Pycnarrhena cauliflora Diels. known as Sengkubak, is a natural-based potential antioxidant and antibacterial from the Menispermaceae family. Streptococcus sanguinis is a primary colonizer bacteria that is consistent in biofilm formation. This study attempted to identify S. sanguinis inhibition from antibacterial and antioxidant bioactivity of sengkubak leaf extract. Sengkubak leaves samples were extracted with 70% ethanol through 72 hours (3x24) maceration. Phytochemicals were identified qualitatively and quantitatively through analysis of total quercetin and phenolic content. Antioxidants were tested using the DPPH method. S. sanguinis sensitivity was tested through liquid microdilution method. The extract of sengkubak leaves has a yield of 16.30% (w/w). Qualitative screening showed positive results for flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, tannins, and steroids. TFC (quercetin) in extract was 5.22±0.969 QE/g and TPC was 4.08±1.005 mg GAE/g. The IC50 antioxidant value of extract was 40.136 µg/mL. The minimum inhibitory concentration value is shown at 5×10⁴ µg/mL. This research study proves that ethanol extract of sengkubak leaves holds various phytochemical compounds which are likely utilized as potent antioxidants and have inhibitory effect against S.sanguinis.

Abstract: The genus Cocculus belongs to the family Menispermaceae, which is a well-known family of several medicinal plants widely used in traditional and herbal medicine. The Cocculus genus is the fourth largest genus of Menispermaceae and is largely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, Africa, and Central Arabia. Traditionally, every part of the Cocculus plants is used in various forms (decoction, juice, infusion, etc.) in treating several diseases and ailments, which include inflammation, rheumatism, skin disorders, jaundice, urinary disorders, leprosy, diarrhea, constipation, wound healing, and menstrual disorders. Phytochemically, alkaloids are the major constituents of this genus, along with other secondary metabolites like flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, glycosides, and sterols. Crude extracts, their fractions, and isolated compounds from a few species have been investigated for their anti-microbial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-cancer, antimalarial, insecticidal, and other activities, which provide evidence for their traditional usage. In this review, we have summarized traditional, phytochemical, and pharmacological aspects of the genus Cocculus to aid researchers in exploring and developing therapeutic drug leads.

Within Asian countries, various medicinal herbs are accepted as alternative remedies to prevent different diseases. Tinospora cordifolia (TC) is commonly known as Giloy and Guduchi. It is found in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Burma, and China. These plants are mostly grown in warm climates and a variety of soils. It belongs to the family Menispermaceae, indigenous. Preliminary studies were conducted to explore its medicinal value. After exploration, it was found to contain terpenoids, alkaloids, and diterpene glycosides. Literature studies reveal the medicinal applications of this plant as a potential antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-allergic, anti-cancer, and antibacterial bioactive ingredient. Literature studies have been done in the past two decades showing the pharmacological activities of this potential plant in human bodies. Apart from this, it is also used in treating metabolic and immune disorders, cancer, diabetes mellitus, fever, as well as infection. Whole parts of the plant such as leaves, stems, flowers, fruits, and roots have medicinal value, like the stem enriches the blood, the root reduces stress, and the dry bark cures allergic reactions. This review work will emphasize the green synthesis method used in the pharmacological industries, elucidating the physiological role of the plant in the human body. It is used for boosting the immune system of the body. The present review work is carried out to provide information on the utilization and isolation of ingredients from this highly resourceful plant as an ayurvedic herbal medicine as a substitute for allopathic medicine in drug development. KEYWORDS :Clinical relevance, Natural medicine, Pharmacological properties, Tinospora cordifolia

COVID-19 pandemic is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Many natural products are known have antiviral activity, including Menispermaceae family. This plant were widely distributed in tropical forest, including in Indonesia. Existing studies are still limited regarding the benefits of this family in the treatment of Covid-19. This review aims to discuss and identify the use of plants from the Menispermaceae family in the treatment of Covid-19. We found that some components in the Menispermaceae family that have been utilized in the treatment of Covid-19 are still limited, although several studies have shown anti-infective effects against various bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. Cepharanthine (CEP) is the only bioactive component of Menispermaceae plants that has been clinically tested and used in the treatment of Covid-19. The effect of CEP has been trials effectively against other viral infections. Further identification of components in this family is needed for potential therapy against various infections in the future.

