Search Results (87)

Galactomannans are a typical reserve polysaccharide in the endosperm of leguminous seeds; they turn the endosperm hard when dry and gelatinous and swollen when hydrated. Although galactomannans of several species have been biochemically characterized, little is known about their deposition within the endosperm. This study aimed to clarify how polysaccharides, galactomanans according to the literature, are produced and stored in the endosperm of Caesalpinia pulcherrima seeds by describing its structural and ultrastructural features throughout development. Samples of seeds at different developmental stages were collected and processed for study under light and electron microscopy. During development, the endosperm of C. pulcherrima undergoes substantial anatomical modifications associated with cellular cycles of polysaccharide release that gradually accumulates in the intercellular spaces. Endosperm cells exhibit an active Golgi apparatus with intense polysaccharide production, confirming their secretory function. In the mature endosperm, polysaccharides are stored in periplasmic and intercellular spaces rather than in thickened cell walls, as previously reported for other Leguminosae. By showing that galactomannans accumulate in periplasmic and intercellular spaces rather than in cell walls, our findings expand current understanding of endosperm diversity in Leguminosae and provide a foundation for future comparative studies on galactomannan synthesis and deposition across the family. Full article

The species Caesalpinia spinosa, is a native forest tree of the Andes, which has multiple and valuable uses. In this study, a total of 39 guarango accessions from INIAP´s Gene Bank collection, were evaluated to determine their morphological and ecogeographical diversity. Seventeen quantitative and seven qualitative descriptors were used to characterize morphologically seeds and trees. Multivariate analyses revealed four morphological groups mainly differentiated by seed germination, viability rates, total tree height, and seed and leaflet dimensions, whereas descriptors such as seed color, shape and hilum position, presence of spines, and stem color were not discriminant. On the other hand, ecogeographical characterization, based on 21 bioclimatic, edaphic, and geophysical variables, identified six groups distributed latitudinally along the Ecuadorian Andes. A lack of significant correlation between morphological and ecogeographical variation (Mantel test) was found, suggesting that phenotypic expression is shaped by independent genetic and environmental drivers. This research is the first comprehensive morphological and ecogeographical characterization of the species in Ecuador. This new information will strengthen in situ and ex situ conservation efforts as well as promote the sustainable use of the species in the near future. Full article

Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) exposure has been linked to increased lung damage due to compromised vascular barrier function, while 3-deoxysappanchalcone (3-DSC), a chalcone derived from Caesalpinia sappan, is known for its pharmacological benefits such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects; however, its potential role in mitigating PM_2.5-induced pulmonary damage remains unexplored. To confirm the inhibitory effects of 3-DSC on PM_2.5-induced pulmonary injury, this research focused on evaluating how 3-DSC influences PM_2.5-induced disruption of the barrier of the endothelial cells (ECs) in the lungs and the resulting pulmonary inflammation. Permeability, leukocyte migration, proinflammatory protein activation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and histology were assessed in PM_2.5-treated ECs and mice. This study demonstrated that 3-DSC effectively neutralized the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by PM_2.5 exposure in the lung endothelial cells, suppressing ROS-triggered p38 MAPK activation while enhancing Akt signaling pathways critical to preserving vascular barrier function. In animal models, 3-DSC administration markedly decreased vascular permeability, attenuated the influx of immune cells into the lung tissue, and lowered inflammatory mediators like cytokines in the airways of PM_2.5-exposed mice. These data suggest that 3-DSC might exert protective effects on PM_2.5-induced inflammatory lung injury and vascular hyperpermeability. Full article

The semi-synthesis of the (5R,7R,11bR)-9-(di(1H-indol-3-yl)methyl)-4,4,7,11b-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,7,11,11a,11b-dodecahydrophenanthro[3,2-b]furan-5-yl acetate was performed via a pseudo-multicomponent reaction involving a double Friedel–Crafts alkylation between the natural product-derived aldehyde 6β-acetoxyvouacapane and the corresponding indole. The transformation was carried out under solvent-free mechanochemical conditions using mortar and pestle grinding, with ZnCl₂ as the catalyst. Structural elucidation of the target compound was accomplished using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, COSY, HSQC, and HMBC), FT-IR, and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Full article

