scholarly journals Selection and Micropropagation of an Elite Melatonin Rich Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.) Germplasm Line

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 207
Author(s):  
Mukund R. Shukla ◽  
Annaliese Kibler ◽  
Christina E. Turi ◽  
Lauren A. E. Erland ◽  
J. Alan Sullivan ◽  
...  

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.) is a sacred plant of medicinal and spiritual significance in many cultures. Medicinal properties of Tulsi are ascribed to its phytochemicals with antioxidant capabilities. The current study was undertaken to screen a large seed population of Tulsi to select germplasm lines with high antioxidant potential and to standardize protocols for micropropagation and biomass production to produce a phytochemically consistent crop. A total of 80 germplasm lines were established under in vitro conditions and screened for their antioxidant potential determined with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) bioassay. The micropropagation of a selected line, named Vrinda, was established using nodal cultures grown on Murashige and Skoog medium containing benzylaminopurine (1.1 µM), gibberellic acid (0.3 µM), and activated charcoal (0.6%). The antioxidant phytohormones melatonin and serotonin were quantified in the field and greenhouse grown tissues of Vrinda and melatonin levels were found to be consistent in both conditions with higher serotonin levels under field conditions. This integrated approach combining the in vitro selection and propagation offers potential applications in the development of safe, effective, and novel natural health products of Tulsi, and many other medicinal plant species.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (21) ◽  
pp. 11500
Author(s):  
Anshul Sharma ◽  
Hyo-Kyoung Choi ◽  
Yeon-Kye Kim ◽  
Hae-Jeung Lee

Until now, several studies have looked at the issue of anthocyanin and cancer, namely the preventive and inhibitory effects of anthocyanins, as well as the underlying molecular processes. However, no targeted review is available regarding the anticarcinogenic effects of delphinidin and its glycosides on various cancers and their plausible molecular mechanisms. Considerable evidence shows significant anticancer properties of delphinidin-rich preparations and delphinidin alone both in vitro and in vivo. This review covers the in vitro and preclinical implications of delphinidin-mediated cell protection and cancer prevention; thus, we strongly recommend that delphinidin-rich preparations be further investigated as potential functional food, dietary antioxidant supplements, and natural health products targeting specific chronic diseases, including cancer. In addition to in vitro investigations, future research should focus on more animal and human studies to determine the true potential of delphinidin.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 3883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmin Aldag ◽  
Tina Persson ◽  
Roland Hartmann

Lipopolysaccaride binding protein (LBP), a glycosylated acute phase protein, plays an important role in the pathophysiology of sepsis. LBP binds with high affinity to the lipid part of bacterial lipopolysaccaride (LPS). Inhibition of the LPS-LBP interaction or blockage of LBP-mediated transfer of LPS monomers to CD14 may be therapeutical strategies to prevent septic shock. LBP is also of interest as a biomarker to identify septic patients at high risk for death, as LBP levels are elevated during early stages of severe sepsis. As a first step toward such potential applications, we isolated aptamers specific for murine LBP (mLBP) by in vitro selection from a library containing a 60-nucleotide randomized region. Modified RNA pools were transcribed in the presence of 2′-fluoro-modified pyrimidine nucleotides to stabilize transcripts against nuclease degradation. As verified for one aptamer experimentally, the selected aptamers adopt a “three-helix junction” architecture, presenting single-stranded 7-nt (5′-YGCTTCY) or 6-nt (5′-RTTTCY) consensus sequences in their core. The best binder (aptamer A011; Kd of 270 nM for binding to mLBP), characterized in more detail by structure probing and boundary analysis, was demonstrated to bind with high specificity to murine LBP.


2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Leung ◽  
Karen Shalansky ◽  
Puneet Vashisht ◽  
Marianna Leung ◽  
Judith G Marin

