Anti-oxidative and anti-hyperglycemic properties of Agastache foeniculum essential oil and oily fraction in hyperglycemia-stimulated and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage cells: In vitro and in silico studies

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hyperglycemia (HG) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) often promote superoxide accumulation, which may increase oxidative stress. Reducing superoxide production in hyperglycemia and the inflammatory condition is an emerging way to reduce protein and lipid oxidation and diabetes complication.

AIM OF STUDY

To examine the effect of Agastache foeniculum essential oil (AFEO) and oil fraction (AFoil) on HG- and LPS-stimulated oxidative stress, the pathogenicity of AFEO and AFoil on oxidative stress was assessed.

METHODS

The stimulatory effects of AFEO and AFoil on the activity and expression of NADH oxide (NOX), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the expression of nuclear respiratory factor 2 (NRF2) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) in the stimulated macrophage cell line, J774.A1, was studied. The interaction patterns of AFEO and AFoil components with NOX, SOD, CAT, NRF2, and NF-kB proteins were also deduced using molecular docking.

RESULTS

Estragole was the main ingredient in AFEO (97%). Linolenic acid (32.10%), estragole (16.22%), palmitic acid (12.62%), linoleic acid (12.04%), and oleic acid (8.73%) were the major chemical components of the AFoil. NOX activation was stimulated in macrophage cells by HG and LPS. At 20 μg/mL, AFEO and AFoil decreased NOX activity while increased SOD and CAT activities in stimulated macrophages. AFoil with estragole and omega-3 fatty acids was better than AFEO with estragole in anti-hyperglycemic and anti-oxidative activity. According to molecular docking research, estragole, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid bind to different hydrophobic pockets of NOX, SOD, CAT, NFR2, and NF-kB using hydrogen bonds, van der Waals bonds, pi-alkyl, and pi-anion interactions, with different binding energies.

CONCLUSION

AFEO and AFoil showed antioxidant and anti-diabetic activity. The mechanisms in lowering oxidative stress markers depended on down-regulating superoxide-producing enzymes and up-regulating superoxide-removing enzymes at gene and protein levels. The AFoil emulsion can be used to reduce the detrimental impacts of hyperglycemia and oxidative stress.

Limonene from Agastache mexicana essential oil produces antinociceptive effects, gastrointestinal protection and improves experimental ulcerative colitis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE

Agastache mexicana is a popular plant of great demand in folk medicine, essentially due to its calming properties and for alleviating arthritic, muscular and abdominal pain. Despite its spectrum for pain relief, pharmacological studies of its bioactive constituents have been barely investigated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate protective properties of the A. mexicana and bioactive compounds improving pathological gastrointestinal conditions in rodents.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Different doses of the essential oil of A. mexicana ssp. mexicana and ssp. xolocotziana (30-562.2 mg/kg, i.p.) and individual monoterpenes (3-300 mg/kg, i.p.) were evaluated in an abdominal pain model. The most active monoterpene limonene and sulfasalazine (reference drug, 100 mg/kg, p.o.) were also evaluated in the oxazolone-induced colitis model using an oral gavage, where some inflammatory cytokines were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Finally, colonic histological assessment and gastroprotection in the absolute ethanol-induced ulcer model were explored.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrated that the essential oil of both subspecies produced a significant reduction in the abdominal writhes, where monoterpenes limonene and pulegone were partially responsible bioactive metabolites. Limonene showed the major antinociceptive efficacy in the writhing test. It also significantly decreased hyperalgesia, pathological biomarkers, and colonic inflammatory cytokines in the oxazolone-induced colitis model, as well as prevention in gastric damage.

CONCLUSIONS

Present results provide scientific evidence to reinforce the use of A. mexicana in the traditional medicine for gastrointestinal conditions, mainly related to pain and inflammation, demonstrating the potential of monoterpenes as natural products in the therapeutics of gastrointestinal affections such as ulcer, colitis, and abdominal pain.

