Aqueous extract of Pedalium murex D. Royen ex L. leafy stem protects against lead induced testicular toxicity in Wistar rats

Objectives Lead exposure seriously impairs male reproductive function. The protective capacity of Pedalium murex leafy stem and fruit aqueous extracts against lead testicular toxicity is evaluated to find herbals drugs able to improve semen quality. Methods Phytochemical screening were performed according to classical methods. Twenty four male rats were divided into four groups of six rats each and received the following treatments via oral route: distilled water; 0.2% lead acetate in drinking water; 0.2% lead acetate in drinking water with 400 mg/kg P. murex aqueous leafy stem extract; 0.2% leaded water with 400 mg/kg P. murex aqueous fruit extract. Treatments were administered for 70 days. Body and reproductive organs weights, sperm parameters and testicular histological sections of each group were examined. Results Flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, alkaloids, and lignans were found in both extracts. Lead intoxication reduced sperm motility and count but increased the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperms. The germinal epithelium of seminiferous tubules histoarchitecture was disorganized by lead. The leafy stem extract was effective in reducing lead induced testicular disruption whereas fruit has not shown any beneficial effect. Conclusions P. murex leafy stem aqueous extract is effective against semen alterations caused by lead.

In silico screening and molecular docking study of compounds from Pedalium murex L. with Vasopressin2 receptor target for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Background Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is frequently inherited disease. The medicinal plant Pedalium murex (P. murex) Linn, that has anti-inflammatory, antiurolithiatic, and diuretic properties, has a greater tendency to cure urinary defects. P. Murex compounds have been studied in order to find an effective treatment against the Vasopressin 2 receptor (V2R), which is a target for ADPKD. The compound structures were designed using ChemSketch software, which was then optimised for the exploration of pharmacokinetic properties. Finally, AutoDock VINA programme was used to execute molecular docking, and the findings were analysed and visualised in Discovery studio visualizer. Results Virtual screening using PyRx software finds seven compounds from P. murex with binding affinities ranging from − 8.6 to − 5.8 kcal/mol, which will be used for further pharmacological characteristics study. Luteolin has a higher druglikeness and an overall drug score of 0.84, indicating as a most suitable compound. Furthermore, luteolin docking and bonding study reveals improved receptor (V2R) H-bonding with Phe105(2.26 and 2.96), Gln119(2.78), and any Lys116(2.16). Conclusions Based on affinity score, screening of various compounds from P. murex against the V2R target for the ADPKD showed that the phytocompound luteolin has superior pharmacological characteristics and bonding. Luteolin from P. murex can be used as a possible therapeutic candidate after rigorous in silico investigation. Graphic abstract

Pedalium murex L.: Potential genetic resource for herbal medicine and mucilage

Pedalium murex (Pedaliaceae), commonly known as large caltrops in English and bada gokharu in Hindi is an underutilized mucilaginous medicinal herb having multiple uses in traditional system of medicine. It is mainly used to cure reproductive disorders, like impotency in men, nocturnal emissions, gonorrhoea as well as leucorrhoea in women. It is also useful in the treatment of urinary and gastrointestinal tract disorders. The present paper deals with botanical identity, vernacular names, ecology, environmental requirement and growth conditions, origin and geographical distribution, morphological/botanical description, propagation and cultivation, usages as a source of food, mucilage, medicine and biodiesel, important Ayurvedic formulations, phytochemical and pharmacological profile, future prospect.

GOKHRU (TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS AND PEDALIUM MUREX): MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE OF CHOTA GOKHRU AND BADA GOKHRU IN AYURVEDA AND MODERN SCIENCE

Tribulus terrestris and Pedalium murex are the two popular herbal plants originated from a very famous Ayurvedic plant named Gokshuru. These plants are well known for their medicinal importance. In Ayurveda, T. terrestris is known as laghu gokhshuru and P. murex is known as brihat gokshuru. The fruits of T. terrestris plant are slightly astringent in taste while the fruits of P. murex are somewhat sweeter in taste. The fruits are used to treat various diseases such as urinary disorder adrenal stone. In this current paper, we have discussed the pharmacological, Ayurvedic and folk uses of these plants in every region of the world. From various reported studies, it was found that the T. terrestris plant carries much medicinal importance while the P. murex fruits is only used as a substitute or as an adulterant of the T. terrestris plant. It was found that the T. terrestris plant is mainly used to cure urinogenital disorders and kidney disorders such as renal and gall bladder stone. On the other hand, the P. murex plant carries aphrodisiac property and mainly used to cure sexual disorders like infertility, erectile dysfunctioning in both male and females. It was also found that these plants have some similar phytochemical constituents which possess aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, demulcent, diuretic properties, and also used to cure other diseases such as cough, asthma, cardiac disease, vesical calculi, and gall bladder stone. These plants are known for major therapeutic properties such as anti-ulcerative, antiurolithic, anticancer, aphrodisiac, analgesic, stomachic, anti-hypertensive, diuretic, urinary anti-infective, cardio tonic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, nephroprotective, antispasmodic, anthelmintic, and anti-carcinogenic.