scholarly journals Cocculus hirsutus-derived phytopharmaceutical drug has potent anti-dengue activity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankur Poddar ◽  
Rahul Shukla ◽  
Hemalatha Beesetti ◽  
Upasana Arora ◽  
Ravi Kant Rajpoot ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundDengue is a serious public health concern worldwide, with ~3 billion people at risk of contracting dengue virus (DENV) infections. Currently, no effective vaccine or drug is available for the prevention or treatment of dengue, which leaves only anti-mosquito strategies to combat this disease. The present study was initiated to determine the in-vitro and in vivo protective effects of a plant-derived phytopharmaceutical drug for the treatment of dengue.Methodology/Principal FindingsIn our previous report, we had identified methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Cissampelos pareira to exhibit in vitro and in vivo anti-dengue activity against all the four DENV serotypes. In the current study, we have identified another Indian medicinal plant, Cocculus hirsutus, which has a more potent anti-dengue activity than C. pareira. The activity has been evaluated through flow-cytometry-based virus inhibition assay. Interestingly, the stem of C. hirsutus was found to be more potent than the aerial part irrespective of the extraction solvent used viz., denatured spirit, hydro-alcohol (50:50) and water. Hence, the aqueous extract of stem of C. hirsutus (AQCH) was further advanced for investigations because of greater regulatory acceptance. The AQCH exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of release of DENV and its secretory antigen, NS1. Five chemical markers viz. Sinococuline, 20-Hydroxyecdysone, Makisterone-A, Magnoflorine and Coniferyl alcohol were identified as the major chemical ingredients of the AQCH extract. These chemicals were subsequently used for extract standardisation. Importantly, AQCH completely protected AG129 mice at 25 mg/kg/dose body weight when fed 4 times a day post-infection with a lethal dose of DENV-2 S221 strain. Because of its potential as an effective phytopharmaceutical drug against dengue, AQCH, has been formulated into tablets for further pre-clinical and clinical developments.Conclusions/SignificanceWe provide evidence of the pan anti-dengue potential of C. hirsutus-based phytopharmaceutical drug as determined through in vitro and in vivo experiments. We have also characterized five chemical entities in the drug substance, which provides means for standardization of drug substance and drug product. Based on these findings, a program to develop a safe and effective C. hirsutus-derived phytopharmaceutical drug for the treatment of dengue has been initiated.Author summaryThere is an urgent need to develop a safe and effective drug against dengue, which is a rapidly expanding mosquito-borne viral disease. Half of the world’s population has been estimated to be at risk of contracting this disease and the situation remains grim due to lack of an approved drug. We aimed to develop an ethnopharmacological drug against dengue by exploring traditional Indian medicinal science, Ayurveda. This led us to identify a creeper, Cocculus hirsutus, as a more potent anti-dengue plant than Cissampelos pareira, reported in our earlier published study. The stem part of C. hirsutus was found to be more efficacious in inhibiting the propagation of dengue viruses (DENVs) in cell culture than its aerial part. Hence, we chose to advance aqueous extract of stem of C. hirsutus (AQCH) for further studies. Importantly, AQCH also protected immune-compromised mice from lethal DENV infection, which is suggestive of its potential clinical relevance. We have identified five chemical marker compounds in AQCH to gauge the quality and consistency of extract preparation and its formulation into stable tablets. Based on the findings of this study, we have undertaken the development of a safe and effective C. hirsutus-derived phytopharmaceutical drug for the treatment of dengue.

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyoti Kaushik ◽  
Simran Tandon ◽  
Rishi Bhardwaj ◽  
Tanzeer Kaur ◽  
Surinder Kumar Singla ◽  
...  

Abstract Modern treatment interventions for kidney stones are wrought with side-effects, hence the need for alternative therapies such as plant-based medicines. We have previously documented through in vitro studies that statistically optimized aqueous extract of Tribulus terrestris (Zygophyllaceae family) possesses antiurolithic and antioxidant potential. This provides strong scientific foundation to conduct in vivo efficacy and preclinical safety studies to corroborate and lend further proof to its ability to prevent and cure kidney stones. The preventive and curative urolithiatic efficacy in experimentally induced nephrolithiatic Wistar rats, along with preclinical toxicity was evaluated following oral administration of statistically optimized aqueous extract of T. terrestris. Treatment showed augmented renal function, restoration of normal renal architecture and increase in body weight. Microscopic analysis of urine revealed excretion of small sized urinary crystals, demonstrating that treatment potentially modulated the morphology of renal stones. Tissue enzymatic estimation affirmed the antioxidant efficacy of treatment with reduced free radical generation. Significant upregulation of p38MAPK at both the gene and protein level was noted in hyperoxaluric group and interestingly treatment reversed it. Acute oral toxicity study established the Median Lethal Dose (LD50) to be greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) by repeated oral toxicity for 28 days at 750 mg/kg b.wt. was noted. This study lends scientific evidence to the safe, preventive and curative potential of statistically optimized aqueous extract of T. terrestris at a dose of 750 mg/kg b.wt. and suggests that the extract shows promise as a therapeutic antiurolithic agent.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Mariscal Brice Tchatat Tali ◽  
Cedric Derick Jiatsa Mbouna ◽  
Lauve Rachel Yamthe Tchokouaha ◽  
Patrick Valere Tsouh Fokou ◽  
Jaures Marius Tsakem Nangap ◽  
...  