Naturally occurring plant-based compounds are increasingly being explored for their therapeutic potential in treating a wide range of conditions, particularly those related to vascular health. The compound 3-deoxysappanchalcone (3-DSC), derived from Caesalpinia sappan L., has been proven to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-influenza, and anti-allergic properties, though its role in thrombosis and haemostasis remains unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-thrombotic potential of 3-DSC in both in vitro and in vivo models. The anticoagulant activities of 3-DSC were assessed using activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin (FIIa) and activated factor X (FXa) activity assays, as well as fibrin polymerization and platelet aggregation tests. Its effects on plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) expression were evaluated in TNF-α-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The results demonstrated that 3-DSC extended aPTT and PT, suppressed thrombin and FXa activities, reduced their production in HUVECs, inhibited thrombin-induced fibrin polymerization and platelet aggregation, and exerted anticoagulant effects in mice. Furthermore, 3-DSC significantly decreased the PAI-1 to t-PA ratio. These findings suggest that 3-DSC possesses potent anti-thrombotic properties by modulating coagulation pathways and fibrinolysis. Its therapeutic potential warrants further investigation for the development of novel anticoagulant agents. Full article

Functional vinegars have been produced from various ingredients worldwide, yet there remains a notable gap in utilizing herbal plants as complementary ingredients to sugar-based materials. This study investigates the innovative combination of Caesalpinia sappan extract with sugarcane juice for functional vinegar production. The results demonstrate that C. sappan-supplemented vinegars exhibited significantly enhanced quality parameters compared to control vinegar made from sugarcane juice alone. Specifically, the supplemented vinegars showed increased total acidity and total phenolic content (TPC), with the improvement directly proportional to the concentration of plant extract used. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed unique volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that were present exclusively in the C. sappan-supplemented vinegars but absent in the control. Most notably, the supplementation of C. sappan extract at concentrations of 2 and 4 g/L substantially enhanced both the antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity of the resulting vinegars. These biochemical improvements highlight the synergistic potential of combining sugarcane juice with C. sappan extract for developing novel functional vinegar beverages with enhanced bioactive properties. Our findings open new possibilities for creating value-added products that leverage traditional medicinal plants in modern functional beverages, potentially offering consumers additional health benefits beyond conventional vinegars. Full article

Bamboo’s single color and susceptibility to mold substantially limit its wide application. Therefore, dyeing and mold prevention have become pivotal technologies for the high-value-added utilization of bamboo. This study selected the extracts of three plants (Caesalpinia sappan L. (Cs), Rubia cordifolia L. (Rc), and Carthamus tinctorius L. (Ct)) for dyeing and mold prevention experiments. The results showed that the three extracts had good dyeing effects on bamboo, with total color differences (ΔE*) of 31.69, 21.61, and 32.29 compared to untreated bamboo, respectively. Additionally, these had a moderate inhibitory effect on mold. The introduction of metal mordants effectively enhances the dyeing effect of plant dyes and the effectiveness of mold inhibition. Through the joint modification of Cs and Cu, the color fixation rate increased from 3.12% to 9.20% compared with the Cs extract. A Cu 1 g:300 mL Cs extract impregnation of bamboo can completely inhibit the growth of Aspergillus niger, and a 1 g:1100 mL ratio can completely inhibit the growth of Trichoderma viride. This study provides a new concept for applying plant dyes in the dyeing and mold prevention treatment of bamboo. The dual-effect treatment of dyeing and mold prevention enhances the visual characteristics of bamboo while imparting it with good mold prevention performance. Full article

The emergence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global issue since 2019. The prominent characteristic of SARS-CoV-2 is the presence of the spike (S) protein protruding from the virus particle envelope. The S protein is a major drug and vaccine target because it initiates the key step in infection. Medicinal herbs are a potential treatment option to enhance immunity to fight viral infections. Caesalpinia sappan L. has been reported to display promising anti-viral activities. Specifically, brazilin (BRA), a major bioactive compound in C. sappan, was reported to play a role in inhibiting viral infection. Thus, the ability of BRA as a COVID-19 treatment was tested. The S protein was used as the BRA target of this work. Understanding the binding mechanism of BRA to the S protein is crucial for future utilisation of C. sappan as a COVID-19 treatment or other coronavirus-caused pandemics. Here, we performed molecular docking of BRA onto the S protein receptor binding domain (RBD) and multimerisation (MM) pockets. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted to study the stability of binding to glycosylated and non-glycosylated S protein constructs. BRA can bind to the Receptor-binding motif (RBM) on an RBD surface stably; however, it is too large to fit into the MM pocket, resulting in dissociation. Nonetheless, BRA is bound by residues near the S1/S2 interface. We found that glycosylation has no effect on BRA binding, as the proposed binding site is far from any glycans. Our results thus indicate that C. sappan may act as a promising preventive and therapeutic alternative for COVID-19 treatment. Full article

