scholarly journals Botanical Medicines Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Artemisia annua, Scutellaria baicalensis, Polygonum cuspidatum, and Alchornea cordifolia Demonstrate Inhibitory Activity Against Babesia duncani

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yumin Zhang ◽  
Hector Alvarez-Manzo ◽  
Jacob Leone ◽  
Sunjya Schweig ◽  
Ying Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Artemisia Annua ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
The United States ◽  
Scutellaria Baicalensis ◽  
Polygonum Cuspidatum ◽  
Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta ◽  
Botanical Medicines ◽  
Human Babesiosis

Human babesiosis is a CDC reportable disease in the United States and is recognized as an emerging health risk in multiple parts of the world. The current treatment for human babesiosis is suboptimal due to treatment failures and unwanted side effects. Although Babesia duncani was first described almost 30 years ago, further research is needed to elucidate its pathogenesis and clarify optimal treatment regimens. Here, we screened a panel of herbal medicines and identified Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Artemisia annua, Scutellaria baicalensis, Alchornea cordifolia, and Polygonum cuspidatum to have good in vitro inhibitory activity against B. duncani in the hamster erythrocyte model. Furthermore, we found their potential bioactive compounds, cryptolepine, artemisinin, artesunate, artemether, and baicalein, to have good activity against B. duncani, with IC50 values of 3.4 μM, 14 μM, 7.4 μM, 7.8 μM, and 12 μM, respectively, which are comparable or lower than that of the currently used drugs quinine (10 μM) and clindamycin (37 μM). B. duncani treated with cryptolepine and quinine at their respective 1×, 2×, 4× and 8× IC50 values, and by artemether at 8× IC50 for three days could not regrow in subculture. Additionally, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta 90% ethanol extract also exhibited no regrowth after 6 days of subculture at doses of 2×, 4×, and 8× IC50 values. Our results indicate that some botanical medicines and their active constituents have potent activity against B. duncani in vitro and may be further explored for more effective treatment of babesiosis.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Natural and Botanical Medicines for Activity against Growing and Non-growing Forms ofB. burgdorferi

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Feng ◽  
Jacob Leone ◽  
Sunjya Schweig ◽  
Ying Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Stationary Phase ◽  
Juglans Nigra ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Polygonum Cuspidatum ◽  
Strong Activity ◽  
Uncaria Tomentosa ◽  
Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta ◽  
Botanical Medicines

AbstractLyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the US. Although the current recommended Lyme antibiotic treatment can cure the majority of Lyme disease patients, about 10-20% patients continue to suffer from persisting symptoms. There have been various anecdotal reports on the use of herbal extracts for treating patients with persisting symptoms with varying degree of improvements. However, it is unclear whether the effect of the herb products is due to their direct antimicrobial activity or their effect on host immune system. In the present study, we investigated the antimicrobial effects of 12 commonly used botanical medicines and 3 other natural antimicrobial agents for potential anti-Borrelia burgdorferiactivity in vitro. Primary criteria for selecting compounds for the present study included agents that had shown significant anti-borrelial effects in previous studies, have favorable safety profiles, and can be absorbed systemically. Among them, 9 natural product extracts at 1% were found to have good activity against the stationary phaseB. burgdorfericulture compared to the control antibiotics doxycycline and cefuroxime. These active herbs includeCryptolepis sanguinolenta, Juglans nigra(Black walnut),Polygonum cuspidatum(Japanese knotweed),Artemesia annua(Sweet wormwood),Uncaria tomentosa(Cat’s claw),Cistus incanus, andScutellaria baicalensis(Chinese skullcap). In contrast,Stevia rebaudiana, Andrographis paniculata, Grapefruit seed extract, colloidal silver, monolaurin, and antimicrobial peptide LL37 had little or no activity against stationary phaseB. burgdorferi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ofArtemesia annua, Juglans nigra, andUncaria tomentosawere quite high for growingB. burgdorferi, despite their strong activity against the non-growing stationary phaseB. burgdorfericells. On the other hand, the top two active herbs,Cryptolepis sanguinolentaandPolygonum cuspidatum, showed strong activity against both growingB. burgdorferi(MIC=0.03%-0.06% and 0.25%-0.5% respectively) and non-growing stationary phaseB. burgdorferi. In subculture studies, only 1%Cryptolepis sanguinolentaextract caused complete eradication, while current Lyme antibiotics doxycycline and cefuroxime and other active herbs includingPolygonum cuspidatum, Artemesia annua, Juglans nigraandUncaria tomentosacould not eradicateB. burgdorferistationary phase cells as many spirochetes were visible after 21-day subculture. Further studies are needed to identify the active ingredients of the effective herbs and evaluate their combinations for more effective eradication ofB. burgdorferiin vitro and in vivo. The implications of these findings for more effective treatment of persistent Lyme disease are discussed.

