Valeriana spp.: Biological Activities and New In vitro and In vivo Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-242
Author(s):  
Ana Martinho ◽  
Sara M. Silva ◽  
Tiago Rosado ◽  
Fernanda C. Domingues ◽  
Samuel Silvestre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Alternative Medicines ◽  
Aerial Parts ◽  
Herbal Plants ◽  
Therapeutic Properties

Background:Valerian extract is widely used in dietary supplements as well as in conventional, traditional and alternative medicines. It is one of the most used herbal plants for the treatment of several disorders, mainly related to the digestive and the nervous systems. Dozens of chemical constituents with pharmacological and therapeutic properties were identified in essential oils and/or other extracts of valerian’s roots, rhizomes and aerial parts. This review summarizes and updates the current knowledge about the pharmacological properties of valerian, highlighting the most recent clinical, in vitro and in vivo findings, and intends to identify and propose future directions for further research regarding the effective biological effects of Valeriana spp.Methods:This review analyzed the scientific literature published in PubMed, Science Direct and Web of Science.Results:Some reports are contradictory or inconclusive, probably due to the presence of chemically distinct chemotypes within a species of Valeriana or to different approaches adopted in different studies. Also, there are a number of studies showing that co-administration of herbal supplements and drugs may promote pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic herb-drug interactions.Conclusion:It is of utmost importance to clarify the state of the art related to Valeriana spp. therapeutic properties and their effects on metabolism.

scholarly journals Nutritive Importance and Therapeutics Uses of Three Different Varieties (Murraya koenigii, Micromelum minutum, and Clausena indica) of Curry Leaves: An Updated Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
D. T. Abeysinghe ◽  
D. D. D. H. Alwis ◽  
K. A. H. Kumara ◽  
U. G. Chandrika
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Murraya Koenigii ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Curry Leaves

Murraya koenigii (M. koenigii), Micromelum minutum (M. minutum), and Clausena indica (C. indica) are three varieties of curry leaves in the family Rutaceae. They have been widely used in Ayurvedic medicine worldwide in the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Earlier findings provide strong evidence to support the three curry leaf species’ potent pharmaceutical and biological effects, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities. Various parts of these plants, such as leaves, seeds, flowers, and fruit, contain constituents responsible for the modulation of numerous biological processes. Leading constituents of curry leaves play a crucial role in diabetic and anticancer management by regulating various molecular pathways, including Bcl-2, Bax, NF-κB, and TNFα, according to in vitro and in vivo models established. Therefore, this review summarizes the current knowledge on research achievements made in terms of phytoconstituents, their structures, biological activities, and pharmacological actions with clinical studies of curry leaves up to date. The review also emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive research studies on the pharmacological actions and the mechanisms of selected phytochemicals of M. koenigii, M. minutum, and C. indica to validate their efficacy as potent herbal remedies for many ailments.

scholarly journals Melatonin in Cancer Treatment: Current Knowledge and Future Opportunities

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2506
Author(s):  
Wamidh H. Talib ◽  
Ahmad Riyad Alsayed ◽  
Alaa Abuawad ◽  
Safa Daoud ◽  
Asma Ismail Mahmod
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Cell Proliferation Inhibition ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Solid Foundation

Melatonin is a pleotropic molecule with numerous biological activities. Epidemiological and experimental studies have documented that melatonin could inhibit different types of cancer in vitro and in vivo. Results showed the involvement of melatonin in different anticancer mechanisms including apoptosis induction, cell proliferation inhibition, reduction in tumor growth and metastases, reduction in the side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, decreasing drug resistance in cancer therapy, and augmentation of the therapeutic effects of conventional anticancer therapies. Clinical trials revealed that melatonin is an effective adjuvant drug to all conventional therapies. This review summarized melatonin biosynthesis, availability from natural sources, metabolism, bioavailability, anticancer mechanisms of melatonin, its use in clinical trials, and pharmaceutical formulation. Studies discussed in this review will provide a solid foundation for researchers and physicians to design and develop new therapies to treat and prevent cancer using melatonin.

