Folk Medicinal Plant Research Articles

Preliminary phytochemical screning from different extracts of Solanum nigrum plant growing in south of Algeria

Bioactive substances are responsible for therapeutic properties of the plant in folk medicine. They have actions in the body that may promote good health. They are being studied in the prevention of disease. The present investigation is focused on screening of bioactive substances present in the various parts (leaves, stems, and grains) of Solanum nigrum. Qualitative tests for the presence of phytochemicals in different extracts using solvants with different polarity such as methanol, chloroform, petroleum ether and aqueous extracts. Phytochemical investigation indicated the presence of various groups of compouds including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, sterols and triterpenoids, saponins. Solanum nigrum L. acts an important role in traditional medicine and represent natural source of biactives compounds.

The effect of infusion time on Echium amoenum extract -induced hepatotoxicity in vitro

Echium amoenum is an annual herb native to the northern mountains of Iran which has medicinal application. Petals of Echium amoenum (Gole-Gavzaban) is one of the most valuable medicinal plants in Iranian folk medicine. The dry petals of E. amoenum have long been used as a sedative, tonic, anxiolytic and as a treatment for sore throat, cough and inflammation. Previous studies have shown that petals of E. amoenum contain four toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids but conflicting results have been acquired in experimental studies investigating the hepatotoxicy of E. amoenum. However, the direct effect of E. amoenum on liver cells and the complete mechanisms of its possible cytotoxic effects toward these cells remain to be defined. The main aim of this study was to assay the mechanisms underlying the toxic effects of E. amoenum toward hepG2 cells. E. amoenum extract was obtained by infusion of dried petals in hot water (90 centigrade) for 15 or 30 min. Cell viability and mechanistic parameters were determined following 12 h incubation of hepG2 with E. amoenum extract that was obtained after 15 or 30 min infusion. The results indicated that E. amoenum extract exerts cytotoxic effects on hepG2 cells, probably through mitochondrial and lysosomal damage induced by glutathione depletion and oxidative stress.

Garcinia oligantha: A comprehensive overview of ethnomedicine, phytochemistry and pharmacology.

Garcinia oligantha Merr. is an ethnomedicine plant mainly distributed in Guangdong and Hainan, China. It has the effects of heat-clearing and detoxicating, which has been used by local ethnic minorities to treat a variety of diseases, including inflammation, internal heat, toothache and scald. This review summarizes and discusses the progress of the chemical compounds and biological activities of G. oligantha that have been studied in recent years to provide the direction for the prospective research and applications of G. oligantha. The relevant literature about G. oligantha was accessible from ancient Chinese medical books and records, theses, as well as major scientific databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, Baidu Scholar and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). To date, more than 150 chemical compounds were isolated from this plant, including xanthones, volatile oil, fatty acid, benzofurane derivative and biphenyl compounds. Xanthones are the main bioactive compounds that exhibit diverse biological effects, such as antitumor, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, neuroprotective, antimalarial and antibacterial effects, which are consistent with its traditional uses as a folk medicine. Modern pharmacological studies show that these compounds participate in a variety of signaling pathways underlying different pathophysiologies, making them a valuable medicinal resource. G. oligantha is an ethnomedicine with a long history. However, due to regional and cultural constraints, the popularisation and use of ethnomedicine are still limited. Modern pharmacological and chemical research suggest that G. oligantha contains a variety of bioactive compounds and showed diverse biological functions, which is worthy of comprehensive and in-depth research. This review summarizes and discusses the recent progress in studies on G. oligantha, looking forward to promote further research and sustainable development of folk medicinal plants.

Nine New Pregnane Glycosides from the Cultivated Medicinal Plant Marsdenia tenacissima.

