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Medicinal Plants: New Advances in Phytochemicals and Their Health Benefits
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Medicinal Plants: New Advances in Phytochemicals and Their Health Benefits

A topical collection in Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This collection belongs to the section "Phytochemistry".

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Editors

Dr. Mariangela Marrelli

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, CS, Italy
Interests: medicinal plants; plant extracts; natural bioactive compounds; essential oils; nutraceuticals; antioxidant activity; antiproliferative activity; anti-inflammatory properties; photocytotoxic compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Luigi Milella

E-Mail Website1 Website2 Website3
Collection Editor
Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
Interests: secondary metabolite isolation; structural determination; oxidative stress; nutraceuticals; bioactive molecules; cholinesterase inhibitory activity; Alzheimer’s disease; cytotoxic effects
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

Medicinal plants have a long history of use all around the world. Knowledge of their induced health benefits has been transmitted over the centuries within human communities and natural products play a pivotal role as a productive source of drug lead compounds.

The development of advanced tools for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of phytochemicals significantly improved phytochemical investigation. On the other hand, empirical data on the biological properties of many plant species have been verified. The potential benefits for human health of different plant raw extracts and their bioactive components, together with their mechanisms of action, have also been elucidated. Nevertheless, medicinal plants still have a hopeful future. Many species have not yet been studied or remain to be more deeply investigated as regards to their chemical constituents and biological properties, not to mention that new fields of application could be also be identified for well-known plant species.

This Topical Collection will focus on more recent studies dealing with the extraction, isolation, and structural elucidation of medicinal plant secondary metabolites, the in vitro or in vivo biological properties, and the potential beneficial effects for human health. Papers focusing on functional foods and nutraceuticals from plant sources will be also taken into account.

Original research articles, reviews, and short communications are welcome.

Dr. Mariangela Marrelli
Dr. Luigi Milella
Collection Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Plant extracts
  • Phytochemicals
  • Bioactive compounds
  • Essential oils
  • Nutraceuticals
  • Antioxidant
  • Health promoting
  • Chronic diseases
  • Neurological diseases

Published Papers (24 papers)

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2023

Jump to: 2022, 2021, 2020

19 pages, 3894 KiB  
Article
Preliminary Phytochemical and Biological Evaluation of Rudbeckia hirta Flowers
by Ana Flavia Burlec, Łukasz Pecio, Cornelia Mircea, Cristina Tuchiluș, Andreia Corciovă, Corina Danciu, Oana Cioancă, Ioana Cezara Caba, Solomiia Pecio, Wiesław Oleszek and Monica Hăncianu
Plants 2023, 12(15), 2871; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152871 - 04 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1166
Abstract
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta L.), a flowering plant with various traditional medicinal uses, has recently garnered interest for its therapeutic properties. However, little is known about the potential therapeutic activities of the plant species. The current study focused on conducting a comprehensive [...] Read more.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta L.), a flowering plant with various traditional medicinal uses, has recently garnered interest for its therapeutic properties. However, little is known about the potential therapeutic activities of the plant species. The current study focused on conducting a comprehensive investigation into the chemical composition and bioactivity of black-eyed Susan cultivated in Romania. Untargeted metabolite profiling and UHPLC-HR-MS phytochemical analysis of the studied extract revealed the presence of more than 250 compounds pertaining to different classes, including sesquiterpene lactones, polyphenolic acids, flavonoids, amino acids, and fatty acids. The tested extract exhibited inhibitory activity against Gram-positive bacteria and showed promising antifungal activity. It also demonstrated potent antioxidant properties through iron chelation and 15-LOX inhibition capacities, as well as inhibition of cell growth, particularly on the MCF-7 cell line, suggesting potential anticancer effects. Therefore, current research provides valuable information on the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumor potential of Rudbeckia hirta flowers. Implicitly, the discovery of such a wide range of biosubstances, together with the biological activity observed for the studied extract in these preliminary in vitro studies, paves the way for future investigation of the potential application of the plant in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors. Full article
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13 pages, 3616 KiB  
Article
Cytotoxicity of Nine Medicinal Plants from San Basilio de Palenque (Colombia) on HepG2 Cells
by Karina Caballero-Gallardo, Neda Alvarez-Ortega and Jesus Olivero-Verbel
Plants 2023, 12(14), 2686; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12142686 - 19 Jul 2023
Viewed by 996
Abstract
The utilization of plants with medicinal properties is deeply rooted in the traditional knowledge of diverse human populations. This study aims to investigate the cytotoxicity of nine plants commonly used by communities in San Basilio de Palenque, Bolivar (Colombia), for managing inflammation-related illnesses. [...] Read more.
The utilization of plants with medicinal properties is deeply rooted in the traditional knowledge of diverse human populations. This study aims to investigate the cytotoxicity of nine plants commonly used by communities in San Basilio de Palenque, Bolivar (Colombia), for managing inflammation-related illnesses. Hydroethanolic extracts from various plant parts such as roots, stems, barks, or leaves were prepared through a process involving drying, powdering, and maceration in an ethanol–water (7:3) solution. The extracts were subsequently freeze-dried and dissolved in DMSO for the bioassays. Cytotoxicity against the human hepatoma HepG2 cell line was assessed using the MTT assay, with extract concentrations ranging from 0 to 500 µg/mL and treatment durations of 24 and 48 h. The total phenolic content of the nine extracts varied from 96.7 to 167.6 mg GAE/g DT. Among them, eight hydroethanolic extracts from Jatropha gossypiifolia L., Piper peltatum L., Malachra alceifolia, Verbesina turbacensis, Ricinus communis, Desmodium incanum, and Dolichandra unguis-cati showed low toxicity (IC50 > 500 µg/mL, 24 h) against HepG2 cells. On the other hand, the extracts of Aristolochia odoratissima L. (IC50 = 95.7 µg/mL) and Picramnia latifolia (IC50 = 128.9 µg/mL) demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity against the HepG2 cell line, displaying a modest selectivity index when compared to the HEKn cell line after 48 h of treatment. These findings suggest that medicinal plants from San Basilio de Palenque, particularly Picramnia latifolia and Aristolochia odoratissima, have potential activity against cancer cells, highlighting their potential for further research and development. Full article
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2022

