Saussurea Lappa Research Articles

Effects of Aucklandia lappa Decne. Extract on Hair Growth in Depilated CL57BL/6 Mice

본 연구에서는 제모된 마우스 모델을 대상으로 목향 추출물의 경구 투여가 발모에 미치는 영향에 대해 조사하였다. 목향 70% prethanol 추출물(ALD)을 제조하여 추출수율과 추출물에 함유된 총 폴리페놀 함량을 측정한 결과 각각 27.30±0.01과 28.39 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g extract로 측정되었다. ALD를 제모된 CL57BL/6 마우스에 6주간 경구 투여하며 관찰한 결과, 식이량과 체중 변화에 유의적인 변화가 관찰되지 않았다. 혈액 생화학적 검사 및 조직학적 검사를 통해 ALD의 6주간 반복 투여가 주요 장기인 간과 신장의 기능에 미치는 영향을 살펴본 결과, 대조군에 비해 간기능과 콩팥기능 모두 유의적인 변화는 관찰되지 않았다. 이와 더불어 ALD 투여에 따른 모발 성장 정도를 육안적으로 관찰한 결과, ALD 투여군에서 대조군 및 판시딜 투여군(양성 대조군)보다 현저하게 발모가 증가함을 확인하였다. 또한 모낭수와 진피의 콜라겐 생성 정도를 비교한 결과, 대조군 및 판시딜 투여군 대비 ALD 투여군에서 두 항목 모두 유의적으로 증가함을 알 수 있었다. 본 연구로부터 ALD의 경구 투여는 제모된 마우스 모델에서 모발 성장을 촉진하며 진피내 콜라겐 합성 증가와 모낭수 증가를 유도한다는 결론을 도출할 수 있었으며, 이는 ALD를 함유하는 경구용 발모 촉진제 개발을 위한 기초자료로써 그 가치가 있을 것으로 기대된다.

Saussureae Radix Attenuates Neuroinflammation in LPS-Stimulated Mouse BV2 Microglia via HO-1/Nrf-2 Induction and Inflammatory Pathway Inhibition.

The activation of microglial cells and their subsequent neuroinflammatory reactions are related to various degenerative brain diseases. Therefore, the regulation of microglial cell activation is an important point for the research of therapeutic agents for treating or preventing neurodegenerative disorders. Saussureae Radix (SR) is the root of Saussurea lappa Clarke, and it has been used for a long time as an herbal medicine in East Asia to treat indigestion and inflammation of the digestive system. In previous studies, however, the effect of SR ethanolic extract on microglial cell-mediated neuroinflammation was not fully explained. In this study, we explored the antineuroinflammatory activities and molecular mechanisms of SR in microglial cells stimulated with LPS (lipopolysaccharide). Our results illustrated that SR does not cause cytotoxicity and significantly weakens the production of nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory cytokines. SR treatment also inhibited the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 2, induced heme oxygenase- (HO-) 1, and activated the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) pathway. In addition, SR significantly repressed the transcriptional activities of the nuclear factor- (NF-) κB and activator protein- (AP-) 1. Furthermore, SR effectively inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT). Isolation and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis indicated two major sesquiterpenoids (costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone). These compounds significantly inhibited the production of neuroinflammatory mediators and induced HO-1 expression. These findings show that SR could be a potential candidate for the treatment of inflammation-related degenerative brain diseases.

Antibacterial and Catalytic Performance of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Embedded in Crosslinked PVA Sheet

In this research work, a green method of using Saussurea costus extract for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is developed. Analysis of the synthesized AgNPs showed that the hydroxyl and carbonyl functionalities of the Saussurea costus extract are playing major roles in their synthesis. X-ray diffraction revealed that the AgNP has face-centered cubic crystal structure. Field emission scanning electron microscopy suggested that the AgNP nanoparticles has a spherical shape with sizes ranging ~ 45 ± 15 nm. Furthermore, these green synthesized AgNPs were applied in the catalysis as well as biomedical fields. AgNPs were embedded in a crosslinked thin polyvinyl alcohol sheet and repeatedly used in the 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction for 8 times. A high activity was observed for the Saussurea costus extract synthesized AgNP (S.C./AgNP) where the rate constant was 0.441 min− 1. The antibacterial studies on Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumannii (gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (gram positive) bacterial strains showed a good potential of the S.C./AgNP in killing these pathogens at a concentration of 1 µg/ml.

