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International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2024For a long time, traditional medicine has relied on the use of medicinal plants and herbal products which have served as the basis for numerous pharmaceuticals. (Jacq)... (Review)
Review
For a long time, traditional medicine has relied on the use of medicinal plants and herbal products which have served as the basis for numerous pharmaceuticals. (Jacq) R.Br.ex. G. Don., commonly called the African locust bean tree, is a perennial deciduous plant native to West Africa where it is highly esteemed for its nutritional and traditional medicinal benefits. 's ethnomedicinal uses include microbial infections such as diarrhea and chronic diseases like hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This article presents the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying 's biological effects. An electronic database search was conducted using and its synonyms as keywords in Scientific Electronic Library Online, ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Consistently, scientific research has confirmed the medicinal effects of the plant's extracts and active phytochemicals, including antimicrobial, analgesic, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, and neuroprotective properties, among others. It highlights the contributions of identified innate phytochemicals and existing limitations to therapeutic applications, as well as the need for and prospects for further research. Advancing our understanding of the medicinal plant's biological mechanisms and the contributions of the active phytochemicals would allow for more effective exploration of its vast pharmacological potential and facilitate clinical applications.
Topics: Humans; Fabaceae; Plant Extracts; Phytochemicals; Animals; Plants, Medicinal; Medicine, African Traditional
PubMed: 38673307
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21040394 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Dec 2023The aggressive and incurable diffuse gliomas constitute 80% of malignant brain tumors, and patients succumb to recurrent surgeries and drug resistance. Epidemiological...
The aggressive and incurable diffuse gliomas constitute 80% of malignant brain tumors, and patients succumb to recurrent surgeries and drug resistance. Epidemiological research indicates that substantial consumption of fruits and vegetables diminishes the risk of developing this tumor type. Broccoli consumption has shown beneficial effects in both cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. These effects are partially attributed to the isothiocyanate sulforaphane (SFN), which can regulate the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway, stimulate detoxifying enzymes, and activate cellular antioxidant defense processes. This study employs a C6 rat glioma model to assess the chemoprotective potential of aqueous extracts from broccoli seeds, sprouts, and inflorescences, all rich in SFN, and pure SFN as positive control. The findings reveal that administering a dose of 100 mg/kg of broccoli sprout aqueous extract and 0.1 mg/kg of SFN to animals for 30 days before introducing 1 × 10 cells effectively halts tumor growth and progression. This study underscores the significance of exploring foods abundant in bioactive compounds, such as derivatives of broccoli, for potential preventive integration into daily diets. Using broccoli sprouts as a natural defense against cancer development might seem idealistic, yet this investigation establishes that administering this extract proves to be a valuable approach in designing strategies for glioma prevention. Although the findings stem from a rat glioma model, they offer promising insights for subsequent preclinical and clinical research endeavors.
Topics: Humans; Rats; Animals; Brassica; Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1; Plant Extracts; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Isothiocyanates; Glioma
PubMed: 37839110
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115720 -
Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology Jun 2024Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) possess unmatched chemical, biological, and physical properties that make them unique compounds as antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, and... (Review)
Review
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) possess unmatched chemical, biological, and physical properties that make them unique compounds as antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer agents. With the increasing drug resistance, AgNPs serve as promising entities for targeted drug therapy against several bacterial, fungal, and viral components. In addition, AgNPs also serve as successful anticancer agents against several cancers, including breast, prostate, and lung cancers. Several works in recent years have been done towards the development of AgNPs by using plant extracts like flowers, leaves, bark, root, stem, and whole plant parts. The green method of AgNP synthesis thus has several advantages over chemical and physical methods, especially the low cost of synthesis, no toxic byproducts, eco-friendly production pathways, can be easily regenerated, and the bio-reducing potential of plant derived nanoparticles. Furthermore, AgNPs are biocompatible and do not harm normally functioning human or host cells. This review provides an exhaustive overview and potential of green synthesized AgNPs that can be used as antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer agents. After a brief introduction, we discussed the recent studies on the development of AgNPs from different plant extracts, including leaf parts, seeds, flowers, stems, bark, root, and whole plants. In the following section, we highlighted the different therapeutic actions of AgNPs against various bacteria, fungi, viruses, and cancers, including breast, prostate, and lung cancers. We then highlighted the general mechanism of action of AgNPs. The advantages of the green synthesis method over chemical and physical methods were then discussed in the article. Finally, we concluded the review by providing future perspectives on this promising field in nanotechnology.
