scholarly journals Actions and Therapeutic Potential of Madecassoside and Other Major Constituents of Centella asiatica: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (18) ◽  
pp. 8475
Author(s):  
Swee Ching Tan ◽  
Subrat Kumar Bhattamisra ◽  
Dinesh Kumar Chellappan ◽  
Mayuren Candasamy
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Folk Medicine ◽  
Centella Asiatica ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Active Constituents ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Therapeutic Properties ◽  
Skin Conditions

Centella asiatica is a popular herb well-known for its wide range of therapeutic effects and its use as a folk medicine for many years. Its therapeutic properties have been well correlated with the presence of asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic and madecassic acids, the pentacyclic triterpenes. The herb has been extensively known to treat skin conditions; nevertheless, several pre-clinical and clinical studies have scientifically demonstrated its effectiveness in other disorders. Among the active constituents that have been identified in Centella asiatica, madecassoside has been the subject of only a relatively small number of scientific reports. Therefore, this review, while including other major constituents of this plant, focuses on the therapeutic potential, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of madecassoside.

scholarly journals Potential Therapeutic Effects of Natural Plant Compounds in Kidney Disease

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (20) ◽  
pp. 6096
Author(s):  
Lorena Avila-Carrasco ◽  
Elda Araceli García-Mayorga ◽  
Daisy L. Díaz-Avila ◽  
Idalia Garza-Veloz ◽  
Margarita L Martinez-Fierro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Renal Damage ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Protective Agent ◽  
Natural Plant ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Plant Compounds

Background: The blockade of the progression or onset of pathological events is essential for the homeostasis of an organism. Some common pathological mechanisms involving a wide range of diseases are the uncontrolled inflammatory reactions that promote fibrosis, oxidative reactions, and other alterations. Natural plant compounds (NPCs) are bioactive elements obtained from natural sources that can regulate physiological processes. Inflammation is recognized as an important factor in the development and evolution of chronic renal damage. Consequently, any compound able to modulate inflammation or inflammation-related processes can be thought of as a renal protective agent and/or a potential treatment tool for controlling renal damage. The objective of this research was to review the beneficial effects of bioactive natural compounds on kidney damage to reveal their efficacy as demonstrated in clinical studies. Methods: This systematic review is based on relevant studies focused on the impact of NPCs with therapeutic potential for kidney disease treatment in humans. Results: Clinical studies have evaluated NPCs as a different way to treat or prevent renal damage and appear to show some benefits in improving OS, inflammation, and antioxidant capacity, therefore making them promising therapeutic tools to reduce or prevent the onset and progression of KD pathogenesis. Conclusions: This review shows the promising clinical properties of NPC in KD therapy. However, more robust clinical trials are needed to establish their safety and therapeutic effects in the area of renal damage.

scholarly journals Cardiovascular Protective Effects of Centella asiatica and Its Triterpenes: A Review

Planta Medica ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (16) ◽  
pp. 1203-1215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Nadia Mohd Razali ◽  
Chin Theng Ng ◽  
Lai Yen Fong
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Centella Asiatica ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Studies ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Asiatic Acid ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Active Constituents

Abstract Centella asiatica, a triterpene-rich medicinal herb, is traditionally used to treat various types of diseases including neurological, dermatological, and metabolic diseases. A few articles have previously reviewed a broad range of pharmacological activities of C. asiatica, but none of these reviews focuses on the use of C. asiatica in cardiovascular diseases. This review aims to summarize recent findings on protective effects of C. asiatica and its active constituents (asiatic acid, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, and madecassoside) in cardiovascular diseases. In addition, their beneficial effects on conditions associated with cardiovascular diseases were also reviewed. Articles were retrieved from electronic databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords “Centella asiatica,” “asiatic acid,” “asiaticoside,” “madecassic acid,” and “madecassoside.” The articles published between 2004 and 2018 that are related to the aforementioned topics were selected. A few clinical studies published beyond this period were also included. The results showed that C. asiatica and its active compounds possess potential therapeutic effects in cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular disease-related conditions, as evidenced by numerous in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. C. asiatica and its triterpenes have been reported to exhibit cardioprotective, anti-atherosclerotic, antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. In conclusion, more clinical and pharmacokinetic studies are needed to support the use of C. asiatica and its triterpenes as therapeutic agents for cardiovascular diseases. Besides, elucidation of the molecular pathways modulated by C. asiatica and its active constituents will help to understand the mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective action of C. asiatica.