Preventive Effect of Saussurea lappa Extract on Osteoarthritis in Mice Model through Inhibition of NF-κB Pathway

The current study evaluated Saussurea lappa extract (SLE) as possible therapeutic agent for osteoarthritis treatment in mice model. Male BALB/c nude mice were separated into sham, model and SLE treatment (at 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 mg/kg) groups. Osteoarthritis mice model was prepared by injecting 5mg/kg doses of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) to mice via intra-articular route. The SLE was injected to mice for 20 days from day 2 of MIA injection through intraperitoneal route. The SLE treatment alleviated OA-induced higher secretion of interleukin-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in mice serum. Moreover, elevated levels of P2X7R and MMP-13 in OA mice were also significantly down-regulated on treatment with SLE. In OA mice SLE treatment suppressed expression of SP and PGE2 in cartilage tissues. The expression of activated IκBα and NF-κB p65 was also inhibited markedly by SLE treatment in OA mice. In summary, SLE has protective effect on osteoarthritis in mice by targeting interleukin overproduction and P2X7R expression. Besides, it suppressed MMP expression and deactivated NF-κB signaling pathway. Therefore, SLE can be developed for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Quantification of macro, micro and trace elements, and antimicrobial activity of medicinal herbs and their products

The study describes the content of macro, micro, and trace essential and toxic elements in thirteen medicinal herbs and their products including Acorus calamus, Blepharis edulis, Caesalpinia bonducella, Curculigo orchioides, Helicteres isora, Holarrhena pubescens, Pastinaca sativa, Pistacia integerrima, Quercus infectoria, Rauwolfia serpentina, Saussurea lappa, Teucrium stocksianum, and Xanthium strumarium available in the local markets of Pakistan. The elemental content were analyzed with the techniques of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and ICP-mass spectrometry (MS). Furthermore, their antibacterial and antifungal activities were evaluated against the selected microbial pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Aspergillus flavus, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Among macro elements, K and Ca showed the highest content, micro elements were in the order of Rb85/ Sr87 > Zn64/Cu63 > Ni60, and among essential trace elements, the content of Cr52/Cr53 and Co59 were high. The content of the analyzed toxic elements were lower than the permissible standard values. The antimicrobial activities against the subject strains were significant with inhibition zones of 7.0-19.0 mm in disc diffusion procedure, and 62.5–1000 µg/mL in minimum inhibitory concentration method. Hence, the presence of nutritional elements at appreciable concentrations, toxic elements within permissible ranges, and significant antimicrobial potential assume the subject herbs as promising nutritional and therapeutic remedies.

Identification and characterization of SlbHLH, SlDof and SlWRKY transcription factors interacting with SlDPD gene involved in costunolide biosynthesis in Saussurea lappa

The genes involved in costunolide biosynthesis in Saussurea lappa have been identified recently by our lab. However, the study of transcriptional regulators of these genes was lacking for better opportunities for engineering the pharmacologically important biosynthetic pathway. Therefore, we cloned the promoter region of diphosphomevalonate decarboxylase gene (DPD) and analyzed its cis-acting regulatory elements to reveal the potential transcription factor (TF) binding sites for Dof, bHLH and WRKY family proteins in the gene promoter. The transcriptome study approach followed by the hidden Markov model based search, digital gene expression, co-expression network analysis, conserved domain properties and evolutionary analyses were carried out to screen out seven putative TFs for the DPD-TF interaction studies. Yeast one-hybrid assays were performed and three TFs were reported, namely, SlDOF2, SlbHLH3 and SlWRKY2 from Dof, bHLH and WRKY families, respectively that interacted positively with the DPD gene of the costunolide biosynthetic pathway. The tissue specific relative gene expression studies also supported the linked co-expression of the gene and its interacting TFs The present report will improve the understanding of transcriptional regulation pattern of costunolide biosynthetic pathway.

