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Journal of Ethnopharmacology Oct 2023Although lettuce is traditionally known to have hypnotic and sedative effects, to date, only a few studies have documented its sleep-promoting effects and elucidated the...
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Although lettuce is traditionally known to have hypnotic and sedative effects, to date, only a few studies have documented its sleep-promoting effects and elucidated the related mechanisms.
AIM OF THE STUDY
We aimed to investigate the sleep-promoting activity of Heukharang lettuce leaf extract (HLE) with increased lactucin content, known as a sleep-promoting substance in lettuce, in animal models.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
To evaluate the effect of HLE on sleep behavior, analysis of electroencephalogram (EEG), gene expression of brain receptors, and activation mechanisms using antagonists were investigated in rodent models.
RESULTS
High-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that HLE contained lactucin (0.78 mg/g of extract) and quercetin-3-glucuronide (1.3 mg/g of extract). In the pentobarbital-induced sleep model, the group administered 150 mg/kg of HLE showed a 47.3% increase in sleep duration time as compared to the normal group (NOR). The EEG analysis showed that the HLE significantly increased non-rapid eye movement (NREM), where delta waves were improved by 59.5% when compared to the NOR, resulting in increased sleep time. In the caffeine-induced arousal model, HLE significantly decreased the awake time increased by caffeine administration (35.5%) and showed a similar level to NOR. In addition, HLE increased the gene and protein expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor type A (GABA), GABA type B, and 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 1A. In particular, in comparison to the NOR, the group administered 150 mg/kg HLE showed an increase in expression levels of GABA and protein by 2.3 and 2.5 times, respectively. When the expression levels were checked using GABA receptor antagonists, HLE showed similar levels to NOR, as the sleep duration was reduced by flumazenil (45.1%), a benzodiazepine antagonist.
CONCLUSIONS
HLE increased NREM sleep and significantly improved sleep behavior due to its action on the GABA receptors. The collective findings suggest that HLE can be used as a novel sleep-enhancing agent in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
Topics: Animals; Receptors, GABA-A; Lactuca; Caffeine; Plant Extracts; Sleep; Hypnotics and Sedatives; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
PubMed: 37149068
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116602 -
PloS One 2023The current study is designed to synthesize gold nanoparticles using Ajuga bracteosa extract, which is a highly known medicinal herb found in the northern Himalayas. The...
The current study is designed to synthesize gold nanoparticles using Ajuga bracteosa extract, which is a highly known medicinal herb found in the northern Himalayas. The synthesized gold nanoparticles were initially characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, SEM, FTIR, pXRD, and, GC-MS. Antibacterial efficacy of A. bracteosa extract, AuNps, and AuNps-free supernatant activity was checked against highly pathogenic clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa via agar well diffusion method, assuming that supernatant might have active compounds. The Nps-free supernatant showed the maximum antibacterial activity against E. coli (20.8±0.3 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (16.5±0.5), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13±0.6). While green synthesized AuNps showed effective antibacterial activity (Escherichia coli (16.4±0.3mm), Staphylococcus aureus (15.05±0.5mm), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.07±0.6mm)) which was high compared to A. bracteosa extract. Anticancer activity was assessed by MTT assay on U87 and HEK293 cell lines. Aj-AuNps have an antigrowth effect on both the cell lines however Aj-AuNps-free supernatant which was also evaluated along with the Aj-AuNps, showed high toxicity toward HEK293 cell line compared to U87. Further, the GC-MS analysis of supernatant showed the presence of resultant toxic compounds after the reduction of gold salt, which include Trichloromethane, Propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester, Methyl isovalerate, Pentanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-, Benzene-propanoic acid, and alpha-hydroxy. Based on the observation small molecular weight ligands of Ajuga bracteosa were analyzed in-silico for their binding efficacy towards selected membrane proteins of our target pathogens. RMSD is also calculated for the best docked protein ligand pose. The results revealed that among all listed ligands, Ergosterol and Decacetylajugrin IV have high virtuous binding affinities towards the membrane proteins of targeted pathogens. The current findings revealed that the Aj-AuNps are good antibacterial as well as anticancerous agents while the Nps-free supernatant is also exceedingly effective against resistant pathogens and cancer cell lines.
