Garcinol: A novel and potent inhibitor of hyaluronidase enzyme

Extracellular matrix (ECM) contains hyaluronic acid (HA) as its integral part that is involved in numerous functional activities within the body. Degradation of HA by hyaluronidase enzyme involved in many pathophysiological conditions such as asthma, arthritis, COPD and in venom spreading during envenomation. Inhibitor of hyaluronidase enzyme has a wide range of application along with the hyaluronan-hyaluronidase system. In this present study, we have evaluated the inhibitory effect of garcinol against hyaluronidase from Hippasa partita spider venom (HPHyal), bovine testicular hyaluronidase (BTH) and human serum hyaluronidase. Garcinia indica fruit rind has been used to isolate the active component garcinol. Garcinol has been used in treatment of diverse ailments. Garcinol has exhibited anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, HAT inhibition and miRNA deregulator in development and progression of cancers. Experimental data have shown that garcinol completely inhibited all the three tested hyaluronidase enzymes. The inhibition was found to be non-competitive pattern with reversible type. In the docking study, garcinol with hyaluronidase enzyme has been stabilized by hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Thus, garcinol could be a potent novel inhibitor of hyaluronidase enzyme which can be further used for pharmacotherapeutic applications.

Utility of Indian fruits in cancer prevention and treatment: Time to undertake translational and bedside studies

The World Health Organization predicts a 70% increase in cancer incidents in developing nations over the next decade, and it will be the second leading cause of death worldwide. Traditional plant-based medicine systems play an important role against various diseases and provide health care to a large section of the population in developing countries. Indigenous fruits and their bioactive compounds with beneficial effects like antioxidant, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory are shown to be useful in preventing the incidence of cancer. India is one of the biodiversity regions and is native to numerous flora and fauna in the world. Of the many fruiting trees indigenous to India, Mango (Mangifera indica), Black plum (Eugenia jambolana or Syzygium jambolana), Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis or Phyllanthus emblica), kokum (Garcinia indica or Brindonia indica), stone apple or bael (Aegle marmelos), Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), Karaunda (Carissa carandas) and Phalsa (Grewia asiatica), Monkey Jackfruit (Artocarpus lakoocha) and Elephant apple (Dillenia indica) have been shown to be beneficial in preventing cancer and in the treatment of cancer in validated preclinical models of study. In this review, efforts are also made to collate the fruits' anticancer effects and the important phytochemicals. Efforts are also made at emphasizing the underlying mechanism/s responsible for the beneficial effects in cancer prevention and treatment. These fruits have been a part of the diet, are non-toxic, and easily acceptable for human application. The plants and some of their phytochemicals possess diverse medicinal properties. The authors propose that future studies should be directed at detailed studies with various preclinical models of study with both composite fruit extract/juice and the individual phytochemicals. Additionally, translational studies should be planned with the highly beneficial, well-investigated and pharmacologically multifactorial amla to understand its usefulness as a cancer preventive in the high-risk population and as a supportive agent in cancer survivors. The outcome of both preclinical and clinical studies will be useful for patients, the healthcare fraternity, pharmaceutical, and agro-based sectors.

Pharmacological Activity of Garcinia indica (Kokum): An Updated Review

Garcinia indica (commonly known as kokum), belonging to the Clusiaceae family (mangosteen family), is a tropical evergreen tree distributed in certain regions of India. It has been used in culinary and industrial applications for a variety of purposes, including acidulant in curries, pickles, health drinks, wine, and butter. In particular, G. indica has been used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation, dermatitis, and diarrhea, and to promote digestion. According to several studies, various phytochemicals such as garcinol, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), cyanidin-3-sambubioside, and cyanidin-3-glucoside were isolated from G. indica, and their pharmacological activities were published. This review highlights recent updates on the various pharmacological activities of G. indica. These studies reported that G. indica has antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antidepressant and anxiolytic effects both in vitro and in vivo. These findings, together with previously published reports of pharmacological activity of various components isolated from G. indica, suggest its potential as a promising therapeutic agent to prevent various diseases.