Jump to: 2023, 2021, 2020

14 pages, 2389 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Growth Characteristics and Biological Activities of ‘Dachul’, a Hybrid Medicinal Plant of Atractylodes macrocephala × Atractylodes japonica, under Different Artificial Light Sources
by Myeong Ha Hwang, Ji Won Seo, Byung Jun Park, Kyeong Jae Han, Jae Geun Lee, Na Young Kim, Myong Jo Kim and Eun Soo Seong
Plants 2022, 11(15), 2035; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11152035 - 04 Aug 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1695
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different artificial light sources on the growth characteristics and various biological activities of the Atractylodes macrocephala x Atractylodes japonica hybrid cv. ‘Dachul’, which is highly useful for medicinal purposes. The plant had the largest [...] Read more.
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different artificial light sources on the growth characteristics and various biological activities of the Atractylodes macrocephala x Atractylodes japonica hybrid cv. ‘Dachul’, which is highly useful for medicinal purposes. The plant had the largest biomass with a plant height of 38.20 ± 1.95 cm when treated with microwave electrodeless light (MEL). The chlorophyll content of the plants treated with fluorescent light (FL) was 53.93 ± 1.05 SPAD and was the highest. The antioxidant effect, determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), was the highest with 92.7 ± 0.2% in plants treated with light-emitting diode (LED)-green light. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were significantly higher with 19.7 ± 0.5 mg GAE/g and 40.2 ± 2.2 mg QE/g in the sample treated with LED-green light, respectively. For antimicrobial activity using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) technique, the inhibitory ability against Escherichia coli was at 0.25 mg/mL under LED-green light treatment. The whitening activity using tyrosinase enzyme showed the highest tyrosinase inhibitory ability at 62.1 ± 1.2% of the above extract treated with MEL light. To confirm the immune activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells, NO production of inflammation-related substances was measured. In addition, the inflammation-related genes iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase), COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2), and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) in the same sample were confirmed using reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR, and the result showed that gene expression was suppressed compared with that in the control group. It is expected that Dachul plants treated with LED-blue light will play an important role in enhancing intracellular anti-inflammatory activity. From these results, the effect for various biological activities appeared in a significantly diverse spectrum in response to different wavelengths of artificial light sources in Dachul. Full article
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15 pages, 855 KiB  
Article
Ethnobotany and Toxicity Status of Medicinal Plants with Cosmeceutical Relevance from Eastern Cape, South Africa
by Ashwell R. Ndhlala, Vuyisile S. Thibane, Cecilia M. Masehla and Phatlane W. Mokwala
Plants 2022, 11(11), 1451; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11111451 - 30 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1899
Abstract
The indigenous people of the Eastern Cape residing within the richest plant biodiversity in the world, including Africa’s floral ‘gold mine’, have a long history of plant use for skincare. However, such rich flora comes with numerous plants that have the potential to [...] Read more.
The indigenous people of the Eastern Cape residing within the richest plant biodiversity in the world, including Africa’s floral ‘gold mine’, have a long history of plant use for skincare. However, such rich flora comes with numerous plants that have the potential to cause harm to humans through their usage. Therefore, the study was aimed at documenting the toxicity status of important medicinal plants used by the indigenous people from the Eastern Cape for skincare and supported by literature for cosmeceutical relevance. A list of plants used for skincare was produced following an ethnobotanical survey. In addition, data on the level of toxicity and cosmeceutical relevance of plants listed from the survey were collected from literature resources. The study listed a total of 38 plants from 25 plant families, the majority being represented by the Asphodelaceae and Asteraceae, both at 13.2%. The most preferred plant parts were the leaves (60.4%) indicating sustainable harvesting practices by the community. The literature reports validated 70% of the medicinal plants surveyed for skincare were nontoxic. Most of the plants can be incorporated in the formulation of products intended for skincare due to their low toxicity and high cosmeceutical relevance. Full article
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2021