scholarly journals Evidences of Herbal Medicine-Derived Natural Products Effects in Inflammatory Lung Diseases

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda Paula R. Santana ◽  
Nathalia M. Pinheiro ◽  
Márcia Isabel B. Mernak ◽  
Renato F. Righetti ◽  
Mílton A. Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Products ◽  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Pulmonary Inflammation ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Pulmonary inflammation is a hallmark of many respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and acute respiratory syndrome distress (ARDS). Most of these diseases are treated with anti-inflammatory therapy in order to prevent or to reduce the pulmonary inflammation. Herbal medicine-derived natural products have been used in folk medicine and scientific studies to evaluate the value of these compounds have grown in recent years. Many substances derived from plants have the biological effectsin vitroandin vivo, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids. Among the biological activities of natural products derived from plants can be pointed out the anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antiplatelet, antitumor anti-allergic activities, and antioxidant. Although many reports have evaluated the effects of these compounds in experimental models, studies evaluating clinical trials are scarce in the literature. This review aims to emphasize the effects of these different natural products in pulmonary diseases in experimental models and in humans and pointing out some possible mechanisms of action.

The molecular biology of mammalian arachidonic acid metabolism

1991 ◽  
Vol 260 (2) ◽  
pp. L13-L28 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Sigal
Keyword(s):  
Arachidonic Acid ◽  
Acid Metabolism ◽  
Recombinant Dna ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Arachidonic Acid Metabolism ◽  
Bioactive Metabolites ◽  
Wide Range

The metabolism of arachidonic acid by cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes results in a wide range of oxidized products with potent biological activities. These metabolites, which include the prostaglandins and leukotrienes, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory diseases. Research over the last decade has focused primarily on the elucidation of the chemical structure of the metabolites and their biological effects in vitro and in vivo. Recently, research on the enzymes that produce these bioactive metabolites through oxidization of arachidonic acid has intensified. Recombinant DNA techniques have enabled investigators to determine the nucleotide sequences for several of the enzymes in the arachidonic acid cascade. The resulting cDNAs are now being used to further investigate the biochemical and biological features of arachidonic acid metabolism. The purpose of this paper is to review how the cDNAs for these enzymes were obtained, what information they convey, and how they are being applied in current research.

scholarly journals Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Thymus broussonetii Boiss

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Hanae Naceiri Mrabti ◽  
Latifa Doudach ◽  
Naoual El Menyiy ◽  
Mohammed Bourhia ◽  
Ahmad Mohammad Salamatullah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Aerial Parts ◽  
Toxicological Studies ◽  
Toxicological Investigation ◽  
Antioxidant Effects

Thymus broussonetii Boiss (T. broussonetii) is a rare medicinal and aromatic plant. It is widely used in traditional medicine to treat several diseases, including diarrhea, fever, cough, irritation, skin diseases, rheumatism, respiratory ailments, influenza, and digestion problems. In this review, we have critically summarized previous data on T. broussonetii about its phytochemistry, botanical and geographical distribution, toxicological investigation, and pharmacological properties. Using scientific research databases such as Wiley Online, SciFinder, ScienceDirect, PubMed, SpringerLink, Web of Science, Scopus Wiley Online, and Google Scholar, the data on T. broussonetii were collected and discussed. The presented data regrouped bioactive compounds and biological activities of T. broussonetii. The findings of this work showed that essential oils and extracts of T. broussonetii exhibited numerous pharmacological activities (in vitro and in vivo), particularly antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, antipyretic, antinociceptive, and immunological and behavioral effects. While toxicological studies of T. broussonetii essential oils and extracts are lacking, modern scientific tools revealed the presence of different classes of secondary metabolites such as terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, quinones, carotenoids, and steroids. T. broussonetii essential oils, especially from the aerial parts, exhibited potent antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant effects. An in-depth toxicological investigation is needed to validate the efficacy and safety of T. broussonetii extracts and essential oils and their secondary metabolites. However, further pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies should be performed to validate its bioavailability.

