Foeniculum vulgareMill: A Review of Its Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Contemporary Application, and Toxicology

Foeniculum vulgareMill commonly called fennel has been used in traditional medicine for a wide range of ailments related to digestive, endocrine, reproductive, and respiratory systems. Additionally, it is also used as a galactagogue agent for lactating mothers. The review aims to gather the fragmented information available in the literature regarding morphology, ethnomedicinal applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology ofFoeniculum vulgare. It also compiles available scientific evidence for the ethnobotanical claims and to identify gaps required to be filled by future research. Findings based on their traditional uses and scientific evaluation indicates thatFoeniculum vulgareremains to be the most widely used herbal plant. It has been used for more than forty types of disorders. Phytochemical studies have shown the presence of numerous valuable compounds, such as volatile compounds, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and amino acids. Compiled data indicate their efficacy in severalin vitroandin vivopharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antinociceptive, antipyretic, antispasmodic, antithrombotic, apoptotic, cardiovascular, chemomodulatory, antitumor, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and memory enhancing property.Foeniculum vulgarehas emerged as a good source of traditional medicine and it provides a noteworthy basis in pharmaceutical biology for the development/formulation of new drugs and future clinical uses.

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Effects of Curcumin on Vessel Formation Insight into the Pro- and Antiangiogenesis of Curcumin

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2019/1390795 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Ting-ye Wang ◽

Jia-xu Chen

Keyword(s):

Curcuma Longa ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Short Review ◽

Dual Effect ◽

Scientific Databases ◽

Wide Range ◽

Available Information ◽

Insight Into

Curcumin is a compound extracted from the Curcuma longa L, which possesses a wide range of pharmacological effects. However, few studies have collected scientific evidence on its dual effect on angiogenesis. The present review gathered the fragmented information available in the literature to discuss the dual effect and possible mechanisms of curcumin on angiogenesis. Available information concerning the effect of curcumin on angiogenesis is compiled from scientific databases, including PubMed and Web of Science using the key term (curcumin and angiogenesis). The results were reviewed to identify relevant articles. Related literature demonstrated that curcumin has antiangiogenesis effect via regulating multiple factors, including proangiogenesis factor VEGF, MMPs, and FGF, both in vivo and in vitro, and could promote angiogenesis under certain circumstances via these factors. This paper provided a short review on bidirectional action of curcumin, which should be useful for further study and application of this compound that require further studies.

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Based on Principles and Insights of COVID-19 Epidemiology, Genome Sequencing, and Pathogenesis: Retrospective Analysis of Sinigrin and ProlixinRX (Fluphenazine) Provides Off-Label Drug Candidates

SLAS DISCOVERY Advancing Life Sciences ◽

10.1177/2472555220950236 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (10) ◽

pp. 1123-1140

Author(s):

Jilan Nazeam ◽

Esraa Z. Mohammed ◽

Mariam Raafat ◽

Mariam Houssein ◽

Asmaa Elkafoury ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Products ◽

Evidence Synthesis ◽

Drug Repurposing ◽

New Drugs ◽

Future Research ◽

Nitrogenous Compounds ◽

Future Research Agenda ◽

Starting Point

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative pathogen of pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). So far, no approved therapy has been developed to halt the spread of the pathogen, and unfortunately, the strategies for developing a new therapy will require a long time and very extensive resources. Therefore, drug repurposing has emerged as an ideal strategy toward a smart, versatile, quick way to confine the lethal disease. In this endeavor, natural products have been an untapped source for new drugs. This review represents the confederated experience of multidisciplinary researchers of 99 articles using several databases: Google Scholar, Science Direct, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. To establish the hypothesis, a Bayesian perspective of a systematic review was used to outline evidence synthesis. Our docking documentation of 69 compounds and future research agenda assumptions were directed toward finding an effective and economic anti-COVID-19 treatment from natural products. Glucosinolate, flavones, and sulfated nitrogenous compounds demonstrate direct anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity through inhibition protease enzymes and may be considered potential candidates against coronavirus. These findings could be a starting point to initiate an integrative study that may encompass interested scientists and research institutes to test the hypothesis in vitro, in vivo, and in clinics after satisfying all ethical requirements.

