Pelargonium Sidoides DC Research Articles

Enhancing the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles against pathogenic bacteria by using Pelargonium sidoides DC extract in microwave assisted green synthesis.

This study presents an optimized microwave-assisted method for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a root extract obtained from Pelargonium sidoides DC. The influence of temperature, reagent concentration, and irradiation time was systematically investigated to enhance synthesis yield. Characterization techniques including XRD, UV-vis, FTIR, XPS, and zetametry were employed to confirm the successful formation of nanoparticles with a metallic silver core (∼17 nm) functionalized with organic molecules derived from the plant extract. The cytotoxicity of AgNPs was assessed using a cell viability assay, while the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of nanoformulation against pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC), was determined using the Broth microdilution method. The nanoformulation synthesized with P. sidoides extract exhibited a dose-dependent response, demonstrating superior antimicrobial efficacy compared to the pure plant extract in most cases. The MIC values ranged from 0.85 to 17.1 μg mL-1, with particularly strong performance against the drug resistant KPC strain. The enhanced antimicrobial effect is attributed to the synergistic action of the metallic silver core and phytochemicals from P. sidoides on the surface of nanoparticles, which also contribute to notable colloidal stability of AgNPs at physiological pH levels.

Identifying in-market application of Pelargonium root extract EPs 7630 for the treatment of COVID-19: analysis of pharmacovigilance data.

Introduction: Phytopharmaceutical products are successfully used for acute respiratory infections and may therefore be promising candidates for adjuvant symptomatic treatment of COVID-19. In vitro and clinical studies suggest that the proprietary Pelargonium sidoides DC. root extract EPs 7630 has antiviral and immunomodulatory properties, and effects on SARS-CoV-2 propagation have been shown in vitro. Medicinal products containing the extract have been approved for the symptomatic treatment of acute viral respiratory tract infections. Methods: We present a retrospective review of case reports submitted spontaneously to the pharmacovigilance database of the manufacturer of EPs 7630 and containing information on the off-label use of the extract for the treatment and prophylaxis of COVID-19 and of post-COVID-19 syndrome. Eligible case reports were identified by automated database searches. Results: Forty-four case reports filed between December 2019 and February 2023 were eligible for analysis. More than ¾ described the use of EPs 7630 for treatment of COVID-19 while the remaining reports referred to the treatment of post-COVID-19 syndrome or to COVID-19 prophylaxis. 15/22 cases which reported on treatment duration indicated an intake of EPs 7630 for up to 7days. Five case reports indicated the use of EPs 7630 as COVID-19 monotherapy while 14 indicated a combination treatment with other drugs. All 28 cases that reported on treatment outcome characterized the patients as improved. Thirty case reports (68%) did not indicate any complications. The most frequent suspected adverse reactions were gastrointestinal complaints and hypersensitivity reactions, both of which may occur as known adverse effects of EPs 7630. No unexpected adverse reactions were observed. Conclusion: Reported cases confirm that there was a certain off-label use of EPs 7630 for COVID-19 in the market. Even though no formal conclusions about the efficacy of EPs 7630 in COVID-19 can be drawn, a beneficial effect would be explainable by the pharmacological profile of the extract. Further assessment of the effects of EPs 7630 in COVID-19-related indications therefore appears to be both justified and promising, particularly as the available case reports did not give rise to any safety concerns also in this patient group.

Stevens' Cure (Umckaloabo)-the vindication of a patent medicine.

Stevens' Cure (Umckaloabo) emerged as a patent medicine claiming to treat tuberculosis in the United Kingdom at the beginning of the 20th century. However, due to its identity being shrouded in secrecy, it was never truly accepted by the medical community. It was "rediscovered" in the 1970s and subsequently developed into a very popular and successful phytopharmaceutical for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. Whether Stevens' Cure contained the same ingredient(s) as the modern Umckaloabo has not yet been demonstrated. We attempted to elucidate for the first time the identity of the original ingredient by comparative analysis of historical product samples. Three historical samples of Stevens' Cure were compared with Pelargonium sidoides DC. and P. reniforme Curt. root per UPLC-MS analysis. We confirm that the ingredient-P. sidoides DC.-is indeed the same as used in modern phytotherapy. We also attribute the first ethnopharmacological record of P. sidoides DC. being used for the treatment of tuberculosis to C. H. Stevens, the "creator" of Umckaloabo.

