Tilianin: A Potential Natural Lead Molecule for New Drug Design and Development for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disorders.

Cardiovascular disorders (CVDs) are the leading risk factor for death worldwide, and research into the processes and treatment regimens has received a lot of attention. Tilianin is a flavonoid glycoside that can be found in a wide range of medicinal plants and is most commonly obtained from Dracocephalum moldavica. Due to its extensive range of biological actions, it has become a well-known molecule in recent years. In particular, numerous studies have shown that tilianin has cardioprotective properties against CVDs. Hence, this review summarises tilianin's preclinical research in CVDs, as well as its mechanism of action and opportunities in future drug development. The physicochemical and drug-likeness properties, as well as the toxicity profile, were also highlighted. Tilianin can be a natural lead molecule in the therapy of CVDs such as coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, hypertension, and myocardial ischemia, according to scientific evidence. Free radical scavenging, inflammation control, mitochondrial function regulation, and related signalling pathways are all thought to play a role in tilianin's cardioprotective actions. Finally, we discuss tilianin-derived compounds, as well as the limitations and opportunities of using tilianin as a lead molecule in drug development for CVDs. Overall, the scientific evidence presented in this review supports that tilianin and its derivatives could be used as a lead molecule in CVD drug development initiatives.

Genistein: A Potential Natural Lead Molecule for New Drug Design and Development for Treating Memory Impairment.

Genistein is a naturally occurring polyphenolic molecule in the isoflavones group which is well known for its neuroprotection. In this review, we summarize the efficacy of genistein in attenuating the effects of memory impairment (MI) in animals. Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were used to find the relevant articles and discuss the effects of genistein in the brain, including its pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, behavioral effects, and some of the potential mechanisms of action on memory in several animal models. The results of the preclinical studies highly suggested that genistein is highly effective in enhancing the cognitive performance of the MI animal models, specifically in the memory domain, including spatial, recognition, retention, and reference memories, through its ability to reduce oxidative stress and attenuate neuroinflammation. This review also highlighted challenges and opportunities to improve the drug delivery of genistein for treating MI. Along with that, the possible structural modifications and derivatives of genistein to improve its physicochemical and drug-likeness properties are also discussed. The outcomes of the review proved that genistein can enhance the cognitive performance and ameliorate MI in different preclinical studies, thus indicating its potential as a natural lead for the design and development of a novel neuroprotective drug.

Chemistry, Biosynthesis, Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Rubiadin: A Promising Natural Anthraquinone for New Drug Discovery and Development.

Anthraquinones (AQs) are found in a variety of consumer products, including foods, nutritional supplements, drugs, and traditional medicines, and have a wide range of pharmacological actions. Rubiadin, a 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methyl anthraquinone, primarily originates from Rubia cordifolia Linn (Rubiaceae). It was first discovered in 1981 and has been reported for many biological activities. However, no review has been reported so far to create awareness about this molecule and its role in future drug discovery. Therefore, the present review aimed to provide comprehensive evidence of Rubiadin's phytochemistry, biosynthesis, physicochemical properties, biological properties and therapeutic potential. Relevant literature was gathered from numerous scientific databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Google Scholar between 1981 and up-to-date. The distribution of Rubiadin in numerous medicinal plants, as well as its method of isolation, synthesis, characterisation, physiochemical properties and possible biosynthesis pathways, was extensively covered in this review. Following a rigorous screening and tabulating, a thorough description of Rubiadin's biological properties was gathered, which were based on scientific evidences. Rubiadin fits all five of Lipinski's rule for drug-likeness properties. Then, the in depth physiochemical characteristics of Rubiadin were investigated. The simple technique for Rubiadin's isolation from R. cordifolia and the procedure of synthesis was described. Rubiadin is also biosynthesized via the polyketide and chorismate/o-succinylbenzoic acid pathways. Rubiadin is a powerful molecule with anticancer, antiosteoporotic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antimalarial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. The mechanism of action for the majority of the pharmacological actions reported, however, is unknown. In addition to this review, an in silico molecular docking study was performed against proteins with PDB IDs: 3AOX, 6OLX, 6OSP, and 6SDC to support the anticancer properties of Rubiadin. The toxicity profile, pharmacokinetics and possible structural modifications were also described. Rubiadin was also proven to have the highest binding affinity to the targeted proteins in an in silico study; thus, we believe it may be a potential anticancer molecule. In order to present Rubiadin as a novel candidate for future therapeutic development, advanced studies on preclinical, clinical trials, bioavailability, permeability and administration of safe doses are necessary.