Summary The stem anatomy of freshly collected young and fully grown mature stems of 13 species of the family Menispermaceae was studied. Anamirta cocculus (L.) Wight & Arn., Cocculus pendulus (J.R.Forst & G.Forst) Diels (including C. hirsutus (L.) W.Theob and C. laurifolius DC., Diploclisia glaucescens (Blume) Diels, Pachygone ovata (Poir.) Diels and Tiliacora racemosa Colebr.), increase stem diameter by forming successive rings of vascular cambia. In contrast, Cissampelos pareira L., Coscinium fenestratum Colebr., Cyclea peltata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson, Stephania japonica (Thunb.) Miers., Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers and T. sinensis (Lour.) Merr., showed regular secondary growth from a single ring of the vascular cambium, even in thick stems. Successive rings of cambia initiate from the cortical parenchyma external to the pericyclic fibre cap. A few samples of Cissampelos pareira showed meristematic activity in the rays and the formation of axially elongated phloem cells at the margins. At the same time, radially oriented vascular tissues were observed in the centre of large rays. The secondary xylem of all the species was characterised by wide rays alternating with radial plates of axial elements. In the transverse view, all species showed circular outlines of stems with eccentric growth, except Cocculus pendulus , which showed both circular and flattened stems within the same individuals. Irrespective of successive cambia or regular secondary growth, the gross structure of the secondary xylem (i.e., radial plates of axial elements alternating with wide rays) remained similar within the self-supporting and non-self-supporting members.

Unveiling the mystery of the genus Tiliacora: A holistic view on the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical richness and pharmacological potentials.

Palmatine activation of TFEB enhances autophagy and alleviates endoplasmic reticulum stress in intervertebral disc degeneration.

BackgroundThe relationship between gene family expansion and the resulting changes in plant phenotypes has shown remarkable complexity during the evolution. The gene family expansion has contributed to the diversity in plant phenotypes, specifically metabolites through neo-functionalization and sub-functionalization. However, the negative regulatory effects associated with the gene family expansion remain poorly understood.ResultsHere, we present the chromosome-scale genomes of Tinospora crispa and Tinospora sinensis. Comparative genomic analyses demonstrated conserved chromosomal evolution within the Menispermaceae family. KEGG analysis revealed a significant enrichment of genes related to terpenoid biosynthesis in T. sinensis. However, T. crispa exhibited a higher abundance of terpenoids compared to T. sinensis. Detailed analysis revealed the expansion of genes encoding 1-hydroxy-2-methyl 2-(E)-butenyl 4-diphosphate synthase (HDS), a key enzyme in the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway of terpenoid biosynthesis in T. sinensis. TsiHDS4 retained the ancestral function of converting methylerythritol cyclic diphosphate (MEcPP) to (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate (HMBPP). However, the noncanonical CDS-derived small peptide TsiHDS5 was shown to interact with TsiHDS4, inhibiting its catalytic activity. This interaction reduced the levels of HMBPP and isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP), which represent key substrates for downstream terpenoid biosynthesis.ConclusionsThese findings offer clues to decipher the variations in the MEP pathway of terpenoid biosynthesis between T. crispa and T. sinensis and form a basis for further detailed research on the negative regulation of expanded genes.

Fangchinoline alleviates the progression of osteoarthritis through the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway.

