Herbal Substances Research Articles

Preparation of Collagen Particles from Fish Waste Infused with Cassia Auriculata

ABSTRACT: The human skin encompasses a characteristic capacity to advance the self-regeneration after harm; this capacity can be compromised beneath particular conditions, like extensive skin loss, constant wounds, deep burns, non-healing ulcers and diabetes. Improper healing can lead the wound to enter in a constant state, which increments the chance of disease to chronic state; it affects the patient health and his/her quality of life. Due to growing concerns about unhealthy consequences of chemicals in the health care system, the interest towards natural and herbal substances has been growing every day. The plant Cassia auriculata is widely used medicinal plant in India and also popular in Indigenous system of medicines like Ayurveda and siddha. The collagen was successfully extracted from the Cattla Cattla fish scales using acid solubilizing collagen extraction method and the collagen was infused with plant extract of Cassia auriculata. The characterisation such as protein estimation (Lowry method), solubility (pH 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13), UV visible and FTIR was performed for collagen and phytochemical analysis (Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Saponins, Tannins, Phenol, Terpenoids, Glycosides and Steroids) anti-bacterial (E. coli and S. aureus) and anti-inflammatory test in different concentration (25mg, 50mg, 100mg / ml) was performed for the plant extracts and collagen infused with plant extracts. The result of the present study was confirmed that final product prepared using collagen with plant extract can be used to prepare the dressing material such as gels, ointments, bio-films, powdered flakes etc.

Potential Nano Gel Extract of Avocute Fruit (Persea Americana Mill) as Alternative in Prevention of Inflammation in White Rats White Rats Post-Extraction Wounds

Complications after tooth extraction include inflammation, bleeding, edema, discomfort, and dry socket. Both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat inflammation. Using chemo drugs is not without side effects. Avocado seed is an herbal substance that is needed as an alternative therapy to reduce wound inflammation caused by tooth extraction. To prove the potential of nano gel (avocado seed extract) and can be applied as an alternative to prevent inflammation in wounds after tooth extraction of white rats. True experiment with randomized posttest with control group design. Consisting of intervention group nano gel avocado seed extract 10%, positive control group povidone iodine 10% and aquadest. Observations were made for 7 days. The variables studied were inflammation of the wound after tooth extraction of rats and histopathological examination (Lymphocytes, Neocapillary and Fibroblasts). According to the unpaired test results, there was no significant difference between the avocado and povidone groups (p=0.143), a significant difference between the avocado and aquadest groups (p=0.001), and a significant difference between the povidone and aquadest groups (p=0.001). p = 0.015). Application of avocado seed extract nanogels at concentrations of 10% and 10% povidone-iodine showed the same ability during wound regeneration and new blood vessel enlargement, and also reduced the number of lymphocyte inflammatory cells, as shown by histology Check confirmed. The administration of nano gel of avocado seed extract is effective and can be applied as an alternative to prevent inflammation in wounds after tooth extraction in white rats.

Uncovering the Anticancer Potential of Phytomedicine and Polyherbal’s Synergism against Cancer – A Review

Cancer is a dreadful disease; many researchers successfully aimed to find a strategy to successfully eliminate cancer with minimal side effects. Herbal medicine allows us to attain sickness relief while avoiding side effects. Several herbal compounds have been discovered to have an anti-cancer effect by inducing apoptosis, antioxidant activity, and inhibiting, activating cancer-causing, and suppressing genes and proteins. The existence of active phytochemicals that treat a variety of ailments contributes to medicinal plants' pharmacological efficacy. Since commonly used modern chemical treatments for cancer possess severe side effects, identifying an alternative treatment with fewer side effects and effective illness relief is critical. This review reveals that aromatic phytocompounds account for 90 percent of anti-cancer action with most terpenoids and phenolics. Each anti-cancer phytocompound works in a distinct way to stop cancer from spreading. Polyherbal formulations are more effective than single herbs at expressing anti-cancer and other activities because they can act on multiple targets simultaneously, have multiple mechanisms for a single ailment, inhibit disease resistance development and enhance treatment activity through synergism. When using synergic herbal substances in the right ratio, a polyherbal formulated medicine can be used as a commercial drug following successful clinical trials for cancer therapy.