Chemistry, Pharmacology and Therapeutic Potential of Swertiamarin - A Promising Natural Lead for New Drug Discovery and Development.

Swertiamarin, a seco-iridoid glycoside, is mainly found in Enicostemma littorale Blume (E. littorale) and exhibits therapeutic activities for various diseases. The present study aimed to provide a review of swertiamarin in terms of its phytochemistry, physicochemical properties, biosynthesis, pharmacology and therapeutic potential. Relevant literature was collected from several scientific databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Google Scholar, between 1990 and the present. This review included the distribution of swertiamarin in medicinal plants and its isolation, characterization, physicochemical properties and possible biosynthetic pathways. A comprehensive summary of the pharmacological activities, therapeutic potential and metabolic pathways of swertiamarin was also included after careful screening and tabulation. Based on the reported evidence, swertiamarin meets all five of Lipinski's rules for drug-like properties. Thereafter, the physicochemical properties of swertiamarin were detailed and analyzed. A simple and rapid method for isolating swertiamarin from E. littorale has been described. The present review proposed that swertiamarin may be biosynthesized by the mevalonate or nonmevalonate pathways, followed by the seco-iridoid pathway. It has also been found that swertiamarin is a potent compound with diverse pharmacological activities, including hepatoprotective, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiarthritis, antidiabetic, antioxidant, neuroprotective and gastroprotective activities. The anticancer activity of swertiamarin against different cancer cell lines has been recently reported. The underlying mechanisms of all these pharmacological effects are diverse and seem to involve the regulation of different molecular targets, including growth factors, inflammatory cytokines, protein kinases, apoptosis-related proteins, receptors and enzymes. Swertiamarin also modulates the activity of several transcription factors, and their signaling pathways in various pathological conditions are also discussed. Moreover, we have highlighted the toxicity profile, pharmacokinetics and possible structural modifications of swertiamarin. The pharmacological activities and therapeutic potential of swertiamarin have been extensively investigated. However, more advanced studies are required including clinical trials and studies on the bioavailability, permeability and administration of safe doses to offer swertiamarin as a novel candidate for future drug development.

A study on the seasonal variation of the essential oil composition from Plectranthus hadiensis and its antibacterial activity.

The chemical composition and seasonal variation of the essential oil from the aerial parts of Plectranthus hadiensis grown during the rainy and summer seasons in the Western Ghats of India was analysed by GC-MS technique. The analysis of rainy season oil led to the identification of 31 compounds, representing 96.4% of the essential oil and the winter season oil led to 25 compounds, representing 95.1% of the oil. Most of the compounds were sesquiterpenes and oxygenated monoterpenes. The major components of the rainy season oil were L-fenchone (30.42%), ß-farnesene (11.87%), copaene(11.10%), 2,3-dimethyl hydroquinone (10.78%), α-caryophyllene(8.41%) and piperitone oxide (3.94%) and of the summer season oil are L-fenchone (31.55%), copaene(11.93%), ß-farnesene (10.45%), 1,8-naphthalenedione, 8a-ethylperhydro (10.06%), α-caryophyllene(6.36%), piperitone oxide (5.79%) and limonene(4.63%). Antibacterial activity of the essential oil of P. hadiensis was tested using zone of inhibition and minimum inhibition concentration methods. Both the oils inhibited the organisms and showed the zone of inhibition in the range of 20-35 mm with MIC values between 32 and 64 mg/dL.

