Glutinosa Extract Research Articles

Alternatives for the gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) control in cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) crop

The effect of the field applications of three bioproducts (based on Trichoderma koningiopsis, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens), the alternation of the biostimulant Kendal® and the Swinglea glutinosa extract and the rotations of two fungicides (based on Azoxystrobin-Difenoconazole and Thiram-Pyrimethanol), on the incidence of gray mold in cape gooseberry postharvest was evaluated. For this purpose, the fruit was harvested weekly in the field, arranged in wet chambers with fruits with and without calyx, and incubated for seven days at 20 °C in laboratory conditions to promote the development of B. cinerea and determine the efficacy in its control. In addition, the populations of the microbial antagonists were monitored between applications by collecting the leaflets and washing them in 0.1% Tween 80 and sowing aliquots in specific culture media. In fruits with calyx, the lowest incidence of the gray mold, with averages of 48 and 51%, occurred with the applications of the bioproducts based on T. koningiopsis and R. mucilaginosa, respectively. In contrast, the incidence did not exceed 1.4% in fruits without calyx in all treatments. Furthermore, the population of microbial antagonists in the phyllosphere remained constant between applications, with counts of 1x103 CFU g-1 for T. koningiopsis and 1x105 CFU g-1 for R. mucilaginosa and B. amyloliquefaciens.

Magnetic molecularly-imprinted microspheres with a core-shell structure for the extraction of catalpol from both Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch and biological samples

We report on the successful development of a magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP) for the separation and detection of catalpol in Rehmannia glutinosa extract and biological samples. Catalpol was used as the template molecule for the MMIPs, which were synthesized using the reverse prediction approach and differential UV–visible spectra to optimize the synthesis conditions. The resulting MMIPs were characterized using techniques including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry, which confirmed their excellent nuclear shell construction and simple rapid magnetic separation.Static and dynamic adsorption experiments were performed to assess the sensitivity, repeatability, and adsorption capacity of the MMIPs. Adsorption capacity was found to be high (59.09 µg/mg). The MMIPs also exhibited strong identification specificity for catalpol analogs (IF = 2.41). Magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) was optimized to establish an MSPE-HPLC approach based on the MMIPs. Under ideal conditions, the new method showed excellent determination coefficient (R2 > 0.99) in the ranges of 0.1–1.0 mg/mL and 0.03–0.18 mg/mL for R. glutinosa extract and biological material, respectively, with limits of detection of 5.4 ng/mL and 1.7 ng/mL.The novelty of this research lies in the preparation of magnetic surface MMIPs using a magnetic carrier. These MMIPs exhibit excellent magnetic properties and possess specific adsorption capability for catalpol, enabling rapid separation. They offer advantages such as low cost, high specificity, chemical stability, physical robustness, and recyclability (97.09%–106.53%, 91.32%–100.99%). The application of these polymers in the pretreatment method for determining the catalpol content in R. glutinosa extract and biological samples enhances the extraction efficiency and detection accuracy for catalpol. It eliminates interference and influences from other components in catalpol determination while exhibiting high sensitivity, good enrichment effects, excellent reusability, and a high recovery rate.

Litsea glutinosa extract promotes fracture healing and prevents bone loss via BMP2/SMAD1 signaling.

