Search Results (43)

Various metabolic modulators have been widely used in recent years to increase the accumulation of desired secondary metabolites in medicinal plants, although most studies to date have focused on in vitro systems. Although simpler and cheaper, their potential application in vivo is still limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of three chemically different elicitors (150 mg/L chitosan lactate—ChL; 10 mg/L selenium as selenite—Se; 100 mg/L salicylic acid—SA) applied to the soil substrate on some aspects of the secondary metabolism and physiological responses of Chelidonium majus L. Using HPLC-DAD, six isoquinoline alkaloids were identified and quantified in shoot extracts. LC-ESI-TOF-MS analysis confirmed the molecular identity of all target alkaloids, supporting the identification. The strongest stimulatory effect on the accumulation of protopine, berberine, and allocryptopine was observed with the Se and SA treatment, whereas ChL was less effective. In turn, the dominant alkaloids (coptisine and chelidonine) remained unaffected. There was also an increase in total phenolic compounds, but not in soluble flavonols. The elicitor treatments caused an increase in the antioxidant activity of the plant extracts obtained. Regardless of the metabolic modulator type, the strongest effect was generally observed on days 7 and 10 after application. No visual signs of toxicity and no effect on shoot biomass were found, although some elicitor-induced changes in the oxidative status (increased H₂O₂ accumulation and enhanced lipid peroxidation) and free proline levels in leaves were observed. We suggest that Se or SA can be applied to C. majus grown in a controlled pot culture to obtain high-quality raw material and extracts with increased contents of valuable specialized metabolites and enhanced antioxidant capacity. Full article

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a fatal respiratory disease caused by excessive inflammation. Chelerythrine chloride (CH), an isoquinoline alkaloid, exhibits diverse biological activities. The research focused on assessing CH’s therapeutic effects against LPS-mediated ALI in mice and its underlying mechanisms. The anti-inflammatory effects of CH were evaluated both in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells and ALI mouse model. An amount of 2.5 μM CH significantly inhibited the secretion of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β in RAW264.7 cells. CH treatment notably mitigated the thickened alveolar septa and reduced edema in LPS-induced ALI in mice. Activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) technology was employed to identify the targets of CH. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was one of the direct targets of CH identified by ABPP. CH could downregulate the production of pyruvate. Furthermore, CH reduced the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) while increasing the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. All results suggest that CH mitigates LPS-induced ALI by targeting GAPDH and inhibiting glycolysis. This study reveals preliminary anti-inflammatory mechanisms of CH and its therapeutic potential for ALI. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by impaired glucose regulation. This study evaluated the antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of aqueous extracts from four plant species from the southern Algarve: Aristolochia baetica, Chelidonium majus, Dittrichia viscosa, and Lavandula viridis, using non-cellular in vitro assays. HPLC/PDA was used to identify active compounds. Antioxidant activity was assessed by using TAA, FRAP, RP, and DPPH assays; antidiabetic potential through α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition; and wound healing relevance through elastase, collagenase, and lipoxygenase inhibition. D. viscosa showed the highest antioxidant activity (FRAP: 1132.99 ± 19.54 mg TE/g dw; DPPH IC₅₀ = 25.85 ± 0.75 μg/mL) and total phenolic/flavonoid content, with a diverse profile including caffeic and chlorogenic acids, isoquercetin, and quercetin. It also exhibited potent α-glucosidase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 0.61 ± 0.06 mg/mL), outperforming acarbose. L. viridis had the highest total phenolic content (39.04 mg/g), while A. baetica demonstrated the strongest anti-elastase, anti-collagenase, and lipoxygenase activity, suggesting wound-healing potential. C. majus showed the weakest effects. A strong correlation was observed between phenolic content and antioxidant/antidiabetic activity. These findings support further in vivo studies on D. viscosa and A. baetica for potential use in T2DM management and diabetic wound healing. Full article

