Plants

Editorial

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3 pages, 186 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Plant-Derived Chemicals: A Source of Inspiration for New Drugs

by Veronique Seidel

Plants 2020, 9(11), 1562; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9111562 - 13 Nov 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3220

Abstract

Plants have a long history of use as traditional remedies to treat a range of diseases and the diverse chemicals that they produce have provided great inspiration for the design of new drugs to date. Many plants have yet to be investigated for [...] Read more.

Plants have a long history of use as traditional remedies to treat a range of diseases and the diverse chemicals that they produce have provided great inspiration for the design of new drugs to date. Many plants have yet to be investigated for the presence of biologically-active products. This Special Issue presents a collection of scientific studies which report on the medicinal potential of plants. It also highlights the importance of preserving ethnobotanical knowledge and plant biodiversity worldwide to sustain future drug discovery from plant sources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Chemicals: A Source of Inspiration for New Drugs)

Research

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17 pages, 14963 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Naringenin Regulates Doxorubicin-Induced Liver Dysfunction: Impact on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

by Adil Farooq Wali, Summya Rashid, Shahzada Mudasir Rashid, Mushtaq Ahmad Ansari, Mohammad Rashid Khan, Nazrul Haq, Dhafer Yahya Alhareth, Ajaz Ahmad and Muneeb U. Rehman

Plants 2020, 9(4), 550; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9040550 - 24 Apr 2020

Cited by 59 | Viewed by 5475

Abstract

Doxorubicin (Dox) is an operational and largely used anticancer drug, used to treat an array of malignancies. Nonetheless, its beneficial use is constrained due to its renal and hepatotoxicity dose dependently. Numerous research findings favor the use of antioxidants may impact Dox-induced liver [...] Read more.

Doxorubicin (Dox) is an operational and largely used anticancer drug, used to treat an array of malignancies. Nonetheless, its beneficial use is constrained due to its renal and hepatotoxicity dose dependently. Numerous research findings favor the use of antioxidants may impact Dox-induced liver injury/damage. In the current study, Wistar rats were given naringenin (50 and 100 mg/kg b.wt.) orally for 20 days as prophylactic dose, against the hepatotoxicity induced by single intraperitoneal injection of Dox (20 mg/kg b.wt.). Potency of naringenin against the liver damage caused by Dox was assessed by measuring malonyl aldehyde (MDA) as a by-product of lipid peroxidation, biochemical estimation of antioxidant enzyme system, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and inflammatory mediators. Naringenin-attenuated ROS production, ROS-induced lipid peroxidation, and replenished reduced antioxidant armory, namely, catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione (GSH). Naringenin similarly diminished expression of Cox-2 and levels of NF-κB and other inflammatory molecules induced by the Dox treatment. Histology added further evidence to the defensive effects of naringenin on Dox-induced liver damage. The outcomes of the current study reveal that oxidative stress and inflammation are meticulously linked with Dox-triggered damage, and naringenin illustrates the potential effect on Dox-induced hepatotoxicity probably through diminishing the oxidative stress and inflammation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Chemicals: A Source of Inspiration for New Drugs)

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11 pages, 1921 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Vitro Antifungal Activity of Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub. extracts against Aspergillus flavus

by Lucía S. Di Ciaccio, Alejandra V. Catalano, Paula G. López, Dante Rojas, Diego Cristos, Renée H. Fortunato and Adriana E. Salvat

Plants 2020, 9(4), 438; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9040438 - 2 Apr 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2769

Abstract

Aspergillus flavus is a filamentous, saprophytic fungus, whose colonization occurs mainly in cereal grains and oilseeds once harvested. Under certain conditions, it could produce mycotoxins called aflatoxins, known as powerful human liver carcinogens. The aim of the present study was to describe the [...] Read more.

