Natural Products Journal, The - Volume 11, Issue 1, 2021

Medicinal Plants are valuable source of phytochemicals which have been used in the medicine as source of raw material since very ancient time in the world. Flavonoids are one of the important classes of phytochemical basically present in the fruits, vegetables, grains, wine, tea etc. Flavonoids also play an important role in the defense mechanism of plants and produce different colours in the plants. Pectolinarigenin is a natural flavonoidal compound having molecular formula C17H14O6 and molecular weight 314.28. Pectolinarigenin is present in various plants and examples are Clerodendrum phlomidis, Eupatorium odoratum, Cirsium chanroenicum, Cirsium japonlcum, Chromolaena odorata, Cirsium setidens, and Trollius chinensis. Pectolinarigenin acts as an anticancer agent against various types of human malignancies, such as lung cancer, melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal adenocarcinoma. It has also anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, cytotoxic and hepatoprotective properties. Pectolinarigenin gained attention from researchers and clinicians due to their anticancer properties and in future it could be the best choice for cancer treatment. The purpose of this review paper is to summarize all the pharmacological properties of pectolinarigenin on cancer and other disorders, describe the mode of action and possible pathways for cellular level action. The present review initially highlights the current status of flavonoids and their pharmaceutical importance, role of pectolinarigenin in human disorders, and in later section, summarizes analytical techniques of pectolinarigenin as lead molecules. This review will support all the ongoing research of pectolinarigenin through out world for their beneficial properties in all the scientific discipline.

Background: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is introduced as a result of lower esophageal sphincter weakness, which returns contents of the stomach to the esophagus. Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) gel is known as a healing agent for the treatment of internal and external ailments. Modern researches have confirmed potential therapeutic effects of A. vera gel for GERD, but there is no review study to evaluate the efficacy of A. vera gel. Objective: The aim of this review article was to answer this question "Does A. vera gel have efficacy in the management of GERD?" Methods: For preparing the manuscript, we used all accessible international databases, electronic resources (PubMed, Science Direct, Springer, Wiley and Google), and traditional books (Persian or English modern and traditional books), unpublished data (R reports, thesis and dissertation). Results: There are five clinical studies on the efficacy of A. vera gel syrup on patients with GERD. In all the studies, the patients suffering from GERD were treated with 10 ml A. vera gel syrup twice daily and the efficacy of treatment was compared with omeprazole or ranitidine (n=2), or the adjuvant potency of A. vera gel syrup with pantoprazole (n=1) or aluminum-magnesium hydroxide (MG) (n=1) was evaluated. In one clinical study, the efficacy of A. vera gel syrup was evaluated on clinical signs of GERD without any control group. According to the results of clinical studies, A. vera gel syrup insignificantly eliminated the GERD symptoms without any adverse effects, when compared with omeprazole or ranitidine. Conclusion: Due to the efficacy of A. vera gel syrup in GERD, understanding the precise mechanisms related to the efficacy of A. vera gel on GERD should be the subject of future studies.

Background: The genus Zanthoxylum (Rutaceae) represents an interesting source of bioactive compounds, and more than 220 accepted species of this genus are distributed in the warm temperate and subtropical regions of the world. Different plant parts of Zanthoxylum species have been used traditionally as medicines for various diseases affecting both humans and animals. Based on traditional knowledge, several phytochemical and pharmacological studies have been conducted. Objective: This review aims to provide up-to-date information about the phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Zanthoxylum, covering literature published from January 2012 to mid-2019. Methods: The traditional medicinal uses, phytochemical and pharmacological data about Zanthoxylum species were searched and obtained from scientific databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, SciFinder and Web of Science. Information about the accepted number of Zanthoxylum species was obtained from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and Plants of the World online databases. Results: The genus Zanthoxylum (Rutaceae) is a rich source of structurally diverse secondary metabolites with promising pharmacological activities. Approximately 126 new secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, amides, lignans and neolignans, coumarins, peptides, terpenoids, and flavonoids have been isolated and identified from different Zanthoxylum species. The numerous studies have shown that compounds isolated from the genus Zanthoxylum exhibit pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, larvicidal, antioxidant, anticancer/ antiproliferative, and antimycobacterial activities. Conclusion: Zanthoxylum genus, a rich source of alkaloids, amides, lignans and neolignans, coumarins, peptides, terpenoids, and flavonoids, is an interesting genus with multiple pharmacological activities. This review summarises phytochemical and pharmacological studies conducted so far. The data collected from the available literature shows that plants of the genus Zanthoxylum have great pharmacological potential. However, the genus is not fully explored and many gaps in the knowledge still exist.

