Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology
Volume:12 Issue: 3, Jul 2023

Moringa oleifera is a considerable ethnomedical herb with various bioactive compounds. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of M. oleifera in the prevention and management of various oral conditions. A thorough search was conducted on the Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and PubMed Central databases. After screening the data on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 9 studies were considered for further meta-analysis. The analysis was performed on R programming software (version R-4.0.2) and the results were represented by a forest plot. The estimate obtained via common and random effects model for in vitro studies was statistically insignificant (I2 test P > 0.05) with risk ratios of 8.25 (95% CI: 3.76-18.08) and 7.98 (95% CI: 3.64-17.50) and for in vivo studies were statistically significant (I2 test P )0.05 < with risk ratios of 1.12 (95% CI: 0.90-1.40) and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.71-1.32), indicating the efficacy of M. oleifera in oral diseases on animal and clinical trials, whereas it failed to report the efficacy on in vitro level. Future research has to be done to come up with new and more phytoactive compounds from all parts of the plant with proper extraction procedures. The effectiveness of the compounds has to be validated first on in vitro scale followed by clinical trials so that M. oleifera can be used as therapy in preventing and managing oral ailments.

Oral lichen planus (OLP) as an inflammatory disease is autoimmune in nature and there is no definitive treatment for it. Currently, topical and systemic corticosteroids have been adopted as the gold standard in the treatment of OLP, which have significant side effects. Nowadays, the tendency towards natural medicines with antioxidant properties as an alternative treatment has increased due to their low side effects. The main purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to focus on comparing the effects of lycopene as an herbal intervention and corticosteroids on OLP in clinical trials. The search using keywords was done through provided databases from PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus until March 2023. After removing duplicate articles and screening them according to eligibility criteria, 5 articles remained and were considered for systematic review and meta-analysis. According to the meta-analysis, significant difference was not observed between the lycopene and corticosteroid groups in terms of reducing pain and improving clinical symptoms after treatment. Lycopene was tolerated well and no specific adverse effects were shown. The systematic review results showed the significant effect of lycopene in the treatment of OLP. The results of this meta-analysis can be useful because no significant side effects have been specified for lycopene. Hence, it might be used instead of steroids.

For thousands of years, Cannabis sativa has been used for its medical and recreational benefits. Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in the use of C. sativa and its non-psychoactive products/effects to treat certain diseases. This study was conducted to examine the gastrointestinal effects of a sequential ethanolic fraction of C. sativa threshing residues (EFCS).

In vivo and in vitro approaches were used to investigate the gastrointestinal properties of EFCS. Antidiarrheal, antibacterial, spasmodic, laxative, and antiulcer effects were tested respectively against castor oil induced diarrhea, disc diffusion method, isolated tissue preparations, charcoal transit time, and ethanol induced ulcer model.

EFCS induced a spasmodic effect on an isolated rabbit jejunum, which was inhibited by atropine and verapamil. Moreover, under free calcium conditions, the effect of EFCS was significantly reduced. The acute toxicity assay in female and male mice showed that EFCS was a safe product. Additionally, EFCS like loperamide presented antidiarrheal effect in mice and inhibited intestinal fluid secretions. Unlike the standard drug (loperamide), EFCS increased the motility of the intestinal transit. Furthermore, EFCS showed a protective effect against gastric ulcers induced by ethanol in mice and exhibited antimicrobial properties against Bacillus cereus strains.

The results of this study reveal that EFCS possesses anti-diarrheal, anti-bacterial, spasmodic, laxative, and anti-ulcer activities. EFCS has potential therapeutic use against gastrointestinal diseases. Also, our work values the non-psychoactive products of C. sativa.

As a traditional medicine, the aerial parts of Leonurus japonicus Houtt. (Lamiaceae), aka motherwort, have been extensively used to treat gynecological diseases. The current study was designed to investigate the longevity properties of the methanolic extract of L. japonicus (MLJ) using Caenorhabditis elegans model system.

