Medicinal Natural Products Research Articles

Medicinal and Therapeutic Potential of Herbs and Plant Metabolites / Extracts Countering Viral Pathogens - Current Knowledge and Future Prospects.

Recently, there has been a remarkable progress in the field of antiviral herbal therapy owing to increasing concerns about the development of drug resistance and limited advances in the field of antiviral drug discovery. In almost all countries, medicinal plants have been used widely throughout history for the treatment of diseases and infections as traditional healing remedies due to their broad therapeutic spectrum and minimal or no side effects. As synthetic antiviral drugs are not available against most of the viral agents, hence all possible efforts have been focused on the search for new drugs and complementary/alternative medicines from different herbal formulations. We have retrieved the related information from the online published resources (Medline, PubMed, Pub- Med Central, Science Direct and other scientific databases); which were further analyzed and compiled. Medicinal plants contain extractable biochemical and bioactive compounds, which can target certain viruses or can cure or prevent several viral diseases and infections. Despite their long history of use, the research and scientific evidences regarding the use of medicinal plants and natural products as prophylactics, therapeutics, and their health multiple beneficial applications have only gained momentum in past few decades. Many scientific studies have been undertaken, which range from the separation of active substances to the comprehension of the therapeutic mechanisms of antiviral herbs, their potent applications in the neutralization of viral pathogens and clinical trials. Consequently, hundreds of herbs and plant metabolites have been screened, identified, and tested for their antiviral activities; fortunately, some have shown significant medicinal activity in the amelioration or prevention of various viral diseases in both preclinical and clinical studies. This review addresses the scientific significance of various herbal formulations of different medicinal plants and their extracts, which have shown promise or been proven effective for the treatment of diseases caused by various viral pathogens, including emerging and re-emerging viruses that infect humans, animals, poultry and fish.

Recommended Approaches for Pharmacokinetic Natural Product-Drug Interaction Research: a NaPDI Center Commentary

Sales of botanical dietary supplements and other purported medicinal natural products (NPs) have escalated over the past ∼25 years, increasing the potential for NPs to precipitate clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions with U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medications [NP-drug interactions (NPDIs)]. However, published NPDI studies to date often lack consistency in design, implementation, and documentation, which present difficulties in assessing the clinical significance of the results. Common hurdles include large variability in the admixture composition of phytoconstituents between and within batches of a given NP, limited knowledge on the pharmacokinetics of precipitant NP constituents, and use of animal and/or in vitro models which, in some cases, are not mechanistically appropriate for extrapolation to humans. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health created a Center of Excellence for Natural Product-Drug Interaction Research (NaPDI Center) to address these unmet research needs. The NaPDI Center has two overarching goals: 1) develop Recommended Approaches to guide researchers in the proper conduct of NPDI studies, which will evolve over time concurrent with emerging technologies and new research data, and 2) apply the Recommended Approaches in evaluating four model NPs as precipitants of NPDIs with clinically relevant object drugs. The major objectives of this commentary are to 1) explain the rationale for creating the NaPDI Center; 2) describe the decision trees developed by the NaPDI Center to enhance the planning, rigor, and consistency of NPDI studies; and 3) provide a framework for communicating results to the multidisciplinary scientists interested in the NaPDI Center's interaction projects.

Strategic Marketing Prospects for Developing Sustainable Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Businesses in the Indian Himalayan Region

Among the non-timber forest products, the medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) are key forest resources for the world’s herbal medicine, cosmetics, health food and other natural products industries. MAP businesses are continuing to increase in many biodiversity-rich areas of the world. The overharvesting and depletion of forest based MAP and their unregulated trade are creating ecosystem and business sustainability issues for the MAP industry. This paper assesses the current state of the MAP industry in Uttarakhand State in the northwestern Himalayan region of India and offers marketing strategies for the conservation and sustainable commercialization of MAP in this region. A qualitative research method was first used involving interviews with policymakers and other industry stakeholders including local MAP traders and growers. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis and a quantitative strategic planning matrix analysis were then conducted to identify appropriate marketing strategies. The study reveals that the existing practices of MAP businesses in Uttarakhand are inconsistent with the plants’ conservation requirements and the livelihoods of the primary producers. In its current form, the region’s MAP industry is therefore in a precarious position. However, if policymakers consider and act on the industry’s strengths and opportunities they could positively influence its sustainable development and help to minimize the negative impacts of the trade on the region’s forest MAP resources.