Chemical Analyses and Antimicrobial Activity of Nine Kinds of Unifloral Chinese Honeys Compared to Manuka Honey (12+ and 20+)

Honey has good antimicrobial properties and can be used for medical treatment. The antimicrobial properties of unifloral honey varieties are different. In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of nine kinds of Chinese monofloral honeys. In addition, headspace gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) technology was used to detect their volatile components. The relevant results are as follows: 1. The agar diffusion test showed that the diameter of inhibition zone against Staphylococcus aureus of Fennel honey (21.50 ± 0.41 mm), Agastache honey (20.74 ± 0.37 mm), and Pomegranate honey (18.16 ± 0.11 mm) was larger than that of Manuka 12+ honey (14.27 ± 0.10 mm) and Manuka 20+ honey (16.52 ± 0.12 mm). The antimicrobial activity of Chinese honey depends on hydrogen peroxide. 2. The total antioxidant capacity of Fennel honey, Agastache honey, and Pomegranate honey was higher than that of other Chinese honeys. There was a significant positive correlation between the total antioxidant capacity and the total phenol content of Chinese honey (r = 0.958). The correlation coefficient between the chroma value of Chinese honey and the total antioxidant and the diameter of inhibition zone was 0.940 and 0.746, respectively. The analyzed dark honeys had better antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. 3. There were significant differences in volatile components among Fennel honey, Agastache honey, Pomegranate honey, and Manuka honey. Hexanal-D and Heptanol were the characteristic components of Fennel honey and Pomegranate honey, respectively. Ethyl 2-methylbutyrate and 3-methylpentanoic acids were the unique compounds of Agastache honey. The flavor fingerprints of the honey samples from different plants can be successfully built using HS-GC-IMS and principal component analysis (PCA) based on their volatile compounds. Fennel honey, Agastache honey, and Pomegranate honey are Chinese honey varieties with excellent antimicrobial properties, and have the potential to be developed into medical grade honey.

Agastache rugosa ethanol extract suppresses bone loss via induction of osteoblast differentiation with alteration of gut microbiota

PURPOSE

Osteoporosis is a metabolic skeletal disease characterized by bone loss and an increased risk of fractures. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of Agastache rugosa on postmenopausal osteoporosis and elucidate its mechanisms in modulating the bone status.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In the osteoblast differentiation process with MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts, ethanol extract of Agastache rugosa (EEAR) and its compounds increased the expression of the proteins and genes of the osteoblast differentiation-related markers such as Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and β-catenin along with the elevation of calcium deposits. An ovariectomized mouse model was utilized to determine the impact of EEAR extract on postmenopausal osteoporosis. Twelve weeks of AR treatment suppressed the loss of bone strength, which was observed through micro-computed tomography. AR elevated osteogenic markers in the bone marrow cells, and collagen type 1 alpha 1 in the distal femoral bone. The results of the 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis of cecal gut microbiomes demonstrated that AR reversed the ovariectomy-induced changes in the gut microbiomes.

CONCLUSION

Ethanol extract of Agastache rugosa has a therapeutic effect on postmenopausal osteoporosis via bone morphogenic protein, transforming growth factor β, and Wnt signaling pathway. It also increases the diversity of gut microbiota. Therefore, these data suggest that EEAR could be a potential candidate to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Pharmacological Effects of Agastache rugosa against Gastritis Using a Network Pharmacology Approach

Agastache rugosa is used as a Korean traditional medicine to treat gastric diseases. However, the active ingredients and pharmacological targets of A. rugosa are unknown. In this study, we aimed to reveal the pharmacological effects of A. rugosa on gastritis by combining a mice model and a network pharmacology method. The macrophage and gastritis-induced models were used to evaluate the pharmacological effects of A. rugosa. The results show that A. rugosa relieved mucosal damage induced by HCl/EtOH in vivo. Network analysis identified 99 components in A. rugosa; six components were selected through systematic screening, and five components were linked to 45 gastritis-related genes. The main components were acacetin and luteolin, and the identified core genes were AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor alpha (NFKBIA), and mitogen-activated protein kinase-3 (MAPK3) etc. in this network. The network of components, target genes, protein–protein interactions, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway was closely connected with chemokines and with phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt (PI3K/AKT), tumor-necrosis-factor alpha (TNFα), mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor kappa B, and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. In conclusion, A. rugosa exerts gastro-protective effects through a multi-compound and multi-pathway regulatory network and holds potential for treating inflammatory gastric diseases.