Generating the Responses Immune with Honey, Saussurea costus, and Nigella Sativa in Cellular and Humoral May Resolve COVID-19?

Backgrounds: Covid-19 has become pandemic in the world, including Indonesia. Some Indonesia Covid-19 people tried to consume Honey, Sausseria coctus, and Nigella sativa for curing the Covid-19 disease. From many testimonies, citizen Indonesia people with no need to take hospitalization have reported a cure if they consumed it. Aims: To make evidence-based medicine that Honey, Sausseria coctus dan Nigella may cure the Covid-19 Methods: We used to post only control design and mice as an animal model. The research divided mice into two groups, and the first group as control received PBS as a placebo. Then the second group, we gave Honey, Sausseria coctus dan Nigella sativa. All of the regiment enters the mouth with special sonde to reach the gastrointestinal organ. After administration regiments a long three weeks, we sacrificed the mice. We evaluated cellular immune responses that are Th2, Th17, and NK cells. We check for humoral immune response, TGF-β, IL-17A, sIgA, IL-4, IL-4, B-def, and IgG. Results: We got deference Th2 and Th17 between control with treatment group (p=0.05). For markers, humoral immunity all has deference between control with treatment group (p=>0.05) statistically, but one (IL-17A) have no statistical difference. Conclusions: We want to continue studying immune responses in humans with COVID-19 if giving Honey, Sausseria coctus, and Nigella sativa.

Ethnopharmacological study of herbal remedies used for the management of thyroid disorders in Algeria

Traditional medicine is gaining an increasing importance in diseases management. Besides, thyroid disease is one of the common endocrine disorders spreading at high frequency worldwide. The present work is an ethnopharmacological study aiming to identify, document and analyze aromatic and medicinal plants used in Algerian traditional medicines for thyroid disorders management. Semi-structured interviews with 120 herbalists and traditional practitioners and rural dwellers were realized in eleven locations in Algeria throughout field studies achieved from June 2017 to July 2019. Results reveal the use of 63 medicinal plants belonging to 59 genera and 34 families. The most represented botanical families were Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, Apiaceae, Amaranthaceae and Asteraceae. However, the most cited plant species were Atriplex halimus L., Bunium incrassatum (Boiss.) Amo, Nigella sativa L., Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. and Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. These species are taken alone or in mixtures of two or more ingredients from different origins such as honey, olive oil, and goat milk. Our findings revealed new therapeutic uses of 60 medicinal plants that have not been previously reported for the treatment of thyroid in Algeria. This is the first study documenting the traditional uses based on herbal medicine for thyroid management in Algeria. Our findings are relevant in the search for novel drug discovery. Obviously, it is the time to increase effective scientific studies on mechanisms of action of these medicinal plants in order to validate their popular usages.

Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Aucklandia lappa Root Extracts on Acetic Acid-Induced Writhing in Mice and Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related joint disease and one of the most common degenerative bone diseases among elderly people. The currently used therapeutic strategies relying on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids for OA are often associated with gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and kidney disorders, despite being proven effective. Aucklandia lappa is a well-known traditional medicine. The root of A. lappa root has several bioactive compounds and has been in use as a natural remedy for bone diseases and other health conditions. We evaluated the A. lappa root extracts on OA progression as a natural therapeutic agent. A. lappa substantially reduced writhing numbers in mice induced with acetic acid. Monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) was injected into the rats through their knee joints of rats to induce experimental OA, which shows similar pathological characteristics to OA in human. A. lappa substantially reduced the MIA-induced weight-bearing of hind limb and reversed the cartilage erosion in MIA rats. IL-1β, a representative inflammatory mediator in OA, was also markedly decreased by A. lappa in the serum of MIA rats. In vitro, A. lappa lowered the secretion of NO and suppressed the IL-1β, COX-2, IL-6, and iNOS production in RAW264.7 macrophages activated with LPS. Based on its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, A. lappa could be a potential remedial agent against OA.

