Brazilin: Biological activities and therapeutic potential in chronic degenerative diseases and cancer

2022 ◽  
Vol 175 ◽  
pp. 106023
Author(s):  
Dania A. Nava-Tapia ◽  
Lorena Cayetano-Salazar ◽  
Leonardo D. Herrera-Zúñiga ◽  
Jorge Bello-Martínez ◽  
Miguel A. Mendoza-Catalán ◽  
...  
2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (14) ◽  
pp. 1663-1681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun-Ting Lee ◽  
Heng-Chun Kuo ◽  
Yung-Hsiang Chen ◽  
Ming-Yen Tsai

The polysaccharides in many plants are attracting worldwide attention because of their biological activities and medical properties, such as anti-viral, anti-oxidative, antichronic inflammation, anti-hypertensive, immunomodulation, and neuron-protective effects, as well as anti-tumor activity. Denodrobium species, a genus of the family orchidaceae, have been used as herbal medicines for hundreds of years in China due to their pharmacological effects. These effects include nourishing the Yin, supplementing the stomach, increasing body fluids, and clearing heat. Recently, numerous researchers have investigated possible active compounds in Denodrobium species, such as lectins, phenanthrenes, alkaloids, trigonopol A, and polysaccharides. Unlike those of other plants, the biological effects of polysaccharides in Dendrobium are a novel research field. In this review, we focus on these novel findings to give readers an overall picture of the intriguing therapeutic potential of polysaccharides in Dendrobium, especially those of the four commonly-used Denodrobium species: D. huoshanense, D. offininale, D. nobile, and D. chrysotoxum.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 797-807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula dos Passos Menezes ◽  
Francielly de Oliveira Araujo ◽  
Tatianny Araujo Andrade ◽  
Igor Araujo Santos Trindade ◽  
Heitor Gomes de Araujo-Filho ◽  
...  

Background: Some research studies have shown that Lippia pedunculosa essential oil (EOLP) has interesting biological activities. However, its low water solubility is the main challenge to achieve its therapeutic potential. In this context, Cyclodextrins (CDs) have been widely used in order to overcome this problem due to your capability to improve the physicochemical properties of drugs. Objective: In this perspective, the main goal of this study was to investigate how the improvement of the physicochemical properties of inclusion complexes (EOLP and β-CD) enhance the antinociceptive effect in mice. Methods: To achieve that, we prepared samples by Physical Mixture (PM), Paste Complexation (PC) and Slurry Complexation (SC) methods, followed by their physicochemical characterization. In addition, it was evaluated if the use of β-CD enhances the antinociceptive effect of EOLP in mice. Results: The analysis showed that rotundifolone (72.02%) was the major compound of EOLP and we found out based on DSC results that β-CD protected it from oxidation. In addition, TG techniques demonstrated that the best inclusion methods were PC and SC, due to their greater weight loss (10.8 and 11.6%, respectively) in the second stage (171-312°C), indicating that more complexed oil was released at the higher temperature than oil free. Other characteristics, such as changes in the typical crystalline form, and reduced particle size were observed by SEM and laser diffraction, respectively. The SC was the most effective complexation method, once the presence of rotundifolone was detected by FTIR. Based on that, SC method was used in all mice tests. In this regard, the number of paw licks was reduced for both compounds (all doses), but EOLP was more effective in reducing the nociceptive behavior. Conclusion: Therefore, CDs seem not to be a good tool to enhance the pharmacological properties of EOs rich in peroxide compounds such as rotundifolone.


2020 ◽  
Vol 06 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faiq H. S. Hussain ◽  
Hawraz Ibrahim M. Amin ◽  
Dinesh kumar Patel ◽  
Omji Porwal

: The family Iridaceae contains 92 genera and more than 1800 species, mostly perennial herbs with underground storage organs called rhizomes (bulbs). Some genera are important in traditional medicines, especially Iris and Gladiolus. The genus Iris belongs to this family and comprises about hundreds species among them, 12 species are found in Iraq. It has been widely used various medicines worldwide especially Iris persica is used in folk medicine in the Kurdistan region of Iraq as an effective treatment against tumours, antibacterial, antifungal and treating inflammation. Earlier finding confirmed that Iris persica and its constituents play role in the scavenging of free radical generation and prevention of disease pathogenesis. Each part of the Iris persica herb has some medicinal property. This review gives a eagle eye view mainly on the biological activities of the Iris persica and some of their compounds isolated, pharmacological actions of the Iris persica extracts and products, and plausible medicinal and therapeutically applications.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 498
Author(s):  
Mariaevelina Alfieri ◽  
Antonietta Leone ◽  
Alfredo Ambrosone