Topics: Humans; Ajuga; Propionates; Gold; Escherichia coli; Ligands; HEK293 Cells; Metal Nanoparticles; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Staphylococcus aureus; Plant Extracts; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Green Chemistry Technology
PubMed: 37549158
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282485 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023is a singular halophyte that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and allelopathic properties. In the work presented herein, we have characterized its...
is a singular halophyte that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and allelopathic properties. In the work presented herein, we have characterized its inflorescences hydromethanolic extract and assessed its antifungal activity for the pre- and postharvest management of tomato crop diseases. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry characterization of the extract showed that 4-ethenyl-1,3-benzenediol, 2,3-dihydro-benzofuran, quinic acid, 3,5-dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxy-2-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 1,6-anhydro--D-glucopyranose, catechol, scopoletin, and maltol were the main constituents. The co-occurrence of pyranones, benzenediols, and quinic acids as phytoconstituents of extract resulted in promising in vitro minimum inhibitory concentrations of 500, 375, 500, 187.5, 187.5, and 375 μg·mL against mycelia of , f. sp. , and , respectively. Further, to assess the potential of inflorescence extract for postharvest tomato crop protection, ex situ tests were conducted against , obtaining high protection at a dose of 750 μg·mL. Taking into consideration that the demonstrated activity is among the highest reported to date for plant extracts and comparable to that of the synthetic fungicides tested as positive controls, inflorescence extract may be put forward as a promising biorational and may deserve further testing in field-scale studies.
Topics: Helichrysum; Inflorescence; Solanum lycopersicum; Plant Extracts; Fusarium; Disease Management; Plant Diseases
PubMed: 37570830
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155861 -
Planta Medica Mar 2024, a plant native to tropical and subtropical Asia, has a vast range of traditional uses and has been continuously studied for its medicinal properties. However, a... (Review)
Review
, a plant native to tropical and subtropical Asia, has a vast range of traditional uses and has been continuously studied for its medicinal properties. However, a systematic methodological approach in evidence synthesis on the plant's efficacy is lacking, and there is a need to elicit the current research status of this plant. This scoping review was conducted to systematically explore and collate the available scientific evidence on the efficacy of and its main phytoconstituents in various formulations, their biological mechanisms, and their safety. Results included 54 articles consisting of animal studies, while there were no published human studies. Only half of the included studies provided adequate reporting on the quality-related details of formulations. Identified pharmacological activities were analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-neoplastic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antipyretic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, gastroprotective, and locomotor-reducing activities. Notably, the ethanolic extract of was found to be well tolerated for up to 28 days. In conclusion, and zerumbone have various pharmacological effects, especially in analgesic and anti-inflammatory models. However, there is still a pressing need for comprehensive safety data to conduct clinical trials.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Plant Extracts; Zingiberaceae; Antioxidants; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Analgesics
PubMed: 38035621
DOI: 10.1055/a-2219-9801 -
Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and... Dec 2024The Libyan Strawberry, Pampan (ARB), is an endemic Jebel Akhdar plant used for traditional medicine. This study presents the antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties...
The Libyan Strawberry, Pampan (ARB), is an endemic Jebel Akhdar plant used for traditional medicine. This study presents the antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of ARB fruit-extract. ARB phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of 354.54 GAE and 36.2 RE of the phenolics and flavonoids. LC-MS analysis identified 35 compounds belonging to phenolic acids, procyanidins, and flavonoid glycosides. Gallic acid, procyanidin dimer B3, β-type procyanidin trimer C, and quercetin-3-O-glucoside were the major constituents of the plant extract. ARB administration to paracetamol (PAR)-intoxicated rats reduced serum ALT, AST, bilirubin, hepatic tissue MDA and proinflammatory markers; TNF-α and IL-6 with an increase in tissue GSH level and SOD activity. Histological and immunohistochemical studies revealed that ARB restored the liver histology and significantly reduced the tissue expression of caspase 3, IL-1B, and NF-KB in PAR-induced liver damage. Docking analysis disclosed good binding affinities of some compounds with XO, COX-1, 5-LOX, and PI3K.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Antioxidants; Fruit; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Plant Extracts; Liver; Flavonoids; Oxidative Stress
PubMed: 38153110
DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2293639 -
Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2023Allelopathy is seen as one of the possible factors that favor the invasion of exotic plants in the environment, as these species, by releasing allelochemicals, can...