Background: Plants of the genus Rubus (family Rosaceae) have been used for diverse medicinal purposes for centuries. We hypothesized that the scarcely investigated R. canescens DC., like other species of the genus Rubus, exhibit prominent antioxidant activity. Objective: The present study investigates the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of fruit juice as well as aqueous and methanolic extracts of the areal parts of Rubus canescens DC., and deciphers the phytochemical profile of the methanolic extracts by GC-MS. Methods: The in vitro antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging assay and β- carotene bleaching assays. The in vivo antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated by measuring ALT, AST, CAT, and SOD levels in CCl4-challenged mice in two experimental models (chronic exposure and preventive). Histological analysis was conducted on H stained liver sections, and the phytochemical profile of methanolic extracts was investigated by GC-MS. Results: DPPH radical scavenging assay revealed that the methanolic leaves extract exhibited the highest activity, while the juice was the most active in terms of the β-carotene bleaching assay. The in vivo experiments suggested that the extracts have promising antioxidant potential and hepatoprotective effects capable of promoting liver functions. Histological analysis of liver sections revealed that administrating juice extract regenerated hepatocytes while reducing inflammation. GC-MS analysis indicated the presence of squalene, β-amyrin, and γ-sitosterol that may have contributed to the observed activity. Conclusion: The current study provided the first in vivo evidence supporting the antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects of R. canescens DC. growing wild in Lebanon.

Background: Nowadays, the efficiency of antibiotics is endangered by the development of resistant bacterial strains. Consequently, novel bioactive agents are intensively searched. Marine sponges are well-known for being major sources of bioactive compounds, including unusual sterols. Until now, among sterols, noteworthy antibacterial activity has been reported exclusively for Δ5 sterols. Objectives: This study aims to describe the steroid composition of the marine sponge Biemna laboutei collected in the North coast of Madagascar, and the antibacterial activity of steroid mixture against human pathogenic strains. Methods: Sponge was extracted in CHCl3/MeOH. Free steroids were separated from other lipids by column chromatography with dichloromethane as specific eluent. Free sterols/steroids and sterol acetates were analysed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Antibacterial activity of steroid fractions was assessed for eight strains using agar diffusion with cellulose disks. Results: Neutral lipids were the major lipid class (79.1% of total lipids). The dichloromethane eluted fraction contained only free steroids giving rise to the identification of eleven compounds. These components presented exclusively Δ7 unsaturation, including lathosterol as the major one (38.4%) and four 3-oxo-steroids (11.8%). The steroid fraction of B. laboutei has exhibited inhibitory activity against pathogenic strains but more particularly against gram(+) Bacillus cereus (MIC of 12.5 μg/mL) and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC of 25 μg/mL) strains. This latter bacterium causes several illnesses, some of those strains being antibiotic-resistant and this becomes a worldwide health problem. Conclusion: This is the first report for an antibacterial activity of a mixture of Δ7 steroids against a resistant strain of S. aureus to many antibiotics.