Background. Terminalia mantaly is used in Cameroon traditional medicine to treat malaria and related symptoms. However, its antiplasmodial efficacy is still to be established. Objectives. The present study is aimed at evaluating the in vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activity and the oral acute toxicity of the Terminalia mantaly extracts. Materials and Methods. Extracts were prepared from leaves and stem bark of T. mantaly, by maceration in distilled water, methanol, ethanol, dichloromethane (DCM), and hexane. All extracts were initially screened in vitro against the chloroquine-resistant strain W2 of P. falciparum to confirm its in vitro activity, and the most potent one was assessed in malaria mouse model at three concentrations (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/bw). Biochemical, hematological, and histological parameters were also determined. Results. Overall, 7 extracts showed in vitro antiplasmodial activity with IC50 ranging from 0.809 μg/mL to 5.886 μg/mL. The aqueous extract from the stem bark of T. mantaly (Tmsbw) was the most potent (IC50=0.809 μg/mL) and was further assessed for acute toxicity and efficacy in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Tmsbw was safe in mice with a median lethal dose (LD50) higher than 2000 mg/kg of body weight. It also exerted a good antimalarial efficacy in vivo with ED50 of 69.50 mg/kg and had no significant effect on biochemical, hematological, and histological parameters. Conclusion. The results suggest that the stem bark extract of T. mantaly possesses antimalarial activity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Shukla ◽  
Ravi Kant Rajpoot ◽  
Ankur Poddar ◽  
Richa Ahuja ◽  
Hemalatha Beesetti ◽  
...  

Dengue is a serious public health concern worldwide, with ∼3 billion people at risk of contracting dengue virus (DENV) infections, with some suffering severe consequences of disease and leading to death. Currently, there is no broad use vaccine or drug available for the prevention or treatment of dengue, which leaves only anti-mosquito strategies to combat the dengue menace. The present study is an extension of our earlier study aimed at determining the in vitro and in vivo protective effects of a plant-derived phytopharmaceutical drug for the treatment of dengue. In our previous report, we had identified a methanolic extract of aerial parts of Cissampelos pareira to exhibit in vitro and in vivo anti-dengue activity against all the four DENV serotypes. The dried aerial parts of C. pareira supplied by local vendors were often found to be mixed with aerial parts of another plant of the same Menispermaceae family, Cocculus hirsutus, which shares common homology with C. pareira. In the current study, we have found C. hirsutus to have more potent anti-dengue activity as compared with C. pareira. The stem part of C. hirsutus was found to be more potent (∼25 times) than the aerial part (stem and leaf) irrespective of the extraction solvent used, viz., denatured spirit, hydro-alcohol (50:50), and aqueous. Moreover, the anti-dengue activity of stem extract in all the solvents was comparable. Hence, an aqueous extract of the stem of C. hirsutus (AQCH) was selected due to greater regulatory compliance. Five chemical markers, viz., Sinococuline, 20-Hydroxyecdysone, Makisterone-A, Magnoflorine, and Coniferyl alcohol, were identified in fingerprinting analysis. In a test of primary dengue infection in the AG129 mice model, AQCH extract at 25 mg/kg body weight exhibited protection when administered four and three times a day. The AQCH was also protective in the secondary DENV-infected AG129 mice model at 25 mg/kg/dose when administered four and three times a day. Additionally, the AQCH extract reduced serum viremia and small intestinal pathologies, viz., viral load, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and vascular leakage. Based on these findings, we have undertaken the potential preclinical development of C. hirsutus-based phytopharmaceutical, which could be studied further for its clinical development for treating dengue.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Noe Farfan-Morales ◽  
Carlos Daniel Cordero-Rivera ◽  
Juan Fidel Osuna-Ramos ◽  
Irma Eloisa Monroy-Muñoz ◽  
Luis Adrián De Jesús-González ◽  
...  