Domestication of aromatic medicinal plants in Mexico: Agastache (Lamiaceae)-an ethnobotanical, morpho-physiological, and phytochemical analysis

BACKGROUND

Most reports of domesticated plants that involve a domestication gradient or inter-specific hybridization in Mexico have focused on those used as food. This study provides knowledge about these processes in two aromatic medicinal plants, Agastache mexicana (Lamiaceae) and A. m. subsp. xolocotziana, widely used in Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal ailments and for their sedative effect. Different populations of A. mexicana along a gradient of domestication are found in the foothills of the Popocatepetl volcano of central Mexico, while in this same area the subsp. xolocotziana grows only in the cultivation, possibly a product of hybridization between A. mexicana and Agastache palmeri. This study links ethnobotanical, morpho-physiological, and phytochemical evidence to document the domestication of both taxa as well as elucidates the possible hybrid origin of the subsp. xolocotziana.

METHOD

We analyze three groups of data derived from (1) 80 semi-structured interviews aimed at documenting the selection criteria related to the use and management of A. mexicana; (2) a cultivation experiment under homogeneous conditions, evaluating 21 floral, vegetative, and seed characters (that were important according to ethnobotanical information) in 97 plants corresponding to 13 populations of the taxa under study; and (3) the chemical profiles of the essential oils of these plants by means of a thin-layer chromatography.

RESULTS

By linking the three types of evidence, two evolutionary processes are distinguished: (1) A. mexicana occurs in the encouraged-cultivated phases of the domestication gradient and (2) A. m. subsp. xolocotziana may have originated through inbreeding depression or hybridization. These two cultivated plants show a domestication syndrome based upon organoleptic differentiation due to their dissimilar phytochemical composition and gigantism in flowers, seeds, and rhizomes (the last enhancing their asexual reproductive capacity). In addition to this, A. mexicana exhibits more intense floral pigmentation and foliar gigantism while subsp. xolocotziana presents floral albinism and partial seed sterility.

CONCLUSION

Two divergent evolutionary processes are reported for the domestication of A. mexicana as a result of the intensification of its use and management. The selection processes of these plants have resulted in alternation of the organoleptic properties based upon the divergence of the phytochemical composition. Also, gigantism has been selected in culturally preferred plant parts and in correlated structures. The preceding characteristics reinforce the joint use of these plants in infusion in Mexican traditionalmedicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and for their sedative effects.

Chemical Constituents from the Aerial Parts of Agastache rugosa and Their Inhibitory Activities on Prostaglandin E2 Production in Lipopolysaccharide-Treated RAW 264.7 Macrophages

A new flavone glucoside, acacetin-7-O-(3″-O-acetyl-6″-O-malonyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), two new phenolic glucosides, (3R,7R)-tuberonic acid-12-O-[6'-O-(E)-feruloyl]-β-d-glucopyranoside (14) and salicylic acid-2-O-[6'-O-(E)-feruloyl]-β-d-glucopyranoside (15), and two new phenylpropanoid glucosides, chavicol-1-O-(6'-O-methylmalonyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (17) and chavicol-1-O-(6'-O-acetyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside(18), as well as 26 known compounds, 2-13, 16, and 19-31, were isolated from the aerial parts of Agastache rugose. The structures of the new compounds were established by spectroscopic/spectrometric methods such as HRESIMS, NMR, and ECD. The anti-inflammatory effect of the isolated compounds was evaluated by measuring their inhibitory activities on prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. New compounds 1, 15, 17, and 18 inhibited LPS-induced PGE₂ production with IC₅₀ values of 16.8 ± 0.8, 33.9 ± 4.8, 14.3 ± 2.1, and 48.8 ± 4.4 μM, respectively. Compounds 5, 7, 9-11, 13, 19, 20, 22, and 27-30 showed potent inhibitory activities with IC₅₀ values of 1.7-8.4 μM.

