Folk Medicinal Plant Research Articles

Anticancer effect of the traditional Chinese medicine herb Maytenus compound via the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway

Background: Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide; folk anticancer medicinal plants have applied for cancer treatment. The Maytenus compound tablet as traditional Chinese compound medicine has been approved for alleviating hyperplasia of mammary glands, whether it can inhibit cancer still unknown. The study was to evaluate the anticancer activity of the Maytenus compound tablet. Methods: MTS assay evaluated the anti-proliferation effect of the Maytenus compound on H226, A2058, 786O and HeLa cancer cells and two normal epithelial cell lines, namely, 16HBE and Hecate. Nude mouse xenograft tumor model using H226 and HeLa cells examined the drug’s anticancer effect in vivo. Western blot assay studied the possible mechanism. Results: The Maytenus compound indicated obvious ability to against proliferation in four strains of cancer cells, particularly against H226 cells by an IC50 of 85.47±10.06 µg/mL and against HeLa cells by an IC50 of 128.74±17.46 µg/mL. However, it had a low cytotoxicity in human normal epithelial cell lines 16HBE with an IC50 of 4,555.86±25.21 µg/mL and Hecate with an IC50 of 833.56±181.88 µg/mL. The Maytenus compound at the 2.45 g/kg oral dosages inhibited the proliferation of H226 cells and HeLa cells in nude mouse with inhibitory rates of 36.06% and 26.45%, respectively, and no organ toxicity. The Maytenus compound could significantly downregulate the expression of pEGFR, pPI3K, pAKT, pGSK3β, β-catenin, and c-MYC and upregulate the protein expression of GSK3β. Conclusions: The Maytenus compound has significant anticancer activities against human cancer H226 and HeLa cells both in vitro and in vivo, highlighting it may be an anticancer medicine.

Biochemical profile and in vitro biological activities of extracts from seven folk medicinal plants growing wild in southern Tunisia.

Recently, much attention has been paid to the extracts obtained from plant species in order to analyse their biological activities. Due to the climate diversity in Tunisia, the traditional pharmacopoeia consists of a wide arsenal of medicinal plant species since long used in folk medicine, in foods as spices, and in aromatherapy. Although many of these species are nearly facing extinction, only a small proportion of them have been scientifically studied. Therefore, this study explores the biochemical properties of seven spontaneous plants, which were harvested in the arid Tunisian desert: Marrubium vulgare (L.), Rhus tripartita (Ucria) D.C., Thymelaea hirsute (L.) Endl., Plantago ovata (Forsk.), Herniaria fontanesii (J. Gay.), Ziziphus lotus (L.) and Hyoscyamus albus (L.). Extracts from these plants were found to contain different types of secondary metabolites (polyphenols, flavonoids, condensed tannins, crude saponins, carotenoids and alkaloids) that are involved in important biological activities. The biological activity of the extracts obtained from each Tunisian plant was assessed: first of all, leukaemia and colon cancer cell lines (K-562 and CaCo-2 respectively) were treated with different concentrations of extracts, and then the anti-proliferative activity was observed. The results showed, in particular, how the plant extract from Rhus tripartita significantly inhibits cell proliferation, especially on the K-562 tumour cell line. Subsequently, the anti-inflammatory activity was also assessed, and the results showed that Herniaria fontanesii and Marrubium vulgare possess the highest activity in the group of analysed plants. Finally, the greatest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect was exhibited by the extract obtained from Rhus tripartita.In conclusion, all the Tunisian plants we analysed were shown to contain a remarkable amount of different bio-active compounds, thus confirming their involvement in several biological activities. Rhus tripartita and Ziziphus lotus were shown to be particularly effective in anti-proliferative activity, while Herniaria fontanesii were shown to have the best anti-inflammatory activity.

Antimicrobial Activity, Antioxidant Potential, Cytotoxicity and Phytochemical Profiling of Four Plants Locally Used against Skin Diseases.