The longevity effect of MLJ was determined by lifespan assay. Lipofuscin accumulation, thermotolerance, and body movement were measured to test the effects on the healthspan. The antioxidant capacity of MLJ was investigated by analyzing antioxidant enzyme activities, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and the survival rate against oxidative stress conditions. Pharyngeal pumping rate and body length were observed to determine the effect of MLJ on aging-related factors. Transcriptional activity of daf-16 was observed under fluorescence microscopy using a transgenic mutant carrying DAF-16::GFP transgene.

MLJ could significantly prolong the median and maximum lifespan of worms. In addition, MLJ reduced the accumulation of lipofuscin in aged worms and delayed the age-dependent decrease in locomotion and thermotolerance suggesting its beneficial role in the healthspan. Also, MLJ increased the stress resistance of worms against oxidative stress and decreased intracellular ROS generation by up-regulating the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Additional genetic studies showed that MLJ failed to prolong the lifespan of worms lacking daf-2, age-1, daf-16, and sir-2.1 genes. Moreover, in the presence of MLJ, the nuclear translocation of daf-16 was significantly increased.

Collectively, our results demonstrate that the anti-aging properties of MLJ might be attributed to sir-2.1 and insulin/IGF signaling-dependent daf-16/FOXO activation.

Formononetin (FMN) is a natural isoflavone found in many plants. This work examined the anti-Toxoplasma effects and cytotoxicity properties of FMN on Toxoplasma gondii.

Effects of FMN (2-64 μg/mL) on tachyzoites forms were measured by cell viability assay for 48 hours. The effects of different concentrations of FMN on infectivity rate, intracellular parasites, and nitric oxide (NO) in macrophage cells (J774-A1) were also evaluated.

FMN markedly (P < 0.001) reduced the viability rate of tachyzoites forms with an IC50 value of 9.85 μg/mL. FMN also declined the rate of intracellular tachyzoites whereas, FMN increased the FMN production in macrophage cells.

The results of the present in vitro study revealed the favorable anti-Toxoplasma effects of FMN against tachyzoites and intracellular forms of T. gondii. Although the accurate anti-Toxoplasma mechanisms of FMN are not clear, our results showed that triggering the NO production might be considered one of the main mechanism actions of FMN for controlling and eliminating T. gondii. However, further surveys are mandatory to assess the effects of FMN in animal models and to evaluate its accurate mechanism actions before its use in clinical phase.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a progressing polygenic disease demanding a multitargeted treatment strategy. Sargassum tenerrimum (ST) is a marine brown alga with potentially bioactive chemicals that could be used as innovative biotherapeutics for diabetes treatment. The current research examined the potential of the phlorotannin-rich fraction from S. tenerrimum (PST) to mitigate diabetes in Wistar albino rats induced with high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) administration.

Diabetic rats were given PST (200 and 400 mg/kg) or metformin (250 mg/kg) orally three weeks, and followed by the measurements of insulin, glycemic factors, biological markers of oxidative stress, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), as well as hepatic and pancreatic histopathological changes.

PST treatment significantly decreased fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, lipid profile, hepatic profile, and TNF- α levels and improved serum insulin and glucose tolerance in diabetic rats. In the skeletal muscles of diabetic rats, PST led to a significant rise in antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) reductase, and a decrease in lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, PST treatment significantly reduced pancreatic-cell damage and hepatic fatty accumulation. PST was more efficacious at 400 mg/kg exhibiting a dose-dependent effect.

PST improves glucolipid metabolism in HFD and STZ-induced diabetic rats, probably by reducing hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, and damage to pancreatic and hepatic architectures. The findings suggest that PST has a curative impact on diabetes mellitus type 2 and represents a new subject of study for the treatment of diabetes naturally.

The leaves of Pluchea indica (L.) Less is empirically used to enhance milk production. This study aimed to evaluate the lactogenic effect of ethanolic extract of P. indica leaves (EPI) on milk production, prolactin, cortisol, oxytocin levels, and histological changes of mammary tissue in lactating rats and weight gain of their pups.

Twenty-five lactating rats with six pups were randomized into five groups. The groups were control (reverse osmosis water), standard (domperidone 2.5 mg/kg BW), and EPI (250, 500, and 750 mg/kg BW). The daily treatments were administered by oral gavage, starting from the second day until day 15 of parturition. Milk production and the weight of the pups were measured daily. Serum prolactin, cortisol, and oxytocin levels in the lactating rats were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Histomorphological alterations of mammary tissues were investigated by hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA tests and P < 0.05 was considered significant.