Assessment of morphological pharmacognostic characteristics of the content and label information of dried herbs marketed as food supplements in Bulgaria

According to the current food legislation in Bulgaria the dried herbs are classified under the large group of food supplements and their trade is allowed in pharmacies, drugstores and grocery stores. The aim of this study is to assess the morphological pharmacognostic characteristics of the content and the additional information on the labels of food supplements containing dried herbs in Bulgaria, in the light of key standard and regulatory documents related to the quality of herbal substances and food supplements. 91 herbal substances of 10 main groups were studied, which included 103 commercial products from 8 companies. The authenticity of the herbal substances was confirmed with macro-and microscopic tests. The macroscopic morphological indicators which were used as elements of trade-commodity analysis were changes in color, presence of other parts of the same or different plants, organic and mineral impurities, evidences of diseases and pest infestations. The phenological phase in which the herbal substances had been collected was determined also. We found that very small part of the studied products meet the standards for all of the selected criteria according to the considered documents which implies the need of strengthening control.

Evaluation of anti-hyperlipidemic activity of Euphorbia Hirta bark against triton ® WR 1339 induced hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia is the major risk factor causing many cardiovascular disorders like myocardial infarction and stroke, atherosclerosis. The world has complimented many herbal substances of therapeutic importance. There are many reports about the use of herbal medicine for reduction of lipid profile and reducing the cardiovascular risk in clinical subjects and experimental pharmacology. The plant Euphorbia hirta bark was evaluated for anti-hyperlipidemic activity by Triton (Superinone, Triton WR-1339), induced hyperlipidemia in rats. This study was carried out on the action of Euphorbia hirtabarkethanolic extracts, a known anti-hyperlipidemic drug, Simvostatin (10 mg/kg body wt.), was taken as a standard drug. The statistical parameters of mean± S.E were employed for the calculation of one way analysis of variance test (ANOVA) and Dunnet’s test for many comparison’s P < 0.05 were considered as significant. The studies were shown. There was a significant (P<0.01) reduction in serum levels in lipid profile experiments. It has reported a significant lower total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipopreotein (VLDL) and an increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL).The study confirmed that ethanolic extract of Euphorbia hirta bark having significant anti-hyperlipidemic action proving a potential herbal medicine as an alternative to currenttreatment of hyperlipidemia.

Effect of methylmercury on fetal neurobehavioral development: an overview of the possible mechanisms of toxicity and the neuroprotective effect of phytochemicals.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a global environmental pollutant with neurotoxic effects. Exposure to MeHg via consumption of seafood and fish can severely impact fetal neurobehavioral development even when MeHg levels in maternal blood are as low as about 5μg/L, which the mother tolerates well. Persistent motor dysfunctions and cognitive deficits may result from trans-placental exposure. The present review summarizes current knowledge on the mechanisms of MeHg toxicity during the period of nervous system development. Although cerebellar Purkinje cells are MeHg targets, the actions of MeHg on thiol components in the neuronal cytoskeleton as well as on mitochondrial enzymes and induction of disturbances of glutamate signaling can impair extra-cerebellar functions, also at levels well tolerated by adult individuals. Numerous herbal substances possess neuroprotective effects, predominantly represented by natural polyphenolic molecules that might be utilized to develop natural drugs to alleviate neurotoxicity symptoms caused by MeHg or other Hg compounds.

Rationing of Residual Organophosphate Pesticides in Herbal Substances (Review)

Introduction. Usage of organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) in agriculture, including farming of medical herbs, is a necessary measure for producing regular harvest. In order to maintain an adequate degree of herbal medicines security a variety of countries developed normative documents that regulate the limits of proportion of pesticides (including OPPs) in herbal substances. These documents contain the recommended methods of residual pesticides analysis as well.Text. The article describes the recently conducted information-analytical research of limits of permissible proportion of OPPs in herbal substances and food production and of methods of extraction and analysis of OPPs mentioned in the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation XIV, international pharmacopeias, WHO information sources and the normative documents on food production. The authors specify physical-chemical characteristic of OPPs and the main mechanism of impact of this class of pesticides onto a human body. The research demonstrates that HPLC-MS and GC-MS are the most perspective analytical methods of detection of OPPs in herbal substances.Conclusion. In the information-analytical review the authors specify a physical-chemical characteristics of OPPs, describe the mechanism of the toxic impact of this type of pesticides, provide the generalized summary of limits of permissible proportion of OPPs in herbal substances and in food production. The study shows that the rationing of OPPs proportion is harmonized in a majority of issues of modern pharmacopeias. The paper presents modern methods of detection of OPPs in herbal substances and food production. Finally, the authors demonstrate an advantage of the modern approach to rationing of OPPs in herbal substances (specification of presence and proportion of a single pesticide in combination with its toxic metabolites). The key issue is a necessity of developing a sensible and selective methodic of analysis of OPPs in accordance with physical-chemical properties of these types of pesticides in different kinds of herbal substances and phytopreparations.

