Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology
Volume:10 Issue: 4, Oct 2021

Vasodilators are drugs that induce or start the widening of blood vessels and are commonly applied to treat disorders with irregularly high blood pressure, including hypertension, congestive heart failure, and angina. The present study aims to systematically review the studies on the vasodilation effects of medicinal herbs. The study was done according to the 06- Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and registered in the CAMARADES-NC3Rs Preclinical Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Facility (SyRF) database. Various English databases, such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Google Scholar, were used to find publications about the vasodilation effects of medicinal herbs with no date limitation. The searched terms and keywords were: “medicinal herbs”, “medicinal plants”, “vasodilator”, “vasorelaxant”, “hypertension”, “high blood pressure”, “vasodilation”, “extract”, “essential oil”. Out of 1820 papers (up to 2020), 31 papers meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed. The most important medicinal plants with vasodilation/vasorelaxant activity belonged to the family Asteraceae (19.4%) followed by Zingiberaceae (9.7%). Aerial parts (30.5%), leaves (30.5%), followed by roots (11.1%) were the most common parts used in the studies. Ethanolic (33.3%), aqueous (22.2%), methanolic (19.4%), and hydroalcoholic (8.3%) methods were the most frequently used extracting methods. Herbal essential oils (13.9%) have also been commonly used. The results of the current review study revealed that the plant vasodilatory agents were might be used as an alternative and complementary source to treat hypertension as they had lower important toxicity. Nevertheless, more investigations, particularly clinical trials, are needed to clear this suggestion.

The Sahastara (SHT) remedy is an herbal medicine that can be used as an alternative treatment for improving pain symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the SHT remedy for pain relief. PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, TCI, and ThaiLis were systematically searched for relevant articles from inception to April 2021. We only included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in which the efficacy and safety of the SHT remedy were compared with those of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were independently performed by two reviewers. The clinical therapeutic outcomes were the pain score, WOMAC score, Oswestry Disability Index score, 100 meters walk result, global assessment, and adverse events of the SHT remedy. The outcomes were assessed and pooled using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test. Four studies with 213 participants were included in the analysis. The efficacy of the SHT remedy was not different from that of NSAIDs in terms of the pain score (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.31; 95% CI = -1.26, 0.65; I2 = 91%), WOMAC score (SMD = 0.05; 95% CI = -0.30, 0.41; I2 = 0.0%), Oswestry Disability Index score (SMD = -0.41, 95% CI = -1.18, 0.35), 100 meters walk result (SMD = 0.31; 95% CI = -0.25, 0.87; I2 = 0.0%), and global assessment (relative risk = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.62, 1.16; I2 = 0.0%). Moreover, there were no statistically significant differences between the SHT remedy and NSAID treatment groups in terms of adverse events or liver function. This meta-analysis demonstrated that the SHT remedy is not different from NSAIDs in terms of clinical therapeutic efficacy and adverse events. However, larger and well-designed studies are needed to confirm this conclusion.

Siphonochilus aethiopicus is a medicinal plant widely used in the treatment of many inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of methanolic extract of S. aethiopicus rhizomes.

The total phenolic compounds, flavonoid, and tannin content, as well as the in vitro antioxidant activity of the extract, were estimated. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity was then evaluated in male mice aged 3 to 4 months using the arthritic mouse model induced by carrageenan (0.05 ml; 1%) and monosodium urate (MSU) crystals (26.6 mg/mL). Mice were treated with the methanolic extract of S. aethiopicus (75, 150, 300 mg/kg) and the reference drugs: indomethacin (3 mg/kg) and colchicine (1 mg/kg). The serum, splenic, and hepatic lysosomal enzymes were determined, and oxidative stress biomarkers were estimated. Paws were sectioned for histological analysis.

Results showed that S. aethiopicus extract had non-negligible concentrations of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, which could confer it an antioxidant effect. Further, the methanolic extract of S. aethiopicus at different doses significantly (P<0.05) reduced paw swelling, attenuated joint inflammation, limited the release of lysosomal enzymes, and improved antioxidant enzymes.