The ethnobotanical plant Marsdenia tenacissima has been used for hundreds of years for Dai people in Yunnan Province, China. Previously, chemical investigations on this plant have revealed that pregnane glycosides were the main biological constituents. Nine new pregnane glycosides, marsdeosides A-I (1-9), were isolated from cultivated dried stems of the medicinal plant Marsdenia tenacissima in this study. The structures were analyzed by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D, 2D NMR, HRESIMS, and IR spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configurations of the sugar moieties were identified by comparing the Rf values and specific optical rotations with those of the commercially available standard samples and the data reported in the literature. Marsdeosides A (1) featured an unusual 8,14-seco-pregnane skeleton. Compounds 1, 8, and 9 showed activity against nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophage RAW264.7, with IC50 values of 37.5, 38.8, and 42.8 μM (L-NMMA was used as a positive control, IC50 39.3 μM), respectively. This study puts the knowledge of the chemical profile of the botanical plant M. tenacissima one step forward and, thereby, promotes the sustainable utilization of the resources of traditional folk medicinal plants.

Antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and protective effects of Gladiolus psittacinus on hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Gladiolus psittacinus (GP) is an important medicinal plant in folk medicine where its corm is used for treatment of diabetes mellitus. Despite this, there is paucity of scientific information to justify its use as antidiabetic drug. Hence, this study was designed to explore antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and effects of aqueous extract of Gladiolus psittacinus (AGP) on hyperglycemia-associated oxidative stress in pancreas, kidney and liver of diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced in rats using streptozotocin 50mg/kg (i.p.). Normal and diabetic rats were treated orally with AGP once a day for 14days. Antidiabetic effects were evaluated on body weight, fasting blood glucose concentration (FBGC), lipid profiles and serum chemistry. Also, protective effects of AGP were also determined on markers of oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes and histopathology of pancreas, kidney and liver of diabetic rats. Treatment with AGP emanated to significant decrease of FBGC (552.67-157.33mg/dL), increase in body weight (100.01-133.76g) and positive modulation of lipid parameters in diabetic rats. The alteration in the contents of markers of liver and kidney function were significantly modulated in the diabetic rats upon treatment. Also, oxidative damage and antioxidant depletions in pancreas, kidney and liver were significantly mitigated in treated diabetic rats. Structural aberrations in the histopathology slides of pancreas, kidney and liver were improved upon treatment. It can be concluded that AGP could be used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its related ailments, thereby justifying its usage in traditional medicine.

Identification and Pharmacological Evaluation of Syzygium cumini Derived Fixed Oils

Syzygium cumini L is an evergreen medicinal plant belonging to the family Myrtaceae, and is one of the important species of the genus Syzygium. S. cumini is traditionally used to treat various infections such as sore throat, bronchitis, dysentery, and other painful conditions. The aim of the current study was to evaluate fixed oil extracted from S. cumini for various in vitro and in vivo biological activities and identification of its fatty acids constituents. GC-MS analysis of the fixed oil revealed that the major constituents are palmitic acid methyl ester (56.45%) and stearic acid methyl ester (29.54%). Fixed oil isolated from S. cumini exhibited significant effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexenari, and Bacillus subtilis with zone of inhibition of 28.09, 27.34, and 22.76 mm, respectively. In addition, the oil exhibited antifungal effect against Aspergillus flavus, Candida glabrata, Microsporum canis, and Fusarium solani with zone of inhibition of 80.77, 75.08, 70.98, and 65.56 mm, respectively. The oil also exerted analgesic potential at the dose of 10, 20, 40, and 60 mg/Kg with 35.44, 50.45, 65.98, and 80.34 % activity in acetic acid-induced writhing model. A mild muscle relaxant effect was noted in animal models. Taken all together, the fixed oil from S. cumini exhibits significant antimicrobial, antifungal and analgesic effects, which justifies the use of this plant in folk medicine.

