Diseases In Folk Medicine Research Articles

Liverworts and Mosses from Romania with Medicinal Potential

Abstract Liverworts and mosses are terrestrial plants that contain biologically active substances that give them important medicinal qualities. After reviewing the available literature on the pharmacological activity of the most used liverworts and mosses, we present 34 species found in Romania, used for the treatment of common diseases in folk medicine around the world. Their uses in traditional medicine are sometimes confirmed by pharmacological research, especially external ones (as antimicrobial or cytotoxic remedies). The species of liverworts and mosses are mentioned with their distribution in Romanian flora and the habitats where they live.

Effects of Cornus mas L. on anthropometric and biochemical parameters among metabolic associated fatty liver disease patients: Randomized clinical trial

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCornus mas L. (Cornelian cherry, CM) fruits have been utilized for decades in numerous European and Asian countries as traditional cuisine and folk medicine. CM has antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and hypolipidemic activities due to its rich bioactive compounds, and CM fruits and other parts have been used for the prevention and treatment of a diverse variety of diseases in folk medicine. Obesity, insulin resistance, and inflammation are strongly associated with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), therefore, CM may be hope for MAFLD patients. Aim of the studyThe study aimed to evaluate the effect of lyophilized CM fruit powder with/without diet therapy on biochemical parameters and anthropometric measurements in patients with MAFLD. Materials and methodsThis randomized clinical trial was conducted on 87 patients with MAFLD and 21 healthy individuals. Patients were randomly assigned into 4 groups: group-1 receiving 30 g/d lyophilized CM fruit powder plus diet therapy, group-2 receiving only diet therapy, group-3 receiving only 30 g/d lyophilized CM fruit powder, and group-4 had not undertaken any pharmacological treatment and diet therapy or lyophilized CM fruit powder for 8 weeks. Biochemical parameters, and anthropometric measurements at baseline and after the intervention were taken. ResultsAfter 8 weeks of intervention, a significant decrease in body weight, body mass index, body fat mass, waist and hip circumferences, fasting blood glucose, insulin, hbA1c, liver enzymes, total triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol were found in group-1, 2 and 3. ConclusionLyophilized CM fruit powder in addition to diet therapy and only diet therapy had a positive and similar effect on anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters in MAFLD patients. Furthermore, only lyophilized CM fruit powder improved glycemic parameters. Therefore, lyophilized CM fruit powder may be beneficial for adult patients with MAFLD.

Phytochemical Composition, In Vitro Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Enzyme Inhibition Activities, and In Silico Molecular Docking and Dynamics Simulations of Centaurea lycaonica: A Computational and Experimental Approach.

Centaurea lycaonica is a local endemic species from the Centaurea L. genus. The Centaurea species has a wide range of usage in treating diseases in folk medicine. There are limited biological activity studies on this species in the literature. This study investigated enzyme inhibition and antimicrobial activity, antioxidant effect, and chemical content of extract and fractions of C. lycaonica. Enzyme inhibition activity was tested by α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and tyrosinase enzyme inhibition methods and antimicrobial activity by the microdilution method. The antioxidant activity was investigated using DPPH•, ABTS•+, and FRAP tests. The chemical content was determined by LC-MS/MS. The methanol extract showed the highest activity for α-glucosidase and α-amylase, even surpassing the positive control acarbose, with IC50 values of 56.333 ± 0.986 and 172.800 ± 0.816 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the ethyl acetate fraction also exhibited high activity for α-amylase with an IC50 value of 204.067 ± 1.739 μg/mL and tyrosinase with an IC50 value of 213.900 ± 1.553 μg/mL. Moreover, this extract and fraction were found to have the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity. Additionally, LC-MS/MS analyses of active extract and fraction revealed mainly the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. In silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies of determining compounds apigenin and myristoleic acid, common in CLM and CLE extracts and active against α-glucosidase and α-amylase, were performed. In conclusion, methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction showed potential enzyme inhibition and antioxidant activity as a natural agent. Molecular modeling studies corroborate the findings of in vitro activity analyses.

Integrated metabolomics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking to reveal the mechanisms of Isodon excisoides against drug-induced liver injury.