The methanolic extract of S. aethiopicus has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and can be used to treat acute forms of gouty arthritis.

Salacia lehmbachii is used traditionally for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the hypoglycaemic potentials of ethanol leaf extract of S. lehmbachii and its effects on alloxan-induced diabetic rats’ haematological parameters.

A total of 36 male Wistar rats including normal, diabetic untreated and diabetic treated ones were used in this study. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg of alloxan. When confirmed diabetes, the rats were orally administered 100 mg/ kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg daily of the leaf extract for 21 days. The blood glucose levels and haematological parameters were determined in diabetic treated rats compared with the controls.

The ethanol leaf extract of S. lehmbachii significantly reduced the blood glucose levels of alloxan induced diabetic rats when compared with the diabetic control (P<0.01). The extract also significantly (P<0.01) improved the haematological parameters of treated rats at three doses employed.

It can be concluded that the ethanol leaf extract of S. lehmbachii possesses antihyperglycaemic properties and could be considered a potential candidate for the development of new drugs in the treatment of anaemic conditions.

Episiotomy is an incision in the perineal area during the second stage of labor to facilitate delivery. Complications of perineal injuries are one of the most important health issues. Oak pair has long been used experimentally to heal wounds and reduce pain. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of oak pair (Quercus infectoria) cream on pain due to episiotomy in nulliparous women.

This double-blind clinical trial experimental study was performed on 120 nulliparous women in Asali hospital in 2018. Individuals were randomly divided into oak pair cream, placebo, and normal saline groups. Data were collected by demographic and midwifery information questionnaires and numerical pain scales. The creams were used by the participants every 12 hours for 10 days, and the pain intensity was evaluated before the intervention and on days 1, 5, and 10. Data analysis was performed by SPSS using chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests.

There was no statistically significant difference in pain intensity scores among the three groups of oak pair, placebo, and normal saline before the intervention (P=0.20). Pain intensity on days 1, 5, and 10 after the intervention showed a significant difference between the three groups in favor of oak cream (P<0.001). The results showed that there was a significant decrease in the mean pain intensity score of the oak pair receiving group over time (P<0.001).

Oak cream might be effective in reducing pain caused by episiotomy due to analgesic properties.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been recognized as the seventh leading cause of global mortality; however, researchers seek alternative means to manage the menace. The current study sought to investigate antioxidant potentials, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera flower in vitro.

Antioxidant properties of the extract were appraised by assessing its inhibition against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl (OH• ) and hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) free radicals, as well as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), the antidiabetic activity was evaluated by α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition.

In this study, ethanolic extract of M. oleifera flower demonstrated a significant (P<0.05) inhibition against DPPH free radical (43.57–83.56%) in a concentration-dependent manner, while FRAP (101.76±1.63 mg/100 g), OH• scavenging ability (71.62±0.95 mg/100 g), and H2 O2 free radical scavenging capacity (15.33±1.20 mg/100 g) were also observed. In the same manner, ethanolic extract of M. oleifera flower revealed a significant (P<0.05) inhibition against α-amylase (IC50= 37.63 mg/mL) and α-glucosidase activities (IC50= 38.30 mg/mL) in the presence of their respective substrates in a concentration-dependent manner in comparison with acarbose.

Ethanoic extract of M. oleifera flower could be useful as an alternative phytotherapy in the management of DM, having shown a strong antioxidative capacity and substantial inhibition against the activities of key enzymes involved in carbohydrate hydrolysis in vitro.

Gynura procumbens (Lorr.) Merr. (GP) displays cardio-protective effect, which may hinder atherogenesis induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and leukocytes. The current study was undertaken to elucidate the chemical constituents of GP ethanol extract and its aqueous, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and hexane fractions, and their effects on CD4+ T cell differentiation during atherogenesis.