Healing properties of berry plants in Karelian folk medicine (based on field research)

Introduction. The research analyzes and systematizes the field materials of folk medicine of the Karelians collected by the authors among the Karelians living in Karelia in the 2000-ies. Materials and Methods. Field materials were collected in the places of residence of the Karelians. The research was carried out using comparative and comparative-historical methods. Results and Discussion. In the presented study, the authors turn to one of the most widespread and ancient methods of ethno-medicine which is a treatment by berries, namely the use of berries, berry plants and their components by the Karelians. This topic is relevant both from the point of view of the application of traditional medical knowledge to the treatment, and because the range of medicinal herbs reflects the ethnic identity of the people and local characteristics. The collected and reviewed materials showed that berries and parts of berry plants have a fairly wide range of applications in the medical practice of all groups of the Karelians. Such types of berries as lingonberry, cranberry, blueberry, bird cherry, viburnum, raspberry, cloudberry, strawberry, irga, wolf bast, black currant were used for medical purposes. Herbal medicine was very popular in the treatment of colds, gastrointestinal diseases, general malaise and some skin diseases in all groups of the Karelians (Livvic and Ludic). The most common methods of berry treatment, which are common throughout the territory of Karelia, were fresh cranberries and lingonberries; raspberry jam; tea with dried raspberries or cloudberry sepals; decoction of raspberry leaves and berries; lingonberry or cranberry juice. The same plant could be used to treat different diseases, but the parts of the plant and the way it was consumed could vary. Conclusion. The collected material and the research have shown that berries and parts of berry plants have a fairly wide range of applications in the medical practice of all groups of the Karelians. In general, treatment with berry plants was very popular in the treatment of colds, gastric diseases, general malaise and some skin diseases in all groups of the Karelians.

Plastid Phylogenomic Analyses Reveal the Taxonomic Position of Peucedanum franchetii

Peucedanum franchetii is a famous folk medicinal plant in China. However, the taxonomy of the P. franchetii has not been sufficiently resolved. Due to similar morphological features between P. franchetii and Ligusticopsis members, the World Flora Online (WFO) Plant List suggested that this species transformed into the genus Ligusticopsis and merged with Ligusticopsis likiangensis. However, both species are obviously diverse in leaf shape, bracts, and bracteoles. To check the taxonomic position of P. franchetii, we newly sequenced and assembled the plastome of P. franchetii and compared it with nine other plastomes of the genus Ligusticopsis. Ten plastomes were highly conserved and similar in gene order, codon bias, RNA editing sites, IR borders, and SSRs. Nevertheless, 10 mutation hotspot regions (infA, rps8, matK, ndhF, rps15, psbA-trnH, rps2-rpoC2, psbA-trnK, ycf2-trnL, and ccsA-ndhD) were still detected. In addition, both phylogenetic analyses based on plastome data and ITS sequences robustly supported that P. franchetii was not clustered with members of Peucedanum but nested in Ligusticopsis. P. franchetii was sister to L. likiangensis in the ITS topology but clustered with L. capillacea in the plastome tree. These findings implied that P. franchetii should be transferred to genus Ligusticopsis and not merged with L. likiangensis, but as an independent species, which was further verified by morphological evidences. Therefore, transferring P. franchetii under the genus Ligusticopsis as an independent species was reasonable, and a new combination was presented.

MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE AQUATIC FLORA OF THE POLTAVA CITY AND SURROUNDING AREA

The article is devoted to the generalization of literary data on the medicinal properties of plants of aquatic flora of the territory of the Poltava city and its surroundings, studied in the course of original research. From the compiled floristic list, a spectrum of medicinal plants was selected, their degree of introduction into medical practice, belonging to protected lists, frequency of occurrence in the study area was analyzed. It was established that 45 (78%) of the 58 species of vascular plants have medicinal properties, including 4 species are officinal, 18 species are folk medicine plants, 23 species are promising for use in pharmacy. For each species, an annotation of its medicinal properties is compiled, which indicates the type of medicinal raw materials and medicinal forms, chemical composition, directions and mechanisms of physiological action on the human body, indications for the use of medicinal preparations.
 It was found that, despite the high participation of medicinal plants in the aquatic flora of the Poltava city and its surroundings, their harvesting in the research area is not appropriate for various reasons: official species (Acorus calamus, Iris pseudacorus, Nuphar lutea, Nymphaea alba) – because of their limited distribution, belonging to various protection lists, and as for mass anthropotolerant species, promising for use in pharmacy (in particular, Ceratophyllum demersum, Lemna minor, Phragmites australis, Typha angustifolia, T. latifolia), their use is limited due to the ability to accumulate harmful substances from polluted ecotopes in urban territory.
 The compromise solutions for harvesting valuable species of medicinal plants that have a limited distribution in nature or grow in polluted ecotopes can be introduction (artificial cultivation of plants ex situ) and biotechnology (cultivation of cells, tissues and organs isolated from the plant on artificial nutrient media in vitro, which allow obtaining a specific target product).