Although orthodox medications are available for skin diseases, expensive dermatological services have necessitated the use of medicinal plants as a cheaper alternative. This study evaluated the pharmacological and phytochemical profiles of four medicinal plants (Drimia sanguinea, Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Helichrysum paronychioides, and Senecio longiflorus) used for treating skin diseases. Petroleum ether and 50% methanol extracts of the plants were screened for antimicrobial activity against six microbes: Bacillus cereus, Shigella flexneri, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton tonsurans using the micro-dilution technique. Antioxidant activity was conducted using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and β-carotene linoleic acid models. Cytotoxicity was determined against African green monkey Vero kidney cells based on the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay. Spectrophotometric and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) methods were used to evaluate the phytochemical constituents. All the extracts demonstrated varying degrees of antimicrobial potencies. Shigella flexneri, Candida glabrata, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton tonsurans were most susceptible at 0.10 mg/mL. In the DPPH test, EC50 values ranged from approximately 6–93 µg/mL and 65%–85% antioxidant activity in the β-carotene linoleic acid antioxidant activity model. The phenolic and flavonoid contents ranged from 3.5–64 mg GAE/g and 1.25–28 mg CE/g DW, respectively. The LC50 values of the cytotoxicity assay ranged from 0.015–5622 µg/mL. GC-MS analysis revealed a rich pool (94–198) of bioactive compounds including dotriacontane, benzothiazole, heptacosane, bumetrizole, phthalic acid, stigmasterol, hexanoic acid and eicosanoic acid, which were common to the four plants. The current findings provide some degree of scientific evidence supporting the use of these four plants in folk medicine. However, the plants with high cytotoxicity need to be used with caution.

Anticancer effect of the traditional Chinese medicine herb Maytenus compound via the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway.

BackgroundCancer is a leading cause of death worldwide; folk anticancer medicinal plants have applied for cancer treatment. The Maytenus compound tablet as traditional Chinese compound medicine has been approved for alleviating hyperplasia of mammary glands, whether it can inhibit cancer still unknown. The study was to evaluate the anticancer activity of the Maytenus compound tablet.MethodsMTS assay evaluated the anti-proliferation effect of the Maytenus compound on H226, A2058, 786O and HeLa cancer cells and two normal epithelial cell lines, namely, 16HBE and Hecate. Nude mouse xenograft tumor model using H226 and HeLa cells examined the drug’s anticancer effect in vivo. Western blot assay studied the possible mechanism.ResultsThe Maytenus compound indicated obvious ability to against proliferation in four strains of cancer cells, particularly against H226 cells by an IC50 of 85.47±10.06 µg/mL and against HeLa cells by an IC50 of 128.74±17.46 µg/mL. However, it had a low cytotoxicity in human normal epithelial cell lines 16HBE with an IC50 of 4,555.86±25.21 µg/mL and Hecate with an IC50 of 833.56±181.88 µg/mL. The Maytenus compound at the 2.45 g/kg oral dosages inhibited the proliferation of H226 cells and HeLa cells in nude mouse with inhibitory rates of 36.06% and 26.45%, respectively, and no organ toxicity. The Maytenus compound could significantly downregulate the expression of pEGFR, pPI3K, pAKT, pGSK3β, β-catenin, and c-MYC and upregulate the protein expression of GSK3β.ConclusionsThe Maytenus compound has significant anticancer activities against human cancer H226 and HeLa cells both in vitro and in vivo, highlighting it may be an anticancer medicine.

Chemical Constituents From the Vietnamese Medicinal Plant Anemone chapaensis and Their Cytotoxic Activity

Our current research on phytochemical profile of the folk medicinal plant Anemone chapaensis Gagnep. led to the isolation of a new saponin, chapaenoside (1), along with 13 known compounds (2-14). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive chemical and spectroscopic methods (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance [NMR] spectroscopy and mass spectrometry) as well as comparison with the literature data. The isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activities against 9 cancer cell lines by MTT method. The result indicated that the major saponin prosapogenin CP6 (5) showed selectively strong activity against NCI-N87, RD, Panc-1, and MIA Paca-2 cells with the IC50 values of 5.4, 7.5, 7.5, and 2.7 μM, respectively. The results of phytochemical constituents and principal bioactive saponins from A. chapaensis contributed not only to its phytochemical profile associated with chemotaxonomy but also to biological evidence of the title plant.