Estrogen deficiency is one of the main causes for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Current osteoporotic therapies are of high cost and associated with serious side effects. So there is an urgent need for cost-effective anti-osteoporotic agents. Anti-osteoporotic activity of Litsea glutinosa extract (LGE) is less explored. Moreover, its role in fracture healing and mechanism of action is still unknown. In the present study we explore the osteoprotective potential of LGE in osteoblast cells and fractured and ovariectomized (Ovx) mice models. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and mineralization assays revealed that LGE treatment increased osteoblast cell differentiation, viability and mineralization. LGE treatment at 0.01 μg increased the expression of BMP2, PSMAD, RUNX2 and type 1 col. LGE also mitigated RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. Next, drill hole injury Balb/C mice model was treated with LGE for 12 days. Micro-CT analysis and Calcein labeling at the fracture site showed that LGE (20 mg/kg) enhanced new bone formation and bone regeneration, also increased expression of BMP2/SMAD1 signaling genes at fracture site. Ovx mice were treated with LGE for 1 month. μCT analysis indicated that the treatment of LGE at 20 mg/kg dose prevented the alteration in bone microarchitecture and maintained bone mineral density and bone mineral content. Treatment also increased bone strength and restored the bone turnover markers. Furthermore, in bone samples, LGE increased osteogenesis by enhancing the expression of BMP2/SMAD1 signaling components and decreased osteoclast number and surface. We conclude that LGE promotes osteogenesis via modulating the BMP2/SMAD1 signaling pathway. The study advocates the therapeutic potential of LGE in osteoporosis treatment.

Potential therapeutic applications of infusions and hydroalcoholic extracts of Romanian glutinous sage (Salvia glutinosa L.).

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Salvia glutinosa, also known as the glutinous sage, has been used in Romanian folk medicine in the treatment of inflammation, injuries, and mild infections. However, there is no direct scientific evidence to demonstrate these activities. Aim of the Study: The present research was based on evaluating antioxidant, antiproliferative, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of S. glutinosa extracts, as well as the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Materials and Methods: Infusions and 70% (v:v) ethanol solution extracts of S. glutinosa stems and leaves, collected from two different locations in Romania, were prepared. Ten phenolic compounds were identified and quantified using the LC-DAD-ESI/MSn method, and total phenolic and flavonoid content, as well as in vitro antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays), antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities were determined. A rat model of induced inflammation with turpentine oil was used for the examination of in vivo effects of the extracts, using diclofenac as an anti-inflammatory control. Results: The highest inhibitory α-glucosidase activity was determined to be IC50 = 0.546 mg/ml for the hydroalcoholic extract made with plant material collected on the road to Sighișoara. The highest cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cell line was determined to be GI50 = 131.68 ± 5.03 μg/ml, for the hydroalcoholic extract made with plant material from Sighișoara. In vivo administration of extract (200 mg lyophilized powder/ml) showed a significant reduction of NO production. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that S. glutinosa extracts exhibit antioxidant, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, as well as a modest cytotoxic effect on HepG2 cell line. By in vivo administration, the extracts show anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, which correlates with the traditional use of the species. The environmental conditions seemed to induce important changes in the chemical composition and the bioactivity of the herbal preparations derived from S. glutinosa.

Chemical Characteristics of Ethanol and Water Extracts of Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa L.) Acorns and Their Antibacterial, Anti-Fungal and Antitumor Properties.

The aim of this study was to identify polyphenolic compounds contained in ethanol and water extracts of black alder (Alnus glutinosa L.) acorns and evaluate their anti-cancer and antimicrobial effects. The significant anti-cancer potential on the human skin epidermoid carcinoma cell line A431 and the human epithelial cell line A549 derived from lung carcinoma tissue was observed. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of alder acorns inhibited the growth of mainly Gram-positive microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus mutans) and yeast-like fungi (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata), as well as Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) strains. The identification of polyphenols was carried out using an ACQUITY UPLC-PDA-MS system. The extracts were composed of 29 compounds belonging to phenolic acids, flavonols, ellagitannins and ellagic acid derivatives. Ellagitannins were identified as the predominant phenolics in ethanol and aqueous extract (2171.90 and 1593.13 mg/100 g DM, respectively) The results may explain the use of A. glutinosa extracts in folk medicine.

