Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology
Volume:8 Issue: 4, Oct 2019

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are currently the main treatments for cancer but their toxicities on the surrounding normal cells limit their use in cancer therapy. Moreover, many cancers have developed some resistance to the available anticancer chemicals and put in failure the chemotherapy currently used in the cancer treatment. This failure of the targeted monotherapy resulting from bypass mechanisms has obligated researchers to use agents that interfere with multiple cell-signaling pathways. Recently, researches focused on the use of natural products which can target cancer promoting factors genes expression. Of these natural products, honey has been extensively studied. The pharmacological properties of honey include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, estrogenic and anti-cancer effects. The honey bee’s products are potent sources of nutritional components including sugar, amino-acids, water and minerals. Furthermore honey contains chemopreventive compounds such as flavonoids, phenol acids, tannins, vitamins that may interfere with multiple cell’s pathways and hereby reduce the incidence of many types of cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms of honey bee’s products in cancer prevention and treatment are less known. This review highlights the molecular mechanism of honey bioactive compounds in cancer prevention and treatment.

This review aims at studying the phytochemistry and biological activities of some selected Apocynaceae plants. Eleven members of this family were reviewed for their phytochemistry and biological activities. Interestingly, the commonly isolated compounds reported from Mondia whitei (Hook.f.) Skeels, Secondatia floribunda A. DC, Carissa carandas, Tabernaemontana divaricate, Nerium oleander, Wrightia tinctoria, Tabernaemontana divaricate, Alstonia scholaris, Carrisa spinarum Linn, Thevetia peruviana and Caralluma lasiantha were triterpenoids, flavonoids, phytosterols, cardiac glycosides and lignans. All of them exhibited remarkable biological activities, mostly similar to each other. This review provides a detailed insight into the pharmacological activities of these selected members of this family.

Citrus aurantifolia (Christm) is a plant used for the treatment of various ailments including malaria. This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo antiplasmodial efficacy of methanol leaf extract of C. aurantifolia in Swiss albino mice.

The median lethal dose (LD50) was determined by intraperitoneal administration of different doses of the extract (100–4000 mg/kg) to 6 groups of 3 mice each and the animals were observed for 24 hours for physical signs of toxicity. To evaluate the antiplasmodial activity of the extract, three models were used: suppressive, curative and repository. Doses of the extract used were 320, 640 and 960 mg/kg/d in mice, with Chloroquine (5 mg/kg/d) as standard drug. Pyrimethamine (1.2 mg/kg/d) was used as the standard drug for the repository test and distilled water (10 mL/kg/d) as control in all models.

In all models, the low dose (320 mg/kg) of the extract produced the highest chemosuppressive effects in all models (P < 0.001). Mice treated with extract lived longer than those in the control group (P < 0.001). Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and cardiac glycosides and the LD50 of 3280 mg/kg ± 0.01 shows that the extract has low toxicity.

The result of this study shows that C. aurantifolia has antiplasmodial properties which support its use in ethnomedicine in the treatment of malaria.

Dracocephalum kotschyi is a native Iranian plant with antispasmodic activities on smooth muscles such as ileum and uterus. However, so far antispasmodic effect of D. kotschyi on tracheal smooth muscle has not been reported. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate antispasmodic activity of D. kotschyi extract and two of its components luteolin and apigenin on rabbit tracheal contraction in vitro.

Rabbits were euthanized by carbon dioxide and the trachea was dissected and immersed in a Tyrode’s solution. Tracheal rings were prepared and mounted vertically in an organ bath at 37°C and gassed continuously with O2. The tracheal ring preparations were contracted with acetylcholine (ACh) and KCl. The isotonic tension was recorded before and after addition of aminophylline, apigenin, luteolin or flavonoids rich extract of D. kotschyi. Flavonoids rich extract were prepared from D. kotschyi using solvent-solvent fractionation technique.

Standard drug aminophylline, prevented tracheal ring preparation contracted with ACh. Cumulative addition of aminophylline also attenuated tonic contraction induced by KCl on tracheal smooth muscle. D. kotschyi extract at concentration ranges of 32-512 µg/mL in a concentration dependent manner inhibited KCl and ACh induced tracheal contraction. Apigenin and luteolin (range 16–512 µg/mL) relaxed KCl and ACh-induced contraction of tracheal smooth muscle in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner.

This study demonstrated that D. kotschyi extract is a relaxant of tracheal smooth muscle. The relaxant effect of D. kotschyi extract could be due to its flavonoids component such as apigenin and luteolin.