English

Interest in plants’ essential oils has grown recently due to increased use of natural products in medicine and cosmetics. In spite of its long use, there has been little prior study on the bioactivity and toxicity of the essential oils of Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth S. More). Thus in this work, the anti-bacterial and brine shrimps’ lethality of the essential oils obtained through hydro-distillation were evaluated. The oils were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometric techniques. The toxicity of the oils was considered using the brine shrimps’ lethality assay at concentrations of 10, 100 and 1000 ppm. The antimicrobial assay was carried out using the agar diffusion method. The bacteria were three strains of Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella Typhi) and two strains of Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The main constituents of the leaves essential oil of C. crepidioides were α-caryophyllene (10.29%) and β-cubebene (13.77%), while the stem essential oil were mainly thymol (43.93%) and 4-cyclohexybutyramide (20.94%). The results of the brine shrimps’ lethality assay suggest that the essential oil of the stem (LC50 = 9.10 µg/mL) was just as toxic as the essential oil of the leaves (LC50 = 9.2 µg/mL). The essential oils were active against all the bacterial strains but low when compared with the standard antibiotic, Gentamicin.   Key words: Essential oils, toxicity, antibacterial activity, Crassocephalum crepidioides, Nigeria.

Biodiversity, Bioprospecting, Traditional Knowledge, Sustainable Development and Value Added Products: A Review

Biodiversity is the biological capital of the planet Earth and forms the foundation upon which the human civilization is built. The success of a nation depends upon the capability of her people to convert the biodiversity and other natural resources into wealth in an ecologically sound and economically rewarding and sustainable manner with the intervention of science and technology. The intrinsic potential of biodiversity as a key resource for developing novel value added products for food, medicine, cosmetics and other natural products of commercial importance have now been increasingly realized. The unknown potential of genetic diversity found in the biological organisms represents a never-ending biological frontier of intrinsic value. Genetic diversity will enable breeders to tailor crops to meet the ever-changing demands or needs and aspirations of humans as well as enabling to adapt to the changing climatic or other environmental conditions. The genetic resources are primarily used as source of valuable genes, chemicals, drugs, pharmaceuticals, natural dye, gum, resins, enzymes and proteins of great industrial value. Knowledge based, value added product development and its commercialization has become one of the fastest economic activities in the world. The liberalization of the global trade practice and other economic reforms evolving currently with the emergence of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UN-CBD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) requires a deeper study and understanding, especially in the light of the latest path breaking achievements in science and technology particularly in areas like Information Technology (IT), Biotechnology (BT), Herbal technology (HT), and Nano-biotechnology (NBT). According to Mashellar) “twenty first century will be the century of knowledge” and “a nations ability to convert knowledge into wealth and social good through the process of innovation will determine its future”. A new thinking centered on the concept of ‘knowledge engineering’ for building future ‘knowledge industries’ is now getting greater attention and acceptance in the world over. Conversion of biodiversity and the associated traditional knowledge system (TKS) into value added globally competitive commercial products with appropriate safeguards for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection are some of the key strategies for achieving economic prosperity and well being for the people of nations like India.