Background: Oenanthe fistulosa L. (Apiaceae) is often associated with damp soils. Its underground parts and the young leaves are mainly cooked with other vegetables. Objective: The aim of the current work was to investigate the chemical profile of dichloromethane (DCM), Ethyl Acetate (EA) and n-butanol (BuOH) fractions of O. fistulosa through analysis of 37 phytochemicals by LC-MS/MS and to evaluate their biological activities such as antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antityrosinase for the first time. Methods: Analysis of 37 phytochemicals was performed by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Antioxidant activity was evaluated using five in vitro assays, while anticholinesterase and anti-tyrosinase activities were performed using Ellman and Dopachrome methods, respectively. Results: The number of phenolic compounds detected in DCM, EA and BuOH fractions was found to be 9, 15, and 12; respectively. More specifically, 9 phenolic acids were detected and among them, chlorogenic, tr-ferulic and p-coumaric acids were the most abundant. While 8 flavonoids were detected and apigetrin, rutin, and quercitrin were the most abundant. In addition, 3 non-phenolic organic acids (quinic, malic and fumaric acids) were detected in large quantities. Furthermore, the tested plant fractions demonstrated a noteworthy and strong antioxidant action. The plant displayed very strong action against Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes; and BuOH fraction was the most potent one. Finally, BuOH and DCM fractions showed good tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Conclusion: According to the obtained results, O. fistulosa might be a promising candidate for the alleviation of oxidative stress, neurodegenerative (such as Alzheimer’s disease) and hyperpigmentation disorders.

Background: Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume ( Lauraceae) bark and leaf essential oil possesses eugenol as the major component. Both the essential oils have the potential antioxidant, anti- inflammatory, antimicrobial and negligible genotoxicity. Objective: A comparative chemical composition and biological evaluation of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume, bark and leaf essential oils, originated from North-East India has been investigated in the present study. Methods: Gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy analysis was used to investigate the chemical composition of the essential oil samples. DPPH free radical scavenging activity, and reducing power assay were used for antioxidant activity evaluation. Similarly, egg albumin denaturation assay, protease inhibitory activities were used for anti-inflammatory activity, while genotoxicity was evaluated by using Allium cepa assay and antimicrobial activities using disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration assay. Results: The GC/MS results showed that eugenol is the major component of C. zeylanicum bark (84.48%) and leaf (48.78 %) essential oil. Significant antioxidant activity was observed for both essential oils in the DPPH free radical scavenging assay (IC50= 103.2 μg/mL, bark; IC50= 234.7 μg/mL, leaf), and reducing power assay (absorbance of 1.802 nm, 0.907 nm in 48 μg/mL for bark and leaf essential oil respectively). In-vitro anti-inflammatory activity revealed strong potential of leaf essential oil (protein denaturation assay, IC50= 0.05279 μg/mL; protease inhibitory activity IC50= 3.607 μg/mL) in comparison to bark essential oil (protein denaturation assay IC50= 0.1491, protease inhibitory activity IC50= 61.06). Allium cepa root growth test, mitotic index, and chromosomal aberration test were performed to investigate the genotoxicity of C. zeylanicum bark and leaf essential oil, which resulted in no toxic nature of both the essential oils. Antimicrobial activity against eight bacterial and fungal strains revealed good antimicrobial properties with the MIC value of Staphylococcus aureus at 5 μL/mL (bark), Aspergillus niger at 2.5 μL/mL (bark); Bacillus cereus at 5 μL/mL (leaf) and Aspergillus niger at 2.5 μL/mL (leaf). Conclusion: Collectively, these findings indicated the strong biological potential of both essential oils, although bark essential possesses better biological activities than the leaf essential oil and could be used in the food and beverage industries.