Jump to: 2023, 2022, 2020

24 pages, 2741 KiB  
Review
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Extracts-Suitable Pharmacological Interventions for COVID-19? A Review
by Joji Abraham and Singarayer Florentine
Plants 2021, 10(12), 2600; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122600 - 26 Nov 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 7699
Abstract
Even though vaccination has started against COVID-19, people should continue maintaining personal and social caution as it takes months or years to get everyone vaccinated, and we are not sure how long the vaccine remains efficacious. In order to contribute to the mitigation [...] Read more.
Even though vaccination has started against COVID-19, people should continue maintaining personal and social caution as it takes months or years to get everyone vaccinated, and we are not sure how long the vaccine remains efficacious. In order to contribute to the mitigation of COVID-19 symptoms, the pharmaceutical industry aims to develop antiviral drugs to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 replication and produce anti-inflammatory medications that will inhibit the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is the primary cause of mortality among the COVID-19 patients. In reference to these tasks, this article considers the properties of a medicinal plant named licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), whose phytochemicals have shown both antiviral and anti-inflammatory tendencies through previous studies. All the literature was selected through extensive search in various databases such as google scholar, Scopus, the Web of Science, and PubMed. In addition to the antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, one of the licorice components has an autophagy-enhancing mechanism that studies have suggested to be necessary for COVID-19 treatment. Based on reviewing relevant professional and historical literature regarding the medicinal properties of licorice, it is suggested that it may be worthwhile to conduct in vitro and in vivo studies, including clinical trials with glycyrrhizic and glycyrrhetinic acids together with other flavonoids found in licorice, as there is the potentiality to provide natural interventions against COVID-19 symptoms. Full article
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49 pages, 10189 KiB  
Review
Research Progression of the Genus Merremia: A Comprehensive Review on the Nutritional Value, Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicity
by Tomi Lois Olatunji, Ademola Emmanuel Adetunji, Chijioke Olisah, Oladayo Amed Idris, Oluwaseyi Damilare Saliu and Frances Siebert
Plants 2021, 10(10), 2070; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10102070 - 30 Sep 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4227
Abstract
The genus Merremia Dennst. ex Endl. (Convolvulaceae) is a rich source of structurally diverse phytochemicals with therapeutic relevance. This review presents the first comprehensive, up-to-date information and research progression on the nutritional value, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and toxicity of the genus [...] Read more.
The genus Merremia Dennst. ex Endl. (Convolvulaceae) is a rich source of structurally diverse phytochemicals with therapeutic relevance. This review presents the first comprehensive, up-to-date information and research progression on the nutritional value, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and toxicity of the genus Merremia. Using the key search term “Merremia”, relevant documents and information were retrieved from electronic databases. Relevant documents were uploaded in RStudio with installed bibliometric software packages and used for data retrieval, tabulation, and network visualization. Bibliometric analysis revealed that ca. 55% of the studies related to Merremia were published in the last decade, which can be grouped into four thematic areas: (i) drug formulation, (ii) taxonomy, (iii) chemical analysis, and (iv) treatment of diseases. Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities studies showed that species in the genus are promising medicinal plants with various pharmaceutical potentials. However, clinical studies to validate the efficacy of the reported bioactivities and the mechanisms underlying the various activities are lacking and should constitute a future research focus. Additionally, reports on the nutritional and antinutritional constituents of Merremia species revealed that the species meet high nutritional quality criteria for animals and are therefore suitable for inclusion in livestock diets. The few available investigations on toxicity indicated that most Merremia species are safe for human and animal use but not with prolonged chronic administration. Full article
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12 pages, 2404 KiB  
Article
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Weigela subsessilis Callus Extract via Suppression of MAPK and NF-κB Signaling
by Hyeon-Ji Lim, Eun Yee Jie, In-Sun Park, Sang-Jun Kim, Woo Seok Ahn, Seung-Il Jeong, Suk Weon Kim and Chan-Hun Jung
Plants 2021, 10(8), 1635; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10081635 - 09 Aug 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2620
Abstract
Weigela subsessilis is used in folk medicine to treat pain and allergic syndromes in Korea. However, the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of W. subsessilis callus extract remain unexplored. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the W. subsessilis callus of pharmacological activity. Therefore, [...] Read more.
Weigela subsessilis is used in folk medicine to treat pain and allergic syndromes in Korea. However, the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of W. subsessilis callus extract remain unexplored. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the W. subsessilis callus of pharmacological activity. Therefore, we first established in vitro calluses of W.subsessilis via plant tissue culture methods. We then evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of W. subsessilis callus extract in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. The W. subsessilis callus extract showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These effects were regulated via suppression of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling through LPS-induced translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. W. subsessilis callus extract also showed antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities in Propionibacterium acnes-treated HaCaT keratinocyte cells. These results indicate that W. subsessilis callus extract has antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, suggesting its possible application in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Full article
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19 pages, 2545 KiB  
Review
Medicinal Properties and In Vitro Biological Activities of Selected Helichrysum Species from South Africa: A Review
by Kolajo Adedamola Akinyede, Christopher Nelson Cupido, Gail Denise Hughes, Oluwafemi Omoniyi Oguntibeju and Okobi Eko Ekpo
Plants 2021, 10(8), 1566; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10081566 - 30 Jul 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3511
Abstract
The genus Helichrysum Mill comprises hundreds of species that are mostly flowering perennial shrubs. Some of these plants that belong to the Helichrysum species are used in traditional medicine to treat cough, back pain, diabetes, asthma, digestive problems, menstrual pain, chest pain, kidney [...] Read more.