Mechanism of action of relaxant effect of Agastache mexicana ssp.mexicana essential oil in guinea-pig trachea smooth muscle

CONTEXT

Agastache mexicana ssp. mexicana (Kunth) Lint & Epling (Lamiaceae), popularly known as 'toronjil morado', is used in Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of several diseases such as hypertension, anxiety and respiratory disorders.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the relaxant action mechanism of A. mexicana ssp. mexicana essential oil (AMEO) in guinea-pig isolated trachea model.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

AMEO was analyzed by GC/MS. The relaxant effect of AMEO (5-50 μg/mL) was tested in guinea-pig trachea pre-contracted with carbachol (3 × 10 ^- 6 M) or histamine (3 × 10 ^- 5 M) in the presence or absence of glibenclamide (10 ^- 5 M), propranolol (3 × 10 ^- 6 M) or 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (10 ^- 5 M). The antagonist effect of AMEO (10-300 μg/mL) against contractions elicited by carbachol (10 ^- 15-10 ^- 3 M), histamine (10 ^- 15-10 ^- 3 M) or calcium (10-300 μg/mL) was evaluated.

RESULTS

Essential oil composition was estragole, d-limonene and linalyl anthranilate. AMEO relaxed the carbachol (EC₅₀=18.25 ± 1.03 μg/mL) and histamine (EC₅₀=13.3 ± 1.02 μg/mL)-induced contractions. The relaxant effect of AMEO was not modified by the presence of propranolol, glibenclamide or 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, suggesting that effect of AMEO is not related to β₂-adrenergic receptors, ATP-sensitive potassium channels or adenylate cyclase activation. AMEO was more potent to antagonize histamine (pA₂' = -1.507 ± 0.122) than carbachol (pA₂' = -2.180 ± 0.357). Also, AMEO antagonized the calcium chloride-induced contractions.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that relaxant effect of AMEO might be due to blockade of calcium influx in guinea-pig trachea smooth muscle. It is possible that estragole and d-limonene could contribute majority in the relaxant effect of AMEO.

Central nervous system effects and chemical composition of two subspecies of Agastache mexicana; an ethnomedicine of Mexico

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Agastache mexicana subspecies mexicana (Amm) and xolocotziana (Amx) are used in Mexican traditional medicine to relief cultural affiliation syndromes known as "susto" or "espanto", for "nervous" condition, and as a sleep aid. Despite its intensive use, neuropharmacological studies are scarce, and the chemical composition of the aqueous extracts has not been described. Aims of the study are: (1) To analyze the chemical composition of aqueous extracts from aerial parts of Amm and Amx. (2) To evaluate the anxiolytic-like, sedative, antidepressant-like effects. (3) Analyze the general toxic effects of different doses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Anxiolytic-like and sedative effects were measured in the avoidance exploratory behavior, burying behavior and the hole-board tests. The antidepressant-like actions were studied in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Finally, general activity and motor coordination disturbances were evaluated in the open field, inverted screen and rota-rod tests. The acute toxicity of Amm and Amx was determined by calculating their LD50 (mean lethal dose). The chemical analyses were performed employing chromatographic, photometric and HPLC-ESI-MS techniques.

RESULTS

Low doses of Amm and Amx (0.1σ1.0mg/kg) induced anxiolytic-like actions; while higher doses (over 10mg/kg) induced sedation and reduced the locomotor activity, exerting a general inhibition in the central nervous system (CNS).

CONCLUSIONS

Results support the use of Amm and Amx in traditional medicine as tranquilizers and sleep inducers. Additionally, this paper contributes to the knowledge of the chemical composition of the aqueous extracts of these plants.