scholarly journals Botanical Medicines with Activity against Stationary Phase Bartonella henselae

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Ma ◽  
Jacob Leone ◽  
Sunjya Schweig ◽  
Ying Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Stationary Phase ◽  
Bartonella Henselae ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Herbal Product ◽  
Juglans Nigra ◽  
Scutellaria Baicalensis ◽  
Polygonum Cuspidatum ◽  
Local Skin ◽  
Scutellaria Barbata ◽  
Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta

ABSTRACTBartonella henselae is a Gram-negative, facultative intracellular bacterium which is the causative agent of cat scratch disease. In humans, infections with B. henselae can result in acute or chronic systemic infections with various clinical symptoms including local skin lesions, malaise, aches, chills, lymphadenopathy, endocarditis, or meningoencephalitis. The current treatment for Bartonella infections with antibiotics such as doxycycline and rifampin is not always effective presumably due to bacterial persistence. There have been various anecdotal reports of herbal extracts used for treating patients with persistent Bartonella infections but their activity on B. henselae is unknown. To test the potential antimicrobial activity of botanical or herbal medicines and develop better therapies for persistent Bartonella infections, in this study, we screened an herbal product collection against stationary phase B. henselae in vitro using SYBR Green I/ propidium iodide (PI) viability assay. These herbal medicines were selected by the fact that they are commonly used to treat Lyme and co-infections by patients and herbalists, and as a follow-up to our recent study where these herbs were tested against B. burgdorferi. We identified five herbal product extracts that had high activity against stationary phase B. henselae at 0.5% (v/v), including Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Juglans nigra, Polygonum cuspidatum, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Scutellaria barbata. Among them, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Juglans nigra, and Polygonum cuspidatum could eradicate all stationary phase B. henselae cells within 7 days at 0.25% (v/v) in drug exposure time-kill assay, whereas Scutellaria baicalensis and Scutellaria barbata showed relatively poor activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination of these top hits indicated they were not only active against stationary phase non-growing B. henselae but also had good activity against log phase growing B. henselae. Our findings may help to develop more effective treatments for persistent Bartonella infections.

scholarly journals Artemisinin-independent inhibitory activity of Artemisia sp. infusions against different Plasmodium stages including relapse-causing hypnozoites

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. e202101237
Author(s):  
Kutub Ashraf ◽  
Shahin Tajeri ◽  
Christophe-Sébastien Arnold ◽  
Nadia Amanzougaghene ◽  
Jean-François Franetich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Artemisia Annua ◽  
Combination Therapies ◽  
Lead Compounds ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Inhibitory Activities

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACT) are the frontline treatments against malaria worldwide. Recently the use of traditional infusions from Artemisia annua (from which artemisinin is obtained) or Artemisia afra (lacking artemisinin) has been controversially advocated. Such unregulated plant-based remedies are strongly discouraged as they might constitute sub-optimal therapies and promote drug resistance. Here, we conducted the first comparative study of the anti-malarial effects of both plant infusions in vitro against the asexual erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum and the pre-erythrocytic (i.e., liver) stages of various Plasmodium species. Low concentrations of either infusion accounted for significant inhibitory activities across every parasite species and stage studied. We show that these antiplasmodial effects were essentially artemisinin-independent and were additionally monitored by observations of the parasite apicoplast and mitochondrion. In particular, the infusions significantly incapacitated sporozoites, and for Plasmodium vivax and P. cynomolgi, disrupted the hypnozoites. This provides the first indication that compounds other than 8-aminoquinolines could be effective antimalarials against relapsing parasites. These observations advocate for further screening to uncover urgently needed novel antimalarial lead compounds.

