Highly oxygenated cyclohexenes from Uvaria dac Pierre ex Finet & Gagnep. and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

Phytochemical investigations of the twig and leaf extracts of Uvaria dac Pierre ex Finet & Gagnep. resulted in the isolation and identification of five new highly oxygenated cyclohexenes, uvaridacols M - Q (1-3, 5, and 6), and six known compounds (4 and 7-11). All new structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and HRESITOFMS data. The absolute configuration of 1, 5, and 6 was confirmed by single X-ray diffraction analysis with Cu Kα radiation. In contrast, other compounds were established by comparing their specific rotation and ECD spectra with those of known compounds. Some of the isolated compounds with sufficient quantity were evaluated for their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Of these, (-)-1,6-desoxypipoxide (10) showed α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 28.6 µM. The in silico molecular docking of active compounds was also studied.

Anti-inflammatory potential of a Thai traditional remedy called Prabchompoothaweep in an animal model of acute and sub-acute inflammation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Prabchompoothaweep (PCT) is a Thai remedy which is composed of 23 herbs and has been added onto the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) of Thailand. This remedy has been used to treat allergic rhinitis and asthma in Thai traditional medicine for many years. Furthermore, a few studies have reported anti-allergic, anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity of PCT extract in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The animal model of acute inflammation was studied over a 24-h period, utilizing the method of carrageenan-induced paw oedema. In addition, sub-acute inflammation was examined over 7 days, using the formalin-induced paw oedema method. The treatment groups received PCT extracts, via the oral route, at 1-h prior to injection and then the sub plantar of the rat right paw was injected with the named substances to generate paw oedema. The paw thickness was measured by vernier caliper at regular intervals after injection. At the end of experiment, the blood and paw tissues were collected for measurement of pro-inflammatory cytokines and histological examination respectively. RESULTS: In acute inflammation, all doses of PCT extract (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg p.o.) significantly reduced paw thickness after the first 3 h in a dose-dependent manner and the percentage of inhibition was 38.7%, 47.8% and 49.5% respectively. The pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IL-1ß, statistically decreased with all doses of the extracts. However, the histological examination did not reveal significant results due to the short time duration. As regards to sub-acute inflammation, all doses of PCT extract significantly reduced paw thickness with 12.78%, 23.64% and 35.78%, in a dose dependent manner. Also, the pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1ß) significantly decreased at day 7. Interestingly, the histological examination of paw tissue demonstrated reductions of mononuclear infiltrations of inflammatory cells, this was observed in the group receiving PCT extracts, also in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Therefore, PCT exerted anti-inflammatory activity in an animal model of acute and sub-acute inflammation, suggesting that it could be used as a new source for treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Quercetin-Rich Ethanolic Extract of Polygonum odoratum var Pakphai Leaves Decreased Gene Expression and Secretion of Pro-Inflammatory Mediators in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Murine RAW264.7 Macrophages.

Polygonum odoratum var. Pakphai has been used in traditional Thai medicine for the treatment of flatulence and constipation and to relieve the inflammation caused by insect bites. Quercetin (Q), which is abundant in plant-based foods, has been found to exert anti-inflammatory properties. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of P. odoratum ethanolic extract in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Leaves were extracted with 50% ethanol, phenolics and flavonoids were then analyzed using UHPLC-QTOF-MS and HPLC-DAD. RAW264.7 cells were induced with lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). They were then treated with the extract and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentrations were determined. Levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-6 and TNF-α mRNAs were analyzed using qRT-PCR. Chemical analysis demonstrated that the extract was abundant with Q while also containing catechin, gallic acid, epicatechin gallate and coumarin. The extract increased the viability of RAW264.7 cells and dose-dependently decreased nitric oxide production, PGE2, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the medium from the LPS-induced RAW264.7 cell culture. Consistently, COX-2, iNOS, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA levels were decreased in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Thus, the quercetin-rich ethanolic extract derived from P. odoratum var Pakphai leaves can exert anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells through a reduction of the pro-inflammatory mediator response.

Anti-inflammatory activity and chemical constituents of red limestone.

Red limestone is a mixture of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) powder and limestone which is made from burning shells at high temperature. The yellow mixture turns to red color or deep orange because of the reaction between turmeric and calcium carbonate in limestone. Red limestone is traditionally used to treat many diseases such as abscess, cut wound and insect bite. The purpose of this study was to investigate anti-inflammatory activity and chemical constituents of red limestone. The chemical analysis of red limestone extract by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry revealed that red limestone consisted of alpha-turmerone and curcumanolide B as major components. These compounds were related with the chemical constituents in C. longa extract which is a main ingredient of red limestone. However, curcuminoids were not detected in red limestone extract. Cytotoxicity of red limestone extract was investigated. Macrophage cell lines (RAW 264.7) and human keratinocyte cell lines (HaCaT cells) were investigated cell viability using MTT assay. Red limestone extract was nontoxic to normal cells such as macrophage cells and human keratinocyte cells. Moreover, the inflammatory activity was detected nitric oxide (NO) secretion in RAW 264.7 cells. The result showed that the extracts inhibited NO in dose-dependent manner and IC50 was found to be 102.42 µg/ml. It suggested that red limestone extract had a potential for anti-inflammatory activity.