Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products
Volume:16 Issue: 4, Nov 2021

Soft corals of the genus Sinularia are well recognized as a rich source of steroidal compounds. These constituents have been reported as possessing antitumor, antimicrobial, and antiviral activities.

This study was designed to isolate and elucidate antibacterial and cytotoxic compounds from the soft coral Sinularia polydactila.

Structure elucidation of steroids was determined based on spectroscopic data through 1D and 2D NMR analyses and mass spectrometry, with the results compared to data in the literature. Antibacterial activity was determined using four human bacterial pathogens, namely B. subtilis (ATCC 6633), P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), S. aureus (ATCC 25923), and E. coli (ATCC 25922). Cytotoxic activity was evaluated using the human colon cancer cell HCT 116 and brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA).

Two steroids (Compounds 1 - 2) were isolated from the Indonesian soft coral Sinularia polydactila. (22R,23R,24R)-22,23-methylene-24-methylcholest-6-en-5α,8α-epidioxy-3β-ol (1) and 5α,8α-Epidioxy-24(R)-methylcholesta-6,22-dien-3α-ol (2) showed moderate activity against colon carcinoma cancer HCT 116 at the concentrations of 24.8 and 27.3 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 2 showed cytotoxic activity using the brine shrimp lethality assay with the concentrations of 57.1 and 121.3 3 μg/mL, respectively. Compound 2 showed moderate activity against S. aureus and B. subtilis at the 250 μg/mL concentration.

Two steroids isolated from soft coral Sinularia polydactila were found to possess moderate cytotoxic and antibacterial activities.

Ultraviolet exposure is an extrinsic factor to initiate melanogenesis, the process of melanin formation in the skin. Nowadays, natural ingredients tend to be more prevalent in cosmetic formulations due to consumers’ concern about synthetic ingredients and the risks they may represent for human health. Rice bran, the outer layer of a rice grain, can be utilized as a skin-lightening agent.

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a lotion containing black rice bran (Oryza sativa L. indica) ethanolic extract as a skin lightening agent.

The black rice bran ethanolic extract was formulated into oil in water (o/w) lotion. In this study, 34 women applied the lotion at one side of the forearm and base placebo lotion as control at the other side of forearm. The results were tested with a paired t-test by GraphPad Prism 8.3.0 software.

There was a significant decrease in the melanin index and erythema index in the forearm with a lotion containing black rice bran extract (P-value < 0.0001).

The lotion containing 10% black rice bran extract was effective as a skin lightener because it effectively reduced skin melanin production when applied topically.

Adherence to medications is crucial for them to be effective. Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) is an ancient medical discipline originated from old Persia and is currently used along with modern medicine in Iran. Evaluating the factors affecting adherence to TPM can have far-reaching implications for policymakers to make informed decisions.

This qualitative study investigates the factors affecting tendency and adherence to TPM among Iranians.

We collected data from stakeholders in TPM using a focus group involving 13 participants and by conducting four in-depth interviews. The saturation point was reached at the 4th interview. We recorded all the interviews and then transcribed them verbatim for thematic content analysis.

We obtained 297 codes and 29 sub-themes for the factors affecting adherence to TPM, including the factors affecting compliance and tendency. Then we extracted the main themes. People’s beliefs, the inherent characteristics of traditional medicine and its status quo, attempts to bring about positive changes to TPM, and the problems facing the modern health system were the main factors affecting adherence to TPM.

Despite many strenuous efforts in Iran to study TPM along with the lines of evidence-based medicine, policymaking, financing, patients’ and healthcare providers’ education, popular beliefs, and administrative transparency are needed to be addressed more adequately to promote adherence to TPM and help build integrative medicine in Iran’s healthcare system.

In the past decade, metabolites of marine microorganisms have been increasingly used for their various biological activities. An intense effort has been dedicated to assessing the therapeutic efficacy of the marine natural products and metabolites obtained from marine bacteria in cancer therapy. Fast and reliable analytical bacterial genome sequencing provides specialized bioinformatic tools to identify potential gene clusters in bacteria for obtaining secondary metabolites.

This study aimed to analyze the genome sequences of marine bacteria to recognize bioactive compounds with anti-cancer properties.

Marine bacteria with the genomic sequences registered in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) genome database were used in this study. The genome was analyzed for proteins, tRNAs, and rRNAs from GenBank entries by Feature Extract 1.2L Server. The Anti-SMASH webserver was used for the analysis of unique marine bacterial metabolites of the marine bacterial genome, available from the NCBI database.

A number of marine bacterial species, including Salinispora arenicola, Salinispora tropica, Crocosphaera watsonii, and Blastopirellula marina encoded metabolites belonging to the polyketide and nonribosomal peptide (NRP) families, showing anti-cancer properties. Among the marine species described, S. tropica and S. arenicola are richer in the genes encoding polyketide and NRP with potential antitumor activities.