scholarly journals Comparison of the therapeutic effects of hUC-MSC intravenous delivery and intraperitoneal administration of MSCs encapsulated in alginate capsules for the treatment of rat liver cirrhosis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svitlana Rymar ◽  
Polina Pikus ◽  
Ianina Pokholenko ◽  
Polina Buchek ◽  
Nadiya Shuvalova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Cirrhosis ◽  
Umbilical Cord ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Intraperitoneal Administration ◽  
Liver Parenchyma ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Human Umbilical Cord ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Alginate Capsules ◽  
Therapeutic Properties

Mesenchymal stem cells are the most promising regenerative medicine tool for the treatment of various diseases, including liver disease, although the exact mechanism of their therapeutic action remains unclear. It was found that MSCs are captured by the lungs after systemic transplantation, quickly disappear, and are not detected at the site of injury, but at the same time exhibit an obvious therapeutic effect. Comparison of the MSC efficiency depending on the route of their administration may shed light on the mechanisms involved in the implementation of MSC therapeutic potential. In this work, we compared the therapeutic effects of human umbilical cord MSCs (hUC-MSCs) administered systemically and intraperitoneally in the form of MSCs encapsulated in alginate capsules in a CCl4-induced model of liver cirrhosis in rats. Our study showed that both treatments resulted in liver recovery. MSC transplantation by two different routes led to a decrease in collagen deposition, the disappearance of the fibrous area by the 13th week, and normalization of the morphometric parameters of liver parenchyma cells. The expression of some genes (EGF, alpha SMA, GFAP) which is activated in liver injury, decreased to the level observed in negative control animals. However, a detailed study of liver recovery in dynamics showed that encapsulated MSCs led to faster normalization in several parameters of the liver tissue. Our results showed that human umbilical cord MSCs effectively exhibit their therapeutic properties when using both methods of transplantation, however, intraperitoneal administration of encapsulated MSCs accelerated the process of liver regeneration.

scholarly journals Therapeutic Potential of 47Sc in Comparison to 177Lu and 90Y: Preclinical Investigations

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaudia Siwowska ◽  
Patrycja Guzik ◽  
Katharina A. Domnanich ◽  
Josep M. Monné Rodríguez ◽  
Peter Bernhardt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radionuclide Therapy ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Folate Receptor ◽  
Tumor Growth Inhibition ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Targeted Radionuclide Therapy ◽  
Decay Properties ◽  
Therapeutic Properties ◽  
Folate Conjugate

Targeted radionuclide therapy with 177Lu- and 90Y-labeled radioconjugates is a clinically-established treatment modality for metastasized cancer. 47Sc is a therapeutic radionuclide that decays with a half-life of 3.35 days and emits medium-energy β−-particles. In this study, 47Sc was investigated, in combination with a DOTA-folate conjugate, and compared to the therapeutic properties of 177Lu-folate and 90Y-folate, respectively. In vitro, 47Sc-folate demonstrated effective reduction of folate receptor-positive ovarian tumor cell viability similar to 177Lu-folate, but 90Y-folate was more potent at equal activities due to the higher energy of emitted β−-particles. Comparable tumor growth inhibition was observed in mice that obtained the same estimated absorbed tumor dose (~21 Gy) when treated with 47Sc-folate (12.5 MBq), 177Lu-folate (10 MBq), and 90Y-folate (5 MBq), respectively. The treatment resulted in increased median survival of 39, 43, and 41 days, respectively, as compared to 26 days in untreated controls. There were no statistically significant differences among the therapeutic effects observed in treated groups. Histological assessment revealed no severe side effects two weeks after application of the radiofolates, even at double the activity used for therapy. Based on the decay properties and our results, 47Sc is likely to be comparable to 177Lu when employed for targeted radionuclide therapy. It may, therefore, have potential for clinical translation and be of particular interest in tandem with 44Sc or 43Sc as a diagnostic match, enabling the realization of radiotheragnostics in future.

scholarly journals Therapeutic potential of intermittent hypoxia: a matter of dose

2014 ◽  
Vol 307 (10) ◽  
pp. R1181-R1197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Navarrete-Opazo ◽  
Gordon S. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Intermittent Hypoxia ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Metabolic Bone ◽  
Clinical Disorders ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Critical Characteristics ◽  
The Impact

