Root Bark Research Articles

Investigation of paeonol in dermatological diseases: an animal study review

Cortex Moutan is the root bark of the buttercup plant Paeonia suffruticosa Andr, of Ranunculaceae family. It has been utilized in Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat a multitude of diseases, and traditional Chinese documents allege that it has heat-clearing, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and detoxicating properties. Paeonol is a bioactive substance extracted from Cortex Moutan, which is considered to be one of its most effective metabolites. Recent studies have illustrated that paeonol treatment can alleviate skin damage, relieve the inflammatory response in patients with numerous dermatological conditions, and inhibit anomalous proliferation of skin tissue. Accordingly, paeonol may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for a variety of skin conditions. This review summarizes the physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetics (PK) characteristics of paeonol, and mechanisms of operation in diverse skin diseases, including dermatitis, psoriasis, pruritus, photoaging, hyperpigmentation, and hyperplasticscar. Additionally, much of the evidence is based on animal experiments. Furthermore, it explores the prospects of enhancing paeonol’s efficacy through extraction, synthesis, and formulation innovations, as well as strategies to overcome its limitations in dermatological therapy. This review aims to provide a more reliable theoretical basis for the clinical application of paeonol.

Identification and Expression Analysis of TCP Transcription Factors Under Abiotic Stress in Phoebe bournei

The TCP gene family encodes plant transcription factors crucial for regulating growth and development. While TCP genes have been identified in various species, they have not been studied in Phoebe bournei (Hemsl.). This study identified 29 TCP genes in the P. bournei genome, categorizing them into Class I (PCF) and Class II (CYC/TB1 and CIN). We conducted analyses on the PbTCP gene at both the protein level (physicochemical properties) and the gene sequence level (subcellular localization, chromosomal distribution, phylogenetic relationships, conserved motifs, and gene structure). Most P. bournei TCP genes are localized in the nucleus, except PbTCP9 in the mitochondria and PbTCP8 in both the chloroplast and nucleus. Chromosomal mapping showed 29 TCP genes unevenly distributed across 10 chromosomes, except chromosome 8 and 9. We also analyzed the promoter cis-regulatory elements, which are mainly involved in plant growth and development and hormone responses. Notably, most PbTCP transcription factors respond highly to light. Further analysis revealed three subfamily genes expressed in five P. bournei tissues: leaves, root bark, root xylem, stem xylem, and stem bark, with predominant PCF genes. Using qRT-PCR, we examined six representative genes—PbTCP16, PbTCP23, PbTCP7, PbTCP29, PbTCP14, and PbTCP15—under stress conditions such as high temperature, drought, light exposure, and dark. PbTCP14 and PbTCP15 showed significantly higher expression under heat, drought, light and dark stress. We hypothesize that TCP transcription factors play a key role in growth under varying light conditions, possibly mediated by auxin hormones. This work provides insights into the TCP gene family’s functional characteristics and stress resistance regulation in P. bournei.

Metabolomic characteristics and anthraquinones accumulation patterns of Rhubarb in different tissues and roots from different developmental stages

Rhubarb’s multifaceted value in culinary and medicine is renowned, especially Rheum tanguticum (Rhubarb), whose bountiful content of anthraquinones (AQs) makes it increasingly attractive in the realms of dietary supplements and natural edible pigments. Current understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics of AQs accumulation in Rhubarb remains limited, and the knowledge of other valuable metabolites is even more scarce. This gap limits the ability to fully explore Rhubarb's potential as a food ingredient and hinders its efficient use in food development, potentially leading to unnecessary resource waste. This study integrated widely targeted metabolomics and AQs quantification to determine the metabolic profiles in four tissues and the roots at three developmental stages in Rhubarb. The high levels of malic and citric acids in the stems paved the way for their use in flavored beverages and substantiated the practice of traditional consumption. The abundance of flavonoids in the leaves and seeds, and the AQs, phenolic acids of the seeds, which potentially bestowed upon them exceptional antioxidant capabilities, underscore the significant potential of edible product development. The widespread traditional use of roots was mirrored by the preferential accumulation of AQs, and the roots' value escalated in tandem with the time-accumulated increase of AQs. The root bark and root tip with high AQs should be given attention in production and not simply discarded. This research clarifies the chemical composition and spatiotemporal variation patterns of Rhubarb’s characteristic components, offering valuable scientific insights for their efficient use and value enhancement in the food industry.