Marine bacteria are an excellent and exceptional source of anti-cancer compounds. In silico genome analysis of marine bacteria provided an opportunity to evaluate gene clusters for known natural products. Like this chemical engineering approaches for pharmaceutical application are useful in clinical evaluation of cancer treatment.

Chronic pain treatment until now is still challenging because of its complex pathopgysiology. Previously, red ginger oil (RGO) reduced pain behavior in a mouse model of chronic pain, but the mechanisms were unclear.

This study examined the effect of RGO on cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) using inflammatory- or neuropathy-induced chronic pain in mice.

Red ginger was distilled with composition 1:2 using water. The acute toxicity of RGO was evaluated using OECD guidelines 423. Chronic pain was induced in 48 mice by either (1) intraplantar injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) (inflammatory group) or (2) partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL) (neuropathy group). After seven days, mice were randomly divided into sham, CFA/PSNL, or RGO (at doses of 100, 200, 400, or 600 mg/kg) treatment groups. Treatments were given orally once daily until day 14. On day 15, mice were euthanized, and the brains and spinal cords were removed and fixed in 10% formalin. Hyperalgesia behavior was evaluated using hot plate test. Spinal cord morphology was analyzed via hematoxylin and eosin staining. COX-2 and NMDAR expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

RGO treatment improved spinal cord morphology after the induction of chronic pain. RGO at 600 mg/kg also reduced COX-2 expression in the spinal cord and brain, and reduced NMDAR2B in the spinal cord. However, RGO at 600 mg/kg increased NMDAR2A expression in the spinal cord.

RGO administration diminished hyperalgesia in chronic pain models through inhibition of COX-2 and NMDAR2B.

Laurelia sempervirens, better known as Chilean laurel, is endemic to Chile. For many years, the leaves and branches of this plant have been popularly used as medicinal agents. However, its antifungal properties and antibiofilm activity against bacterial strains have not been studied.

To determine antibiofilm and antimicrobial properties of Chilean laurel essential oil on human pathogenic strains.

The antifungal and antibacterial activities of Chilean laurel essential oil were evaluated through the agar diffusion method, and its minimum inhibitory concentration was determined using the standard microdilution method. Antibiofilm activity was examined based on the formation and disruption of bacterial biofilms and evidenced by the crystal violet technique.

The results showed important antimicrobial activity against human pathogenic yeast strains, and the minimum inhibitory concentration of Chilean laurel essential oil was 64 µg mL-1 against Candida albicans. The essential oil also showed an important inhibitory effect against the formation of biofilms produced by Staphylococcus aureus, since it inhibited the formation of biofilms by over 50% at the concentration of 64 µg mL-1. With increasing the essential oil’s concentration to 128 µg mL-1, its antibiofilm activity increased by 60%.

These results approve the domestic use of Chilean laurel essential oil as an antimicrobial agent and provide knowledge about the antibiofilm and antifungal properties of L. sempervirens.

The present study aimed to investigate the potential effects of the combined herbal capsule (CHC), as a nutritional supplement, on glycemic indices (GIs) and lipid profile (LP) of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Following a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the current study was conducted on 80 cases with T2DM who were randomly assigned into two groups of treatment (CHCs; n = 40) and control (placebo; n = 40). Both groups received the intervention (500 mg capsules) twice a day for three months, without changes in the previous dose of oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs. The GI and LP levels were measured before the intervention and three months later to investigate the potential efficacy of the interventions.

For those in the intervention group, the mean GI [i.e., fasting blood sugar, two hours postprandial (2hpp), and HbA1c] was significantly different after 3 months (P < 0.05). The GI- and LP-related outcomes (TG, LDL-C except for TC) were improved after 3-month of receiving the intervention compared to the control group; however, the observed improvement was no statistically significant (P > 0.05). The HDL-C level was also significantly improved in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.05).

This study demonstrated that receiving CHCs could improve GI and LP levels (TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C, except for TC), which indicates its potential to control T2DM. Moreover, no significant side effect was observed in the intervention group. It can be argued that the use of CHCs, as adjuvant therapy, in combination with conventional hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering drugs, as well as following a modified lifestyle, not only can significantly enhance glycemic control but also may prevent T2DM complications.

Stress-induced cellular senescence is a perpetual state of cell cycle arrest occurring in proliferating cells in response to stressful conditions. It is believed that oxidative stress plays a unique role in this process. As a reactive chemical compound that can induce oxidative stress, acrylamide is widely applied in several fields. Carvacrol is a liquid phenolic monoterpenoid found in essential oils of some plants and is known for its antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties.

The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of carvacrol on oxidative stress and cellular senescence induced by acrylamide in the NIH 3T3 cell line.