Screening of Active Ingredients in Rehmannia glutinosa and Its Mechanism of Action in the Treatment of Liver Diseases

Rehmannia glutinosa extracts have profound medicinal value in the treatment of liver diseases. It contains micro ribonucleic acid molecules that have an average of 21 nucleotides. These micro ribonucleic acids are responsible for gene regulation and expression during the treatment of liver diseases. The study's main objective is to screen for active ingredients in Rehmannia glutinosa and its mechanism of action in treating liver diseases. Our study used the gene expression omnibus database to obtain datasets associated with liver diseases. The GSE167308 dataset consisted of 19 samples of ribonucleic acid profiles of micro dissected hepatocytes from the human liver in 3 groups (alcoholic hepatitis (n=7), alcoholic cirrhosis (n=7) and controls (n=5)). The GSE54350 dataset involving CD14+ cells from diabetic and non-diabetic samples. We used the GEO2R tool, ShinyGO, R software, STRING, and Network Analyst tools to analyze differentially expressed genes. We obtained 25 significantly expressed genes with an adjusted p-value of 0.05 and log(Fold Change) of -1.0. Also, we obtained seven active ingredients of Rehmannia glutinosa, their descriptions and target proteins. The differentially expressed genes were enriched in various Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways such as nuclear factor-κB, Mitogen-activated protein kinases, glycolysis, Protein kinase B-serine/threonine kinase 1 signaling, regulation of autophagy, or Transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathways. The protein-protein interaction networks revealed 9 hub genes (Interleukin 6, Superoxide dismutase 1, Catalase, tumor necrosis factor, toll-like receptor 4, Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma, Nuclear Factor Kappa B Subunit 1, NOD-Like Receptor family Pyrin domain containing 3 and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2) that were significant in liver diseases. Rehmannia glutinosa exerts its anti-inflammatory response through active ingredients such as catalpol, Rehmannioside A, B, C, and Shanzhiside. These ingredients are mainly iridoid glycosides that activates the Nuclear factor kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways and reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Rehmannia glutinosa contains several active components (for example, Catalpol, Rehmannioside A and Shanzhiside) that are crucial in regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and hub genes associated with liver diseases.

Effect of wound healing in gels containing tinctures of Alnus glutinosa (L) leaves

BackgroundAlnus glutinosa (L) is a widespread medicinal plant on the territory of the Republic of Belarus. Alnus glutinosa (L) leaves tincture has an anti-inflammatory effect on the diseases of the throat, intestines, in rheumatism and gout. Water extracts from collective fruit, leaves and bark are used for gargling in stomatitis and gum bleeding. The purpose of the research was to establish wound healing activity of gels based on alcohol extracts from Alnus glutinosa (L) leaves on the model of a surface full flap skin wound on laboratory animals.MethodsRegenerating action of new drugs (gels) based on tinctures of Alnus glutinosa (L) leaves was studied on a model of planar full-layer skin wound in laboratory animals. Wounds were treated daily with gels applied to complete healing. The wound area was measured planometrically to assess the effectiveness of drugs and then the percentage of area reduction was calculated. Regenerative action of the gels developed was compared to widely used in medical practice 4% Dexpanthenol Gel and Reparef-2 Ointment. 15 g of Reparef-2 Ointment contains 1200 mg of bien and 75 mg of dioxidine.ResultsWound healing activity of gels containing tinctures of Alnus glutinosa (L) leaves based on 30% and 60% alcohol as to the rate of healing and the area of wounds epithelialization has been proved. Wound area treated with the gel based on Alnus glutinosa (L) extract containing 60% alcohol on day 13 of the experiment decreased by 95.59% ± 0.9% (p ≤ 0.05); based on the tincture containing 30% alcohol - by 92.93% ± 1.11%. Medicinal preparations with proved wound healing activity were compared: Reparef-2 Ointment (reduction percentage of wound area on day 13 of the experiment made 92.24% ± 2.21%) and Dexpanthenol Gel (reduction percentage of wound area on day 13 of the experiment made 83.09% ± 3.41%).Compared with the control group the gel based on 60% tincture of Alnus glutinosa (L) leaves showed a decrease in the epithelialization period by 29.5%; based on 30% tincture - by 24.6%; Reparef-2 Ointment - by 23.6% and Dexpanthenol Gel - by 13.8%.ConclusionsThe results of this study showed that the developed gels based on Alnus glutinosa (L) have a regenerating action and can be used to treat wound processes taking into account previously established antimicrobial activity.