Medicinal plants and natural products research: A treatment program for ADHD and ADD

Medicinal plants and natural products research: A treatment program for ADHD and ADD

Efecto nematicida de la infusión de ajo (Allium sativum) comparada con albendazol administrados vía oral en ovinos

La carne de las ovejas de pelo es muy aceptada por su característico sabor, sin embargo, este ganado está muy expuesto a las parasitosis gastrointestinales limitando su producción cárnica. El uso de productos medicinales naturales es una alternativa a los tratamientos convencionales. Al Ajo se le atribuyen propiedades medicinales principalmente por sus compuestos órganos ulfurados. En la presente investigación se evaluó el efecto nematicida de la infusión de ajo (Allium sativum) al 10%, determinar si existe diferencia significativa con una prueba de medias T studenty efecto residual del efecto nematicida de la infusión de ajo al 10% comparado con albendazol al 15% administrados por vía oral en ovinos. Se seleccionaron 30 hembras ovinas híbridas cruces de razas Merina, Pelibuey, Blackbelly y Katahdine comprendidas entre 1 año a 2½ años de edad, divididas en 2 grupos de 15 animales cada uno. Grupo 1:se le administró la infusión de ajo a una dosis de 5ml/100kg, por 3 días consecutivos; Grupo 2: recibió un producto comercial a base de albendazol a dosis única de 5mg/kg. Se colectaron muestras fecales al día 0 antes del tratamiento,24 horas, 7, 14, 21 y 28 días después del tratamiento, usando como métodos diagnósticos Flotación y McMaster (huevos/g heces). La infusión de ajo administrada vía oral en ovinos, fue efectiva como nematicida en el primer díapost tratamiento obteniéndose el 47% de las muestras sin carga parasitaria en relación del 40% de albendazol. El grupo tratado con la infusión de ajo fue disminuyendo su efecto nematicida a los 7, 14, 21 y 28 días a diferencia de lalbendazol que fue a los 21 días. Se determinó que no existe diferencia significativa (P ≥0.05) del efecto nematicida dela infusión de ajo comparada con el albendazol administrado por vía oral en ovinos, por lo que es una alternativa para disminuir la carga de nematodos en ovinos.

Wound healing properties of Copaifera paupera in diabetic mice.

Copaifera oleoresin is one of the most used natural products in popular medicine all over the world. Among other effects (i.e., anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, microbicidal) one of the most well-known is its wound healing capacity. However, the mechanism by which the oleoresin presents its effect is still not clear. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the wound healing capacity of oleoresin obtained from Copaifera paupera, its mechanism of action and identify its major components. For these purposes, diabetic Swiss Webster mice were topically treated with oleoresin (100, 150 or 200 mg/kg) for 14 consecutive days after an excision was performed in the back of the mice. Cytokines, wound retraction and histological evaluation were conducted at 3, 7 and 10 days (for cytokines); 0, 3, 7, 10 and 14 days (for wound retraction); and 7 and 14 days (for histological evaluation). Our data indicate that oleoresin significantly reduced production of MCP-1 and TNF-α at days 7 and 10 post-excision and increased IL-10 production at both days. All treatments demonstrated an effect similar or higher to that in collagenase-treated mice. Histological evaluations demonstrated that higher dose treatment resulted in better resolution and closure of the wound and higher levels of collagen deposition and indexes of re-epithelialization even when compared with the collagenase-treated group. The treatment with oleoresin from Copaifera paupera demonstrated that it is even better than an ointment routinely used for improvement of wound healing, suggesting this oleoresin as an option for use in diabetic patients.

The Ethnopharmacologic Contribution to Bioprospecting Natural Products.

Descriptions of the use of natural products in traditional medicine have served as starting points for new therapeutics. The details of the traditional use of these organisms can provide important information for future drug discovery and development efforts. Recent technologic advances provide the framework to leverage ethnopharmacologic data in the drug discovery process. Information on the traditional harvest, preparation, storage, and administration of the organisms, and the natural products they contain, provides valuable details regarding characteristics of the active compounds. Importantly, researchers can now rapidly analyze and identify the multiple, and often synergistic, compounds contained in these natural products. Although we are entering the acme of ethnopharmacology, where information regarding the traditional use of organisms can provide valuable natural product leads and accelerate the identification of new therapeutics, this ethnopharmacologic resource is threatened by the loss of traditional medicine knowledge and extinction of organisms.