Chemical composition and nematicidal activity of essential oil of Agastache rugosa against Meloidogyne incognita

The aim of this research was to determine the chemical composition and nematicidal activity of essential oil of Agastache rugosa flowering aerial parts against the root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, and to isolate and identify any nematicidal constituents from the essential oil. The essential oil of A. rugosa aerial parts was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. A total of 37 components of the essential oil were identified, with the principal compounds being methyleugenol (50.51%), estragole (8.55%), and eugenol (7.54%), followed by thymol (3.62%), pulegone (2.56%), limonene (2.49%) and caryophyllene (2.38%). Based on bioactivity-guided fractionation, the three active constituents were isolated from the essential oil and identified as methyleugenol, estragole and eugenol. The essential oil of A. rugosa exhibited strong nematicidal activity against M.incognita, with a LC₅₀ value of 47.3 μg/mL. The components eugenol (LC₅₀ = 66.6 μg/mL) and methyleugenol (LC₅₀ = 89.4 μg/mL) exhibited stronger nematicidal activity against M.incognita (LC₅₀ = 185.9 μg/mL). The results indicate that the essential oil of A. rugosa aerial parts and its constituent compounds have potential for development into natural nematicides for control of the root knot nematode.

Accumulation of tilianin and rosmarinic acid and expression of phenylpropanoid biosynthetic genes in Agastache rugosa

Korean mint (Agastache rugosa), a perennial, medicinal plant of the Labiatae family, has many useful constituents, including monoterpenes and phenylpropanoids. Among these, tilianin and rosmarinic acid, 2 well-known natural products, have many pharmacologically useful properties. Chalcone synthase (CHS) and chalcone isomerase (CHI) catalyze the first and second committed steps in the phenylpropanoid pathway of plants, leading to the production of tilianin. In this study, cDNAs encoding CHS (ArCHS) and CHI (ArCHI) were isolated from A. rugosa using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE)-PCR. Amino acid sequence alignments showed that ArCHS and ArCHI shared high sequence identity and active sites with their respective orthologous genes. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was used to determine the expression levels of genes involved in tilianin and rosmarinic acid biosyntheses in the flowers, leaves, stems, and roots of A. rugosa. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed that the accumulation pattern of tilianin matched the expression patterns of ArCHS and ArCHI in different organs of A. rugosa. Moreover, acacetin, the precursor of tilianin, also demonstrated an accumulation pattern congruent with the expression of these 2 genes. The transcription levels of ArPAL, ArC4H, and Ar4CL were the highest in the leaves or flowers of the plant, which also contained a relatively high amount of rosmarinic acid. However, the roots showed a significant content of rosmarinic acid, although the transcription of ArPAL, ArC4H, and Ar4CL were low. The findings of our study support the medicinal usefulness of A. rugosa and indicate targets for increasing tilianin and rosmarinic acid production in this plant.

Spasmolytic and antinociceptive activities of ursolic acid and acacetin identified in Agastache mexicana

Agastache mexicana is a plant in high demand that has long been used in Mexican folk medicine to treat anxiety, insomnia, and stomachache, among other afflictions. Ursolic acid and acacetin were isolated and identified as two possible active compounds of A. mexicana aerial parts. An antinociceptive response was demonstrated in a significant and dose-dependent manner with ursolic acid and acacetin (i. p. and p. o.) in comparison to the analgesic diclofenac by using the writhing test in mice. Moreover, acacetin also produced a significant concentration-dependent spasmolytic response with major efficacy compared to ursolic acid and papaverine by using rings from the isolated guinea pig ileum. These results provide evidence of the presence of two active constituents of Agastache mexicana reinforcing its utility as a therapy for visceral pain as used in traditional medicine.

Validated liquid chromatographic method and analysis of content of tilianin on several extracts obtained from Agastache mexicana and its correlation with vasorelaxant effect

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

To optimize the obtention of tilianin, an antihypertensive flavonoid isolated from Agastache mexicana (Lamiaceae), a medicinal plant used in Mexico for the treatment of hypertension. Also, a validated HPLC method to quantify tilianin from different extracts, obtained by several extraction methods, was developed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The aerial parts of Agastache mexicana were dried at different temperatures (22, 40, 50, 90, 100 and 180°C) and the dry material was extracted with methanol by maceration to compare the content of the active constituent tilianin in the samples. Furthermore, EtOH:H(2)O (7:3), infusion and decoction extracts were prepared from air-dried samples at room temperature to compare the content and composition of the different extraction methods. Moreover, an ex vivo vasorelaxant test on endothelium-intact aortic rat rings was conducted, in order to correlate the presence of tilianin with the activity of each extract.