Prophylactic Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Saussurea Costus Roots Against Hepato- Renal Toxicity Induced by Diazinon in Chickens

The study was performed to investigate the prophylactic role of Saussurea costus roots in the functional and histological changes caused by diazinon in the liver and kidneysin chickens. 18 chickens were used of Arbor Acres strain at 54 days of age and 1300-1500 gm average of body weight was used for this purpose. The birds were divided into 3 groups equally (6chicken in each groups), Group 1: served as a control negative received distilled water 1 ml. Group 2: served as a positive control group, received diazinon at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg/day. Group 3: were given an ethanolic extractof Saussurea costus at dose 300 mg/kg, then after one hour administrated diazinon at the dose of 0.2 mg/kg/day, this group served as a prophylactic group. The doses were given orally once daily for 4 weeks.The results of group 2 showed clinical signs such as ruffled feathers, salivation, diarrhea, breathing from the mouth, teary eyes, drooping of wings. The body weights of the chickens and weights of the liver and kidneys of group 2 significantly declined (p≤ 0.05) compared with groups 1 and 3. There was a significant decrease (p≤ 0.05) in WBC count, lymphocyte, total protein, albumin, GSH, SOD, CAT, and GPX levels, while a significant increase (p≤0.05) in heterophil, ALT, AST, creatinine, urea, uric acid, and MDA compared with group 1. The gross examination of the liver and kidney of group 2 were pale, easily crumbles and smaller than that of group 1. Histopathological changes of the liver of group 2 including congested and dilated central vein, vacuolated cytoplasm of hepatocytes, focal necrotic tissue filled with inflammatory cells, thickening of the bile duct, thickening wall of the portal artery. fibroblast in portal area, dilated sinusoid. Histopathological changes of the kidney including dilatation of renal tubule, hemorrhage, and atrophy in the glomerulus. we concluded that administration of ethanolic extractof Saussurea costus resulted in amelioration of the morphological changes in diazinon treated chickens, improved parameters and restored the parameters to near normal compared with group 1. These results revealed that Saussurea costus roots acts as an antioxidant substance and has a hepatic and renoprotective effect against toxicity induced by diazinon.

Quality control, HPTLC analysis, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of hydroalcoholic extract of roots of qust (Saussurea lappa, C.B Clarke)

Abstract Objectives Saussurea lappa, CB Clarke (S.lappa) is a perennial herb of the Compositae family. The root of S.lappa has been used for the treatment of various diseases such as hepatitis, jaundice, intestinal worms, bronchial asthma, and a variety of skin diseases. The aim of the study was to ensure quality control of S.lappa and its preparation HAESL (hydroalcoholic extract of S.lappa) along with assessment of HAESL antimicrobial and antioxidant activities in vitro. Methods HAESL was prepared with 50% ethanol, (v/v). Physiochemical analysis of the root of S.lappa, and phytochemical screening, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), and in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of HAESL were performed using the standard protocol. Results Physiochemical and phytochemical assessments of S.lappa and HAESL showed the greater quality of the drug. HAESL showed the presence of many phytochemical constituents corresponding to colorful spots, peaks, area under the curve, and corresponding Rf values as evident in the TLC and HPTLC analysis. HAESL showed a concentration-dependent effect on radical scavenging activity against DPHH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and hydroxyl radical with IC50 value of 19.10 μg/mL and 82.23 μg/mL, respectively. HAESL exhibited antimicrobial activity against the growth of micro-organisms such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Aspergillus flavus, and Candida albicans. HASEL showed no antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus niger. Conclusions The procured and an identified sample of Saussurea lappa was good in quality and the prepared HAESL contained many phytochemical compounds. HAESL substantiated significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in vitro.