A Boron Protecting Group Strategy for 1,2-Azaborines

Upon reaction with either molecular oxygen or di-tert-butylperoxide in the presence of a simple copper(I) salt and an alcohol, a range of 1,2-azaborines readily exchange B-alkyl or B-aryl moieties for B-alkoxide fragments. This transformation allows alkyl and aryl groups to serve for the first time as removable protecting groups for the boron position of 1,2-azaborines during reactions that are not compatible with the easily modifiable B-alkoxide moiety. This reaction can be applied to synthesize a previously inaccessible BN isostere of ethylbenzene, a compound of interest in biomedical research. A sequence of epoxide ring opening using N-deprotonated 1,2-azaborines followed by an intramolecular version of the boron deprotection reaction can be applied to access the first examples of BN isosteres of dihydrobenzofurans and benzofurans, classes of compounds that are important to medicinal chemistry and natural product synthesis.

Characterization of molecular signature of the roots of Paeonia lactiflora during growth

AbstractThe roots of Paeoniae lactiflora Pall. are widely consumed as crude drugs in Asian countries due to their remarkable beneficial health effects. The present research was undertaken to illuminate the dynamic changes in metabolites and enzymes and facilitate selection of the harvesting time when the herb can provide optimum health benefits. P. lactiflora roots were analyzed at 12 stages of growth for monoterpenoid glycosides, phenols, nucleosides, nucleobases, amino acids, and polysaccharides by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector, ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, and UV spectrophotometry. The enzyme activities of plant β-glucosidases and esterases were determined by UV methods. The total content of monoterpenoid glycosides and phenols peaked in December. For nucleosides and nucleobases, the highest content appeared in April. The maximum phasic accumulation of the total amino acids took place in March, and the content of total polysaccharides reached a peak value in September. December, April, and March were selected as the appropriate harvesting times for producing natural medicinal or health food products. Plant β-glucosidases and esterases showed the highest activity in December and May, respectively. When the activity of β-glucosidase increased, esterase activity decreased, while the contents of oxypaeoniflora and paeoniflorin increased. When esterase activity increased, the contents of benzoylpaeoniflorin, paeoniflorin, and gallic acid decreased. In conclusion, the results from the present study would be useful in determination of the suitable time for harvesting P. lactiflora roots for medicinal purposes.

In vitro assessment of anti-proliferative effect induced by α-mangostin from Cratoxylum arborescens on HeLa cells.

Natural medicinal products possess diverse chemical structures and have been an essential source for drug discovery. Therefore, in this study, α-mangostin (AM) is a plant-derived compound was investigated for the apoptotic effect on human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). The cytotoxic effects of AM on the viability of HeLa and human normal ovarian cell line (SV40) were evaluated by using MTT assay. Results showed that AM inhibited HeLa cells viability at concentration- and time-dependent manner with IC50 value of 24.53 ± 1.48 µM at 24 h. The apoptogenic effects of AM on HeLa were assessed using fluorescence microscopy analysis. The effect of AM on cell proliferation was also studied through clonogenic assay. ROS production evaluation, flow cytometry (cell cycle) analysis, caspases 3/7, 8, and 9 assessment and multiple cytotoxicity assays were conducted to determine the mechanism of cell apoptosis. This was associated with G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and elevation in ROS production. AM induced mitochondrial apoptosis which was confirmed based on the significant increase in the levels of caspases 3/7 and 9 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the MMP disruption and increased cell permeability, concurrent with cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to the cytosol provided evidence that AM can induce apoptosis via mitochondrial-dependent pathway. AM exerted a remarkable antitumor effect and induced characteristic apoptogenic morphological changes on HeLa cells, which indicates the occurrence of cell death. This study reveals that AM could be a potential antitumor compound on cervical cancer in vitro and can be considered for further cervical cancer preclinical and in vivo testing.

