Antioxidative and anti-α-amylase activities of four wild plants consumed by pastoral nomads in Egypt

SJ Hossain,M El-Sayed,H Aoshima 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2009 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.9 No.3

In this study, four plants grown naturally in Egypt that are usually consumed by pastoral nomads were screened for their total phenolic contents, antioxidative, and anti-α-amylase activities. Dried powder of plant’s part was extracted in absolute or 70% ethanol. A polar extract of Panicum turgidum (PTPE) had the highest total polyphenol content {92.5 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g}, followed by an alkaloid extract of Withania somnifera (WSAlk; 77.5 mg GAE/g), and an ethanol extract of Leptadenia pyrotechnica (LPEE; 59.1 mg GAE/g). By employing different assays such as DPPH radical scavenging, reducing power, Fe+ chelating, H2O2 scavenging and total antioxidant capacity, it was shown that PTPE, WSEE (ethanol extract of W. somnifera), WSAlk and LPEE had promising antioxidant activity, though, their potency varied according to the different tests. WSAlk had the highest level of α-amylase inhibition (40.2%) in vitro, followed by WSEE (30.5%). Therefore, it can be concluded that these plants, especially extracts of PTPE, and WSAlk are beneficial to physiological health, and could be used in food and pharmaceutical industries to prepare dietary supplements, functional foods or food preservatives. In this study, four plants grown naturally in Egypt that are usually consumed by pastoral nomads were screened for their total phenolic contents, antioxidative, and anti-α-amylase activities. Dried powder of plant’s part was extracted in absolute or 70% ethanol. A polar extract of Panicum turgidum (PTPE) had the highest total polyphenol content {92.5 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g}, followed by an alkaloid extract of Withania somnifera (WSAlk; 77.5 mg GAE/g), and an ethanol extract of Leptadenia pyrotechnica (LPEE; 59.1 mg GAE/g). By employing different assays such as DPPH radical scavenging, reducing power, Fe+ chelating, H2O2 scavenging and total antioxidant capacity, it was shown that PTPE, WSEE (ethanol extract of W. somnifera), WSAlk and LPEE had promising antioxidant activity, though, their potency varied according to the different tests. WSAlk had the highest level of α-amylase inhibition (40.2%) in vitro, followed by WSEE (30.5%). Therefore, it can be concluded that these plants, especially extracts of PTPE, and WSAlk are beneficial to physiological health, and could be used in food and pharmaceutical industries to prepare dietary supplements, functional foods or food preservatives.

Evaluation of hair growth properties of Topical Kombucha tea extracts

Alboreadi Mohammed Ayad,Al-Najdawi Manal Mamdouh,Jarrar Qais Bashir,Moshawih Said 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2022 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.22 No.1

Consuming functional foods and drinks such as kombucha tea is believed to give many beneficial effects for promoting immunity and preventing cancer. The fermented tea with sugar and symbiotic culture of yeast and bacteria is also useful in the topical application for hair re-growth. This study aims to investigate hair re-growth properties of kombucha black tea and chamomile with and without methylsulfonylmethane. Treatments were applied topically to denuded Balb/c mice and observed for hair growth initiation time, density and length in 15 and 30 days in addition to microbiological identification of the main yeast and bacteria. Results showed significantly better hair density and length in groups treated with kombucha black tea with and without MSM, followed by kombucha chamomile tea with and without MSM respectively. In addition, it has been found that MSM promotes hair growth significantly when combined with kombucha ferments. Microbiological analysis indicated the presence of Zygosaccharomyces bailii and Acetobacter genus in the tea broth. Black tea kombucha with MSM can be used as a natural alternative therapy for hair fall and a cost-effective treatment with fewer side effects compared to the synthetic drugs.