BackgroundTinospora sagittata, a member belongs to the genus Tinospora of Menispermaceae family. Its tuberous roots have been used as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for pharmacological properties and are commonly known name as “Jin Guo Lan”. Although its plastome and nuclear genome had been sequenced, its mitochondrial genome has not been explored, which significantly hampers conservation efforts and further research for this species. In addition, previous efforts based on multiple molecular markers providing profound insights into an intergeneric phylogenetic framework for Burasaieae and sampled species of T. sagittata are placed in a superclades, species delimitation of T. sagittata still need to be comprehensively evaluated.ResultsFlow cytometry revealed that Tinospora sagittata has two cytotypes and a wide range in genome sizes. We further sequenced and assembled the organelle genomes of T. sagittata, including the mitogenome (513,210–513,215 bp) and plastome (163,621–164,006 bp). The plastomes were highly similar in gene content and exhibited a typical quadripartite structure, but a translocation as well as two inversions were detected in mitogenomes. The repeats patterns in both organelles are generally similar, but significant difference in the codon bias of the genes of Tinospora organelle genomes. Interesting, both organelle genomes had shown that inter-gene spacer regions could be used as effective molecular markers for further phylogenetic analyses and species identification. Comprehensive analysis of protein coding genes of organelle genomes showed that significant difference in Ka, Ks, and Ka/Ks values among the organelle genomes. Phylogenetic analysis identified a tree that was basically consistent with the phylogeny of Ranunculales described in the APG IV system.ConclusionsWe provided a high-quality and well-annotated organelle genome for Tinospora sagittata. The study present here advances our understanding of the intricate interplay between plastome and mitogenome. Moreover, our results also laid the foundation for further studying the course, tempo and mode of organelle genome evolution of Menispermaceae.

Background/Objectives: Stephania epigaea is a plant from the Menispermaceae family. Its root is an important traditional folk medicine, which is called Diburong in China. Diburong is rich in benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs), including cepharanthine, which has been demonstrated to exhibit significant anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antineoplastic, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities, as well as raising leukocytes. Cepharanthine is composed of (R)- and (S)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (1-BIA). (S)-norcoclaurine-6-O-methyltransferase (6OMT) is a rate-limiting enzyme in BIA biosynthesis. However, its role in the cepharanthine biosynthetic pathway, particularly with the (R) stereoisomer substrate, remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to identify Se6OMTs involved in the cepharanthine biosynthetic pathway and elucidate the O-methyltransferases (OMTs) responsible for the production of (R)- and (S)-stereoisomer BIAs. Methods: In this study, three OMTs were cloned from S. epigaea and functionally characterized using nine 1-BIAs of (R)- and (S)-configurations as substrates. Results: Two O-methyltransferases, Se6OMT1 and Se6OMT3, showed efficient catalytic activity at the C6 position of both (R)- and (S)-norcoclaurine. Furthermore, Se6OMT3 demonstrated high catalytic activity at the C7 and C4′ positions of other (R)- and (S)-configuration 1-BIAs, which resulted in the generation of multiple products. Conclusions: This study focused on 6OMT enzymes in S. epigaea, identifying Se6OMTs involved in the cepharanthine biosynthetic pathway, determining the OMTs involved in the production of (R)- and (S)-stereoisomer BIAs. This research provides valuable insights into the substrate promiscuity of Se6OMTs on (R)- and (S)-configured 1-BIAs in S. epigaea and highlights the genetic components necessary for the metabolic engineering and synthetic biology approaches to cepharanthine production.

Medicinal plants have been integral to traditional medicine for centuries, offering natural and cost-effective solutions for various ailments. The bioactive compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids, and glycosides, exhibit diverse biological activities, that include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. These compounds play a vital role in neutralizing free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and maintaining cellular health. Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy), a climber from the Menispermaceae family, is revered in Ayurveda as "Amrita" or the "root of immortality." Known for its immunomodulatory and therapeutic properties, it has been traditionally used to treat conditions like fever, inflammation, respiratory disorders, and metabolic diseases. This study evaluates the antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of a 50% hydromethanolic extract of Tinospora cordifolia stems (TCE) using chicken lymphocytes. The antioxidant activity of TCE was assessed through various in vitro assays and the Maximum Non-Cytotoxic Dose (MNCD) was determined using the MTT assay. Immunomodulatory effects were evaluated via the Lymphocyte Proliferation Assay (LPA) and the antioxidant status of TCE-treated lymphocytes was analyzed using cell-based assays. Results showed that TCE exhibited significant antioxidant activity and enhanced B and T cell proliferation in mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes. B cell proliferation increased by 18.997% following LPS stimulation, while T cell proliferation rose by 15.554% and 13.857% in response to PHA and Con A stimulation, respectively. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of Tinospora cordifolia, which can be attributed to its rich phytochemical composition and robust biological activities. The study validates its traditional uses and supports its application in developing nutraceuticals and functional foods. Future research should focus on identifying bioactive compounds, elucidating underlying mechanisms and conducting clinical studies to optimize its utilization in modern healthcare systems.