scholarly journals Artemisinin-independent inhibitory activity of Artemisia sp. infusions against different Plasmodium stages including relapse-causing hypnozoites

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kutub Ashraf ◽  
Shahin Tajeri ◽  
Christophe-Sébastien Arnold ◽  
Nadia Amanzougaghene ◽  
Jean-François Franetich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Artemisia Annua ◽  
Plasmodium Species ◽  
Combination Therapies ◽  
Lead Compounds ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Inhibitory Activities

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACT) are the frontline treatments against malaria worldwide. Recently the use of traditional infusions from Artemisia annua (from which artemisinin is obtained) or A. afra (lacking artemisinin) has been controversially advocated. Such unregulated plant-based remedies are strongly discouraged as they might constitute sub-optimal therapies and promote drug resistance. Here, we conducted the first comparative study of the anti-malarial effects of both plant infusions in vitro against the asexual erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum and the pre-erythrocytic (i. e., liver) stages of various Plasmodium species. Low concentrations of either infusion accounted for significant inhibitory activities across every parasite species and stage studied. We show that these antiplasmodial effects were essentially artemisinin-independent and were additionally monitored by observations of the parasite apicoplast and mitochondrion. In particular, the infusions significantly incapacitated sporozoites, and for P. vivax and P. cynomolgi, disrupted the hypnozoites. This provides the first indication that compounds other than 8- aminoquinolines could be effective antimalarials against relapsing parasites. These observations advocate for further screening to uncover urgently needed novel antimalarial lead compounds.

scholarly journals Are herbal drugs effective in COVID management? A review to demystify the current facts and claims

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Riyaz Beg ◽  
Barira Siddiqui ◽  
Pramod Waghmare ◽  
Shital Ghodinde ◽  
Snehal Bikkad
Keyword(s):  
Artemisia Annua ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Fast Pace ◽  
New Research

Amid the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic, herbal medicines have received much attention in its evidence-based therapeutics. Scientists across the globe are integrating new research at an unprecedented fast pace for the discovery of novel molecules against this deadly viral disease. Ever since ancient times, phytochemicals have long been used traditionally for the cure of many viral diseases and lately many are being tested for their potential against the viral replications/transcriptions. The unmatched structural diversity of phytoconstituents may prove to be a gold mine for antiviral drug discovery. Many plants like Heteromorpha spp ., Bupleurum spp , Scrophularia scorodonia , Artemisia annua , Pyrrosia lingua , Lycoris radiate , and Lindera agregata have also been reported to have antiviral potential against SARS-CoV. Recently many synthetic molecules like remdesivir, tocilizumab, favipirapir, dexamethasone, glucocorticoid, and hydroxychloroquine etc. have been extensively investigated for their potential against the SARS‐CoV‐2, likewise, various plant-based molecules such as scutellarein, silvestrol, tryptanthrin, saikosaponin B2, quercetin, myricetin, caffeic acid, psoralidin, isobavachalcone, and lectins-griffiths in were also found to be equally effective. Needless to mention that, the herbal medicines are a valuable and powerful source of chemical compounds which need further chemical modifications and appropriate in-vitro and in-vivo testings for establishing their safety and efficacy as potential drugs against the battle with coronavirus pandemic. In this review, we will try to highlight the potential phytochemicals candidates with their possible molecular targets against the SARS‐CoV‐2and demystify the myths behind the purported remedies such as herbal therapies, teas, essential oils, tinctures, and silver products such as colloidal silver that have no scientific evidence to prevent or cure COVID-19. Apart from that, this review will also de-fabricate the surgency of objectionable claims that are continuously reckoning towards the treatment of COVID-19 with hundred per cent surety and are propagated by several herbal firms.