The daily milk production in groups treated with domperidone and EPI at doses of 500 and 750 was significantly increased compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Weight gain of the pups of dams that received domperidone and EPI at doses 500 and 750 mg/kg BW was significantly higher than controls (P < 0.05). EPI 500 insignificantly increased both prolactin and oxytocin, insignificantly decreased cortisol levels, and insignificantly enhanced both numbers of alveoli and branching alveoli with milk secretion (P > 0.05).

Pluchea indica leaves revealed lactogenic activity in lactating rats.

Areca catechu L. seeds contain flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids that have antibacterial properties, can prevent skin infections, and have been used empirically for wound healing. This study aimed to determine the antibacterial activity and effectiveness of A. catechu ointment in wound healing at grade IIA burns in rats.

A. catechu seed extract was formulated into an ointment and then tested for its antibacterial activity using the agar diffusion method. Wound healing testing was conducted by dividing the rats into four groups: negative control, positive control, Formula I (F 1) ointment, and Formula II (F II) ointment. Grade IIA burns were made on the back skin of rats and treatment was performed for 14 days. The wound tissue was taken for histopathological observations.

In this study, F II ointment had better antibacterial activity than F I, as indicated by a wider diameter of inhibition against bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. The scab formed on F II was faster on day 3, the wound diameter was reduced on day 7, and there was a decrease in inflammatory cell infiltration and coagulative necrosis and an increase in neovascularization and collagen formation on the 7th day (P < 0.05) compared to the negative control and F I.

A. catechu seed extract ointment with a concentration of 5.0% (F II) had a better effect on wound healing regarding the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity than that with a concentration of 2.5% (F I).

Cognitive impairments are profound outcomes of neurodegenerative disease, a global health issue. Water lily (Nymphaea pubescens, Nymphaeaceae) extracts have been reported to counteract oxidative stress. However, their protective effects against neurodegenerative disease remain to be fully investigated. The current study aimed to determine the neuroprotective effect of water lily seed ethanolic extract on trimethyltin (TMT)-induced cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration in a mouse model.

A single dose of TMT (0.6 mg/kg BW) was intraperitoneally injected to young adult male mice followed by daily oral treatments with different doses of water lily seed extract (0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW) for 28 days. Thereafter, cognitive behaviors were assessed, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and catalase (CAT) activities were determined, followed by histopathological examination of the brain.

The results revealed that, compared to the non-treated group, the water lily extract at doses of 100–400 mg/kg BW was effective in counteracting the decline in memory and spatial cognition of TMT-induced impairment (P < 0.05). Moreover, the extract, particularly at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg BW, substantially lowered the MDA level while elevating the CAT activity level (P < 0.05). Water lily seed extract also significantly reduced TMT-induced pyramidal cell degeneration in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex (P < 0.05).

Our findings demonstrated that ethanolic extract from water lily seeds could effectively reduce TMT-induced cognitive impairment and MDA levels and enhance CAT activity thereby precluding neurodegeneration in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Thus, water lily seed extract is a potent candidate for a natural anti-neurodegenerative supplement.

Inflammatory diseases, including asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer persist with relatively high incidence, which highlights the need to explore natural alternatives such as the bioactive substances of brown algae (Sargassum polycystum). Certain substances, such as phenolics and flavonoids, have been demonstrated to have an association with antioxidant activity because of their capacity to fend off free radicals, which cause inflammation. The purpose of this study was to look into the inflammatory inhibition and antioxidant activity of an ethyl acetate extract of S. polycystum from Indonesia.

After maceration in ethyl acetate (1:4 w/v) for 24 hours, the total phenolic and flavonoid content of S. polycystum extract was measured using the colorimetric method. The antioxidant activity was tested using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and the models of paw edema induced by carrageenan were used to assess inflammatory inhibition activity.