A new isoflavone from processed root barks of Paeonia suffruticosa and their procoagulant activity

One new isoflavone, 6′-dihydroxy-2-methyl-2′-methoxyl-3′-acetylisoflavone (1) and six known compounds (2−7) were isolated from the processed root barks of Paeonia suffruticosa. The structures of these compounds were elucidated using UV, IR, NMR, and HR-ESI-MS data. Compound 1 represents the first example of naturally occurring 2-substituted isoflavone. Compounds 2−7 were isolated from the processed root barks of P. suffruticosa for the first time. In addition, all of the compounds were screened for their procoagulant activity. As a result, compounds 4, 6, and 7 showed significantly in vitro procoagulant activity.

The Effect of the Root Bark of Lycium chinense (Lycii Radicis Cortex) on Experimental Periodontitis and Alveolar Bone Loss in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Lycii Radicis Cortex (LRC), the dried root bark of Lycium chinese Mill., has traditionally been used as a medicinal herb in East Asia to treat fever and hyperhidrosis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of LRC extract on ligation-induced experimental periodontitis and associated alveolar bone loss in rats. Twenty-four hours after ligation placement, LRC was orally administered once daily for 10 days. Firstly, LRC administration inhibited anaerobic bacterial proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration in gingival tissues. Additionally, LRC exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the expression of inflammatory mediators, including prostaglandin E2, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α. LRC treatment also downregulated mRNA expression of these inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Furthermore, LRC showed an antioxidant effect by decreasing the malondialdehyde level and inducible nitric oxide synthase activity in gingival tissues. Moreover, LRC effectively prevented the connective tissue degradation by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-8 expression and the loss of collagen-occupied areas in gingival tissues. LRC also decreased the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand/osteoprotegerin (RANKL/OPG) ratio, as well as the number and occupied areas of osteoclasts on the alveolar bone surface, thereby inhibiting alveolar bone loss. In summary, these findings suggest that LRC is a promising medicinal herb for alleviating periodontitis and related alveolar bone loss through its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

N-butanol extract of Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L′Hér. ex Vent root bark alleviates atopic dermatitis by targeting E3 ubiquitin ligase WWP1 to promote NLRP3 degradation

BackgroundBroussonetia papyrifera (L.) L′Hér. ex Vent (B. papyrifera) is a deciduous tree widely distributed in Asia. Previous studies have revealed that leaves of B. papyrifera ameliorated atopic dermatitis (AD)-like symptoms and inflammatory response. However, the impact and underlying mechanism of other parts of B. papyrifera on AD remain elusive. MethodsThe AD mice induced by 1-Chloro-2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene were used to observe the histopathological alterations in the skin tissues using hematoxylin-eosin staining and toluidine blue staining techniques. Serum levels of inflammatory factors were quantified utilizing ELISA. Pyroptosis was analyzed by lactate dehydrogenase release and flow cytometry in human keratinocytes. The activation of Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome was analyzed by western blots. Furthermore, the mechanism underlying the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome by N-butanol extracts of B. papyrifera root bark (NE-BPRB) was investigated using cellular thermal shift assay and surface plasmon resonance techniques. ResultsTreatment with NE-BPRB significantly ameliorated symptoms of AD mice and reduced serum levels of pro-inflammatory factors. NE-BPRB intervention exhibited inhibitory effects on NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis in vitro and in vivo. NE-BPRB and its primary bioactive constituent chlorogenic acid (CA) promote the K48-linked ubiquitination of NLRP3, leading to its proteasomal degradation by binding WW domain containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (WWP1). ConclusionsThe NE-BPRB and its primary bioactive constituent, CA, effectively inhibit the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and impede cell pyroptosis by promoting K48-linked ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation of NLRP3 through binding to the E3 ubiquitin ligase WWP1, thereby resulting in improved AD.