scholarly journals Prunella vulgaris: A Comprehensive Review of Chemical Constituents, Pharmacological Effects and Clinical Applications

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su-Juan Wang ◽  
Xiao-He Wang ◽  
Yuan-Yuan Dai ◽  
Ming-Hua Ma ◽  
Khalid Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plant ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Perennial Herb ◽  
Prunella Vulgaris

Prunella vulgaris (PV) is a perennial herb belonging to the Labiate family and is widely distributed in the northeastern Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, and China. It is reported to display diverse biological activities including anti-microbial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammation as determined by in vitro or in vivo studies. So far, about 200 compounds have been isolated from PV plant and a majority of these have been characterized mainly as triterpenoids, sterols and flavonoids, followed by coumarins, phenylpropanoids, polysaccharides and volatile oils. This review summarizes and analyzes the current knowledge on the chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, mechanisms of action and clinical applications of the PV plant including its potential as a future medicinal plant. Although some of the chemical constituents of the PV plant and their mechanisms of action have been investigated, the biological activities of many of these remain unknown and further clinical trials are required to further enhance its reputation as a medicinal plant.

Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Species from the GenusAjugaL.: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (05) ◽  
pp. 959-1003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Luan ◽  
Keqing Han ◽  
Maoxing Li ◽  
Ting Zhang ◽  
Daoheng Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Neuroprotective Activity ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Data Quality Control ◽  
Toxicological Studies ◽  
Ethnomedicinal Uses

The present review is aimed at providing a comprehensive summary of the botanical characteristics, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological studies of the genus Ajuga L. The extensive literature survey revealed Ajuga L. species to be a group of important medicinal plants used for the ethnomedical treatment of rheumatism, fever, gout, sclerosis, analgesia, inflammation, hypertension, hyperglycemia, joint pain, palsy, amenorrhea, etc., although only a few reports address the clinical use and toxicity of these plants. Currently, more than 280 chemical constituents have been isolated and characterized from these plants. Among these constituents, neo-clerodane diterpenes and diterpenoids, phytoecdysteroids, flavonoids, and iridoids are the major bioactive compounds, possessing wide-reaching biological activities both in vivo and in vitro, including anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antitumor, anti-oxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antifeedant, antidiarrhoeal, hypolipidemic, diuretic, hypoglycaemic, immunomodulatory, vasorelaxant, larvicidal, antimutagenic, and neuroprotective activity. This review is aimed at summarizing the current knowledge of the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, biological activities, and toxicities of the genus Ajuga L. to reveal its therapeutic potentials, offering opportunities for future researches. Therefore, more focus should be paid to gathering information about their toxicology data, quality-control measures, and the clinical application of the bioactive ingredients from Ajuga L. species.

scholarly journals Insightful Valorization of the Biological Activities of Pani Heloch Leaves through Experimental and Computer-Aided Mechanisms

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (21) ◽  
pp. 5153
Author(s):  
Naureen Banu ◽  
Najmul Alam ◽  
Mohammad Nazmul Islam ◽  
Sanjida Islam ◽  
Shahenur Alam Sakib ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Methanol Extract ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Clot Lysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Pani heloch (Antidesma montanum) is traditionally used to treat innumerable diseases and is a source of wild vegetables for the management of different pathological conditions. The present study explored the qualitative phytochemicals; quantitative phenol and flavonoid contents; in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and thrombolytic effects; and in vivo antipyretic and analgesic properties of the methanol extract of A. montanum leaves in different experimental models. The extract exhibited secondary metabolites including alkaloids, flavonoids, flavanols, phytosterols, cholesterols, phenols, terpenoids, glycosides, fixed oils, emodines, coumarins, resins, and tannins. Besides, Pani heloch showed strong antioxidant activity (IC50 = 99.00 µg/mL), while a moderate percentage of clot lysis (31.56%) in human blood and significant anti-inflammatory activity (p < 0.001) was achieved with the standard. Moreover, the analgesic and antipyretic properties appeared to trigger a significant response (p < 0.001) relative to in the control group. Besides, an in silico study of carpusin revealed favorable protein-binding affinities. Furthermore, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity analysis and toxicological properties of all isolated compounds adopted Lipinski’s rule of five for drug-like potential and level of toxicity. Our research unveiled that the methanol extract of A. montanum leaves exhibited secondary metabolites that are a good source for managing inflammation, pyrexia, pain, and cellular toxicity. Computational approaches and further studies are required to identify the possible mechanism which responsible for the biological effects.

