Trichopus Zeylanicus Research Articles

A REVIEW ARTICLE ON CURRENT PHARMACOLOGICAL STATUS OF CARDIOPROTECTIVE PLANT

Cardiovascular diseases involve abnormalities of the heart and blood vessels, such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, and cerebrovascular disease, and are the main cause of the increase in mortality rate in the world. Herbal plants tend to be very useful to prevent cardiovascular disease. The phytoconstituents of herbal medicinal plants like tannins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, and glycosides that have the ability to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Examples such as Nerium oleander, Amaranthus viridis, Ginkgo biloba, Daucus carota, Gingerol, Tinospora cordifolia etc. Many studies investigated the cardioprotective effect of these natural products against experimentally-induced myocardial damage, and their results revealed that their potential phytochemicals exhibited significant antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic activities. The review highlights the promising mechanisms and probable applications of various herbal plants, and their phytochemicals in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The cardioprotective plants contain a wide- variety of bioactive compound involve with diosgenin, isoflavones, sulforaphane, carotinized, catechin and quercetin are increasing the cardio protection and decreases the chances of cardiac abnormalities. KEYWORDS: Cardiovascular diseases, herbal products, phytochemicals, cardioprotective plant, Trichopus zeylanicus, cardiotoxicity

Trichopus zeylanicus ameliorates ibuprofen inebriated hepatotoxicity and enteropathy: an insight into its modulatory impact on pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines and apoptotic signaling pathways.

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is commonly used for its analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects worldwide. However ibuprofen comes with serious unavoidable adverse effects on various organs when used for long duration or overdosed. Trichopus zeylanicus is a medicinal plant endemic to India owning various beneficial properties and is been used in treating various ailments. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the ameliorative effect of aqueous leaves’ extract of Trichopus zeylanicus against ibuprofen-induced hepatic toxicity and enteropathy in rats. Overall in this study 30 male albino rats were used, which were divided into five groups (six in each group). Group-I was normal control, Group-II was ibuprofen (400 mg/kg/day) inebriated group, Group-III was silymarin (25 mg/kg/day) pretreated + ibuprofen (400 mg/kg/day), Group-IV was ALETZ (1000 mg/kg/day) pretreated + ibuprofen (400 mg/kg/day), and Group-V was ALETZ alone (1000 mg/kg/day) group. The duration of the administration was for five days, followed by scarifying rats on the sixth day. Later the rats were assessed for liver and intestine enzyme markers, antioxidant parameters along with histopathological changes. In addition the pro-inflammatory markers such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β as well as anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 levels were measured using ELISA. Lastly the expression pattern of apoptotic signaling markers such as caspase-3, caspase-8 and Bcl-2 was evaluated using western blot. The results obtained from this study showed changes in levels of aforesaid parameter which presented the toxic effect of ibuprofen on liver and small intestine. Pre-treatment of ALETZ in ibuprofen-inebriated group was able to normalize the adverse effect caused due to ibuprofen. The conclusion of the study deduces that pre-treatment with ALETZ alleviates by modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in ibuprofen inebriated rats, indicating its protective mechanism.Graphical abstract Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10787-022-01052-5.

Chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of essential oils of Trichopus zeylanicus ssp. travancoricus

Trichopus zeylanicus ssp. travancoricus is locally known as Aroghyapacha which means the leaves that give health and vitality. The present study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of essential oils from the leaves and swollen part of the petiole of T. zeylanicus ssp. travancoricus and to evaluate its antimicrobial and antioxidant potential. Essential oils were isolated from the leaves and swollen part of the petiole and analyzed by GC-MS. The major components of the leaf essential oil were α-humulene (48.99%) and β-caryophyllene (30.08%), whereas α-humulene (36.69%) and n-Hexadecanoic acid (17.41%) were the main components of the swollen part of petiole. The antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH and phosphomolybdenum assays. Both of the essential oils exhibited poor to moderate antioxidant activity (DPPH assay, IC50 >1000 µg/mL). The phosphomolybdenum assay of the leaves (1.70±0.01 mg equivalent AAE/g) and swollen part petiole (1.85±0.03 mg equivalent AAE/g) essential oils showed moderate total antioxidant capacity. Both the oils exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria. The present study is a experimental proof of the previous attempts on ethnobotanical investigations carried out among Kani tribes of Agasthymalai Biosphere Reserve.

The Complete Chloroplast Genome of Trichopus zeylanicus, And Phylogenetic Analysis with Dioscoreales.