Initially, the bioactive constituents in GP ethanol extract and its fractions were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Generated mouse bone marrow dendritic cells (BMDC) were loaded with oxLDL and GP ethanol extract and its fractions for 24 hours and co-cultured with mouse CD4+ T cells for 72 hours. For the determination of T-bet, GATA-3, RORγt, Foxp3, DLL-3, and Jagged-1 mRNA gene expression, the floating cells (CD4+ T cells) and adherence cells (BMDC) were isolated from their total RNAs and reverse transcribed into cDNA.

GC-MS analysis showed that GP ethanol extract and its fractions contained various volatile compounds. GP ethanol extract and its fractions also increased the DLL-3 gene but suppressed Jagged-1 gene expression in oxLDL-treated BMDC. Furthermore, GP ethanol extract and its fractions suppressed T-bet, GATA-3, and RORγt gene expression but increased the expression of the Foxp3 gene in differentiated CD4 + T cells.

GP ethanol extract and its fractions are composed of various bioactive chemical components that can induce anti-atherogenic effects by inhibiting pro-atherogenic cells such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells while increasing anti-atherogenic cells, Treg cells.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative problem that is increased progressively due to the increment of aging worldwide. Phytochemicals play an important role in the protection from neurodegeneration. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of two dietary supplements (DS) rich in betalains, anthocyanins, and omega-3 fatty acids against AD.

Two dietary supplements (DS I and DS II) were prepared; the first one was a mixture of anthocyanin-rich extract of purple carrot and flaxseed oil (DS I), while the second was a mixture of betalains-rich extract of beetroot and flaxseed oil (DS II). The protective effects of both DS were evaluated in an AD model. AD was induced in mice by intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (3 mg/kg). Biochemical changes in brain tissue and plasma were determined. Behavioural of mice was evaluated through Y–maze test, Morris water maze, and novel object recognition test. Changes in brain tissues were assessed through histopathological examination. In vitro antioxidant activities of DS I and DS II were evaluated. Also, the contents of total phenolics, anthocyanins, betalains, and fatty acids profile were assessed.

Both DS investigated in the present study showed significant improvement (P<0.05) in acetylcholinesterase, antioxidant enzymes, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and malondialdehyde (MDA)in brain tissue and butyrylcholinesterase in plasma in association with amelioration in the behavioural tests and histopathological changes of the brain tissue.

Both DS showed protective effects against STZ induced AD in mice due to the presence of anthocyanins, betalains, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Garlic has many pharmacological properties such as antibacterial, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant activities. This study aimed to investigate the possible mechanisms of the hepatoprotective effect of white garlic extract (WGE) and black garlic extract (BGE) against preneoplastic lesions induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in rats.

Forty-two rats were randomly distributed into six equal groups. Oral administration of WGE and BGE began 3 weeks before injection of NDEA. Group 1 was kept as negative control, while the other groups were injected by a single intraperitoneal dose of NDEA in the 3rd week, followed by 2 subcutaneous injections/week of CCl4 till six weeks to induce preneoplastic lesions. Group 2 kept positive control and groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 were given WGE and BGE each of them at 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively, for six weeks from the beginning. Serum liver enzymes, total protein, albumin (Alb), total bilirubin (TBil), and antioxidant enzymes were measured. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), tumor biomarkers, along with the content of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in liver DNA were estimated and liver histopathology was performed.

WGE and BGE significantly decreased the serum liver enzymes, TBil, tumor biomarkers, lipid peroxidation but increased total protein levels. The extracts significantly increased antioxidant enzymes, decreased 8-OHdG content in liver DNA, and alleviated histopathological lesions in the liver.

The results affirm the hepatoprotective effect of WGE and BGE against NDEAinduced preneoplastic lesions in rats. This effect may be due to inhibition of lipid peroxidation, reduction of tumor biomarkers, enhancement of antioxidant enzymes, or reduction of 8-OHdG content in liver DNA.