Topics: Silver; Metal Nanoparticles; Green Chemistry Technology; Humans; Anti-Infective Agents; Plant Extracts; Antineoplastic Agents
PubMed: 37668757
DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04719-z -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jan 2024Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. is an ancient traditional Chinese herb with a long history of medicinal use. The ethyl acetate extract of Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. (COE)...
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. is an ancient traditional Chinese herb with a long history of medicinal use. The ethyl acetate extract of Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. (COE) has been shown to have anti-tumor effects in various preclinical studies. However, the anti-invasive and metastatic efficacy of COE in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the mechanism by which COE regulates cellular oxidation levels are yet to be elucidated.
AIM
To study the anti-dissemination effect of COE on NSCLC and to elucidate the molecular mechanism of COE in regulating cellular oxidation levels and its effect on lung cancer invasion and metastasis.
METHODS
CCK-8 assay was used to detect the toxic effects of COE on NSCLC. Transwell assay and high-content imaging was used to detect the Motility of NSCLC. Transmission electron microscopy and three-dimensional (3D) imaging of mitochondrial fluorescence were employed to detect the number and structure of mitochondria. JC-1 probe was used to detect the level of mitochondrial membrane potential. Firefly luciferase assay was used to detect the level of total intracellular ATP. MitoSox probe and DCFH-DA probe were applied to detect the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside the mitochondria and the total intracellular ROS, respectively. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect protein expression in xenograft tumors.
RESULTS
COE inhibited motility and induced DJ-1 downregulation in NSCLC at low toxic concentrations, and the antiseptic effect of COE was reduced significantly after the overexpression of DJ-1. COE induced structural disruption of mitochondria in NSCLC and accumulation of superoxide compounds, decreased the volume of membrane potential depolarization, and impaired energy production, ultimately leading to a large accumulation of ROS at the cellular level. The antioxidant acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly reversed the antiseptic capacity of COE. In a xenograft tumor model, protein expression of DJ-1, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and MMP-2 in COE group was significantly changed compared to the model group.
CONCLUSION
In the present study, COE inhibited NSCLC invasion and metastasis and was associated with the downregulation of DJ-1 and elevated ROS. COE-mediated downregulation of DJ-1 may be the primary cause of mitochondrial structural and functional dysfunction in NSCLC, eventually leading to ROS accumulation.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Celastrus; Reactive Oxygen Species; Plant Extracts; Cell Line, Tumor; Lung Neoplasms; Mitochondria
PubMed: 37480966
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116944 -
TheScientificWorldJournal 2023The medicinal plant is traditionally used by people living in different communities of Nepal and the globe against diabetes, soft tissue wounds, skin infections,...
The medicinal plant is traditionally used by people living in different communities of Nepal and the globe against diabetes, soft tissue wounds, skin infections, diarrhea, malaria, and several other infectious diseases. The present study focuses on the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses and antioxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, and toxicity of the plant for assessing its pharmacological potential. The extracts of flowers, leaves, and stems were prepared using methanol and distilled water as the extracting solvents. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were estimated by using the Folin-Ciocalteu phenol reagent method and the aluminum chloride colorimetric method. Antioxidant and antidiabetic activities were assessed using the DPPH assay and -glucosidase inhibition assay. A brine shrimp assay was performed to study the toxicity, and the antibacterial activity test was performed by the agar well diffusion method. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, quinones, terpenoids, and coumarins as secondary metabolites. The methanol extract of leaves and flowers displayed the highest phenolic and flavonoid content with 182.26 ± 1.99 mg GAE/g, 128.57 ± 7.62 mg QE/g and 172.65 ± 0.48 mg GAE/g, 121.74 ± 7.06 mg QE/g, respectively. The crude extracts showed the highest DPPH free radical scavenging activity with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) of 32.81 ± 5.26 g/mL and 41.00 ± 1.10 g/mL, respectively. The methanol extract of the leaves was found to be effective against bacterial strains such as (ZOI = 9.67 ± 0.32 mm), (ZOI = 15.00 ± 0 mm), and (7.3 ± 0.32 mm). The methanol extract of the flowers showed the most -glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC 227.63 ± 11.38 g/mL), followed by the methanol extract of leaves (IC 249.50 ± 0.97 g/mL). The aqueous extract of the flowers showed the toxic effect with LC 107.31 ± 49.04 g/mL against the brine shrimp nauplii. In conclusion, was found to be a rich source of plant secondary metabolites such as phenolics and flavonoids with potential effects against bacterial infection, diabetes, and oxidative stress in humans. The toxicity study showed that the aqueous extract of flowers possesses pharmacological activities. This study supports the traditional use of the plant against infectious diseases and diabetes and provides some scientific validation.