The genus Helichrysum Mill comprises hundreds of species that are mostly flowering perennial shrubs. Some of these plants that belong to the Helichrysum species are used in traditional medicine to treat cough, back pain, diabetes, asthma, digestive problems, menstrual pain, chest pain, kidney disorders, skin disorders, wounds, open sores, among other conditions, but, only a few scientific studies are reported in the literature with sufficient information that validates the acclaimed folkloric benefits of these plants. This review, therefore, provides a comprehensive update of the available information on the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, anti-proliferative, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-HIV, anti-malarial, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-tyrosinase, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant activities of selected Helichrysum species of interest: H. petiolare, H. cymocum, H. foetidum, and H. pandurifolium Schrank, using scientific databases as well as electronic and print sources. The ethnobotanical and morphological characteristics as well as the phytochemical composition and biological activities of these plants are elucidated. The scientific rationale for their current use is discussed based on the evidence in the literature. This review highlights the putative use of the Helichrysum species as a reliable source of bioactive compounds for the production of standard commercial drugs to treat many ailments, including those reported in folkloric uses. Further research on the many plants in the genus Helichrysum is recommended to explore their economic importance both as edible crops and medicinal botanicals. Full article
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15 pages, 1336 KiB  
Article
Helichrysum italicum ssp. italicum Infusion Promotes Fat Oxidation in Hepatocytes and Stimulates Energy Expenditure and Fat Oxidation after Acute Ingestion in Humans: A Pilot Study
by Saša Kenig, Katja Kramberger, Ana Petelin, Dunja Bandelj, Alenka Baruca Arbeiter, Ana Miklavčič Višnjevec, Kelly Peeters, Nina Mohorko, Karin Šik Novak and Zala Jenko Pražnikar
Plants 2021, 10(8), 1516; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10081516 - 23 Jul 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2372
Abstract
Helichrysum italicum is an aromatic plant with promising pharmacological activities. Bioactive compounds found in plants represent an important alternative treatment for weight loss and an infusion of H. italicum contains compounds which could have such effect. Our aim was, therefore, to investigate its [...] Read more.
Helichrysum italicum is an aromatic plant with promising pharmacological activities. Bioactive compounds found in plants represent an important alternative treatment for weight loss and an infusion of H. italicum contains compounds which could have such effect. Our aim was, therefore, to investigate its acute effects on resting energy expenditure (REE) and possible differences in substrate oxidation in a pilot study. A dried, ground plant material of H. italicum ssp. italicum was infused with hot water and chemically characterized with HPLC-MS analysis. Sensory evaluation of herbal tea was performed. A randomized, crossover, controlled pilot study was then conducted on eleven healthy male subjects. The REE and substrate oxidation were measured by indirect calorimetry at baseline and 30 and 120 min after ingestion of infusion or hot water. The expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism was examined in H. italicum infusion-treated hepatocytes. Several phenolic classes were identified in the infusion, caffeoylquinic acids were the most abundant, followed by pyrones and flavonols. A single ingestion of H. italicum infusion significantly increased REE by 4% and fat oxidation by 12% compared to hot water ingestion. A significant 2-fold up-regulation of β-oxidation-related genes in HepG2 cells, exposed to H. italicum infusion, was detected. This pilot study suggests that H. italicum infusion possesses bioactive substances with potential application in obesity prevention, which could, with additional studies, become an economically interesting novel application of the plant. Clinical trial registration number: NCT04818905 Full article
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14 pages, 2966 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Antidiabetic and Antihyperlipidemic Activity of Spondias purpurea Seeds in a Diabetic Zebrafish Model
by Alethia Muñiz-Ramirez, Abraham Heriberto Garcia-Campoy, Rosa Martha Pérez Gutiérrez, Efrén Venancio Garcia Báez and José María Mota Flores
Plants 2021, 10(7), 1417; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10071417 - 12 Jul 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3759
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious chronic degenerative disease characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood. It is associated with an absolute or relative deficiency in the production and/or action of insulin. Some of the complications associated with DM are heart [...] Read more.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious chronic degenerative disease characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood. It is associated with an absolute or relative deficiency in the production and/or action of insulin. Some of the complications associated with DM are heart disease, retinopathy, kidney disease, and neuropathy; therefore, new natural alternatives are being sought to control the disease. In this work, we evaluate the antidiabetic effect of Spondias purpurea seed methanol extract (CSM) in vitro and in a glucose-induced diabetic zebrafish model. CSM is capable of lowering blood glucose and cholesterol levels, as well as forming advanced glycation end-products, while not presenting toxic effects at the concentrations evaluated. These data show that CSM has a promising antidiabetic effect and may be useful in reducing some of the pathologies associated with diabetes mellitus. Full article
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30 pages, 2503 KiB  
Review
Therapeutic Promises of Medicinal Plants in Bangladesh and Their Bioactive Compounds against Ulcers and Inflammatory Diseases
by Sheikh Rashel Ahmed, Muhammad Fazle Rabbee, Anindita Roy, Rocky Chowdhury, Anik Banik, Khadizatul Kubra, Mohammed Mehadi Hassan Chowdhury and Kwang-Hyun Baek
Plants 2021, 10(7), 1348; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10071348 - 01 Jul 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 6573
Abstract
When functioning properly, the stomach is the center of both physical and mental satisfaction. Gastrointestinal disorders, or malfunctioning of the stomach, due to infections caused by various biological entities and physiochemical abnormalities, are now widespread, with most of the diseases being inflammatory, which, [...] Read more.
When functioning properly, the stomach is the center of both physical and mental satisfaction. Gastrointestinal disorders, or malfunctioning of the stomach, due to infections caused by various biological entities and physiochemical abnormalities, are now widespread, with most of the diseases being inflammatory, which, depending on the position and degree of inflammation, have different names such as peptic or gastric ulcers, irritable bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis, and so on. While many synthetic drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are now extensively used to treat these diseases, their harmful and long-term side effects cannot be ignored. To treat these diseases safely and successfully, different potent medicinal plants and their active components are considered game-changers. In consideration of this, the present review aimed to reveal a general and comprehensive updated overview of the anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory activities of medicinal plants. To emphasize the efficacy of the medicinal plants, various bioactive compounds from the plant extract, their experimental animal models, and clinical trials are depicted. Full article
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10 pages, 1287 KiB  
Article
Phytochemical Analysis of Anvillea garcinii Leaves: Identification of Garcinamines F–H and Their Antiproliferative Activities
by Hanan Y. Aati, Shagufta Perveen, Raha Orfali, Areej M. Al-Taweel, Jiangnan Peng, Sobia Tabassum, Maged S. Abdel-Kader, Hasan Soliman Yusufoglu and Orazio Taglialatela-Scafati
Plants 2021, 10(6), 1130; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10061130 - 02 Jun 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2227
Abstract
Anvillea garcinii is a medicinal plant used in the Arab region for intestinal diseases, lung and liver diseases, digestive problems, and as an antidiabetic agent. Repeated chromatographic purifications of A. garcinii leaves led to the isolation of three undescribed guaiane sesquiterpene derivatives, named [...] Read more.