RESULTS

Higher concentration and amounts of tilianin were determined from chromatograms in the obtained methanolic extracts from plant material dried at 90, 50, 40 and 22°C, followed by 100°C; however, lower concentrations were observed in dried at 180°C and EtOH:H(2)O (7:3). It is worth to notice that methanolic extracts with higher amount of tilianin were the most potent vasorelaxant extracts, even though these extracts were less potent than carbachol, a positive control used. Finally, decoction, infusion and EtOH:H(2)O (7:3) extracts did not show any vasorelaxant effect.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that extracts with higher concentration of tilianin possess the best vasorelaxant activity, which allowed us to have a HPLC method for future quality control for this medicinal plant.

[Analysis of essential oil in herbal pair Artemisia annua-Agastache rugosa by GC-MS and chemometric resolution method]

Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry, chemometric resolution method (CRM) and overall volume integration method were used to analyze the essential components of herbal pair Artemisia annua-Agastache rugosa (AA-AR) and compare it with that of single herbs AA and AR. The results showed that the components of volatile oil of herbal pair (AA-AR) were different from that of single herb drug in quality and quantity. 70, 69, and 48 essential components in essential oil of herbal pair (AA-AR), AA and AR were determined, accounting for about 85.93%, 88.85% and 93.23% of the total volatile oil, respectively. The volatile active components of the essential oils compounds in number are almost the sum of that of two single herbs, are mainly from herb AA, and the contents of each component from herb AR were relatively high. There are 51 common active constituents shared by herbal pair AA-AR and AA, and 34 common active constituents shared by herbal pair AA-AR and AR. There are 7 new components in the essential oils of herbal pair AA-AR, the relative content of arteannuic acid (2.99%) and p-propenyl-anisole (1.92%) are higher than others.

[Studies on characteristics of volatile oil and micro-identification between Herba Pogostemonis and Herba Agastachis rugosae]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the chemical components of Herba Pogostemonis and Herba Agastachis rugosae, and develop a new method for the identification of them.

METHODS

Comparing the chemical components in volatile oil of Herba Pogostemonis and Herha Agastachis rugosae by GC-MS, and identifying leaves of them by micro-characteristics.

RESULTS

Patchouli alcohol (71.45%), the major component of Herba Pogostemonis, was its characteristic constituent and pulegone (37.58%) was the major component and characteristic constituent of Herba Agastachis rugosae. Two cells formed the head of glandular hairy in Herba Pogostemonis, while only one formed the head of glandular hairy in Herba Agastachis rugosae. The nonglandular hair was mainly constituted by one to three cells in Herba Pogostemonis, while one to four cells constituted the nonglandular hair in Herba Agastachis rugosae.

CONCLUSION

A simple and dependable identification method has been developed for Herba Pogostemonis and Herba Agastachis rugosae.

4-Methoxycinnamaldehyde inhibited human respiratory syncytial virus in a human larynx carcinoma cell line

4-Methoxycinnamaldehyde, an active constituent of Agastache rugosa, was examined for its cytoprotective activity against RSV by XTT method in human larynx carcinoma cell line. 4-Methoxycinnamaldehyde could effectively inhibit cytopathic effect of RSV (p<0.0001) with an estimated IC(50) of 0.055microg/ml and a selectivity index (SI) of 898.2. 4-Methoxycinnamaldehyde (0.03microg/ml) could inhibit viral entrance by interfering viral attachment (IC(50) of 0.06microg/ml; p<0.0001) and internalization (IC(50) of 0.01microg/ml; p<0.0001). 4-Methoxycinnamaldehyde significantly increased the basal production of IFN (p=0.0015), but not the virus-induced IFN production. Therefore, its cytoprotective activity against RSV was not mediated by interferon. In conclusion, 4-methoxycinnamaldehyde might be helpful to manage the disease induced by RSV infection.

[Textual research on history of introduction [corrected] and herbal medicine of Pogostemon cablin]

OBJECTIVE

To study the history of introduction and herbal medicine of Pogostemon cablin by textual researches and clarify the confusion in literatures.