Chelidonium majus L. is a species with a wide medicinal use, commonly found in anthropogenically degraded habitats, forest edges, and urban parks. This study aimed to determine the chemical composition of the leaves, stems, and roots of Ch. majus and the soil in its rhizosphere in terms of the content of the main elements (Fe, Ca, P, Mg, Al, Na, K, S), trace elements and rare earth minerals (Ti, Mo, Ag, U, Au, Th, Sb, Bi, V, La, B, W, Sc, Tl, Se, Te, Ga, Cs, Ge, Hf, Nb, Rb, Sn, Ta, Zr, Y, Ce, In, Be, and Li), and their comparison in the parts analyzed. The study was conducted in five urban parks in southern Poland in a historically industrialized area. The results showed that Ca has the highest content among the macroelements. Its leaf content ranges from 24,700 to 40,700 mg·kg⁻¹, while in soil, it ranges from 6500 to 15,000 mg·kg⁻¹. In leaves, low values of Al (100–500 mg·kg⁻¹) and Na (100 mg·kg⁻¹) were found in comparison to the other elements tested, while high values of Al (5100–9800 mg·kg⁻¹) were found in soils. Among the macroelements in the Ch. majus stems, K showed the highest concentration (>100,000 mg·kg⁻¹), while the Ca content was 3–4 times lower in the stems than in the leaves. Rhizomes of Ch. majus accumulate the most K and Ca, in the range of 22,800–29,900 mg·kg⁻¹ and 5400–8900 mg·kg⁻¹, respectively. Fe and Al in all locations have higher values in the soil than in the tissues. In turn, the content of Ca, P, Mg, K, and S is higher in plants than in the soil. Determining the elemental content of medicinal plants is important information, as the plant draws these elements from the soil, and, at higher levels of toxicity, it may indicate that the plant should not be taken from this habitat for medicinal purposes. Full article

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is a biotrophic bacterial pathogen, which causes devastating bacterial blight disease worldwide. In this study, we thoroughly investigated the antimicrobial effect of the plant-derived extract chelerythrine against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and elucidated its mechanism. Chelerythrine is a quaternary ammonium alkaloid with a 2,3,7,8-tetrasubstituted phenanthridine structure, extracted from plants, such as the whole plant of Chelidonium majus, and the roots, stems, and leaves of Macleaya cordata. We found that chelerythrine significantly inhibited the growth of Xoo at a concentration of 1.25 μg/mL. Further experiments revealed that chelerythrine interfered with the division and reproduction of the bacterium, leading to its filamentous growth. Additionally, it increased the permeability of Xoo cell membranes and effectively decreased the pathogenicity of Xoo, including the inhibition of extracellular polysaccharide production, cellulase secretion, and biofilm formation. Chelerythrine induced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in the bacterium, triggering oxidative stress. The result showed that chelerythrine inhibited the formation of the Z-ring of Xoo, interfered with the synthesis of pyrimidine and purine nucleotides, inhibited DNA damage repair, and inhibited the formation of peptidoglycan and lipid-like A, thus interfering with cell membrane permeability, inhibiting carbohydrate metabolism and phosphorylation of sugars, reducing pathogenicity, and ultimately inhibiting bacterial growth and leading to the destruction or lysis of bacterial cells. Altogether, our results suggest that the antimicrobial effect of chelerythrine on Xoo exhibits multi-target properties. Additionally, its effective inhibitory concentration is low. These findings provide a crucial theoretical basis and guidance for the development of novel and efficient plant-derived antimicrobial compounds. Full article

Melanoma represents a formidable challenge in dermatological oncology due to its resistance to conventional treatments. The Celandine Alkali Injection Formula (CAIF) offers benefits on clinical internal medicine treatments, within which chelidonine and tetrandrine are recognized as potential quality markers. However, their synergistic mechanisms facilitating their anti-melanoma action remain unveiled. This study embarked on an exploration of CAIF’s therapeutic potential through a multifaceted research design, integrating system pharmacological predictions with empirical molecular biological evaluations. The dual application of chelidonine and tetrandrine within CAIF exhibited a pronounced inhibitory effect on the proliferation of B16F10 cells, surpassing the effectiveness of individual compound administration. Computational predictions identified the top 50 targets, involved in key signaling pathways including cell cycle regulation, and melanogenesis. RNA sequencing further elucidated that the combinatory treatment modulated a broader spectrum of differentially expressed genes, implicating crucial biological processes including cell differentiation, and tyrosinase metabolism. The combination markedly enhanced melanogenesis and apoptotic indices, arrested cell cycle progression, and fostered cellular differentiation. Notably, chelidonine additionally curtailed the migratory capacity of B16F10 cells. Our findings underscore the therapeutic potential of chelidonine and tetrandrine, key components of CAIF, in effectively combating melanoma by targeting cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and melanogenesis. Full article