Optimizing extraction of Pelargonium sidoides roots: Impact of ethanol concentration on biological activity of extracts

Pelargonium sidoides DC. (Geraniaceae) is an important indigenous medicinal plant in South Africa, historically employed by various ethnic groups to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments. The proprietary herbal tincture, Umckaloabo®, utilizes an ethanolic extract (EPs® 7630) from the roots of P. sidoides, and has demonstrated effectiveness in alleviating symptoms of respiratory infections.P. sidoides roots contain numerous highly oxygenated coumarins and phenolic metabolites, notably the marker compound umckalin. While Umckaloabo® is prepared using 11 % ethanol extraction, the South African commercial market predominantly employs 60 % ethanol extraction due to its consistent umckalin yield and antimicrobial activity. The effects of these extraction methods on chemical composition and in vitro pharmacological activity remain poorly understood.This study confirmed superior antibacterial and antifungal activity in the 60 % ethanol extracts prepared from six root samples compared to the 11 % ethanol extracts. MIC values for both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria ranged from 0.078 to 2.5 mg/mL in the 60 % extracts. Remarkably, two of the root extracts exhibited excellent to very good activity against C. albicans and C. neoformans with MIC values of 0.039 and 0.078 mg/mL, respectively.A positive correlation was identified between total minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) levels and polyphenol content, rather than umckalin levels. The influence of these extracts on the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 was assessed. Both 60 % and 11 % root extracts of P. sidoides at 100 µg/mL significantly reduced IL-6 production, with the 60 % extracts demonstrating a more pronounced effect (p = 0.008).Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between 11 % and 60 % ethanol extractions in terms of average MIC overall, average Gram-negative MIC, average Gram-positive MIC, fungal MIC, and IL-6 levels. Extracts with higher polyphenol values exhibited superior antimicrobial activity and antioxidant potential, suggesting that polyphenol content may serve as a more reliable indicator of antimicrobial activity than umckalin levels. Additionally, polyphenol levels in the roots may vary with altitude and other environmental factors, warranting further research.

In vitro and in vivo effects of Pelargonium sidoides DC. root extract EPs® 7630 and selected constituents against SARS-CoV-2 B.1, Delta AY.4/AY.117 and Omicron BA.2.

The occurrence of immune-evasive SARS-CoV-2 strains emphasizes the importance to search for broad-acting antiviral compounds. Our previous in vitro study showed that Pelargonium sidoides DC. root extract EPs® 7630 has combined antiviral and immunomodulatory properties in SARS-CoV-2-infected human lung cells. Here we assessed in vivo effects of EPs® 7630 in SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters, and investigated properties of EPs® 7630 and its functionally relevant constituents in context of phenotypically distinct SARS-CoV-2 variants. We show that EPs® 7630 reduced viral load early in the course of infection and displayed significant immunomodulatory properties positively modulating disease progression in hamsters. In addition, we find that EPs® 7630 differentially inhibits SARS-CoV-2 variants in nasal and bronchial human airway epithelial cells. Antiviral effects were more pronounced against Omicron BA.2 compared to B.1 and Delta, the latter two preferring TMPRSS2-mediated fusion with the plasma membrane for cell entry instead of receptor-mediated low pH-dependent endocytosis. By using SARS-CoV-2 Spike VSV-based pseudo particles (VSVpp), we confirm higher EPs® 7630 activity against Omicron Spike-VSVpp, which seems independent of the serine protease TMPRSS2, suggesting that EPs® 7630 targets endosomal entry. We identify at least two molecular constituents of EPs® 7630, i.e., (-)-epigallocatechin and taxifolin with antiviral effects on SARS-CoV-2 replication and cell entry. In summary, our study shows that EPs® 7630 ameliorates disease outcome in SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters and has enhanced activity against Omicron, apparently by limiting late endosomal SARS-CoV-2 entry.

Determination of the Anti-inflammatory and Anti-microbial Activity of a Cosmetic Product Silver Stop® Cream

The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects of a cream containing extracts of African geranium (Pelargonium sidoides DC.), black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) and St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) in colloidal nanosilver (AgNPs) at a concentration of 30 ppm, denoted as SILVER STOP® cream (SS® cream) was examined In vitro. The research was performed with Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC-6538 and two clinical strains). Suspension tests for determination the time of antimicrobial action of SS® cream were used. SS® cream showed significant antimicrobial activity. In suspension with a density of 104 cells.mL-1S. aureus died after 60 minutes of exposure to SS® cream. In suspension with concentration of 106 cells.mL-1, after 2 h only single cells remained viable. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated using human epithelial cell line HT-29, incubated with a type strain of S. aureus. After treatment with SS® cream, results have shown a statistically significant reduction of the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokinesIL-6, IL-8, IP-10 and IL-1β.

