Research

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18 pages, 2630 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Compositional Analysis, Extraction Process, and Hemostatic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Cirsium japonicum Fisch. ex DC.–Cirsium setosum (Willd.) MB Extracts

by Fanyu Kong, Zhongxue Fang, Biyue Cui, Jinshuang Gao, Changhai Sun and Shuting Zhang

Molecules 2024, 29(9), 1918; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29091918 - 23 Apr 2024

Viewed by 198

Abstract

Cirsium japonicum Fisch. ex DC. (CF) and Cirsium setosum (Willd.) MB (CS) are commonly used clinically to stop bleeding and eliminate carbuncles. Still, CF is mainly used for treating inflammation, while CS favors hemostasis. Therefore, the present study used UHPLC-MS to analyze the [...] Read more.

Cirsium japonicum Fisch. ex DC. (CF) and Cirsium setosum (Willd.) MB (CS) are commonly used clinically to stop bleeding and eliminate carbuncles. Still, CF is mainly used for treating inflammation, while CS favors hemostasis. Therefore, the present study used UHPLC-MS to analyze the main chemical constituents in CF-CS extract. We optimized the extraction process using single-factor experiments and response surface methodology. Afterward, the hemostatic and anti-inflammatory effects of CF-CS extract were investigated by determining the clotting time in vitro, the bleeding time of rabbit trauma, and the induction of rabbit inflammation using xylene and lipopolysaccharide. The study of hemostatic and anti-inflammatory effects showed that the CF-CS, CF, and CS extract groups could significantly shorten the coagulation time and bleeding time of rabbits compared with the blank group (p < 0.01); compared with the model group, it could dramatically inhibit xylene-induced ear swelling in rabbits and the content of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the serum of rabbits (p < 0.01). The results showed that combined CF and CS synergistically increased efficacy. CF-CS solved the problem of the single hemostatic and anti-inflammatory efficacy of a single drug, which provided a new idea for the research and development of natural hemostatic and anti-inflammatory medicines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Activity)

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14 pages, 8500 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cynaroside Induces G1 Cell Cycle Arrest by Downregulating Cell Division Cycle 25A in Colorectal Cancer

by Shan Lei, Wenpeng Cao, Zhirui Zeng, Lu Wang, Jinzhi Lan and Tengxiang Chen

Molecules 2024, 29(7), 1508; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29071508 - 28 Mar 2024

Viewed by 622

Abstract

Natural chemicals derived from herbal plants have recently been recognized as potentially useful treatment alternatives owing to their ability to target a wide range of important biological molecules. Cynaroside is one of these natural compounds with promising anticancer activity for numerous tumor types. [...] Read more.

Natural chemicals derived from herbal plants have recently been recognized as potentially useful treatment alternatives owing to their ability to target a wide range of important biological molecules. Cynaroside is one of these natural compounds with promising anticancer activity for numerous tumor types. Nevertheless, the anticancer effects and molecular mechanisms of action of cynaroside on colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. In this study, cynaroside was found to markedly inhibit CRC cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro. Cynaroside also inhibited cell proliferation in vivo and decreased the expression of KI67, a cell nuclear antigen. RNA sequencing revealed 144 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HCT116 cells and 493 DEGs in RKO cells that were enriched in the cell cycle signaling pathway. Cell division cycle 25A (CDC25A), a DEG widely enriched in the cell cycle signaling pathway, is considered a key target of cynaroside in CRC cells. Cynaroside also inhibited DNA replication and arrested cells in the G1/S phase in vitro. The expression levels of CDC25A and related G1-phase proteins were significantly elevated after CDC25A overexpression in CRC cells, which partially reversed the inhibitory effect of cynaroside on CRC cell proliferation and G1/S-phase arrest. In summary, cynaroside may be used to treat CRC as it inhibits CDC25A expression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Activity)

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20 pages, 5733 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Extracts Derived from Artemisia japonica Thunb. Leaves Mitigate Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response Induced by LPS in RAW264.7 Cells through Modulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway

by Yueyu Ye, Xiaomei Li, Man Chen, Xia Wang, Meiya Li, Fusheng Jiang, Xiaobo Zhang, Chunchun Zhang and Shiqing Li

Molecules 2024, 29(6), 1375; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29061375 - 20 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Artemisia japonica Thunb. has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine and a vegetable for thousands of years in China. However, there are few reports on the chemical composition and biological activity of its leaves. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the chemical [...] Read more.