Aspergillus flavus is a filamentous, saprophytic fungus, whose colonization occurs mainly in cereal grains and oilseeds once harvested. Under certain conditions, it could produce mycotoxins called aflatoxins, known as powerful human liver carcinogens. The aim of the present study was to describe the antifungal activity of extracts of Peltophorum dubium, a species from northern Argentina (Oriental Chaco), against A. flavus. The antifungal activities of different collection sites are reported. The extracts exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration of 125 µg/mL, and the differences between the treatments and the inoculum control were 11 mm of P. dubium A and 10 mm of P. dubium F in colony growth. Moreover, hyphae treated with the extracts stained blue with Evans blue showed alterations in the membrane and/or cell wall, allowing the dye income. Bio-guided fractionation, High Performance Liquid Chromatography diode array ultraviolet/visible (HPLC UV/VIS DAD), and Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (UPLC ESI-MS) analyses were conducted to characterize the extracts and their active fractions. The HPLC UV/VIS DAD analysis allowed the determination of the presence of flavonoids (flavonols and flavones), coumarins, terpenes, and steroids. UPLC ESI/MS analysis of active fractions revealed the presence of Kaempferol, Apigenin, Naringenin, Chrysin and Daidzein. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Chemicals: A Source of Inspiration for New Drugs)

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16 pages, 14572 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neuroprotective Effects of Dried Tubers of Aconitum napellus

by Ambreen Shoaib, Hefazat Hussain Siddiqui, Rakesh Kumar Dixit, Sahabjada Siddiqui, Badrud Deen, Andleeb Khan, Salman H. Alrokayan, Haseeb A. Khan and Parvaiz Ahmad

Plants 2020, 9(3), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9030356 - 11 Mar 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3586 | Correction

Abstract

The present study was designed to explore the neuroprotective properties of Aconitum napellus (Ranunculaceae). The plant detoxification was done using either water, or cow or goat milk as per the Ayurvedic shodhana method. The evaluation of the neuroprotective role of A. napellus was [...] Read more.

The present study was designed to explore the neuroprotective properties of Aconitum napellus (Ranunculaceae). The plant detoxification was done using either water, or cow or goat milk as per the Ayurvedic shodhana method. The evaluation of the neuroprotective role of A. napellus was performed on diabetic neuropathy induced by streptozotocin in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Body mass, blood sugar level, oral glucose tolerance test, hyperalgesia, cold allodynia, motor co-ordination test, and locomotor activity, oxidative biomarkers (TBARS, reduced glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase) and sciatic nerve histomorphology were assessed. The in vitro studies were done on human neuroblastoma cell line SHSY-5Y and used an MTT assay to assess the antiproliferative activity of different extracts. Results suggest that the goat milk treated chloroform extract has less percentage of aconitine. After administration of the detoxified chloroform extract to the diabetic animals, there was a significant improvement in the myelination and degenerative changes of the nerve fibers along with behavioral changes (p < 0.05 as compared with diabetic control group). The findings of the in vitro research show an effective neuroprotective role of A. napellus. This suggests that A. napellus should be further investigated for its effect in diabetic pathology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Chemicals: A Source of Inspiration for New Drugs)

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12 pages, 3919 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Bioactive Phytochemicals from Phlomis viscosa Poiret on Wound Healing

by Ludmila Yarmolinsky, Arie Budovsky, Leonid Yarmolinsky, Boris Khalfin, Vladimir Glukhman and Shimon Ben-Shabat

Plants 2019, 8(12), 609; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8120609 - 16 Dec 2019

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2962

Abstract

Phlomis viscosa Poiret is an evergreen shrub growing in Israel, Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria with acknowledged pro-wound healing (WH) properties. In this study, we evaluated the pro-WH potential of selected compounds found in this plant. Among the pro-WH compounds (identified by us) was [...] Read more.

Phlomis viscosa Poiret is an evergreen shrub growing in Israel, Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria with acknowledged pro-wound healing (WH) properties. In this study, we evaluated the pro-WH potential of selected compounds found in this plant. Among the pro-WH compounds (identified by us) was a combination of three chemicals—diosmin, 1-octen-3-ol, and himachala-2,4-diene which enhanced WH significantly both in in vitro and in vivo models. The determined phytochemicals combination could be used for the treatment of chronic wounds. The effect of the extracts, diosmin, 1-octen-3-ol on the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 (A) and IL-8 (B) by human dermal fibroblasts was significant (p < 0.001). In addition, the beneficial effect of extracts of P. viscosa and its phytochemicals on WH was evidenced by inhibiting the growth of several WH delaying microorganisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Chemicals: A Source of Inspiration for New Drugs)

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14 pages, 1486 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictive Binding Affinity of Plant-Derived Natural Products Towards the Protein Kinase G Enzyme of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtPknG)

by Rana M. Qasaymeh, Dino Rotondo, Carel B. Oosthuizen, Namrita Lall and Veronique Seidel

Plants 2019, 8(11), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8110477 - 6 Nov 2019

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3331

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a growing public health concern worldwide, especially with the emerging challenge of drug resistance to the current drugs. Efforts to discover and develop novel, more effective, and safer anti-TB drugs are urgently needed. Products from [...] Read more.