Safety of Pelargonium extract EPs 7630 in young children with acute bronchitis.

The efficacy and tolerability of Pelargonium sidoides DC. root extract EPs 7630 in children with acute bronchitis (AB) have been widely demonstrated. We investigated the safety and tolerability of a syrup formulation and an oral solution in pre-school children. In an open-label, randomized clinical trial (EudraCT number 2011-002652-14), children aged 1-5 years suffering from AB received EPs 7630 syrup or solution for 7 days. Safety was assessed by frequency, severity, and nature of adverse events (AE), vital signs, and laboratory values. Outcome measures for evaluating the health status were the intensity of coughing, pulmonary rales, and dyspnea, measured by the short version of the Bronchitis Severity Scale (BSS-ped), further symptoms of the respiratory infection, general health status according to the Integrative Medicine Outcomes Scale (IMOS), and satisfaction with treatment according to the Integrative Medicine Patient Satisfaction Scale (IMPSS). 591 children were randomized and treated with syrup (n = 403) or solution (n = 188) for 7 days. In both treatment groups, the number of adverse events was similarly low and revealed no safety concerns. The most frequently observed events were infections (syrup: 7.2%; solution: 7.4%) or gastrointestinal disorders (syrup: 2.7%; solution: 3.2%). After one week's treatment, more than 90% of the children experienced an improvement or remission of the symptoms of the BSS-ped. Further respiratory symptoms decreased similarly in both groups. At Day 7, more than 80% of the whole study population had completely recovered or showed a major improvement as assessed by the investigator and the proxy, respectively. Parents were "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with the treatment in 86.1% of patients in the combined syrup and solution group. Both pharmaceutical forms, EPs 7630 syrup and oral solution, were shown to be equally safe and well tolerated in pre-school children suffering from AB. Improvement of health status and of complaints were similar in both groups.

Growth patterns and biological activities of Pelargonium sidoides DC. hairy root cultures: A commercially-feasible industrial scale-up to improve yields

Pelargonium sidoides DC. (Geraniaceae), a broadly investigated perennial herb native to South Africa, contains numerous medicinal coumarins in its roots with confirmed anti-viral properties in both clinical and in vitro studies. Transgenic hairy root lines (HRLs) of P. sidoides mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58C1 (pRiA4) were established in the present study. The established hairy root cultures (HRCs) were treated with different subculture cycles during culture growth (35 days). The maximum specific growth rate (μ = 0.091) of HRCs was recorded on day 14, corresponding to doubling times (tD= 9.17 days) based on the exponential growth model. The harvested times were then considered to test the efficiency of biological and antioxidant activities of hairy root (HR) extracts for functional and correlation analysis. Among the three selected HRLs, HRL4 significantly showed higher content of total phenols (474.80 ± 22.34 mg GAE/g FW) and total flavonoids (0.323 ± 0.036 mg QE/g FW) on day 19 of culture. The maximum malondialdehyde (MDA) content was achieved by all studied HRLs at the end of the culture period (21–35 days). The potential of the HRL extracts to scavenge DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals was measured in the range from 25.46 ± 3.13% to 48.56 ± 1.50%. The greatest β-carotene/linoleic acid (β-car) bleaching activity was found in HRL10 (94.52 ± 3.14%) on day 28 of culture. A significant positive correlation between antioxidant activity and total flavonoid content was observed in HRLs. These findings can be considered for the commercial production of pharmaceutically important compounds of P. sidoides through the selection of high-yielding HRLs in biotechnological production systems.