Artemisia japonica Thunb. has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine and a vegetable for thousands of years in China. However, there are few reports on the chemical composition and biological activity of its leaves. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of water extracts of A. japonica leaves and their underlying mechanisms. A total of 48 compounds were identified in the water extract using UPLC-QTOF-MS² analysis, with phenolic acids, particularly chlorogenic acid compounds, being the predominant components. The ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) contained most of the total phenolic content (385.4217 mg GAE/g) and displayed superior antioxidant capacity with the IC_50DPPH•, IC_50ABTS•+, and OD_{0.5reducing power} at 10.987 μg/mL, 43.630 μg/mL and 26.883 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, EAF demonstrated potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells by upregulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signal pathway. These findings highlight that A. japonica leaves possess remarkable abilities to mitigate inflammation and oxidative stress, suggesting their potential utilization as medicinal agents and food additives for promoting human health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Activity)

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16 pages, 5062 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nodakenin Ameliorates Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss by Regulating Gut Microbiota

by Chunxiao Liu, Jingyue Chen, Zijiao Wang, Yueyao Li, Yuanyuan Zhang and Guangyu Li

Molecules 2024, 29(6), 1240; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29061240 - 11 Mar 2024

Viewed by 768

Abstract

Disordered gut microbiota (GM) structure and function may contribute to osteoporosis (OP). Nodakenin has been shown to ameliorate osteoporosis; however, its anti-osteoporotic mechanism is unknown. This study aimed to further reveal the mechanism of the anti-osteoporotic action of nodakenin from the perspective of [...] Read more.

Disordered gut microbiota (GM) structure and function may contribute to osteoporosis (OP). Nodakenin has been shown to ameliorate osteoporosis; however, its anti-osteoporotic mechanism is unknown. This study aimed to further reveal the mechanism of the anti-osteoporotic action of nodakenin from the perspective of the microbiome and metabolome. An osteoporosis model was induced in mice through ovariectomy (OVX), with bone mass and microstructure assessed using μCT. Subsequently, ELISA and histologic examination were used to detect biochemical indicators of bone conversion and intestinal morphology. Using metabolomics and 16S rRNA sequencing, it was possible to determine the composition and abundance of the gut microbiota in feces. The results revealed that nodakenin treatment improved the bone microstructure and serum levels of bone turnover markers, and increased the intestinal mucosal integrity. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that nodakenin treatment decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Patescibacteria, as well as the F/B ratio, and elevated the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes in OVX mice. In addition, nodakenin enhanced the relative abundance of Muribaculaceae and Allobaculum, among others, at the genus level. Moreover, metabolomics analysis revealed that nodakenin treatment significantly altered the changes in 113 metabolites, including calcitriol. A correlation analysis revealed substantial associations between various gut microbiota taxa and both the osteoporosis phenotype and metabolites. In summary, nodakenin treatment alleviated OVX-induced osteoporosis by modulating the gut microbiota and intestinal barrier. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Activity)

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17 pages, 4805 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microanalysis Characterization and Immunomodulatory Effect for Selenium-Enriched Polysaccharide from Morchella esculenta (L.) Pers.

by Lijuan Qian, Mengxiang Du, Xiaoyan Yang, Qian Wang, Shengwei Huang, Yuhan Ma and Yujun Sun

Molecules 2023, 28(7), 2885; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28072885 - 23 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1684

Abstract

Morchella esculenta (L.) Pers., referred to as Morel, is a medicinal and edible homologous fungus, which contains many bioactive substances. In Morel, polysaccharides are the most abundant and have various bioactivities. In the present work, two novel polysaccharides, Se-MPS and MPS, [...] Read more.

Morchella esculenta (L.) Pers., referred to as Morel, is a medicinal and edible homologous fungus, which contains many bioactive substances. In Morel, polysaccharides are the most abundant and have various bioactivities. In the present work, two novel polysaccharides, Se-MPS and MPS, were prepared and purified from selenium-enriched (Se-enriched) and common Morel mycelia, respectively, and their structural and immunomodulatory properties were evaluated. The results show that Se-enriched treatment significantly changed the polysaccharides’ chemical composition, molecular weight, and sugar chain configuration. In addition, the Se-enriched treatment also improved the polysaccharides’ fragmentation and thermal stability. Importantly, Se-enriched Morel polysaccharide (Se-MPS) could significantly enhance phagocytosis of RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and, remarkably, activate their immune response via activating the TLR4-TRAF6-MAPKs-NF-κB cascade signaling pathway, finally exerting an immunomodulatory function. Based on these findings, selenium-enriched Morel polysaccharide appears to have more potential for development and utilization in functional foods or medicines than ordinary Morel polysaccharide. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Activity)