Anvillea garcinii is a medicinal plant used in the Arab region for intestinal diseases, lung and liver diseases, digestive problems, and as an antidiabetic agent. Repeated chromatographic purifications of A. garcinii leaves led to the isolation of three undescribed guaiane sesquiterpene derivatives, named garcinamines F–H, characterized by the presence of an amino acid unit, along with five known sesquiterpene lactones (garcinamines B–E and 9β-hydroxyparthenolide). The structures of the new compounds were established using spectroscopic (1D and 2D NMR) and spectrometric methods (ESIMS). Garcinamine H possesses a double bond at the Δ1,10 position, a structural feature rarely reported in guaianolide-type sesquiterpenes. The antiproliferative activity of the isolated sesquiterpenes was screened against three different cancer cell lines, and 9β-hydroxyparthenolide and garcinamines C and D displayed significant effects against lung carcinoma (A549), colon carcinoma (LoVo), and breast carcinoma (MCF7) cell lines. Full article
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21 pages, 1428 KiB  
Article
Potential Toxicity of Medicinal Plants Inventoried in Northeastern Morocco: An Ethnobotanical Approach
by Loubna Kharchoufa, Mohamed Bouhrim, Noureddine Bencheikh, Mohamed Addi, Christophe Hano, Hamza Mechchate and Mostafa Elachouri
Plants 2021, 10(6), 1108; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10061108 - 31 May 2021
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3926
Abstract
Herbal medicine and its therapeutic applications are widely practiced in northeastern Morocco, and people are knowledgeable about it. Nonetheless, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding their safety. In this study, we reveal the toxic and potential toxic species used as medicines by [...] Read more.
Herbal medicine and its therapeutic applications are widely practiced in northeastern Morocco, and people are knowledgeable about it. Nonetheless, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding their safety. In this study, we reveal the toxic and potential toxic species used as medicines by people in northeastern Morocco in order to compile and document indigenous knowledge of those herbs. Structured and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, and simple random sampling was used as a sampling technique. Based on this information, species were collected, identified, and herbarium sheets were created. The collected data were analyzed using two quantitative indices: informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (Fl), as the degree of these indices give an insight into the level of toxicity of a given plant. The results revealed the knowledge of 55 species belonging to 36 families. The most represented families were Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae, and Fabaceae. Furthermore, the majority of the species cited were herbs (67%), and the most common toxic parts were seeds, followed by leaves and roots. According to the informant consensus factor, death (0.81%) had the highest agreement, followed by the urological (0.76%) and skin (0.75%) categories. The most significant plants in terms of fidelity level were Solanum sodomaeum L. and Nerium oleander L. for death, Arisarum vulgare O. Targ. Tozz., Mentha spicata L., and Morus alba L. for the digestive category, Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss. and Citrus x aurantium L. for cardiovascular category, Urtica dioica L. for skin category, Datura stramonium L, and Ephedra altissima Desf. for neurological category, and finally Crocus sativus L. for general and unspecified category. This work highlights a valuable traditional knowledge of poisonous and potential poisonous plants in northeastern Morocco. Further phytochemical and toxicological research is needed to determine the safety of these prized herbs. Full article
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16 pages, 664 KiB  
Article
Minerals, Essential Oils, and Biological Properties of Melissa officinalis L.
by Fahima Abdellatif, Muhammad Akram, Samir Begaa, Mohammed Messaoudi, Adel Benarfa, Chukwuebuka Egbuna, Hamza Ouakouak, Aicha Hassani, Barbara Sawicka, Walaa Fikry Mohammed Elbossaty and Jesus Simal-Gandara
Plants 2021, 10(6), 1066; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10061066 - 26 May 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3866
Abstract
This study describes the minerals elements, chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Algerian Melissa officinalis plant. The essential oil (EO) was extracted by hydrodistillation (HD) using a Clevenger-type apparatus of dry leaves of M. officinalis and was analyzed by two techniques, gas [...] Read more.
This study describes the minerals elements, chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Algerian Melissa officinalis plant. The essential oil (EO) was extracted by hydrodistillation (HD) using a Clevenger-type apparatus of dry leaves of M. officinalis and was analyzed by two techniques, gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization (GC-FID) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Eighteen minerals comprising both macro- and microelements (As, Br, K, La, Na, Sb, Sm, Ba, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Rb, Sc, Th, and Zn) were determined using neutron activation analysis technique for the first time from Algerian Melissa officinalis plant. Seventy-eight compounds were identified in the essential oil, representing 94.090% of the total oil and the yields were 0.470%. The major component was geranial (45.060%). Other predominant components were neral (31.720%) and citronellal (6.420%). The essential oil presented high antimicrobial activity against microorganisms, mainly five human pathogenic bacteria, one yeast, Candida albicans, and two phytopathogenic fungi. The results can be used as a source of information for the pharmaceutical industry and medical research. Full article
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13 pages, 2206 KiB  
Article
Inhibitory Effects of Gyeji-Tang on MMP-9 Activity and the Expression of Adhesion Molecules in IL-4- and TNF-α-Stimulated BEAS-2B Cells
by Yu Jin Kim, Woo-Young Jeon, Youn-Hwan Hwang and Mee-Young Lee
Plants 2021, 10(5), 951; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10050951 - 10 May 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2169
Abstract
Gyeji-tang (GJT), a traditional herbal formula composed of five herbal medicines, is commonly used to treat the common cold, exogenous febrile disease, fever and headaches in Korea, China and Japan. Although various pharmacological activities of GJT have been reported in several studies, the [...] Read more.
Gyeji-tang (GJT), a traditional herbal formula composed of five herbal medicines, is commonly used to treat the common cold, exogenous febrile disease, fever and headaches in Korea, China and Japan. Although various pharmacological activities of GJT have been reported in several studies, the effect of GJT water extract (GJTWE) on airway inflammation has not yet been investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of GJTWE on airway inflammation-related factors using human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells, and to identify the phytochemicals in GJTWE by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-MS/MS) analysis. GJTWE significantly decreased the production of chemokines, including eotaxin-3, eotaxin-1, regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), and matrix metalloproteinase-9, and the expression of the adhesion molecules, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, in interleukin-4 + tumor necrosis factor-α (IT)-stimulated BEAS-2B cells. In the UPLC-DAD-MS/MS analysis, 21 phytochemicals, including six flavonoids, two chalcones, five terpenoids, six phenolics, one phenylpropanoid and one coumarin, were identified in GJTWE. The findings suggested that GJTWE might exhibit anti-inflammatory effects on airway inflammation by regulating the expression of inflammatory response-related factors in IT-stimulated BEAS-2B cells; further studies are required to determine the bioactive compounds involved in the inhibition of airway inflammation. Full article
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15 pages, 5549 KiB  
Article
Phytochemical Characterization and Screening of Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Antiproliferative Properties of Allium × cornutum Clementi and Two Varieties of Allium cepa L. Peel Extracts