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Development of a Fluorescent Assay to Search New Drugs Using Stable tdTomato-Leishmania, and the Selection of Galangin as a Candidate With Anti-Leishmanial Activity

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fcimb.2021.666746 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

María Fernanda García-Bustos ◽

Agustín Moya Álvarez ◽

Cecilia Pérez Brandan ◽

Cecilia Parodi ◽

Andrea Mabel Sosa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Active Compound ◽

Wild Strain ◽

Fluorescence Assay ◽

New Drugs ◽

Lipid Inclusion ◽

Screening Assay ◽

Meglumine Antimoniate ◽

Wide Range

Antimonials continue to be considered the first-line treatment for leishmaniases, but its use entails a wide range of side effects and serious reactions. The search of new drugs requires the development of methods more sensitive and faster than the conventional ones. We developed and validated a fluorescence assay based in the expression of tdTomato protein by Leishmania, and we applied this method to evaluate the activity in vitro of flavonoids and reference drugs. The pIR1SAT/tdTomato was constructed and integrated into the genome of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. Parasites were selected with nourseothricin (NTC). The relation of L. amaz/tc3 fluorescence and the number of parasites was determined; then the growth in vitro and infectivity in BALB/c mice was characterized. To validate the fluorescence assay, the efficacy of miltefosine and meglumine antimoniate was compared with the conventional methods. After that, the method was used to assess in vitro the activity of flavonoids; and the mechanism of action of the most active compound was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy and ELISA. A linear correlation was observed between the emission of fluorescence of L. amaz/tc3 and the number of parasites (r2 = 0.98), and the fluorescence was stable in the absence of NTC. No differences were observed in terms of infectivity between L. amaz/tc3 and wild strain. The efficacy of miltefosine and meglumine antimoniate determined by the fluorescence assay and the microscopic test showed no differences, however, in vivo the fluorescence assay was more sensitive than limiting dilution assay. Screening assay revealed that the flavonoid galangin (GAL) was the most active compound with IC50 values of 53.09 µM and 20.59 µM in promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes, respectively. Furthermore, GAL induced mitochondrial swelling, lipid inclusion bodies and vacuolization in promastigotes; and up-modulated the production of IL-12 p70 in infected macrophages. The fluorescence assay is a useful tool to assess the anti-leishmanial activity of new compounds. However, the assay has some limitations in the macrophage-amastigote model that might be related with an interfere of flavanol aglycones with the fluorescence readout of tdTomato. Finally, GAL is a promising candidate for the development of new treatment against the leishmaniasis.

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Antioxidant Properties and Reported Ethnomedicinal Use of the Genus Echium (Boraginaceae)

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox9080722 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 722

Author(s):

Ju Jin ◽

Mark Boersch ◽

Akshaya Nagarajan ◽

Andrew K. Davey ◽

Matthew Zunk

Keyword(s):

Traditional Medicine ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Future Research ◽

Antiviral Effects ◽

Pharmacological Studies ◽

Phytochemical Components ◽

Ethnomedicinal Uses ◽

First Time

The genus Echium L. from the Boraginaceae family consists of 67 recognised species. The genus is widely distributed in the Mediterranean, having been documented in the traditional medicine of the area since 300 B.C. Current pharmacological studies have validated early ethnomedicinal properties showing that Echium spp. possesses antioxidant, analgesic, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral effects. Nevertheless, only limited papers report specifically on the phytochemistry of this genus. Furthermore, the potential of utilising extracts from Echium species as natural antioxidant preparations has been significantly neglected. For the first time, this review comprehensively describes and discusses the presence of recorded Echium species with ethnomedicinal uses, their antioxidative properties in vitro and in vivo when available, and major phytochemical components recognised as potent antioxidants, as well as the possibilities and opportunities for future research.

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Dichrostachys cinerea: Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities - A review

The Natural Products Journal ◽

10.2174/2210315511666210806144540 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Ofentse Mazimba ◽

Tebogo E. Kwape ◽

Goabaone Gaobotse

Keyword(s):

Traditional Medicine ◽

Animal Studies ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Root Extract ◽

