Natural Products Journal, The - Volume 9, Issue 3, 2019

Background: Great Mullein; Verbascum thapsus has been traditionally used as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, spasmolytic, astringent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant piles, bruises and frostbites in Greece, Western United States, Rome, India, Turkey, Italy, and Pakistan. Objective: The aim of the present review is to summarize ethnopharmacology and past/recent studies on phytochemistry, plant profile, botany and pharmacological profile of V. thapsus. The review also updates related information regarding the potential therapeutic targets and new metabolites isolated from V. thapsus. Methods: All the information was supplied by the library database and electronic search (Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, ResearchGate, etc.). In addition, all the synonyms of V. thapsus were searched in Non-English journals and English/Non-English- MS and PhD thesis databases (e.g., CKNI-China, JAIRO-Japan, Shodhganga-India, Myto-Malaysia, etc.). Thorough literature survey on V. thapsus revealed compounds like glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, and terpenoids that have previously been reported and new compounds under these chemical classes and other classes have also been reported. Conclusion: Based on the literature survey, many of these isolated compounds or different extracts of V. thapsus possess a wide range of biological activity including but not limited to, antioxidant, wound-healing, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, cytotoxic, antihyperlipidemic, anti-germination, hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activity.

Backgrounds: Tribulus terrestris (Zygophyllaceae family) is believed to have aphrodisiac activity in different cultures. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of T. terrestris in the management of sexual functions in female and male patients. Methods: We searched in PubMed Central, Science Direct, Wiley, Springer, SID, accessible books, reports, and thesis. Results: According to the results of animal and human studies, standard T. terrestris improved erectile parameters. After administration of T. terrestris, an increase in testosterone level was observed in most animal studies, while this increase was not confirmed in male human studies. T. terrestris improved the sperm parameters in animal and human studies. T. terrestris enhanced the folliculogenesis and improved polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) in animal studies. The human clinical studies confirmed its efficacy on female sexual disorders. Conclusion: Therefore, standard T. terrestris extract as a valuable herbal compound can be considered an improvement of sexual functions in both sexes.

Background: The history of traditional systems of medicine goes parallel with the history of human beings. Even today people have faith in traditional systems of medicine based on medicinal plants to meet primary health care needs. Hence, the scientific evaluation and documentation of extracts and active ingredients of medicinal plants always play a supportive role in their medicinal applications. Objective: This review aims to present the phytochemicals isolated from the genus Bombax and their pharmacological applications. Methods: The literature from research and review papers was analyzed and the information was compiled to present the pharmacological applications of various secondary metabolites from genus Bombax. Results: The genus Bombax belongs to the family Malvaceae and known for its therapeutic applications. The crude, semi-purified and purified extracts of different parts of this plant have shown potential therapeutic applications. A total of 96 articles including research and review papers were referred for the compilation of isolated phytochemicals and their chemical structures. Conclusion: We systematically summarized 176 isolated compounds from the genus Bombax. The findings show that this plant shows potential towards pharmacological activities. The activities were found more from extracts than the single isolated compounds.

Background: Ammi visnaga commonly known as ‘honey plant, tooth pick fruit, bisnaga and khella’ is an important plant of Apiaceae family. It is an annual herb found in Europe, Asia, North Africa, Latin America and in India. Carrot, parsnip, celery, coriander, anise, caraway, cumin, parsley and dill are some other plants of the same family i.e., ‘Apiaceae’. Fruits of Ammi visnaga (A. visnaga) are medicinally used as a strong photosensitizer, diaphoretic, carminative and antispasmodic agents. Objective: A. visnaga has been used for the treatment of bronchial asthma, coronary insufficiency, angina pectoris, psoriasis, renal colic and ureteric stones. Visnagin (C13H10O4) is a ‘furanochromone derivative’ which is the main active constituent’s of A. visnaga. Visnagin is used for the treatment of low blood-pressure, angina pectoris and kidney stone. It also has neuroprotective and antiinflammatory activity. Moreover, visnagin also treat whooping cough, ureter and bile duct, gall bladder and renal colic, tumors and epileptic seizures. Methods: This review summarizes data’s regarding the biological importance, pharmacological uses and medicinal importance of A. visnaga and their important active constituent’s “visnagin”. Moreover, the detailed pharmacological aspects of visnagin were presented in this review. Further various analytical techniques used for the extraction and isolation of visnagin were also discussed. Studies related to the pharmacological profile of the plants and their active phytoconstituents are one of the leading areas of research. Conclusion: This review will be beneficial to the scientific society to understand the importance of A. visnaga plant and their active constituents ‘visnagin’for the development of alternative tools to treat disorders in the future.