Essential oils and their pharmacotherapeutics applications in human diseases

Panda Sneha,Sahoo Soumya,Tripathy Kabita,Singh Yengkhom Disco,Sarma Mrinal Kumar,Babu Punuri Jayasekhar,Singh Mayanglambam Chandrakumar 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2022 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.22 No.1

Essential oils (EOs) are natural products obtained from different parts of a plant, such as flower, leaves, stems, fruits, seeds, roots, barks, or resin. It represents an important part of traditional pharmacopeia practices in healing of human ailments. It is used as raw materials in cosmetics, spices, foods, perfumes, and in treatment of several health disorders. There are several methods for extracting EOs from plants. They are the methods like hydro-distillation, steam distillation, hydro diffusion and cold pressing to name a few. The use of EOs as antimicrobial and pharmaceutical agents for curing various diseases has gained a considerable attraction of researchers in recent times. The complex mixture of EOs and their constituents have been reported to inhibit human pathogens, insects, and another harmful organism. The current review focusses on the chemical bioactive components of EOs, methods of extraction, chemical constituent, different plants as source of extraction and its application towards the treatment of various diseases in our day to day life, in vivo validation of essential oil, nanoformula- tion of essential oils

Evaluation of pharmacological potentials of the aerial part of Achyranthes aspera L.: in vivo, in vitro and in silico approaches

Emon Nazim Uddin,Alam Safaet,Rudra Sajib,Chowdhury Sabiha,Rajbangshi Joy Chandra,Ganguly Amlan 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2022 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.22 No.1

Achyranthes aspera L. (Prickly Chaff flower) is an imperative Asian herb that has been known for numerous healing powers. The aim of this research is to investigate the pharmacological i.e., antidepressant and anxiolytic properties of the methanol extract of aerial part of A. aspera (MEAA) by in vivo and in silico approaches. Additionally, thrombolytic potential of the crude extract has also been explored. The antidepressant and anxiolytic investigations were performed by force swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and hole board test (HBT) in mice, whereas clot lysis activity test was conducted using thrombolytic experimental method. Furthermore, in silico studies were appraised with Discovery studio, PyRx, UCSF Chimera whereas, PASS prediction, and ADME/T was implemented using online tools. Treatment with MEAA revealed significant (p < 0.05) reduction of immobility time in FST and TST, increased head dipping and decreased the latency of time in HBT. Besides, MEAA produced significant (p < 0.001) clot lysis activity at a minimum dose. In the computer-aided approach, among all the proteins, the docking score has been revealed ranging from − 2.31 kcal/mol to − 7.4 kcal/mol. Spathulenol, diazepam and hydroquinone showed the best binding affinity and all compounds were found safe in ADME/T study. The outcomes of this research demonstrate that MEAA may provide potential for mitigating depression, anxiety, and coagulation.

Gene expression profile of PM014 of immortalized mouse lung epithelial cells in response to the effect of PM014 on radiation‑induced fibrosis

신다솜,주경구,강미정,박세현,김연섭,배현수 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2019 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.19 No.1

Radiotherapy is a major method for cancer treatment, but it frequently causes various side effects such as radiation-induced pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis. Drugs to treat these side effects are urgently needed in the clinic, since there is no clearly defined medication for treating these symptoms. Previous studies demonstrated that the herbal formula, PM014, is effective for radiation-induced lung injury and fibrosis in mice. In this study, we investigated gene expression profiles to understand the mechanism of action behind the effects of PM014 on radiation induced damage in immortalized lung epithelial cells, MLE12. We performed QuantSeq 3′ mRNA-Seq analysis on the mRNA from radiation treated MLE-12 cells in the presence and absence of PM014. Transcriptome analysis found that 217 genes were significantly affected by PM014. Among them (217 genes, > twofold, p value < 0.05, 4 normalize), 77 genes were found to be upregulated, and 140 genes were downregulated in response to PM014 treatment in a dose dependent manner. Using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis, we found that genes involved in cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction pathways were the most strongly affected by PM014. Based on these data, we selected 20 genes, and performed real-time PCR. Expression of 11 genes, including IL-18, IL-12a, Tnfrsf9, IL-17, CCR5, Blnk, Irf8, Nrros, TGF-β, Relt, and Cxcl2 was increased after irradiation, while PM014 treatment showed the reversed expression pattern of these genes. Therefore, PM014 may be useful for the treatment of radiation induced lung injury by modulating genes involved in cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction pathway.