METHOD

Textual research on historical literatures, practical applications and field investigation were adopted.

RESULT

The varieties of P. cablin for therapeutic uses were not chaotic, however there has existed confusion between P. cablin and Agastache rugosus in descriptions of appellation, habitat and characteristic of the original plants.

CONCLUSION

It was proved that the term "Huoxiang" in Chinese medicinal works before Ming Dynasty was pointed to P. cablin. The cultivation history of P. cablin in China was traced to Liang Dynasty or before.

Agastache rugosa leaf extract inhibits the iNOS expression in ROS 17/2.8 cells activated with TNF-α and IL-1β

It has been suggested that nitric oxide (NO) derived from inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) may act as a mediator of cytokine-induced effects on bone turn-over. NO is also recognized as an important factor in bone remodeling, i.e., participating in osteoblast apoptosis in an arthritic joint. The components of Agastache rugosa are known to have many pharmacological activities. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Agastache rugosa leaf extract (ELAR) on NO production and the iNOS expression in ROS 17/2.8 cells activated by a mixture of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. A preincubation with ELAR significantly and concentration-dependently reduced the expression of iNOS protein in ROS 17/2.8 cells activated with the cytokine mixture. Consequently, the NO production was also significantly reduced by ELAR with an IC50 of 0.75 mg/mL. The inhibitory mechanism of iNOS induction by ELAR prevented the activation and translocation of NF-kappaB (p65) to the nucleus from the cytosol fraction. Furthermore, ELAR concentration-dependently reduced the cellular toxicity induced by sodium nitroprusside, an NO-donor. These results suggest that ELAR may be beneficial in NO-mediated inflammatory conditions such as osteoporosis.

[Anti-fungal test of composite agastache lotion on seven pathogenic fungi and its clinical application]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of Chinese composite recipe in treating mycotic infection.

METHODS

The growth condition of 7 kinds of fungi cultured on the media containing composite agastache lotion (CAL, consisted of 5 Chinese drugs) of different concentration was observed. Result showed that CAL could inhibit 7 kinds of fungi. Based on the above anti-fungus test, 110 patients with skin tinea or genital candidiasis were treated separately with CAL, western medicine and combined (CAL and western) medicines, the therapeutic effects of the 3 groups were observed and compared.

RESULTS

The therapeutic effect in patients treated with combined medicine was significantly better than that in the other two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Combined use of CAL and western medicine could enhance the cure rate in treating skin tinea and genital candidiasis. Attention should be paid on studying Chinese anti-fungal agents.

Antifungal activity of the essential oil of Agastache rugosa Kuntze and its synergism with ketoconazole

AIMS

To evaluate the fungitoxic activity of the essential oil of Agastache rugosa alone and to determine its combination effect with ketoconazole against Blastoschizomyces capitatus.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The antifungal activities of the essential oil of A. rugosa and its main constituent estragole were investigated using the broth microdilution, disk diffusion methods and checkerboard microtitre assay. Both estragole and the essential oil exhibited strong activities against the tested fungi and showed synergism with ketoconazole against B. capitatus.

CONCLUSIONS

Both estragole and the essential oil of A. rugosa have significant growth-inhibiting activities against B. capitatus showing strong synergistic effect with ketoconazole.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The essential oil of A. rugosa, combined with ketoconazole, may be particularly useful against B. capitatus, a rare pathogenic fungus documented to cause severe and fatal mycoses in immunocompromised patients.

[Chemical composition of essential oil in stems, leaves and flowers of Agastache rugosa]

The chemical components and their relative contents of essential oil in different parts (stems, leaves and flowers) of Agastache rugosa have been analyzed by GC-MS technique, and 32 kinds of chemical structures in these three kinds of oils have been identified. Among which, it included 24 kinds in leaf-oil, 27 in stem-oil and 22 in flower-oil. The principal components in all these three kinds of oils were methylchavicol (60.01-88.43%), and other important components were d-limonene, caryophyllene, hexadecanoic acid, linoleic acid, octahydro-7-methyl-methylene-4-(1-methylethyl)-1H-cyclopenta [1, 3] cyclopropa [1, 2] benzene, etc.