Plants produce different types of nano and micro-sized vesicles. Observed for the first time in the 60s, plant nano and microvesicles (PDVs) and their biological role have been inexplicably under investigated for a long time. Proteomic and metabolomic approaches revealed that PDVs carry numerous proteins with antifungal and antimicrobial activity, as well as bioactive metabolites with high pharmaceutical interest. PDVs have also been shown to be also involved in the intercellular transfer of small non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs, suggesting fascinating mechanisms of long-distance gene regulation and horizontal transfer of regulatory RNAs and inter-kingdom communications. High loading capacity, intrinsic biological activities, biocompatibility, and easy permeabilization in cell compartments make plant-derived vesicles excellent natural or bioengineered nanotools for biomedical applications. Growing evidence indicates that PDVs may exert anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anticancer activities in different in vitro and in vivo models. In addition, clinical trials are currently in progress to test the effectiveness of plant EVs in reducing insulin resistance and in preventing side effects of chemotherapy treatments. In this review, we concisely introduce PDVs, discuss shortly their most important biological and physiological roles in plants and provide clues on the use and the bioengineering of plant nano and microvesicles to develop innovative therapeutic tools in nanomedicine, able to encompass the current drawbacks in the delivery systems in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical technology. Finally, we predict that the advent of intense research efforts on PDVs may disclose new frontiers in plant biotechnology applied to nanomedicine.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1212
Author(s):  
Getinet M. Adinew ◽  
Equar Taka ◽  
Patricia Mendonca ◽  
Samia S. Messeha ◽  
Karam F. A. Soliman

Triple- negative breast cancer (TNBC) incidence rate has regularly risen over the last decades and is expected to increase in the future. Finding novel treatment options with minimum or no toxicity is of great importance in treating or preventing TNBC. Flavonoids are new attractive molecules that might fulfill this promising therapeutic option. Flavonoids have shown many biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. In addition to their anticancer effects by arresting the cell cycle, inducing apoptosis, and suppressing cancer cell proliferation, flavonoids can modulate non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) function. Several preclinical and epidemiological studies indicate the possible therapeutic potential of these compounds. Flavonoids display a unique ability to change miRNAs’ levels via different mechanisms, either by suppressing oncogenic miRNAs or activating oncosuppressor miRNAs or affecting transcriptional, epigenetic miRNA processing in TNBC. Flavonoids are not only involved in the regulation of miRNA-mediated cancer initiation, growth, proliferation, differentiation, invasion, metastasis, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), but also control miRNAs-mediated biological processes that significantly impact TNBC, such as cell cycle, immune system, mitochondrial dysregulation, modulating signaling pathways, inflammation, and angiogenesis. In this review, we highlighted the role of miRNAs in TNBC cancer progression and the effect of flavonoids on miRNA regulation, emphasizing their anticipated role in the prevention and treatment of TNBC.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 2867
Author(s):  
Lucia Kovacikova ◽  
Marta Soltesova Prnova ◽  
Magdalena Majekova ◽  
Andrej Bohac ◽  
Cimen Karasu ◽  
...  

Aldose reductase (AR, ALR2), the first enzyme of the polyol pathway, is implicated in the pathophysiology of diabetic complications. Aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) thus present a promising therapeutic approach to treat a wide array of diabetic complications. Moreover, a therapeutic potential of ARIs in the treatment of chronic inflammation-related pathologies and several genetic metabolic disorders has been recently indicated. Substituted indoles are an interesting group of compounds with a plethora of biological activities. This article reviews a series of indole-based bifunctional aldose reductase inhibitors/antioxidants (ARIs/AOs) developed during recent years. Experimental results obtained in in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models of diabetic complications are presented. Structure–activity relationships with respect to carboxymethyl pharmacophore regioisomerization and core scaffold modification are discussed along with the criteria of ‘drug-likeness”. Novel promising structures of putative multifunctional ARIs/AOs are designed.


2003 ◽  
Vol 371 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert M. WU ◽  
June H. WU ◽  
Anthony HERP ◽  
Jia-Hau LIU