Prevention of antibiotic resistance created by experimental evolutionary microbiology in Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with herbal substances

Background and Aims: Recently, one of the biggest problems of the world is a bacterial antimicrobial resistance, that is developing against most of the existing antibiotics. In addition to conducting studies that continue to discover new antimicrobial agents for combating multidrug resistant bacteria, steps should be taken for the protection of existing antibiotics. With this in mind, many modern and classical strategies have been developed, and among them, using essential oils or extracts obtained from plants, which may be a practical and effective alternative. Methods: We used the experimental evolutionary microbiology method to determine the effects of herbal substances, such as cinnamaldehyde from cinnamon, epigallocatechin gallate from greentea, curcumin from turmeric, punicalagin from pomegranate, and clove oil from clove, on the prevention or delay of antimicrobial resistance. In this study, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli standard and clinical strains were gradually exposed to increasing sub-inhibitory concentrations of meropenem and ciprofloxacin with or without the presence of herbal substances. Results: Resistance was developed in the E. coli and S. aureus control groups which were exposed only to ciprofloxacin, but, when herbal substances were included to the test, there was no resistance development. When the control groups were exposed only to meropenem, there was only an increase in the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC), but they did not become resistant, and we observed similar MIC values when we added the herbal substances to the test. Conclusion: These results showed that herbal substances might contribute to lowering MIC values of antibiotics and may help prevent the development of resistance in the studied bacteria.

Molecular docking of Vitamin D3 Receptor (VDR) with potential herbal substance as ligand to prevent excessive hair loss in menopausal women

Hair loss is commonly found in menopausal women. Hair loss is one of the consequences of hormonal dynamics when a woman stops having menstrual cycle, which affect calcium and vitamin D level in the body. Although it is clear enough that hormonal adjustment is required, older people and another sociodemographic factor prefer herbal-based therapeutic rather than synthetic-based due to tradition and positive experience factors. This study is an in-silico study which aims to point out the possible ligand candidates that can work as Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) agonists. We perform molecular docking using Autodock version 4.2 with the criteria of Lamarckian GA. VDR (PDB ID: 1TXI) was docked with ten compounds and one native ligand, then analyzed using Autodock 4.2. Dolichosterone, Gartanin, and (-)-Matairesinol, Luteolin, 5-HETE, Sinapyl glucoside, and geraniol, in order shows smallest to bigger binding energy when simulated in the software (-9.72, -7.70, -7.20, -6.88, -5.76, -5.71 kcal/mol). Thus, we found that these compounds are potential to become VDR agonist. Further research is still required to determine each compound drug potential and maximize therapeutic concentration for medicinal purposes.

Saffron and its active ingredients against human disorders: A literature review on existing clinical evidence.

Saffron, the stigmas of Crocus sativus L., has been mentioned extensively in the traditional reference texts as a herbal medicine. Many clinical trials have been conducted on this valuable herbal substance and its main constituents following numerous cellular and animal assessments. In the present review, we have collected almost all of these clinical studies to clarify how much knowledge has clinically been achieved in this field so far and which scientific gaps are needed to be filled by more studies. A comprehensive literature review was conducted through a two-round search. First, we performed a general search for identifying the human disorders against which saffron was studied. Then, we searched specifically for the combination of saffron keywords and each disease name. Scientific databases including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of science were used for this search. Studies were collected through electronic databases from their inception up to August 2021. The largest number of these clinical studies represent the investigations into saffron efficacy in different neurological and mental disorders, particularly depression. This substance has clinically revealed significant protective effects against various types of depression, age-related macular degeneration, and allergic asthma. In some cases, such as sexual dysfunction, cognitive and metabolic disorder, the effects of saffron are still clinically open to dispute, or there are limited data on its positive influences. Overall, saffron and its constituents have promising effects on human disorders; however, it needs more clinical evidence or meta-analyses to be confirmed.