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18 pages, 3849 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Saikosaponin A and Its Epimers Alleviate LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice

by Donghui Peng, Yuchan Chen, Yanping Sun, Zhihong Zhang, Na Cui, Wensen Zhang, Ying Qi, Yuanning Zeng, Bin Hu, Bingyou Yang, Qiuhong Wang and Haixue Kuang

Molecules 2023, 28(3), 967; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28030967 - 18 Jan 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1494

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to illustrate the effect of processing with vinegar on saikosaponins of Bupleurum chinense DC. (BC) and the protective effects of saikosaponin A (SSA), saikosaponin b1 (SSb1), saikosaponin b2 (SSb2), and saikosaponin D (SSD) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute [...] Read more.

The purpose of this work was to illustrate the effect of processing with vinegar on saikosaponins of Bupleurum chinense DC. (BC) and the protective effects of saikosaponin A (SSA), saikosaponin b1 (SSb1), saikosaponin b2 (SSb2), and saikosaponin D (SSD) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mice. We comprehensively evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects and potential mechanisms of SSA, SSb1, SSb2, and SSD through an LPS-induced ALI model using intratracheal injection. The results showed that SSA, SSb1, SSb2, and SSD significantly decreased pulmonary edema; reduced the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in serum and lung tissues; alleviated pulmonary pathological damage; and decreased the levels of the IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β genes and the expression of NF-κB/TLR4-related proteins. Interestingly, they were similar in structure, but SSb2 had a better anti-inflammatory effect at the same dose, according to a principal component analysis. These findings indicated that it may not have been comprehensive to only use SSA and SSD as indicators to evaluate the quality of BC, especially as the contents of SSb1 and SSb2 in vinegar-processed BC were significantly increased. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Activity)

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13 pages, 4070 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Drying Temperature and Solvents on In Vitro Diabetic Wound Healing Potential of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extracts

by Saima Muzammil, Jorddy Neves Cruz, Rabia Mumtaz, Ijaz Rasul, Sumreen Hayat, Muhammad Asaf Khan, Arif Muhammad Khan, Muhammad Umar Ijaz, Rafael Rodrigues Lima and Muhammad Zubair

Molecules 2023, 28(2), 710; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28020710 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2987

Abstract

The delayed healing of wounds among people with diabetes is a severe problem worldwide. Hyperglycemia and increased levels of free radicals are the major inhibiting factors of wound healing in diabetic patients. Plant extracts are a rich source of polyphenols, allowing them to [...] Read more.

The delayed healing of wounds among people with diabetes is a severe problem worldwide. Hyperglycemia and increased levels of free radicals are the major inhibiting factors of wound healing in diabetic patients. Plant extracts are a rich source of polyphenols, allowing them to be an effective agent for wound healing. Drying temperature and extraction solvent highly affect the stability of polyphenols in plant materials. However, there is a need to optimize the extraction protocol to ensure the efficacy of the final product. For this purpose, the effects of drying temperature and solvents on the polyphenolic composition and diabetic wound healing activity of Moringa oleifera leaves were examined in the present research. Fresh leaves were oven dried at different temperatures (10 °C, 30 °C, 50 °C, and 100 °C) and extracted in three solvents (acetone, ethanol, and methanol) to obtain twelve extracts in total. The extracts were assessed for free radical scavenging and antihyperglycemic effects using DPPH (2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl) and α- glucosidase inhibition assays. Alongside this, a scratch assay was performed to evaluate the cell migration activity of M. oleifera on the human retinal pigment epithelial cell line. The cytotoxicity of the plant extracts was assessed on human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and hepatocellular carcinoma (Huh-7) cell lines. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, phenolic compounds in extracts of M. oleifera were identified. We found that an ethanol-based extract prepared by drying the leaves at 10 °C contained the highest amounts of identified polyphenols. Moringa oleifera extracts showed remarkable antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cell migration properties. The best results were obtained with leaves dried at 10 °C and 30 °C. Decreased activities were observed with drying temperatures of 50 °C and above. Moreover, M. oleifera extracts exhibited no toxicity on RPE cells, and the same extracts were cytotoxic for Huh-7 cells. This study revealed that M. oleifera leaves extracts can enhance wound healing in diabetic conditions due to their antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and cell migration effects. The leaves of this plant can be an excellent therapeutic option when extracted at optimum conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Activity)