Isodon excisoides (Y.Z.Sun ex C.H.Hu) H. Hara has been often used to treat liver diseases in folk medicine. However, the potential hepatoprotective mechanism of I.excisoides remains unclear. In this study, the mechanism of I.excisoides in alleviating drug-induced liver injury (DILI) was explored using a strategy combining metabolomics with network pharmacology for the first time. First, serum metabolomics was applied to identify differential metabolites and enrich metabolic pathways. The potential targets of I.excisoides for the treatment of DILI were investigated by network pharmacology. Subsequently, a comprehensive network of network pharmacology and metabolomics was established to find the key genes. Finally, molecular docking technology was used to further verify the key targets. As a result, four key genes including TYMS, IMPDH2, DHODH, and ASAH1 were identified. The proteins produced by these genes had high affinity with the corresponding diterpenoids. These results indicate that the components of I.excisoides play a liver-protective role by affecting the aforesaid key genes and key proteins. Our results offer a novel strategy for determining the pharmacological effects and potential targets of natural compounds.

Pharmacological and clinical approach to plant based complementary health products in lower urinary system diseases in cats and dogs

Medicinal plants, which are widely used in the treatment of many diseases in folk medicine, are alternative treatment approaches that allow to overcome the limitations of modern treatments such as high treatment costs and difficulty in accessing health services. In addition to their traditional uses, the World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends the use of medicinal plants as alternative applications, especially in countries where have limited access to modern medical facilities. Limitations on the methods used in the treatment of lower urinary tract diseases such as urinary tract infection and urolithiasis in both human and veterinary practice (high treatment cost, low tolerability, development of antibacterial resistance, etc.) have brought the use of natural products of herbal origin within the scope of supportive/complementary treatment approaches. Although the mechanism of action of medicinal plants in the treatment of lower urinary tract diseases is not clearly known, studies have shown that they increase the glomerular filtration rate; and they can be complementary alternatives to conventional treatment due to their anti-lithogenic, antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Patients that referred to with one or more of the symptoms of urinary system diseases such as polyuria, pollakiuria, dysuria, stranguria, anuria, hematuria, urinary incontinence constitute the case group of one of the first three systemic diseases most frequently brought to the clinic. Failure to intervene in the diseases shaped in the lower urinary system in a timely manner causes negative consequences such as the disease becoming chronic, the progression of the disease to the upper urinary system in progressive cases, and a decrease in the quality of life. Complementary products used in addition to medical treatment are sometimes used for prophylactic purposes. In this context, many supplements have been prescribed for different diseases in small animal practice in recent years. In this review, it is aimed to convey current developments about medicinal plants, which are used effectively within the scope of supportive treatment practices in lower urinary system diseases of cats and dogs, to veterinary clinical practice.

Lavender essential oil fractions alleviate sleep disorders induced by the combination of anxiety and caffeine in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevanceLavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) essential oil is renowned for its use in the treatment of insomnia and mental disorder diseases in folk medicine. Previous pharmacological studies have also shown that lavender essential oil displays sedative and hypnotic activities. However, the active ingredients and mechanism of lavender essential oil for sleep-improving effect remain unclear. Aim of the studyThis study investigates whether inhalation of different fractions of lavender essential oil can attenuate the sleep disturbances induced by combined anxiety and caffeine and explores the underlying mechanisms. Materials and methodsMolecular distillation was applied to separate lavender essential oil into fractions containing different chemical components, and GC-MS was used to analyze the volatile compounds of lavender essential oil and its fractions. The elevated plus maze test, pentobarbital-induced sleep test, and neurotransmitters enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were conducted to evaluate the anxiolytic and hypnotic effects of lavender essential oil and its fractions on mice suffering from sleep disorders. ResultsThe results of behavioral tests indicated that lavender essential oil and its fractions (3%, v/v) exerted an ameliorating effect on sleep disturbances induced by anxiety and caffeine. The light fraction and heavy fractions exhibited complementary chemical composition, with the former enriched in linalool and trans-β-ocimene and the latter in linalyl acetate, lavandulyl acetate, trans-caryophyllene, etc. The light fraction contributed more to sleep maintenance, and the heavy fraction performed better at sleep initiation. The neurobiological parameters elucidated that the mechanism of lavender essential oil for sleep-improving was multifaceted, related to the GABAergic system, cholinergic system, histaminergic system, and monoamines in the limbic system. The heavy fraction shared a similar mechanism with the lavender essential oil, while the light fraction did not actively participate in the cholinergic system, histaminergic system, and dopaminergic system. ConclusionTaken together, our results demonstrated that different fractions of lavender essential oil played different roles in ameliorating sleep disorders, and this may be credited to their compositional differences and the complicated interactions with the central nervous system. The results are informative for future investigations on the molecular level mechanisms and provide guidance for appropriate applications of lavender essential oil.