Chemical Constituents and Biologic Activities of Sage Species: A Comparison between Salvia officinalis L., S. glutinosa L. and S. transsylvanica (Schur ex Griseb. & Schenk) Schur

Even though Salvia genus is one of the most known and studied taxa of Lamiaceae family, the knowledge regarding the chemical composition and health-related benefits of some locally used Salvia species (mostly endemic) is still scarce. In this regard, the present work aims to evaluate the chemical profile and potential bioactivities of 70% (v/v) ethanolic extracts obtained from the less-studied S. transsylvanica and S. glutinosa in comparison with S. officinalis. HPLC-PDA analysis revealed the presence of rutin and catechin as the main compounds in the extracts of the three studied species (using the employed HPLC method), whereas the presence of naringenin was highlighted only in S. glutinosa extract. Chlorogenic acid, rutin and quercetin were identified and quantified for the first time in S. transsylvanica extracts. The in vitro antioxidant capacity of each extract was tested through complementary methods (phosphomolybdenum assay, DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC and FRAP assays), and correlated with the presence of phenolics (especially flavonoids) in high amounts. The neuroprotective and antidiabetic abilities of S. officinalis (the most active as AChE, BChE and α-glucosidase inhibitor), S. glutinosa (the most active as α-amylase inhibitor) and S. transsylvanica were also studied. For each extract it was determined the antimicrobial, antifungal and cytotoxic effects using in vitro assays. The obtained results confirm the potential of S. transsylvanica and S. glutinosa as promising sources of bioactive compounds and as a starting point for further analyses.

Effects of mature rehmannia root extract on PDGF and bcl-2 in rat myocardial tissue after myocardial infarction

Objective To observe the effect of mature rehmannia extract on platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and b-cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) 2 in myocardial tissue of rats with myocardial infarction. Methods A total of 30 healthy SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group and rehmannia glutinosa group with 10 rats in each group. Myocardial infarction models were established in rats of model group and prepared Rehmannia glutinosa group. The rats in the prepared rehmannia glutinosa group were subcutaneously injected with the extract of the prepared Rehmannia glutinosa 4 g/kg. The rats in the blank group and the model group were subcutaneously injected with the same volume of saline. Once a day for 15 days. The cardiac function was measured by echocardiography in rats. The HE staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of myocardium. The levels of PDGF and Bcl-2 in myocardium were detected by ELISA. The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (BFGF) and CD34 protein were detected by immunoturbidimetry. Results Compared with the model group, the levels of LVDd, LVDs, LVEDs and LVESV in the Rehmannia glutinosa group were significantly decreased (P<0.05) and LVEF was significantly increased (P<0.05), while the levels of PDGF (0.53 ± 0.02 g/ml vs. 0.35 ± 0.01 g/ml), Bcl-2 (1.04 ± 0.20 g/ml vs. 0.84 ± 0.12 g/ml), VEGF (85.24 ± 12.45 pg/ml vs. 65.26 ± 10.06 pg/ml), BFGF (86.27 ± 6.56 pg/ml vs. 62.26 ± 4.37 pg/ml) and CD34 (102.36 ± 10.52 pg/ml vs. 26.37 ± 3.94 pg/ml) in in the Rehmannia glutinosa group were significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusions The Rehmannia glutinosa extract can improve the cardiac function of rats with myocardial infarction, Promote the formation of new blood vessels and improve myocardial damage. Key words: Rehmanniae radix praeparata; Extracts; Myocardial infarction; Platelet derived growth factor; Apoptosis; Rats

Retraction: Rehmannia Glutinosa Extract Activates Endothelial Progenitor Cells in a Rat Model of Myocardial Infarction through a SDF-1 α/CXCR4 Cascade.