We presents the first chloroplast genome from the genus Trichopus. Comparative analysis revealed that the IR regions are more conserved than the SC regions. Highly divergent sequence hot spots were identified, which could be used as molecular markers. Phylogenetic analysis gave insight into the evolutionary history of Trichopus zeylanicus. In this study, we determined the complete sequence of the chloroplast genome of an important, rare, and endangered medicinal plant, Trichopus zeylanicus. The analysis of the genome showed that the complete chloroplast genome of Trichopus zeylanicus is 153,497 bp in size, and has a quadripartite structure with a large single copy of 81,091 bp and a small single copy of 17,512 bp separated by inverted repeats of 27,447 bp. Sequence analysis revealed that the chloroplast genome encodes 112 unique genes, including 78 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. We also identified 95 simple sequence repeats and 54 long repeats including 34 forward repeats, seven inverted repeats, nine palindromes, three reverse repeats, and one complementary repeat within the chloroplast genome of Trichopus zeylanicus. Whole chloroplast genome comparison with those of other Dioscoreales indicated that the inverted regions are more conserved than large single copy and small single copy regions. In the phylogenetic trees based on complete chloroplast genome and 78 shared chloroplast protein-coding genes in 15 monocot species, including 14 Dioscoreales, Trichopus zeylanicus formed a distinct clade. In summary, the first chloroplast genome from the genus Trichopus reported in this study gave a better insight into the phylogenetic relationships of different genera within the order Dioscoreales. Moreover, the present data will be a valuable chloroplast genomic resource for population genetics.

High Quality Draft Genome of Arogyapacha (Trichopus zeylanicus), an Important Medicinal Plant Endemic to Western Ghats of India.

Arogyapacha, the local name of Trichopus zeylanicus, is a rare, indigenous medicinal plant of India. This plant is famous for its traditional use as an instant energy stimulant. So far, no genomic resource is available for this important plant and hence its metabolic pathways are poorly understood. Here, we report on a high-quality draft assembly of approximately 713.4 Mb genome of T. zeylanicus, first draft genome from the genus Trichopus. The assembly was generated in a hybrid approach using Illumina short-reads and Pacbio longer-reads. The total assembly comprised of 22601 scaffolds with an N50 value of 433.3 Kb. We predicted 34452 protein coding genes in T. zeylanicus genome and found that a significant portion of these predicted genes were associated with various secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways. Comparative genome analysis revealed extensive gene collinearity between T. zeylanicus and its closely related plant species. The present genome and annotation data provide an essential resource to speed-up the research on secondary metabolism, breeding and molecular evolution of T. zeylanicus.

Population status and floral biology of Trichopus zeylanicus ssp. travancoricus Burkill ex K. Narayanan (Dioscoreaceae), an important ethnomedicinal plant of the southern Western Ghats, India

Trichopus zeylanicus ssp. travancoricus is locally known in Tamil Nadu as Arogyapachai, meaning a plant that provides good health and vitality. The unripe fruits of the plant are highly rejuvenating and are used by the Kani Tribe to ameliorate fatigue. This subspecies is also known for its pharmacological and medicinal utility and possesses choleretic, aphrodisiac, hepatoprotective, mast cell stabilizing, adaptogenic, and cardioprotective properties. A study was attempted to understand the population status and floral biology of T. zeylanicus ssp. travancoricus in its natural habitat. The population of this herb was found to be severely fragmented and settled in shaded banks of streams and rivulets in Agasthyamalai Hills. Being a rhizomatous herb, its flowers are concealed by its broad leaves, thus preventing exposure to pollinators. The number of pollinating agents in the flowers was reported as meager. The fruits are capsules with two to six seeds, each having a hard seed coat with a projected endosperm. Therefore, the conventional propagation of the subspecies is not so successful due to its poor seed set and prolonged maturation time. In addition, the fruits are damaged by rodents, livestock, and collection for medicinal usage, which severely affect the population status of the plant. Sustainable use of this wonder herb is important for its conservation in its natural habitat.

Investigation of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties of Leaf, Root, Fruit and Stem Extracts of Trichopus zeylanicus from South India

Objective: To investigate the total phenols, flavonoids and carotenoids content, antioxidant and antibacterial potential profile of leaf, root, fruit and stem extracts of the Trichopus zeylanicus with five major solvents, that is, water, methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and petroleum ether. Results: The total phenols, flavonoids and carotenoids contents of fruit methanol extract of T.zeylanicus was found to be 85.15±0.223 mg catechol equivalent per gram, 165.5622±1.236 mg quercetin equivalent per gram and 84.47273 ±0.531 mg β-Carotein equivalent per gram respectively which are higher than the activity of other extracts. The methanol extracts showed more reducing power, metal chelating activity, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and phosphomolybdenum assays than other extracts and their activity increased with increasing concentration of extracts. The hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of fruit methanol extract is quite comparable to the standard mannitol of the assay and its antibacterial potential is the best way to cope with infectious action of bacteria. Conclusion: The remarkable activity showed by the plant extracts could be attributed to the synergic effect of the active compounds present in it. Among the extracts, methanol was found to be the better solvent to extract natural products to get maximum medicinal benefits.