Allelopathy is seen as one of the possible factors that favor the invasion of exotic plants in the environment, as these species, by releasing allelochemicals, can negatively interfere with the establishment of native plants, facilitating the growth and dissemination of invasive exotic plants. This study aimed to verify the possible allelopathic effects of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit (leucaena) on native tree species Pterogyne nitens Tul. and Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub., via laboratory bioassays. We used Petri dishes containing seeds of native species and aqueous extract of leucaena leaves with 2, 4, 8, 10 and 20% concentrations (m/v) for germination tests and estimated the percentage, mean time, and germination speed index at the end of the germination period. For initial growth, we kept the Petri dishes containing aqueous leucaena extract and germinated seeds of native species in a germination chamber at 25 °C, and after 48 hours we obtained the length of the primary root, hypocotyl, and fresh and dry biomass of the seedlings. We obtained the a, b, and total chlorophyll and carotenoid content of seedling leaves kept in the aqueous extract at different concentrations. We verified the content of total phenolic compounds in mg/L from the aqueous leucaena extracts. Both native species showed a reduction in the percentage and germination speed index when in contact with the aqueous leucaena extracts at the highest concentrations. The initial growth of native species was also negatively affected, and P. nitens showed a reduction of all growth parameters analyzed in all concentrations of the aqueous extract. P. dubium showed a reduction in growth, especially at the highest concentrations. The effects can be associated with phenolic compounds present in leucaena extracts, and we found the highest total phenolic content in the extract with the highest concentration. The results show the allelopathic potential of leucaena, which may contribute to this plant ability to settle in natural areas.
Topics: Allelopathy; Fabaceae; Seedlings; Germination; Biomass; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37851768
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.272274 -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Oct 2023Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women, and medicinal plants can prevent and play an inhibitory role for cancer. This study aims to evaluate the anticancer...
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women, and medicinal plants can prevent and play an inhibitory role for cancer. This study aims to evaluate the anticancer effect of colchicum autumnale L. Corm on breast cancer cell models.
METHODS
In this study, the alkaloid-rich extract was prepared using the percolation method and with methanol/water solvent (70:30). HFF2 normal cell line and MCF-7 breast cancer cell line were cultured in microplates (96 wells). Then cells were treated with concentrations of 62.5 to 2000 ng/ml of extract and concentrations of 62 to 1000 ng/ml of doxorubicin at regular intervals of 48 and 72 h, and the percentage of cell growth inhibition was calculated. Cytotoxicity of drugs was measured by the MTT assay method. IC50 values were calculated by Calcusyn software. Also, the P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant.
RESULTS
Alkaloid-rich extract of Colchicum autumnale plant inhibited breast cancer cell growth (MCF-7). The IC50 parameter showed more cytotoxic effects of Colchicum autumnale plant extract on the MCF-7 cancer cell line than HFF2 normal cell line for 48 and 72 h. In addition, with higher concentrations of the extract, cytotoxicity, and growth inhibitory effect increased significantly and in comparison to the doxorubicin was almost the same as cytotoxic.
CONCLUSION
This research provides a novel view into the development of new drugs for the treatment of cancer diseases. Colchicum autumnale plant extract had a significant cytotoxic effect like Doxorubicin drug on breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), which can alternatively treat and prevent breast cancer.
Topics: Female; Humans; Colchicum; Breast Neoplasms; Antineoplastic Agents; Plant Extracts; Doxorubicin; Alkaloids
PubMed: 37805533
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04189-0 -
Scientific Reports Aug 2023The plants that we use as food in our daily diet and as risk preventers against many diseases have many biological and pharmacological activities. The heat treatments...
The plants that we use as food in our daily diet and as risk preventers against many diseases have many biological and pharmacological activities. The heat treatments applied during the cooking of the plants cause changes in the phytochemical content and bioactivity. In this study, the phytochemical fingerprint and biological activities of raw and heat-treated extracts of Ornithogalum umbellatum L., which is widely consumed in the Black Sea region, were investigated. The bulb and leaf parts of the plant consumed as food were dried in an oven at 35 °C and then ground into powder. For heat treatment, the plant was boiled at 100 °C for 20 min. Differences in phytochemical contents of raw and heat-treated extracts were determined by ICP-MS, LC-MS/MS, and FTIR analysis. Biological activity was investigated with antiradical, antimicrobial, antimutagenic and antiproliferative activity tests. In this way, the effect of heat treatment on both the phytochemical content and biological activity of the O. umbellatum extract was determined. Gallic acid, procateuic acid and caffeic acid were found as the main compounds in the O. umbellatum extract, while the presence of procateuic aldehyde, vanillin and kaempferol in minor proportions was determined. There was a significant decrease in phenolic compound levels after heat treatment and gallic acid content decreased by 92.6%, procateuic acid content by 90% and caffeic acid content by 84.8%. Significant differences were detected in macro and micro element levels after heat treatment in ICP-MS results. While Cd, Ba and Zn levels of the raw extract increased; Na, Mg, K, Fe, U, Co levels decreased significantly. In FTIR spectrum, shifts and disappearances were observed in some of the vibrations and the emergence of new vibrations was also determined after heat treatment. Raw extract exhibited strong scavenging activity against HO and DPPH and had a broad spectrum antimicrobial property. As a result of heat application, regressions were detected in antiradicalic, antibacterial and antifungal activities. Antimutagenic and antiproliferative activities were determined by the Allium test and a significant decrease in both activities and loss of activity against some chromosomal abnormalities were determined after heat treatment. While the antiproliferative activity of the raw extract was 20%, the activity of the heat-treated extract decreased to 7.6%. The raw extract showed the strongest antimutagenic effect with 69.8% against the unequal distribution of chromatin. Similarly, the antimutagenic activity of the extract, which reduced the bridges by 56.1%, decreased to 0.74% after heat treatment and almost lost its antimutagenic activity. The biological activities of raw O. umbellatum are closely related to the major compounds it contains, and the decrease in the levels of these compounds with the effect of heat was reflected in the activity. Studies investigating the phytochemical contents of plants are very important and the studies investigating biological activities related to phytochemical content are more remarkable. In this study, the phytochemical fingerprint of O. umbellatum was determined, its biological activities were related to the compounds it contained, and the biological activity was found to be heat sensitive.
