Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. (ex D. Don): A Review on its Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Nutritional Potential.

Myrica esculenta is an important ethnomedicinal plant used in the traditional system of medicine and as an important nutraceutical. Several studies on the plant justify its use in alternative systems of medicine and establish a scientific rationale for its possible therapeutic application. The plant contains a range of biologically active classes of compounds, particularly diarylheptanoids, flavonoids, terpenes, tannins, and glycosides. The nutraceutical potential of the plant can be particularly attributed to its fruit, and several studies have demonstrated the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fiber content, and minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, copper, and zinc, in it. The current review aims to provide complete insight into the phytochemistry, pharmacological potential, and nutritional potential of the plant, which would not only serve as a comprehensive source of information but also will highlight the scope of isolation and evaluation of these molecules for various disease conditions.

Assessment of Anti-inflammatory Activity of 3-Acetylmyricadiol in LPSStimulated Raw 264.7 Macrophages.

BACKGROUND: Pentacyclic triterpenoids are a biologically active class of phytoconstituents with diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory action. OBJECTIVE: In the current study, we isolated 3-Acetylmyricadiol, a pentacyclic triterpenoid, from the ethyl acetate bark extract of Myrica esculenta and evaluated it for anti-inflammatory potential. METHODS: The ethyl acetate bark extract of the M. esculenta was subjected to column chromatography to isolate 3-Acetylmyricadiol. MTT assay was performed to check cell viability. The production of proinflammatory mediators like nitric oxide, IL-6, TNF-α were observed after the administration of 5, 10, 20 µM of 3-Acetylmyricadiol in LPS-activated raw 246.7 macrophages by the reported methods. RESULTS: MTT assay indicated more than 90% cell viability up to 20 µM of 3-Acetylmyricadiol. The administration of 3-Acetylmyricadiol inhibited the production of nitric oxide, IL-6, TNF-α in a dose-dependent manner significantly in comparison to LPS treated cells. The maximum effect was observed at 20 µM of 3-Acetylmyricadiol which resulted in 52.37, 63.10, and 55.37 % inhibition of nitric oxide, IL-6, and TNF-α, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory action of 3-Acetylmyricadiol and can serve as a potential candidate in the development of the clinically efficient anti-inflammatory molecule.

Myricanol-9-acetate, a Novel Naturally Occurring Derivative of Myricanol, Induces ROS-dependent Mitochondrial-mediated Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND: Low therapeutic efficacy and drug-induced systemic toxicity of currently used anti-cancerous chemotherapeutic agents are major compelling factors for finding out clinically efficient molecules with high efficiency and less toxicity. OBJECTIVE: The current research work was undertaken to evaluate the anticancer potential of Myricanol- 9-acetate (MA), a novel naturally occurring derivative of myricanol. METHODS: MCF-7, MiaPaCa-2, and HCT 116 were used for cytotoxicity determination of the MA and ML (Myricanol) by MTT assay. The mechanistic study involved the determination of cell cycle arrest, Δψm loss, ROS generation, western blot assay, flow cytometry by reported methods on MCF-7 cells. RESULTS: MA exhibited anticancer activity against all three cell lines, however, the molecule was found most active against the MCF-7 cell line. We observed IC5020 µM with MA treatment as compared to the IC50 of 42 µM for myricanol treatment. Detailed mechanistic studies revealed that MA induces apoptosis of MCF-7 cell line through ROS generation and dose-dependent drop in mitochondrial membrane potential associated with cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. Our results further demonstrated that down-regulation of Bcl2 and activation of the caspase cascade are the events involved in the MA-induced apoptosis. Flow cytometry results indicated an increase in early and late apoptotic population in a dose-dependent manner with an apoptotic population of about 20% at 30 µM of MA, thus, supporting our results. CONCLUSION: Present findings suggest that MA might serve as a promising novel drug candidate with high scope for taking it to further evaluation in preclinical and clinical studies.

Invivo hepatoprotective potential of extracts obtained from floral spikes of Prunella vulgaris L.

BACKGROUND: Prunella vulgaris, commonly known as self-heal, has been extensively used in the traditional system of medicines. The plant has been found to contain a number of bioactive molecules including those having radical scavenging property which indicates its potential for the treatment of those diseases which are induced by free radical damage like drug-induced hepatotoxicity. OBJECTIVE: The current study was undertaken to investigate the flavonoid and total phenolic content and evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of various extracts obtained from floral spikes of P. vulgaris. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Flavonoid and otal phenolic contents were obtained from the standard curves of Gallic acid as per the reported methods. The extent of hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol (500 mg/kg b.w, p.o daily for 14 days), hepatoprotective potential of extracts (200 mg/kg b.w/day, orally) and standard drug silymarin (50 mg/kg b.w/day, orally) were evaluated by analyzing various biochemical parameters like Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase, Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Total Proteins, Total and Direct Bilirubin and detailed histopathology of rat livers. RESULTS: Methanolic extract showed higher quantity of flavonoids and total phenolic content followed by ethanolic, hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts. Treatment of rats with extracts showed a highly significant reduction in the enzyme activities of Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase, Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase, Alkaline Phosphatase, and serum levels of Total, Direct Bilirubin (P < 0.01) and highly significant elevation in Total Proteins (P < 0.01) when compared with the toxic control group. This was further confirmed by histopathological evaluation, where almost normal hepatic architecture or very less hepatic damage was observed in groups treated with extracts and silymarin compared to paracetamol treated group. Results from biochemical and histopathological evaluation indicated that among the extracts methanolic extract was most effective. CONCLUSION: From the results, it can be concluded that the extracts obtained from floral spikes of P. vulgaris possess highly significant hepatoprotective activity which could be attributed to its radical scavenging potential and hepatic regeneration. This is further authenticated by the presence of phenolic and flavonoids which are known to possess radical scavenging properties.