Natural Products Journal, The - Volume 13, Issue 3, 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus accountable for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that has led to many fatal cases worldwide. It causes a severe acute respiratory syndrome, a hyperinflammatory response, vascular damage, microangiopathy, and widespread thrombosis. Vaccines, interferon therapies, and small-molecule drugs may be among the various alternatives for managing or preventing emerging SARS-CoV-2 infections. New interventions, on the other hand, are likely to take months to years to develop. Furthermore, existing antiviral agents commonly develop viral resistance along with certain side effects. Therefore, effective prevention and treatment medications without side effects against human coronavirus are urgently needed. Indian and Chinese traditional medicine have suggested some natural products for the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of the diseases, including COVID-19 and various herbs and mushrooms that have been reported to possess potential antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, in this pandemic, traditional medicines pose a ray of hope for human health. The Ministry of Ayush, India, has also recommended a number of therapies to increase immunity in addition to ayurvedic treatments. Thus, the probability of naturally occurring substances as successful treatments against COVID-19 may seem hopeful due to their diverse biological and therapeutic properties. This review focuses on the latest updates of Ayurvedic herbs and spices as promising approaches for treatment during this devastating pandemic situation.

Background: The global distribution of IBS is surprisingly uniform, affecting men and women of all ages. Its deep-rooted character, symptoms that fluctuate from moderate to extreme, have several detrimental effects on the sufferer's standard of living; consequently, proper treatment of these patients is necessary. The etiology of IBS is unknown. Although several explanations were also proposed, the specific etiology of irritable bowel syndrome remains unknown. Clinical trials using stabilized therapies and new active medications have shown symptom reduction over placebo. Objective: IBS has long been linked to visceral sensitivity and gastrointestinal motor abnormalities. The pathophysiology of IBS appears to be multifaceted. However, several of the following elements are vital in forming IBS. This paper aims to provide a complete, scientific proof assessment of the prognosis, pathogenesis, and therapy choices to assist clinicians in successfully treating their patients. Methods: The report's information was compiled by combining numerous review articles and research papers from multiple sources, including Hindawi, Elsevier, NCBI [National Centre for Biotechnology Information], and Research Gate, from 1981 to 2021, using keywords such as IBS, Brain-gut axis, postinfectious IBS, Microbiota, low-grade inflammation, and so on. Conclusion: The acute symptom influences the selection of medical techniques and therapy (IBS with diarrhoea, IBS with constipation, or mixed IBS). Current research demonstrates both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical treatment have a positive impact (in comparison to a placebo) on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) problems, discomfort relief, and improved health status.

Background: Castor oil is a multipurpose vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the Ricinus communis from the family Euphorbiaceae. The castor oil contains a mixture of esters of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids such as ricinoleic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acid linked to glycerol. The unique structure of major constituents of castor oil offers several functionalization possibilities for transforming it into advanced functional material. Although castor oil is considered nonedible, after purification, it is widely used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Objective: The objective of this paper is to review and compile the research work on castor oil, its chemical composition, and different methods of extraction with their significance, and the use of castor oil and its derivatives in healthcare, agriculture, and industrial applications. Methods: The literature related to castor oil and its applications was collected through different websites, academic research portals, and databases, sorted and presented in this review. Results: Castor oil has been investigated for several medicinal applications including, antiulcer, antimicrobial, bone degeneration, wound healing, and immune-booster, etc. Recently, castor oil and its derivatives have been explored as lubricants, bioadhesives, polishing agents, insecticides, fertilizers, biodiesel production, and vehicles for various drug delivery systems. This review summarizes the chemical composition of castor oil, various methods for its extraction and purification, castor oil derivatives, and different pharmacological, medicinal, industrial, and drug delivery applications. Conclusion: The castor oil and its derivatives offer numerous potential applications in the food, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and cosmetic industry that has opened up several opportunities for research in this area.