Topics: Hot Temperature; Ornithogalum; Chromatography, Liquid; Hydrogen Peroxide; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37612432
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41057-w -
PeerJ 2024Malaria has been appraised as a significant vector-borne parasitic disease with grave morbidity and high-rate mortality. Several challenges have been confronting the...
BACKGROUND
Malaria has been appraised as a significant vector-borne parasitic disease with grave morbidity and high-rate mortality. Several challenges have been confronting the efficient diagnosis and treatment of malaria.
METHOD
Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB) were all used to gather articles.
RESULTS
Diverse biochemical and physiological indices can mirror complicated malaria e.g., hypoglycemia, dyslipidemia, elevated renal and hepatic functions in addition to the lower antioxidant capacity that does not only destroy the parasite but also induces endothelial damage. Multiple trials have been conducted to improve recent points of care in malaria involving biosensors, lap on-chip, and microdevices technology. Regarding recent therapeutic trials, chemical falcipain inhibitors and plant extracts with anti-plasmodial activities are presented. Moreover, antimalaria nano-medicine and the emergence of nanocarrier (either active or passive) in drug transportation are promising. The combination therapeutic trials e.g., amodiaquine + artemether + lumefantrine are presented to safely counterbalance the emerging drug resistance in addition to the Tafenoquine as a new anti-relapse therapy.
CONCLUSION
Recognizing the pathophysiology indices potentiate diagnosis of malaria. The new points of care can smartly manipulate the biochemical and hematological alterations for a more sensitive and specific diagnosis of malaria. Nano-medicine appeared promising. Chemical and plant extracts remain points of research.
Topics: Humans; Antimalarials; Malaria, Falciparum; Artemisinins; Malaria; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38529311
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17084 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2023Oxidative stress has been associated with different diseases, and different medicinal plants have been used to treat or prevent this condition. The leaf ethanolic...
Oxidative stress has been associated with different diseases, and different medicinal plants have been used to treat or prevent this condition. The leaf ethanolic extract (EE) and aqueous extract (AE) from have previously been characterized to have antioxidant potential in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we worked with EE and AE and two partition phases, AF (ethyl acetate) and BF (butanol), from AE extract. These extracts and partition phases did not display cytotoxicity. The EE and AE reduced NO production and ROS in all three concentrations tested. Furthermore, it was observed that EE and AE at 500 μg/mL concentration were able to reduce phagocytic activity by 30 and 50%, respectively. A scratch assay using a fibroblast cell line (NHI/3T3) showed that extracts and fractions induced cell migration with 60% wound recovery within 24 h, especially for BF. It was also observed that AF and BF had antioxidant potential in all the assays evaluated. In addition, copper chelation was observed. This activity was previously not detected in AE. The HPLC-DAD analysis showed the presence of phenolic compounds such as -cumaric acid and vitexin for extracts, while the GNPS annotated the presence of isoorientin, vitexin, kanakugiol, and tryptamine in the BF partition phase. The data presented here demonstrated that the EE, AE, AF, and BF of have potential immunomodulatory effects, antioxidant effects, as well as in vitro wound healing characteristics, which are important for dynamic inflammation process control.
Topics: Antioxidants; Wound Healing; Oxidative Stress; Phenols; Cell Line; Plant Extracts; Ethanol; Plant Leaves
PubMed: 37958868
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115885