AbstractThe Dengue (DENV) and zika (ZIKV) virus infections are currently a public health concern. At present, there is no treatment or a safe and effective vaccine for these viruses. Hence, the development of new strategies as host-directed therapy is required. In this sense, Metformin (MET), an FDA-approved drug used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has shown an anti-DENV effect in vitro by activating AMPK and reducing HMGCR activity. In this study, MET treatment was evaluated during in vitro and in vivo ZIKV infection and compared to MET treatment during DENV infection. Our results demonstrated that MET has a broad in vitro antiviral spectrum. MET inhibited ZIKV infection in different cell lines, but it was most effective in inhibiting DENV and yellow fever virus (YFV) infection in Huh-7 cells. However, the drug failed to protect against ZIKV infection when AG129 immunodeficient mice were used as in vivo model. Interestingly, MET increased DENV-infected male mice's survival time, reducing the severe signs of the disease. Together, these findings indicate that, although MET was an effective antiviral agent to inhibit in vitro and in vivo DENV infection, it could only inhibit in vitro ZIKV infection.


Author(s):  
Nurgozhin T. ◽  
Sergazy S. H. ◽  
Adilgozhina G. ◽  
Gulyayev A. ◽  
Shulgau Z. ◽  
...  

Objective:This study investigates the hepatoprotective effect and the antioxidant role of polyphenol concentrate in the experimental model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced toxicity. Methods: Antioxidant activity of Cabernet Sauvignon grape polyphenol were evaluated by radical scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH), 2,2’-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS.+). In addition, the effects of polyphenol concentrate on the survival of Wistar rats in the toxicity model, was also investigated. The polyphenol concentrate was administered for 5 five days prior to injection of carbon tetrachloride in a sub-lethal dose of 300 mg/kg of animal body weight in order to perform histological examinations of the liver and kidney, and detect the levels of AST, ALT and bilirubin. Results: Administration of polyphenol concentrate increased animal survival in the experimental model. Moreover, the intragastric administration of polyphenol concentrate prior to the initiation of the experimental model of toxicity, which was caused by a sub-lethal CCl4 dose, reduced morphological injuries in the liver and kidney, decreased the AST and ALT levels of the blood serum. Discussion and conclusion: Our data demonstrate that polyphenol concentrate possesses an antioxidant potential both in vitro and in vivo by reducing antioxidant stress that was caused by CCl4 administration into rats.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-51
Author(s):  
Eteme Enama S ◽  
Messi A N ◽  
Mahob R J ◽  
Siama A ◽  
Njan Nloga A M
Keyword(s):  

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 494-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sameer Suresh Bhagyawant ◽  
Dakshita Tanaji Narvekar ◽  
Neha Gupta ◽  
Amita Bhadkaria ◽  
Ajay Kumar Gautam ◽  
...  

Background: Diabetes and hypertension are the major health concern and alleged to be of epidemic proportions. This has made it a numero uno subject at various levels of investigation. Glucosidase inhibitor provides the reasonable option in treatment of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) as it specifically targets post prandial hyperglycemia. The Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in hypertension. Therefore, inhibition of ACE in treatment of elevated blood pressure attracts special interest of the scientific community. Chickpea is a food legume and seeds contain carbohydrate binding protein- a lectin. Some of the biological properties of this lectin hitherto been elucidated. Methods: Purified by ion exchange chromatography, chickpea lectin was tested for its in vitro antioxidant, ACE-I inhibitory and anti-diabetic characteristic. Results: Lectin shows a characteristic improvement over the synthetic drugs like acarbose (oral anti-diabetic drug) and captopril (standard antihypertensive drug) when, their IC50 values are compared. Lectin significantly inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase in a concentration dependent manner with IC50 values of 85.41 ± 1.21 ҝg/ml and 65.05 ± 1.2 µg/ml compared to acarbose having IC50 70.20 ± 0.47 value of µg/ml and 50.52 ± 1.01 µg/ml respectively. β-Carotene bleaching assay showed antioxidant activity of lectin (72.3%) to be as active as Butylated Hydroxylanisole (BHA). In addition, lectin demonstrated inhibition against ACE-I with IC50 value of 57.43 ± 1.20 µg/ml compared to captopril. Conclusion: Lectin demonstrated its antioxidant character, ACE-I inhibition and significantly inhibitory for α-glucosidase and α-amylase seems to qualify as an anti-hyperglycemic therapeutic molecule. The biological effects of chickpea lectin display potential for reducing the parameters of medically debilitating conditions. These characteristics however needs to be established under in vivo systems too viz. animals through to humans.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 295-311
Author(s):  
Ada Gabriel ◽  
Mamman Mohammed ◽  
Mohammed G. Magaji ◽  
Yusuf P. Ofemile ◽  
Ameh P. Matthew ◽  
...  