Intermittent hypoxia (IH) has been the subject of considerable research in recent years, and triggers a bewildering array of both detrimental and beneficial effects in multiple physiological systems. Here, we review the extensive literature concerning IH and its impact on the respiratory, cardiovascular, immune, metabolic, bone, and nervous systems. One major goal is to define relevant IH characteristics leading to safe, protective, and/or therapeutic effects vs. pathogenesis. To understand the impact of IH, it is essential to define critical characteristics of the IH protocol under investigation, including potentially the severity of hypoxia within episodes, the duration of hypoxic episodes, the number of hypoxic episodes per day, the pattern of presentation across time (e.g., within vs. consecutive vs. alternating days), and the cumulative time of exposure. Not surprisingly, severe/chronic IH protocols tend to be pathogenic, whereas any beneficial effects are more likely to arise from modest/acute IH exposures. Features of the IH protocol most highly associated with beneficial vs. pathogenic outcomes include the level of hypoxemia within episodes and the number of episodes per day. Modest hypoxia (9–16% inspired O2) and low cycle numbers (3–15 episodes per day) most often lead to beneficial effects without pathology, whereas severe hypoxia (2–8% inspired O2) and more episodes per day (48–2,400 episodes/day) elicit progressively greater pathology. Accumulating evidence suggests that “low dose” IH (modest hypoxia, few episodes) may be a simple, safe, and effective treatment with considerable therapeutic potential for multiple clinical disorders.

scholarly journals Pharmacological effects of saffron and its constituents in ocular disorders from in vitro studies to clinical trials; a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samaneh Sepahi ◽  
Adel Ghorani-Azam ◽  
Seyedeh Maryam Hossieni ◽  
Seyed Ahmad Mohajeri ◽  
Elham Khodavrdi
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
In Vitro Studies ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Retinal Cells ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Eye Disorders

Introduction: Some medicinal plants have shown promising therapeutic potential for management of the diseases. We aimed to systematically review the literature wherein the therapeutic effects of saffron have been studied on eye disorders. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google scholar and other databases using eye disorders, and saffron as key terms. No strict inclusion criteria were defined, and almost all clinical studies, as well as in vivo and in vitro studies were included. The reported data in each study were extracted and then qualitatively described. Results: Finally, 78 articles were found but only 29 relevant articles were included. Nine articles are clinical trials and 20 articles were done on cellular and molecular aspects of saffron on eye disorders. According to the included studies, crocin prevented the pro-inflammatory response in retinal cells and decreased glucose level in diabetic mice. Also, crocetin prevented retinal degeneration and saffron protected photoreceptors from light-induced damage in retinal cells. Saffron also improved visual function in age-related macular edema and decreased intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. In addition, it was shown that crocin can improve best corrected visual acuity and decreased central macular thickness in patients with diabetic maculopathy. Conclusion: The results of this review indicated that saffron and its main ingredients such as crocin could be a potential candidate for the treatment of ocular disease especially eye inflammation; however, further clinical studies are needed to confirm such efficiency.

scholarly journals The Clinical and Biological Effects of Homeopathically Prepared Signaling Molecules: A Scoping Review

Homeopathy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj Kumar Manchanda ◽  
Meeta Gupta ◽  
Ankit Gupta ◽  
Robbert van Haselen
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
English Language ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Signaling Molecules ◽  
Respiratory Allergies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
External Stimuli

Abstract Background Signaling molecules such as cytokines and interleukins are key mediators for the immune response in responding to internal or external stimuli. Homeopathically prepared signaling molecules have been used therapeutically for about five decades. However, these types of products are not available in many countries and their usage by homoeopaths is also infrequent. The aim of this scoping review is to map the available pre-clinical and clinical data related to the therapeutic use of homeopathically prepared signaling molecules. Methods We conducted a scoping review of clinical and pre-clinical studies of therapeutically used signaling molecules that have been prepared in accordance with an officially recognized homeopathic pharmacopoeia. Articles in peer-reviewed journals reporting original clinical or pre-clinical research of homeopathically prepared signaling molecules such as interleukins, cytokines, antibodies, growth factors, neuropeptides and hormones, were eligible. Non-English language papers were excluded, unless we were able to obtain an English translation. An appraisal of eligible studies took place by rating the direction of the outcomes on a five-point scale. The quality of the papers was not systematically assessed. Results Twenty-eight eligible papers, reporting findings for four different manufacturers' products, were identified and reviewed. Seventeen papers reported pre-clinical studies, and 11 reported clinical studies (six experimental, five observational). A wide range of signaling molecules, as well as normal T-cell expressed specific nucleic acids, were used. A majority of the products (21 of 28) contained two or more signaling molecules. The most common clinical indications were psoriasis, vitiligo, rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory allergies, polycystic ovary syndrome, and herpes. The direction of the outcomes was positive in 26 papers and unclear in two papers. Conclusion This scoping review found that there is a body of evidence on the use of homeopathically prepared signaling molecules. From a homeopathy perspective, these substances appear to have therapeutic potential. Further steps to explore this potential are warranted.