by Željana Fredotović, Jasna Puizina, Marija Nazlić, Ana Maravić, Ivica Ljubenkov, Barbara Soldo, Elma Vuko and Danica Bajić
Plants 2021, 10(5), 832; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10050832 - 21 Apr 2021
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 5376
Abstract
Onions are one of the most widely grown vegetable crops. As production increases, so does the generation of waste from various parts of the onion, raising the need for efficient ecological disposal and use of such waste products. However, onion waste products are [...] Read more.
Onions are one of the most widely grown vegetable crops. As production increases, so does the generation of waste from various parts of the onion, raising the need for efficient ecological disposal and use of such waste products. However, onion waste products are a rich source of antioxidants with a range of biological properties, therefore, they could potentially be used in food and pharmaceutical industries. In the present study, we identified the main flavonols and anthocyanins in peel extracts of Allium × cornutum Clement ex Visiani, 1842, and two varieties of Allium cepa L. and tested their antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiproliferative properties. Quercetin 3,4′-diglucolside, quercetin 4′-monoglucoside and quercetin are the most abundant flavonols in all onion extracts detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The composition of anthocyanins varied in all extracts. 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays showed that the triploid onion A. × cornutum had the highest antioxidant power. Evaluation of antimicrobial activity by broth microdilution assay also showed that A. × cornutum had higher antimicrobial activity compared to the red and yellow onion varieties. Comparable antiproliferative activity was confirmed for all onion extracts tested on three cancer cell lines: Hela (cervical cancer cell line), HCT116 (human colon cancer cell line) and U2OS (human osteosarcoma cell line). The most abundant onion flavonols (quercetin 3,4′-diglucoside and quercetin 4′-monoglucoside) showed weaker antimicrobial as well as antiproliferative properties compared to the extracts, leading to the conclusion that other phytochemicals besides flavonols contribute to the biological activity of onion peel extracts. The results demonstrate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of onion peels, which have promising potential as cancer cell proliferation inhibitors. Full article
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31 pages, 973 KiB  
Review
Ethnomedicinal Value of Antidiabetic Plants in Bangladesh: A Comprehensive Review
by Md. Masudur Rahman, Md. Josim Uddin, A. S. M. Ali Reza, Abu Montakim Tareq, Talha Bin Emran and Jesus Simal-Gandara
Plants 2021, 10(4), 729; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10040729 - 08 Apr 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 6882
Abstract
The use of conventional drugs to treat metabolic disorders and the pathological consequences of diabetes further increases the complications because of the side effects, and is sometimes burdensome due to relatively higher costs and occasionally painful route of administration of these drugs. Therefore, [...] Read more.
The use of conventional drugs to treat metabolic disorders and the pathological consequences of diabetes further increases the complications because of the side effects, and is sometimes burdensome due to relatively higher costs and occasionally painful route of administration of these drugs. Therefore, shifting to herbal medicine may be more effective, economical, have fewer side effects and might have minimal toxicity. The present review amasses a list of ethnomedicinal plants of 143 species belonging to 61 families, from distinctive domestic survey literature, reported to have been used to treat diabetes by the ethnic and local people of Bangladesh. Leaves of the medicinal plants were found leading in terms of their use, followed by fruits, whole plants, roots, seeds, bark, stems, flowers, and rhizomes. This review provides starting information leading to the search for and use of indigenous botanical resources to discover bioactive compounds for novel hypoglycemic drug development. Full article
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17 pages, 1537 KiB  
Article
Wild Italian Hyssopus officinalis subsp. aristatus (Godr.) Nyman: From Morphological and Phytochemical Evidences to Biological Activities
by Alessandra Guerrini, Gianni Sacchetti, Monica Paulina Echeverria Guevara, Guglielmo Paganetto, Alessandro Grandini, Immacolata Maresca, Luigi Menghini, Luciano Di Martino, Arianna Marengo and Massimo Tacchini
Plants 2021, 10(4), 631; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10040631 - 26 Mar 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2326
Abstract
Three specimens of H. officinalis subsp. aristatus were collected in three areas of the Abruzzo region (Italy) and subjected to macroscopic and microscopic observation to support their botanical identification. The essential oils (EOs) obtained from the aerial parts of the samples were characterized [...] Read more.
Three specimens of H. officinalis subsp. aristatus were collected in three areas of the Abruzzo region (Italy) and subjected to macroscopic and microscopic observation to support their botanical identification. The essential oils (EOs) obtained from the aerial parts of the samples were characterized with the object to define their phytochemical and pharmaceutical biology profile. They highlight three different chemotypes, including one never seen in previous literature (CIV17-EO, distilled from sample harvested in 2017 at Civitaretenga), that showed a fingerprinting with the predominance of (-)-limonen-10-yl-acetate (67.9%). In 2017 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reported the genotoxicity of similar compounds, therefore, to dismiss any safety concern for the CIV17-EO use as flavouring substance, the Ames test was performed with no evidence of mutagenic activity. Safety of use coupled with chemical characterization of this new chemotype set the stage for a better standardization of H. officinalis EOs. The ethanolic extracts, on the other hand, with qualitatively similar chemical profiles in which caftaric, chlorogenic and rosmarinic acid were the main molecules, showed interesting antioxidant activity and a slight cytotoxicity towards the A549 cell line that could indicate a starting point for the evaluation of an additional preventive tool for maintaining health status. Full article
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19 pages, 3535 KiB  
Article
Immunomodulatory and Anticancer Activities of Hyacinthus orientalis L.: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study
by Lina T. Al Kury, Zainab Taha and Wamidh H. Talib
Plants 2021, 10(4), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10040617 - 24 Mar 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2235
Abstract
Hyacinthus orientalis L. (family Hyacinthaceae) is traditionally used to treat different diseases including cancer. In this study, the anticancer and immunomodulatory effects of this plant were evaluated. Hydroalcoholic extract was prepared, and different solvent fractions were obtained using solvent–solvent extraction. In the anticancer [...] Read more.
Hyacinthus orientalis L. (family Hyacinthaceae) is traditionally used to treat different diseases including cancer. In this study, the anticancer and immunomodulatory effects of this plant were evaluated. Hydroalcoholic extract was prepared, and different solvent fractions were obtained using solvent–solvent extraction. In the anticancer part, MTT assay and caspase-3 ELISA kits were used to measure the antiproliferative and apoptosis induction ability for each extract, respectively. In the immunomodulatory part, lymphocyte proliferation assay and cytokines detection kit were used to measure the effect of extracts of acquired immunity. Phagocytosis and pinocytosis induction were used to evaluate the effect of extracts on the innate immunity. GC–MS, LC–MS, and Foline–Ciocalteu assays were used to identify the chemical composition of the plant. Balb/C mice were inoculated with breast cancer and treated with hydroalcoholic extract of H. orientalis L. Results showed that hydroalcoholic extract and n-hexane fraction were highly effective in apoptosis induction. Both extract and fraction were also effective in stimulating lymphocytes proliferation and phagocytosis. Significant reduction in tumor size was achieved after treating tumor-bearing mice with hydroalcoholic extract. Additionally, high cure percentages (50%) were obtained in treated mice. Results of this study showed that H. orientalis L. has promising anticancer and immunomodulatory activities. However, further studies are needed to explore more details of apoptosis induction ability and other mechanisms of action and to measure different signaling pathways responsible for the anticancer and immunomodulatory response. Full article