<p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p><strong>Introduction:</strong> There is a lack of published safety information on the use of natural health products (NHPs) for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or renal transplant.</p><p><strong>Objective:</strong> To create an online database to provide evidence-based safety recommendations for commonly used NHPs, specific to patients with CKD or renal transplant.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> NHPs used by CKD and transplant patients in British Columbia were identified from the records of the BC Provincial Renal Agency. For each NHP, several databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Lexi-Natural Products, PubMed Dietary Supplement Subset, and Natural Medicines) were searched for any information pertaining to dosage, adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, immunomodulatory effects, and pharmacokinetics in patients with renal disease. Each NHP was given 1 of 4 safety ratings: likely safe, possibly safe, possibly unsafe, and likely unsafe. An NHP was classified as “possibly unsafe” for patients with renal transplant if it had demonstrated in vitro immunomodulatory effects and/or significant interactions with transplant medications due to effects on the cytochrome P450 3A4 isozyme.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Of the 19 627 BC-registered patients with renal disease (as of August 2014), 4122 (21%) were using one or more NHPs. The Herbal-CKD website (www.herbalckd.com) was created in 2015 to provide information about 47 commonly used NHPs and 2 known nephrotoxins (aristolochic acid and silver). This website provides a systematic evaluation of safety information for selected NHPs for patients with CKD (both nondialysis and dialysis-dependent) and kidney transplant. The most common NHP safety classification was “possibly safe”, reflecting the paucity of studies in renal populations and the availability of safety data for the general population. Limitations of the website include difficulty in interpreting and generalizing the safety literature because most NHP formulations are not standardized, and others are combination products.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The website www.herbalckd.com provides an easy-to-use, evidence-based tool for health care professionals to assess the safety of NHPs for CKD and transplant patients.</p><p><strong>RÉSUMÉ</strong></p><p><strong>Contexte :</strong> On observe qu’il n’existe que très peu d’information publiée sur l’innocuité des produits de santé naturels (PSN) pour les patients souffrant d’insuffisance rénale chronique ou ayant subi une greffe rénale.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Objectif :</strong> Créer une base de données en ligne qui sert à fournir des recommandations de sécurité fondées sur des données probantes au sujet des PSN les plus employés spécifiquement à l’intention des patients atteints d’insuffisance rénale chronique ou ayant subi une greffe rénale.</p><p><strong>Méthodes :</strong> Les PSN utilisés par les patients souffrant d’insuffisance rénale chronique ou ayant subi une greffe rénale ont été répertoriés d’après les dossiers de la BC Provincial Renal Agency. Pour chaque PSN, plusieurs bases de données (MEDLINE, Embase, Lexi-Natural Products, PubMed Dietary Supplement Subset et Natural Medicines) ont été interrogées afin d’y chercher des informations sur la posologie, les réactions indésirables aux médicaments, les interactions médicamenteuses, les effets immunomodulateurs et la pharmacocinétique chez les patients atteints d’insuffisance rénale. Chaque PSN s’est vu attribuer l’un de quatre degrés de sécurité : probablement sécuritaire, possiblement sécuritaire, possiblement nocif et probablement nocif. Un PSN était classé « possiblement nocif » pour les patients ayant subi une greffe rénale s’il a manifesté in vitro des effets immunomodulateurs ou des interactions importantes avec les médicaments antirejet à cause de l’isozyme 3A4 du cytochrome P450.</p><p><strong>Résultats :</strong> Parmi les 19 627 patients insuffisants rénaux inscrits en Colombie-Britannique, 4 122 (21 %) utilisaient au moins un PSN (en date d’août 2014). Le site Web HerbalCKD (www.herbalckd.com) a été créé en 2015 afin de fournir de l’information sur 47 des PSN les plus utilisés et sur deux néphrotoxines connues (l’acide aristolochique et l’argent). Ce site Web offre une évaluation systématique des informations sur l’innocuité de PSN choisis qui pourraient être utilisés par les patients souffrant d’insuffisance rénale chronique (dialysés ou non) ou ayant subi une greffe rénale. Les PSN étaient le plus souvent classés sous « possiblement sécuritaire », ce qui souligne le peu d’études auprès des populations souffrant de troubles rénaux et la disponibilité de données sur l’innocuité dans la population générale. Parmi les limites du site Web, on compte la difficulté à interpréter et à généraliser la littérature sur l’innocuité parce que la plupart des formules de PSN ne sont pas normalisées et que certains PSN sont un mélange de substances.</p><p><strong>Conclusion :</strong> Le site Web www.herbalckd.com représente pour les professionnels de la santé un outil simple et fondé sur des données probantes leur permettant d’évaluer l’innocuité de PSN pour les patients atteints d’insuffisance rénale chronique ou ayant subi une greffe rénale.</p>


2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (11) ◽  
pp. 1184-1194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgios S. Katselis ◽  
Alberto Estrada ◽  
Dennis K.J. Gorecki ◽  
Branka Barl

Eight pure triterpenoid saponin compounds isolated from the root of Polygala senega L., a plant indigenous to the Canadian prairies, were evaluated for their immunological activity in mouse models. The specific antibody responses of the IgG2a subclass increased significantly when isolated P. senega saponins were used as adjuvants in the immunization of mice with OVA antigen. In addition, increased IL-2 levels were observed in spleen cell cultures from P. senega saponin-immunized mice after in vitro secondary antigen stimulation. The saponins were tested for their toxicity in mice by using a haemolytic activity assay and found to be less toxic than Quillaja saponaria saponins that have long been used as adjuvants in vaccine formulations. This study has shown the potential of P. senega saponins to be considered as a natural source of vaccine adjuvants with biological activity equivalent to the current commercially available saponin adjuvants.


