cinnamon oil, and the relative radiation sensitivity of gamma radiation on S. putrefaciens was increased by cinnamon oil. Gamma radiation significantly increased the changes of bacterial morphology, intra-adenosine 5'-triphosphate (intra-ATP) and extra-ATP concentrations and pH_in value of S. putrefaciens treated cinnamon oil. Although, gamma radiation used alone didn't damage the bacterial morphology and ATP concentrations significantly. Gamma radiation assisted cinnamon oil to damage the cell permeability and integrity of S. putrefaciens, thus the combination of cinnamon oil and gamma radiation showed a better antimicrobial activity than used alone.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Psyllium Extract on Helicobacter pylori Interaction With Gastric Epithelial Cells

Natural plant product Psyllium has anti-inflammatory activity that can modulate the function of cytokines. We determined the effect of Psyllium husk extract on interleukin (IL)-8 and NF-κB secretion by gastric epithelial cells in response to Helicobacter pylori Human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line (AGS) cells were pretreated with Psyllium extract in different concentrations before H pylori infection. Cell culture supernatant was analyzed for IL-8 and NF-κB by ELISA. RNA from cells was used for real-time polymerase chain reaction for messenger RNA expression of IL-8. Psyllium extract 5 and 10 μg/mL markedly (P < .001) lowered basal IL-8 by 64.71% and 74.51%, respectively, and H pylori-stimulated IL-8 was also (P < .001) lowered by 41.67% and 66.67%, respectively. Psyllium 5 and 10 μg/mL also reduced (P < .0001) cagA-positive H pylori-induced IL-8 mRNA expression by 42.3% and 67.6%, respectively. Psyllium also reduced (P = .0001) NF-κB in response to H pylori strains confirming its role as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Chemometric resolution approaches in characterisation of volatile constituents in Plantago ovata seeds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: methodology and performance assessment

INTRODUCTION

Comprehensive chemical profiling of herbal medicines (HMs) is a major challenge in chemical characterisation of source materials. Many analytical platforms such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) have been applied to the characterisation. However, the great complexity of analytical results has been an obstacle. Chemometric resolution methods as a supplementary tool for data processing are proposed for solving this problem.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and demonstrate the ability of chemometric techniques in the characterisation of volatile components in herbal medicines.

METHODS

The volatile components of Plantago ovata were extracted using a solvent extraction method. GC-MS analysis were performed using an Agilent HP-6890 gas chromatograph equipped with a HP-5MS capillary, interfaced with an Agilent HP- 5973 mass selective detector. Resolved spectra were identified by matching against the standard mass spectral database of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

RESULTS

Results of this study show that the 71 constituents that are qualitatively recognised represent 94.53% of the total relative content of constituents from Plantago ovata oil, whereas without applying the chemometric methods only 51 constituents were recognised by direct searching utilising a mass database. In addition the presence of valuable components such as thymol, 2,4-decadienal, linoleic acid and oleic acid in Plantago ovata oil has been demonstrated.

CONCLUSION

GC-MS combined with chemometric resolution methods, such as multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS), will provide a reliable means for rapid and accurate analyses of unknown complicated practical systems.

The Antibacterial Activity of Cassia fistula Organic Extracts

Background:

Cassia fistula, is a flowering plant and a member of Fabaceae family. Its leaves are compound of 4 - 8 pairs of opposite leaflets. There are many Cassia species around the world which are used in herbal medicine.

Objectives:

This study was designed to examine in vitro anti-bacterial activity of methanolic and ethanolic extracts of C. fistula native to Khuzestan, Iran.

Materials and Methods:

The microbial inhibitory effect of methanolic and ethanolic extracts of C. fistula was tested on 3 Gram positive: Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis and 5 Gram negative: Salmonella Typhi, Kelebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis bacterial species using disc diffusion method at various concentrations. The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) were measured by the tube dilution assay.

Results:

The extract of C. fistula was effective against B. cereus, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, E. coli and K. pneumoniae. The most susceptible microorganisms to ethanolic and methanolic extracts were E. coli and K. pneumoniae, respectively. Also B. cereus and S. aureus showed the least sensitivity to ethanolic and methanolic extracts, respectively. The MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and MBC (minimum bactericidal concentration) of ethanolic extracts against S. aureus, E. coli, S. epidermidis and K. pneumoniae were also determined.

Conclusions:

With respect to the obtained results and regarding to the daily increase of the resistant microbial strains to the commercial antibiotics, it can be concluded that these extracts can be proper candidates of antibacterial substance against pathogenic bacterial species especially S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae and S. epidermidis.