Tinospora cordifolia is an important plant growth herb belonging to the family Menispermaceae. It is a climbing deciduous and succulent shrub considered traditional medicine in Ayurveda. It has various sources of bioactive compounds and medicinal properties that produce great varieties of secondary metabolites with a broad spectrum of biological activities. It is well known for its nutraceutical food that provides health benefits mainly due to the phytochemicals present in the plant such as alkaloids, flavonoids, proteins, and carbohydrates. It has a wide application in pharmacological research such as antitumor, antiinflammatory, Cerebro-protective, cardio-protective, immunoregulatory, Vasorelaxation, and anxiolytic. Tinospora cordifolia showed antimicrobial activity against a few pathogenic bacteria and pathogenic fungi but not many clinical bacterial pathogens and hospital-acquired infections. In this study, the author focused on the antimicrobial activity of Tinospora cordifolia against eight clinical pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, MRSA, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella typhi, Shigella sonnei, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii) isolated mainly from patient’s sample. T. cordifolia was extracted from two different solvents, methanol and water. The antimicrobial activity was determined using an agar well diffusion assay. T. cordifolia extract has antibacterial activity against all tested clinical bacterial pathogens and has the highest antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi in all ratios of methanol concentrations (47.5μg/ml). The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of Tinospora cordifolia methanol extract was found at 100μg/ml. Methanol solvent concentration with the most active antibacterial activity of the extract was of different concentrations as 300μg/ml followed by 450μg/ml and 500μg/ml.

Identification of antimalarial phytoconstituents from Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merr. Stem by in vitro whole cell assay and multiple targets directed in silico screening against Plasmodium falciparum

The tuber of Stephania venosa (Blume) Spreng, locally known as Belajang Keissi’, belongs to the Menispermaceae family and is traditionally used in Indonesia for treating diabetes mellitus, as a nerve tonic, and as an anti-cancer remedy. This plant is recognized for its bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, and anti-tumor properties. The objective of this study was to analyze the phytochemical content and evaluate the toxicity of the methanol extract of Stephania venosa tubers to explore its potential as an anticancer agent. The study involved sample preparation, extraction by maceration, phytochemical group testing using specific reagents, and toxicity assessment through the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT) method. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids and flavonoids as the major secondary metabolites, while the toxicity test showed that the extract exhibited significant lethality to Artemia salina larvae, with an LC50 value of 14.92 ppm. This result indicates high toxicity, meeting the threshold of bioactivity for potential therapeutic applications (LC50 ≤ 1000 ppm). The mechanism of toxicity is hypothesized to involve the interference of alkaloids with the neural and digestive systems of the larvae. This study highlights the potential of Stephania venosa tubers as a source of bioactive compounds for antibacterial, antifungal, or anticancer development, warranting further isolation and advanced pharmacological testing to confirm its therapeutic applications.

Tinospora cordifolia (Thunb.) Miers is a large deciduous, creeping shrub belonging to the family Menispermaceae. The phytochemical analysis of the plants is very important commercially and has great interest in pharmaceutical companies for the production of the new drugs for curing of various diseases. The present study involves the qualitative phytochemical analysis of the selected medicinal plants. The aim of this study is carried out to analyze the phytochemical compounds in stem and leaves extracts of selected plant by using phytochemical screening tests. The leaf and stem extracts of the plant is expressed the presence of several phytochemicals viz., flavonoids, amino acids, diterpines, protein, saponins and carbohydrates. The result of phytochemical screening tests revealed that diterpines and carbohydrates are positive in all extracts. But flavonoids and saponins only present in methanol and ethanol extracts. The studies justify that T. cordifolia use in traditional medicines. The investigation further proposed that the phytochemicals present in stems and leaves of the plant, which can be used as natural antioxidants in medicinal drugs.