Background: Equisetum ramosissimum is a pteridophyte plant used in Moroccan traditional medicine for its diuretic and antidiabetic properties. The species is known to reduce blood cholesterol levels and is given in cases of gonorrhea. Objective: The present work aims to explore the potential use of the crude butanolic (BE) and methanolic (ME) extracts of E. ramosissimum in the management of pain, inflammation and oxidative stress, and their chemical characterization. Methods: The phytochemical investigation of E. ramosissimum was initially done by colorimetric methods, followed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectroscopy (HPLC-MS). Its antioxidant activity was evaluated using radical scavenging activity in 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), reducing power and β-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching assays. The analgesic activity was evaluated by acetic acid in mice and hot-plate-test in rat models. Rate paw edema and ear edema were used as anti-inflammatory models. Results: The chemical quantification revealed appreciable levels of phenolic compounds. The results of HPLC-UV and HPLC-MS highlighted the presence of kaempferol3-O-sophoroside7-Oglucoside, kaempferol3,7-O-diglucoside, vanillin, ferulic acid and tannic acid. The maximum IC50 was obtained for BE by DPPH test (0.064 ± 0.0004 mg/mL). BE exhibited an interesting antinociceptive effect; inhibition of writhes, 3.83 ± 0.48 at 600 mg/kg, increased the latency period on the hot-plate-test, i.e., 14.98S±0.57S at 400mg/kg after 120min. Furthermore, the results reported a significant inhibition of rate-paw edema and ear edema for both extracts at a dose of 400 mg/kg. Conclusion: BE and ME of E. ramosissimum were found to contain a significant amount of flavonoids, especially derivatives of kaempferol, which can explain the interesting effectiveness properties. Possible applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries are suggested.

Background: The studies were carried out on quails, in the feed of which fat of various compositions was added. Objective: To establish the effect of adding fat from pigs of different breeds and vegetable oil to quail feed on their growth, productivity, and characteristics of lipid metabolism. Methods: Three groups of 60 chickens each were fed with vegetable oil (control) and fat of two pig breeds sharply differing in the chemical composition of fat - Kemerovo (Ц#154;) and Pietrain (P) up to 23 weeks of age (3.0 - 3.5% of the mass of the diet). At 8 and 23 weeks of age, 10 individuals from each group underwent biochemical blood tests. Results: The most rapid growth was observed in quails fed with K-breed fat. The level of total cholesterol (TC) during the period of the experiment in quails significantly decreased, including those receiving vegetable oil - by 1.49 times, fat of the K breed - by 1.58 times, fat breed P - 1.32 times. The atherogenic index (AI) turned out to be significantly higher (Р<0.01) in quails that received fat of the P breed, containing a high level of TС and rich in PUFA (0.93 conventional units against 0.69 in birds that received fat of the K breed and 0.57 - in the control group). Conclusion: The obtained data indicate that fat of breed K is more useful for animal nutrition and maybe a priority in human nutrition.

Background: The activity of phytochemicals has a huge impact on pharmaceutical research and developing new drugs. Hence, numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the efficacy of different natural products and their potential to be used in different types of therapy. Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the biological activity of M. autumnalis crude extract and fractions, and the assessment included antimicrobial activity, radical scavenging potential, and their effect on the immune system. The work also emphasizes determining the chemical constituents and the main bioactive compounds in M. autumnalis leaves. Methods: Ethanol crude extract was prepared by maceration method, followed by solvents fractionation using n-hexane, aqueous/methanol, and water. Phytochemical analysis of ethanol extract using LC-MS and total phenolic and flavonoid content were conducted. The immunomodulatory activity was also evaluated by measuring the effect of M. autumnalis on splenocyte proliferation in the presence and absence of mitogens. Nitro blue tetrazolium assay and neutral red method have been used to determine the effect of M. autumnalis on the phagocytic activity of macrophages and the function of pinocytosis, respectively. Antibacterial assay was applied using the microtiter plate dilution method, and DPPH assay was used to determine the antioxidant activity. Results: The phytochemical analysis has shown the presence of flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds, and other organic acids like quinic and chlorogenic acids. M. autumnalis aqueous fraction exhibited high antioxidant activity with an IC130;…130; value of 23.67±0.3 μg/ml. Ethanol extract and n-hexane fraction inhibited the bacterial growth of P. auriginosa with an MIC value of 25 mg/ml, while n-hexane fraction was more active against C. albicans with an MIC value of 12.5 mg/ml. On the other hand, the immune assay revealed a slight modulation of the lymphocyte and macrophage activity compared to the control results. Conclusion: The results suggested that M. autumnalis leaves are rich in polyphenolic compounds and its crude extract and fractions exhibited antimicrobial and antioxidant potential. However, further research is needed to understand the effect of M. autumnalis on the immune parameters.