Chemical Compositions and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils from Inflorescences of Two Landraces of Hyssop [Hyssopus officinalis L. subsp. angustifolius (Bieb.)] Cultivated in Southwestern, Iran

Hyssop [Hyssopus officinalis L. subsp. angustifolius (Bieb.)] belonging to the family Lamiaceae, is an important medicinal and aromatic plant in Iranian folk medicine. The herb grows wildly in the alpine regions from northwestern to southwestern of Iran. A GC-FID and GC/MS analysis of essential oils isolated from the inflorescences of two Iranian landraces of this herb including white and purple flowers identified 25, and 22 constituents, respectively (accounting for 98 % of the total oils). The essential oil yields were 0.40 and 0.45 ml/100 g based on the dry weight of plant material for white and purple flowers, respectively. The major constituents of the essential oil from purple landrace were cis-pinocamphone (55.14 %), β-pinene (17.06 %), and trans-pinocamphone (3.50 %). However, camphor (31.85 %), cis-pinocamphone (30.11%), β-pinene (12.26 %), and trans-pinocamphone (6.09 %) were the main compositions of the essential oil from white landrace of hyssop. Antioxidant activity of the essential oils was determined by DPPH assay and the essential oils of both landraces showed moderate antioxidant activity. This potential applicability can be used as antioxidant agents for food and pharmaceutical industries. The essential oils of the two studied hyssop landraces sourced in the alpine region of southwestern Iran were rich in oxygenated monoterpenes. Generally, the herb proved to be relatively good sources of chemical products and medicinal compounds such as camphor, pinocamphone and β-pinene that are widely used in food and drug industries.

In Vitro Neutralization of Naja naja Venom Enzymes by Folk Medicinal Plant Extracts

Medicinal plants are known to possess pharmacologically active compounds which have therapeutic properties and number of plants have been evaluated in disease management including venomous bites. Products of plant extracts are thus gaining importance because of their easy availability, low cost and less side effects and are evaluated for their antidote potential against Indian cobra (Naja naja) venom enzymes. In vitro enzyme inhibitions such as anti-proteolytic, anti-phospholipase, anti-hyaluronidase, anti-acetylcholine esterase and pharmacological studies (anti- hemolytic activity and anti-fibrinogenolytic activity) were evaluated for aqueous ethanolic extracts and organic extracts of Clerodendrum serratum, Azadirachta indica, Aegle marmelos, Aristolochia indica, Citrus limon, Calotropis gigantea, Cryptolepis buchanani and Butea monosperma on N. naja venom. Significant inhibitions were observed by both the extracts. However, it is interesting to note that aqueous extracts significantly inhibited phospholipase activity and organic extracts inhibited fibrinogenolytic activity of venom. The hyaluronidase activity was not observed in the venom. Indirect hemolytic assay revealed the potential of Butea monosperma extracts to completely neutralize the lysis of red blood cells (RBC) induced by cobra venom. The isolation of bioactive principles or a combination of these active principles, from the tested medicinal plants for ex vivo and in vivo anti-venom activity has to be validated by active isolated compound from extract which is responsible for neutralizing toxic snake venom enzymes.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Cynanchum forrestii Schltr. (Asclepiadaceae) and its phylogenetic analysis

Cynanchum forrestii is a folk medicinal plant in southwest China. In this study, we sequenced complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of C. forrestii to investigate its phylogenetic relationship. The whole cp genome of C. forrestii was 159,917 bp in length with 43.5% overall GC content, including a large single-copy (LSC) region of 91,189 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 19,972 bp, which were separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 24,378 bp. The cp genome contained 112 genes, including 78 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis based on cp genome sequences showed that Cynanchum was closely related with Asclepias and Calotropis.

Medicinal wild plants used by the Mongol herdsmen in Bairin Area of Inner Mongolia and its comparative study between TMM and TCM