Synergistic Effect of Scutellaria baicalensis and Grape Seed Proanthocyanidins on Scavenging Reactive Oxygen Species in Vitro

2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (01) ◽  
pp. 89-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuo-Hui Shao ◽  
Terry L. Vanden Hoek ◽  
Chang-Qing Li ◽  
Paul T. Schumacker ◽  
Lance B. Becker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Chinese Herb ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Grape Seed ◽  
The United States ◽  
Scutellaria Baicalensis ◽  
Ros Generation ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Grape Seed Proanthocyanidins

Scutellaria baicalensis (SbE) is a commonly used Chinese herb medicine and grape seed proanthocyanidins is a popular herbal supplement in the United States. Both herbs have been shown to possess potent antioxidant effects. Using an in vitro model to produce the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation ( H 2 O 2/ FeSO 4 for hydroxyl radicals, xanthine/xanthine oxidase for suproxide), we observed that Scutellaria baicalensis and grape seed proanthocyanidins acted synergistically to scavenge ROS. Our data suggest that a combination of these two herbs can potentially enhance their antioxidant efficacy, allowing lower dosages of each drug to be used. This has the advantage of avoiding possible side effects that may arise when higher doses of a single herb are used in an attempt to achieve a maximum degree of antioxidant activity.

7-O-Methylwogonin from Scutellaria baicalensis Disturbs Mitotic Progression by Inhibiting Plk1 Activity in Hep3B Cells

Planta Medica ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (03) ◽  
pp. 217-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang-Uk Woo ◽  
Hay-Ran Jang ◽  
Young-Won Chin ◽  
Hyungshin Yim
Keyword(s):  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Anticancer Agent ◽  
Resonance Energy Transfer ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Mitotic Cell ◽  
Scutellaria Baicalensis ◽  
Mitotic Progression ◽  
Hep3b Cells ◽  
Bi 2536

AbstractPolo-like kinase 1, a mitotic Ser/Thr kinase, has emerged as a molecular target for the development of anticancer drugs. In this study, we found that polo-like kinase 1 activity was inhibited by 7-O-methylwogonin and related flavones, including baicalein, dihydrobaicalein, and viscidulin II, isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis. Although dihydrobaicalein exhibited the highest polo-like kinase 1 inhibitory activity among the four compounds, it also inhibited other kinases, such as vaccinia-related kinase 2 and polo-like kinase 2. Baicalein and viscidulin II also showed low selectivity to polo-like kinase 1 since they inhibited polo-like kinase 3 and polo-like kinase 2, respectively. However, 7-O-methylwogonin exhibited selective polo-like kinase 1 inhibitory activity, as evidenced from in vitro kinase assays based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer assays and ADP-Glo kinase assays. In addition, examination of mitotic morphology and immunostaining using specific antibodies for the mitotic markers, p-histone H3 and mitotic protein monoclonal 2, in Hep3B cells showed that 7-O-methylwogonin treatment increased mitotic cell populations due to inhibition of mitotic progression as a result of polo-like kinase 1 inhibition. The pattern of 7-O-methylwogonin-induced mitotic arrest was similar to that of BI 2536, a specific polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor. Thus, it was suggested that 7-O-methylwogonin disturbed mitotic progression by inhibiting polo-like kinase 1 activity. These data suggest that 7-O-methylwogonin, a polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor, may be a useful anticancer agent because of its polo-like kinase 1 selectivity and effectiveness.

scholarly journals Chemical Constituents from Artemisia annua and Vitex agnus-castus as New Aromatase Inhibitors: In-vitro and In-silico Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hend M. Dawood ◽  
Eman Shawky ◽  
Hala M. Hammoda ◽  
Aly M. Metwally ◽  
Reham S. Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Aromatase Inhibitors ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Artemisia Annua ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Interaction Patterns ◽  
In Silico Studies ◽  
Agnus Castus ◽  
Ic50 Values ◽  
Trimethyl Ether

Abstract. Aromatase inhibitors are important in certain cancers such as breast cancer in postmenopausal women. In this study, eight constituents from Artemisia annua L. and Vitex agnus-castus L. were isolated and evaluated for their aromatase inhibitory activity using in-vitro fluorimetric assay. All tested compounds possessed moderate to strong inhibitory activity with β-sitosterol and myricetin-3,7,4'-trimethyl ether  being the most active with IC50 values of 0.13 and 0.25 μM, respectively. Compounds were subjected to induced fit docking (IFD) where β-sitosterol, possessed comparable interaction patterns to the natural co-crystallized ligand androstenedione.  Furthermore, Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity (ADME&T)‎ properties of the compounds were evaluated revealing that all compounds' properties - except some of β- sitosterol related to solubility - lied within the acceptable range for human use, thereby considered as competent drug-like molecules. These findings could qualify β- sitosterol, myricetin-3,7,4'-trimethyl ether and domesticoside   as lead compounds for the development of new aromatase inhibitors.