Topics: Humans; Antioxidants; Methanol; Chromolaena; Escherichia coli; alpha-Glucosidases; Plant Extracts; Phenols; Flavonoids; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Phytochemicals; Water; Hypoglycemic Agents; Diabetes Mellitus; Communicable Diseases
PubMed: 37849963
DOI: 10.1155/2023/6689271 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Oct 2023Polygonum perfoliatum L. is an herbal medicine that has been extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various health conditions ranging from ancient...
Polygonum perfoliatum L. is an herbal medicine that has been extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various health conditions ranging from ancient internal to surgical and gynecological diseases. Numerous studies suggest that P. perfoliatum extract elicits significant anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral effects. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms of its anti-liver cancer effects remain poorly understood. Our study suggests that P. perfoliatum stem extract (PPLA) has a favorable safety profile and exhibits a significant anti-liver cancer effect both in vitro and in vivo. We identified that PPLA activates the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, and key regulatory genes including ADRA1B, PLCB2, PRKG2, CALML4, and GLO1 involved in this activation. Moreover, PPLA modulates the expression of genes responsible for the cell cycle. Additionally, we identified four constituents of PPLA, namely taxifolin, myricetin, eriodictyol, and pinocembrin, that plausibly act via the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that PPLA, along with its constituting compounds taxifolin, myricetin, and eriodictyol, exhibit potent anti-cancer activities and hold the promise of being developed into therapeutic agents.
Topics: Humans; Polygonum; Plants, Medicinal; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Liver Neoplasms; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37579693
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115315 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Jul 2023Plants are widely used in traditional medicine because they contain a high concentration of antimicrobial agents, serving as the foundation for medicines. The aim of...
INTRODUCTION
Plants are widely used in traditional medicine because they contain a high concentration of antimicrobial agents, serving as the foundation for medicines. The aim of this study was preliminary identification of phytochemicals and assesses the antimicrobial activity of extracts of Ferula communis root bark.
METHODS
Plant was collected, and standard qualitative procedures were conducted. The plant samples were extracted with 99.9% methanol and 80% ethanol. To identify phytochemicals found in plants, a preliminary phytochemical analysis was performed. Agar diffusion tests, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were performed to evaluate antibacterial activity.
RESULT
The preliminary phytochemical analysis of the ethanol and methanol extract revealed positive results for flavonoids, coumarins and tannins. Terpenoids and anthraquinones were detected only in the methanol extract. The extract of Ferula communis showed an antibacterial effect on both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria in a concentration-dependent manner. The average zone of inhibition for gram-positive bacteria was 11 mm, whereas for gram-negative bacteria, it was 9 mm. The MIC and MBC values also varied with the type of bacteria. In all bacterial species tested, the mean MBC value was similar to the MIC.
CONCLUSION
Different phytochemicals were detected in extracts of the root bark of F. communis and extracts showed antibacterial effects in a concentration-dependent manner. Therefore, further purification and evaluation of the extracts and antioxidant activity of the plant should be investigated.
Topics: Animals; Plant Extracts; Ferula; Apiaceae; Methanol; Plant Bark; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Phytochemicals; Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Ethanol
PubMed: 37392454
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1170 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023Among all cancers, lung cancer is the one with the highest mortality rate, and it also has limited therapeutics. Antitumor agents based on medicinal plants have gained...