Bioactive isopimarane and 3,4-seco isopimarane diterpenoids from Isodon amethystoides

Isodon amethystoides (Lamiaceae) is a popular plant in folk medicine in the southern provinces of China. Our phytochemical investigation of the twigs and leaves of this plant led to the discovery of five new diterpenoids with isopimarane and 3,4-seco isopimarane scaffolds [isoamethinols A–E (1–5)], along with the known compound 3,4-seco isopimara-4(18),7,15-triene-3-oic acid methylester (6). The chemical structures of these compounds, including the absolute configurations of the new diterpenoids, were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses and single crystal X-ray diffraction measurements. These compounds were evaluated for their biological activities against a panel of human cancer cell lines, gram-positive bacterial strains and HIV. Notably, the 3,4-seco-isopimarane isoamethinol D (4) showed toxicity to the cervical Hela cancer (Hela) cells with an IC50 value of 27.21 μM and the lung (A549) cancer cells with an IC50 value of 21.47 μM. Compound 4 also exhibited mild antimicrobial activity against the oral bacterial strain Streptococcus mutans. These findings suggested that the diterpenoids with a 3,4-seco-isopimarane diterpenoids isolated from I. amethystoides could provide a novel structure scaffold for the discovery of anticancer and antimicrobial compounds.Graphical

English

Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr is a tree which belongs to Caesalpiniacea family and can reach up 10 m of height, with a horizontal root system. It is confined to the arid regions of West and Central Africa, where it mainly occurs in savannah. The aim of this work is to collate information on the use of Detarium microcarpum in folk medicine by traditional health practitioners and herbalists. Moreover, a phytochemical screening was carried out on the aqueous extracts from its major organs. The ethnobotanical survey was conducted in three administrative regions of Mali (Koulikoro, Sikasso, and Segou), and in the District of Bamako involving 45 individuals, including 25 women and 20 men. According to the collected information leaf, bark, and root of the plant have therapeutic properties and are known to treat 16 diseases, mainly infections and pains. The phytochemical screening detected numerous secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, polyphenolic compounds, terpenes, quinones, anthraquinones, reducing sugars, amines and saponosides in aqueous extracts from leaf, stem bark and root. These compounds could justify the use of this plant in folk medicine. Key words: Detarium microcarpum, ethnobotanical survey, phytochemical screening, aqueous extracts, Mali.

Antibacterial activity of ethanol extract and decoction from Avicennia alba Blume growing in the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, Vietnam

This study was conducted to find out the antibacterial ability of a folk medicinal plant in Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, Avicennia alba Blume. Leaf powder of A. alba derived from 3 different locations in the Biosphere Reserve was used to make ethanol extracts and decoctions. Methods to evaluate antibacterial ability included agar well diffusion, and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). The results showed that the ethanol extract from Dan Xay site was resistant to 6 tested bacterial strains including Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli. Most of the decoction samples had bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties with MBC/MIC rates ranging from 1.43 to 10.0.

Proximate, Vitamins, Minerals and Anti-Nutritive Constituents of the Leaf and Stem of Helichrysum odoratissimum (L.) Sweet: A Folk Medicinal Plant in South Africa