Consensus rank orderings of molecular fingerprints illustrate the most genuine similarities between marketed drugs and small endogenous human metabolites, but highlight exogenous natural products as the most important ‘natural’ drug transporter substrates

<p class="ADMETabstracttext">We compare several molecular fingerprint encodings for marketed, small molecule drugs, and assess how their <span style="text-decoration: underline;">rank order</span> varies with the fingerprint in terms of the Tanimoto similarity to the most similar endogenous human metabolite as taken from Recon2. For the great majority of drugs, the rank order varies <span style="text-decoration: underline;">very greatly</span> depending on the encoding used, and also somewhat when the Tanimoto similarity (TS) is replaced by the Tversky similarity. However, for a subset of such drugs, amounting to some 10 % of the set and a Tanimoto similarity of ~0.8 or greater, the similarity coefficient is relatively robust to the encoding used. This leads to a metric that, while arbitrary, suggests that a Tanimoto similarity of 0.75-0.8 or greater genuinely does imply a considerable structural similarity of two molecules in the drug-endogenite space. Although comparatively few (<10 % of) marketed drugs are, in this sense, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">robustly</span> similar to an endogenite, there is often at least one encoding with which they <span style="text-decoration: underline;">are</span> genuinely similar (e.g. TS > 0.75). This is referred to as the Take Your Pick Improved Cheminformatic Analytical Likeness or TYPICAL encoding, and on this basis some 66 % of drugs are within a TS of 0.75 to an endogenite.</p><p class="ADMETabstracttext">We next explicitly recognise that natural evolution will have selected for the ability to transport <span style="text-decoration: underline;">dietary</span> substances, including plant, animal and microbial ‘secondary’ metabolites, that are of benefit to the host. These should also be explored in terms of their closeness to marketed drugs. We thus compared the TS of marketed drugs with the contents of various databases of natural products. When this is done, we find that some 80 % of marketed drugs are within a TS of 0.7 to a natural product, even using just the MACCS encoding. For patterned and TYPICAL encodings, 80 % and 98 % of drugs are within a TS of 0.8 to (an endogenite or) an exogenous natural product. This implies strongly that it is these <span style="text-decoration: underline;">exogeneous</span> (dietary and medicinal) natural products that are more to be seen as the ‘natural’ substrates of drug transporters (as is recognised, for instance, for the solute carrier SLC22A4 and ergothioneine). This novel analysis casts an entirely different light on the kinds of natural molecules that are to be seen as most like marketed drugs, and hence potential transporter substrates, and further suggests that a renewed exploitation of natural products as drug scaffolds would be amply rewarded.</p><em><span><br /></span></em>

Endophytic Phomopsis sp. colonization in Oryza sativa was found to result in plant growth promotion and piperine production.

Endophytic fungi have been reported to have the acquired ability to synthesize host plant specific medicinal natural products. Many fungi with such properties have been characterized and optimized for the conditions which favor maximal production of desired products. However, the inherent plant colonization property of promising endophytic fungi is least studied. Exploiting the transgenome functioning of these fungi have immense applications to add beneficial features to nonhost plants. In the present study, the endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp. isolated from Piper nigrum was confirmed for piperine production by HPLC and LCMS/MS. Further, the fungal isolate was studied for its colonization ability in Oryza sativa. Interestingly, the fungi treated plants were found to have significant plant growth enhancement when compared to the control. Further screening of extract from treated plants by HPLC and LCMS/MS resulted in the confirmation of presence of piperine. The observed result is extremely significant as it opens up novel applications of endophytic fungal colonization in taxonomically diverse plants.

The Siddha Drug Aya birungaraja karpam (ABK) as Rejuvenative Elixir – A Scientific Review