A traditional folk medicine in Malaysia: porcupine bezoar

Chu Shan Tan,Chiew Hoong Ng,Yean Chun Loh,Mun Fei Yam 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2019 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.19 No.2

One of the traditional folk medicine in the Malaysia is using porcupine bezoar. It was reported as universal medicine in ancient time. This bezoar has been a myth to the locals. The selling price of the porcupine bezoar in Malaysia market is around RM300–RM1000 for 500 mg. The widespread use of the bezoar as an alternative medicine for treatment of deadly illnesses in Malaysia was passed down from generations of the multi-diverse ethnicity environment that existed here. Additionally, porcupine bezoar was also known as lifesaver and used by patients with terminal illness. Porcupine bezoar was found in the gastrointestinal tract of porcupine and made up of indigestible plant matters. Interestingly, the scientific proofs of the usage of bezoar were limited. The chemical profile and the medicinal properties of the bezoar is still unknown. The main focus of this review paper is on the porcupine bezoar which can be found in Malaysia.

Ethanolic extract of Sophora japonica flower buds alleviates cognitive deficits induced by scopolamine in mice

Tung Thanh Bui,Hai Thanh Nguyen 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2017 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.17 No.4

Sophora japonica has been shown many beneficial pharmacological activities, including the neuroprotective effects. Flavonoids, isoflavonoids, triterpenes, alkaloids are bioactive compounds identified presence in Sophora japonica. The present study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of ethanolic extract of Sophora japonica flower buds on scopolamine (SCP)-induced cognitive deficits in mice. The modulatory effect of Sophora japonica on memory impairment was investigated using Y-maze and the Morris water maze tasks. Acetylcholine (ACh) levels and acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) activity were measured in brain tissue to investigate the cholinergic effect of Sophora japonica. Pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 (IL-10) were also evaluated in mice brain tissue to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Sophora japonica. Scopolamine induced the cognitive deficits in Y-maze and Morris water maze test along with reducing ACh level and increasing AChE activity and inflammation in brain tissue. Treatment with ethanolic extract of Sophora japonica flower buds reduced the SCP-induced memory impairment in both behavioral tests along with reducing inflammation and AChE activity, and increasing ACh level in brain tissue. Our data demonstrated that ethanolic extract of Sophora japonica flower buds enhanced cognitive deficits in mice induced by scopolamine, and it is a promising source for the treatment of Alzheimer.

Developments in taxol production through endophytic fungal biotechnology: a review

B. Shankar N 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2019 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.19 No.1

Paclitaxel (taxol), a diterpene natural compound was first extracted from the bark of yew trees. However, the method cannot meet its increasing demand on the market due to unprecedented yew cutting, low amounts of taxol production, the laborious and slow process of taxol extraction. Recently, efforts have been made to develop alternative means of taxol production. Microbial fermentation would be a promising method in the production of taxol at industrial scale. Fungal endophytes have the capacity to produce bioactive compounds and can independently synthesize secondary metabolites similar to those made by the host plants. Optimization of the fermentation culture is one of the most important strategies in increasing taxol production by endophytic fungi supplemented with several substances including carbon sources, nitrogen sources, precursors, inducer and the metabolic bypass inhibitors. Improved fermentation techniques and different biotechnological strategies such as gene cloning, gene transformation, mutations are widely being used on endophytic fungi in order to increase the productivity of the taxol. In this review, the different strategies used to produce taxol from endophytic fungal biotechnology have been discussed.