Dichrostachys Cinerea ◽

Snake Bites ◽

Wide Range ◽

Ethnomedicinal Uses

: Indigenous and medicinal plants have proven crucial to the health of mankind for a very long time. Dichrostachys cinerea is a traditional herb used in the treatment of a variety of human diseases in African and Indian traditional medicine. This paper reviews the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical constituents, pharmacology and toxicity of D. cinerea, in order to provide scientific consensus for further research and exploitation of its therapeutic potential of this plant. Information was accessed by literature searches in different sources including Science direct, PubMed and Google Scholar. The findings of this review paper highlight D. Cinerea as an important component of African and Indian traditional medicine. D. cinerea is traditionally used in the treatment of rheumatism, diabetes, coughs, asthma, kidney disorders, gonorrhea, syphilis, malaria, tuberculosis, epilepsy, snake bites, pains, wounds, boils, burns, toothache, headache, and scabies. D. cinerea displays a diverse phytochemistry, with a wide range of isolated compounds that have well documented biological activities. D. cinerea has demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo biological activities. In vitro biological activities exhibited include enzyme inhibition, antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-malarial activities. In vivo activities demonstrated by D. cinerea include anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrheal, anti-analgesic, hepatoprotective, anti-uro lithiatic, anti-lice, anti-dandruff and neuropharmacological activities. Animal studies have elucidated non-toxicity of D. cinerea for the ethanol root extract and methanol and water leaf extracts. It is vital that future studies on D. cinerea focus on the mechanisms of action behind these biological activities for both the crude extract and its individual chemical compounds. These studies could possibly lead to clinical trials to confirm biological activities found in animal studies. Further studies on multi-target network pharmacology, and molecular docking technology of D. cinerea sub fractions for enzyme inhibitions and neuropharmacological activities are of great importance and could accelerate the process of pharmaceutical development of this plant.

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Phytochemistry and medicinal values of Mahonia bealei: A review

Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research ◽

10.4314/tjpr.v18i10.31 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 2219-2227

Author(s):

Mohib Ullah Kakar ◽

Muhammad Saeed ◽

Ke Luo ◽

Imran Suheryani ◽

Wu Shuang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chinese Medicine ◽

Synergistic Effects ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Therapeutic Agents ◽

Future Research ◽

Medicinal Uses ◽

Mahonia Bealei ◽

Different Parts

Purpose: To review the medicinal uses of Mahonia bealei, an important member of the genus Mahonia, with a focus on its various applications in Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as published scientific evidence on its effectiveness. Methods: Information in all available literature was retrieved using different search engines including NCBI, ISI Web of Knowledge and Google. Results: Several compounds have been extracted from M. bealei. These include alkaloids, triterpenes, flavonoids, phytosterols and lignans. Traditionally, the plant is used to treat dysentery, diarrhea and inflammation. Globally, scientists have used in vitro and in vivo techniques to evaluate the usefulness of compounds extracted from M. bealei with respect to their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidant as well as anti-gastrin properties. Conclusion: Different parts of this plant still remain underexplored. Moreover, comparison of the properties of the isolated compounds has not been carried out, nor are there reports on the synergistic effects of extracts of the plant. Therefore, future research to address these areas may be useful in the discovery of new therapeutic agents.

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Evolution of Antibacterial Drug Screening Methods: Current Prospects for Mycobacteria

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9122562 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 2562

Author(s):

Clara M. Bento ◽

Maria Salomé Gomes ◽

Tânia Silva

Keyword(s):

Rapid Development ◽

Drug Susceptibility Testing ◽

New Drugs ◽

Host Cells ◽

Screening Methods ◽

Antibacterial Drug ◽

Efficient Treatment ◽

Wide Range

The increasing resistance of infectious agents to available drugs urges the continuous and rapid development of new and more efficient treatment options. This process, in turn, requires accurate and high-throughput techniques for antimicrobials’ testing. Conventional methods of drug susceptibility testing (DST) are reliable and standardized by competent entities and have been thoroughly applied to a wide range of microorganisms. However, they require much manual work and time, especially in the case of slow-growing organisms, such as mycobacteria. Aiming at a better prediction of the clinical efficacy of new drugs, in vitro infection models have evolved to closely mimic the environment that microorganisms experience inside the host. Automated methods allow in vitro DST on a big scale, and they can integrate models that recreate the interactions that the bacteria establish with host cells in vivo. Nonetheless, they are expensive and require a high level of expertise, which makes them still not applicable to routine laboratory work. In this review, we discuss conventional DST methods and how they should be used as a first screen to select active compounds. We also highlight their limitations and how they can be overcome by more complex and sophisticated in vitro models that reflect the dynamics present in the host during infection. Special attention is given to mycobacteria, which are simultaneously difficult to treat and especially challenging to study in the context of DST.