Betulin, an Anti-Inflammatory Triterpenoid Compound, Regulates MUC5AC Mucin Gene Expression through NF-kB Signaling in Human Airway Epithelial Cells.

Betulin is a triterpenoid natural product contained in several medicinal plants including Betulae Cortex. These medicinal plants have been used for controlling diverse inflammatory diseases in folk medicine and betulin showed anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anticancer activities. In this study, we tried to examine whether betulin exerts a regulative effect on the gene expression of MUC5AC mucin under the status simulating a pulmonary inflammation, in human airway epithelial cells. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with betulin for 30 min and then stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 24 h or the indicated periods. The MUC5AC mucin mRNA expression and mucin glycoprotein production were measured by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. To elucidate the action mechanism of betulin, effect of betulin on PMA-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) signaling pathway was also investigated by western blot analysis. The results were as follows: 1) Betulin significantly suppressed the production of MUC5AC mucin glycoprotein and down-regulated MUC5AC mRNA expression induced by PMA in NCI-H292 cells. 2) Betulin inhibited NF-κB activation stimulated by PMA. Suppression of inhibitory kappa B kinase (IKK) by betulin led to the inhibition of the phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitory kappa B alpha (IκBα), and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. This, in turn, led to the down-regulation of MUC5AC glycoprotein production in NCI-H292 cells. These results suggest betulin inhibits the gene expression of mucin through regulation of NF-kB signaling pathway, in human airway epithelial cells.

Determination of amino acids of plants from Angelica L. genus by HPLC method

One of the tasks of pharmaceutical science is to find new sources of effective drugs. Such sources include plants such as Angelica archangelica L. and Angelica sylvestris L., which have been used for many years to treat various diseases in folk medicine. Because the chemical composition of these plants is poorly understood, the aim of our study was to investigate the amino acid composition of the leaves of A. archangelica L. and A. sylvestris L. The amino acids of the leaves of the study species of the genus Angelica L. were determined by the HPLC method. Eighteen free and nineteen bound amino acids were identified in the leaves of A. archangelica L. The A. sylvestris L. leaves contained nineteen free and the same amount of bound amino acids. High concentrations of free and bound amino acids such as L-glutamic acid and L-aspartic acid predominate in A. archangelica L. and A. sylvestris L. This allowed these amino acids to be considered distinguishing markers of the study plants. Character metabolic processes in which these amino acids take part may be associated with the medicinal properties of these plants pursuant to their use in medicine and, therefore, may contribute to the insight of their therapeutic properties.

Effect of Hyperoside on the Gene Expression and Production of Mucin and EGFR-p44/42-Sp1signaling Pathway in Airway Epithelial Cells

Hyperoside is an anti-inflammatory natural product derived from a medicinal plant Houttuynia cordata, empirically used as remedies for controlling the pulmonary inflammatory diseases in folk medicine. In this study, hyperoside was investigated for its potential effect on the gene expression and production of airway mucin 5AC (MUC5AC). Human airway epithelial NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with hyperoside for 30 min and stimulated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) for the following 24 h. For the elucidation of the action mechanism of hyperoside, EGFinduced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway was investigated. Hyperoside inhibited EGF-induced gene expression and production of MUC5AC mucin through regulating the phosphorylation of EGFR, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 (p44/42), and the nuclear expression of specificity protein-1 (Sp1). These results suggest hyperoside could regulate the gene expression and production of MUC5AC by modulating the EGFR signaling pathway in human airway epithelial cells.