2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (9) ◽  
pp. 943-951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Réjean Drouin ◽  
Éric Lamiot ◽  
Kim Cantin ◽  
Sylvie F. Gauthier ◽  
Yves Pouliot ◽  
...  

Natural health products (NHPs) or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are commonly used to prevent disorders or support the usual treatments of many diseases. XP-828L, a whey protein extract, has demonstrated potential benefits for the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis. The aim of this study was to analyze further clinical data that demonstrated the clinical benefits and safety of the XP-828L in patients with psoriasis and the potential mechanism of action of this product in vitro. Oral administration (2.5 g, twice a day, over 112 days) of XP-828L in 42 human subjects with mild to moderate psoriasis improved their PGA scores (physician’s global assessment). Moreover, no significant changes in haematology or hepatic and renal parameters were observed throughout the study period, indicating the safety of the product. In vitro experiments showed that XP-828L decreased the proliferation of concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated murine splenocytes and their production of interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-γ. Although the in vivo mechanism of action of XP-828L remains unknown, XP-828L represents an NHP to be used as an alternative or concomitant treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis and potentially for other immune-mediated diseases.


2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (9) ◽  
pp. 911-917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anwar H. Gilani ◽  
Abdul J. Shah ◽  
Khalid H. Janbaz ◽  
Shahida P. Ahmed ◽  
Muhammad N. Ghayur

The aqueous-methanolic crude extract of Andropogon muricatus (Am.Cr) was investigated pharmacologically to determine some of its medicinal uses in cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disorders. A series of in vivo and in vitro studies were conducted to evaluate dose-dependent effects of Am.Cr on mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac and vascular contractions, and to further investigate the potential mechanism of action. Intravenous administration of Am.Cr (10–50 mg/kg) caused a fall (18%–56%) in MAP in normotensive rats under anesthesia. When tested in isolated guinea pig atria, Am.Cr (0.03–5.0 mg/mL) exhibited a cardiodepressant effect on the rate and force of spontaneous contractions. In isolated rabbit aorta, Am.Cr caused inhibition of K+ (80 mmol/L)-induced contractions at a lower concentration than of phenylephrine. In isolated rabbit jejunum preparations, Am.Cr (0.01–0.10 mg/mL) caused relaxation of spontaneous and high K+ (80 mmol/L)-induced contractions, suggesting that the spasmolytic effect is mediated possibly through calcium channel blockade (CCB). The CCB activity was confirmed when pretreatment of the tissue with Am.Cr (0.03–0.1 mg/mL) shifted the Ca2+ dose–response curves to the right, similar to that caused by verapamil. These data indicate that the blood pressure-lowering and spasmolytic effects of Am.Cr are mediated possibly through a calcium channel blocking activity. Phytochemical screening of Am.Cr revealed the presence of phenols, saponins, tannins, and terpenes, which may be responsible for the observed vasodilator, cardiodepressant, and antispasmodic activities. This study shows potential with respect to its medicinal use in cardiovascular and gut disorders.


2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Liu ◽  
Teresa W Tam ◽  
Jingqin Mao ◽  
Ammar Saleem ◽  
Anthony Krantis ◽  
...  

Purpose. Oseltamivir is a prodrug that requires metabolic activation but there is little information on whether natural health products interact to prevent the biotransformation by the carboxylesterase. Methods. HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSD and fluorometric assays were used to determine if 50-pooled mixed gender human liver microsomes can mediate the formation of the active carboxylate metabolite and then if this reaction is affected by natural health products. Results. Extracts from 6 traditional Cree botanicals, a commercially available Echinacea product, Goldenseal and a traditional Chinese medicine reduced the formation of the active drug. In addition to oseltamivir carboxylate we report the detection of two new metabolites which are derivatives of oseltamivir carboxylate, one of which is a metabonate formed as a result of methanol. Conclusions. In vitro studies would suggest that there is the potential for some natural health products used by patients in response to pandemic A/H1N1 to reduce drug efficacy. Further studies are required to determine if these potential interactions could be clinically significant.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian C Foster ◽  
Kosta Cvijovic ◽  
Heather S Boon ◽  
Teresa W Tam ◽  
Rui Liu ◽  
...  