Retraction: Rehmannia Glutinosa Extract Activates Endothelial Progenitor Cells in a Rat Model of Myocardial Infarction through a SDF-1 α/CXCR4 Cascade.

Plant Extract Mediated Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Pd@Graphene Nanocatalyst: An Efficient and Reusable Catalyst for the Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling

Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction catalyzed by the palladium (Pd)-based nanomaterials is one of the most versatile methods for the preparation of biaryls. However, use of organic solvents as reaction medium causes a big threat to environment due to the generation of toxic byproducts as waste during the work up of these reactions. Therefore, the use of water as reaction media has attracted tremendous attention due to its environmental, economic, and safety benefits. In this study, we report on the synthesis of green Pd@graphene nanocatalyst based on an in situ functionalization approach which exhibited excellent catalytic activity towards the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions of phenyl halides with phenyl boronic acids under facile conditions in water. The green and environmentally friendly synthesis of Pd@graphene nanocatalyst (PG-HRG-Pd) is carried out by simultaneous reduction of graphene oxide (GRO) and PdCl2 using Pulicaria glutinosa extract (PGE) as reducing and stabilizing agent. The phytomolecules present in the plant extract (PE) not only facilitated the reduction of PdCl2, but also helped to stabilize the surface of PG-HRG-Pd nanocatalyst, which significantly enhanced the dispersibility of nanocatalyst in water. The identification of PG-HRG-Pd was established by various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, including, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Raman spectroscopy. The as-prepared PG-HRG-Pd nanocatalyst demonstrated excellent catalytic activity towards the Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling reactions under aqueous, ligand free, and aerobic conditions. Apart from this the reusability of the catalyst was also evaluated and the catalyst yielded excellent results upon reuse for several times with marginal loss of its catalytic performance. Therefore, the method developed for the green synthesis of PG-HRG-Pd nanocatalyst and the eco-friendly protocol used for the Suzuki coupling offers a mild and effective substitute to the existing protocols and may significantly contribute to the endeavors of green chemistry.

A Study on the Free Radical Scavenging Activity of the Rehmannia glutinosa Extracts

A Study on the Free Radical Scavenging Activity of the Rehmannia glutinosa Extracts

Apoptosis inducing ability of silver decorated highly reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites in A549 lung cancer.

Recently, graphene and graphene-based materials have been increasingly used for various biological applications due to their extraordinary physicochemical properties. Here, we demonstrate the anticancer properties and apoptosis-inducing ability of silver doped highly reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites synthesized by employing green approach. These nano composites (PGE-HRG-Ag) were synthesized by using Pulicaria glutinosa extract (PGE) as a reducing agent and were evaluated for their anticancer properties against various human cancer cell lines with tamoxifen as the reference drug. A correlation between the amount of Ag nanoparticles on the surface of highly reduced graphene oxide (HRG) and the anticancer activity of nanocomposite was observed, wherein an increase in the concentration of Ag nanoparticles on the surface of HRG led to the enhanced anticancer activity of the nanocomposite. The nanocomposite PGE-HRG-Ag-2 exhibited more potent cytotoxicity than standard drug in A549 cells, a human lung cancer cell line. A detailed investigation was undertaken and Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis demonstrated that the nanocomposite PGE-HRG-Ag-2 showed G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest and induced apoptosis in A549 cells. Studies such as, measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Annexin V-FITC staining assay suggested that this compound induced apoptosis in human lung cancer cells.

UPLC-Q-TOF/MS-based screening and identification of two major bioactive components and their metabolites in normal and CKD rat plasma, urine and feces after oral administration of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch extract.