Quality control, HPTLC analysis, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of hydroalcoholic extract of roots of qust (Saussurea lappa, C.B Clarke).

Saussurea lappa, CB Clarke (S.lappa) is a perennial herb of the Compositae family. The root of S.lappa has been used for the treatment of various diseases such as hepatitis, jaundice, intestinal worms, bronchial asthma, and a variety of skin diseases. The aim of the study was to ensure quality control of S.lappa and its preparation HAESL (hydroalcoholic extract of S.lappa) along with assessment of HAESL antimicrobial and antioxidant activities in vitro. HAESL was prepared with 50% ethanol, (v/v). Physiochemical analysis of the root of S.lappa, and phytochemical screening, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), and in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of HAESL were performed using the standard protocol. Physiochemical and phytochemical assessments of S.lappa and HAESL showed the greater quality of the drug. HAESL showed the presence of many phytochemical constituents corresponding to colorful spots, peaks, area under the curve, and corresponding Rf values as evident inthe TLC and HPTLC analysis. HAESL showed a concentration-dependent effect on radical scavenging activity against DPHH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and hydroxyl radical with IC50 value of 19.10μg/mL and 82.23μg/mL, respectively. HAESL exhibited antimicrobial activity against the growth of micro-organisms such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Aspergillus flavus, and Candida albicans. HASEL showed no antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus niger. The procured and an identified sample of Saussurea lappa was good in quality and the prepared HAESL contained many phytochemical compounds. HAESL substantiated significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in vitro.

Nanocapsules containing Saussurea lappa essential oil: Formulation, characterization, antidiabetic, anti-cholinesterase and anti-inflammatory potentials.

Plant-based remedies have been widely used for the management of variable diseases due to their safety and less side effects. In the present study, we investigated Saussurea lappa CB. Clarke. (SL) given its largely reported medicinal effects. Specifically, our objective was to provide an insight into a new polymethyl methacrylate based nanocapsules as carriers of SL essential oil and characterize their biologic functions. The nanoparticles were prepared by nanoprecipitation technique, characterized and analyzed for their cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, anti-Alzheimer and antidiabetic effects. The results revealed that the developed nanoparticles had a diameter around 145nm, a polydispersity index of 0.18 and a zeta potential equal to+45mV and they did not show any cytotoxicity at 25μg·mL-1. The results also showed an anti-inflammatory activity (reduction in metalloprotease MMP-9 enzyme activity and RNA expression of inflammatory cytokines: TNF-α, GM-CSF and IL1β), a high anti-Alzheimer's effect (IC50 around 25.0 and 14.9μg·mL-1 against acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, respectively), and a strong antidiabetic effect (IC50 were equal to 22.9 and 75.8μg·mL-1 against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively). Further studies are required including the in vivo studies (e.g., preclinical), the pharmacokinetic properties, the bioavailability and the underlying associated metabolic pathways.

Costus Root Extract Preserves Thyroid Hormones Levels, Thyroglobulin Expression and Thyroid Tissues in Rats Receiving Valproate Sodium