Spices and Hypertension: An Insight for Researchers

:Hypertension is a global public health concern since it can lead to complications like stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure. These complications can add to a disability, increase healthcare costs, and can even result in mortality. In spite of the availability of a large number of anti-hypertensive drugs, the control of blood pressure is suboptimal in many patients. Spices have been used as flavouring agents and in treating diseases in folk medicine since they are considered to be rich sources of phytochemicals, especially polyphenols. Hence, during recent years, there has been renewed interest among researchers in exploring natural sources, especially spices, in an attempt to find cheaper alternatives with fewer side effects. Our aim is to review the relevant preclinical and clinical studies focused on the potential use of spices in the management of hypertension. Studies conducted on the most common spices, such as celery, cinnamon, cardamom, garlic, ginger, saffron, and turmeric, have been elaborated in this review. These spices may lower blood pressure via several possible mechanisms, including antioxidant effect, increase in nitric oxide production, reduction in calcium ion concentration, modulation of the renin-angiotensin pathway, etc.

Intestinal absorption mechanism of rotundic acid: Involvement of P-gp and OATP2B1

Ethnopharmacological relevanceIlicis Rotundae Cortex (IRC), the dried barks of Ilex rotunda Thunb. (Aquifoliaceae), has been used for the prevention or treatment of colds, tonsillitis, dysentery, and gastrointestinal diseases in folk medicine due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. However, there is no report about the intestinal absorption of major compounds that support traditional usage. Aim of studyConsidering the potential of rotundic acid (RA) – major biologically active pentacyclic triterpenes found in the IRC, this study was purposed to uncover the oral absorption mechanism of RA using in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) model, in vitro cell models (Caco-2, MDCKII-WT, MDCKII-MDR1, MDCKII-BCRP, and HEK293-OATP2B1 cells) and in vivo pharmacokinetics studies in rats. Materials and methodsThe molecular properties (solubility, lipophilicity, and chemical stability) and the effects of principal parameters (time, compound concentrations, pH, paracellular pathway, and the different intestinal segments) were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The susceptibility of RA to various inhibitors, such as P-gp inhibitor verapamil, BCRP inhibitor Ko143, OATP 2B1 inhibitor rifampicin, and absorption enhancer EGTA were assessed. ResultsRA was a compound with low water solubility (12.89 μg/mL) and strong lipophilicity (LogP = 4.1). RA was considered stable in all media during the SPIP and transport studies. The SPIP and cell experiments showed RA was moderate absorbed in the intestines and exhibited time, concentration, pH, and segment-dependent permeability. In addition, results from the cell model, in situ SPIP model as well as the in vivo pharmacokinetics studies consistently showed that verapamil, rifampicin, and EGTA might have significant effect on the intestinal absorption of RA. ConclusionThe mechanisms of intestinal absorption of RA might involve multiple transport pathways, including passive diffusion, the participation of efflux (i.e., P-gp) and influx (i.e., OATP2B1) transporters, and paracellular pathways.

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of bitter compounds and polyphenols from willow gentian underground parts

• Underground parts of Gentiana asclepiadea as a source of bioactive compounds. • Optimization and modeling of the extraction process by RSM and ANN approach. • Extraction of gentiopicroside, isoorientin, isovitexin, isogentisin and polyphenols. • The experimentally obtained values were in close agreement with the predicted. • The ANN model showed superior predictive capacity compared to the RSM model. Willow gentian ( Gentiana asclepiadea L., Gentianaceae) is a medicinal plant that is primarily used in the treatment of gastrointestinal and liver diseases in folk medicine. As a bitter raw material, it is also used in the food industry for liquors flavoring. In order to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of gentiopicroside, isovitexin, isoorientin, and isogentisin, as well as total polyphenols from the underground parts of willow gentian, the influence of process parameters was investigated. Extraction time (from 5 to 65 min), ethanol concentration (from 10 to 90% v/v), solid to liquid ratio (from 1:10 to 1:50 w/v), and extraction temperature (from 20 to 80 °C) were estimated at five levels as independent variables. The response surface methodology (RSM) and the artificial neural network (ANN) approach were employed to develop a predictive extraction model and to establish optimal extraction conditions to simultaneously maximize the extraction yield of all target compounds. Established optimal values of process parameters were: extraction time 50 min, ethanol concentration 53% (v/v), solid to liquid ratio 1:40 (w/v), and extraction temperature 65 °C. The obtained extraction yields under predicted optimal conditions for gentiopicroside (49.23 mg/g DW), isoorientin (1.00 mg/g DW), isovitexin (4.04 mg/g DW), isogentisin (1.14 mg/g DW), and TPC (10.03 mg of GAE/g DW) confirmed the adequacy of both RSM and ANN models. Compared with the RSM model, the ANN model fitted better with the experimental values of each compound (higher coefficient of determination and lower mean absolute deviation) indicating its higher predictive capacity. The developed high-accuracy extraction model provides the basis for further separation and purification, as well as for studying the bioactivity of selected compounds from underground parts of G. asclepiadea .