Evaluation of Immunomodulatory Activity of the Alkaloid Fraction of Trichopus zeylanicus Gaertn on Experimental Animals.

Trichopus zeylanicus Gaertn, (Trichopodaceae) is also known as "Arogyappacha" meaning the greener of health by tribal inhabitants (Kani tribes). This plant used as health tonic and rejuvenator. The whole plant material of Trichopus zeylanicus is defatted and successively extracted with methanol. The alkaloid fraction of Trichopus zeylanicus was obtained from methanol extract. Up to the dose of 2000 mg/kg b.w. per orally alkaloid fraction of Trichopus zeylanicus did not show any mortality or toxicity. Immunomodulatory activity of alkaloid fraction of Trichopus zeylanicus Gaertn was evaluated using various in vivo models including neutrophil adhesion test, delayed type hypersensitivity reaction, and effect on hematological parameter like, total white blood cell's, red blood cell's and hemoglobin and cyclophosphamide induce immunosupression. Sheep red blood cells were used to immunized the animals. The percentage of neutrophils adhesion to the nylon fiber was dose dependently increased in alkaloid fraction of Trichopus zeylanicus75, 150 and 300 mg/kg, p.o treated groups (50.57, 52.99 and 54.21%), respectively compared to control group. A dose dependent potentiating of delayed type hypersensitivity reaction induced by sheep red blood cells was also observed from the alkaloid fraction of Trichopus zeylanicus. On chronic administration of alkaloid fraction of Trichopus zeylanicus (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg. p.o.) caused significant (P<0.001) increased in hematological parameter like, total white blood cell's, red blood cell's and hemoglobin. Alkaloid fraction of Trichopus zeylanicus also prevented the myelosupression in mice treated cyclophosphamide (30 mg/kg, p.o.). The result of present investigation suggested that alkaloid fraction of Trichopus zeylanicus stimulate defense system by modulating several immunological parameters.

Beneficial effect of Trichopus zeylanicus extract on mercuric chloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The present study aimed to determine the effect of Trichopus zeylanicus leaf extract (TZ Et) on mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced liver toxicity in rats. Wistar albino male rats were divided into four groups. Group I was administered physiological saline as a vehicle control. Group II was administered HgCl2 (0.4 mg/kg body weight/day) intraperitoneally for 20 days. Groups III and IV were administered TZ Et orally (100 mg/kg body weight/day) for 20 days with or without intraperitoneal administration of HgCl2. Serum hepatic marker enzymes, enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants, liver functional markers, lipid peroxidation, and liver histology were evaluated. The toxic effect of HgCl2 was indicated by the significantly (p<0.05) increased serum marker enzymes, liver functional markers, and lipid peroxidation. The activities of enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants were significantly (p<0.05) decreased. TZ Et significantly (p<0.05) prevented these pathological alterations as observed by histology. The present study concludes that TZ Et has the ability to alleviate the hepatotoxic effects caused by HgCl2 in rats.

Neurobiology of Fatigue and its Botanical Treatment

Chronic fatigue is a multifaceted illness and is considered to be the seventh most common symptom in primary healthcare. Biology of fatigue is one of the least understood conditions in the medical science. Fatigue is most often chronic and at times severe in intensity. Chronic fatigue, either by itself or associated with other diseases, reduces quality of life and negatively affects personal, occupational and social activities. Chronic fatigue often occurs in aging and in various neurological, psychiatric, and systemic diseases including in aging, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS, cancer, depression, and HIV infection. There is no safe and proven modern drug for fatigue. The kani, a high altitude living tribe in southern India traditionally use seeds of Trichopus zeylanicus (TZ) to enhance energy and to combat fatigue. The effectiveness of TZ whole plant powder on fatigue in normal, aged, animal model of aging and Parkinson's disease fatigue animal model was investigated. TZ (250 and 500 mg/kg) treated young Sprague-Dawley rats resisted fatigue at a significant level (p < 0.005) compared to controls by extended swim time in forced swim test. Oral TZ (500 mg/kg) treatment for two weeks significantly increased the mobility time in the aged mutant (p < 0.05) and normal mice (p < 0.01) and significantly increased swim time in the forced swim test in the aged normal mice (p < 0.05). Amphetamine-mimetic activity in TZ was excluded by suitable studies. Further studies showed that TZ contains NADH, polyphenols and sulfhydryl compounds, which have the ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species suggesting that the antioxidant activity may be an important mechanism of action of TZ to combat fatigue. TZ also possess significant and DNA protecting properties. Thus, TZ has potential to be developed as a safe and effective anti-fatigue drug.