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10 pages, 1325 KiB  
Article
Phytochemical Profiling of Methanolic Fruit Extract of Gardenia latifolia Ait. by LC-MS/MS Analysis and Evaluation of Its Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity
by Y. Mohan Reddy, S. P. Jeevan Kumar, K. V. Saritha, P. Gopal, T. Madhusudana Reddy and Jesus Simal-Gandara
Plants 2021, 10(3), 545; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10030545 - 13 Mar 2021
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3841
Abstract
Gardenia latifolia Ait. (Rubiaceae) is also known as Indian Boxwood is a small deciduous tree often growing in southern states of India. In the present study, phytochemical profiling of methanolic extract of G. latifolia fruits were carried out using FTIR and LC-MS/MS analysis. [...] Read more.
Gardenia latifolia Ait. (Rubiaceae) is also known as Indian Boxwood is a small deciduous tree often growing in southern states of India. In the present study, phytochemical profiling of methanolic extract of G. latifolia fruits were carried out using FTIR and LC-MS/MS analysis. Besides, its antioxidant and antimicrobial potential have been analysed using DPPH activity, differential pulse voltammetry and resazurin microtiter assay, respectively. Phytochemical profiling revealed the presence of 22 major diversified compounds and main were 3-caffeoyl quinic acid (chlorogenic acid), 3,4-Di-O-caffeoyl quinic acid, 6-O-trans-feruloylgenipin gentiobioside, 10-(6-O-trans sinapoyl glucopyranosyl) gardendiol, isoquercitrin, scortechinones, secaubryenol, iridoids and quercetin 3-rutinoside (rutin). The extract showed antioxidant activity (IC50 = 65.82) and powerful antibacterial activity with lowest minimum inhibitory concentration against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (15.62 µg/µL), Bacillus subtilis (31.25 µg/µL) than gram negative Escherichia coli (62.5 µg/µL), Klebsiella pneumoniae (62.5 µg/µL), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (31.25 µg/µL). This study shows that the fruits of G. latifolia have tremendous potential to be used in food industries, phyto-therapeutics and cosmetic industries. Full article
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12 pages, 26128 KiB  
Article
Anti-Austerity Activity of Thai Medicinal Plants: Chemical Constituents and Anti-Pancreatic Cancer Activities of Kaempferia parviflora
by Sijia Sun, Min Jo Kim, Dya Fita Dibwe, Ashraf M. Omar, Sirivan Athikomkulchai, Ampai Phrutivorapongkul, Takuya Okada, Kiyoshi Tsuge, Naoki Toyooka and Suresh Awale
Plants 2021, 10(2), 229; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10020229 - 25 Jan 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3885
Abstract
Human pancreatic tumor cells have an intrinsic ability to tolerate nutrition starvation and survive in the hypovascular tumor microenvironment, the phenomenon termed as “austerity”. Searching for an agent that inhibits such tolerance to nutrient starvation and kills the pancreatic cancer cells preferentially in [...] Read more.
Human pancreatic tumor cells have an intrinsic ability to tolerate nutrition starvation and survive in the hypovascular tumor microenvironment, the phenomenon termed as “austerity”. Searching for an agent that inhibits such tolerance to nutrient starvation and kills the pancreatic cancer cells preferentially in nutrient-starvation is a unique anti-austerity strategy in anti-cancer drug discovery. In this strategy, plant extracts and compounds are tested against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cell line under the conditions of nutrient-deprived medium (NDM) and nutrient-rich medium (DMEM), to discover the compounds that show selective cytotoxicity in NDM. Screening of twenty-five Thai indigenous medicinal plant extracts for their anti-austerity activity against the PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cell line in nutrient deprived medium (NDM) resulted in the identification of four active plants, Derris scandens, Boesenbergia pandurata, Citrus hystrix, and Kaempferia parviflora, with PC50 values 0.5–8.9 µg/mL. K. parviflora extract also inhibited PANC-1 cancer cell colony formation. Phytochemical investigation of K. parviflora extract led to the isolation of fourteen compounds, including two polyoxygenated cyclohexanes (1 and 2), eleven flavonoids (3–13), and β-sitosterol (14). Stereochemical assignment of compound 1 was confirmed through X-ray analysis. All isolated compounds were tested for their preferential cytotoxicity against PANC-1 cells. Among them, 5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone (3) displayed the most potent activity with a PC50 value of 0.8 µM. Mechanistically, it was found to induce apoptosis in PANC-1 cell death in NDM as evident by caspase cleavage. It was also found to inhibit PANC-1 cancer cell colony formation in DMEM. Therefore, compound 3 can be considered as a potential lead compound for the anticancer drug development based on the anti-austerity strategy. Full article
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13 pages, 2168 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Photo-Induced Cytotoxic Activity of Cachrys sicula and Cachrys libanotis Enriched-Coumarin Extracts against Human Melanoma Cells
by Mariangela Marrelli, Maria Rosaria Perri, Valentina Amodeo, Francesca Giordano, Giancarlo A. Statti, Maria Luisa Panno and Filomena Conforti
Plants 2021, 10(1), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10010123 - 08 Jan 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 1953
Abstract
Photochemotherapy is one of the most interesting current therapeutic approaches for the treatment of melanoma. Different classes of naturally occurring phytochemicals demonstrated interesting photoactive properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the photocytotoxic potential of two Cachrys species from Southern Italy: [...] Read more.
Photochemotherapy is one of the most interesting current therapeutic approaches for the treatment of melanoma. Different classes of naturally occurring phytochemicals demonstrated interesting photoactive properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the photocytotoxic potential of two Cachrys species from Southern Italy: C. sicula and C. libanotis (Apiaceae). The enriched-coumarin extracts were obtained from aerial parts through both traditional maceration and pressurized cyclic solid-liquid (PCSL) extraction using Naviglio extractor®. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of furanocoumarins were performed with GC-MS. The photocytotoxic effects were verified on C32 melanoma cells irradiated at a dose of 1.08 J/cm2. The apoptotic responses were also assessed. Moreover, phenolic content and the in vitro antioxidant potential were estimated. Xanthotoxin, bergapten, and isopimpinellin were identified. All the samples induced concentration-dependent photocytotoxic effects (IC50 ranging from 3.16 to 18.18 μg/mL). The C. libanotis sample obtained with Naviglio extractor® was the most effective one (IC50 = 3.16 ± 0.21 μg/mL), followed by C. sicula sample obtained with the same technique (IC50 = 8.83 ± 0.20 μg/mL). Both Cachrys samples obtained through PCSL induced up-regulation of apoptotic signals such as BAX (Bcl2-associated X protein) and PARP (poly ADP-ribose polymerase) cleavage. Moreover, these samples proved to be more photoactive, giving a greater upregulation of p21 protein in the presence of UVA radiation. Obtained results suggest that investigated species could be promising candidates for further investigations aimed to find new potential drugs for the photochemotherapy of skin cancer. Full article
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2020