BackgroundEthnobotanical studies on folk medicinal plants used by Mongol herdsmen have been conducted in some areas of Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang, China. However, ethnobotanical findings are preliminary and not comprehensive. Mongolian medicinal botanical knowledge has been gradually decreasing. One of the most important reasons is that Mongolian traditional medicine has become an alternative medicine in pasturing areas of China. Collection and analysis of Mongolian folk medicinal botanical knowledge have become extremely important.MethodsFrom 2008 to 2014, the authors have been to Bairin Right Banner seven times, and from 2016 to 2018, have been to Bairin Left Banner five times. Fieldwork was carried out in 18 villages, and 136 local Mongol herdsmen were interviewed. The methods of free-listing and open-ended questionnaires were used in field survey. Ethnobotanical interview and voucher specimen collections were organized in two ways: local plant specimens were collected beforehand and then interviews were organized; local Mongol herdsmen were invited to the field and were interviewed while collecting voucher specimens. Mongolian was used as the working language, and findings were recorded in Mongolian. Scientific names of plants were confirmed through collection and identification of voucher specimens.ResultsAmong the collected medicinal wild plants, 40 species are used by local Mongol herdsmen. Twenty-six species of folk medicinal plants have been recorded in the literature in the field of Traditional Mongolian Medicine (TMM), and 38 species have been recorded in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The parts that have medicinal value include roots, whole plant, aerial parts, leaves, fruit, seeds, branches, bulb skin, and stem. For medicinal efficacy, among the collected medicinal plants, 8 species should be fresh. Thirteen species must be dried, and another 16 species can be fresh or dried. After a simple process of sorting and washing, local people soak, pulverize, and mash the medicinal plants. Nineteen species were externally used medicine, and 17 species were internally used medicine (taken orally). Generally, only one or two functions of folk medicine and indications associated with it were provided by local Mongol herdsmen. However, the functions of TMM and TCM and their indications show diversity and have systematic characteristics. More functions of TMM and TCM and their indications have been recorded. In the paper, we also discuss the correspondence between one or two functions of folk medicine with one or two functions of TMM and TCM.ConclusionNot many medicinal wild plant species are used by Mongol herdsmen in the Bairin Area. Fourteen species have not been recorded in the literature of TMM, and 2 species have not been recorded in the literature of TCM. Folk knowledge can provide a certain reference value for searching for new medicinal wild plant species. On the whole, fresh plants are commonly used by Mongol herdsmen in the Bairin Area; boiling is the most common preparation method. Most of the crude materials can be used alone. The externally used medicinal parts are more common than those taken orally. A folk medicinal bath may be regarded as a compound drug mixed with two to five species of plant materials. The local Mongol herdsmen fully understand the function of folk medicines and their indications.

Phytochemical screening, thin-layer chromatography and antimicrobial activity study of Parquetina nigrescens leaf extracts

Abstract Parquetina nigrescens leaves have been used in traditional medicine as an important and highly efficacious herbal remedy and have been recommended as a potential source of antimicrobial agent. Three extracts of the plant obtained using n-hexane, methanol and water were used as solvents. Phytochemical analysis of the plant extracts showed important bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenes, steroids, phenols and glycosides, but alkaloids were absent in all the three extracts. Agar disk diffusion method was used to study the antimicrobial activity of the extracts at different concentrations which showed activity against three gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus spp., one gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, and two fungus Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans with zone of inhibition ranging from 5-15 mm for n-hexane extract, 6-16 mm for methanol extract and 1-11 mm for aqueous extract compared to zone of inhibition for the standard antibacterial drug, 0.5 mg/mL Streptomycin that ranges from 13 – 37 mm and the zone of inhibition for the standard antifungal drug 5 mg/mL fluconazole that ranges from 24 – 25 mm. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most inhibited while E. coli was the least inhibited by the extract, and Candida albicans was found to be resistant to the extracts in all the concentrations. TLC finger-printing of the extracts using the solvent system – butanol : acetic acid : ethanol : distilled water in the ratio 50:10:10:30 showed spots with peaks different retention times ranging from 0.24 - 0.74 cm. The results provide justification for the use of the plants in folk medicine to treat various infectious diseases.

Anxiolytic Effect of Essential Oils and Their Constituents: A Review.

Essential oils are usually used in aromatherapy to alleviate anxiety symptoms. In comparison to traditional drugs, essential oils have fewer side effects and more diversified application ways, including inhalation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of studies on anxiolytic effects of essential oils in preclinical and clinical trials. Most of the essential oils used in clinical studies have been proven to be anxiolytic in animal models. Inhalation and oral administration were two common methods for essential oil administration in preclinical and clinical trials. Massage was only used in the clinical trials, while intraperitoneal injection was only used in the preclinical trails. In addition to essential oils that are commonly used in aromatherapy, essential oils from many folk medicinal plants have also been reported to be anxiolytic. More than 20 compounds derived from essential oils have shown an anxiolytic effect in rodents, while two-thirds of them are alcohols and terpenes. Monoamine neurotransmitters, amino acid neurotransmitters, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis are thought to play important roles in the anxiolytic effects of essential oils.