Small Molecule Drug Candidates for Managing the Clinical Symptoms of COVID-19: a Narrative Review.

Towards the end of 2019, an atypical acute respiratory disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified in Wuhan, China and subsequently named Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The rapid dissemination of COVID-19 has provoked a global crisis in public health. COVID-19 has been reported to cause sepsis, severe infections in the respiratory tract, multiple organ failure, and pulmonary fibrosis, all of which might induce mortality. Although several vaccines for COVID-19 are currently being administered worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet effectively under control. Therefore, novel therapeutic agents to eradicate the cause of the disease and/or manage the clinical symptoms of COVID-19 should be developed to effectively regulate the current pandemic. In this review, we discuss the possibility of managing the clinical symptoms of COVID-19 using natural products derived from medicinal plants used for controlling pulmonary inflammatory diseases in folk medicine. Diverse natural products have been reported to exert potential antiviral effects in vitro by affecting viral replication, entry into host cells, assembly in host cells, and release. However, the in vivo antiviral effects and clinical antiviral efficacies of these natural products against SARS-CoV-2 have not been successfully proven to date. Thus, these properties need to be elucidated through further investigations, including randomized clinical trials, in order to develop optimal and ideal therapeutic candidates for COVID-19.

Buchholzia coriacea seed (wonderful kolanut) alleviates insulin resistance, steatosis, inflammation and oxidative stress in high fat diet model of fatty liver disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a hepatic condition with multiple pathological features and it currently has no specific treatment or approved drug. Wonderful kolanut widely consumed fresh or cooked has been applied in the treatment of numerous diseases in folk medicine. In this study, we evaluate the therapeutic potentials of hydroethanolic extract of defatted Buccholzia coriacea seeds (HEBCS) in NAFLD model. HEBCS was subjected to liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry, and 30 male BALB/c mice (28±2g) were allocated to three (3) experimental groups (n=10/group). Mice in group I were fed chow diet (CD); those in group II, high fat diet (HFD) and group III, HFD and 250mg/kg HEBCS p.o. daily for six weeks. HEBCS alleviates HFD-induced insulin resistance and high plasma insulin and glucose levels. It further alleviates hepatic steatosis, and alters plasma lipid profile. HEBCS also protected against HFD-induced inflammation, oxidative stress and hepatocellular damage. In conclusion, HEBCS alleviated NAFLD in mice via suppression of insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, inflammation and oxidative stress. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Bioactive polyphenols and alkaloids were identified in hydroethanolic extract of defatted Buccholzia coriacea seeds (HEBCS). This study projects HEBCS as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of NAFLD. NAFLD is a multi-factorial condition and therefore, HEBCS is promising considering its multiple-target actions in the current model of NAFLD. HEBCS alleviates insulin resistance, metabolic dysfunction, steatosis, and inflammation in this model. There is a need to further investigate HEBCS in other models of NAFLD as a lead to future use in clinical studies.

Safety assessment of Bauhinia cheilantha Bong. Steud leaves extract: acute, sub-acute toxicity, antioxidant, and antihemolytic evaluations.