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a growing public health concern worldwide, especially with the emerging challenge of drug resistance to the current drugs. Efforts to discover and develop novel, more effective, and safer anti-TB drugs are urgently needed. Products from natural sources, such as medicinal plants, have played an important role in traditional medicine and continue to provide some inspiring templates for the design of new drugs. Protein kinase G, produced by M. tuberculosis (MtPKnG), is a serine/threonine kinase, that has been reported to prevent phagosome-lysosome fusion and help prolong M. tuberculosis survival within the host’s macrophages. Here, we used an in silico, target-based approach (docking) to predict the interactions between MtPknG and 84 chemical constituents from two medicinal plants (Pelargonium reniforme and Pelargonium sidoides) that have a well-documented historical use as natural remedies for TB. Docking scores for ligands towards the target protein were calculated using AutoDock Vina as the predicted binding free energies. Ten flavonoids present in the aerial parts of P. reniforme and/or P. sidoides showed docking scores ranging from −11.1 to −13.2 kcal/mol. Upon calculation of all ligand efficiency indices, we observed that the (−ΔG/MW) ligand efficiency index for flavonoids (4), (5) and (7) was similar to the one obtained for the AX20017 control. When taking all compounds into account, we observed that the best (−ΔG/MW) efficiency index was obtained for coumaric acid, coumaraldehyde, p-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol. We found that methyl gallate and myricetin had ligand efficiency indices superior and equal to the AX20017 control efficiency, respectively. It remains to be seen if any of the compounds screened in this study exert an effect in M. tuberculosis-infected macrophages. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Chemicals: A Source of Inspiration for New Drugs)

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Review

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15 pages, 1696 KiB

Open AccessReview

Bioactive Phytochemicals from Mercurialis spp. Used in Traditional Spanish Medicine

by José Blanco-Salas, Francisco M. Vazquez, María P. Hortigón-Vinagre and Trinidad Ruiz-Tellez

Plants 2019, 8(7), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8070193 - 28 Jun 2019

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3852

Abstract

Plants from the genus Mercurialis have a long history of use as herbal remedies in traditional Spanish medicine. The growing interest in the conservation of knowledge related to biodiversity has encouraged us to review the bioactive phytochemicals from the four most widespread Mercurialis [...] Read more.

Plants from the genus Mercurialis have a long history of use as herbal remedies in traditional Spanish medicine. The growing interest in the conservation of knowledge related to biodiversity has encouraged us to review the bioactive phytochemicals from the four most widespread Mercurialis species in the Iberian Peninsula (M. annua L., M. ambigua L., M. perennis L., and M. tomentosa L.). First, the medicinal uses of these four species throughout Spain were compiled, and then a bibliographical search on their chemical composition was conducted in an attempt to justify their reported traditional uses. We found that most of the medicinal uses of Mercurialis spp. are supported by scientific evidence. This includes its antidiabetic and antihypertensive properties attributable to the flavonoid rutin and narcissin, respectively; its benefits in the treatment of skin dark spots, attributable to mequinol; and its anti-inflammatory activity, attributable to scopoletin, kaempferol, squalene, and cycloartenol. This review contributes to the validation of the medicinal uses of Mercurialis spp. in Spain and provides some new avenues for further investigations on the biological activity of this interesting medicinal plant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Chemicals: A Source of Inspiration for New Drugs)

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Other

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2 pages, 25710 KiB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Shoaib et al. Neuroprotective Effects of Dried Tubers of Aconitum napellus. Plants 2020, 9, 356

by Ambreen Shoaib, Hefazat Hussain Siddiqui, Rakesh Kumar Dixit, Sahabjada Siddiqui, Badrud Deen, Andleeb Khan, Salman H. Alrokayan, Haseeb A. Khan and Parvaiz Ahmad

Plants 2022, 11(1), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11010080 - 28 Dec 2021

Viewed by 1117

Abstract

We are sorry to report that some images in Figure 1 reported in our recently published paper [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Derived Chemicals: A Source of Inspiration for New Drugs)

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