Three novel sesquiterpene polyol esters from the root bark of Celastrus angulatus Maxim and their nitric oxide inhibitory activity.

Three new sesquiterpene polyol ester compounds angulatin V [1β,15-diacetoxy-2β-(α-methyl)-butanoyloxy-4α,6α-dihydroxy-8α-isobutanoyloxy-9β-benzoxy-β-dihydroagarofuran], angulatin W [1β,2β-diacetoxy-4α,6α-dihydroxy-8-carbonyl-9β-benzoxy-15-isobutanoyloxy-β-dihydroagarofuran], angulatin X [1β,2β,8α-triacetoxy-4α, 6α-dihydroxy-9β-benzoxy-15-nicotinyl-β-dihydroagarofuran] (1-3), together with one known compound Putterine B (4), were isolated from the root bark of Celastrus angulatus Maxim. The structures of compounds 1-3 were elucidated by NMR, HRESIMS, IR data, and comparison with the literature data. The anti-inflammatory activity of all compounds was evaluated by measuring nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Compounds 1-4 showed no significant nitric oxide inhibitory activity at 2.5 and 5 μM concentrations.

Antisickling, hemolytic activities and toxicological evaluation of three plants species from the Nigerien Pharmacopoeia: Annona senegalensis Linné. Boscia senegalensis (Pers) Lam. and Ampelocissus afr

The aim of this study consits to evaluate the antisickling and antihemolytic activities and to determine the subacute toxicity of three plants Annona senegalensis L.; Boscia senegalensis (Pers) Lam.; and Ampelocissus africana (Lour) Merr.. The plant material contains leaves and bark of Annona senegalensis roots, leaves and bark root of Boscia senegalensis and the roots of Ampelocissus africana. A single method (80% ethanol maceration) is used to extract the five samples. The antisickleemic and antihemolytic effects are established with sickle cells disease (SCD) in the presence of sodium metabisulfite. Subacute toxicity is tested on Wistar strain rats. All samples showed an antisickling effect but leaves of Annona senegalensis (LAS) showed the highest percentage of antisickling activity (89.55%) at 50mg/ml. The anti-hemolytic effect was demonstrated in all samples by inhibition of hemolysis in the presence of a hemolysant. The toxicity results showed that the aqueous extracts of Annona senegalensis leaves and Boscia senegalensis root bark have non-toxic effects to wistar strain rats. However, some manifestations including fatigue, stretching and slight dyspenea were observed at doses of 150mg/mL and 300mg/mL. This work can contribute as a starting point towards the development of an improved traditional medicine (ITM) method which can help to treat the sickle cell disease. Keywords: Annona senegalensis L., Boscia senegalensis (pers) Lam and Ampelocissus Africana (Lour) Merr. Antisickness activity, Toxicity.

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of a new phenolic coumpound from the roots barks of Cassia arereh Delile (Fabaceae)

Phytochemical study of the root barks of Cassia arereh resulted in the isolation of a new phenolic ester, 3′-hydroxy-4′-methoxystyrenyl-(E)-p-coumarate (1) isolated for the first time from natural source, alongside eight known compounds (2–9). Compounds 1, 7 and 8 are depicted for the first time from Cassia genus. The structures of all compounds were established through NMR analysis (1D and 2D), High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) and comparison with previously reported data in literature. Antioxidant activity was investigated through DPPH method while the antibacterial activity was done by the disc diffusion method on Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium strains. Results showed that the methanol extract and compound 7 displayed significant (p < 0.01) DPPH radical scavenging activity which is comparable to BHT used as standard with IC50 values of 118.04 and 122.24 µg/mL respectively. Otherwise, the same extract and compound 7 also showed significant antibacterial activity against S. typhi and E. coli with MIC values of 30 and 40 µg/mL, respectively.This research confirm the traditional use of Cassia arereh to treat ailments and provide supplementary data on its chemical profile and pharmacological potential.