Agaricus bisporus agglutinin (ABA) isolated from edible mushroom has a potent anti-proliferative effect on malignant colon cells with considerable therapeutic potential as an anti-neoplastic agent. Since previous studies on the structural requirement for binding were limited to molecular or submolecular levels of Galβ1-3GalNAc (T; Thomsen–Friedenreich disaccharide glycotope; where Gal represents d-galactopyranose and GalNAc represents 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-galactopyranose) and its derivatives, the binding properties of ABA were further investigated using our collection of glycans by enzyme-linked lectinosorbent assay and lectin–glycan inhibition assay. The results indicate that polyvalent Galβ1-related glycotopes, GalNAcα1-Ser/Thr (Tn), and their cryptoforms, are the most potent factor for ABA binding. They were up to 5.5×105 and 4.7×106 times more active than monomeric T and GalNAc respectively. The affinity of ABA for ligands can be ranked as: multivalent Tα (Galβ1-3GalNAcα1-), Tn and I/II (Galβ1-3GlcNac/Galβ1-4GlcNAc, where GlcNAc represents 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-glucopyranose)>>>>monomeric Tα and Tn>I>>GalNAc>>>II, L (Galβ1-4Glc, where Glc represents d-glucopyranose) and Gal (inactive). These specific binding features of ABA establish the importance of affinity enhancement by high-density polyvalent (versus multiantennary I/II) glycotopes and facilitate our understanding of the lectin receptor recognition events relevant to its biological activities.


Author(s):  
Nohemí del C. Reyes-Vázquez ◽  
Laura A. de la Rosa ◽  
Juan Luis Morales-Landa ◽  
Jorge Alberto García-Fajardo ◽  
Miguel Ángel García-Cruz

Background: The pecan nutshell contains phytochemicals with various biological activities that are potentially useful in the prevention or treatment of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and metabolic imbalances associated with heart diseases. Objective: To update this topic by means of a literature review and include those that contribute to the knowledge of the chemical composition and biological activities of pecan nutshell, particularly of those related to the therapeutic potential against some chronic degenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress. Method: Exhaustive and detailed review of the existing literature using electronic databases. Conclusion: The pecan nutshell is a promising natural product with pharmaceutical uses in various diseases. However, additional research related to the assessment of efficient extraction methods and characterization, particularly the evaluation of the mechanisms of action in new in vivo models, is necessary to confirm these findings and development of new drugs with therapeutic use.


Author(s):  
Yogita Chowdhary

Aegle marmelos (Bilva) is being used in Ayurveda for the treatment of several inflammatory disorders. The plant is a member of a fixed dose combination of Dashamoola in Ayurveda. However, the usage of roots/root bark or stems is associated with sustainability concerns. Bael (Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr.) is an important medicinal plant of India. Leaves, fruits, stem and roots of A. marmelos have been used in ethno medicine to exploit its' medicinal properties including astringent, antidiarrheal antidysenteric, demulcent, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities. Compounds purified from bael have been proven to be biologically active against several major diseases including cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Preclinical studies indicate the therapeutic potential of crude extracts of A. marmelos in the treatment of many microbial diseases, diabetes and gastric ulcer. This review covers the biological activities of some isolated chemical constituents of A. marmelos and preclinical studies on some crude extracts and pure compounds to explore novel bioactive compounds for therapeutic application. Aegle marmelos (L.) is a seasonal fruit that contains significant amounts of bioactives like, phenolic acids (gallic acids, 2,3-dihydroxy benzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, vanillic acid), flavonoid (rutin), organic acids (oxalic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, propionic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid), vitamin C, vitamin B group (thiamine, niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, biotin, cobalamins, riboflavin), tocopherols (α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol), carotenes (α-carotene, β-carotene, γ-carotene, δ-carotene) and also rich in essential minerals (potassium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, copper, manganese). Hence the use of aegle plays important role as anti-inflammatory.


Author(s):  
Siamak Shahidi ◽  
◽  
Alireza Komaki ◽  
Safoura Raoufi ◽  
Iraj Salehi ◽  
...  

Background/Aim: Hyperalgesia is one of the current complications of diabetes mellitus that Oxidative stress and inflammation have principal role in its development. Ellagic Acid (EA) as a herbal component, has some biological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study was designed to evaluate the possible beneficial effect of EA on hyperalgesia in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat. Materials and Methods: Rats were divided into control(vehicle received), diabetic, EA (25, 50 mg/kg)-treated control and EA(25, 50 mg/kg)-treated diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/Kg). EA was administered daily by oral gavage for 4 weeks. Hyperalgesia was assessed using tail flick (TF) and hot plate (HP) tests. Also, oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the serum were evaluated. Results: Diabetic animals showed marked reductions in TF and HP latencies, elevation of serum MDA level and TOS and diminution of serum TAC compared to controls significantly. Treatment of Diabetic rats with EA ameliorated reduction of TF latency at the dose of 25 mg/kg and HP latency at the dose of 50 mg/kg. Furthermore EA significantly increased TAC and decreased MDA level at dose of 50 mg/kg and reduced TOS at both doses in the serum of diabetic animals. In EA treated normal rats we could see no significant alterations in the parameters studied. Conclusion: These results displayed potent antinociceptive effect of EA in diabetic rats via attenuating oxidative stress. This proposes therapeutic potential of EA for damping diabetic hyperalgesia.


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