Helichrysum odoratissimum (L.) Sweet (Asteraceae) is a perennial shrub used in South African folk medicine to combat human diseases such as diabetes, coughs, asthma, and diarrhoea, and for wound treatment. This study evaluated the leaf and stem of H. odoratissimum for their nutritive and anti-nutritive qualities using the standard methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and colorimetry. Crude fat and protein were high in the leaf (7.61% and 7.82% DW), but low in the stem (2.25% and 3.4%), respectively. The neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content was significantly higher in the stem (68.5%) compared to the leaf (43.6%), while non-fibre carbohydrate (NFC) in the leaf (24.93%) was higher than in the stem (15.67%). Mineral analysis showed that both the leaf and stem of H. odoratissimum are good sources of potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron. Appreciable amounts of vitamins B2, C and E in the leaf and stem supports the folkloric utility of the plant in the traditional treatment of wounds, coughs and colds. A tolerable amount of phytate in both leaf (0.36%) and stem (1.06%) might be a factor for safer consumption of the plant as food and medicine. These findings suggest the use of the plant as a source for dietary supplementation and ethnomedicinal applications.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Physalis alkekengi L. Extracts In Vitro and In Vivo: Potential Application for Skin Care.

Objective Inflammatory skin disorders are becoming major issues threatening public health with increasing prevalence. This study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antisenescent activities of traditional folk medicinal plant, Physalis alkekengi L. extracts to alleviate skin inflammation and its possible mechanisms. Methods Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-treated murine macrophages RAW264.7 and human skin keratinocytes HaCaT were incubated with the plant extracts, respectively. The production of nitric oxide (NO) was tested by using Griess reagents. The activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was detected through a fluorescence microplate reader. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell apoptosis were quantified by flow cytometry. The proinflammatory cytokines were measured using ELISA and qRT-PCR. Human skin fibroblasts (HFF-1) were coincubated with D-galactose (D-gal) and the plant extracts. The senescence associated-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) was stained to evaluate cellular senescence. The senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), IL-1β, was measured through ELISA. The mRNA of IL-1α in SLS-stimulated and PGE2 in UV-radiated 3D skin models were detected by qRT-PCR. In vivo ROS production and neutrophil recruitment in CuSO4-treated zebrafish models were observed by fluorescence microscopy. Inflammation-related factors were measured by qRT-PCR. Results. In vitro, Physalis alkekengi L. significantly reduced NO production, NOS activity, cell apoptosis, transcription of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and ROS production. These plant extracts markedly attenuated SA-β-gal and IL-1β and downregulated the production of IL-1α and PGE2. In vivo, the plant extracts dramatically dampened ROS production, the number of neutrophils, and proinflammatory cytokines. Conclusions Cumulatively, this work systematically demonstrated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antisenescent properties of Physalis alkekengi L. and proposed the possible roles of Physalis alkekengi L. in inflammatory signaling pathways, providing an effective natural product for the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders.

An Experimental Evaluation of humboldtia vahliana wight., a Folk Medicinal Plant on Wound Healing Action in Wistar Albino Rats-an in-vivo Study

A wound is a break in the integrity of the skin or tissues often which may be associated with disruption of the structure and function. Globally, the magnitude of acute wounds as a healthcare problem is sharply rising mainly due to industrialization. There is still a need to revisit the ancient healing methods by using traditional medicine aiming to discover a wound healing drug with better protection, rapid granulation changes, least side effects, good bio-availability and low cost. A folk medicinal plant Humboldtia vahliana Wight. belongs to the family Fabaceae, is a medium sized tree with rough, dark brown bark mottled with white. Its stem bark is used for wound healing among the tribes. Aims and objectives: The study aims to evaluate the in-vivo wound healing action of Humboldtia vahliana Wight. through excision and incision animal wound models. Methodology: 36 male Wistar albino rats weighing 150-250gm. were selected and made into 3 groups each for both incision and excision wounds, i.e., control, standard and trial group -each containing 6 rats. The trial drug Humboldtia vahliana Wight. was applied over the wound area in the form of ‘Kalka’. In excision wound model, percentage of wound contraction was the parameter for the study and was achieved by using Planimetry. In incision wound model, tensile strength was the parameter and was achieved by Local Tensiometer. Results: In case of both Incision as well as Excision wound contraction study, the data shows a statistically non-significant increase in percentage wound contraction of Trial group when compared to Control and Standard groups. Interpretation and Conclusion: The stem bark of Humboldtia vahliana Wight. showed better wound healing action in Wistar albino rats when percentage of efficacy or mean values were compared

Singular and Combined Healing Activity of Aqueous Extract of Artemisia Jordanica and Achillea Fragrantissima in Rabbit’s Incision, Excision and Burn Models.