Protection of brain against accelerated aging helps avoiding the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases. So, the current work was conducted to evaluate the rescuing role of kumquat fruits crude ethanol extract, carrot seeds ethanol and petroleum ether extracts against the brain aging induced by D-galactose in rats.

Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided equally into five groups. Group I was served as normal control, rats of group II were daily injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 150 mg/kg BW of D-galactose. Rats of group III, IV and V were daily injected i.p. with the same dose of D-galactose and administered orally with 250 mg/kg BW/day of kumquat fruits crude ethanol extract, carrot seeds ethanol extract and carrot seeds petroleum ether extract, respectively. After 6 weeks the rats were scarified, brain tissues were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) as well as histological examination. Also, the plasma was analyzed for MDA, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), creatinine and urea levels, as well as CAT, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) activities.

From the results, it was elucidated that the tested extracts suppressed both the reduction in CAT and the elevation in MDA either in brain or plasma and the increase in plasma TNF-α, BChE as well as liver and kidney parameters.

The tested extracts can be served as potent protective agents against the accelerated aging parameters which may be due to anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. A

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that has no definite cure. Currently, there is great interest in using plant-based medicines to treat AD. In the present study, the neuroprotective effects of Astragalus kahiricus root extract were evaluated in a retrograde amnesia model.

Male albino mice were given four training sessions in the Morris water maze for seven consecutive days. Treated groups were administered A. kahiricus (25 or 50 mg/kg, i.p.) before ethanol (3.5 gm/kg, i.p) injection. All animals were given a test session in the Morris water maze apparatus. Acetylcholinesterase activity and the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers were also measured.

Memory impairment was observed, after ethanol administration, as increased escape latency time and path length travelled by the animals. On the other hand, A. kahiricus significantly reduced both escape latency time and path length. In addition, the extract demonstrated an inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase activity and total nitrite level. Moreover, A. kahiricus significantly increased the level of reduced glutathione in mice brain.

This study demonstrated the potential behavioural and biochemical neuroprotective properties of A. kahiricus root extract, which might further be considered an important candidate for the treatment of AD.

Protection of liver from the aggressive force of various environmental and chemical agents is very important for the overall health of an individual. So, the present study aimed to evaluate the protection efficiency of crude extracts of red radish seeds and roots against paracetamol mediated hepatotoxicity in rats.

Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Group I was served as normal rats, Group II received orally single dose of 2 g paracetamol/kg body weight on the 22nd day, Group III and Group IV were administered orally with 300 mg/kg/d crude ethanol extract of either seeds or roots of red radish for 21 days, then received paracetamol on 22nd day. After 48 hours of paracetamol administration blood was withdrawn to determine the activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Gama-GT (γ-GT) as well as total and direct bilirubin. Also, liver tissues were separated to determine malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) as well as histological changes.

Pretreatment of rats with crude ethanol extract of either seeds or roots of red radish significantly (P ≤ 0.05) suppressed the elevations in serum activities of ALT, AST, ALP, γ- GT, total and direct bilirubin as well as liver MDA and NO levels. The results of histopathologic examinations were consistent with the biochemical results.

Seeds and roots of red radish have a protection efficiency against paracetamol mediated oxidative damage and hepatotoxicity in rats.

Up-regulation of phospholipase D (PLD) is functionally related to tumorigenesis and oncogenic signals. Chrysin, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) are three safe compounds which have been shown to possess antiproliferative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic properties. In this study, the effects of these three compounds on PLD1 gene expression were examined in AGS cell line.

After determining the appropriate concentrations of EEP, CAPE, and chrysin, AGS cells were cultured in mediums with proper ratios of the compounds. AGS cells were maintained in exponential growth and the culture mediums refreshed every other day. Finally, after extracting total RNA from AGS cells, real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the mRNA expression of PLD1 in the presence of each compound.

CAPE decreased the mRNA level of PLD1 gene in a dose-dependent manner. A solution with 30 µM concentration of CAPE was the effective dose in comparison to control group as well as 15 and 20 µM concentrations of the compound, whereas no changes were observed in the presence of EEP and chrysin.

Taken together, the results of the study indicated that CAPE might exert its antineoplastic effect by targeting PLD1 expression in AGS cell line.