Background: Adverse side effects of currently available therapies against cancer, leads scientists to find effective compounds from natural sources. Objective: In the present study, stem-bark of Mycelia champaca is subjected to evaluate its antiproliferative effect against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells. To date, the anti-proliferative effects of M. champaca bark extract against EAC cell line has not been reported elsewhere. Therefore, we intended to investigate the anti-proliferative potential of M. champaca bark extract against EAC cells in vivo. Methods: In vivo anticancer activity was evaluated against EAC cells bearing Swiss albino mice by monitoring parameters such as tumor cell proliferation, tumor weight measurement, and survival time, etc. The mechanism of EAC killing was examined by observation of cell morphology and analysis the expression of certain cancer-related genes. In vitro antioxidant potentiality was determined in terms of several common antioxidant assays. In addition, total phenolic and flavonoids contents were measured to ensure the presence of phytochemicals. Results: M. champaca bark extract showed strong antioxidant activities which were found to be strongly correlated (P<0.001) with phenolics and flavonoids contents. Furthermore, it was found that bark extract decreased tumor cell proliferation (77.46%; P<0.01), tumor weight (42.13%; P<0.001) and increased life span of tumor-bearing mice (71.97%; P<0.01) at the dose of 250mg/kg (intraperitoneal; i.p.). M. champaca bark also altered the depleted hematological parameters such as red blood cell, white blood cell, hemoglobin (Hb%) towards normal in tumor bearing mice. In addition, upregulation of p53, Bax and downregulation of Bcl-2 followed by treatment indicated M. champaca bark could induce apoptosis of EAC cells. Conclusion: These results indicated that MEMCB possesses significant cytotoxic activities against EAC cells and has a strong in vitro antioxidant capacity. Therefore, the bark of M. champaca could be considered as a potential resource of anti-cancer agents, which might be used to formulate effective anticancer drugs.

Aim: In this research, we aim to investigation on the extraction of essential oil from Calotropis Procera with the family name of Asclepiadaceae, by supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) solvent. Objective: The comparison of the yield and chemical profile of the extracts achieved by this method with those resulted by the conventional Hydro distillation method. Methods: The extraction experiments were carried out in a bench-scale SC-CO2 unit. The effects of temperature, pressure, and extraction time on the oil yield are considered for investigation. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with Central Composite Design (CCD) was employed to optimize the process parameters of CO2 supercritical extraction (SCE) of the Calotropis Procera. In this experimental design, the design was required 19 experiments with eight (23) factorial points and five replications of the center. Results: Results showed that the data were sufficiently fitted into the second-order polynomial model. The extraction conditions, including pressure, temperature, and extraction time, were studied between 150-200 bar, 40-50 ºC, and 50-100 min, respectively. Conclusion: The optimal conditions are achieved as the temperature of 47.19ºC, the pressure of 172.2 bar, and time of 86 minutes with the retrieval rate of 31.39%.

Background: Studies were carried out on two breeds of pigs - Pietrain (P), and Kemerovo (K), contrasting in composition of carcasses, and their hybrids. Objective: The purpose of this work was to establish the characteristics of the composition of lipids of intramuscular fat (IMF), back fat and serum, organoleptic qualities in animals of these breeds. Methods: Animals of 10 individuals in each group were fed on a standard feed and slaughtered with a live weight of 95-100 kg. The quality of carcasses, the biochemical characteristics of blood, the composition of fatty acids and cholesterol in meat and fat, and blood lipid peroxidation were determined. Results: Thickness on the Back Fat (BF) at the level of 6-7 thoracic vertebrae with a live weight of 100 kg was 35.8 ± 1.65 mm in pigs of breed K, in hybrids - 27.6 ± 1.06, and in breed P - 19, 6 ± 1.43 mm. IMF in pigs of breed K was almost 4.5 times greater than that of breed P. IMF K breed contained 2 times less cholesterol than in P (2.34 vs. 4.68%). In the IMF, K was 2 times less polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), than P, 7.82 and 15.22%, linoleic acid, 6.74% and 12.42%, respectively (p <0.005). The organoleptic properties of meat and salted back fat were significantly higher in breed K (P = 0.05). Conclusion: The data obtained allow us to establish priorities in the use of products of specific breeds of pigs, depending on medical requirements.