Context: Treating wounds of various ailments is a large part of the public health care budget. The Artemisia jordanica (Aj) and Achillea fragrantissima (Af) plants are folk medicinal plants that are still increasingly used to treat wounds by healers. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the activity and wound healing by using the singular and combined aqueous extracts of both herbs Aj and Af. Wound healing activity was followed through excision, incision, and burn wound models. Methods: Animals were divided into eight groups (n = 8), each group was divided into two sub-groups (n = 4), one for incision and the second for both excision and burn models. Groups were treated with either 5% or 10% w/w of combined or single herb(s). Betadine and petroleum gel were used as positive and negative control, respectively. Wound contraction rate, tensile strength, period of epithelization and histological transformations were used as scores to evaluate the effect of treatments on wound healing in wounds models. Results and discussion: Wound healing activity of 10% combined aqueous extracts of (Aj-Af) has shown a worthy attainment which has evidenced by inducement of tensile strength on the 22.1 ± 1.34 day of the treatment as compared with positive control on the 21.8 ± 0.73 day of the treatment. The wound contraction rate was occurred on the 17.4 ± 0.7 day of the treatment (p < 0.05) compared with positive and negative control on the 18.5 ± 0.14 and 24.5 ± 0.7 days of the treatment, respectively. Histological observation indicates that the wounds treated with 10% Aj-Af extract have showed thickening of epidermis and formation of granulation tissue with more prominent collagenation and blood vessels formation. Conclusions: Singular and combined aqueous extracts of Aj and Af exhibited good healing activities compared with negative and positive control (p < 0.05). Both singular and combined extracts induced significant healing markings; tensile strength, wound contraction rate, granulation and collagenation compared with negative and positive controls. Moreover, healing potential activity of combined extract (mainly 10%) revealed better marginal healing activity regarding single-herb use.

Polygonum capitatum, the Hmong Medicinal Flora: A Comprehensive Review of Its Phytochemical, Pharmacological and Pharmacokinetic Characteristics.

Polygonum capitatum, known as “Tou Hua Liao” (Chinese name), is a crucial source of Hmong medicinal plants that has benefited human health for a long time. This folk-medicinal plant is widely distributed in the south-west of China for the treatment of various urologic disorders including urinary tract infections, pyelonephritis, and urinary calculus. The purpose of this paper was to provide a systematic and comprehensive overview of the traditional usages, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and clinical applications of this flora. Up until the end of 2022, at least 91 compounds had been reported from P. capitatum, mainly covering the classes of flavonoids, lignanoids, phenols and other components. The compounds and extracts isolated from P. capitatum exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, analgesic, hypothermic, diuretic and other pharmacological effects. Qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses were also covered. Furthermore, the possible development trends and perspectives for future research on this medicinal plant were also discussed.

Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. extract inhibits EMT and metastasis of gastric cancer by regulating actin cytoskeleton remodeling