BACKGROUND: Valproate sodium is an anticonvulsant drug. Saussurea lappa (costus) is a medicinal plant rich with antioxidants. This research aimed to assess the protective effect of costus root extract against valproate sodium-induced thyrotoxicity.METHODS: Eighty adult male albino rats were equally divided into four groups; group I: untreated control, group II: rats were given 200 mg/kg BW valproate sodium orally and daily for 8 weeks, group III: rats were given 300 mg/kg BW costus root extract orally and daily for 8 weeks, and group IV: rats were given combination of valproate sodium and costus root extract. After 8 weeks, blood samples were collected to evaluate T3, T4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Thyroid gland samples were handled for light and electron microscopic investigation. The heights of follicular cells, area % of collagen fibers and color intensity of thyroglobulin immunoreaction were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: After being given valproate sodium as an induction, hormonal assay showed significant decrease in serum T3 and T4 and significant increase of TSH. Follicular and cellular alterations were shown by light and electron microscopes. Morphometric study revealed increased follicular cell height and area % of collagen fibers and decreased color intensity of thyroglobulin. In contrast, costus root extract appeared to have a protective role against valproate sodium-induced thyroid injury. Most of the changes induced by valproate sodium were not observed after supplementation with the plant root extract.CONCLUSION: Valproate sodium has serious effects on the function and structure of thyroid gland, and this study shows that costus root extract could have a protective effect against these effects.KEYWORDS: valproate sodium, rat, thyrotoxicity, Saussurea lappa

Research progress on terpenes and pharmacological effects of Saussurea lappa

Saussurea lappa originates in India, and now mainly grow in Yunnan, Sichuan and other places in China. It is one of the commonly used traditional herbal medicines in Tibet and other minority regions, with effects in regulating qi to relieve pain and invigo-rating spleen to promote food. It has been used in clinic for gastrointestinal diseases, such as Qi stagnation syndrome of spleen and stomach, diarrhea and tenesmus. More than 200 compounds have been identified from S. lappa. Among them, sesquiterpenoids attracted much attention. In terms of the number of compounds, eudesmanetype is dominant, guaiane and germacranetypes have also been reported frequently. Pharmacological studies have involved extracts, volatile oils and monomeric components represented by dehydrocostus lactone. Anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects on digestive system have attracted great attention. However, due to the complex sources of S. lappa and widely used in clinical practice, there is few research progress on relevant chemical constituents and pharmacological activities. This paper systematically summarizes terpenes and the pharmacological effects of S. lappa, in order to provide basis for further studies and clinical applications.

Biological applications and secondary metabolites of Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch.

Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. (Compositae), popularly known as Kuth in Ayurveda, is useful for gastrointestinal disorders in the form of a digestive agent, anti-gastric agent or an appetizer. Its roots have been used in respiratory problems like cough and asthma. The plant is also used in various other traditional medicinal systems including Unani. A number of scientific reports have proved its therapeutic importance as anti-gastric, anti-asthmatic, antispasmodic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent. A variety of secondary metabolites including sesquiterpenoid lactones, lignins, and phytosterols have been identified as bioactive principles from the roots of this plant. Today, many healthcare products are available in the market those contain S. costus roots as single or in the form of a polyherbal formulation. According to the IUCN Red List, S. lappa is under the threatened category and due to its high demand in the market, it is becoming extinct very fast from its natural habitat. Hence, there is an urgent need to protect the plant by promoting its cultivation on a large scale.

Saussurea lappa Clarke extract exhibits potent antioxidant effect and attenuates neuroinflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated microglial cells

Purpose: To investigate the antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory potential of Saussurea lappa Clarke (SLC-EA) extract in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells.Methods: Cell viability was measured by using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay while antioxidant activity was evaluated by using the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to stimulate BV-2 microglia. Griess assay was employed to assess nitric oxide (NO) production. iNOS (inducible NO synthase) expression and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) cytokine production were measured by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and immuno blot analysis, respectively.Results: Pretreatment of 100 mg/ml of SLC-EA (p < 0.001) was inhibited Nitric Oxide (NO) by 1 ug/ml of LPS-treated murine BV-2 cells. The expression of iNOS and TNF-α were reduced by SLC-EA concentration dependent manner (p < 0.001 at 100 mg/ml). SLC-EA were scavenged 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of approximately 51.4 μg/ml.Conclusion: The results indicate that SLC-EA extract exhibits strong antioxidant properties and inhibits excessive pro-inflammatory cytokine due probably to the antioxidant phenolic compounds present in SLC-EA extract. Further work in exploring the in-depth mechanisms of SLC-EA extract in regulating inflammatory signaling pathways in treating neuroinflammatory diseases is necessary.
 Keywords: Saussurea lappa, Antioxidant, Neuroinflammation, Microglia, TNF-α, iNOS

Silver nanoparticles biosynthesis using Saussurea costus root aqueous extract and catalytic degradation efficacy of safranin dye.

