Search Results (23)

Background: Epilepsy is a cluster of central nervous system (CNS) disorders identified by recurrent seizures, which affects about 60 million people around the world. In this research, a total of 40 types of 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid (TMCA) piperazine amide derivatives were designed and synthesized, inspired by the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herb pair drugs Polygala tenuifolia and Acori tatarinowii, followed by determination of their anticonvulsant potency. Methods: All the TMCA analogues were tested for their anticonvulsant potential through two acute models of seizures induced in mice: the maximal electroshock (MES) and sc-pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) models. In addition, the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) inhibitory activity was determined in vitro. Results: The results showed that compounds A3, A9, A12, A14, B9, and B12 exhibited preferable anticonvulsant activity in the primary evaluation. In addition, the molecular docking results predicted good interactions of screened analogues with the LDH. Molecular dynamic simulation was used to reveal the consensual binding affinity between the most promising compound (B9) and active site interactions with LDH. Electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis and silver and immunofluorescence staining were performed to illustrate the anti-epilepsy potential of compound B9. Conclusions: Novel derivatives in this study provide new cores for the further design and optimization inspired by TCM herb pair drugs P. tenuifolia and A. tatarinowii, with the aim to explore new anticonvulsant agents. Full article

Sanguisorba tenuifolia is a wild plant of the genus Sanguisorba officinalis. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory effect of the dichloromethane fraction of Sanguisorba tenuifolia on LPS-induced inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 cells, thereby providing a new scientific basis for the medicinal development of Sanguisorba tenuifolia. Initially, we used 75% ethanol to crudely extract the roots of Sanguisorba tenuifolia, followed by fractional extraction using dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), butanol (BuOH), and distilled water (DW) as solvents. By measuring the inhibitory effects of each fractionated extract on NO production, we determined that the SCE (Dichloromethane fraction of Sanguisorba tenuifolia) exhibited the most potent anti-inflammatory activity, leading to its progression to the next experimental stage. Subsequently, we evaluated the effects of SCE on cell viability and LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine secretion in RAW264.7 cells. A rat model of reflux esophagitis was also used to validate the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of SCE. Additionally, we utilized UPLC/MS-MS to identify and analyze the active components of SCE. The results indicated that SCE could effectively inhibit LPS-induced cellular inflammation by modulating the p38/ERK/MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, and also reduced the damage of the esophageal mucosa in rats with reflux esophagitis. UPLC/MS-MS analysis of SCE identified 423 compounds, including 12 active ingredients such as triterpenoids, phenols, and steroids. This discovery not only provides scientific support for the potential of Sanguisorba tenuifolia as an anti-inflammatory agent but also lays the groundwork for the development of new therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Full article

In Europe, Paeonia officinalis and P. peregrina, along with Chinese P. lactiflora, are commonly used for medicinal purposes. This comprehensive review summarizes the secondary metabolites and biological activities of P. peregrina, P. officinalis, P. tenuifolia, P. mascula, P. lactiflora, and the ornamental cultivars derived from the last taxon. Terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids are present in all five species, while tannins, lipids, and organic acids have been identified in only some. All five species exhibit antioxidant and antimicrobial potential, alongside anti-inflammatory, anticancer, neuroprotective, antisclerotic, antidiabetic, and various other bioactivities. The data were accessed via Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar search engines. The review also reveals that P. officinalis and P. lactiflora have been far more extensively studied than P. peregrina, P. tenuifolia, and P. mascula in terms of their chemical composition and pharmacological properties. The genus Paeonia L. comprises 37 accepted species, many of which are renowned for their ornamental and medicinal value. Native to Bulgaria are P. peregrina, P. tenuifolia, and P. mascula, with the latter two being protected by the Bulgarian Biodiversity Act. The collection of substances from all three species is subject to regulatory restrictions. This review reveals the possible use of P. lactiflora as a substitute for P. peregrina. Full article