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Chemical Compounds and Pharmacological Activities of Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) – Updated Review

Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry ◽

10.33263/briac122.25032516 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 2503-2516

Keyword(s):

Research Field ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Future Research ◽

Drug Candidate ◽

Garcinia Mangostana ◽

Pharmacological Activities ◽

Tropical Fruit ◽

Wide Range

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) is a tropical fruit belonging to Guttiferae (syn. Clusiaceae) family. Research on mangosteen has been widely conducted. Also, numerous in vitro and in vivo studies related to mangosteen have been published, indicating its significance and potential usefulness in the research field. This review was constructed by collecting and analyzing more than 50 research articles to explore the phytochemical contents and the medicinal benefits of mangosteen. A significant level of xanthones greatly contributes to the extensive pharmacological activities of mangosteen. Apart from xanthones, mangosteen also contained benzophenones, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Mangosteen had a wide range of pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, anti-acne, anti-aging, anti-hyperpigmentation, antibacterial, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antiparasitic, and antitumor. Additionally, mangosteen has shown an advantageous activity toward pathological conditions such as Alzheimer's, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, neuropathic pain, and pulmonary fibrosis. This literature review indicated that xanthone in mangosteen had potential and promising to be developed as a drug candidate. More extensive explorations, especially in pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and xanthone targeting effects, are widely open to be carried out for future research.

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Organs-on-a-Chip Module: A Review from the Development and Applications Perspective

Micromachines ◽

10.3390/mi9100536 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 536 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

Juan Eduardo Sosa-Hernández ◽

Angel M. Villalba-Rodríguez ◽

Kenya D. Romero-Castillo ◽

Mauricio A. Aguilar-Aguila-Isaías ◽

Isaac E. García-Reyes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Model Systems ◽

Proper Function ◽

Future Research ◽

High Tech ◽

In Vivo Models ◽

Engineering Research ◽

Microfluidic Technology ◽

Wide Range

In recent years, ever-increasing scientific knowledge and modern high-tech advancements in micro- and nano-scales fabrication technologies have impacted significantly on various scientific fields. A micro-level approach so-called “microfluidic technology” has rapidly evolved as a powerful tool for numerous applications with special reference to bioengineering and biomedical engineering research. Therefore, a transformative effect has been felt, for instance, in biological sample handling, analyte sensing cell-based assay, tissue engineering, molecular diagnostics, and drug screening, etc. Besides such huge multi-functional potentialities, microfluidic technology also offers the opportunity to mimic different organs to address the complexity of animal-based testing models effectively. The combination of fluid physics along with three-dimensional (3-D) cell compartmentalization has sustained popularity as organ-on-a-chip. In this context, simple humanoid model systems which are important for a wide range of research fields rely on the development of a microfluidic system. The basic idea is to provide an artificial testing subject that resembles the human body in every aspect. For instance, drug testing in the pharma industry is crucial to assure proper function. Development of microfluidic-based technology bridges the gap between in vitro and in vivo models offering new approaches to research in medicine, biology, and pharmacology, among others. This is also because microfluidic-based 3-D niche has enormous potential to accommodate cells/tissues to create a physiologically relevant environment, thus, bridge/fill in the gap between extensively studied animal models and human-based clinical trials. This review highlights principles, fabrication techniques, and recent progress of organs-on-chip research. Herein, we also point out some opportunities for microfluidic technology in the future research which is still infancy to accurately design, address and mimic the in vivo niche.

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Biomedical Properties of a Natural Dietary Plant Metabolite, Zerumbone, in Cancer Therapy and Chemoprevention Trials

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2014/920742 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Heshu Sulaiman Rahman ◽

Abdullah Rasedee ◽

Swee Keong Yeap ◽

Hemn Hassan Othman ◽

Max Stanley Chartrand ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scientific Evidence ◽

Future Research ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Anticancer Activities ◽

Pharmacological Activities ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Plant Metabolite ◽

Natural Foods

Zerumbone (ZER) is a naturally occurring dietary compound, present in many natural foods consumed today. The compound derived from several plant species of the Zingiberaceae family that has been found to possess multiple biomedical properties, such as antiproliferative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. However, evidence of efficacy is sparse, pointing to the need for a more systematic review for assessing scientific evidence to support therapeutic claims made for ZER and to identify future research needs. This review provides an updated overview of in vitro and in vivo investigations of ZER, its cancer chemopreventive properties, and mechanisms of action. Therapeutic effects of ZER were found to be scientifically plausible and could be explained partially by in vivo and in vitro pharmacological activities. Much of the research outlined in this paper will serve as a foundation to explain ZER anticancer bioactivity, which will open the door for the development of strategies in the treatment of malignancies using ZER.

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