Traditional Uses, Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Plants from the Genus Sanguisorba L.

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (02) ◽  
pp. 199-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zefeng Zhao ◽  
Xirui He ◽  
Qiang Zhang ◽  
Xiaoyang Wei ◽  
Linhong Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Bioactive Metabolites ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
Wide Range

Plants from the genus Sanguisorba have been treated as medicinal ingredients for over 2000 years. This paper reviews advances in the botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological studies of the genus. To date, more than 120 chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from these plants, especially from S. officinalis and S. minor. Among these compounds, triterpenoids, phenols and flavonoids are the primary biologically active constituents. Triterpenoids can be used as quality control markers to determine the quality of medicinal materials and their preparations. In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that plants from the genus Sanguisorba exhibit a wide range of pharmacological properties, including hemostatic, antibacterial, antitumor, neuroprotective and hypoglycemic activities. In Chinese medical practice, many drugs (e.g., tablets and powders) that contain S. officinalis roots have been used to treat leukopenia, hemorrhaging and burns. However, there is still a multitude of Sanguisorba species that have garnered little or no attention. Indeed, there are few reports concerning the clinical use and toxic effects of these plants. Further attention should be focused on the study of these species in order to gather information on their respective toxicology data, any relevant quality-control measures, and the clinical value of the crude extracts, active compounds, and bioactive metabolites from Genus Sanguisorba.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in Kaempferia Phytochemistry and Biological Activity: A Comprehensive Review

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elshamy ◽  
Mohamed ◽  
Essa ◽  
Abd-ElGawad ◽  
Alqahtani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Traditional Uses ◽  
Biological Studies ◽  
Tract Infections

Background: Plants belonging to the genus Kaempferia (family: Zingiberaceae) are distributed in Asia, especially in the southeast region, and Thailand. They have been widely used in traditional medicines to cure metabolic disorders, inflammation, urinary tract infections, fevers, coughs, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, abdominal and gastrointestinal ailments, asthma, wounds, rheumatism, epilepsy, and skin diseases. Objective: Herein, we reported a comprehensive review, including the traditional applications, biological and pharmacological advances, and phytochemical constituents of Kaempheria species from 1972 up to early 2019. Materials and methods: All the information and reported studies concerning Kaempheria plants were summarized from library and digital databases (e.g., Google Scholar, Sci-finder, PubMed, Springer, Elsevier, MDPI, Web of Science, etc.). The correlation between the Kaempheria species was evaluated via principal component analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC), based on the main chemical classes of compounds. Results: Approximately 141 chemical constituents have been isolated and reported from Kaempferia species, such as isopimarane, abietane, labdane and clerodane diterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, phenyl-heptanoids, curcuminoids, tetrahydropyrano-phenolic, and steroids. A probable biosynthesis pathway for the isopimaradiene skeleton is illustrated. In addition, 15 main documented components of volatile oils of Kaempheria were summarized. Biological activities including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticholinesterase, antioxidant, anti-obesity-induced dermatopathy, wound healing, neuroprotective, anti-allergenic, and anti-nociceptive were demonstrated. Conclusions: Up to date, significant advances in phytochemical and pharmacological studies of different Kaempheria species have been witnessed. So, the traditional uses of these plants have been clarified via modern in vitro and in vivo biological studies. In addition, these traditional uses and reported biological results could be correlated via the chemical characterization of these plants. All these data will support the biologists in the elucidation of the biological mechanisms of these plants.

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