Rehmannia glutinosa is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in clinical practice to tackle chronic kidney disease for thousands of years. However, the in vivo metabolism of its two major bioactive components (catalpol and acteoside) remains unknown. In this paper, a highly sensitive, rapid and robust ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) with MetaboLynx™ software combined with mass defect filtering (MDF) method was established. This validated analysis method was successfully applied to investigate the in vivo metabolic profiles of R. glutinosa extract in normal and chronic kidney disease (CKD) rats. The results showed that a total of 17 metabolites of two parent compounds in normal rats in vivo were tentatively detected and identified according to the characteristics of their protonated ions and relevant literature. While 11 of the metabolites were observed in the CKD rat samples. These metabolites suggested that catalpol was firstly deglycosylated to its aglycone and subsequently to two main metabolites (M1 and M4) by conjugation and hydrogenation respectively and acteoside was mainly metabolized by O-glucuronide conjugation and O-sulphate conjugation. In conclusion, this study showed an insight into the metabolism of R. glutinosa extract in vivo and the proposed metabolic pathways of bioactive components might play a key role in further pharmacokinetic experiments evaluations.

A Study on the Free Radical Scavenging Activity of the Rehmannia glutinosa Extracts

Several in vitro methods have been conducted in order to investigate the antioxidant activities of ethanol extract from Rehmannia glutinosa. Both the total phenolic and flavonoid component were expressed as the equivalent of positive control with the values of 1432.3±16.2 mg TAE/100 g and 97.6±14.1 mg QE/100 g, respectively. In addition, the antioxidant activity with an IC50 of 469.87±12.42 μg/g was measured via the DPPH scavenging activity. The study also showed that Rehmannia glutinosa ethanol extract exhibited antioxidant activities on metal-chelating, reducing power, total antioxidant activity assay.

Pulicaria glutinosa extract: a toolbox to synthesize highly reduced graphene oxide-silver nanocomposites.

A green, one-step approach for the preparation of graphene/Ag nanocomposites (PE-HRG-Ag) via simultaneous reduction of both graphene oxide (GRO) and silver ions using Pulicaria glutinosa plant extract (PE) as reducing agent is reported. The plant extract functionalizes the surfaces of highly reduced graphene oxide (HRG) which helps in conjugating the Ag NPs to HRG. Increasing amounts of Ag precursor enhanced the density of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on HRG. The preparation of PE-HRG-Ag nanocomposite is monitored by using ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The as-prepared PE-HRG-Ag nanocomposities display excellent surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity, and significantly increased the intensities of the Raman signal of graphene.

Antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles synthesized using Pulicaria glutinosa plant extract as a green bioreductant.

The antibacterial properties of nanoparticles (NPs) can be significantly enhanced by increasing the wettability or solubility of NPs in aqueous medium. In this study, we investigated the effects of the stabilizing agent on the solubility of silver NPs and its subsequent effect on their antimicrobial activities. Silver NPs were prepared using an aqueous solution of Pulicaria glutinosa plant extract as bioreductant. The solution also acts as a capping ligand. During this study, the antimicrobial activities of silver NPs, as well as the plant extract alone, were tested against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Micrococcus luteus. Silver NPs were prepared with various concentrations of the plant extract to study its effect on antimicrobial activity. Interestingly, various concentrations of P. glutinosa extract did not show any effect on the growth of tested bacteria; however, a significant effect on the antimicrobial property of plant extract capped silver NPs (Ag-NPs-PE) was observed. For instance, the half maximal inhibitory concentration values were found to decrease (from 4% to 21%) with the increasing concentrations of plant extract used for the synthesis of Ag-NPs-PE. These results clearly indicate that the addition of P. glutinosa extracts enhances the solubility of Ag-NPs-PE and, hence, increases their toxicity against the tested microorganisms.