Hymenosporum flavum (Hook.) F. Muell. is the sole species within the genus Hymenosporum known for its antimicrobial activity. The current study aims to examine the prospective activity of H. flavum as a safe supporter of sorafenib (as a reference standard) against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Isolation and identification of compounds were made by chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. A fingerprint for the plant extract was done using HPLC-MS/MS spectrometric analysis. The total plant extract was examined in vitro for HCC activity. The isolated flavonoids were examined for their cytotoxic activities using molecular docking studies against both RAF-1 and ERK-2, and the promising compounds were further examined in vitro using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Two new flavonols were isolated from the leaf extract of H. flavum (Hook.) F. Muell., quercetin-3-O-(glucopyranosyl 1→2 ribopyranoside) (1) and kaempferol-3-O-(glucopyranosyl 1→2 ribopyranoside) (2), accompanying other six known flavonoids (3-8), and identified via spectroscopic analysis. Moreover, HPLC- PDA/MS/MS spectrometric analysis revealed the presence of seventy phenolic metabolites. The cytotoxic activity of the plant extract confirmed its potential action on HepG2 cells indicated by the production level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) upon treatment compared with the normal cells. The isolated flavonoids were examined for their cytotoxic activity using molecular docking studies against both RAF-1 and ERK-2 as proposed mechanisms of their anticancer activities. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 3, which showed the best in silico results, were further examined in vitro using qRT-PCR. They exhibited promising inhibitory activities against both RAF-1 and ERK-2 gene expression. Moreover, they showed promising cytotoxic activities indicated by the MTT assay. Also, both of them improved the efficiency of sorafenib in targeting both RAF-1 and ERK-2 pathways suggesting synergistic combinations.

Our findings showed the potential cytotoxic activity of H. flavum extract on HepG2 cells. Some isolated compounds (1 & 3) exhibited promising inhibitory activities against both RAF-1 and ERK-2 gene expression giving a lead future study for these compounds to be used in pharmaceutical preparations either alone or in combination with sorafenib.

Coconut shell liquid smoke (CS-LS) from Cocos nucifera L. has been traditionally used by Indonesians as a natural preservative. Besides that, liquid smoke is also used as a medicine to treat various types of wounds. During the storage, liquid smoke resulting from pyrolysis is still questionable in relation to the oxidation process and changes in its properties and potentials. We observed the physical characteristics, components, toxicity, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive properties, and effect in oral ulcer healing of CS-LS.

Acidity was analyzed using a digital pH meter, density test was analyzed using a pycnometer, and the components were determined using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Eight concentrations of CS-LS (1%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, and 14%) were tested on baby hamster kidney (BHK21) for the extract toxicity, carrageenaninduced rat paw edema for its anti-inflammatory properties, hot-plate test for its antinociceptive, and traumatized labial fornix incisive inferior for its oral ulcer healing.

The acidity of CS-LS was 2.296 and the density was 1.0102 g/mL. The major components analyzed were phenol (32.75%), 2-methoxy-phenol (17.45%), and furfural (13.09%). The CS-LS 100% and CS-LS 8% were the optimum concentrations for maintaining the BHK21 and increasing the number of fibroblasts in oral ulcer healing. The CS-LS 100% showed potent anti-nociceptive ability compared to other concentrations (P=0.001), but not for the anti-inflammation properties.

CS-LS is a promising natural herb for oral medicine, especially oral ulcer medicine.

The pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is multifactorial in which oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction are the leading factors. Currently, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents of natural sources as neuroprotectants have raised much attention. The current study aimed to explore the neuroprotective effect of methanolic extract of Sargassum wightii in male Wistar albino rats against rotenone-induced PD.