The findings revealed that S. polycystum had a weak antioxidant with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 605.24 ± 26.53 g/mL. Furthermore, it had 23.509 ± 0.109 mg gallic acid equivalents/gram (GAE/g) and 15.186 ± 0.046 mg quercetin equivalents/gram (QE/g) of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds, respectively. At 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg BW doses, S. polycystum had inflammatory inhibition percentages of 53.80 ± 4.68%, 62.35 ± 4.05%, and 60.90 ± 2.88%, respectively.

Sargassum polycystum ethyl acetate extract inhibited inflammation. However, further study is needed to examine the safety, identification, separation of the relevant substances involved, and the precise mechanism of action.

Recent studies have reported that Astragalus spp. can display various biological effects, e.g., anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective activities. Here we decided to assess the ameliorating effects of Astragalus maximus methanolic extract (AMME) on inflammation and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The dried aerial parts were extracted by maceration technique with 70% methanol. Diabetes was induced in rats via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at 65 mg/kg. Diabetic rats orally received AMME at 75-30 mg/kg for 28 days. The serum levels of glucose, insulin, liver enzymes, bilirubin, creatinine (Cr), urea (Ur), triglyceride, and cholesterol, as well as the tissue levels of oxidant/antioxidant enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated by the diagnostic kits. The level of α-amylase inhibition by AMME was also determined.

AMME (150 and 300 mg/kg) treatment significantly reduced (P < 0.001) the serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, Cr, Ur, liver enzymes, and oxidative enzymes in diabetic rats. The tissue levels of antioxidant enzymes in diabetic rats treated with AMME (150 and 300 mg/kg) were significantly increased (P < 0.01). Treatment of diabetic rats with either 150 or 300 mg/kg AMME for 28 days significantly reduced interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in the pancreas. AMME inhibited α-amylase in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 18.1 μg/mL.

This study showed that the oral administration of AMME in diabetic rats displayed a potent anti-diabetic activity through increasing insulin release and ameliorating effects on inflammation and oxidative stress; however, more investigations are desired to determine the action mechanism of the extract.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, basically manifested by motor symptoms. However, there are other associated non-motor features in PD, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairments that significantly affect the quality of life. Scientific reports have shown that Sargassum wightii, a brown seaweed, protects against rotenone-induced motor deficits, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress in rats. We therefore, undertook this study to evaluate its efficacy in alleviating rotenone-induced non-motor symptoms such as anxiety-like behavior and cognitive deficits in rats.

Rotenone at a dose of 10 mg/kg was given orally for 28 days to induce PD model in male rats. The vehicle and the test drug were given orally daily, 1 hour prior to the rotenone administration. The protective effect of S. wightii (methanol extract at 400 mg/kg dosage) was assessed through an array of tests: Elevated plus maze test, Morris water maze test, and novel object recognition test. On the 28th day, the rats were sacrificed, and hippocampal neurobiochemical analyses were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Co-administration of S. wightii reversed the rotenone-induced anxiety-like behavior and cognitive deficits to a significant extent (P < 0.001). It also restored the hippocampal neurotransmitters (5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine, and 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid) significantly (P < 0.001).

Sargassum wightii provides neuroprotective effects and reduces the non-motor symptoms of PD. Therefore, it might be a novel insight into PD therapy.

Bay (Syzygium polyanthum) leaf may be used as an extrinsic stain-removing agent in toothpaste. This study assesses the formula of bay leaf essential oil toothpaste in terms of physicochemical and extrinsic stain removal properties.

Using a gel composition with varying quantities of bay leaf essential oil (0%, 0.125%, 0.25%, and 0.5% v/v), tubes of toothpaste were formulated. Commercial stain-removal toothpaste was used as a positive control. Five toothpastes were evaluated based on their organoleptic properties, pH, moisture content, foaming ability, abrasiveness, spreadability, gritty matter, and homogeneity. Extrinsic stain removal evaluation was carried out using 20 bovine teeth that were split into five groups of toothpaste (n = 4). The specimens were tea-stained and submitted to simulated brushing. The colour difference (ΔE) was analysed to evaluate extrinsic stain removal using the parameter of CIE-Lab (Commision Internacional de l’Eclairage L*a*b). Using a chromameter, the L*a*b value of the teeth before and after brushing was used to measure the ΔE value. Data were analysed through one-way ANOVA with a confidence level of 95%.