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Review

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47 pages, 2990 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sesquiterpenoids from Meliaceae Family and Their Biological Activities

by Sandra Amalia Riyadi, Al Arofatus Naini and Unang Supratman

Molecules 2023, 28(12), 4874; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28124874 - 20 Jun 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1910

Abstract

Sesquiterpenoids, an important class of natural products possessing three isoprene-derived units, are widely distributed across plants and have a variety of biological activities. All sesquiterpenoids are derived from farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), a biosynthesis precursor that can form various carbon skeletons. In order to [...] Read more.

Sesquiterpenoids, an important class of natural products possessing three isoprene-derived units, are widely distributed across plants and have a variety of biological activities. All sesquiterpenoids are derived from farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), a biosynthesis precursor that can form various carbon skeletons. In order to provide a reference for further research and development of these compounds, this review focused on the increasing number of isolated and volatile sesquiterpenoids found to be produced by plants of the Meliaceae family between 1968 and 2023. The related articles were collected from SciFinder, Google Scholar, and PubMed. According to a literature review, several studies were started for more than 55 years on the plant’s stem barks, twigs, leaves, flowers, seeds, and pericarps, where approximately 413 sesquiterpenoid compounds from several groups such as eudesmane, aromadendrane, cadinane, guaiane, bisabolane, furanoeremophilane, humulene, germacrane, and oppositane-type were isolated and identified with some minor products. Additionally, the hypothetical route of sesquiterpenoids biosynthesis from this family was identified, and eudesmane-type was reported to be 27% of the total compounds. The antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, antiviral, and cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds and major volatile sesquiterpenoids constituent on essential oil were also evaluated. The result showed the fundamental of using the sesquiterpenoid compounds from the Meliaceae family in traditional medicine and the discovery of new drugs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Activity)

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14 pages, 1085 KiB

Open AccessReview

Review on Extraction, Modification, and Synthesis of Natural Peptides and Their Beneficial Effects on Skin

by Jiabing An, Ivan Stève Nguepi Tsopmejio, Zi Wang and Wei Li

Molecules 2023, 28(2), 908; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28020908 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2158

Abstract

Peptides, functional nutrients with a size between those of large proteins and small amino acids, are easily absorbed by the human body. Therefore, they are seeing increasing use in clinical medicine and have revealed immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties which could make them effective [...] Read more.

Peptides, functional nutrients with a size between those of large proteins and small amino acids, are easily absorbed by the human body. Therefore, they are seeing increasing use in clinical medicine and have revealed immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties which could make them effective in healing skin wounds. This review sorted and summarized the relevant literature about peptides during the past decade. Recent works on the extraction, modification and synthesis of peptides were reviewed. Importantly, the unique beneficial effects of peptides on the skin were extensively explored, providing ideas for the development and innovation of peptides and laying a knowledge foundation for the clinical application of peptides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Activity)

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19 pages, 1996 KiB

Open AccessReview

Current Research of Phytochemical, Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Uses of Uncaria gambir Roxb.: A Review

by Indah Putri Munggari, Dikdik Kurnia, Yusi Deawati and Euis Julaeha

Molecules 2022, 27(19), 6551; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27196551 - 03 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2493

Abstract

Uncaria gambir Roxb. is a plant from Southeast Asia and is widely used as an alternative medicine with various applications. This plant has been widely used in traditional medicine. This paper aims to provide information on U. gambir, a summary of data [...] Read more.

Uncaria gambir Roxb. is a plant from Southeast Asia and is widely used as an alternative medicine with various applications. This plant has been widely used in traditional medicine. This paper aims to provide information on U. gambir, a summary of data on phytochemicals and on medical and nonmedical activities. Phytochemical studies reveal biologically active constituents such as flavonoids, phenolics, and alkaloids. Various studies have shown that extracts and compounds obtained from U. gambir have medical uses for their antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-helminthic, anticancer, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperuricemic, anti-lipid peroxidation, antihyperlipidemic and other properties. In addition, this extract has other uses, such as adsorbent for dyes and metal ions, as well as corrosion inhibition. Thus, U. gambir, which is commonly used in traditional medicine, is a potential plant for many therapeutic applications and prospects for drug development as well as other applications such as adsorbent and corrosion inhibition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products: Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Activity)

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