Trichopus zeylanicus combats fatigue without amphetamine‐mimetic activity

Chronic fatigue is a complex and little understood symptom for which there is no safe and effective pharmacotherapy. The present study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of Trichopus zeylanicus whole plant powder on fatigue in young Sprague Dawley rats, and aged normal and long-living mutant Ames dwarf mice. Fatigue was evaluated by subjecting the animals to a forced swim test. Trichopus zeylanicus (250 and 500 mg/kg) treated young Sprague-Dawley rats resisted fatigue at a significant level (p < 0.005) compared with controls by an extended swim time in the forced swim test. Oral Trichopus zeylanicus (500 mg/kg) treatment for 2 weeks significantly increased the mobility time in the aged mutant (p < 0.05) and normal mice (p < 0.01) and significantly increased the swim time in the forced swim test in the aged normal mice (p < 0.05). Amphetamine-mimetic activity in Trichopus zeylanicus was excluded by suitable tests. These results show that Trichopus zeylanicus whole plant powder has anti-fatigue effects in young Sprague-Dawley rats and aged normal and mutant Ames dwarf mice providing scientific evidence for the Kani tribal practice in India.

Antioxidant and DNA protecting properties of anti‐fatigue herb Trichopus zeylanicus

Chronic fatigue is considered a complex symptom for which currently there is no curative treatment available. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the etiology of fatigue and antioxidant treatment might be a valuable therapeutic approach. The Kani, a tribal high altitude living population in southern India, traditionally use the seeds of Trichopus zeylanicus to combat fatigue. In this study, the antioxidant properties of Trichopus zeylanicus were established on free radicals (DPPH and ABTS), its ability to reduce iron, lipoxygenase activity and hydrogen peroxide-induced lipid peroxidation. The effects of Trichopus zeylanicus on reactive oxygen species induced plasmid DNA (pBR322) cleavage were also investigated. Trichopus zeylanicus significantly scavenged free radicals, reduced lipid peroxidation and inhibited lipoxygenase activity. Trichopus zeylanicus also exhibited iron-chelating activity and inhibited reactive oxygen species induced DNA damage. Trichopus zeylanicus contains NADH, polyphenols and sulfhydryl compounds, which have the ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species suggesting that the antioxidant activity may be an important mechanism of action of Trichopus zeylanicus to combat fatigue.

Adrenocorticosterone alterations in male, albino mice treated with Trichopus zeylanicus, Withania somnifera and Panax ginseng preparations.

The levels of corticosterone were estimated by the HPLC method in the adrenal glands of stressed (5 h constant swimming) male albino mice treated with Trichopus zeylanicus, Withania somnifera and Panax ginseng preparations and compared with non-treated stressed and normal controls. The treatments increased the corticosterone levels in all the groups. The physical endurance (increased survival time) of swimming mice also increased in all the treated groups, except in the group treated with Withania somnifera powder (500 mg/kg, p.o.).

Inhibition of antigen-induced degranulation of sensitized mast cells by Trichopus zeylanicus in mice and rats

Treatment of mice with Trichopus zeylanicus leaf resulted in inhibition of antigen-induced degranulation of sensitized peritoneal mast cells. Further, it reduced the ratio of mast cells in the peritoneal exudate cells. The plant drug treatment did not protect mice from E. coli-induced abdominal sepsis. Studies in rats using mesenteric mast cells confirmed the above mast cell-stabilizing property of T. zeylanicus. This activity was found in the butanol fraction of methanol extract of T. zeylanicus leaf. The treatment with this fraction also reduced the number of rat mesenteric mast cells. However, the in vitro treatment of the mast cells with the butanol fraction did not inhibit antigen-induced degranulation of the mast cells.

Cytological Studies in Dioscoreaceae

Cytological studies of ten species and a few varieties of Dioscorea and the monotypic genus Trichopus occurring in South India have been made. The chromosome numbers of South Indian Dioscorea species are seen to occur in multiples of the basic number 10 (40, 60, 80, 90, 100), as in the case of other Asiatic species reported previously. Trichopus zeylanicus (n=14, 2n=28) shows a basic number of 14 not found in any other genus of the Dioscoreaceae so far studied. Cytological data support morphological and anatomical evidence suggesting creation of a separate family for the genus Trichopus.