Background: Even Nigella sativa oil (NSO) has several pharmacological effects; the route of administration is critical to obtain the desired activity in which intraperitoneal injection (IP) of oil recruits macrophages and induces inflammation. Objective: The current study aimed to determine the best administration route of NSO in rats either oral or IP. Methods: The components of NSO, routine blood analyses, hepatic oxidative stress and proinflammatory parameters, and liver histopathological study were evaluated. Results: NSO contained 32.14% E,E,Z- 1, 3 , 12- nonadecatriene- 5, 14 diol, 25% thymoquinone (TQ) and 3.74% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). In addition, the rats who received IP injection of NSO showed an increase in hepatic enzymes, lipid profiles, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers. This was associated with hepatic up-regulation of the A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM- 17) genes, which are corroborated by a reduction in hepatic tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP-3) concentration. These indications were seen in rats given a small amount of DMSO (NSO vehicle), indicating that NSO-oral delivery was safer than IP. Conclusion: NSO-IP administration promotes the hepatic oxidative stress-inflammation axis; thus, NSO is a generally safe chemical, especially when administered orally to experimental animals.

Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify monoclonal antibody (B[a]P-13). Background: Only a few studies have focused on the analysis using specific antibodies in the sandwich ELISA method to each B[a]P in herbal medicine products. In contrast to the sandwich ELISA method, many competitive ELISA methods using specific antibodies such as benzo[a]pyrene monoclonal antibody (B[a]P-13) and a goat anti-mouse IgG (H+L) cross-adsorbed secondary antibody, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were developed. Introduction: The objective of this study was to develop and validate the method for the response of the benzo[a]pyrene monoclonal antibody (B[a]P-13) and goat anti-mouse IgG (H+L) cross-adsorbed secondary antibody (HRP) to prepare the immunogen and its application to detect the benzo[a]pyrene in various herbal medicine products. Methods: This research method includes preparation of B[a]P-protein conjugates, sampling and extraction procedure for herbal medicines, sandwich ELISA procedure, evaluation of cross-reactivity for determination, matrix effect of the organic solvents, correlation of benzo[a]pyrene detection ELISA compared to HPLC-FLD in herbal medicine products. Results: The sandwich ELISA method for B[a]P was validated in linearity (R2 > 0.99), the limit of detection (LOD) (0.08-0.19 μg/kg) and limit of quantification (LOQ) (0.24-0.57 μg/kg), accuracy (95.58-117.06%), and precision (3.80-10.26%). The cross-reactivity (CR) was found for B[a]P (100%), CHR (39%), B[b]F (27%), and B[a]A (41%). As a solvent, acetonitrile (MeCN) was used to express the normalized sandwich ELISA calibration curves with benzo[a]pyrene monoclonal antibody (B[a]P-13). The antigen-antibody binding in sandwich ELISA was decreased about 10 times with increasing the salt content (0.006-0.18 mol/L phosphate to 20-400 mmol/L). The pH range from 6 to 9 was not considered to affect the performance of the sandwich ELISA. Correlation of B[a]P detection in herbal medicines with ELISA compared to HPLC-FLD expressed good correlation (R2 = 0.991) and the slope of the graph for the ELISA (B[a]P-equivalents μg/kg) value divided by the HPLC-FLD (B[a]P μg/kg) value was 0.7292. Conclusion: Therefore, sandwich ELISA method using benzo[a]pyrene monoclonal antibody (B[a]P- 13) could be an alternative screening method for detection of B[a]P in herbal medicine products.