The biofortification of leafy vegetables with selenium (Se) and iodine (I) provides the basis for the Se/I status optimization and preservation of human health. The effect of foliar Se, I, and Se + I supply in three different crop cycles (autumn, autumn–winter, and winter) on yield, quality, and mineral composition of wall rocket leaves was investigated using biochemical and ICP-MS methods of analysis. Joint foliar supply with selenate/iodide increased yield, antioxidant activity, total phenolic, ascorbic acid, and protein levels by 1.63, 1.24, 1.22, 1.25, and 1.50 times, respectively, and the content of Ca, Mg, P, K, Fe, Cu, and Zn by 1.27, 1.24, 1.35, 1.46, 3.67, 2.76, and 1.44 times, respectively. High correlations between Se, antioxidants, P, Mg, and Ca (r > 0.80) as well as between yield and K/protein content were recorded. Despite a significant decrease in yield, protein, and K, Fe, Cu, and Mn contents in the third crop cycle, compared to the first one, 50 g of wall rocket biofortified with Se/I may provide up to 100% of the Se adequate consumption level, 34.3% of I, 9% of K, 24% of Fe, and 17.7% Ca. The results of the present research confirm the high efficiency of Se/I supply to produce D. tenuifolia leaves as a new functional food. Full article

Steppe peony (Paeonia tenuifolia L.) is a strictly protected herbaceous species in Serbia, yet its growing conditions, nutrient needs, and heavy metal status are under-researched. This research is vital for conservation, as it supports sustainable cultivation, genetic diversity, and habitat restoration. This study addresses the gap in understanding how climate and soil characteristics affect P. tenuifolia, particularly regarding nutrient availability and heavy metal accumulation. Despite its recognized medicinal value, insufficient data on environmental impacts limit effective conservation and cultivation strategies. Addressing this gap will help determine optimal growth conditions and ensure the species’ survival and medicinal use. Data on P. tenuifolia natural habitats in Serbia were collected following the Descriptor List for medicinal plants. Field and laboratory analyses assessed climatic and soil characteristics, as well as macro- and microelement contents and heavy metals in soil and plant organs. In Serbia, P. tenuifolia thrives in a semi-arid steppe climate on light, sandy loam soils with a pH of 6.9–7.4. The soils are rich in humus (4.36–5.76%) and nitrogen (0.34–0.37%), but low in phosphorus (1.16–3.50 mg/100 g) and variable in potassium (12.5–52.4 mg/100 g). Soil microelements are abundant, and harmful heavy metals are below critical levels. Plant organs, including flowers, seeds, leaves, and stems, show high phosphorus and magnesium levels, while potassium, manganese, and copper are generally low. The levels of potentially harmful elements like cadmium and chromium are near the maximum-allowed limits, suggesting avoidance of highly acidic soils for the cultivation of P. tenuifolia. Among the examined soils, Arenic chernozem is recommended for preserving the species’ natural resources. Full article

Essential oils (EOs) extracted from aromatic and medicinal plants have the potential to inhibit the growth of various pathogens and, thus, be useful in the control of dangerous diseases. The application of environmentally friendly approaches to protect agricultural and forestry ecosystems from invasive and hazardous species has become more significant in last decades. Therefore, the identification and characterization of essential oils with a strong inhibitory activity against aggressive and widespread pathogens are of key importance in plant protection research. The main purpose of our study is to evaluate the impact of essential oils originating from different genotypes of bee balm, mint, and marigold on Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium solani, and Phytophthora pseudocryptogea. Twelve essential oils, including five EOs originating from Monarda fistulosa, one oil each from Monarda russeliana, Mentha longifolia, Mentha piperita, Tagetes patula, and Tagetes erecta, and two EOs from Tagetes tenuifolia were derived by steam or water distillation. The chemical composition of the tested EOs was determined by GS-MS analyses and their corresponding chemotypes were identified. The most effective against all three pathogens were determined to be the EOs originating from M. fistulosa and M. russeliana. B. cinerea, and P. pseudocryptogea were also significantly affected by the M. piperita essential oil. The most efficient EOs involved in this investigation and their potential to control plant pathogens are discussed. Full article