The evaluation of anti-breast cancer activity and safety pharmacology of the ethanol extract of Aralia elata Seem. leaves

Aralia elata Seem. is a traditional folk Chinese medicinal plant and its leaves have been used to treat many diseases. We aimed to evaluate the anti-breast cancer activity and safety pharmacology of the ethanol extract of A. elata Seem. leaves (ELE). Cytotoxicity was evaluated on human tumor cell lines by MTT assay in vitro. A tumor bearing-nude mice model was used to assess antitumor activity in vivo. Cell apoptosis was determined by Hoechst 33258 staining, flow cytometry and TUNEL staining. The protein levels were determined by western-blotting and immunohistochemical staining. In safety evaluation, ICR mice and beagle dogs were orally administered ELE at different doses to determine its adverse effects on the central nervous system and cardiorespiratory system. ELE significantly inhibited tumor growth and induced cell apoptosis in MCF-7 cells in vitro and in vivo. The protein levels including caspase-3, caspase-9, bax, bcl-2, PARP, and cytochrome c were significantly changed. For the central nervous system, no treatment-related changes in behavior, motor activity or coordination were observed in mice. For the cardiorespiratory system, no significant differences in cardiorespiratory parameters including heart rate, PR interval, RR interval, P wave duration, QRS duration, QTcF interval, respiratory frequency, tidal volume, body temperature, and blood pressure were observed in beagle dogs between the ELE treatment and control group. In conclusion, ELE possessed anti-breast cancer activity by activating a mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway with high biological safety in animals, which indicates it could be a potential therapeutic agent for treating human breast cancer in the future.

Quercus ilex Extract Ameliorates Acute TNBS-Induced Colitis in Rats.

Quercus ilex L. (Fagaceae) is one of the most commonly used plants in folk medicine in the Mediterranean region to treat gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a polyphenol extract from mature leaves of Q. ilex on acute 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis in rats. A polyphenol extract from mature leaves of Q. ilex (250 and 500 mg/kg/day) was administered by gavage 48, 24, and 1 h prior to the induction of colitis with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid as well as 24 h later. The inflammation response was assessed by histology, myeloperoxidase activity, and Th1 proinflammatory cytokine production. The protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase, and signaling pathways were studied by Western blotting in the colon tissues. The polyphenol extract from mature leaves of Q. ilex decreased neutrophil infiltration, interleukin-1β and TNF-α production, and proinflammatory proteins cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase overexpression. Also, the polyphenol extract from mature leaves of Q. ilex was capable of blocking the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear transcription factor-kappa B. Furthermore, the reduction of inflammation by polyphenol extract from mature leaves of Q. ilex treatment was accompanied by a recovery of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 protein expression levels. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that a polyphenol extract from mature leaves of Q.ilex improves 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis, probably through mitogen-activated protein kinase/nuclear transcription factor-kappa B inhibition and Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 activation signaling pathways, thus reducing the production of Th1 proinflammatory cytokines and cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase overexpression.

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis for the Chemical Constituents of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg Using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry and Preliminary Screening for Anti-Influenza Virus Components.

Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg (T. hemsleyanums) is a kind of traditional folk medicinal plant which has been used widely in China for its antivirus, antitumor, and other clinical effects. In this study, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive/MS) was utilized to analyze the chemical constituents of T. hemsleyanums. Fifty-one constituents were clarified, including flavonoids, anthraquinones, esters, fatty acids, phenols, and catechins. In the subsequent quantitative analysis, the contents of ten compounds of rutin, kaempferol, astragalin, quercitrin, quercetin, vitexin-rhamnoside, isorhamnetin, vitexin, emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside, and isoquercetin in 18 batches of T. hemsleyanums collected from different places of cultivation were determined. Meanwhile, anti-influenza virus bioactivity in vitro of the above samples was detected with Gaussia Luciferase viral titer assay. It was found that the antiviral bioactivity varied from batches to batches in accordance with content difference of the chemical constituents in T. hemsleyanums. Correlation analysis was performed with SPSS software for the association between LC-MS chemometrics and bioactivity of influenza virus inhibition, and 8 constituents of flavonoids showed positive correlation coefficient, which may provide a valuable clue for searching potential antiviral components in T. hemsleyanums.