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe traditional Chinese medicine herb Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. is an important folk medicinal plant in China that has been used as an anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and analgesic in various diseases. Recent years, many studies have reported the significant effects of Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. extract (COE) on gastric cancer. However, the specific mechanism by which COE regulates gastric cancer cytoskeleton remodeling and thus inhibits EMT has not yet been reported. Aim of studyTo study the effect and mechanism of COE in inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis of gastric cancer cells, laying an experimental foundation for the clinical application and further development of COE. MethodsThe high-content cell dynamic tracking system was used to continuously track the trajectory of cell movement in real time. Through the high-content data, the average movement distance and movement speed of the cells are calculated. Additionally, the dynamic images of the cell movement in the high-content imaging system are derived to analyze the impact of COE on the movement of gastric cancer cells. Cytoskeleton staining experiment was performed to detect the effect of COE on the assembly of gastric cancer cell cytoskeleton proteins. Western blot was employed to detect the changes of EMT and metastasis-related proteins in the gastric cancer cells treated by COE. The effect of COE on the key regulatory protein Cofilin-1 (CFL1) of cell movement was examined by Western blot and protein degradation experiment. The effect of COE on EMT and metastasis of the gastric cancer cells lacking CFL1 was assessed by a transwell assay. The in vivo inhibitory effect of COE on EMT and metastasis of gastric cancer was determined by the animal living image system. IHC assays were used to detect the levels of EMT-related proteins in COE reversal in vivo. ResultThe results showed that the movement distance and average movement speed of gastric cancer cells after COE treatment were significantly lower than those of the control group. Cytoskeleton staining experiments revealed that COE can significantly change the distribution of skeletal proteins in gastric cancer cells. Additionally, COE treatment significantly reduced the expression of Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) and other proteins. Furthermore, COE can significantly accelerate the degradation of CFL1 protein, and both COE treatment and CFL1 deletion can significantly inhibit EMT and metastasis of gastric cancer cells. Lastly, the number of peritoneal metastases of gastric cancer cells was significantly reduced in animals after COE treatment. COE can reverse the levels of EMT-related proteins while reducing the expression levels of CFL1 protein in vivo. ConclusionCOE can significantly inhibit EMT and metastasis of gastric cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. This effect may be achieved by reducing the stability of CFL1 and inhibiting the assembly of actin in gastric cancer cells.

Ethnomedicinal Documentation of Folk Medicinal Plants Used by Tribal Communities Living in the Selected Villages of Pushprajgarh Block of Anuppur District, Madhya Pradesh, Central India

The present work documents indigenous knowledge of plants as a natural remedy by the inhabitants of Pushprajgarh tehsil, District Anuppur in Madhya Pradesh, Central India. This study was conducted by following standard ethnobotanical methods. Questionnaires, informal meetings, and group conversations with pre-identified informants were used to collect knowledge on medicinal plants. The present investigation documented 98 plant species belong to 51 families and 90 genera. The Fabaceae family, which includes 10 species, comprises the most of medicinal plants. Habit analysis of medicinal plants uncovered that trees represented the most proportion of 39 plant species (39.79%) and that decoction (boiling) was the most popular technique of preparing traditional medicines from plant material (44.34%). The highest informants' consensus factor (ICF) was accounted for the urinary disorder (0.60), and the highest outcome was recorded for the microbial infection (20.25%). The fidelity level (FL) results for 10 significant plant species were ranged from 40.86% to 75.00%. Most of the plants have had a use value, ranging between 0.25 to 1, hence a constant use value for the most referred species is one. The frequency of citation (FC) of the selected plant species was found to be in the range of 1.85 to 6.48 and the relative frequency of citation (RFC) was found to be in the range of 0.04 to 0.12. Statistical analysis shows that current knowledge is still viable and facilitates conserving important plant species before much is lost. This study will provide basic information for further phytochemical/ pharmacological research to explore potential lead molecules for new drug development and discovery process from natural products.

α-Glucosidase inhibitory phenylpropanoid-dihydrochalcone hybrids from the leaves of medicinal plant Malus hupehensis (Pamp.) Rehder

Eight undescribed phenylpropanoid-dihydrochalcone hybrids, namely (+)- and (−)-malahupin A, (+)- and (−)-malahupin B, (±)-malahupin C, malahupinosides A and B, 7‴-epi-malahupinoside B, together with two known compounds, phloretin and phlorizin, were isolated from the leaves of the folk medicinal plant Malus hupehensis. Their structures were elucidated by extensive NMR and MS spectroscopic methods, chiral-phase analysis, and ECD calculations. Compounds (+)-malahupin B and malahupinoside B showed weak inhibition activities against the nitric oxide production in liposaccharide-induced murine RAW264.7 macrophages with IC50 values of 36.7 and 27.0 μM, respectively. Compounds (+)- and (−)-malahupin A, (+)- and (−)-malahupin B exhibited significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 22.5, 19.1, 19.2, and 17.4 μM, respectively. The postulated biosynthetic pathways to these hybrid compounds were proposed. This work represents the first report of the natural phenylpropanoid-dihydrochalcone hybrid compound, and lays foundation for the study on the bioactive principles of the ethnic hypoglycemic medicinal plant.