The perspectives of using Pelargonium sidoides hybrids

Aim. The Pelargonium sidoides DC. is a valuable medicinal plant, and its irrational use in nature may lead to the species receiving rare status in the future. Obtaining P. sidoides hybrids with a higher content of phenolic compounds will expand the range of plants used in the pharmaceutical industry and reduce the pressure on natural resources. The purpose was to improve methods of growing P. sidoides in greenhouse conditions, obtain hybrids of this species, and research them for the content of various phenolic compounds in vegetative organs. Methods. Light microscopy, spectrophotometry (determination of the total content of phenols and flavonoids, the content of phenolic antioxidants and phenolic acids). Results. The anatomical structure of the leaves and roots of the obtained hybrids did not differ significantly from those of the pure species. It has been found that growing P. sidoides and its hybrids in greenhouse conditions with high summer temperatures increase the synthesis and accumulation of phenolic substances in all vegetative organs. It is important to emphasize that high levels of flavonoids and phenol carboxylic acid have been detected in the leaves, so it is advisable to use them as raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry also. Conclusion. The cultivation methods of the studied plants have been improved. The use of hybrid plants for obtaining flavonoids is more effective for the pharmaceutical industry but less practical in getting other phenolic compounds compared to P. sidoides have been found. The revealed difference in the localization and amount of secondary metabolites indicates the need for a detailed study of other substances of a phenolic nature in the leaves and roots of these pelargoniums.

Antimicrobial Activity In Vitro of Cream from Plant Extracts and Nanosilver, and Clinical Research In Vivo on Veterinary Clinical Cases

The antimicrobial effect of a cream containing extracts of African geranium (Pelargonium sidoides DC.), black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.), and St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) in colloidal nanosilver (AgNPs) at a concentration of 30 ppm, denoted as SILVER STOP® cream (SS® cream), was examined in vitro. The research was performed with Escherichia coli (ATCC and two clinical isolates), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC and two clinical strains), and Candida albicans (ATCC and two clinical isolates). The agar-gel diffusion method and suspension tests for determination of the time of antimicrobial action of SS® cream were used. SS® cream showed significant antimicrobial activity. The Gram-negative microorganisms tested died in a much shorter time than the Gram-positive ones. In suspension with a density of 104 cells·mL−1, E. coli died for 1 min, the oval fungus C. albicans—after 10 min and S. aureus—after 60 min of exposure to SS® cream. The highest sensitivity was found in E. coli. The curative effect of SILVER STOP® cream was also examined in vivo in dogs with different skin diseases. The results showed successful healing of the diseases and a very good curative effect of the cream.

Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus sp. strain YC2, an Isolate from the South African Medicinal Plant Pelargonium sidoides.

ABSTRACTA rhizosphere-associated Bacillus species was isolated from Pelargonium sidoides DC (Geraniaceae) tubers, whose commercial extracts are used in respiratory tract infection treatment. Genomic data for Bacillus isolates associated with Pelargonium sidoides is lacking. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Bacillus sp. strain YC2.

Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Effects of Pelargonium sidoides DC. Root Extract EPs® 7630 in SARS-CoV-2-Infected Human Lung Cells.

Treatment options for COVID-19 are currently limited. Drugs reducing both viral loads and SARS-CoV-2-induced inflammatory responses would be ideal candidates for COVID-19 therapeutics. Previous in vitro and clinical studies suggest that the proprietary Pelargonium sidoides DC. root extract EPs 7630 has antiviral and immunomodulatory properties, limiting symptom severity and disease duration of infections with several upper respiratory viruses. Here we assessed if EPs 7630 affects SARS-CoV-2 propagation and the innate immune response in the human lung cell line Calu-3. In direct comparison to other highly pathogenic CoV (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV), SARS-CoV-2 growth was most efficiently inhibited at a non-toxic concentration with an IC50 of 1.61 μg/ml. Particularly, the cellular entry step of SARS-CoV-2 was significantly reduced by EPs 7630 pretreatment (10–100 μg/ml) as shown by spike protein-carrying pseudovirus particles and infectious SARS-CoV-2. Using sequential ultrafiltration, EPs 7630 was separated into fractions containing either prodelphinidins of different oligomerization degrees or small molecule constituents like benzopyranones and purine derivatives. Prodelphinidins with a low oligomerization degree and small molecule constituents were most efficient in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 entry already at 10 μg/ml and had comparable effects on immune gene regulation as EPs 7630. Downregulation of multiple pro-inflammatory genes (CCL5, IL6, IL1B) was accompanied by upregulation of anti-inflammatory TNFAIP3 at 48 h post-infection. At high concentrations (100 μg/ml) moderately oligomerized prodelphinidins reduced SARS-CoV-2 propagation most efficiently and exhibited pronounced immune gene modulation. Assessment of cytokine secretion in EPs 7630-treated and SARS-CoV-2-coinfected Calu-3 cells showed that pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 were elevated whereas multiple other COVID-19-associated cytokines (IL-8, IL-13, TNF-α), chemokines (CXCL9, CXCL10), and growth factors (PDGF, VEGF-A, CD40L) were significantly reduced by EPs 7630. SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibition and the differential immunomodulatory functions of EPs 7630 against SARS-CoV-2 encourage further in vivo studies.

