scholarly journals Biochemical properties and in vitro biological activities of extracts from seven folk medicinal plants growing wild in southern Tunisia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hajer Tlili ◽  
Najjaa Hanen ◽  
Abdelkerim Ben Arfa ◽  
Mohamed Neffati ◽  
Abdelbasset Boubakri ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTRecently, much attention has been paid to the extracts obtained from plant species in order to analyse their biological activities. Due to the climate diversity in Tunisia, the traditional pharmacopoeia consists of a wide arsenal of medicinal plant species since long used in folk medicine, in foods as spices, and in aromatherapy. Although many of these species are nearly facing extinction, only a small proportion of them have been scientifically studied. Therefore, this study explores the biochemical properties of seven spontaneous plants, which were harvested in the arid Tunisian desert: Marrubium vulgare L., Rhus tripartita (Ucria) D.C., Thymelaea hirsute (L.) Endl., Plantago ovata Forsk., Herniaria fontanesii J. Gay., Ziziphus lotus and Hyoscyamus albus. Extracts from these plants were found to contain different types of secondary metabolites (polyphenols, flavonoids, condensed tannins, crude saponins, carotenoids and alkaloids) that are involved in important biological activities. The biological activity of the extracts obtained from each Tunisian plant was assessed: first of all, leukaemia and colon cancer cell lines (K-562 and CaCo-2 respectively) were treated with different concentrations of extracts, and then the anti-proliferative activity was observed. The results showed, in particular, how the plant extract from Rhus tripartita significantly inhibits cell proliferation, especially on the K-562 tumour cell line. Subsequently, the anti-inflammatory activity was also assessed, and the results showed that Herniaria fontanesii and Marrubium vulgare possess the highest activity in the group of analysed plants. Finally, the greatest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect was exhibited by the extract obtained from Rhus tripartita.In conclusion, all the Tunisian plants we analysed were shown to contain a remarkable amount of different bio-active compounds, thus confirming their involvement in several biological activities. Rhus tripartita and Ziziphus lotus were shown to be particularly effective in anti-proliferative activity, while Herniaria fontanesii were shown to have the best anti-inflammatory activity.

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1400901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reina M. Toro ◽  
Diana M. Aragón ◽  
Luis F. Ospina ◽  
Freddy A. Ramos ◽  
Leonardo Castellanos

Physalis peruviana calyces are used extensively in folk medicine. The crude ethanolic extract and some fractions of calyces were evaluated in order to explore antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by the TPA-induced ear edema model. The antioxidant in vitro activity was measured by means of the superoxide and nitric oxide scavenging activity of the extracts and fractions. The butanolic fraction was found to be promising due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Therefore, a bio-assay guided approach was employed to isolate and identify rutin (1) and nicotoflorin (2) from their NMR spectroscopic and MS data. The identification of rutin in calyces of P. peruviana supports the possible use of this waste material for phytotherapeutic, nutraceutical and cosmetic preparations.


Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Ferreira da Silva Júnior ◽  
Danielle Lima Bezerra de Menezes ◽  
Luana Carvalho de Oliveira ◽  
Letícia Scherer Koester ◽  
Patrícia Danielle Oliveira de Almeida ◽  
...  

α, β amyrin (ABAM) is a natural mixture of pentacyclic triterpenes that has a wide range of biological activities. ABAM is isolated from the species of the Burseraceae family, in which the species Protium is commonly found in the Amazon region of Brazil. The aim of this work was to develop inclusion complexes (ICs) of ABAM and β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) by physical mixing (PM) and kneading (KN) methods. Interactions between ABAM and the CD’s as well as the formation of ICs were confirmed by physicochemical characterization in the solid state by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Physicochemical characterization indicated the formation of ICs with both βCD and HPβCD. Such ICs were able to induce changes in the physicochemical properties of ABAM. In addition, the formation of ICs with cyclodextrins showed to be an effective and promising alternative to enhance the anti-inflammatory activity and safety of ABAM.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quanxin Ma ◽  
Kai Wang ◽  
Qinqin Yang ◽  
Shun Ping ◽  
Weichun Zhao ◽  
...  

Veronicastrum axillare is a traditional medical plant in China which is widely used in folk medicine due to its versatile biological activities, especially for its anti-inflammatory effects. However, the detailed mechanism underlying this action is not clear. Here, we studied the protective effects of V. axillare against acute lung injury (ALI), and we further explored the pharmacological mechanisms of this action. We found that pretreatment with V. axillare suppressed the release of proinflammatory cytokines in the serum of ALI mice. Histological analysis of lung tissue demonstrated that V. axillare inhibited LPS-induced lung injury, improved lung morphology, and reduced the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the lungs. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory actions of V. axillare were investigated in vitro. We observed that V. axillare suppressed the mRNA expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in RAW264.7 cells challenged with LPS. Furthermore, pretreatment of V. axillare in vitro reduced the phosphorylation of p65 and IκB-α which is activated by LPS. In conclusion, our data firstly demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory effects of V. axillare against ALI were achieved through downregulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby reducing the production of inflammatory mediators.