Garcinol from Garcinia indica inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcriptase-associated ribonuclease H

The bioactive components of Garcinia indica, garcinol (camboginol), and isogarcinol (cambogin), are suitable drug candidates for the treatment of various human diseases. HIV-1-RNase H assay was used to study the RNase H inhibition by garcinol and isogarcinol. Docking of garcinol into the active site of the enzyme was carried out to rationalize the difference in activities between the two compounds. Garcinol showed higher HIV-1-RNase H inhibition than the known inhibitor RDS1759 and retained full potency against the RNase H of a drug-resistant HIV-1 reverse transcriptase form. Isogarcinol was distinctly less active than garcinol, indicating the importance of the enolizable β-diketone moiety of garcinol for anti-RNase H activity. Docking calculations confirmed these findings and suggested this moiety to be involved in the chelation of metal ions of the active site. On the basis of its HIV-1 reverse transcriptase-associated RNase H inhibitory activity, garcinol is worth being further explored concerning its potential as a cost-effective treatment for HIV patients.

Coleus forskohlii and Garcinia indica extracts attenuated lipid accumulation by regulating energy metabolism and modulating gut microbiota in obese mice

Obesity is related to energy imbalance and energy metabolism. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of Garcinia indica extract (GIE), Coleus forskohlii extract (CFE), and the combinations of these two extracts in a 3T3-L1 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. In vitro, GIE showed better effect on TG content than CFE, CFE showed better effect on glycerol released than GIE, and the combinations of GIE and CFE showed both effects compared with GIE and CFE alone. In vivo, GIE, LMIX (0.005% GIE + 0.025% CFE), and HMIX (0.01% GIE + 0.025% CFE) down-regulated adipogenesis-related transcription factors PPARγ and C/EBPα protein expression, CFE promoted lipolysis by up-regulated p-HSL and p-PKA protein expression, and four supplementations promoted fatty acid β-oxidation by up-regulating CPT-1A and PPARα protein expression to decrease lipid accumulation in adipose tissue. Moreover, we found that CFE, LMIX and HMIX, except GIE exert increasing the abundance of Bacteroides caccae compared with HFD group. Overall, GIE, CFE, and the combinations of GIE and CFE were able to decrease body weight and adipocyte size by promoting fatty acid β-oxidation and modulating gut microbiota in HFD-induced obese mice.

Anti-Arthritic Effect of Garcinol Enriched Fraction Against Adjuvant Induced Arthritis

Background:

Garcinia indica also known as kokum is used in traditional system of medicine for relieving inflammation and rheumatic pain. Garcinol, a benzophenone obtained from its fruit rind is reported to have anti-inflammatory effect via modulating arachidonic acid metabolism, suppressing iNOS expression, NF-κB activation and COX-2 expression. It has also been studied for antioxidant and anti-cancer activity. Apart from these, few patents claim that garcinol also has anti-obesity and hepatoprotec-tive effect and has a potential to be used for the treatment of renal disorders, endometriosis and cardiac dysfunction.

Objective:

Garcinol Enriched Fraction (GEF) from the fruit rind of Garcinia indica should be effective in the treatment of arthritis, one of the chronic inflammatory disorder owing to its anti-inflammatory property as indicated by earlier experiments.

Methods:

GEF was prepared from the fruit rind of Garcinia indica and quantified using LC-MS/MS. It was found to contain 89.4% w/w of garcinol. GEF was evaluated at the dose of 10mg/kg for its efficacy against Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis in Wistar albino rats. Paw volumes of both sides were measured by Plethysmometer and body weight was recorded on 0, 1, 5, 12 and 21^st day. The hyperalgesic response was also measured by motility test and stair climbing test.

Results:

GEF showed a significant reduction in paw swelling (p < 0.0001) and arthritis index (p < 0.0001) exhibiting anti-inflammatory potential. It also improves the motility and stair climbing ability of experimental animals (p < 0.05), thus reducing hyperalgesia.

Conclusion:

Garcinol enriched fraction shows anti-arthritic activity in experimental animals.

Comparative de novo flower transcriptome analysis of polygamodioecious tree Garcinia indica

To extend our understanding of molecular mechanism of sex determination in agro-economically important, polygamodioecious tree Garcinia indica (Kokum), high-throughput, next-generation flower transcriptome sequencing (NGS), and comparative analyses were performed to investigate differentially expressed gene in bisexual, female, and male flowers. A total of 49414 unigenes in BS, 45944 unigenes in FL, and 49028 unigenes in ML flowers were annotated. KO annotations revealed that 25 functional categories were large number of genes which were annotated to 'signal transduction'. We identified 33 genes for 'auxin response factor' and 50 for 'ethylene-responsive factor' whose expression changed significantly in all the three paired library combinations. Furthermore, key regulators of floral development such as FLC, SVP, AP1, AP2, AP3, AG, AGL2, AGL4, AGL9, and PI were identified. A total of 327 differentially expressed MADS-box genes were identified in G. indica transcriptome. Analysis of MADS-box genes identified five genes such as MADS AGL11, CRS2-associated factor chloroplastic, conserved hypothetical protein, uncharacterized protein LOC104422218, and MADS-box JOINTLESS-like isoform X3 significantly expressed in only FL flower. In addition, number of DEGs like dynamin 2A, auxin response factor, and spermidine synthase involved in sex expression and reproduction were discovered. The expression patterns of selected genes matched well with the expression levels of unigenes by transcriptome sequencing. Our large-scale comparative analyses may provide valuable hints for the next insights into the molecular mechanism of sex determination in G. indica.