Background: A standardized polyherbal preparation (POL-6) containing six plant extracts Hypericum perforatum, Bacopa monnieri, Centella asiatica, Withania somnifera, Ocimum sanctum and Camellia sinesis have good antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. The present study was carried out to evaluate the safety profile of POL-6 through acute and subacute oral toxicity models in Wistar rats. Methods: In acute safety evaluation, a single dose of 2000mg/kg of POL-6 was given orally to five rats and was observed for 14 days. In subacute safety evaluation POL-6 at the doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg was given orally to the rats once a day for 28 days. The animals were observed for the signs of toxicity and mortality during the study period. Results: In acute toxicity evaluation, POL-6 treatment did not show any toxic signs and mortality in animals during the observation period. In subacute toxicity studies, no changes were seen in any of the dose levels of POL-6 treatment during the total body weights, organ weights and hematobiochemical parameters examination of the rats. No lesions were seen during the gross/histopathological examination. Conclusion: The study revealed that administration of POL-6 for 28 days showed no significant treatment generated toxic effects in the animals, hence it can be considered as non-toxic if it is ingested in a time not greater than a month.

Background: The polymeric hydrocolloids of natural origin such as gums and mucilages have their own significance in food and pharmaceutical industries due to safety, cost, biodegradability, biocompatibility, etc. Objective: This study includes the assessment of feasibility of gummy exudates of Cochlospermum religiosum for development of microspheres through emulsification technique. Methods: The effects of exudates concentration, glutaraldehyde amount and process temperature were analyzed on particle-size and swelling dynamics of developed microspheres. The formulations were also characterized by thermal decomposition and powder X-ray diffraction technique to assess the effect of crosslinking. Results: The photomicrographs of preparations revealed the formation of microspheres with smooth, spherical and free-flowing nature. The swelling dynamics followed Fick’s diffusion mechanism for swelling media. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed the formation of ether-linkage after crosslinking of exudates by glutaraldehyde. The thermogravimetric curves disclosed the formation of strong bonds during crosslinking. Conclusion: The ease of gummy exudates of Cochlospermum religiosum for microspheres formation ascribed the potential of these formulations to incorporate therapeutic agent(s) to be applied as novel drug-carriers.

Background: Lamiaceae is one of the large families that occur worldwide and has species that are adaptable to almost all habitats and altitudes. Plectranthus is an important genus of Lamiaceae, recognized globally as an ornamental as well as a medicinal herb with good economic interest. The Plectranthus species possess antiseptic, vermicidal and purgative activities. Objective: The isolated compounds (1-3) from Plectranthus bishopianus were tested for their preliminary pharmacological evaluation for antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. Materials and Methods: The Plectranthus bishopianus leaves were collected from the Western Ghats of India. Extractions followed by isolation of the three compounds and structures were identified by NMR, HRMS. Results: The isolated compounds, 6,7-dehydroroyleanone (1), 6β-hydroxy-7α-methoxyroyleanone (2) and 6β, 7α-dihyroxyroyleanone (3) showed good antioxidant activity by DPPH method. The results of the cytotoxicity evaluation of the compounds (1-3) displayed excellent activity against MCF-7 cell line with IC50 values at 3.8 μg/mL, 3.85 μg/mL and 3.7 μg/mL respectively, which is more potent than the reference standard cisplatin. Conclusion: The structures of isolated compounds were confirmed by NMR, LC-HRMS and further pharmacological evaluation was accomplished. In addition, the isolates (1-3) were subjected to insilico molecular properties prediction by employing Molinspiration software for calculating their oral bioavailability and predicted to possess excellent oral bioavailability.