scholarly journals Cannabidiol: from an inactive cannabinoid to a drug with wide spectrum of action

2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Waldo Zuardi
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Structure ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Sedative Effects ◽  
Therapeutic Properties ◽  
Number Of Publications

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to describe the historical development of research on cannabidiol. METHOD: This review was carried out on reports drawn from Medline, Web of Science and SciELO. DISCUSSION: After the elucidation of the chemical structure of cannabidiol in 1963, the initial studies showed that cannabidiol was unable to mimic the effects of Cannabis. In the 1970's the number of publications on cannabidiol reached a first peak, having the research focused mainly on the interaction with delta9-THC and its antiepileptic and sedative effects. The following two decades showed lower degree of interest, and the potential therapeutic properties of cannabidiol investigated were mainly the anxiolytic, antipsychotic and on motor diseases effects. The last five years have shown a remarkable increase in publications on cannabidiol mainly stimulated by the discovery of its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and neuroprotective effects. These studies have suggested a wide range of possible therapeutic effects of cannabidiol on several conditions, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, cerebral ischemia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, other inflammatory diseases, nausea and cancer. CONCLUSION: In the last 45 years it has been possible to demonstrate that CBD has a wide range of pharmacological effects, many of which being of great therapeutic interest, but still waiting to be confirmed by clinical trials.

scholarly journals Inhibitory Effect of the Methanolic Extract of Verbascum latisepalum Hub.-Mor. on Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation in Rat Thoracic Aorta

2014 ◽  
Vol 69 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 219-225
Author(s):  
T. Emrah Bozkurt ◽  
I. Irem Tatli ◽  
Cigdem Kahraman ◽  
Zeliha S. Akdemir ◽  
Inci Sahin-Erdemli
Keyword(s):  
Methanolic Extract ◽  
Folk Medicine ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Relaxation Response ◽  
Spectral Techniques ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Bioassay Guided Fractionation ◽  
Rat Thoracic Aorta ◽  
Skin Conditions ◽  
Endothelium Dependent Relaxation

The leaves and flowers of Verbascum species are used to treat respiratory disorders, haemorrhoids, rheumatic pain, and wounds as well as for the treatment of eczema and other types of inflammatory skin conditions in traditional Turkish medicine. We examined the effect of the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Verbascum latisepalum Hub.-Mor. on the endothelium-dependent relaxation response in rat aortic rings which is mediated by nitric oxide (NO). Six fractions, A- F, were obtained from the methanolic extract through bioassay-guided fractionation procedures. The phenylethanoid glycoside verbascoside was isolated from fraction D and its structure elucidated by spectral techniques. The inhibitory effects of the extract, its fractions, and verbascoside on the acetylcholineinduced relaxation response in phenylephrine-precontracted aorta was examined in the absence and presence of L-arginine, a precursor in the synthesis of NO. The observation that the effects of the methanolic extract, of fraction D, and of verbascoside were reversed by L-arginine, indicates that verbascoside has an inhibitory effect on the synthesis of NO. This effect should be taken into consideration in view of the wide range of uses of Verbascum species in Turkish folk medicine

scholarly journals Andrographolide, an Anti-Inflammatory Multitarget Drug: All Roads Lead to Cellular Metabolism

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Rafael Agustín Burgos ◽  
Pablo Alarcón ◽  
John Quiroga ◽  
Carolina Manosalva ◽  
Juan Hancke
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Metabolic Effects ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Labdane Diterpene ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Preclinical And Clinical Studies

Andrographolide is a labdane diterpene and the main active ingredient isolated from the herb Andrographis paniculata. Andrographolide possesses diverse biological effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antineoplastic properties. Clinical studies have demonstrated that andrographolide could be useful in therapy for a wide range of diseases such as osteoarthritis, upper respiratory diseases, and multiple sclerosis. Several targets are described for andrographolide, including the interference of transcription factors NF-κB, AP-1, and HIF-1 and signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and JAK/STAT. In addition, an increase in the Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2) signaling pathway also supports its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, this scenario could be more complex since recent evidence suggests that andrographolide targets can modulate glucose metabolism. The metabolic effect of andrographolide might be the key to explaining the diverse therapeutic effects described in preclinical and clinical studies. This review discusses some of the most recent evidence about the anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects of andrographolide.

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