Jump to: 2023, 2022, 2021

17 pages, 2734 KiB  
Article
Essential Oils of Alpinia nantoensis Retard Forskolin-Induced Melanogenesis via ERK1/2-Mediated Proteasomal Degradation of MITF
by K. J. Senthil Kumar, M. Gokila Vani, Pei-Chen Wu, Hui-Ju Lee, Yen-Hsueh Tseng and Sheng-Yang Wang
Plants 2020, 9(12), 1672; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121672 - 28 Nov 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2563
Abstract
The anti-melanogenic activity of essential oils of Alpinia nantoensis and their bioactive ingredients were investigated in vitro. Treatment with leaf (LEO) and rhizome (REO) essential oils of A. nantoensis, significantly reduced forskolin-induced melanin production followed by down-regulation of tyrosinase (TYR) and tyrosinase related [...] Read more.
The anti-melanogenic activity of essential oils of Alpinia nantoensis and their bioactive ingredients were investigated in vitro. Treatment with leaf (LEO) and rhizome (REO) essential oils of A. nantoensis, significantly reduced forskolin-induced melanin production followed by down-regulation of tyrosinase (TYR) and tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1) expression at both transcriptional and translational levels. Further studies revealed that down-regulation TYR and TRP-1 were caused by LEO/REO-mediated suppression of Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), as evidenced by reduced nuclear translocation of MITF. Also, we found that LEO/REO induce the sustained activation of ERK1/2, which facilitate subsequent proteasomal degradation of MITF, as confirmed by that LEO/REO failed to inhibits MITF activity in ERK1/2 inhibitor treated cells. In addition, a significant increase of ubiquitinated MITF was observed after treatment with LEO and REO. Furthermore, the chemical composition of LEO and REO were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) resulted that camphor, camphene, α-pinene, β-pinene, isoborneol and D-limonene were the major compounds in both LEO and REO. Further studies revealed that α-pinene and D-limonene were the active components responsible for the anti-melanogenic properties of LEO and REO. Based on the results, this study provided a strong evidence that LEO and REO could be promising natural sources for the development of novel skin-whitening agents for the cosmetic purposes. Full article
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17 pages, 801 KiB  
Review
Essential Oils and Bioactive Components against Arthritis: A Novel Perspective on Their Therapeutic Potential
by Mariangela Marrelli, Valentina Amodeo, Maria Rosaria Perri, Filomena Conforti and Giancarlo Statti
Plants 2020, 9(10), 1252; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9101252 - 23 Sep 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5434
Abstract
Essential oils (EOs) are known to possess a number of beneficial properties. Their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cancer-preventing activities have been extensively reported. Due to their wide use as food preservers and additives, as well as their use in agriculture, perfumes, and [...] Read more.
Essential oils (EOs) are known to possess a number of beneficial properties. Their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cancer-preventing activities have been extensively reported. Due to their wide use as food preservers and additives, as well as their use in agriculture, perfumes, and make-up products, these complex mixtures of volatile compounds have gained importance from a commercial point of view, not only in the pharmaceutical industry, but also in agronomic, food, cosmetic, and perfume industries. An analysis of the recent scientific literature allowed us to highlight the presence of an increasing number of studies on the potential antiarthritic properties of EOs and their main constituents, which seems to suggest a new interesting potential therapeutic application. The aim of this review is to examine the current knowledge on the beneficial effects of essential oils in the treatment of arthritic diseases, providing an overview of the reports on the in vivo and in vitro effects of EOs. Furthermore, this review critically examines the recent findings on the potential roles of the main components of EOs in the exerted beneficial effects. Obtained negative results are also reported. Full article
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