The natural environment has been significantly impacted by human activity, urbanization, and industrialization, leading to changes in living organisms and their adaptation to harsh conditions. Species, including plants, adapt to these changes by creating mechanisms and modifications that allow them to survive in harsh environments. Also, endophytes, microorganisms that live inside plants, can support plant growth and defense mechanisms in these conditions by synthesizing antimicrobial secondary metabolites. What is more, endophytes produce bioactive metabolites, including alkaloids, amines, and peptides, which play a crucial role in the relationship between endophytes and their host organisms. Endophytes themselves benefit from this by creating a stable environment for their survival and development. The aim of this review is to gain insight into endophytic bioactive metabolites from chosen synanthropic ruderal plants. Industrial activities release pollutants like heavy metals, by-products, and waste, which challenge living organisms and require adaptation. Synanthropic plants, where endophytes are abundant, are particularly valuable for their bioactive compounds, which are used in agriculture and medicine. This review presents, among others, endophytes of herbaceous ruderal plants from central Europe—Chelidonium majus L., Urtica dioica L., Plantago lanceolata L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Equisetum arvense L., Oenothera biennis L., Silybum marianum L., and Mentha piperita L. Full article

Wound healing, a complex physiological process orchestrating intricate cellular and molecular events, seeks to restore tissue integrity. The burgeoning interest in leveraging the therapeutic potential of natural substances for advanced wound dressings is a recent phenomenon. Notably, Sericin, a silk-derived protein, and Chelidonium majus L. (C. majus), a botanical agent, have emerged as compelling candidates, providing a unique combination of natural elements that may revolutionize conventional wound care approaches. Sericin, renowned for its diverse properties, displays unique properties that accelerate the wound healing process. Simultaneously, C. majus, with its diverse pharmacological compounds, shows promise in reducing inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration. As the demand for innovative wound care solutions increases, understanding the therapeutic potential of natural products becomes imperative. This review synthesizes current knowledge on Sericin and C. majus, envisioning their future roles in advancing wound management strategies. The exploration of these natural substances as constituents of wound dressings provides a promising avenue for developing sustainable, effective, and biocompatible materials that could significantly impact the field of wound healing. Full article

Novel nanotechnology based on herbal products aspires to be a high-performing therapeutic platform. This study reports the development of an original engineering carrier system that jointly combines the pharmacological action of Chelidonium majus and AuNPs, with unique properties that ensure that the limitations imposed by low stability, toxicity, absorption, and targeted and prolonged release can be overcome. The metabolite profile of Romanian wild-grown Chelidonium majus contains a total of seventy-four phytochemicals belonging to eight secondary metabolite categories, including alkaloids, amino acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, fatty acids, sterols, and miscellaneous others. In this study, various techniques (XRD, FTIR, SEM, DLS, and TG/DTG) were employed to investigate his new carrier system’s morpho-structural and thermal properties. In vitro assays were conducted to evaluate the antioxidant potential and release profile. The results indicate 99.9% and 94.4% dissolution at different pH values for the CG-AuNPs carrier system and 93.5% and 85.26% for greater celandine at pH 4 and pH 7, respectively. Additionally, three in vitro antioxidant assays indicated an increase in antioxidant potential (flavonoid content 3.8%; FRAP assay 24.6%; and DPPH 24.4%) of the CG-AuNPs carrier system compared to the herb sample. The collective results reflect the system’s promising perspective as a new efficient antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory candidate with versatile applications, ranging from target delivery systems, oral inflammation (periodontitis), and anti-age cosmetics to extending the shelf lives of products in the food industry. Full article