Chemical composition, in vitro antioxidant, and enzymes inhibitory potential of three medicinally important plants from Nepal (Lepisorus mehrae, Pleurospermum benthamii, and Roscoea auriculata)

Pandey Bishnu Prasad,Pradhan Suman Prakash 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2022 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.22 No.1

The aim of this study was to examine antioxidant properties, major enzyme inhibition activities, and targeted metabolites profiling of Lepisorus mehrae, Pleurospermum benthamii, and Roscoea auriculata in different solvent extracts. This is the first report on metabolites profiling and biochemical activities of these plant species. Our results revealed that L. mehrae, P. benthamii, and R. auriculata are rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites and have good antioxidant potential. The methanol extract of L. mehrae, P. benthamii, and R. auriculata showed substantial inhibitory potential towards elastase, whereas water extract of L. mehrae and R. auriculata were more strong inhibitors of tyrosinase. Among the three plants, P. benthamii showed noteworthy inhibition on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase, tyrosinase, elastase, and cholinesterases enzymes. High resolution mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of metabolites such as Protocatechuic acid, Gal- lic acid, 7,8,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavanone, Rhamnocitrin, Quercetin, Hyperoside, Quercetin-7-glucoside, Rutin, Rhamnetin, Aromadendrin, Camphor, and Hexanoic acid in L. mehrae. Moreover, Catechin and Fisetin were present in P. benthamii and Kaempferide, 7,8,3′,4′-Tetrahydroxyflavone, 5,7-Dihydroxy-2,3-dihydroflavonol 3-acetate, and Aromadendrin were present in R. auriculata. The results presented here provide enough scientific evidence that these plant species have diverse biochemi- cal potential and can be examined further for their potential use in modern pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals.

Anticonvulsant effect and acute toxicity study of the aqueous lyophilized extract of four medicinal plants of Cameroon: Malvaviscus arboreus, Alchemilla kiwuensis and mixture of Drymaria cordata and Markhamia lutea

Ngoupaye Gwladys Temkou,Adassi Maxwell Blesdel,Foutsop Aurelien Fossueh,Noungoua Chretien Mbeugangkeng,Yaya Joel,Kom Tatiana Diebo,Ngo Bum Elisabeth 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2022 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.22 No.1

Epilepsy is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that affects nearly 1% of the world’s population and remains a major public health problem in sub-Saharan. This study aimed at investigating anticonvulsant effects and acute toxicity of four Cameroonian medicinal plants: Malvaviscus arboreus (M. arboreus), Alchemilla kiwuensis (A. kiwuensis), and mixture of Drymaria cordata (D. cordata) and Markhamia lutea (M. lutea). Acute epileptic seizures were induced on Swiss mice of both sexes with pentylenetetrazole (70 mg/kg), picrotoxin (7.5 mg/kg) and strychnine (2.5 mg/kg). Acute toxicity and qualitative phytochemical tests of plants were further perfomed. M. arboreus protected 71.43% of subjects against pentylene- tetrazole-induced seizures at 688 mg/kg (p < 0.01) and 57.14% of subjects against picrotoxin-induced seizures at 1376 mg/ kg (p < 0.05) and had no effect on strychnine-induced seizures and death. A. kiwuensis protected 85.71% of subjects against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures at 41.25 mg/kg (p < 0.001) and 57.14% of subjects against picrotoxin-induced seizures at 82.5 mg/kg (p < 0.05) and had no effect on strychnine-induced seizures and death. Mixture of D. cordata and M. lutea protected 71.43% of subjects against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures at 1554 mg/kg (p < 0.01) and 28.57% of subjects against strychnine-induced seizures at 388.5 mg/kg and had no effect on picrotoxin-induced seizures. All the extracts were non-toxic in the acute toxicity test and their qualitative phytochemistry revealed bioactive compounds such as saponins, phenols and tannins. These results show that those various plants’ extracts are non-toxic and have anticonvulsant properties. They then could contribute to improve the treatment of epilepsy.