Mastitis is a major infectious disease that causes significant economic losses in the dairy industry. Current control programs primarily rely on antimicrobials, contributing to the growing concerns of the resistance situation and drug residues in milk. This study aimed to identify the bacterial pathogens responsible for subclinical/clinical bovine mastitis, assess their antimicrobial resistance profiles, and evaluate the antimicrobial effects of Caesalpinia sappan in treating mastitis through both in vitro and in vivo studies. A total of 138 bacterial isolates, representing 40 species, were identified from 100 milk samples collected from dairy cows under the Maejo Cooperative Group in Chiang Mai, Thailand, between May 2021 and February 2022. The most prevalent species was Escherichia coli (10.87%), followed by Bacillus cereus (9.42%) and Staphylococcus sciuri (7.97%). The highest resistance rates were observed for penicillin (65.21%), followed by streptomycin and lincomycin (61.59%). Nine isolates resisted all 18 antimicrobials tested. The average minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of C. sappan against the identified pathogens ranged from 0.63 to 17.68 mg/mL, with the highest MIC observed against Pseudomonas luteola. In the animal experiment, treatment with a prototype of an intramammary infusion compound primarily formulated from C. sappan significantly reduced the total bacterial count and California Mastitis Test (CMT) scores (p < 0.01). These results suggest that C. sappan exhibits antimicrobial efficacy against various mastitis bacteria and could serve as a potential alternative treatment to control bovine mastitis in dairy cattle within the study region. Full article

Tropical dry forests (TDFs) are among the ecosystems most threatened by agricultural use and climate warming. However, the long-term growth responses to climate variability of woody plants in TDFs are understudied because not all TDF species form conspicuous annual rings. To address this issue, we sampled trees (26 species) and lianas (2 species) in TDFs subjected to contrasting climate conditions and located in Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia. First, we examined the potential to form conspicuous tree-ring boundaries in 22 tree species (Amyris pinnata, Aspidosperma tomentosum, Beilschmiedia sp., Bursera graveolens, Caesalpinia pluviosa, Ceiba pentandra, Centrolobium microchaete, Citharexylum kunthianum, Cordia alliodora, Croton gossypiifolius, Cupania cinerea, Eugenia sp., Genipa americana, Guarea guidonia, Hymenaea courbaril, Machaerium capote, Pithecellobium dulce, Rapanea guianensis, Sapindus saponaria, Senna spectabilis, Zanthoxylum monophyllum, Zanthoxylum rhoifolium, and Zanthoxylum verrucosum) and two liana species (Bignoniaceae and Combretaceae families). Second, we built mean series of ring-width indices in selected tree (A. tomentosum, B. graveolens, C. alliodora, C. cinerea, C. microchaete, P. dulce, S. spectabilis, and Z. verrucosum) and liana species and related them to climate variables. Wet conditions during the current and prior growing seasons enhanced growth in tree and liana species in different TDFs. Coexisting species showed individualistic responses to climate variability. Full article

Plant protection against phytophagous pests still largely relies on the application of synthetic insecticides, which can lead to environmental and health risks that are further exacerbated by the development of resistant pest populations. These are the driving forces behind the current trend of research and the development of new ecological insecticides. The mode of action does not have to rely exclusively on acute or chronic toxicity. Another promising approach is the use of plant antifeedants, which can significantly reduce the food intake of phytophagous insects. However, the information on antifeedant substances has not yet been sufficiently evaluated. The aim of this review was to find the most promising plants that provide potent extracts, essential oils (EOs), or isolated compounds with antifeedant properties. The selection was based on a comparison of effective concentrations or doses. Effective extracts were obtained from 85 plant species belonging to 35 families and the EOs came from 38 aromatic plant species from 11 families. Based on the results, Angelica archangelica, Caesalpinia bonduc, Grindelia camporum, Inula auriculata, Lavandula luisieri, Mentha pulegium, Piper hispidinervum, and Vitis vinifera were selected as promising plants with antifeedant potential. These plants are potent antifeedants, and at the same time provide sufficient biomass for industrial use in the development and production of botanical antifeedants. Full article