Gallic Acid Alleviates Glucolipotoxicity-Induced Nephropathy by miR-709-NFE2L2 Pathway in db/db Mice on a High-Fat Diet.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become a major global issue, with diabetic nephropathy (DN) ranking as one of its most serious complications. The involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the progression of T2DM and DN is an area of active research, yet the molecular mechanisms remain only partially elucidated. Gallic acid (GA), a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound found in various plants such as bearberry leaves, pomegranate root bark, tea leaves, and oak bark, has demonstrated antioxidant properties that may offer therapeutic benefits in DN. The study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of GA in mitigating kidney fibrosis, oxidative stress and inflammation, within a glucolipotoxicity-induced diabetic model using db/db mice. The mice were subjected to a high-fat diet to induce glucolipotoxicity, a condition that mimics the metabolic stress experienced in T2DM. Through microarray data analysis, we identified a significant upregulation of renal miR-709a-5p in the diabetic mice, linking this miRNA to the pathological processes underlying DN. GA treatment was shown to boost the activity of including catalase, essential antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, while also reducing lipid accumulation in the kidneys, indicating a protective effect against HFD-induced steatosis. In vitro experiments further revealed that silencing miR-709a-5p in MES-13 renal cells led to a reduction in oxidative stress markers, notably lowering lipid peroxidation markers, and significantly boosting the activity of antioxidant defenses. Additionally, NFE2L2, a crucial transcription factor involved in the antioxidant response, was identified as a direct target of miR-709a-5p. The downregulation of miR-709a-5p by GA suggests that this polyphenol mitigates glucolipotoxicity-induced lipogenesis and oxidative stress, potentially offering a novel therapeutic avenue for managing diabetic fatty liver disease and DN. Our findings indicate that GA exerts a protective effect in DN by downregulating miR-709a-5p, thereby alleviating oxidative stress through the suppression of NFE2L2. The results highlight the potential of GA and NFE2L2-activating agents as promising therapeutic strategies in the treatment of DN.

Phytochemical constituents from root barks of Eleutherococcus henryi Oliv. and their anti-neuroinflammatory effect

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe cortex of Eleutherococcus henryi (EH, Araliaceae), also known as "Wu-Jia-Pi", is known for its effects such as dispelling wind and dampness, calming the mind and enhancing intelligence, removing heat and toxin, strengthening muscles and bones, and nourishing the liver and kidneys. Throughout Chinese history and tradition, it has been used for conditions like amnesia, mental fatigue, arthritis, hepatitis, and rheumatism. However, research evaluating its neuroprotective effects and pharmacological properties remains scarce. Aim of the studyThe goal is to explore the anti-neuroinflammatory properties of EH in vitro and to discover precisely the bioactive natural products within the medicinal plant that are relevant to its traditional usage. Materials and methodsUtilizing chromatographic techniques, a phytochemical exploration was conducted. The phytochemical structures of the natural products were then elucidated through an analysis involving comprehensive spectra and a comparison with relevant data from published studies. Network pharmacology combined with molecular dynamics simulations (MDs) and docking were applied to forecast potential anti-neuroinflammatory targets of active compounds. In vitro, the anti-neuroinflammatory efficacy was evaluated via the suppression of inflammatory mediators activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in BV2 microglia. ResultsThe methanol extract of E.henryi (EHME) restrained the NO release in LPS-activated BV2 microglia, demonstrating anti-neuroinflammatory activity. Subsequently, chemical composition analysis revealed the separation and elucidation of 31 secondary metabolites, comprising 7 new compounds (1–7) and 1 new natural product (8). Based on LPS-induced BV2 cell in vitro activity tests, compounds 4–17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 26, 29 and 31 were found to exhibit potential anti-neuroinflammatory activity, with compound 6 showing the highest efficacy. Furthermore, employing network pharmacology in conjunction with both molecular docking and MDs, potential anti-neuroinflammatory targets of compound 6 were predicted to include TLR4, Src, MAPK, and NF-κB. Finally, validation through in vitro experiments confirmed that the anti-neuroinflammatory mechanism of compound 6 is associated with the TLR4/Src/MAPK p38/NF-κB p65 signaling pathways. ConclusionsThe study affirmed the traditional efficacy of E. henryi and unveiled novel lignans as potent agents against neuroinflammation.