Revealing the relationship between the mating system (i.e., the outcrossing/inbreeding degree) and the fitness of seeds in tree species under wild conditions is essential for understanding the ecological adaptability and evolutionary stability of the species. This study collected open-pollinated seeds from seven wild populations of Pinus yunnanensis var. tenuifolia that exhibited fragmentation in the Nanpan–Hongshui River basin, an ecologically fragile area in China. The seeds and sprouts (germinated seeds) from 20 families were genotyped (24 seeds and 24 sprouts per family) using twelve microsatellite loci to reveal the genetic diversity, mating status, and effect of inbreeding on the three seed quality indicators (thousand-seed weight, germination rate, and germination potential). The three seed quality indicators differed significantly between families (p < 0.001). Higher values of genetic diversity (except the observed heterozygosity) were observed in the sprout group than those in the seed group. Families from different populations showed a notable genetic differentiation (Φst = 0.12), and a large part of families from the common populations had a high degree of coancestry, which signified that the current habitat fragmentation is limiting gene flow between populations. High levels of outcrossing rates (tm) were observed in both the seed group (t_m = 0.974) and the sprout group (t_m = 0.978), indicating that a low proportion of seeds were self-fertilized. Although there was a slightly higher single outcrossing rate (t_s = 0.888) and a lower proportion of biparental inbreeding (t_m − t_s = 0.077) in sprouts compared to the seeds (t_s = 0.871, t_m − t_s = 0.091), indicating that a part of inbred seeds were purged during the germination stage, curve fitting between the outcrossing rate and seed quality indicators showed that a certain degree of biparental inbreeding (t_s between 0.89 and 0.91 and t_m − t_s between 0.09 and 0.11) did have a positive effect on seed germination ability. This highlights that excessive inbreeding or outbreeding seems to be unfavorable to seed viability. The peculiar relationship between seed viability and the mating system in P. yunnanensis var. tenuifolia was likely an evolutionary consequence of a trade-off between the nature of mixed mating and its specific ecological niche. Full article

Paeonia tenuifolia L. (steppe peony) petal extract was proficiently encapsulated into liposomes and biopolymer films in the current work, both times utilizing a single-step procedure. The encapsulation efficiency, size of the particles, and index of polydispersity (PDI), as well as the ζ potential of the obtained liposomes were determined, whereas in the case of films, the test included moisture content and mechanical property assessment. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to evaluate the chemical composition and existence of numerous interactions in the systems. All the obtained encapsulates were subjected to antibacterial, antifungal and antibiofilm activity testing of the pathogens associated with human skin. The results indicated that the liposomes prepared using Phospholipon had the highest encapsulation efficiency (72.04%), making them the most favorable ones in the release study as well. The biological assays also revealed that Phospholipon was the most beneficial phospholipid mixture for the preparation of liposomes, whereas the film containing these liposomes did not have the ability to inhibit pathogen growth, making the double encapsulation of P. tenuifolia L. petal extract needless. These findings may be a first step toward the potential use of steppe peony extract-loaded films and liposomes in pharmaceutical and cosmetical industries. Full article

Background and Objectives: The oral cavity is inhabited by pathogenic bacteria, whose growth can be inhibited by synthetic oral drugs, including antibiotics and other chemical compounds. Natural antimicrobial substances that elicit fewer negative side effects may serve as alternatives to synthetic agents for long-term use. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of edible mixed herbal extracts on the growth of oral pathogenic bacteria. Materials and Methods: The yield of each herbal extract was as follows: 5% Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq (STB), 10.94% Mentha piperascens (MP), 5.47% Acanthopanax sessiliflorus Seem (AS), and 10.66% Glycyrrhiza uralensis (GU). The herbal extracts used included 0.5 mg/mL STB, 1.5 mg/mL MP, 1.5 mg/mL AS, and 2.0 mg/mL GU. Antimicrobial tests, morphological analyses (using scanning electron microscopy), microbial surface hydrophobicity measurements, and oral malodor reduction tests were performed using each extract. Statistical analyses were performed with IBM^® SPSS^® (version 24), using paired t-tests. Results: The mixed herbal extracts significantly inhibited the growth of Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis compared to the control (p < 0.001). Scanning electron microscopy results further revealed altered cellular morphology in the groups treated with the mixed herbal extracts. Additionally, the hydrophobicity assay results showed that the mixed herbal extracts reduced the oral adhesion capacities of bacteria (p < 0.001). Administration of the mixed herbal extracts also reduced the levels of volatile sulfur compounds, the main contributors to oral malodor (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Edible mixed herbal extracts can effectively eliminate oral pathogens and may be useful for improving oral health. The herbal extracts used were effective against all species of oral pathogens studied in this report. Full article