NADES-mediated folk plant extracts as novel antifungal agents against Candida albicans

Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogenic yeast commonly found in mouth, gastrointestinal tract and vagina. Under certain conditions, it causes skin, mucosal and systemic infections. With growing concern over the emergence of resistant strains to conventional antifungals, the development of novel antifungal agents for the management of this pathogen is an urgent need. In the present work, novel bioextracts from folk medicinal plants were directly used as active ingredient in a topical formulation for dermal candidiasis. With the aim to replace hazardous traditional reagents, a natural solvent composed by lactic acid: glucose: water (LGH) was used as vehicle for bioactive compound extraction. Furthermore, phenolic and alkaloid composition were determined by HPLC and their individual antifungal effect was evaluated. LGH extracts of Larrea spices demonstrate a significant antimicrobial activity against C. albicans being higher than their individual bioactive constituents. Notably, the mixture of Larrea cuneifolia and L divaricata extracts in topical formulations reveal a synergistic antifungal effect highlighting their potential for candidiasis treatment.

Aqueous root extract of Chrysophyllum albidum caused dose and duration dependent increases in some reproductive hormones and spermatogenic arrest in the testes of male Wistar rats

Background aimIn ethnomedicine, different parts of Chrysophyllum albidum have been used as herbal remedies for the treatment and management of various ailments. This study was carried out to determine the dose and duration dependent effects of administration of aqueous root extracts of Chrysophyllum albidum on the serum concentrations of some reproductive hormones and testes of the experimental rats.MethodsForty-five adult male Wistar rats were used for this study. They were randomized into 3 groups (groups 1, 2 & 3) of 15 rats each, with each group further randomized into 3 subgroups (subgroups 1a, 1b, 1c; 2a, 2b, 2c; 3a, 3b, 3c) of 5 rats each, according to the dose and duration of extract administration.ResultsAt the 8th week of extract administration, there were significantly (P < 0.05) higher concentrations of FSH in the treated subgroups while at weeks 6 and 8, there were significant (p < 0.05) increases in the serum concentrations of LH of the treated subgroups as compared to those of the control subgroups. Also, at weeks 6 and 8, administration of the extract resulted in significant (P < 0.05) increases in the concentrations of serum testosterone in the treated subgroups. Photomicrograph of the testes revealed focal spermatogenic arrest in the area biopsied in the treated subgroups (with low and high doses) at weeks 6 and 8 of extract administration.ConclusionThe administration of aqueous root extract of Chrysophyllum albidum to male Wistar rats at increasing doses and time duration may affect their fertility and calls for caution in the prolonged use of the plant in folk medicine.

Nghiên cứu hoạt tính kháng khuẩn của cao chiết nước từ một số loại cây dùng làm thuốc dân gian tại Vườn Quốc gia Bidoup - núi Bà, tỉnh Lâm Đồng

Folk medicine was used to treat some common diseases such as diarrhea, inflammation, wound healing … by ethnic minorities at Bidoup – Nui Ba National Park, Lam Dong province. However, the usage of medicinal plants has been mainly based on experiences and this study aimed to evaluate antibacterial activity of the medicinal plants as a basis for further studies. Night water extracted folk medicinal plants that ethnic minorities used to treat diarrhea were tested for antibacterial activity against 16 indicator bacteria by well diffusion agar. These results showed that the recovery performance of the extract from folk medicinal plants was high (11,99% - 29,52%). The result of antibacterial activity showed that 5/9 water extracts had antibacterial activity. The extract from xidra nguon (Medinilla septentrionalis) had the highest antibacterial activity (against 16/16 indicator bacteria) with inhibition diameter zone from 9,3 mm to 11,0 mm; 4/9 water extracts had weak activity and 4/9 extracts had no antibacterial activity. The preliminary phytochemical screening of extracts that possessed the highest antibacterial activity showed the presence of some bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids and tannins. The results of this study showed that not all folk medicinal plant that was extracted by water are highly active, so there should be more intensive research.

Plant DNases are potent therapeutic agents against Echis carinatus venom-induced tissue necrosis in mice.