NIH 3T3 embryonic fibroblast cells were exposed to different concentrations of acrylamide, carvacrol, and H2O2 in a cell culture medium. The level of β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity, as a marker of cellular senescence, was measured using staining and quantitative assays. Furthermore, to measure oxidative stress parameters, the content of glutathione and lipid peroxidation were determined.

Acrylamide could induce premature senescence evident by the elevated lipid peroxidation and SA-β-gal activity and declined cell viability and glutathione. Moreover, carvacrol showed beneficial effects on both acrylamide- and H2O2-induced cellular senescence by significantly reversing or subsiding the effect of oxidative stress and mediating its consequences.

It can be concluded that carvacrol has protective effects against oxidative cellular senescence induced by acrylamide in the NIH 3T3 cell line.

Wound causes a series of cascading reactions such as cellular damage, inflammatory reactions, and infection.

The present study aimed to prepare pharmaceutical skin product from lyophilized Hirudo orientalis leech source with active enzyme and proteins, having wound healing and anti-coagulation activities.

The present study focused on the bioactive protein of Hirudo orientalis with anti-trypsin and anti-coagulation activity. First, biological active substance was prepared from lyophilized leech conducted on resultant 5% leech cream. Skin absorption of 5% leech cream was evaluated by Franz cell test, and in vivo wound healing capability of the leech cream was compared with phenytoin cream. In addition, the microbial control of final product was summed-up. Further, the quality control analysis and protein purification in final product were conducted using elution procedure on Hirudin protein-related region. Finally, the anticoagulant activity of the resultant protein was observed.

Using the result of the experiments investigating the successful effect containment function of the trypsin, we established the decreased rate of UV absorption in the area of 410 nm in question based on increases in the amount of cream. With 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg of 5% leech cream, absorbance (A) rate was: A (1.9, 1.47, 0.753 and 0.00) (P < 0.05; √2 = 21.6). In anticoagulation activity increased rate of partial thromboplastin time (PTT) (sec) (mean ± SEM), (26 ± 0.00, 34.22 ± 0.61 and 42 ± 0.71) with the 0, 100, and 200 mg final product was established. No bacterial colony growth was observed in the microbial culture analysis. In vivo results demonstrated that leech cream and phenytoin could promote wound regeneration by accelerating the re-epithelialization process and initial angiogenesis among all treatment groups.

In the wound healing, we usually seek to reduce pain and inflammation, beside epitelialization and angiogenesis. Leech saliva contains biological substances that we have proven in this study. Our expectations for wound healing will be met with this pharmaceutical product citing the result of this study. The leech product proved to be the best selection for cosmetic with the added capabilities of renovation of the hair glands and regular skin form and typical depth of outer layer of skin. Thus, the leech cream can be considered as a better substitute for the conventional wound healing products.

Curcuma heyneana (Valeton & Zijp.) or temu giring has various pharmacological activities. However, its hepatoprotective activity toward ethanol induction has never been carried out.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the C. heyneana rhizome extract toward Wistar rats induced by ethanol.

The research was initiated with the determination of curcuminoid content, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and characterization of extract using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Hepatoprotective activity was tested using the C. heyneana extract at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg with 5 g/kg ethanol as an inducer. Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), liver weight, and macroscopic and microscopic liver were used as parameters. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA).

The curcuminoid content of the extract was 1.18% (w/w). Total phenolic content of the C. heyneana extract was 400.37 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g sample, while total flavonoid content was 27.25 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g sample. Nine compounds were identified in the extract. Administration of the extract at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg kept the liver normal. It was identified macroscopically from the dark red color without any white spot and normal liver weight. Furthermore, at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg, the extract inhibited AST and ALT elevation, which was significantly different from the negative control group (P < 0.05). The extract also prevented hepatocyte injury that was seen microscopically.

It can be concluded that the C. heyneana extract at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg is effective as hepatoprotective in the liver injury induced by ethanol.

Artemisia genus and its chemical constituents show antiviral activity against different viruses. The aim of this study was to review the effects of selected Artemisia species and their components against respiratory viruses like influenza and coronavirus.

All the articles published in English or Persian related to the effects of Artemisia and its components on viral respiratory infections and relevant mechanisms of action were searched throughout Medline, Science Direct, Scopus, Ebsco, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library Database from 1966 up to April 2020.

A few numbers of Artemisia species such as A. scoparia, A. rupestris, and A. annua and their components showed efficacy against the influenza virus and coronaviruses. Furthermore, some chemical compounds isolated from Artemisia species, like rupestonic acid, showed potent anti-influenza activity. The mechanism of antiviral activity was also determined for some of these compounds.

The present study summarized the efficacy of a number of Artemisia species and their components against respiratory viruses like influenza and coronavirus. Future studies on other Artemisia species may lead to the discovery of new antiviral drugs against the influenza virus and coronaviruses.