Glossogyne tenuifolia Cassini (Hsiang-Ju in Chinese) is a perennial herb native to Taiwan. It was used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective agent. Recent studies have shown that extracts of G. tenuifolia possess various bioactivities, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation, and anti-cancer properties. However, the pharmacological activities of G. tenuifolia essential oils have not been studied. In this study, we extracted essential oil from air-dried G. tenuifolia plants, then investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of G. tenuifolia essential oil (GTEO) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in murine macrophage cells (RAW 264.7) in vitro. Treatment with GTEO (25, 50, and 100 μg/mL) significantly as well as dose-dependently inhibited LPS-induced pro-inflammatory molecules, such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production, without causing cytotoxicity. Q-PCR and immunoblotting analysis revealed that the inhibition of NO and PGE₂ was caused by downregulation of their corresponding mediator genes, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), respectively. Immunofluorescence and luciferase reporter assays revealed that the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 genes by GTEO was associated with the suppression of nuclear export and transcriptional activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor, nuclear factor -κB (NF-κB). In addition, GTEO treatment significantly inhibited phosphorylation and proteosomal degradation of the inhibitor of NF-κB (I-κBα), an endogenous repressor of NF-κB. Moreover, treatment with GTEO significantly blocked the LPS-mediated activation of inhibitory κB kinase α (IKKα), an upstream kinase of the I-κBα. Furthermore, p-cymene, β-myrcene, β-cedrene, cis-β-ocimene, α-pinene, and _D-limonene were represented as major components of GTEO. We found that treatment with p-cymene, α-pinene, and _D-limonene were significantly inhibiting LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that GTEO inhibits inflammation through the downregulation of NF-κB-mediated inflammatory genes and pro-inflammatory molecules in macrophage cells. Full article

Without being aware of its chemical makeup, many ancient societies have used Steppe peony in their traditional medicine. Given that modern phytopreparation intended for use on human skin requires, above all, knowledge of its chemical composition, the goal of this study was to make a screening of the composition of aqueous and methanolic extracts of the petals of P. tenuifolia L. and to examine them for various skin-beneficial properties. The extracts were prepared by maceration, ultrasound-assisted, and microwave-assisted extraction procedures. The chemical profiling was conducted by the use of UHPLC-LTQ-OrbiTrap MS and UHPLC/MS, and spectrophotometric methods for the determination of total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents. The biological activities entailed antioxidant ABTS, DPPH, CUPRAC (Cupric Ion Reducing Antioxidant Capacity), and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) assays, antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) and antibiofilm activities, cytotoxicity, wound healing potential, as well as the adhesion and invasion of Staphylococcus lugdunensis. The results showed that the petals are rich in phenolic acids and flavonoids, which are commonly associated with numerous biological activities. The aqueous extracts were more efficient in the majority of the bioactivity assays then the methanolic ones, whereas the optimal extraction method varied between the assays. This study is the first step towards the safe use of the aqueous extracts of P. tenuifolia petals for therapeutic skin treatments. Full article

Increasing scientific evidence has demonstrated that the roots of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. have pharmacological effects related to anti-inflammation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the chemical constituents from P. tenuifolia roots as anti-inflammatory drug candidates. In the present work, twenty-three compounds were isolated from P. tenuifolia roots, including three saponins (1–3), ten phenylpropanoid sucrose esters (4–12), one benzoic acid sugar ester derivative (13), four xanthones (14–17), two hydroxy benzophenone derivatives (18 and 19), two phenolic derivatives (20 and 21), and two ionones (22 and 23). All isolates were tested for their inhibitory effects of LPS-stimulated NO and PGE₂ production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Among these, 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-cinnamoyl),6′-O-(p-methoxybenzoyl) sucrose ester (TCMB; 11) together with compounds 3 and 21 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on NO production, while TCMB and compounds 17, 19, and 21 showed strong inhibitory effects on PGE₂ production. Specifically, TCMB (11) downregulated the protein levels of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. In addition, TCMB (11) dose-dependently diminished the relative mRNA expression levels of iNOS, PGE₂, and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6). A molecular docking study showed that TCMB (11) has strong binding affinities with iNOS and COX-2. Full article