Among all cancers, lung cancer is the one with the highest mortality rate, and it also has limited therapeutics. Antitumor agents based on medicinal plants have gained importance as a source of bioactive substances. is a plant of great cultural value, and recent reports have suggested its cytotoxic effects in tumor cells. Our objective was to evaluate the antitumor activity of extract in a lung carcinoma model. Hydroalcoholic extracts were obtained from fresh flowers and leaves of ; both extracts did not exert toxicity on . We observed cytotoxic effects induced by the floral extract in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) and breast tumor cell line (MCF7), but not by the leaf extract. In vivo, a xenograft lung carcinoma model was performed with LLC cells implanted on C57BL/6 mice, which showed that the floral extract reduced tumor growth and improved the effect of etoposide. Microscopic analysis of tumors showed a reduction in mitoses and an increase in necrotic areas with the extract and the etoposide. The main phytochemical compounds found are 2,3-dihydro-benzofuran, octadecanoic acid, benzenacetic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and acetic acid. We conclude that the hydroalcoholic extract of . flowers has cytotoxic effects in lung carcinoma cells and enhances the effect of etoposide.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Tagetes; Lung Neoplasms; Plant Extracts; Etoposide; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Antineoplastic Agents; Lung; Carcinoma
PubMed: 37894532
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28207055 -
Advances in Colloid and Interface... Nov 2023This article provides an in-depth analysis of various fabrication methods of bimetallic nanoparticles (BNP), including chemical, biological, and physical techniques. The... (Review)
Review
A review of physical, chemical and biological synthesis methods of bimetallic nanoparticles and applications in sensing, water treatment, biomedicine, catalysis and hydrogen storage.
This article provides an in-depth analysis of various fabrication methods of bimetallic nanoparticles (BNP), including chemical, biological, and physical techniques. The review explores BNP's diverse uses, from well-known applications such as sensing water treatment and biomedical uses to less-studied areas like breath sensing for diabetes monitoring and hydrogen storage. It cites results from over 1000 researchers worldwide and >300 peer-reviewed articles. Additionally, the article discusses current trends, actionable recommendations, and the importance of synthetic analysis for industry players looking to optimize manufacturing techniques for specific applications. The article also evaluates the pros and cons of various fabrication methods, highlighting the potential of plant extract synthesis for mass production of capped BNPs. However, it warns that this method may not be suitable for certain applications requiring ligand-free surfaces. In contrast, physical methods like laser ablation offer better control and reactivity, especially for applications where ligand-free surfaces are critical. The report underscores the environmental benefits of plant extract synthesis compared to chemical methods that use hazardous chemicals and pose risks to extraction, production, and disposal. The article emphasizes the need for life cycle assessment (LCA) articles in the literature, given the growing volume of research on nanotechnology materials. This article caters to researchers at all stages and applies to various fields applying nanomaterials.
Topics: Metal Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Nanostructures; Catalysis; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37804661
DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2023.103010 -
The Journal of Veterinary Medical... Sep 2023Cadmium is a major environmental pollutant and a highly toxic metal. It was aimed to determine the effects of pomegranate peel extract (PPE), N-acetylcysteine (NAC)...
Cadmium is a major environmental pollutant and a highly toxic metal. It was aimed to determine the effects of pomegranate peel extract (PPE), N-acetylcysteine (NAC) alone and along with Ornipural on cadmium-induced toxicity. Forty-six Wistar Albino male rats were divided into 6 groups and the groups were formed into healthy control, Cadmium group (5 mg/kg/day, oral), Cadmium + Pomegranate peel extract (500 mg/kg, oral), Cadmium + N-acetylcysteine (100 mg/kg, oral), Cadmium + Pomegranate peel extract (500 mg/kg, oral) + Ornipural (1 mL/kg, subcutaneous) and Cadmium + N-acetylcysteine (100 mg/kg, oral) + Ornipural (1 mL/kg, subcutaneous). Cadmium accumulated heavily in both liver and kidney tissue. The administration of N-acetylcysteine and pomegranate peel extract alone reduced cadmium levels in both tissues. N-acetylcysteine treatment prevented the increase in ALT and MDA levels by cadmium damage. N-acetylcysteine + Ornipural treatment inhibited the increase in liver 8-OHdG level in the liver. N-acetylcysteine and N-acetylcysteine + Ornipural treatments prevented the reduced serum MMP2 level. N-acetylcysteine and Pomegranate peel extract + Ornipural treatments significantly reduced the increased liver iNOS level in the liver. In conclusion, NAC therapy may be a successful treatment option for cadmium toxicity. However, further research is needed on the effects of PPE and Ornipural combinations for the treatment of cadmium toxicity. In future studies, various doses of these treatment options (with chelators) should be investigated for cadmium toxicity.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Acetylcysteine; Antioxidants; Rats, Wistar; Cadmium; Pomegranate; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37495528
DOI: 10.1292/jvms.22-0375