Bauhinia cheilantha (Fabaceae), known popularly as pata-de-vaca and mororó has been largely recommended treating several diseases in folk medicine. However, information on safe doses and use is still scarce. The goal was to evaluate in-vitro antioxidant and antihemolytic and also acute and sub-acute toxicity effects of hydroalcoholic extract from B. cheilantha leaves (HaEBcl). The identification of the compounds in the HaEBcl was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Antioxidant and hemolytic activity of HaEBcl was evaluated in vitro. To study acute toxicity, female mice received HaEBcl in a single dose of 300 and 2.000 mg/kg. Later, sub-acute toxicity was introduced in both female and male mice by oral gavage at 300, 1000, or 2000 mg/kg for 28 consecutive days. Hematological and biochemical profiles were created from the blood as well as from histological analysis of the liver. HaEBcl is rich in flavonoids (quercitrin and afzelin), has no hemolytic effects and moderate antioxidant effects in vitro. Acute toxicity evaluation showed that lethal dose (LD50) of HaEBcl was over 2000mg/kg. Sub-acute toxicity testing elicited no clinical signs of toxicity, morbidity, or mortality. The hematological and biochemical parameters discounted any chance of hepatic or kidney toxicity. Furthermore, histopathological data did not reveal any disturbance in liver morphology in treated mice. Results indicate that HaEBcl has no hemolytic and moderate antioxidant effects in vitro. In addition, HaEBcl dosage levels up to 2000mg/kg are nontoxic and can be considered safe for mammals.

Chemical profile, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme inhibition activities of Pilosella hoppeana subsp. cilicica

Pilosella hoppeana subsp. cilicica has been traditionally used for healing many diseases in folk medicine in Anatolia. However, there are, to date, no studies aimed to verify this local usage with scientific data. In the present study, phenolic content and biological activities such as the antioxidant, antimicrobial and enzyme inhibition activities of different extracts of this plant’s aerial part were investigated for the first time. According to the obtained data, the biological activity of methanol extract was found to be significantly higher than the others. Moreover, the major components detected were chlorogenic acid (61.79 mg g−1 extract), apigenin (2.727 mg g−1 extract), and luteolin (1.110 mg g−1 extract) in this extract. This extract showed a strong enzyme inhibitory activity including α-amylase (96.66 mmol ACAE g−1 extract), α-glucosidase (17.27 mmol ACAE g−1 extract), AChE (10.42 mg GALE g−1 extract), and BChE (102.35 mg GALE g−1 extract). On the other hand, the extract exhibited remarkable antimicrobial effect on Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, and Staphylococcus epidermidis (64 µg/mL MIC value); intermediate (128–256 µg/mL MIC value) antimicrobial activity on Proteus vulgaris, Listeria innocua, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. To sum up, it is clearly seen that Pilosella hoppeana subsp. cilicica has significant potential as a source of bioactive compounds in pharmaceutical industries.

Antioxidant activity, phytochemical composition of Andricus tomentosus and its antiproliferative effect on Mia-Paca2 cell line.

Plant derived products are widely used in cancer treatment. Gall species has been preferred for treatment various diseases in folk medicine, but there are few studies on the anticancer effects of gall species. The present study reports the antioxidant activity and total secondary metabolites of extracts of A. tomentosus galls. The antioxidant potency of galls was carried out using different in-vitro model systems. Their cytotoxic efficacy on Mia-Paca cell line was also explored. Gall extract was found to contain a large amount of phenolic acids. The extract potently scavenged free radicals including DPPH (IC50 9.56 ± 1.08µg/mL), ABTS (IC50 18.51 ± 0.25µg/mL). It can be seen as a potential source of antioxidants according to β-carotene/linoleic acid method (%92.58 ± 0.92) and Phosphomolybdenum assays (104.36 ± 4.95 mgAE/g). Gall extract also posses ability of metal chelating (%40.07 ± 2.30) and Fe3+ (184.01 ± 2.83 mgTE/g) and Cu2+ (89.81 ± 0.96 mgTE/g) reducing activity. According to total secondary metabolites tests, gall extract showed high total phenolic, total flavonoid and total tannin amount. HPLC analysis of the extract suggested it to contain caffeic acid (424.068.479µg/g), ellagic acid (187.696.132µg/g). XTT assay revealed gall extract to enhance percent survival of Mia-Paca2 cell line exposed A. tomentosus extracts. The best cytotoxic effect was determined in acetone extracts (IC50: 124.7µM). Expression of some genes (Bax, Bcl-2, FAS, BID, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-10, FADD, TRADD) in the apoptosis pathway was determined to invastigate apoptosis inducing activity. These results indicate that A. tomentosus galls possess potent antioxidant activity, when tested both in chemical as well as biological models.