The rats were administered with rotenone (10 mg/kg orally) daily for 28 days to induce PD. S. wightii (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) and levodopa+carbidopa combination (10 mg/kg) were administered to different groups of rats one hour prior to rotenone for 28 days. Behavioral parameters (akinesia, tremor, motor coordination, and locomotor activities) and body weight were recorded on days 14th and 28th of drug treatment. On the 28th day, the animals were sacrificed for the neurobiochemical analyses of brain tissue.

Rotenone treatment caused a significant reduction in behavioural parameters (P<0.001), neurochemical deficits (P<0.001), and elevation of oxidative stress markers (P<0.001) in the brain. Pre-treatment with S. wightii at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg doses significantly attenuated the rotenone-induced behavioral alterations and restored the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase activity and dopamine level in the striatum (P<0.001). Moreover, 400 mg/kg of S. wightii restored the rotenone-induced increased oxidative stress markers like malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the striatum (P<0.01).

S. wightii has provided neuroprotective effect, probably by virtue of its antioxidant and dopamine restoring potential. Hence, it may offer a promising and new therapeutic lead for the treatment of PD but needs further research.

Recently, the recovery of waste products from plants as a source of biologically active compounds has increased interest. Therefore, the current research aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial activities of the fixed oil of Cucumis melo L seeds, as well as to investigate its physicochemical parameters and chemical composition.

Anti-inflammatory activity was examined using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay. The antimicrobial activity was assayed against Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans by well diffusion method. The chemical composition of the oil was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), α-tocopherol was estimated by highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Cucumis melo oil had no toxicity and possessed a promising anti-inflammatory activity. Moreover, the oil exhibited a reasonable decrease in the pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and a significant increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10). The oil exhibited a reasonable antimicrobial activity against all tested organisms. The major identified compound in the unsaponifiable matter was (1-methyldodecyl) benzene (8.76%), while the major fatty acid was methyl linoleate (14.10%). The results of physicochemical characterization revealed the better quality of Cucumis melo oil. The amount of α-tocopherol in the oil was 23.5 µg/mL, which is considered a reasonable amount.

These findings indicate that the fixed oil of Cucumis melo L seeds might be used as a safe natural anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial agent.

The genus Delphinium is one of the essential members of the family Ranunculaceae. These species grow wild in North America, Europe, and Asia. They have demonstrated antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities. Diterpenoid alkaloids are their main constituents and seem to be responsible for medicinal and toxic properties. The primary purpose of this paper is to review the therapeutic benefits of Delphinium species, chemical composition, and its medicinal uses, in addition to the reported toxic effects of these plants influencing different animals and humans.

Commiphora caudata contains various essential phytoconstituents and is a potential medicinal plant used traditionally to treat various ailments such as neurodegenerative diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Commiphora caudata against the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced behavioral changes in rats.

The in-vitro antioxidant potential was evaluated by 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay methods. For in-vivo studies, the animals were pre-treated with ethanolic leaf extract of Commiphora caudata (EECC) at 200 and 400 mg/kg of b.w for 30 days, and neurotoxicity was induced with a single intraperitoneal injection of LPS 1 mg/kg, b.w on day 31. The neurotoxicity was evaluated with a chain of behavioral tests such as Morris water maze test, radial arm maze, and choice reaction time (CRT) tests. At the end of the study, rats were sacrificed, the brain hippocampal region was removed, and the levels of acetylcholinesterase, nitric oxide, and protein were measured.

The IC50 value in the DPPH method was 71.58±15.62 µg, and the total antioxidant activity of EECC was found to be 742.33±14.57 µmol Fe (II)/g extract. In behavioral tests, animals treated with EECC at 200 and 400 mg/kg showed a neuroprotective effect in Morris water maze test, an 8-arm radial maze test, and in CRT test. Both doses reduced acetylcholinesterase, nitric oxide, and protein levels (P<0.001), respectively.

The present study results showed the promising neuroprotective effects of ethanolic extract of leaves of Commiphora caudata and its action against the LPS-induced cognitive impairment in rats.