Planta medica最新文献

Mangosteen has garnered increasing attention for its medicinal properties against oxidative stress and inflammation-two major causative and progressive agents of neurodegenerative diseases. This systematic review explores the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of mangosteen crude extracts and their purified bioactive compounds, highlighting their neuroprotective potential against neurodegenerative conditions.The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) strategy was used to identify studies published in English up to July 2024 across five databases (Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar). The Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) framework guided the search strategy, and duplicate records were removed using Covidence software. Of the 149 studies screened, 40 met the predefined inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The quality of the included studies was assessed using criteria adapted from the Cochrane Handbook, focusing on risk of bias and methodological rigor.Mangosteen extract and xanthones consistently reduced oxidative markers in various models. Anti-inflammatory effects were evident as mangosteen extract reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulated the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathways in neuroinflammation models. Xanthones further suppressed inflammatory mediators and enhanced cellular resilience.The in vitro and in vivo results suggested the neuroprotective capabilities of mangosteen extracts and its purified bioactives. Despite that, gaps remain in understanding the potential synergistic effects of these bioactives, their druggability properties, and clinical applicability. Further research, especially clinical trials, will be necessary to further impel mangosteen and its derivatives into therapeutic applications.

Psoriasis patients often discontinue oral and injectable treatments due to concerns about both safety and efficacy. Issues such as adverse side effects, limited long-term effectiveness, and fear of potential complications contribute to non-adherence, impacting treatment outcomes and patients' quality of life. Betulinic acid (BA) forms supramolecular aggregates through self-assembly in a hydroalcoholic vehicle, which was hypothesized to have antipsoriatic activity when applied topically. To test this, imiquimod was applied to induce psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice (except in the untreated group) every 24 hours for 5 days. Two hours after each imiquimod application, the groups received either 100 µL of vehicle (10% glycerol aqueous solution), 0.05 mg/mL clobetasol (Clo), or 0.5 mg/mL BA. At the end of the study, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was evaluated (n = 12/group), and complete skin clearance time (CSC) was determined in six mice per group. The remaining six mice per group were used to assess acanthosis, lymphocyte and granulocyte infiltration, and Akt and ERK phosphorylation in skin samples, as well as TNFα, IL-17A, IFNγ, and TGFβ levels in serum. To assess treatment safety, we evaluated food and water intake, ambulation pattern, body weight gain, organ weights, and blood parameters. BA significantly reduced CSC time by up to 40% compared to the control and was 10% faster than Clo. Both BA and Clo reduced PASI and acanthosis to approximately one-third of control values, normalized immune cell infiltration and TNFα levels, decreased IL-17A by more than 30%, and reduced p-Akt and p-ERK2. BA uniquely normalized IFNγ levels without causing intolerable toxicity. Using an animal model of psoriatic skin inflammation, our findings support BA as a strong candidate for clinical translation, warranting further studies on its safety, pharmacokinetics, and optimal dosage in humans, potentially leading to randomized controlled trials in psoriasis patients.

Medicinal plants and their phytocompounds are valuable shortcuts for discovering new, safer biologically active compounds or herbal medicines with reduced adverse effects. In this study, medicinal plant species were initially selected from Brazilian traditional medicine using a database of in silico and in vitro studies. A virtual screening study was carried out with a phytochemical database previously reported in the literature. The biological activity was evaluated in silico by PASS Online and molecular docking, then validated by in vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori assay. The chemical profile of the species was obtained by ESI(±)FT-ICR MS and LC-MS-DAD analysis. Vernonia condensata, Bauhinia forficata, Jatropha gossypiifolia, and Sonalum paniculatum were selected based on a survey of the literature for use of gastric diseases and anti-Helicobacter pylori potential. After PASS analysis, Jatropha gossypiifolia was selected for in vitro study because its compounds showed anti-H. pylori activity potential, inhibiting fumarate reductase enzyme. J. gossypiifolia extracted showed MIC of 64 µg/mL and MBC of 128 µg/mL in the in vitro anti-H. pylori assay. ESI(±)FT-ICR MS and LC-MS-DAD analysis showed compounds such as luteolin (1: ), isovitexin (2: ), luteolin-7-O-glucoside (3: ), isoorientin (4: ), and 3-genistein-8-C-glucoside (5: ). Molecular docking analysis showed a potential interaction of compounds in the enzyme active site such as hydrogen bonds with Arg404 and a similar interaction to fumaric acid, except for isoorientin (4: ). J. gossypiifolia showed promising activity and may represent a future alternative to treat H. pylori infections and their deleterious effects, reinforcing the therapeutic potential of this plant.