Validated high performance thin layer chromatographic method for simultaneous quantification of betulinic acid, β-sitosterol and lupeol in fruits, leaves, root bark and stem bark of Dillenia indica Linn

AbstractDillenia indica is one of the important medicinal plants and is extremely popular in many systems of medicine including ayurvedic, homeopathic, and siddha. Traditionally, different parts of this plant have been used to treat cancer, wound healing, diabetes, diarrhea, bone fractures, abdominal pains, cuts and burns. In the present study, a simple, precise, accurate and validated high performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method was developed for simultaneous estimation of three pharmaceutically active compounds i.e., betulinic acid (BE), β-sitosterol (BT) and lupeol (LP) in fruits, leaves, root bark and stem bark of D. indica. Standards and plant samples were applied on TLC aluminum plate precoated with 0.2 mm layer of silica gel 60F254. The plate was run in a twin glass chamber comprising toluene:methanol:chloroform (8:1:1, v/v/v) as a mobile phase which resulted in better separation of compounds. The plates were immersed in anisaldehyde-sulfuric reagent and then heated at 105 °C for 5 min in CAMAG TLC plate heater for appearance of bands. Densitometric scanning was performed at λmax = 525 nm using tungsten light source in CAMAG TLC Scanner4 armed with WinCATS software. RF values of BE, BT and LP standards and those of plant samples were found to be 0.38 ± 0.01, 0.54 ± 0.01 and 0.65 ± 0.02 respectively. The method was further validated by following the International Conference of Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. For BE, BT and LP, the linear regression data for the calibration plots revealed a satisfactory linear association with correlation coefficients (r2) = 0.9736, 0.9989 and 0.9957, respectively. Linear ranges for BE, BT and LP were 2,000–6,000 ng/band, 200–1,000 ng/band, and 200–600 ng/band respectively. Accuracy of the method was assessed by recovery study conducted at three different levels with the average recovery of 99.19, 99.69 and 100.95% for BE, BT and LP, respectively. The results exhibited the highest content of BE (0.148 ± 0.01%), BT (0.031 ± 0.01%) and LP (0.047 ± 0.01%) in stem bark. The developed method will be useful for routine and quality control analysis of fruits, leaves, root bark and stem bark of D. indica species.

Tissue-specific chemical expression and quantitative analysis of bioactive components of Moutan Cortex by laser-microdissection combined with UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS technique

Moutan Cortex, is the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews, which is classified into three specifications according to whether or not it is peeled and cored: Liandanpi, Guadanpi and whole root. In this study, the cork layer, cortex, phloem and xylem of P. suffruticosa fresh root were precisely separated by laser microdissection technique. UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS and UPLC-QQQ-MS techniques were used to analyse the differences in the chemical composition of different tissue parts of P. suffruticosa fresh root and Liandanpi, and to determine the optimal processing method of P. suffruticosa root. As a result, a total of 90 compounds were characterised, among which the cork layer had more types and higher contents of chemical constituents, and the xylem had fewer types and lower contents of chemical constituents. The proportion of xylem is larger, while the type and content of active ingredients is smaller. Therefore, the processing method of removing the wood core and retaining the cork bark can be used in the processing of Moutan Cortex. In this study, laser microdissection and ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to provide a theoretical basis for optimising the processing method of Moutan Cortex to enhance its pharmacological effects.

Aktivitas Antirayap Kulit Batang dan Akar Tumbuhan Kokosan (Lansium domesticum cv Kokossan) Terhadap Rayap Tanah (Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren)

Kokosan (Lansium domesticum cv Kokossan) is one of the Meliaceae family plants known to produce various compounds with various activities. The Meliaceae family is known to have fruit seeds with a bitter taste that can be utilized as an antifeedant in insects. However, research on the bioactivity and content of secondary metabolites in the roots and bark of kokosan as termiticides against subterranean termites has never been reported. This study aims to determine the content of secondary metabolite compounds and test the anti-termite activity of extracts and fractions of kokosan root and stem bark against Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren termites. Root and stem bark powder were macerated separately using methanol solvent and then fractionated to obtain n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol fractions (residue). Each extract and fraction was fed to termites through cellulose paper at a concentration of 5% for 3 days. Based on the results of phytochemical tests on extracts and fractions from the roots and bark of kokosan, it is known to contain alkaloid, flavonoid, terpenoid, and phenolic compound groups. The results of the anti-termite activity test are based on the percentage mortality value obtained by the methanol extract of the most active root with a value of 97.2% and paper weight loss of only 6.92%. In the ethyl acetate fraction of the roots, mortality was 84.4% and paper weight loss was 2.38%, and the n-hexane fraction of the stem bark showed mortality of 87.6% and paper weight loss of 2.20%. The kokosan root obtained has the most active activity against Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren.