Isolation, structural characterization and in silico drug-like properties prediction of a natural compound from the ethanolic extract of Cayratia trifolia (L.).

BACKGROUND: Natural products have continually played an important role in drug discovery because it serves as active principles in drugs as well as templates for synthesis of new drugs. Cayratia trifolia (L.) is a medicinal plant, which has been reported to have antiviral, antibacterial, antiprotozoal, hypoglycemic, anticancer and diuretic activities. OBJECTIVE: Therefore, the objective of this study is to isolate and identify the natural compound from the ethanolic extract of Cayratia trifolia (L.) and to predict the Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion (ADME) properties of isolated natural compound. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Column chromatography and thin layer chromatography were used to isolate the natural compound and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to predict the functional groups present in the isolated natural compound. The structural characterization studies were functionally carried out using (1)H, (13)C, two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry methods. RESULTS: FTIR showed that, the groups of OH, C-H, C = C may be present in the isolated natural compound. (1)H, (13)C, two-dimensional NMR and mass spectrometry data suggests that the isolated natural compound probably like linoleic acid. In silico ADME properties, prediction of the compound was under acceptable range. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, it can be concluded that, the isolated natural compound of linoleic acid that has been exhibited good medicinal properties.

Synthesis and evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of most active free radical scavenging derivatives of embelin-A structure-activity relationship.

Antioxidant and related properties of the plant Embelia ribes and embelin are well known. In the present study embelin was condensed with various aromatic substituted primary amines to yield ten new and one reported derivatives along with monomethyl embelin. All these compounds along with embelin were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity using 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) methods. Two para-substituted embelin derivatives showed potent antioxidant activity. These compounds along with embelin were studied for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities at 10 and 20 mg/kg doses by standard methods. Potent analgesic activity higher than the standard pentazocine was observed. Embelin and both of its derivatives almost completely abolished the acetic acid induced writhing. p-Sulfonylamine phenylamino derivative showed better anti-inflammatory activity than embelin.

Essential oils of Retama raetam from Libya: chemical composition and antimicrobial activity.

Retama raetam (Forssk) Webb & Berthel is well known in the folk medicine of North and East Mediterranean regions for the treatment of microbial infections. The powdered leaves are used to heal circumcision wounds and used as an antiseptic for wounds, skin rash and pruritus. In this study, to validate this antiseptic property, the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from the flowers of R. raetam was evaluated. The oil was obtained using hydrodistillation and was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antibacterial activity was achieved using disc diffusion and broth dilution assay against six bacteria species. Analysis of the essential oil revealed the presence of ß-linalool (51%), 2-decen-1-ol (6.6%) and limonene (7.4%) as the major components. The results showed significant activity against microorganisms, especially Staphylococcus aureus, with inhibition zones and minimal inhibitory concentration values in the range of 5.0 mm and 3.0 mg mL⁻¹, respectively. The results on the antibacterial activity provide scientific support for the use of these plants in traditional herbal preparations.

GC-MS analysis, antibacterial activity and genotoxic property of Erigeron mucronatus essential oil.

GC-MS analysis of the hydrodistilled oil of Erigeron mucronatus DC was carried out, after the separation of a crystalline compound, lachnophyllum cumulene. Twenty-four components were identified. The oil contained 59.6% sesquiterpenoids, 16.1% monoterpenoids and 24.3% poly-acetylenic esters. Among the mono and sesquiterpenoids, limonene (10.3%) and caryophyllenes (11.4%) were the major constituents. The essential oil also revealed the unusual presence of both cis (8.3%) and trans (1.1%) methyl lachnophyllum esters. Seasonal variation in the yield of E. mucronatus oil was observed. The yield varied from 0.49 to 0.58%, being highest during the rainy season. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using a method based on zones of inhibition; the oil exhibited maximum anti- bacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, but moderate activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Genotoxicity of the oil was determined in AB blood serum at different concentrations and hours of exposure. The antibacterial activity of the oil and its insignificant genotoxicity at low concentrations make the oil a good candidate as a curative agent.