A Sustainable Green Inventory System with Novel Eco-Friendly Demand Incorporating Partial Backlogging under Fuzziness

Environmentally friendly goods are market-oriented goods that create less environmental damage. Their manufacture is related to a product development process designed to consider the environmental consequences that might develop throughout their life cycle. In reality, the global demand for herbal goods is expanding since herbal products are manufactured from plant extracts such as leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds, among others, and cause less environmental destruction. This study introduces a novel, eco-friendly demand determined by the usage of herbal and chemical substances in products. In this context, companies producing these products are encouraged. Firms are interested in producing eco-friendly products while keeping an eye on carbon emissions. This paper presents a sustainable inventory model of non-instantaneous decaying items that follow this eco-friendly demand under partially backlogged shortages. In this study, emission releases due to inventory setup, degradation, and holding were estimated, as were carbon emissions under cap and tax policies. This approach invests in green and preservation technologies to reduce carbon emissions and deterioration. To address the imprecision of the model’s cost parameters, we converted them to Pythagorean fuzzy numbers. The optimum profit of the inventory model with carbon emissions is estimated by considering the time that the inventory level takes to reach zero and the replenishment time as decision variables. Numerical examples and a sensitivity analysis of significant parameters have been conducted to examine the effect of variation in the optimal inventory policy.

Cimicifuga racemosa L. – skuteczność i bezpieczeństwo stosowania w menopauzie

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa L., Ranunculaceae) root and rhizome are recommended in the treatment of vasomotor symptoms related to menopausal period, constituting a plant alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Although, its mechanism of action has not been fully understood, black cohosh is a rich and complex source of secondary metabolites with varied pharmacological activity aimed at alleviating menopausal symptoms. The efficiency of its use was confirmed in clinical trials. At the same time, C. racemosa root and rhizome are characterized by the content of numerous alkaloid compounds of various structural groups, which can be responsible for toxic effects. Despite that fact, there are no regulations indicating the need of standardization of black cohosh root and rhizome extracts, assuming the repeatability of their chemical composition. The large number of dietary supplements containing black cohosh root and rhizome extracts, compared to herbal medicinal products, may pose a health risk due to the lack of standardization and risk of adulteration with other Cimicifuga species. The paper presents the C. racemosa root and rhizome in terms of its traditional use, pharmacological and pharmacognostic studies, and clinical trials. In addition, herbal products of various categories containing the herbal substance and preparations obtained from it were characterized.

In Vivo Growth Inhibition of Human Caucasian Prostate Adenocarcinoma in Nude Mice Induced by Amygdalin with Metabolic Enzyme Combinations.

Cancer of the prostate is an indicated type that is often recorded as a kind of cancer in men and the second critical cause of mortality through cancer cases. Many pharmacological investigations have shown that numerous herbal substances possess anticancer action. Amygdalin (AMD) has antitumour capabilities and works as an antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-regulating characteristics. The anticancer effects of amygdalin and its metabolizing enzymes, rhodanese (RHD) and betaglucosidase (BGD), were examined in vivo, as well as their antitumour processes. Novel, effective combination agents are necessary to increase existing cancer treatment rates. This research was aimed at determining the anticarcinogenic impact of amygdalin (AMD) in vivo. This research was aimed at determining the RHD and BGD on the anticarcinogenic impact of AMD in vivo. Subcutaneously, PC3 prostate cancer cell lines were implanted into nude mice. Mice were treated every day with 0.5 ml of 50 mg/ml (AMD), AMD+ (RHD 0.1 mg/ml), AMD+(BGD 0.1 mg/ml), and doxorubicin (DOX 50 mg/ml). Mice were normalized for negative control with untreated mice. In in vivo, morphopathological alterations in the tumour tissue were analyzed by histopathological staining methods. After 35 days of therapy, tumour growth and size inhibition were evident, indicating a function for the metabolic enzymes BGD and RHD in regulating AMD's anticancer effect in vivo. We concluded the critical role of metabolic enzymes BGD and RHD in elevating the antigrowth of PC3 cancer cell lines in Balb/c nude mice treated with AMD.

Galactagogues and Lactation: Considerations for Counseling Breastfeeding Mothers.