Morusin, a novel inhibitor of ACLY, induces mitochondrial apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through ROS-mediated mitophagy

ObjectiveMorusin (Mor), a prenylated flavonoid isolated from the root bark of Morus alba L., exhibits potent anti-tumour effects; however, the molecular target of Mor is still not entirely clear. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of Mor against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and identify potential molecular targets. MethodsMitochondrial function was assessed by measuring the mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial ultrastructure, oxygen consumption, and ATP levels. Mor-induced mitophagy was confirmed using western blotting, immunofluorescence, and fluorescent probes. Transcriptomics, flow cytometry, western blotting, qRT-PCR and biochemical assays were used to reveal the molecular mechanisms and targets of Mor against HCC. We further validated the interaction between Mor and the target proteins using molecular docking and biolayer interferometry (BLI). The inhibitory effect of Mor in vivo was evaluated using a Hep3B murine xenograft model. ResultsMor significantly reduced the ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) expression and inhibited ACLY activity in HCC cells. BLI analysis demonstrated a direct interaction between Mor and the ACLY active domain. Mor-induced ACLY inhibition led to ROS accumulation in HCC cells, which caused mitochondrial damage, triggered PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy, and ultimately induced mitochondrial apoptosis. We further verified that ROS is crucial in the apoptotic action of Mor through experiments regarding an ROS scavenger. Mor also significantly inhibited tumour xenograft growth in vivo. In addition, analysis of human liver cancer clinical samples revealed elevated ACLY levels positively correlated with histologic grade. ConclusionCollectively, our findings highlight Mor as a potent bioactive inhibitor of ACLY and a promising candidate for HCC therapy.

Anti-inflammatory and Anti-angiogenic Effects of Bioconverted Picrasma quassioides Extract: A Comparative Study on NF-κB Signaling Pathway Inhibition and Angiogenesis Suppression

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic properties of bioconverted Picrasma quassioides extract (B-P.Q) with those of the non-bioconverted extract (P.Q) and peony root bark extract (BOT).Methods: The research utilized several experimental techniques, including cell viability assays on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, measurement of NF-κB-related signaling protein activation, chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays, tube formation assays, and cell migration inhibition assays using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). These methods were employed to evaluate cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-angiogenic properties of the extracts.Results: B-P.Q demonstrated no cytotoxicity at the tested concentrations and significantly inhibited the activation of NF-κB-related signaling proteins (p-p38, p-Akt-1, p-SAPK/JNK, p-MEK1/2, and p-IκB) compared to P.Q and BOT. In angiogenesis experiments, B-P.Q showed superior inhibition of new blood vessel formation in CAM assays, effectively suppressed tube formation, and significantly inhibited HUVEC migration compared to controls and P.Q.Conclusion: The study found that bioconverted Picrasma quassioides extract (B-P.Q) has strong anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic properties, consistently outperforming non-bioconverted P.Q and BOT in various experimental models. These results suggest that B-P.Q holds significant promise as a therapeutic agent for chronic inflammatory conditions, particularly those involving excessive angiogenesis. The research underscores the effectiveness of bioconversion in enhancing the bioactive properties of natural extracts and opens up new possibilities for developing treatments for inflammatory skin problems.

Prenylated Flavanone Enantiomers with α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity from the Root Bark of Morus alba.