This study aimed to assess the properties of an acetone-based almond-skin (Prunus dulcis) extract and examine its effects on chemically induced inflammation by evaluating associated oxidative changes in an in vivo model. The phytochemical composition was analysed by LC-MS/MS while the antioxidant capacity was evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The neutrophil migration was assessed using a CuSO₄-induced inflammation model in a transgenic zebrafish line (Tg(mpx : GFP)ⁱ¹¹⁴). Three days post-fertilisation zebrafish larvae were treated with 5 and 25 µg/mL extract for 1 h and then exposed to 10 µM CuSO₄ for 40 min. Following exposure, various biochemical markers were assessed, along with neurobehavioral effects. The polyphenolic profile revealed a high flavonoid content and good antioxidant properties confirmed by the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The extract reduced neutrophil migration in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating anti-inflammatory activity. Additionally, it decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell death without affecting mitochondrial membrane potential. The extract also mitigated oxidative damage, as shown by reduced malondialdehyde and protein carbonylation levels, alongside decreased antioxidant response markers. Neurobehavioral effects induced by CuSO₄ were alleviated, as evidenced by improved touch-evoked responses. These findings suggest that almond-skin extract holds significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, possibly through modulation of ROS and calcium signalling pathways.

Alopecia, characterised by partial or complete hair loss, significantly affects the psychological and social well-being of individuals. Current FDA-approved treatments, such as topical minoxidil and oral finasteride, often present limitations, including skin irritation and suboptimal efficacy, compromising patient adherence. In recent years, natural compounds have garnered attention as potential alternatives, with carnosic acid emerging as a promising candidate due to its multifaceted biological activities. Carnosic acid, a diterpenic polyphenol predominantly found in rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and sage (Salvia officinalis), exhibits potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-androgenic, neuroprotective, and hair follicle-regenerative properties. Despite its therapeutic potential, its poor solubility and stability in conventional formulations limit its clinical application. This review comprehensively explores the mechanisms through which carnosic acid exerts its effects in alopecia management, focusing on its antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory responses, inhibition of dihydrotestosterone activity, promotion of hair follicle regeneration, and neuroprotective actions. The findings highlight carnosic acid's potential as a natural, effective, and safer alternative for alopecia treatment.

Scutellaria baicalensis, a widely used medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine, is frequently employed in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Its primary active constituent, baicalin, has shown significant therapeutic potential in animal models of DN; however, no comprehensive and systematic evaluation of its therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms in DN has yet been conducted. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of baicalin in DN treatment and elucidate its pharmacological mechanisms. Relevant studies were retrieved from databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VPCS, covering the literature up to November 2024. Study quality was evaluated using SYRCLE's risk of bias tool, and statistical analyses were performed with STATA 12. Primary outcomes included blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCR), and fasting blood glucose (FBG), while secondary outcomes encompassed urinary protein (UP), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), inflammatory markers, fibrosis indicators, and oxidative stress parameters. Subgroup analyses, publication bias assessments, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure result reliability. A total of 14 studies involving 221 rodents met the inclusion criteria. Baicalin significantly reduced BUN, SCR, FBG, TG, TC, UP, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), and fibronectin (FN) levels while enhancing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. These findings suggest that baicalin improves kidney function, reduces proteinuria, corrects lipid metabolism, and alleviates inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. This meta-analysis concludes that baicalin exhibits significant therapeutic potential in DN models, acting via anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antifibrotic mechanisms.

Clinically, there is a significant unmet need for effective treatments for chronic neuropathic pain. Commonly used drugs, such as opioids, are primarily designed for acute pain management and are associated with substantial adverse effects, including tolerance and addiction. Therefore, the development of safe and effective therapies is of paramount importance. Baicalein (BA), a flavonoid compound extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis, has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-proliferative activities against tumor cells and has been used to treat various acute and chronic conditions without notable side effects. In this study, we employed the spared nerve injury (SNI) pain model to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of BA on neuropathic pain and its underlying mechanisms. Results showed that BA effectively alleviated SNI-induced hyperalgesia and the progression of chronic pain in a dose-dependent manner by inhibiting glial cell activation, immune cell infiltration, and inflammatory responses. Additionally, using an in vitro microglial inflammation model, we further confirmed that BA inhibits M1 polarization of microglia and the expression of pro-inflammatory factors by modulating the TLR4/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway. Our results suggest that BA holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for treating neuropathic pain caused by nerve injury or diseases.