In inpatients with COVID-19, none of remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, or interferon β-1a differed from standard care for in-hospital mortality.

Pan H, Peto R, Henao-Restrepo AM, et al. Repurposed antiviral drugs for Covid-19-interim WHO Solidarity Trial results. N Engl J Med. 2020. [Epub ahead of print.] 33264556.

Yield and Metabolite Production of Pelargonium sidoides DC. in Response to Irrigation and Nitrogen Management

Competition for water between agricultural and non-agricultural economic sectors hampers agricultural production, especially in water-scarce regions. Understanding crop responses in terms of yield and quality to irrigation is an important factor in designing appropriate irrigation management for optimal crop production and quality. Pelargonium sidoides DC., often harvested from the wild, is in high demand in the informal market and for commercial formulations. Agricultural production of high-quality materials through cultivation can help reduce pressure on its wild populations. This study aimed at determining the effects of water and nitrogen on P. sidoides yield and metabolite production. The irrigation treatments applied were 30%, 50%, and 70% of an allowable depletion level (ADL), while the nitrogen (N) levels were 0 (control), 50, 100, and 150 kg ha−1. The 30% ADL resulted in a significantly higher biomass and root yield. Nitrogen at 50 and 100 kg ha−1 resulted in a significantly higher biomass yield, compared to the N control. An increase in sugars and citrate cycle components was observed for the well-watered 30% ADL treatment, whereas water-stressed (50% and 70% ADL) treatments increased alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, increasing levels of asparagine, 4-aminobutyrate, and arginine. The treatments had no significant effect on the root content of esculin, scopoletin, and umckalin. Water stress induced metabolite synthesis to mitigate the stress condition, whereas under no water stress primary metabolites were synthesized. Moreover, cultivation of P. sidoides as a conservation strategy can increase yield without affecting its bioactivity, while providing sustenance for the rural communities.

Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using the Ethanolic Extract of Pelargonium sidoides DC

Development of cost-effective and eco-friendly methods of nanoparticle synthesis could play a crucial role in integrating nanotechnology and phytomedicine for biological applications. In this study, biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using the ethanolic extract of Pelargonium sidoides DC at 60°C. Formation of nanoparticles was monitored using UV-Visible spectroscopy at different time intervals. A maximum absorption at 456 nm was observed as the reaction time increased, resulting in a red shift of the surface plasmon band (SPB). Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the reducing and stabilizing activity of flavonoids, coumarins, tannins, and phenols. Size and morphology of the AgNPs were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) which indicated the spherical nature of the nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 11 to 90 nm. Further characterization of the AgNPs was carried out using EDS, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. Additionally, the AgNPs had a marginally higher antimicrobial activity when compared to the plant extract against Gram-positive Streptococcus pneumoniae (ATCC 27336) and Bacillus cereus (ATCC 10876) and Gram-negative Moraxella catarrhalis (ATCC 25240), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853).

Bioactive Compound Produced by Endophytic Fungi Isolated From Pelargonium sidoides Against Selected Bacteria of Clinical Importance

Endophytic fungi have the ability to live inside the host plant tissues without causing neither symptoms of diseases/or harm. Opportunistic infections are accountable for majority of the outbreaks, thereby putting a burden on the health system. To investigate and characterize the bioactive compounds for the control of bacteria of clinical importance, extracts from endophytic fungi were isolated from indigenous South African medicinal plants. Extracts from endophytic fungi were isolated from 133 fungal strains and screened against Gram positive and negative bacteria namely Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecium, and E. gallinarum using disk diffusion. Furthermore, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was performed to identify the bioactive compounds. Sixteen out of one hundred and thirty-three (12%) fungi extracts exhibited antibacterial properties against some of the selected bacteria. E. coli was found to be the most susceptible in contrast to E. faecium and E. gallinarum which were the most resistant. The isolate MHE 68, identified as Alternaria sp. displayed the greater spectrum of antibacterial activities by controlling selected clinical bacteria strains including resistant E. faecium and E. gallinarum. The chemical analysis of the extract from MHE 68 indicated that linoleic acid (9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)) and cyclodecasiloxane could be accountable for the antibacterial activity. This is the first study conducted on the secondary metabolites produced by endophytic fungal strains isolated from the Pelargonium sidoides DC. possessing antibacterial properties.