All tubes of toothpaste tested met acceptable physicochemical parameter standards. The bay leaf essential oil toothpaste with 0.25% and 0.5% v/v concentrations, as well as commercial toothpaste, produced better ΔE values than the 0% v/v group. There were no statistically significant differences between bay leaf essential oil at 0.5% v/v and commercial toothpaste (P > 0.05).

Results demonstrated that bay leaf essential oil toothpaste had an extrinsic stain removal effect equivalent to positive control and promoted good physicochemical characteristics.

Tecoma stans is a fast-growing plant from the family Bignoniaceae. Various parts of T. stans have been used in different biological applications, especially in cancer treatment. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising modality for cancer treatment that depends on the interaction between a photosensitizer, light, and oxygen. Searching for photosensitizers from plant origin is crucial to provide nontoxic photosensitizers with high economic value. This study aims to evaluate the anticancer and photodynamic activities of T. stans methanolic flower extract (TSFE).

The phytoconstituents of TSFE were analyzed by the UPLC/MS/MS technique. The cytotoxicity of TSFE was examined on the breast carcinoma (MCF-7) and lung carcinoma (A549) cell lines, in dark and after irradiation by blue light (400-450 nm).

TSFE contained various phytochemical components with antineoplastic activity. Moreover, TSFE contained coumarins and anthocyanins that may act as photosensitizers. TSFE showed negligible cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cell lines at all tested concentrations in dark. A non-significant cell viability change was observed upon radiation (P > 0.05). TSFE showed significant dark cytotoxicity on A549 cells, which improved significantly after light radiation (P < 0.05).

TSFE is a promising anticancer and natural photosensitizer for PDT and this study may inspire further ethnobotanical investigations into promising new natural anti-cancers and photosensitizers.

Olive leaf extract (OLE) has robust anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A toxic dose of colchicine (COL) injected into the hippocampus disrupts the microtubules’ neuronal structure causing it to be unstable and depolymerized. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the protective effects of OLE treatment on the CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells of rats that are injected with intracranial COL.

Eighteen rats were divided into control, COL-injected, and OLE-treated-colchicine-injected (COL+OLE) groups (n = 6). A vehicle solution was injected into the hippocampi of the control rats, whereas 15 μg/5 μL of COL was injected into the hippocampi of COL and COL+OLE groups. Forced oral treatment with 100 mg/kg OLE was commenced a week later and continued for 15 days. Short-term memory (STM) test using the Morris water maze (MWM) was performed followed by the retention probe memory test. Hippocampal samples from animals of all groups were collected for histopathological examination and qualitative assessment of the viable pyramidal cells at the CA1 hippocampal region.

The control and COL+OLE groups demonstrated significantly better performance (P < 0.05) in the STM test and its subsequent retention probe memory test as compared to the COL group. The morphology of the pyramidal cells of the COL+OLE treated rats was preserved, showing less distortion than the COL group.

OLE treatment led to a considerable preservation in the STM function of rats challenged with intrahippocampal COL injection. This memory improvement of the OLE might be attributed to its promising neuroprotective potential on hippocampal pyramidal cells.

The green cactus Pereskia bleo is thought to have anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-rheumatic properties. Additionally, it treats hypertension and diabetes; However, no scientific evaluation of its antihypertensive activity has been conducted. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of oral administration of P. bleo extract (PBE) on male rats’ blood pressure, urine volume, and sodium and potassium levels.

Sodium chloride (NaCl) solution (4%) was administered orally to induce hypertension. A non-invasive tail method was used to measure blood pressure. The sodium and potassium concentrations as well as the total volume of urine were measured from the collected urine.

Hypertensive rats’ blood pressure was reduced by 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg of PBE. Similar to the positive control group (captopril dose of 1.25 mg/kg BW), the most significant drop in blood pressure was occurred at the dose of 1000 mg/kg BW (P > 0.05). All treatment groups saw an increase in urinary sodium and potassium levels.

In NaCl-induced hypertensive rats, oral administration of P. bleo ethanolic extract decreased blood pressure to the standard value by increasing urinary sodium and potassium levels. Hence, it might be used as an anti-hypertensive agent.