Development of a milk supply is a complex process that is not always understood by women who are breastfeeding. Galactagogues are substances commonly used by breastfeeding women who perceive that they have an insufficient milk supply. They can be herbal substances or pharmaceuticals. Herbal galactagogues are advertised and sold to women as capsules, cookies, milk shakes, and teas, as well as other forms of herbal supplements. Herbal galactagogues are classified as dietary supplements and not reviewed or regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. There are limited data on their safety and efficacy. Women experiencing problems with their milk supply should receive a thorough and thoughtful assessment of the situation. There are many factors that should be considered when counseling breastfeeding women about use of galactagogues. The physiology of lactation, process of milk supply development, and the evidence for use of galactagogues are reviewed to add to the knowledge of nurses and other health care providers working with women who are breastfeeding.

Herbonanoceuticals: A Newer approach for Delivering Herbal Drugs-A Review

Herbs and herbal compounds are of tremendous research interest due to their numerous therapeutic applications. Several folk evidences have been documented in the formulations of the ancient world's pharmaceutical system, which have drawn researchers for scientific validation. Several herbal substances have been found and demonstrated therapeutic efficacy against pathophysiological diseases. Recently, attempts have been made to use these herbal components to synthesize nanoparticles for biomedical uses. Green synthesis is the method of creating nanoparticles using herbal/biogenic materials, and it has produced numerous metallic nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticle-herb combination may show better efficacy against different pathophysiological conditions. This review tries to put forward the different metal nanoparticles formed from different herbal resources and their role in health and diseases. Although green synthesis of nanoparticle is an emerging area of research but very few data are available regarding their physiological effects, compatibility and toxicity. This review is an effort to elaborate in detail the role of medicinally important herbs in synthesizing metal nanoparticles, their physiological compatibility and therapeutic efficacy. Further, considerations and discussions are also made on limitations (toxicity) of the green synthesis of nanoparticles along with their future prospects in health and diseases. This review opens door to a completely new dimension in medicinal plant research combining the nanotechnology with herbs i.e., Herbonanoceuticals.

Implications for herbal polypharmacy: coumarin-induced hepatotoxicity increased through common herbal phytochemicals astragaloside IV and atractylenolide I

Hepatotoxicity is a well-known adverse effect of many substances, with toxicity often resulting from interactions of drugs with other drug-like substances. With the increased availability of complementary and alternative medicines, including herbal medicines, the likelihood of adverse interactions between drugs and drug-like substances in herbs increases. However, the impact of potential herb-herb interactions is little understood. To assess the potential of two cytochrome P450 enzyme modulating phytochemicals common to many herbal medicines, atractylenolide I (ATR-I) and astragaloside IV (AST-IV), to interact with coumarin, another phytochemical common in many foods, a hepatocyte function model with a liver carcinoma cell line, HepG2, was exposed to these agents. To determine the effects of cytochrome P450 modulation by these phytochemicals certain cells were induced with rifampicin to induce cytochrome P450. Increasing concentrations of ATR-I combined with a fixed, nontoxic concentration of coumarin (200 µM), demonstrated significant additive interactions. 300 µM ATR-I produced a 31% reduction in cell viability (p < 0.01) with coumarin in rifampicin uninduced cells. In rifampicin-induced cells, ATR-I (100–300 µM) produced a significant reduction in cell viability (p < 0.01) with coumarin (200 µM). AST-IV with fixed coumarin (200 µM) showed 27% toxicity at 300 µM AST-IV in rifampicin uninduced cells (p < 0.05) and 30% toxicity in rifampicin induced cells (p < 0.05). However, when fixed coumarin and AST-IV were combined with increasing concentrations of ATR-I no further significant increase in toxicity was observed (p > 0.05). These results demonstrate the potential toxic interactive capabilities of common traditional Chinese herbal medicine phytochemicals and underline the potential importance of coumarin-mediated toxicity.

The synergistic effect of eucalyptus oil and retinoic acid on human esophagus cancer cell line SK-GT-4

BackgroundIn order to improve cancer patients' chances of survival, scientists have prioritized finding alternatives to chemotherapy, focusing their efforts on natural sources. The current study investigates the anti-cancer action of retinoic acid and Eucalyptus oil in esophageal cancer and studies their combined effect as well as the cellular pathways that each trigger as part of ongoing research in this field. As a model of esophageal cancer, the SK-GT-4 cancer cell line was treated with a series of concentrations of both materials.ResultsThe concentrations of Eucalyptus oil (10, 100, 1000, and 1500 g/mL) and Retinoic acid (5, 100, 150, and 200 M/mL) were used for treatment of cells. The MTT test was used to assess the anti-cancer activity of Eucalyptus oil and Retinoic acid, and qPCR was used to determine cellular pathways. Our findings show that both Eucalyptus oil and Retinoic acid inhibit cancer cell growth significantly. Our findings revealed that the IC50 values for eucalyptus oil were 63 g/mL and 111.3 M l/mL for retinoic acid. Furthermore, the impact was at the level that causes apoptosis. The findings suggested that any herbal substance could act as an inducer of the caspase-9-dependent pathway. The caspase-8-dependent pathway, on the other hand, was restricted to retinoic acid.ConclusionOur research discovered that the two chemicals worked together to create a synergistic effect. This synergistic effect could be attributed to a close connection between external and internal apoptotic pathways, which inhibits SK-GT-4 cell growth.Graphical