Local indigenous fruit-derived juices as alternate source of acidity regulators

BACKGROUND

Acidity regulators are additives that alter and control food acidity. The objective of this study was to explore local indigenous fruits as sources of natural acidity regulators. Juices extracted from Garcinia indica (kokum), Embilica officinalis (amla) and Tamarindus indica (tamarind) were used as acidulants for media such as coconut milk and bottle gourd juice. The buffering capacity β, acid composition, antioxidant activity and shelf-life study of the acidified media were estimated.

RESULTS

Potentiometric titration showed G. indica to possess the highest buffering capacity in both ranges. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed T. indica contained a high level of tartaric acid (4.84 ± 0.01 mg g^-1 ), while G. indica had citric acid (22.37 ± 0.84 mg g^-1 ) and E. officinalis had citric acid (2.75 ± 0.02 mg g^-1 ) along with ascorbic acid (2.68 ± 0.01 mg g^-1 ). 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity was high for E. officinalis (91.24 ± 0.66%) and T. indica (90.93 ± 0.817%) and relatively lower for G. indica (34.61 ± 3.66%). The shelf-life study showed total plate count to be within the prescribed limits up to a week, in accordance with safety regulations.

CONCLUSION

This investigation confirmed the suitability of indigenous fruit juices as alternatives to existing acidity regulators. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of Garcinia indica fruit rind via monoaminergic pathway

Depression and anxiety are the most crippling neuropsychiatric disorders of this modern era. These mostly occur as anxiety followed by depression or in mixed state. Therefore, there is an urgent need of a safe and effective treatment, which proves its worth in this ailment. What else than a conventional food would be a better choice for a convenient therapy. Therefore, Garcinia indica, commonly known as Kokam, fruit rind has been used in the present study to investigate its antidepressant and anti-anxiety potential using forced swim test, tail suspension test, and reserpine-induced hypothermia; and elevated plus maze, hole-board test, and light dark model, respectively. Garcinia indica fruit rind given to mice with food for consecutive 14 days at 0.5, 1, and 2% w/w significantly (p < 0.05) reduced despair behavior in forced swim test, immobility duration in tail suspension test, and also switched the hypothermia (reserpine induced) to normal temperature significantly (p < 0.05). Garcinia indica significantly (p < 0.05) raised the time elapsed and count of entries in open arms of elevated plus maze, enhanced incidence of head dipping in holes of hole board along with duration of expending time in lit compartment of light dark model, exhibiting its anti-anxiety effect. Garcinia indica significantly reduced monoamine oxidase and malondialdehyde levels providing support to neuroprotective potential of fruit rind. The mechanistic study showed the participation of G. indica at α₁-adrenoceptor and D₂-dopamine receptor, by attenuating prazosin and sulpiride-induced increase in immobility duration. Garcinia indica fruit rind showed a significant antidepressant and anxiolytic effect while no effect on locomotor activity, i.e., no psycho-stimulation.

fruit rinds on isoprenaline-induced myocardial injury in Wistar albino rats

In the present study, cardioprotective effect of aqueous extract of Garcinia indica Linn. fruit rinds in isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in Wistar albino rats was evaluated. In vitro total phenolic, total flavonoid content and 2, 2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate radical scavenging activity was measured. In vivo effect of aqueous extract of G. indica was evaluated in Wistar albino rats by isoprenaline-induced myocardial injury model. Thirty six rats were randomly divided in 6 groups. Rats were treated with G. indica 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg doses for 21 days and myocardial injury was produced by subcutaneous injection of isoprenaline 85 mg/kg on day 20 and 21. Carvedilol 1 mg/kg for 21 days served as active control. Electrocardiogram parameters, cardiac injury markers (serum troponin-I, uric acid, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine kinase-MB, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase), oxidative stress markers (superoxide dismutase, catalase and malondialdehyde level) and histopathological changes were evaluated in each group and compared using appropriate statistical tests. In vitro evaluation of aqueous extract showed significant antioxidant property. Isoprenaline produced significant myocardial ischemia as compared to normal control group (P<0.05). Administration of G. indica in both the doses did not significantly recover the altered electrocardiogram, cardiac injury markers, oxidative stress markers and histopathological myocardial damage as compared to disease control group (P>0.05). The aqueous extract of G. indica was not found to be cardioprotective against myocardial injury. Further study with more sample size and higher dose range may be required to evaluate its cardioprotective effect.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect of Garcinia indica fruit rind in ethanol-induced hepatic damage in rodents