Background: Plant in Rhododendron genus that contains phenolic compounds has been used in traditional medicine and revealed considerable biological activities. Objective: Isolation and identification of antioxidant natural products from Rhododendron ungernii. Methods: Rhododendron ungernii Trautv. flowers were collected and dried in shade. The dried flowers were extracted with methanol for 3 days. The solvent was removed by reduced pressure to yield the extract which was subjected to column chromatography (Sephadex LH-20, C18 reversed phase column) to isolate catechin-7-O-glucoside (1), quercetin-3-O-β-galactoside (2), quercetin-3-O- β-xyloside (3), farrerol (4), myricetin (5), and quercetin (6). The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods such as 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR, and LC-TOF/MS. DPPH• scavenging effect, ABTS•+ scavenging activity, and reducing power (FRAP) were performed for antioxidant assays of isolated natural compounds. Results: Isolated flavonoids displayed the outstanding antioxidant activities. Catechin-7-O-glucoside (1) and quercetin-3-O-β-galactoside (2) (IC50, 3.66 μg/mL) had the most DPPH• scavenging effect among the compounds. The highest ABTS•+ scavenging activity (IC50, 1.41 μg/mL) and reducing power effect (6.05 mmol TE/g comp) were observed for myricetin (5). Conclusion: R. ungernii extract and isolated compounds could be a promising antioxidant for food and pharmaceutical industries.

Objective: Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative, spiral-shaped, microaerophilic bacterium that infects about half the world’s population and is responsible for a significant cause of morbidity and mortality imposing a major burden on health care systems worldwide. The treatment for eradication of H. pylori is complicated, requiring a combination of different antibiotics and gastric acid inhibitors; and often cause nausea, antibiotic resistance, recurrence and other side effects. As a result, there is a growing interest in compounds with natural origins because of their broad flexibility and low toxicity. Methods: Broth microdilution and agar diffusion methods were used to investigate the in vitro efficacy of Artemisia absinthium, Eugenia caryophyllata and black seed honey mixtures against H. pylori. Results: The different combinations used in this study inhibit the growth of H. pylori more effectively than levofloxacin, amoxicillin and clarithromycin in both gastric pH and the pH level of the prepared mixtures. Conclusion: These results indicate that the use of a combination containing 5 and 10% aqueous extracts of E. caryophyllata and A. absinthium respectively with 12.5 or 25% black seed honey may prevent H. pylori growth in vitro.

Background: Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) has the potential to control blood glucose and lipid levels. However, it contains safrole compounds, which are dangerous when humans consume them. Objective: In this study, we eliminated safrole from nutmeg and investigated its antidiabetic and antidyslipidemic properties. Methods: Nutmeg seeds were powdered, extracted with 90% ethanol, and chromatographed to remove the safrole. Safrole-free nutmeg extract was concentrated, and its antidiabetic and antidyslipidemic agents were tested in a type 2 diabetes mellitus rat model. Results: The results showed that the blood glucose level decreased by 20% after 2 days of treatment, 30% after 4 days of treatment and 40% after 6 days of treatment with nutmeg extracts. The blood triglyceride level did not change in the first 2 days of treatment, and it decreased by 25% after 4 days of treatment and by another 25% after 6 days of treatment. Luciferase assay showed that safrole- free nutmeg increased the activities of PPAR α and γ in a dose-dependent manner, which marked the potential mechanism of lowering the triglyceride and glucose levels. Conclusion: Results thus obtained are suggestive of the potential dual effect of safrole-free nutmeg extract on antidiabetic and antidyslipidemic management.