A focused chemical investigation into the polar fractions of a well-known traditional Chinese medicine called Sang-Bai-Pi (the root bark of Morus alba) yielded a panel of prenylated flavanones. The new compounds were identified as four pairs of enantiomers (1a/1b-4a/4b) featuring the same constitution structure, on the basis of HRMS, NMR and ECD analyses. Several previously reported known racemic co-metabolites were also analyzed and separated by HPLC on chiral columns, and the absolute configurations of pure enantiomers were established via ECD technique for the first time. The inhibition of these isolates against the antidiabetic target α-glycosidase was further tested, with most of them showing decent inhibitory activity compared with the positive control acarbose. The interaction mechanism of two selected compounds (3a & 4b) was explored by kinetics experiment, which revealed a mixed type of inhibition pattern toward the enzyme.

Antileishmanial, antitrypanosomal and anti-coronavirus activities of benzophenanthridine alkaloids and other specialized metabolites isolated from the root bark of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Lam.) B.Zepernick & Timler

Strong antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities were highlighted for the crude methanolic extract (IC50 = 0.61 and 2.15 μg/mL, respectively) of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Lam.) B.Zepernick & Timler root bark, as well as for its apolar partitions (cyclohexane: IC50 = 0.66 and 5.17 μg/mL, respectively and dichloromethane: IC50 = 0.07 and 0.22 μg/mL, respectively), with a good selectivity index (SI) towards WI-38 cells. In addition, cyclohexane and dichloromethane extracts exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of human coronavirus HCoV-229E infection in hepatoma Huh-7 cells expressing or not the cellular protease TMPRSS2 (IC50 values of 5.29 μg/mL and 4.87 μg/mL, respectively). Fractionation of these active extracts led to the isolation of a new racemic benzophenanthridine alkaloid named zanthoxyloithrine (1), together with 13 known compounds. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques including IR, UV, HR-MS, 1D and 2D NMR and electronic circular dichroism. In parallel, HR-ESI-MS/MS based dereplication and molecular networking analysis were performed to identify unpurified compounds in cyclohexane and dichloromethane extracts. Zanthoxyloithrine (1) showed strong antileishmanial (IC50 = 0.14 μM, SI = 52.0) and antitrypanosomal (IC50 = 0.36 μM, SI = 20.8) activities. In addition, compound (1) demonstrated a high antiviral activity against HCoV-229E with IC50 value of 6.70 μM in presence of TMPRRS2 and without significant toxicity on Huh-7 cells. Other purified benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids also showed anti-coronavirus and antiparasitic activities.

The importance of application of medicinal plants and natural products in poultry health management

Application of herbs and natural medicines have shown to have no negative side effects, with high effectiveness to improve productivity. Usage of medicinal plants can increase gut function, improve hepatic function, inhibition of prooxidant enzymes, enhance antioxidant content, improve shelf life, enhance sensorial value, better nutritive value, improve both health and consumers preference, enhance calcium and other minerals, increase vitamin B and folate, and enhance immunity. The most important medicinal plants with antiparasitic activities are green tea, guar bean, pine bark, grape seed, barberry root bark, Rangoon creeper, olive tree, and wormwood. Some other important medicinal plants in poultry industry are black pepper, nettle, shrubby sophora, Aleppo oak, garlic, red cedar, ginger, mint, tobacco, turmeric, aloe vera, etc. The application of herbal medicines can be considered as an important alternative to treating parasitic infections. In organic broiler production with application of medicinal plants, decreasing hormones, growth promoters and antibiotics should be considered as well as paying more attention to selection of appropriate organic feed management with considering higher production. This article aims to survey on the importance of application of natural products and medicinal plants in poultry industry by considering secondary metabolites such as triterpenoids, coumarins, alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids due to their anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and astringent properties.

The anxiolytic-like effect of the alkaloid fraction of the psychedelic plant Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir

The present work investigated the anxiolytic effect of the alkaloid fraction (AF II) from the root bark of Mimosa tenuiflora. Female Swiss mice of 6 weeks old were used in this study. The animals were divided into three groups: 0.9% NaCl (vehicle group, s.c.), AF II (6 mg/kg, s.c.), and diazepam – DZP (5 mg/kg, s.c.). The light/dark box and elevated plus maze tests evaluated the animal anxiety. DMT was identified by the HPLC method. AF II showed significant anxiolytic effects in the two behavioural tests used.