Nanobiotechnology is a fast growing field in which instruments are created by nano size particles of approximately 1 to 100 nm (1 to 100 nm) of the scale of nanometers. Nanoparticles today have potential implications for life sciences and human health applications. In this research, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully synthesized using Saussurea costus root aqueous extract and AgNPs have been characterized by the use of UV–Vis, Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM), and Electromicroscopy of transmission (TEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDXs). The highest number of particles are in the 5 to 15 nm range. AgNPs have been added in saffron dye solution for degradation dye biosynthesizing, and product analysis using UV/vision spectrophotometer, FTIR and HPLC has been performed. Green-summed AgNPs effectively degraded the color, with UV/VIS spectrophotometers, around 84.6 percent at 72 h of exposure time. The decrease in tested dye and presence of multiple new highs in the samples treated with different retention times (Rt) 2.30, 6.10 and 12.24 min, is positive for the biodegradation compared to the untreated dye with single high at 10.31 min, respectively. This green chemistry is very advantageous for AgNPs biosynthesis, for example, cost-effectiveness and usability for medicinal, pharmaceutical and extensive industrial applications. Furthermore, the bio-recovery unit for plant extracts provides a greater ease of handling, compared to micro-organisms.

Costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone from Saussurea lappa root inhibit autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Autophagy is a catabolic process for degradation of intracellular components and plays an important role in the development and growth of cancer. Our preliminary screening confirmed that an extract from the root of Saussurea lappa remarkably suppressed the proliferation of HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells and inhibited autophagy. In this study, we explored the effects of costunolide (CL) and dehydrocostuslactone (DCL), which are bioactive sesquiterpene lactones in this extract, on autophagy modulation in HepG2 cells. An analysis of autophagy-related proteins demonstrated that CL and DCL blocks the autophagy process that leads to the accumulation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and SQSTM1/p62 (p62). LC3 turnover assays indicated that CL and DCL trigger autophagy inhibition by blocking the autophagic flux, thereby resulting in the accumulation of LC3-II and p62. These results are encouraging and warrant further study of CL and DCL for potential use as autophagy inhibiting agents for liver cancer therapy.

Aucklandia lappa Causes Membrane Permeation of Candida albicans.

Candida albicans is a major fungal pathogen in humans. In our previous study, we reported that an ethanol extract from Aucklandia lappa weakens C. albicans cell wall by inhibiting synthesis or assembly of both (1,3)-β-D-glucan polymers and chitin. In the current study, we found that the extract is involved in permeabilization of C. albicans cell membranes. While uptake of ethidium bromide (EtBr) was 3.0% in control cells, it increased to 7.4% for 30 min in the presence of the A. lappa ethanol extract at its minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), 0.78 mg/ml, compared to uptake by heat-killed cells. Besides, leakage of DNA and proteins was observed in A. lappa-treated C. albicans cells. The increased uptake of EtBr and leakage of cellular materials suggest that A. lappa ethanol extract induced functional changes in C. albicans cell membranes. Incorporation of diphenylhexatriene (DPH) into membranes in the A. lappa-treated C. albicans cells at its MIC decreased to 84.8%, after 60 min of incubation, compared with that of the controls, indicate that there was a change in membrane dynamics. Moreover, the anticandidal effect of the A. lappa ethanol extract was enhanced at a growth temperature of 40°C compared to that at 35°C. The above data suggest that the antifungal activity of the A. lappa ethanol extract against C. albicans is associated with synergistic action of membrane permeabilization due to changes in membrane dynamics and cell wall damage caused by reduced formation of (1,3)-β-D-glucan and chitin.