Centaurea hypoleuca DC: Phenolic content, antimicrobial, antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities

Centaurea hypoleuca is one of the plants have been traditionally used in treatments of many diseases in folk medicine in Turkey. In the present study, ethanol, methanol, and ethyl acetate extracts of the plant's aerial parts were examined and their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme inhibition activities were determined for the first time. The antioxidant assays were performed in vitro using ABTS and DPPH methods, whereas the antimicrobial efficiency was determined using disc diffusion and microdilution methods. Moreover, the enzyme inhibition activity was analyzed using calorimetric methods targeting the key enzymes used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (cholinesterase) and diabetes (glucosidase and amylase). Also, the phenolic contents were analyzed using HPLC. The biological activity of flower ethyl acetate extract was found to be significantly higher than those of other extracts. This extract was more prominent because of its strong antimicrobial activity with the MIC value of 8 µg mL−1 against MRSA. Moreover, the main components of the extract were determined to be catechin and chlorogenic acid. In conclusion, these results indicate that C. hypoleuca can be pharmaceutically used as herbal remedies for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme inhibitor effects.

Assessment of Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. Role on Biological Markers in Carbon Tetra Chloride Induced Rat Model.

Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. is an important medicinal plant of North Eastern (NE) region of India, having number of medicinal properties and used against various diseases in folk medicine. An empirical research was designed to carry out evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of the leaves of G. pedunculata with special reference to its putative protective role. Methanolic extract from the dried leaf powder of G. pedunculata Roxb. was prepared by hot continuous extraction method. The prepared extract was investigated at different dose levels for its hepatoprotective nature and further histopathological study was carried out to ascertain the degree of reversing the hepatotoxic manifestation induced by CCl4 (Carbon tetrachloride). LD50 values of the G. pedunculata Roxb. extract was found to be safe up to 2000mg. The in vivo biological studies on serum and tissues of male Wister rats at the doses of 100mg, 300mg and 600mg/kg body weight respectively was carried out taking Silymarin as standard. The methanolic extract of G. pedunculata Roxb, improved the cholesterol level along with significant improvement of SGPT (Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase), SGOT (Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase), ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) and total protein in respect to Silymarin group. The test extract at the dose 600mg/kg body weight was found to significantly reverse the elevated marker enzymes i.e. SGOT, SGPT, ALP indicating its hepatoprotective role. The higher dose extracts were also found to have pronounced effect on oxidative stress parameters such as GSH and catalase on CCl4 induced rats. The histopathological studies further augmented the protective activity of G. pedunculata leaf extract thereby endorsing the traditional usage of the plant.

Regulation of dedifferentiation and differentiation in different explants of Papaver rhoeas L. by one-step culture

The corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas L.) is an important horticultural plant and one of the most well-known members of the Papaveraceae. The species is also used for the treatment of various diseases in folk medicine. Using a biotechnological approach, this species can be further improved. However, the corn poppy is a recalcitrant plant species for tissue culture. Here, we investigated what effects explant type and different auxins and cytokinins had on callus induction and shoot formation. Root, hypocotyl, cotyledon, petiole, and leaf explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of the auxins picloram, naphthaleneacetic acid, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (0.5 and 1.0 mg L−1) and the cytokinins 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and kinetin (0.1 and 0.5 mg L−1). There was a significant difference in callus induction among the explants and combinations of plant growth regulators at p = 0.001 and p = 0.05, respectively. The best results for callus induction were observed in petiole and leaf explants on MS medium containing 1.0 mg L−1 picloram and 0.1 mg L−1 BAP (89.2%). Adventitious shoots frequently formed when root explants were cultured on MS medium with 1.0 mg L−1 picloram and 0.5 mg L−1 BAP. Over 70.8% of the root explants successfully produced adventitious shoots, but the other explants did not exhibit any shoot formation. Therefore, we found the optimal culture media for regulating dedifferentiation (callus induction) and differentiation (shoot formation) by using several explants.