Cerium oxide nanoparticles were obtained using aqueous extracts of Chelidonium majus and Viscum album. X-ray diffractometry analysis confirmed the crystalline structure of the synthesized cerium oxide nanoparticles calcined at 600 °C. Scanning electron microscopy, UV-Vis reflectance and Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and fluorescence studies were utilized to interpret the morphological and optical properties of these nanoparticles. The STEM images revealed the spherical shape of the nanoparticles and that they were predominantly uniform in size. The optical band gap of our cerium nanoparticles was determined to be 3.3 and 3.0 eV from reflectance measurements using the Tauc plots. The nanoparticle sizes evaluated from the Raman band at 464 cm⁻¹ due to the $F_{2g}$ mode of the cubic fluorite structure of cerium oxide are close to those determined from the XRD and STEM data. The fluorescence results showed emission bands at 425, 446, 467, and 480 nm. The electronic absorption spectra have exhibited an absorption band around 325 nm. The antioxidant potential of the cerium oxide nanoparticles was estimated by DPPH scavenging assay. Full article

The search for new substances with cytotoxic activity against various cancer cells, especially cells that are very resistant to currently used chemotherapeutic agents, such as melanoma cells, is a very important scientific aspect. We investigated the cytotoxic effect of Chelidonium majus, Mahonia aquifolium and Sanguinaria canadensis extracts obtained from different parts of these plants collected at various vegetation stages on FaDu, SCC-25, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. Almost all the tested extracts showed higher cytotoxicity against these cancer cells than the anticancer drug etoposide. The highest cytotoxicity against the FaDu, SCC-25, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines was obtained for the Sanguinaria candensis extract collected before flowering. The cytotoxicity of extracts obtained from different parts of Chelidonium majus collected at various vegetation stages was also evaluated on melanoma cells (A375, G361 and SK-MEL-3). The highest cytotoxic activity against melanoma A375 cells was observed for the Chelidonium majus root extract, with an IC50 of 12.65 μg/mL. The same extract was the most cytotoxic against SK-MEL-3 cells (IC50 = 1.93 μg/mL), while the highest cytotoxic activity against G361 cells was observed after exposure to the extract obtained from the herb of the plant. The cytotoxic activity of Chelidonium majus extracts against melanoma cells was compared with the cytotoxicity of the following anticancer drugs: etoposide, cisplatin and hydroxyurea. In most cases, the IC50 values obtained for the anticancer drugs were higher than those obtained for the Chelidonium majus extracts. The most cytotoxic extract obtained from the root of Chelidonium majus was selected for in vivo cytotoxic activity investigations using a Danio rerio larvae xenograft model. The model was applied for the first time in the in vivo investigations of the extract’s anticancer potential. The application of Danio rerio larvae xenografts in cancer research is advantageous because of the transparency and ease of compound administration, the small size and the short duration and low cost of the experiments. The results obtained in the xenograft model confirmed the great effect of the investigated extract on the number of cancer cells in a living organism. Our investigations show that the investigated plant extracts exhibit very high cytotoxic activity and can be recommended for further experiments in order to additionally confirm their potential use in the treatment of various human cancers. Full article

Anthropogenic ecological ecosystems create favourable conditions for the growth of the nitrophilous medicinal species Chelidonium majus in six urban parks in Southern Poland. This study focuses on the concentrations of trace elements in the soils, leaves, stems, and rhizomes of greater celandine. The soil samples were taken only in the humus horizon (A), which averaged approximately 15 cm in thickness under the clumps of Ch. majus. Regarding the reaction, the soil samples tested can be described as slightly acidic (5.6–6.8 in KCl) to alkaline (7.1–7.4 in H₂O). Organic carbon content at all sites is high, ranging from 3.2% to 13.6%, while the highest total nitrogen (Nt) content is 0.664%. The average total phosphorus (Pt) content in all samples is 548.8 mg/kg (and its range is 298–940 mg/kg), such values indicating its anthropogenic origin. In terms of heavy metals, Zn has the highest content in the analysed soil samples compared to the other elements, and its range is from 394.50 mg/kg to 1363.80 mg/kg in soil. In rhizomes, Zn also has the highest values (178.7–408.3 mg/kg), whereas, in stems and leaves, it varies (from 80.6 to 227.5 and from 57.8 to 297.4 mg/kg, respectively). Spearman’s rank correlation showed high correlations between the content of Pb, Zn, Cd, and As in the soil and rhizomes of Ch. majus. Despite soil contamination with Pb, Cd, and Zn, Ch. majus does not accumulate them in its tissues. However, the translocation of Hg and Cr from rhizomes to leaves was observed. The different concentrations of metals in each park result from the degree of diversity of the parent rocks on which the soil was formed. Full article