Kayakarpam is one of the specific therapeutic formulations in siddha medicine advocated for rejuvenation, which is formulated several thousand years back by our great Siddhars for the wellbeing of the human life by power of health securing the body. Thus it promotes health by preventing grey hair ( Narai ), wrinkling of the skin ( Thirai ) and senility ( Moopu ). This therapy ensures the longevity and elimination of disease causing factor. The aim of this review is to focus the Aya birungaraja karpam as rejuvenator. The datas were collected from Traditional siddha texts and from current research findings. Iron used as medicine from Vedic period, the ancient scientist siddha saint Bohar is the father of iatrogenic chemistry and the metallic medicine. The medicinal plants have phytoconstituents like phenolic compound and flavonoids which exert multiple pharmacological activities such as antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity. Thus the traditional medical system chosen as the alternative medical source, the drug from medicinal plant satisfies this need as they have innumerable benefits for the last three decades. The globe turns their eye towards the herbal medicine and its incredible pharmacological activities, pharmacoeconomic viability and less side effect. Reactive oxygen species play an important role in degenerative and pathological process, such as ageing, premature graying, lack of muscular and skin tone, Alzheimer’s disease, neurodegenerative disorders, Atherosclerosis, Cardio vascular disease, Diabetes, Inflammatory diseases and cancer. Even though some of synthetic drugs have shown antioxidant and radical scavenging mechanism, the WHO turns their efforts towards the evolution and effectiveness of the medicinal plants and natural products for the condition where there is lack of safe synthetic drugs. Thus, tremendous efforts have been directed toward the discovery and development of natural antioxidant from medicinal plants and its products as protective system. It is concluded that free radical ions and reactive oxygen species causes pathological and degenerative conditions in Human whereas the ingredients of Aya birungaraja karpam (ABK) show antioxidant property and radical scavenging ability in a various physiochemical and pharmacological experiments. Thus ABK envisages longevity and elimination of disease causing factor.

A Systematic Review on the Role of Natural Products in Modulating the Pathways in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder to date, with no cure or preventive therapy. Histopathological hallmarks of AD include deposition of β-amyloid plaques and formation of neurofibrillary tangles in brain. Despite extensive research, only five approved drugs are available for the management of AD. Hence, there is a need to look for alternative therapies and new drugs. Use of natural products in medicine has gained popularity in recent years and several natural compounds with neuroprotective effects have been studied in detail. Some of them target the disease pathways and improve cognition by directly affecting amyloidogenesis, programmed cell death and increase neuronal cell survival. Currently, phytochemicals like polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and vitamins from plants have received a special attention from the scientific community against the pathological processes in conditions like cancer, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. Many efforts have been made to unravel the molecular mechanisms and the specific interactions of phytochemicals, which targets disease pathways in the AD. Further studies on these natural products and their mechanism of action, target specific effect in disease pathology parallel with the use of novel pharmaceutical drug design and delivery techniques, enable us to offer an addition to conventional medicine in treatment of AD. This review presents detailed information on natural products like polyphenols, alkaloids and terpenes with their potential effects in Alzheimer's disease.

INDIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE - A CONGLOMERATION OF ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE AND MODERN SCIENCE (21-22 July 2016: Phytocongress | Sastra University)

PHYTOCONGRESS – 2016 The International Conference Phytocongress – 2016 on the theme “Indian Traditional Medicine - A Conglomeration of Ancient Knowledge and Modern Science” was organized by Centre for Advanced Research in Indian System of Medicine (CARISM), SASTRA University, Thanjavur on 21 & 22 July 2016. This conference was focused on the vast, enviable traditional wealth of India, practices and usage of plant drugs, metals, minerals and animals by traditional medical practitioners during ancient times and the current status of traditional and synthetic drugs. This programme analyzed the requirements of modern times and how the same could be benefited through ancient wisdom. Sessions in the seminar covered a wide range of topics emphasizing the scientific merits involved in Ayurveda and Siddha medicines. These sessions highlighted the significance and importance of evidence based studies on traditional medicines and finding new experimental methodologies for their characterization using various sophisticated analytical techniques and their applications. The modern tools of chemistry and biology, in particular allow scientists to detail the exact nature of the biological effects of natural compounds on the human body, as well as to uncover possible synergies, which holds much promise for the discovery of new therapies against many devastating diseases. With the technology at hand today, we can validate the science behind this ancient knowledge and unravel the mysteries behind why and how traditional medicine works. The challenge today is to integrate the best of the different healing traditions to meet the healthcare needs of contemporary society. This International conference brought together leading academic scientists, researchers and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and wisdom on all aspects of medicinal plants and natural products. It also provided an interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions to be adopted in the fields of medicinal plants and natural products. This conference was inaugurated by Prof. Bhushan Patvarthan, University of Pune, and this Conference was convened by Prof. P. Brindha, Associate Dean and Co-ordinator, CARISM, SATRA University. Invited international speakers from USA, Australia and Malaysia and national speakers gave scintillating lectures covering various aspects on the theme of the conference. Altogether nearly 200 Scientists, Siddha and Ayurveda Researchers, Practitioners and Industrialists participated from various parts of India.