Echis carinatus envenomation leads to severe tissue necrosis at the bitten site by releasing DNA from immune cells that blocks the blood flow. An earlier report has shown that exogenous DNase 1 offers protection against such severe local tissue necrosis. Tricosanthus tricuspidata is a medicinal plant and the paste prepared from its leaves has been used extensively for the treatment of snakebite-induced tissue necrosis. Most studies including reports from our laboratory focused on plant secondary metabolite as therapeutic molecules against snakebite envenomation. However, the involvement of hydrolytic enzymes including DNase in treating snake venom-induced tissue necrosis has not been addressed. Several folk medicinal plants used against snakebite treatment showed the presence of DNase activity and found to be rich in T.tricuspidata. Further, purified T.tricuspidata DNase showed a single sharp peak in reversed-phase high-performanceliquid chromatography(RP-HPLC) with an apparent molecular mass of 17 kDa. T.tricuspidata DNase exhibited potent DNA degrading activity performed using agarose gel electrophoresis, spectrophotometric assay, and DNA zymography. In addition, purified DNase from T.tricuspidata was able to neutralize E.carinatus venom-induced mouse tail tissue necrosis and normalized elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels 30 minutes post venom injection. T.tricuspidata DNase was also able to reverse E.carinatus venom-induced histopathological changes and collagen depletion in mice tail tissue. All these observed pharmacological actions of T.tricuspidata DNase were inhibited by sodium fluoride (NaF). This study provides scientific validation of the traditional use of T.tricuspidata leaf paste in the healing of snakebite-induced tissue necrosis and might be exploited to treat snake venom-induced local toxicity.

Paeonia arietina and Paeonia kesrounansis bioactive constituents: NMR, LC-DAD-MS fingerprinting and in vitro assays

Paeonia species have been valued for their ethnomedicinal uses in various countries and received much interest among the scientific community for their therapeutic properties, including anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, nephroprotective and hepatoprotective effects. The multiple phytotherapeutical applications of Paeonia species inspired us to establish the phytochemical fingerprint and to evaluate the biological properties of ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous extracts from the roots and aerial parts of two Paeonia species (P. arietina G. Anderson and P. kesrounansis Thiébaut). Phytoconstituents of P. arietina and P. kesrounansis extracts were analyzed using 1D and 2D NMR and LC-DAD-ESI-MS. The total content of phenolics (TPC) and flavonoids (TFC) in the extracts was also evaluated. The antioxidant activity was profiled using DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelation assays. Enzyme inhibitory properties were evaluated against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), tyrosinase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase. Phytochemical analysis of P. arietina and P. kesrounansis extracts showed the presence of galloyl esters of sugars, galloyl monoterpenes, and glycosylated flavonoids. The three solvent extracts presented different behavior in the bioassays. The highest antioxidant activity, tyrosinase and AChE inhibition were observed for the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of P. kesrounansis. In addition, the ethyl acetate extracts of the aerial parts of both plants were the most effective inhibitors of α-amylase. The highest BChE inhibition was observed for root methanolic extract of P. kesrounansis while the root ethyl acetate extract of P. arietina exerted the strongest inhibition of α-glucosidase. Methanol extract of P. kesrounansis aerial parts presented the highest TPC, while TFC was greatest in the corresponding extract of P. arietina. Our findings can be considered as a starting point for future studies to further validate the effectiveness and safety profiles of these plants in folk medicine.

Essential oil composition and total metabolite content of a chemotype of Ajuga reptans L. (Lamiaceae) collected in Central Italy

In this work, an interesting application of phytochemistry for ethnopharmacological purposes was reported. In particular, the total phytochemical analysis of a single sample of Ajuga reptans L. (Lamiaceae) collected in Central Italy was carried out in order to provide a rationale for the use of this plant in folk medicine. This analysis was conducted on the volatile oil fraction by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and on the polar one by means of classical column chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance and MS. Thirty-nine volatile components were identified in the essential oil whereas 32 compounds were identified in the polar fraction. All of these are known to exert several beneficial medicinal activities and no potentially toxic compounds were identified such as the neo-clerodane diterpenoids, commonly evidenced in the entire genus. This study could provide a phytochemical rationale for the possible ethnopharmacological use of this specific species.