Caesalpinia sappan L. has exhibited various pharmacological effects, yet its anticancer activities against colorectal cancer (CRC) and underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the anticancer properties of an ethanol extract of C. sappan L. (CSE) against CRC cells, focusing on the identification of bioactive compounds and their mechanisms of action. A network pharmacology analysis was conducted to identify potential CRC targets and bioactive compounds of CSE, using LC-MS for compound identification. The anticancer effects of CSE were then validated through in vitro and in vivo models of CRC. The network pharmacological approach identified 87 overlapping genes between CSE targets and CRC-related genes, with protein–protein interaction analysis highlighting 33 key target genes. CSE inhibited cell proliferation in human CRC cell lines, including HCT 116, KM12SM, HT-29, and COLO 205, and induced apoptosis via caspase 3/7 activation. Western blot analyses confirmed the modulation of critical signaling pathways, including STAT3, AKT, and mitogen-activated protein kinases. Furthermore, CSE significantly suppressed tumor growth in MC38 CRC-bearing mice. These findings suggest that CSE possesses substantial potential as a natural anticancer agent for CRC treatment, highlighting the need for further exploration in therapeutic development. Full article

The objective of the present study was to explore the pharmacological potential of three Andean Fabaceae species—Prosopis pallida (algarrobo), Caesalpinia spinosa (tara), and Inga feuilleei (pacae)—as well as their phytochemical composition and traditional uses. A search was conducted in the Scopus database, and the bibliometric analysis was performed using VOSviewer version 1.6.20. The interventions included antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties. Tara exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity and phenolic compounds, followed by pacae and algarrobo, with flavonoids such as quercetin, coumaric acid, and isoflavones identified as responsible for this potential. Regarding microbial activity, tara demonstrated inhibitory effects against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, while algarrobo exhibited inhibitory effects only against the latter. The considerable diversity of phenolic compounds in these species represents a broad field for research, where their cultural and nutritional reevaluation may have significant applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries, contributing to health preservation. All studies support in some way the beneficial effects of phytochemicals on human health. Full article

The current level of knowledge on transcriptome responses triggered by Caesalpinia sappan (CS) extract in porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection is limited. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to detect significant genes and pathways involved in CS extract supplementation responsiveness of PBMCs after PRRSV infection. RNA sequencing was conducted on PBMCs, which were isolated from six weaned piglets. The resultant transcriptional responses were examined by mRNA sequencing. Differential expression analysis identified 263 and 274 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the PRRSV and CTRL groups, and the PRRSV+CS and CTRL groups, respectively. Among these, ZNF646 and KAT5 emerged as the most promising candidate genes, potentially influencing the interaction between PRRSV-infected PBMCs and CS extract supplementation through the regulation of gene networks and cellular homeostasis during stress. Two pathways were detected to be associated with CS extract supplementation responsiveness: the cellular response to stress pathway and the NF-kB signaling pathway. Consequently, our study reveals a novel mechanism underlying cellular stress response and the NF-κB signaling pathway in PRRSV-infected PBMCs, and identifies a potential application of CS extract for activating the NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, by supplementing CS extract in PBMC cells infected with PRRSV, we found that CS extract modulates PRRSV infection by inducing cellular stress, which is regulated by the NF-κB signaling pathway. This induced stress creates an adverse environment for PRRSV survival. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the therapeutic targets and pathogenesis of PRRSV infection. Importantly, our results demonstrate that CS extract has the potential to be a candidate for modulating PRRSV infection. Full article

Andean purple corn (Zea mays L.) is an ancient native Peruvian crop that is currently used in Peruvian gastronomy. Cushuro is a cyanobacteria from the Andean lakes of Peru. They have considerable amounts of bioactive compounds that can improve the physicochemical properties of foods. The objective of this research was to characterize the rheological and functional properties of food hydrogels developed with purple corn extracts, red prickly pear fruit pulp, and cushuro polysaccharide (CP). Acid-soluble polysaccharides obtained from the Nostoc sphaericum variety from Ancash, Peru, as well as Peruvian purple corn extracts, were used. Food hydrogels at concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 3.5% (w/v) were elaborated by dispersing the polysaccharides in a 4:1 extract/pulp (v/v) ratio. Likewise, control samples with Tara (Caesalpinia spinosa) gum (TG) were made. The effect of hydrocolloid concentration (0.5; 1.5; 2.5; 3.5%) on the rheological properties was evaluated using a unifactorial design. CP and TG hydrogels exhibited a shear-thinning nature, a concentration-dependent yield point (0.02–29.91 Pa; 2.01–508.39 Pa), and high antioxidant activity and phenolic content. Adding CP revealed slow structural regeneration, while TG showed thixotropy and a symmetric hysteresis loop. CP gels showed a fluid-like structure with viscoelastic properties (G″ > G′) even in the highest concentration evaluated (3.5%), contrary to TG gel that had a more solid (gel-like) structure (G′ > G″) at a low concentration (1.5%). These results showed a suitable rheological profile and desirable properties of the food hydrogels development for the functional food industry and processing. Full article