The protective effects of aqueous extracts of the fruit rind of Garcinia indica (GIE) on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity and the probable mechanisms involved in this protection were investigated in rats. Liver damage was induced in rats by administering ethanol (5 g/kg, 20% w/v p.o.) once daily for 21 days. GIE at 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg and the reference drug silymarin (200 mg/kg) were administered orally for 28 days to ethanol treated rats, this treatment beginning 7 days prior to the commencement of ethanol administration. Levels of marker enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)), triglyceride (sTG), albumin (Alb) and total protein (TP) were evaluated in serum. Antioxidant parameters (reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR)), hepatic triglycerides (hTG) and the lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined in liver. GIE and silymarin elicited significant hepatoprotective activity by attenuating the ethanol–elevated levels of AST, ALT, ALP, sTG, hTG and MDA and restored the ethanol-depleted levels of GSH, SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, Alb and TP. GIE 800 mg/kg demonstrated greater hepatoprotection than GIE 400 mg/kg. The present findings indicate that hepatoprotective effects of GIE in ethanol-induced oxidative damage may be due to an augmentation of the endogenous antioxidants and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in liver.

Protective effect of methanolic extract of Garcinia indica fruits in 6-OHDA rat model of Parkinson's disease

CONTEXT

Several studies have reported that antioxidants play an important role in Parkinson's disease (PD). Garcinia indica extract is a natural antioxidant, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of methanolic extract of Garcinia indica (GIM) against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) neurotoxicity for striatal dopaminergic neurons in the rat.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups namely control, 6-OHDA model, and GIM (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight suspended in one ml of 0.1% carboxymethyl cellulose). The treatment was started three days before surgery and continued for next 14 days. The surgery was done on third day in all groups for administration of 6-OHDA into the right striatum and right substantia nigra, whereas control group injected with 6-OHDA vehicle. Various behavior and biochemical tests (Apomorphine-induced rotational behavior, Stepping test, Initiation time, Postural balance test, and Disengage time) were used to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of GIM. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett's test was used to compare inter-group differences. P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS

GIM had significant (P<0.05, P<0.01) preventive effect in biochemical tests, i.e., dopamine and its metabolites measurement and in various behavior tests, i.e., apomorphine-induced rotational behavior, stepping test, initiation time, postural balance test, and disengage time as compared to 6-OHDA-treated rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrated that GIM acted as an effective neuroprotective agent for striatal dopaminergic neurons in 6-OHDA lesioned rat model of PD.

Antibacterial activity of polyphenols of garcinia indica

The aim of present work is to study the antibacterial activity of polyphenols isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble of methanol extract of stem bark of Garcinia indica against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli by paper disc method. The results showed good antibacterial activity against S. aureus at higher concentrations, moderate at lower concentrations, against S. typhi moderate at higher concentrations but no activity against E. coli even at higher concentration for flavononylflavone. With proauthocyanin S. Aureus, S. Typhi and E. coli showed good antibacterial activity at higher concentration only.

Aqueous extract of garcinia indica choisy restores glutathione in type 2 diabetic rats

Significant depletion of glutathione (GSH-reduced form) was observed in type 2 diabetes due to oxidative stress. Hence the present study was aimed to investigate a drug which restores GSH along with its anti-diabetic activity. Aqueous extract of Garcinia indica at a dose of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg was given orally to streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats for a period of 4 weeks. At the end, parameters such as fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, and GSH in blood were analyzed. Aqueous extract of G. indica significantly decreased both the fasting and postprandial blood glucose in type 2 diabetic rats. The extract also restored the erythrocyte GSH in type 2 diabetic rats. Drug at higher dose, i.e. 200 mg/kg, had a more pronounced effect. Restoring the erythrocyte GSH, an intracellular anti-oxidant in diabetes, will be beneficial specially by preventing the risk of developing complications.