Medicinal and agricultural plants contain numerous phytochemical compounds with pronounced biological effects on human health. They are known to encapsulate most of their characteristic bioactive compounds within membranous elements of intercellular communication known as exosomes. These nanovesicles serve as capsules protecting their biological activity and improving their penetration into the tissue. Therefore, the application of plant exosome preparations holds considerable potential for cosmetics and pharmacy, but the quality and consistency of plant material for exosome isolation is of critical importance. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate yield, size distribution patterns, and antioxidant properties between nanovesicle preparations of the following portfolio of medicinal plants: Kalanchoe daigremontiana, Artemisia absinthium, Hypericum perforatum, Silybum marianum, Chelidonium majus, and Scutellaria baicalensis. Results showed that nanoparticle yield, size distribution, and antioxidant activities were specific to plant species. Compared to other plants, nanoparticle preparations from Artemisia absinthium were distinguished by remarkably higher yield and concentration, while the highest antioxidant activity of plant-derived nanoparticle preparations per weight and per particle was determined to occur in Chelidonium majus and Hypericum perforatum samples. Results showed no significant correlation in DPPH (2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) between plant material and nanoparticle preparations. More detailed biochemical analysis of exosome preparations is necessary to validate their biological activity and its relation to source plant cells. Full article

Chelerythrine (CHE) is a majorly harmful isoquinoline alkaloid ingredient in Chelidonium majus that could trigger potential hepatotoxicity, but the pivotal molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. In the present study, CHE-induced cytotoxicity and the underlying toxic mechanisms were investigated using human HepG2 cells in vitro. Data showed that CHE treatment (at 1.25–10 μM)-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells is dose-dependent. CHE treatment increased the production of ROS and induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. Additionally, CHE treatment triggered the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, decreased the expression of mitochondrial complexes, upregulated the expression of Bax, CytC, and cleaved-PARP1 proteins and the activities of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and downregulated the expression of Bcl-XL, and HO-1 proteins, finally resulting in cell apoptosis. N-acetylcysteine supplementation significantly inhibited CHE-induced ROS production and apoptosis. Furthermore, CHE treatment significantly downregulated the expression of phosphorylation (p)-Akt (Ser473), p-mTOR (Ser2448), and p-AMPK (Thr172) proteins in HepG2 cells. Pharmacology inhibition of Akt promoted CHE-induced the downregulation of HO-1 protein, caspase activation, and apoptosis. In conclusion, CHE-induced cytotoxicity may involve the inhibition of Akt pathway and the activation of oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in HepG2 cells. This study sheds new insights into understanding the toxic mechanisms and health risks of CHE. Full article

Yellow-orange latex of Chelidonium majus L. has been used in folk medicine as a therapeutic agent against warts and other visible symptoms of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections for centuries. The observed antiviral and antitumor properties of C. majus latex are often attributed to alkaloids contained therein, but recent studies indicate that latex proteins may also play an important role in its pharmacological activities. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the crude C. majus latex and its protein and alkaloid-rich fractions on different stages of the HPV replication cycle. The results showed that the latex components, such as alkaloids and proteins, decrease HPV infectivity and inhibit the expression of viral oncogenes (E6, E7) on mRNA and protein levels. However, the crude latex and its fractions do not affect the stability of structural proteins in HPV pseudovirions and they do not inhibit the virus from attaching to the cell surface. In addition, the protein fraction causes increased TNFα secretion, which may indicate the induction of an inflammatory response. These findings indicate that the antiviral properties of C. majus latex arise both from alkaloids and proteins contained therein, acting on different stages of the viral replication cycle. Full article