Endophytic fungi isolated from Pelargonium sidoides DC: Antimicrobial interaction and isolation of a bioactive compound

The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of endophytes isolated from the root of Pelargonium sidoides DC., and to explore the antimicrobial interactions between endophytic fungi and the host plant. The hypothesis explored is that medicinal plants used as an anti-infective may not only rely on the properties of the medicinal plant alone but also on the residing endophytes within the botanical matrix. The study further aimed to isolate and identify secondary metabolites from the endophyte exhibiting promising antimicrobial activity. Fungal cultures were isolated from P. sidoides root material, and extracts were prepared and tested independently and in combination with the host plant to determine the interactions. Antimicrobial studies were undertaken using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853) bacteria. The bioactive compound was identified using High Performance Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry–Solid Phase Trapping–Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (HPLC–MS–SPT–NMR). The identification of the bioactive endophyte was undertaken by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence analysis of the internally transcribed spacer regions and intervening 5.8S nrRNA gene and partial beta-tubulin gene. The crude extract from the fungal isolate Penicillium skrjabinii exhibited antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli at 0.03 and 0.09 mg/mL, respectively. Bioassay-guided isolation was carried out and the major compound, dibutyl phthalate (which is known to be produced by micro-organisms) was isolated from the most active fraction. A number of endophytes displayed a synergistic interaction with the host plant. This is the first study reporting P. skrjabinii as an endophyte that produces dibutyl phthalate and further provides insight to endophytic interactions with the host plant (Pelargonium sidoides root).

Efficacy of Proanthocyanidins from Pelargonium sidoides Root Extract in Reducing P. gingivalis Viability While Preserving Oral Commensal S. salivarius.

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics and the disruption of beneficial microbiota are key problems in contemporary medicine and make the search for new, more efficient infection treatment strategies among the most important tasks in medicine. Multicomponent plant-derived preparations with mild antibacterial activity created by many simultaneous mechanisms together with anti-inflammatory, innate immune and regenerative capacity-stimulating properties are good candidates for this therapy, and proanthocyanidins are among the most promising compounds of this sort. In this study, we have isolated proanthocyanidins from Pelargonium sidoides DC root extract and characterized and compared the composition, antioxidant properties and antibacterial activity of the proanthocyanidin fraction with those of the whole extract. The results revealed that proanthocyanidins had significantly stronger antioxidant capacity compared to the root extract and exhibited a unique antibacterial action profile that selectively targets Gram-negative keystone periodontal and peri-implant pathogenic strains, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, while preserving the viability of beneficial oral commensal Streptococcus salivarius. The finding suggests that proanthocyanidins from Pelargonium sidoides root extract are good candidates for the prolonged and harmless treatment of infectious diseases.

Phytochemical Analysis and Antimicrobial Activities of Different Callus Extracts of Pelargonium Sidoides DC. Against Food Borne Pathogenic Bacteria

Phytochemical Analysis and Antimicrobial Activities of Different Callus Extracts of Pelargonium Sidoides DC. Against Food Borne Pathogenic Bacteria

Exploring the anti-proliferative activity of Pelargonium sidoides DC with in silico target identification and network pharmacology.

Pelargonium sidoides DC (Geraniaceae) is a medicinal plant indigenous to Southern Africa that has been widely evaluated for its use in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. In recent studies, the anti-proliferative potential of P. sidoides was shown, and several phenolic compounds were identified as the bioactive compounds. Little, however, is known regarding their anti-proliferative protein targets. In this study, the anti-proliferative mechanisms of P. sidoides through in silico target identification and network pharmacology methodologies were evaluated. The protein targets of the 12 phenolic compounds were identified using the target identification server PharmMapper and the server for predicting Drug Repositioning and Adverse Reactions via the Chemical-Protein Interactome (DRAR-CPI). Protein-protein and protein-pathway interaction networks were subsequently constructed with Cytoscape 3.4.0 to evaluate potential mechanisms of action. A total of 142 potential human target proteins were identified with the in silico target identification servers, and 90 of these were found to be related to cancer. The protein interaction network was constructed from 86 proteins involved in 209 interactions with each other, and two protein clusters were observed. A pathway enrichment analysis identified over 80 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways enriched with the protein targets and included several pathways specifically related to cancer as well as various signaling pathways that have been found to be dysregulated in cancer. These results indicate that the anti-proliferative activity of P. sidoides may be multifactorial and arises from the collective regulation of several interconnected cell signaling pathways.