2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Studzińska-Sroka ◽  
Adrianna Dubino

SummarySymptoms of inflammation accompany a number of diseases. In order to mitigate them, folk medicine has used a variety of medicinal substances, including herbs and mushrooms. Lichens are less known organisms, containing specific secondary metabolites with interesting biological properties. One of their biological actions is the anti-inflammatory activity that has been confirmed byin vitroand animal studies. It has been proven that compounds and extracts from lichens inhibit the enzymes involved in the inflammatory process. The following paper is a review of research on the little-known anti-inflammatory properties of lichens.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (22) ◽  
pp. 5430
Author(s):  
Maria Elaine Araruna ◽  
Catarina Serafim ◽  
Edvaldo Alves Júnior ◽  
Clelia Hiruma-Lima ◽  
Margareth Diniz ◽  
...  

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) refer to a group of disorders characterized by inflammation in the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, which mainly comprises Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). IBDs are characterized by inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, are highly debilitating, and are without a definitive cure. Their pathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated; however, it is assumed that genetic, immunological, and environmental factors are involved. People affected by IBDs have relapses, and therapeutic regimens are not always able to keep symptoms in remission over the long term. Natural products emerge as an alternative for the development of new drugs; bioactive compounds are promising in the treatment of several disorders, among them those that affect the gastrointestinal tract, due to their wide structural diversity and biological activities. This review compiles 12 terpenes with intestinal anti-inflammatory activity evaluated in animal models and in vitro studies. The therapeutic approach to IBDs using terpenes acts basically to prevent oxidative stress, combat dysbiosis, restore intestinal permeability, and improve the inflammation process in different signaling pathways.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsin Ahmad Ghauri ◽  
Liaqat Iqbal ◽  
Ali Raza ◽  
Uzma Hayat ◽  
Naveel Atif ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Naturally occurring substances of plant origin have long been used in folk medicine for curing various ailments including fever, pain, and inflammation etc. After careful evaluation on scientific bases, a large number of those substances provides cheaper alternative to currently used synthetic or semi-synthetic agents. Thus, with an aim of discovering alternative medicine for treatment of such ailments, current study was carried out. Euphorbia granulata Forssk. had long been used as a therapeutic agent against various morbid conditions, e.g., anthelmintic, snake bite, scorpion sting, purgative, and diuretic, and as blood purifying agent in folk medicine. The purpose of the current study was to determine the extended therapeutic use of Euphorbia granulata Forssk. based upon scientific evaluation, to explore the potential of its anti-proliferative, analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory activities while using an aqueous methanol extract of the whole plant. Results In vivo study was performed on female rats of specie Rattus norvegicus weighing (100–150 g). Anti-inflammatory activity of the plant extract was calculated against using carrageenan induced paw edema. Analgesic potential both central and peripheral was assessed by using Eddy’s hot plate method and acetic acid-induced writhing model, respectively. The antipyretic potential was appraised using brewer’s yeast suspension, injected under the nape of the neck, and body temperature was measured using a digital thermometer. The plant extract strengths used for in vivo experiments were 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg/kg (diluted in normal saline) and were administered through intra-peritoneal route. MTT assay was performed to estimate in vitro anti-proliferative potential. For this assay, a serial dilution of the plant extract was used with 100 μg/ml as the highest concentration. In vivo results demonstrated that plant extract at dose strength of 200 mg/kg, showed significant (p* < 0.05) anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities. In case of MTT assay, however, no significant anti-proliferative activity (p > 0.05) was observed up to 100 μg/ml dose strength. Conclusion It can be concluded that aqueous methanol extract of Euphorbia granulata (whole plant) have shown significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-pyretic activity in animal model. Therefore it can be a potential candidate, as a therapeutic alternative against treatment of algesia, pyrexia, and inflammation of various pathological origin. However, the plant extract did not demonstrate any significant anti-proliferation activity at doses used in this study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Naveed Aslam Dogar ◽  
Hamza Shahid ◽  
Hafiz Usama Shaukat ◽  
M. Abubakar Khan ◽  
Farooq Saleem