A Brief Review on Nutraceuticals and its Application

Because of their putative safety, nutraceuticals have sparked tremendous interest. Nutraceuticals are nutritional supplements that are used to improve health, postpone aging, prevent disease and support the healthy functioning of the human body. Nutraceuticals are currently gaining popularity due to their nutritional and medicinal properties. They are classified as dietary supplements or herbal bioactive substances based on their source. Herbal nutraceuticals aid in the maintenance of health and the promotion of optimal health, longevity, and quality of life. Nutraceuticals have demonstrated encouraging results in the treatment of a variety of ailments, including cancer, neurological diseases, cardiovascular disease, and others. The current review provides an overview of several bioactive substances that operate as nutraceuticals (carbohydrates, lipids, edible flowers, alkaloids, medicinal plants, etc.) and their involvement in health benefits. Focus on the need for appropriate diets, health issues associated with failure to adhere to known healthy eating models, development of new nutraceuticals/functional foods/food supplements with novel health benefits, elucidation of mechanisms of action of these products, and to define and understand the analytical, formulation, and regulatory aspects of nutraceuticals. The use of nutraceuticals in the prevention of certain diseases has also been addressed. Keywords: Nutraceutical, Dietary supplements, Herbal bioactive compounds, Application

Multitarget-Based Virtual Screening for Identification of Herbal Substances toward Potential Osteoclastic Targets

Osteoporosis is a complex bone disease indicating porous bone with low bone mass density and fragility. Cathepsin K, V-ATPase, and αVβ3 integrin are exhibited as novel targets for osteoporosis treatment. Our preliminary study uses a state-of-the-art method, including target-based virtual screening and clustering methods to determine promising candidates with multitarget properties. Phytochemicals with osteoprotective properties from the literature are used to elucidate the molecular interactions toward three targets. The binding scores of compounds are normalized and rescored. The K-means and hierarchical clustering methods are applied to filter and define the promising compounds, and the silhouette analysis is supposed to validate the clustering method. We explore 108 herbal compounds by virtual screening and the cluster approach, and find that rutin, sagittatoside A, icariin, and kaempferitrin showed strong binding affinities against Cathepsin K, V-ATPase, and αVβ3 integrin. Dockings of candidates toward three targets also provide the protein-ligand interactions and crucial amino acids for binding. Our study provides a straightforward and less time-consuming approach to exploring the new multitarget candidates for further investigations, using a combination of in silico methods.

Osthole Regulates Secretion of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Expression of TLR2 and NF-κB in Normal Human Keratinocytes and Fibroblasts.

IntroductionOsthole (OST), an active compound isolated from Cnidium monnieri, is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of human diseases. Although OST has a good therapeutic effect, the underlying mechanism of its action in inflammatory skin diseases in humans is still unknown.PurposeThe present study aimed to test the hypothesis that OST can be used as an herbal substance that minimizes skin inflammation and barrier dysfunction. In this study, histamine and LPS were used to induce inflammation in skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts to test whether OST can inhibit their responses.MethodsCell migration was analyzed using a wound healing assay. Changes in cell monolayer integrity were assessed by the measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance. Secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, CCL2/MCP-1, CCL5/RANTES, and COX-2 was measured by ELISA, while expression of TLR2, NF-κB, and COX-2 was analyzed by qPCR.ResultsOST decreased the level of IL-1β, TNF-α, CCL2/MCP-1 and CCL5/RANTES, and expression of TLR2, NF-κB and COX-2 during histamine/LPS-induced inflammation in human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. OST also improved cell migration and cell barrier function.ConclusionOur results suggest that OST suppresses inflammatory responses via regulation of IL-1β, TNF-α, CCL2/MCP-1 and CCL5/RANTES secretion, and TLR2, and COX-2 expression.