Recent Advances in Effect-directed Enzyme Assays based on Thin-layer Chromatography.

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) together with its more modern form high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) is a rapid and cost effective analytical tool with a long tradition in quality control of medicinal plants, extracts and natural products. Separated compounds are fixed on the solid silica phase to form a compound library. Through direct coupling of visualisable enzyme reactions on the TLC plate, this compound library can also be used for activity screening. Such TLC-based bioautographic enzyme and enzyme inhibition assays complement first stage development activity screening assays. They provide not only phytochemical results by chromatographic separation, but also additional information about the activity of constituents or fractions in multi-compound mixtures, and thus can reveal and distinguish artefacts generated by certain compound classes. This review summarises recently introduced TLC bioautographic enzyme assays as well as advances in already existing procedures. Bioautographic enzyme and enzyme inhibitory assays offer a rapid, high-throughput method for screening of secondary metabolite profiles for potential enzyme and enzyme inhibitory activities. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Further insight into the bioactivity of the freshwater sponge Ochridaspongia rotunda

Context: Bioprospection has become a dynamic scientific field that explores novel possibilities for the implementation of natural products in medicine and pharmacy. Compared to marine species from all kingdoms, freshwater species have been highly neglected. Objective: This work focuses on the screening of acetylcholinesterase inhibitory (AChE) and mutagenic activities of the acetone extract (obtained by maceration) of the freshwater sponge Ochridaspongia rotunda Arndt (Malawispongiidae) in vitro. Materials and methods: AChE inhibitory activity was evaluated both in liquid (five different concentrations of the extract, from 1 to 100 μg/mL) and in solid (seven different concentrations of the extract, from 0.5 to 10.0 μg) by methods well described in literature, while mutagenicity was estimated using the Ames test (four different concentrations of the extract, from 0.106 to 1.328 mg/plate). Results: Ochridaspongia rotunda acetone extract exhibited promising AChE inhibitory activity in a dose-dependent manner both in liquid (IC50 23.07 μg/mL) and in solid (1.50 μg). Furthermore, the Ames test revealed no sign of mutagenicity at any concentration tested. Its FTIR spectrum coupled with the positive Liebermann?Burchard, Salkowski and Zak color reactions (tests) indicated the presence of sterol compounds. Discussion and conclusion: The screened extract may inspire a search for novel anticholinesterase therapeutic agent(s) potentially used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Further research will be directed toward its detailed chemical analysis along with addressing the issue of a real producer of the natural product(s) responsible for the AChE activity observed.

Monoclonal antibody usage strategies for natural products in traditional chinese medicine

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against natural products with low-molecular weights have become an important tool when combined with other analytical systems. Eastern blotting involves a typical staining system wherein, for example, glycosides can be blotted to a membrane and cross-linked and stained using MAbs. An immunoaffinity column combined with a monoclonal antibody allows a one-step purification of hapten compounds or preparation of a knockout extract that removes only the target hapten molecules from a crude extract. Here, we discuss the application of these extracts. Single-chain variable fragment (scFv) proteins have led to novel assay systems such as fluobodies or antibodies coupled with green fluorescent protein for natural products. A typical novel application of a scFv gene would be in the context of plant breeding; this is designated “missile-type” molecular breeding, intended to increase hapten molecule concentrations in transgenic plants.