Background: Medicinal plants have been used since centuries to cure various diseases. There is a huge potential to investigate the medicinal impacts of different parts of plants. Roots, stem, leaves and fruits of Calotropis procera are known for their biological activities. Calotropis procera plant shows multiple pharmacological activities like anti-cancer, anti-microbial, antioxidant, anti-malarial, hepatoprotective and anti-diabetic activities. Objectives: The objective of the current research was ethanolic extraction of Calotropis procera leaves and to study the phytochemistry and anti-inflammatory activity. Methodology: In this effort, we used the extract of Calotropis procera leaves for detection of phytochemicals and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro by hypotonicity induced hemolysis on 2% HRBC suspension, using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Results: Phytochemicals like alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids were present in large amount while tannins, saponins, steroids and cardiac glycosides were in small amount, whereas phlobatannins and anthraquinone were not detected. The potential of the ethanolic extract of Calotropis procera leaves was compared with Diclofenac sodium (100μl/ml, 200μl/ml). The leaves extract of Calotropis procera (100, 200, 300, 400, 500μl/ml each) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity by hypotonicity induced hemolysis on 2% HRBC suspension. Conclusion: The Calotropis procera leaves have potential to cure inflammatory diseases and can be used as anti-inflammatory medicine and analgesic.


Planta Medica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (17) ◽  
pp. 1241-1257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paweł Kubica ◽  
Agnieszka Szopa ◽  
Jakub Dominiak ◽  
Maria Luczkiewicz ◽  
Halina Ekiert

Abstract Verbena officinalis (common vervain) is a medicinal plant species widely distributed in the world and commonly used in folk medicine of different countries, including traditional Chinese medicine. Monographs on “Verbenae herba” have been included in the European Pharmacopoeia since 2008, and in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia since 1995. This work presents botanical characteristics of this species. It reviews the current knowledge of its chemical composition, which is a rich source mostly of iridoids, phenylpropanoid glycosides, phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and essential oil. A large part of this article summarizes traditional medicinal uses and professional pharmacological in vitro and in vivo studies that prove new important applications, e.g., antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective anticancer, analgesic, or anticonvulsant of verbena herb extracts and individual metabolites. Moreover, emphasis is put on the use of V. officinalis in the food and cosmetics industries, especially due to its antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, and the presence of essential oil with an attractive fragrance composition. This paper also presents the state of biotechnological studies of this species.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Kummer ◽  
Fernanda Carolina Fachini-Queiroz ◽  
Camila Fernanda Estevão-Silva ◽  
Renata Grespan ◽  
Expedito Leite Silva ◽  
...  

The genusCitrus(Rutaceae) includes several species of plants that produce some of the most cultivated fruits in the world, providing an appreciable content of essential oil. In folk medicine, they are used as a cholagogue, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, sedative, and antitoxic effects. Lemon essential oil has been used since ancient times for its antiseptic, carminative, diuretic, and eupeptic effects. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity ofCitrus latifoliaTanaka essential oil (CLEO) and its main constituent LIM. In the cell viability assay, CLEO and LIM (3, 10, 30, and 90 μg/mL) had low cytotoxicity. In zymosan-induced peritonitis, LIM (500 mg/kg) decreased the infiltration of peritoneal exudate leukocytes and decreased the number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.In vitrochemotaxis revealed that CLEO and LIM (1, 3, and 10 µg/mL) promoted a significant reduction of neutrophil migration toward fMLP and LTB4. LIM (500 mg/kg) also reduced TNF-αlevels but did not alter IL-10 levels in the peritoneal exudate. In conclusion, this study showed that LIM isolated from CLEO had potential anti-inflammatory effects, likely by inhibiting proinflammatory mediators present in inflammatory exudate and leukocyte chemotaxis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 809-817
Author(s):  
Reyaz H. Mir ◽  
Mubashir H. Masoodi

Background: Polyphenolics, a group of natural substances with a wide distribution in the plant kingdom present a great diversity of biological activities such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, modulation of enzyme activity, prevention of CHD, etc. The objective of this review was to describe the relevant aspects of polyphenolics, reporting the different known groups, the probable mechanisms by which they act as anti-inflammatory agents. An attempt was also made to enumerate the possible leads e.g. curcumin, resveratrol, baicalein for further development. Methods: For peer-reviewed research literature we undertook a structured search of bibliographic databases using a focused review question. The quality of retrieved papers was appraised using standard tools. The systemic review consists of research using scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Research: Compounds like Quercetin, luteolin, apigenin, fisetin, wogonin, and baicalein showed antiinflammatory activity in-vitro through different cellular mechanisms and these were also reported to possess significant anti-inflammatory activity in animal models of inflammation. Conclusion: It is evident that polyphenolic compounds such as flavonoids, lignans, phloroglucinols, stilbenes, diarylheptanoids, quinones, and phenylpropanoids exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in-vivo as well as in-vitro. Although, these active compounds are not drugs per se, however, they deserve further investigation as potential candidates for anti-inflammatory drug development through preclinical and clinical studies.


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