The Stephania brachyandra plant, naturally found in Thai Nguyen, is scientifically known as Stephania brachyandra. It belongs to the genus Stephania Lour., family Menispermaceae, order Menispermaceae. This plant is used as a raw material to extract L-tetrahydropalmatine (the active ingredient known as Rotundin) with the chemical formula C21H25NO4. Rotundin is an alkaloid with sedative, sleep-inducing, and memory-reducing effects. The purpose of this study is to evaluate tof Rotundin content in the Stephania brachyandra species and analyze the correlation between the size of the specíe tubers and the content of Rotudin in Stephania brachyandra naturally distributed in Thai Nguyen province. The analysis results show that the content of Rotundin in 160 samples of naturally distributed Stephania brachyandra in Thai Nguyen province ranges from 90.4 to 981 mg/100g. The analysis of the correlation coefficient between tuber diameter and Rotundin content shows a strong relationship between Rotundin content and tuber diameter. This demonstrates diversity in active ingredient content among natural Stephania brachyandra plant samples, thereby confirming their significant potential as a medicinal resource.

Presbytischrysomelascruciger or also known as the Tricolour langur-is rare, endemic to Sarawak and Kalimantan in Borneo and classified as a critically endangered subspecies. The current P.c.cruciger population size is uncertain because the numbers are continuously decreasing. At present, there is no comprehensive scientific report on P.c.cruciger in Sarawak, although this subspecies is known to inhabit Maludam area. Recent first sighting of P.c.cruciger in Jemoreng Sarawak presents a research opportunity to study its feeding from a molecular ecology perspective. Herein, we report the first findings on the dietary intake of P.c.cruciger using a high-throughput DNA metabarcoding approach. We emphasise the diet intake of P.c.cruciger from Jemoreng Protected Forest in Sarawak using DNA metabarcoding of the trnL region. Preliminary findings revealed 11 amplicon sequence variants (ASV) classified into one phylum, four classes, four orders, four families, three genera and three plant species. Fibraureatinctoria (akar kuning; Family Menispermaceae), Poikilospermumsuaveolens (akar jangkang; Family Urticaceae) and Litchichinensis (lychee; Family Sapindaceae) were the three main plant species that were consumed by P.c.cruciger. Understanding the dietary intake of P.c.cruciger is of paramount importance for their conservation and management of the habitat areas where their population resides.

Tinospora cordifolia Thunb. commonly known as Guduchi is one of the most important medicinal herbaceous vine belonging to the family Menispermaceae which have relatively fewer documented medicinal plants compared to other families. Menispermaceae family is native to India’s tropical regions, Myanmar and Srilanka, consisting of about73 genera and about 320 species. Among them Tinospora cordifolia is well known for its medicinal value and therapeutic potentials. The whole plant is utilised in both traditional and modern medical system due to the presence of high alkaloid content in its stem and leaf parts. T. cordifolia is mostly distributed in India, China, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Indonesia and Africa and typically thrive well in dry deciduous forests in an altitude up to 1000ft. This plant is renowned for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycaemic and immunomodulatory properties. Major phytochemical componds including alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, diterpenoid lactones, sesquiterpenoids etc are present. T.cordifolia is widely used for the preparation of various herbal medicines and it is mentioned as ‘Rasayana’ in Ayurvedic medicine due to its power to rejuvenate and improve the immune system. Its plant parts are commonly used to treat diseases such as bronchitis, syphilis, ulcers, jaundice, piles, urinary tract infections, skin problems and liver diseases. This review aims to highlight the traditional and ethnopharmacological significance of Tinospora cordifolia in the current scenario of increasing demand for plant-based products for the treatment of chronic diseases worldwide.

African swine fever (ASF), caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), is one of the most important infectious diseases that cause high morbidity and mortality in pigs and substantial economic losses to the pork industry of affected countries due to the lack of effective vaccines. The need to develop alternative robust antiviral countermeasures, especially anti-ASFV agents, is of the utmost urgency. This study shows that fangchinoline (FAN), a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid found in the roots of Stephania tetrandra of the family Menispermaceae, significantly inhibits ASFV replication in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) at micromolar concentrations (IC50 = 1.66 µM). Mechanistically, the infection of ASFV triggers the AKT/mTOR/NF-κB signaling pathway. FAN significantly inhibits ASFV-induced activation of such pathways, thereby suppressing viral replication. Such a mechanism was confirmed using an AKT inhibitor MK2206 as it inhibited AKT phosphorylation and ASFV replication in PAMs. Altogether, the results suggest that the AKT/mTOR pathway could potentially serve as a treatment strategy for combating ASFV infection and that FAN could potentially emerge as an effective novel antiviral agent against ASFV infections and deserves further in vivo antiviral evaluations.