Background: Snakebite envenomation is a global priority ranked top among other neglected tropical diseases. There is a folkloric claim that Uvaria chamae is beneficial for the management of snakebite and wounds in African ethnobotanical surveys. Besides, there are many registered patents asserting the health benefits of U. chamae. Objective: This study aimed to investigate U. chamae’s potentials and identify candidates for the development of tools for the treatment and management of N. nigricollis envenomation. Methods: Freshly collected U. chamae leaves were air-dried, powdered, and extracted in methanol. The median lethal dose of the extract was determined and further fractionated with n-hexane, n-butanol and ethyl acetate. Each fraction was tested for neutralizing effect against venom-induced haemolytic, fibrinolytic, hemorrhagic, and cytotoxic activities. Results: U. chamae fractions significantly (p<0.05) neutralized the haemolytic activity of N. nigricollis venom in n-butanol; 31.40%, n-hexane; 33%, aqueous residue; 39.60% and ethyl acetate; 40.70% at the concentration of 100mg/ml of each fraction against 10mg/ml of the snake venom when compared to the positive control. The fibrinolytic activity of N. nigricollis venom was significantly (p<0.05) neutralized in n-hexane at 73.88%, n-butanol; 72.22% and aqueous residue; 72.22% by the fractions of U. chamae. In addition, haemorrhagic activity of N. nigricollis venom was significantly (p<0.05) neutralized by U. chamae fractions at the concentrations of 100mg/ml, 200mg/ml and 400mg/ml except for n-butanol and aqueous residues at 400 mg/ml. Conclusion: U. chamae leaves fractions possess a high level of protection against N. nigricollis venoms-induced lethality and thus validate the pharmacological rationale for its usage in the management of N. nigricollis envenomation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 09 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tejas Patel ◽  
B.N. Suhagia

Background: Diabetes mellitus is major issue to public health as its prevalence is rising day by day. Synthetic agents available for the diabetic treatment are expensive or produce undesirable side effect on chronic use and some of them are not suitable during pregnancy. Herbal medicines accepted widely due to side effects and low cost. Objective: The aim of present study was to evaluate the activity of Withania coagulans extract using In-vitro and In-vivo model. Methods: Different three types of Withania coagulans extract were prepared using aqueous (W1), Alcohol (W2) and hydro-alcoholic (50:50) mixture (W3). In-vitro Anti-diabetic activity of the all three extracts evaluated using RINm5F Pancreatic beta cells.Further, n-vivo anti-diabetic evaluation performed by administering 50 mg/kg (p.o) aqueous extract for 7 days in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced mice. Body weight of the animals was also determined to perform acute toxicity study. Results: The results of in –vitro cell based study indicated that among all three extract, aqueous extract (W1) of Withania coagulans showed potential increase in inulin release. The EC50 of the W1 (249.6 µg/L) which is compared with standard (Glibenclamide) EC50. From the results of In-vitro study, W1 subjected for acute toxicity study and the acute toxicity study results indicated LD50 of 50mg/kg. Diabetic rats treated with W1 extract at oral dose of 50 mg/kg for 7 days showed 34.17% reduction in blood glucose in comparison to untreated diabetic (STZ-induced) rats. Blood glucose levels of Standard treated (Glibenclamide) and control untreated. Conclusion: In conclusion, results of pancreatic beta cell based study showed increase in insulin release by administration of extract. Further aqueous extract (W1) was potentially reduced blood glucose level in STZ induced diabetic mice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-238
Author(s):  
Muflihatul Muniroh

AbstractThe exposure of methylmercury (MeHg) has become a public health concern because of its neurotoxic effect. Various neurological symptoms were detected in Minamata disease patients, who got intoxicated by MeHg, including paresthesia, ataxia, gait disturbance, sensory disturbances, tremors, visual, and hearing impairments, indicating that MeHg could pass the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and cause impairment of neurons and other brain cells. Previous studies have reported some expected mechanisms of MeHg-induced neurotoxicity including the neuroinflammation pathway. It was characterized by the up-regulation of numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines expression. Therefore, the use of anti-inflammatories such as N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) may act as a preventive compound to protect the brain from MeHg harmful effects. This mini-review will explain detailed information on MeHg-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines activation as well as possible preventive strategies using anti-inflammation NAC to protect brain cells, particularly in in vivo and in vitro studies.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document