Purpose. Natural health products (NHPs), including melatonin, are widely used products. Despite the widespread assumption that all NHPs are safe, they contain pharmacologically active substances and can therefore have adverse effects and/or interact with pharmaceuticals. Objective: To investigate the mechanism underlying NHP interactions identified through the Pharmacy SONAR active surveillance study. Methods: Active surveillance was undertaken in community pharmacies to identify adverse events in patients who had recently taken NHPs together with conventional pharmaceuticals. For suspected NHP-pharmaceutical interactions, the possible mechanism of action was explored by in vitro analysis of samples of different products to identify cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP) inhibition potential. Results: Active surveillance identified a 19-year-old male taking citalopram, nortriptyline and oxycodone concomitantly and who experienced severe sedation when melatonin was added to this regimen. In vitro analysis involving several melatonin products showed product-dependent inhibition of CYP1A2, CYP2C19 and CYP3A7. Conclusion: The adverse event was likely due to a primary pharmacokinetic interaction between melatonin and citalopram; although mechanistically, interactions affecting cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism may have occurred with all of these health products. A pharmacodynamic interaction may also be possible, but beyond the capacity of this study to establish.Key words: Melatonin, citalopram, nortriptyline, oxycodone, drug interaction. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Luísa De P. Oliveira ◽  
Stephanie E. Martinez ◽  
Kalyanam Nagabushnam ◽  
Muhammed Majeed ◽  
Samaa Alrushaid ◽  
...  

Purpose: To develop a bioanalytical assay using RP-HPLC to quantify the curcuminoid calebin A, to characterize its pharmacokinetics in rats after intravenous (IV) and oral (PO) administration, to identify its pharmacological activities and to evaluate its content in natural health products. Methods: An RP-HPLC method was developed for the detection of calebin A. Separation was carried out using a Phenomenex® Kinetex® C18 column with UV detection at 339 nm. An isocratic mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water with 10 mM ammonium formate (pH 7.0) (40:60, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min was employed. Linear standard curves were established and applied in the pharmacokinetic study. Calebin A was administered to male Sprague-Dawley (CD) rats IV (20 mg/kg) or PO (500 mg/kg) (n=4/route of administration). Serum and urine samples were collected for 72 h post dose. In vitro antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity (cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibition), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibition and cytochrome P450 inhibitory activties of calebin A were examined using commercial assay kits.  Content analysis of calebin A in 14 natural health products advertised to contain  turmeric were carried out using methanolic extraction. Results: The HPLC method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of calebin A in rats. After IV and PO administration of calebin A, the compound was detected as the aglycone and a glucuronidated metabolite. Oral bioavailabitily was found to be ~0.5%, serum half-life was ~1-3 h. Calebin A appears to be primarily excreted via non-renal routes. Calebin A possessed concentration-dependent antioxidant activity and DPP-4 inhibition. Calebin A appears to be a non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor and also a poor lipoxygenase inhibitor. The curcuminoid displayed  in vitro interactions with  CYP2D6 and CYP1A2. Content analysis of 14  natural health products that claimed to contain turmeric showed that concentration of calebin A was inconsistent among the products. Conclusion: A successful assay was developed for the detection of calebin A using RP-HPLC. Preliminary pharmacokinetic studies indicate that an unoptimised formulation of calebin A has poor oral bioavailability. Calebin A exhibits  various pharmacological activities. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.


2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (11) ◽  
pp. 1099-1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Chauhan ◽  
C. Yu ◽  
A. Krantis ◽  
I. Scott ◽  
J. T. Arnason ◽  
...  

Some natural health products (NHPs) affect drug metabolism enzymes and transport proteins, potentially affecting the safety and efficacy of the drug or other NHPs. This study was undertaken to characterize the effect of uva-ursi ( Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ) on cytochrome P450 isozyme (3A4, 3A5, 3A7, 2C19, and 19)-mediated metabolism and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transport. Three bulk and 2 capsulated uva-ursi samples were obtained from commercial outlets. The capsules were batched, and herbal samples were ground to a common consistency. Aqueous and methanol extracts were freshly prepared. Cytochrome P450 isozyme-mediated metabolism was determined by using in vitro bioassays. P-gp transport function was determined by using a rhodamine 123 (Rh123) uptake test in human (THP-1) monocytes and human Caco-2 cells. All products were analyzed by HPLC for arbutin, gallic acid, myricitrin, and isoquercetin. A large variation was observed in the biomarkers found between the bulk and capsulated samples. Our data indicate that both the aqueous and methanol extracts of all 5 uva-ursi products showed high cytochrome P450 isozyme inhibition, with the exception of the methanol extracts against cytochromes P3A4 and P19, which had low to moderate activity. The aqueous extracts of uva-ursi showed an inhibitory effect on Rh123 efflux by P-gp at 1 h and an inductive effect at 18 h for both cell lines. Our results show that the uva-ursi herbal products tested here have pharmacological properties, including the potential capacity to affect drug safety and efficacy. Further studies are warranted against a wider range of cytochrome P450 isozymes and to determine whether these effects are clinically significant.


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