Sutherlandia (syn. Lessertia) frutescens is indigenous to the drier regions of southern Africa. Sutherlandia frutescens has a long history of traditional medicinal use and is credited with antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties. It is a very popular phytomedicine and, as the common name implies, is used as a prophylaxis and treatment of cancer. The objective of this review was to collate all published scientific data on the genera Sutherlandia and Lessertia regarding their antiproliferative properties and critically evaluate the data against established guidelines. Despite its use as traditional medicine, the potential of S. frutescens as a cancer treatment remains highly questionable. While in vitro studies suggest some potential antiproliferative effects, many studies lack positive controls and selectivity studies or use excessively high dosages, well above established guidelines, translating into unrealistic clinical applications. Consequently, these studies often appear overly optimistic and biased. Very few well-designed studies are available, and most research fails to meet established guidelines for evaluating selective cytotoxicity. Given these limitations and the absence of rigorous in vivo studies and/or clinical trials, future research may first focus on identifying chemovars with acceptable bioactivity and/or investigating the possibility of the presence of prodrugs by simulated gastrointestinal tract studies. Based on available data, it must be concluded that S. frutescens does not exhibit acceptable levels of bioactivity/selectivity, and keeping in mind possible herb-drug interactions and the serious nature of cancer, which causes over 10 million deaths annually, S. frutescens should not currently be recommended for use.

Withanolides are a group of steroidal lactones predominantly present in the genus 'Withania'. These compounds exhibit cytotoxic, neurological, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activities. Structural diversity leads to various kinds of withanolides with different biological functionality. There is an increasing market demand for withanolides as they exhibit great therapeutic potential and can be explored for developing novel drug entities. Withanolides are primarily produced from plants that are more prone to diseases and are on the verge of endangerment. From the plant sources, the yield of withanolides is meagre (0.5 - 2%), which cannot meet the market demand, and the production cost is very high. This leads to the exploration of an alternative sustainable source for withanolide production. Endophytic fungi can produce host plant metabolites and can be investigated as an alternative source for withanolides production. Endophytic fungi can be isolated from the host plant species producing withanolides and cultured further for production. Studying the genes of the withanolides' biosynthetic pathway (their upregulation or downregulation), media optimisation, co-culture, and various elicitors may enhance withanolides production. In silico approaches like molecular docking and quantitative structure-activity relationship studies may also aid in understanding the mechanism of action of withanolides on a specific target to cure a disease. Nanotechnology techniques help in designing the formulation of withanolides so that they can cross the blood-brain barrier and improve therapeutic effectiveness. This article highlights the biochemistry, biosynthetic pathway, mode of action, therapeutic potential of withanolides, and exploration of endophytic fungi as an alternative source to produce withanolides cost-effectively.

Cyanidin and its glucosides are anthocyanins belonging to the class of flavonoid phytochemicals. These pigments give fruits and vegetables their typical reddish-purple nuance, and their peculiar chemical features result in a remarkable ability to neutralize reactive oxygen species and other mutagens. Thus, both cyanidin and its glycosides were proposed as candidates for chemoprevention, as anticancer agents, and as adjuvant therapies. Indeed, the compounds were investigated through various in vitro and in vivo models of colon, breast, kidney, prostate and liver cancer, and glioma. Cyanidin and its derivatives have been found to inhibit key signaling pathways, such as PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and NF-κB, which can reduce cancer cell growth, induce apoptosis, and suppress metastasis. In the first part of the review, the chemical properties of cyanidin and its glycoside analogues will be discussed. Then, an overview of in vitro evidence on activity will be presented, followed by a report on preclinical and clinical data together with comments on the mechanisms involved. Eventually, the aspect of pharmacokinetic properties, bioavailability, and formulation will be dissected. Overall, the review indicates that cyanidin and its derivatives could be effective anticancer agents but also calls for a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying their bioactivity. Despite promising results, resolving issues like stability, absorption, and targeted distribution is crucial to maximize their therapeutic potential. More research is needed to develop innovative cyanidin-based formulations for efficient cancer treatment.