It is thought that the active physiological regulation of the chemistry of a parent fluid is an important process in the biomineralization of scleractinian corals. Biological regulation of calcification fluid pH (pH_CF) and other carbonate chemistry parameters ([CO₃²⁻]_CF, DIC_CF, and Ω_CF) may be challenged by CO₂ driven acidification and temperature. Here, we examine the combined influence of changing temperature and CO₂ on calcifying fluid regulation in four common Caribbean coral species—Porites astreoides, Pseudodiploria strigosa, Undaria tenuifolia, and Siderastrea siderea. We utilize skeletal boron geochemistry (B/Ca and δ¹¹B) to probe the pH_CF, [CO₃²⁻]_CF, and DIC_CF regulation in these corals, and δ¹³C to track changes in the sources of carbon for calcification. Temperature was found to not influence pH_CF regulation across all pCO₂ treatments in these corals, in contrast to recent studies on Indo-Pacific pocilloporid corals. We find that [DIC]_CF is significantly lower at higher temperatures in all the corals, and that the higher temperature was associated with depletion of host energy reserves, suggesting [DIC]_CF reductions may result from reduced input of respired CO₂ to the DIC pool for calcification. In addition, δ¹³C data suggest that under high temperature and CO₂ conditions, algal symbiont photosynthesis continues to influence the calcification pool and is associated with low [DIC]_CF in P. strigosa and P. astreoides. In P. astreoides this effect is also associated with an increase in chlorophyll a concentration in coral tissues at higher temperatures. These observations collectively support the assertion that physicochemical control over coral calcifying fluid chemistry is coupled to host and symbiont physiological responses to environmental change, and reveals interspecific differences in the extent and nature of this coupling. Full article

Nowadays, the use of biostimulants to reduce agrochemical input is a major trend in agriculture. In this work, we report on calcium phosphate particles (CaP) recovered from the circular economy, combined with natural humic substances (HSs), to produce a plant biostimulant. CaPs were obtained by the thermal treatment of Salmo salar bones and were subsequently functionalized with HSs by soaking in a HS water solution. The obtained materials were characterized, showing that the functionalization with HS did not sort any effect on the bulk physicochemical properties of CaP, with the exception of the surface charge that was found to get more negative. Finally, the effect of the materials on nutrient uptake and translocation in the early stages of development (up to 20 days) of two model species of interest for horticulture, Valerianella locusta and Diplotaxis tenuifolia, was assessed. Both species exhibited a similar tendency to accumulate Ca and P in hypogeal tissues, but showed different reactions to the treatments in terms of translocation to the leaves. CaP and CaP–HS treatments lead to an increase of P accumulation in the leaves of D. tenuifolia, while the treatment with HS was found to increase only the concentration of Ca in V. locusta leaves. A low biostimulating effect on both plants’ growth was observed, and was mainly scribed to the low concentration of HS in the tested materials. In the end, the obtained material showed promising results in virtue of its potential to elicit phosphorous uptake and foliar translocation by plants. Full article

The ability of three herbaceous plants (Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC., Eruca vesicaria L. and Raphanus raphanistrum L.) from Iberian wood pastures to reduce Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands pathogen populations through allelopathic relationships is studied. The inhibitory capacity of their aqueous root extracts (AREs) on mycelial growth and production of P. cinnamomi reproductive structures is analysed in vitro. In addition, Quercus seedlings were grown in infested by P. cinnamomi-soils and with the presence or absence of allelopathic and susceptible herb species to the pathogen to assess the defensive chemical response of Quercus seedlings through their leaf phenolic compounds. Results show a strong inhibitory capacity of AREs on P. cinnamomi activity in vitro and a protective effect of these herb species on Quercus plants against P. cinnamomi in vivo. D. tenuifolia would be especially suited for biological control in the pathogen suppression. Full article