Vicia ervilia, known as bitter vetch is an ancient grain legume crop from Poaceae family. Due to its low cost and production capability in Iran and having high protein content, the resulted flour and its protein products can be evaluated in terms of usability in the food industry. This study was aimed to evaluate the production efficiency, purity and chemical compounds of the V. ervilia protein isolates produced by different methods of alkali and acid extraction–sedimentation at isoelectric point, dialysis –salt extraction and miscella sedimentation

In this study, V. ervilia was provided from the Agricultural Jihad Organization of Lorestan province and the protein isolates of V. ervilia were produced using different methods of protein extraction such as Acidic extraction-sedimentation at isoelectric point, Alkaline extraction-sedimentation at the isoelectric point, dialysis-salt extraction and extraction by miscella sedimentation.

The results showed that saline extraction methods (salt-dialysis and miscella) were significantly more effective than the isoelectric sedimentation methods (alkaline and acidic) on increasing the efficiency, purity and protein content of isolates and decreasing the impurities and carbohydrates.

The results of this research show that the salt extraction methods (salt-dialysis and miscella) are significantly more effective in increasing the efficiency, purity and protein rate of isolates and in decreasing impurities and carbohydrates than the isoelectric sedimentation methods (alkaline and acidic).

Nicotine is the most important alkaloid compound in tobacco and is a major risk factor in the development of functional disorder of several organ systems. Some plants produce Curcumin, which has antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of curcumin against nicotine injury on the hippocampus CA1 region of rats.

In this study, 48 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to eight groups: Normal control (saline) group, Nicotine control group (0.5 mg/kg); Curcumin groups (10, 30, and 60 mg/kg) and Nicotine + Curcumin groups (10, 30, and 60 mg/kg). Treatments were administered intraperitoneally daily for 28 days. Golgi staining technique investigated the number of dendritic spines. Cresyl violet staining method was used to determine the number of neurons in hippocampal region CA1. Griess technique was assessed to determine serum nitrite oxide level. Also, the Ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) method was applied to determine the total antioxidant capacity.

Nicotine administration significantly increased nitrite oxide level and decreased total antioxidant capacity as well as the number of neuronal dendritic spines and neurons compared to the normal control group (P < 0.01). In all Curcumin and Nicotine + Curcumin groups, the number of neurons, neuronal dendritic spines, and total antioxidant capacity increased significantly compared to the nicotine control group, while nitrite oxide level decreased significantly compared to the nicotine control group (P < 0.01).

Curcumin administration can improve hippocampal CA1 region injury induced by nicotine.

Combretum molle R.B/G.Don (Combretaceae) is distributed especially in tropical Africa and used in treatment various diseases including diabetes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract from C. molle boughs (CMAE) on hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in insulin resistant rats.

Animals were divided into 5 groups and treated for 30 days. Control group received distilled water, sucrose group received 30% sucrose, standard group received 30% sucrose plus metformin (40 mg/kg), and others groups received 30% sucrose plus CMAE (250 and 500 mg/kg). Body weight, food and water intake were evaluated each 10 days for 30 days. Glucose tolerance test was performed on the 30th day of the experiment. Later on, animals were sacrificed and blood was collected for the determination of the concentration of glucose, lipids and insulin.

The body weight and food intake of the rats receiving 500 mg/kg of extract decreased significantly on the 30th day of the experiment. CMAE caused a significant reduction of insulin, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared to the sucrose lot. However, the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) showed a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. CMAE induced a significant decrease in postprandial glycaemia.

CMAE improved postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in insulin resistant rats. Consequently, CMAE may be able to delay onset of insulin resistance, and reduce the risks and complications of type 2 diabetes.

The apoptotic effects of single-compound and combined sub-effective concentrations of δ-tocotrienol and jerantinine A on human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells were investigated.

Assays including cell viability, histochemical and immunofluorescence staining techniques, flow cytometry and enzyme activity were used.

The combination of δ-tocotrienol with jerantinine A at sub-effective concentrations induced a synergistic effect and improved selective toxicity towards cancerous A549 cells over normal lung fibroblast (MRC5) cells compared to the single-compound jerantinine. Morphological features of apoptosis were evident on treated A549 cells. Combined subeffective concentrations of δ-tocotrienol with jerantinine A induced a predominantly G2/M cell cycle arrest and characterised by a disruption of microtubular networks mediated via caspase 8, 9 and 3 enzymatic activities.

These findings demonstrated improved potency in vitro and reduced doserelated toxicity of jerantinine A to normal cells through prospective combined treatment between low-concentration δ-tocotrienol and jerantinine A for lung cancer. A