Biogenic synthesis of palladium nanoparticles using Pulicaria glutinosa extract and their catalytic activity towards the Suzuki coupling reaction

Green synthesis of nanomaterials finds the edge over chemical methods due to its environmental compatibility. Herein, we report a facile and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of palladium (Pd) nanoparticles (NPs) using an aqueous solution of Pulicaria glutinosa, a plant widely found in a large region of Saudi Arabia, as a bioreductant. The as-prepared Pd NPs were characterized using ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The hydroxyl groups of the plant extract (PE) molecules were found mainly responsible for the reduction and growth of Pd NPs. FT-IR analysis confirmed the dual role of the PE, both as a bioreductant as well as a capping ligand, which stabilizes the surface of Pd NPs. The crystalline nature of the Pd NPs was identified using XRD analysis which confirmed the formation of a face-centered cubic structure (JCPDS: 87-0641, space group: Fm3m (225)). Furthermore, the as-synthesized Pd NPs demonstrated excellent catalytic activity towards the Suzuki coupling reaction under aqueous and aerobic conditions. Kinetic studies of the catalytic reaction monitored using GC confirmed that the reaction completes in less than 5 minutes.

Dried Root of Rehmannia glutinosa Prevents Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Rats

Dried root of Rehmannia glutinosa is a kidney-tonifying herbal medicine with a long history of safe use in traditional folk medicine for the treatment of joint diseases. This study was conducted to investigate prevention of bone loss by a standardized dried root of R. glutinosa in an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of osteoporosis. The OVX groups were divided into five groups treated with distilled water, 17β-estradiol (E2 10 µg/kg, once daily, i.p) and dried root of R. glutinosa extracts (DRGE 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg, twice daily, p.o) for eight weeks. We measured the body, organs, and uterus weights, and femur and lumbar vertebrae bone mineral density (BMD), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), estradiol levels. The treatments with DRGE 300 mg/kg significantly inhibited BMD decrease in the femur and lumbar (17.5% and 16.4%, p < 0.05, respectively) by OVX without affecting the body, organs, and uterus weights. Also, serum ALP level in the DRGE 300 mg/kg treated group was significantly decreased, but the estradiol level did not change in serum of the DRGE 300 mg/kg treated group. These results show that DRGE is able to prevent OVX-induced bone loss without influencing hormones such as estrogen.

Rehmannia Glutinosa Extract Activates Endothelial Progenitor Cells in a Rat Model of Myocardial Infarction through a SDF-1 α/CXCR4 Cascade

ObjectivesEndothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) can be used to repair tissues after myocardial infarction (MI) but EPC activators have adverse reactions. Rehmannia glutinosa is a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine, which can promote bone-marrow proliferation and protect the ischemic myocardium. We investigated the effects of Rehmannia glutinosa extract (RGE) on EPCs in a rat model of MI.MethodsA total of 120 male Wistar rats were randomized to 2 groups (n = 60 each) for treatment: high-dose RGE (1.5 g·kg−1·day−1 orally) for 8 weeks, then left anterior descending coronary artery ligation, mock surgery or no treatment, then RGE orally for 4 weeks; or normal saline (NS) as the above protocol. The infarct region of the left ventricle was assessed by serial sectioning and morphology. EPCs were evaluated by number and function. Protein and mRNA levels of CD133, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), chemokine C-X-C motif receptor 4 (CXCR4), stromal cell–derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) were measured by immunohistochemistry, Western blot and quantitative PCR analysis.ResultsRGE significantly improved left ventricular function, decreased the ischemic area and the apoptotic index in the infarct myocardium, also decreased the concentration of serum cardiac troponin T and brain natriuretic peptide at the chronic stage after MI (from week 2 to week 4). RGE increased EPC number, proliferation, migration and tube-formation capacity. It was able to up-regulate the expression of angiogenesis-associated ligand/receptor, including CD133, VEGFR2 and SDF-1α/CXCR4. In vitro, the effect of RGE on SDF-1α/CXCR4 cascade was reversed by the CXCR4 specific antagonist AMD3100.ConclusionRGE may enhance the mobilization, migration and therapeutic angiogenesis of EPCs after MI by activating the SDF-1α/CXCR4 cascade.