scholarly journals AKTIVITAS INHIBISI ASETILKOLINESTERASE EMPAT JENIS SAYURAN SECARA IN VITRO

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (01) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Maulita Cut Nuria ◽  
Elin Yulinah Sukandar ◽  
Asep Gana Suganda ◽  
Muhamad Insanu
Keyword(s):  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
The United States ◽  
Total Phenolic ◽  
Activation Process ◽  
Excitatory Neurotransmitter ◽  
Bean Sprout ◽  
Daucus Carota L ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Enzyme

ABSTRACTAcetylcholine is a conducting compound of nerve excitatory (neurotransmitter), while acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme that can hydrolyze the acetylcholine into choline and acetic acid. This reaction is needed so that the nerves can return to take a rest after the activation process, but it can cause damage to the cells in the brain. The most common case is dementia characterized by memory loss. The prevalence of this disease is lower in China and some other Asian countries compared to the United States. It supposed because food consumption commonly by Asians contain vegetables. Extracts derived from vegetables potentially inhibit the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme which related to chemical contents of the plant. This research aims to investigate the inhibitory activity of acetylcholinesterase enzyme from 4 types of vegetables namely soybean sprouts (bean sprout of Glycine max (L.) Merr.), green bean sprouts (bean sprout of Vigna radiata), carrot (Daucus carota L.), and winged beans (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) by in vitro with the Ellman method. Total phenolic and flavonoids contents from fourth types of extracts were also determined. The winged beans extract had the smallest total phenolic and flavonoid contents, but the inhibitory activity against AChE was the biggest. The results showed that IC50 extract of winged beans was 893.86 μg/ml, IC50 carrot extract higher than 1500 μg/ml while the other extracts had no activity. The winged beans extract potential to be further developed as an inhibitor AChE.Keywords : inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase, IC50, vegetables

scholarly journals Are herbal drugs effective in COVID management? A review to demystify the current facts and claims

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Riyaz Beg ◽  
Barira Siddiqui ◽  
Pramod Waghmare ◽  
Shital Ghodinde ◽  
Snehal Bikkad
Keyword(s):  
Artemisia Annua ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Fast Pace ◽  
New Research

Amid the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic, herbal medicines have received much attention in its evidence-based therapeutics. Scientists across the globe are integrating new research at an unprecedented fast pace for the discovery of novel molecules against this deadly viral disease. Ever since ancient times, phytochemicals have long been used traditionally for the cure of many viral diseases and lately many are being tested for their potential against the viral replications/transcriptions. The unmatched structural diversity of phytoconstituents may prove to be a gold mine for antiviral drug discovery. Many plants like Heteromorpha spp ., Bupleurum spp , Scrophularia scorodonia , Artemisia annua , Pyrrosia lingua , Lycoris radiate , and Lindera agregata have also been reported to have antiviral potential against SARS-CoV. Recently many synthetic molecules like remdesivir, tocilizumab, favipirapir, dexamethasone, glucocorticoid, and hydroxychloroquine etc. have been extensively investigated for their potential against the SARS‐CoV‐2, likewise, various plant-based molecules such as scutellarein, silvestrol, tryptanthrin, saikosaponin B2, quercetin, myricetin, caffeic acid, psoralidin, isobavachalcone, and lectins-griffiths in were also found to be equally effective. Needless to mention that, the herbal medicines are a valuable and powerful source of chemical compounds which need further chemical modifications and appropriate in-vitro and in-vivo testings for establishing their safety and efficacy as potential drugs against the battle with coronavirus pandemic. In this review, we will try to highlight the potential phytochemicals candidates with their possible molecular targets against the SARS‐CoV‐2and demystify the myths behind the purported remedies such as herbal therapies, teas, essential oils, tinctures, and silver products such as colloidal silver that have no scientific evidence to prevent or cure COVID-19. Apart from that, this review will also de-fabricate the surgency of objectionable claims that are continuously reckoning towards the treatment of COVID-19 with hundred per cent surety and are propagated by several herbal firms.

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