Evaluation of the Cytotoxicity of Aqueous Extract and Oleo-Essential Oil of Dorema ammoniacum Plant Oleo-Gum Resin in Some Human Cancer Cell Lines.

Results: Aqueous extract and essential oil reduced the viability of A549 cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The lowest inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for both samples of D. ammoniacum oleo-gum resin were 10 and 2.5 µg/ml for 24 hours in A549 cell line, respectively. After treatment with extract and essential oil of D. ammoniacum oleo-gum resin, ROS increased significantly compared to the control group. Although changes in caspase-3 did not show a significant increase in extract, the caspase-3 was found to be increased after exposure to essential oil and caspase-9 was downregulated after exposure to essential oil. Also, exposure to essential oil of D. ammoniacum caused a reduction in MMP level. Conclusion: Based on results, the cytotoxic effect of essential oil of D. ammoniacum can induce apoptosis toward A549 cell line via induction of oxidative stress, MMP depletion, and caspase-3 activation, which is independent to mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspase-9 function.

The anti-Trypanosoma activities of medicinal plants: A systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The existing drug treatments for trypanosomiases are limited and suffer from shortcomings due to their toxicity and the emergence of resistant parasites. Developing anti-trypanosomal compounds based on natural products is a promising way of fighting trypanosomiases. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify through scientific review a large variety of medicinal plants (anti-trypanosomal) used worldwide and scientifically shown to display anti-trypanosomal effects. METHODS: To collect data, the anti-trypanosomal activities of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, South America, North America, Europe and Oceania medicinal plants have been checked by considering the published paper. RESULTS: Based on collected data, 77 natural molecules were reported in the literature. Of which 59 were from the African region, 11 from Asia, 3 from Europe and 4 from Latin America. These active components belong to alkaloids, triterpenoids, lactone, quinoids, flavonoids, iridoids, lignans, steroids, lipids, oxygenated heterocycles, benzenoids, proteins, coumarins, phenylpropanoids and peptides. We also specified the prosperous plants with unique anti-trypanosomal activities. CONCLUSIONS: However, there is a need for further studies on the ability of the isolated compounds to ameliorate the trypanosome-induced pathological alterations and also the elucidation of their modes of actions and activities against other trypanosome species.

Quantifying the Impact of Algae Supplement on Blood Pressure: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

The impact of Algae supplements and its extract on blood pressure has not concluded yet. The aim of this systematic review meta-analysis is to evaluate the antihypertensive activity of this group marine organism on human. Alga was used in some studies as capsules (from 500-mg to 8-g) and the follow-up duration changed from 17 days to 9 months. The difference in standardized mean and its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied as the effect size of algae supplementation on systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Based on the results, a meta-analysis of 10 studies with baseline effect control demonstrated that there was no difference in the mean systolic blood pressure in the 2 groups SMD (95%CI): -1.05 (-2.85,0.76), but a significant difference in the mean diastolic blood pressure was observed and showed that the mean diastolic blood pressure in the treatment group was lower than the control group SMD(95%CI): -2.23 (-4.35,-0.11). A meta-analysis of 4 studies with no baseline control effect did not show significant results on both blood pressure. The evidence to support this systematic review meta-analysis requires more investigation and future large scale RCT clinical trial to confirm the results.

Novel 16,17-epoxy-23-methylergostane derivative from Sinularia variabilis, a soft coral from the Persian Gulf, with apoptotic activities against breast cancer cell lines.

The steroidal and terpenoidal composition of Sinularia variabilis was investigated by chromatography methods. One new (1), and four known [gorgasta-5-en-3ß-ol (2), ergosta-5-en-3ß-ol (3), ergosta-5, 22(Z)-dien-3ß-ol (4), 5,8-epidioxy-5α, 8α-ergosta-6, 22E-dien-3ß-ol (5)] steroids, in addition to one known diterpenoidal alkaloid [sinulasulfone (6)] isolated for the first time from S. variabilis. If we named the 23-methylergostane core structure as sinustane, new compound (1) was elucidated as 16α,17α-epoxysinusta-5-en-3ß-ol-20ß-yl sulfate based on NMR and HR Mass data. It was submitted for cytotoxic activity evaluation against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines using MTT assay. Apoptosis induction was checked by flow cytometry (annexin V/propidium iodide) staining. To determine the production of reactive oxygen species, and the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm), the DCFDA, and JC-1 probes were used in this study.

Effects of Flaxseed on Blood Lipids in Healthy and Dyslipidemic Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

To address hyperlipidemia, flaxseed demonstrates a great impact on experimental and clinical trials. Therefore, the effects of flaxseed on lipid profiles of healthy and dyslipidemic subjects were assayed. The literature search was performed based on English reports of randomized control trials (RCTs) up to April 2021 to seek the effect of flaxseed on lipid profiles of healthy and dyslipidemic subjects. A total of 14 RCTs with 1107 participants were evaluated. Based on results, flaxseed significantly improves the lipid profile in dyslipidemic patients comprising total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) in comparison with the control group. Nevertheless, no significant changes were observed in high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C). Although in healthy individual flaxseed significantly increased HDL-C, LDL-C and TG. Subgroup analysis on healthy subjects showed that flaxseed improved LDL-C on overweight subjects with BMI>25. The evidence suggests that flaxseed significantly improved TC, LDL-C and TG in dyslipidemic subjects and additionally improved the HDL-C on healthy subjects.

The formulation and efficacy of topical Dorema ammoniacum in treating Melasma: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: An acquired melanin-related hyperpigmentation that occurs in sun exposure areas is Melasma which presents as gray-brown ridges and macules with prominent margins on the skin. The aim of this assay was to assess the formulation and efficacy of topical Dorema ammoniacum among Melasma patients. METHODS: This study was a 30 days double-blind, randomized clinical trial in Melasma with a placebo group. The study was carried out on 49 patients with Melasma attending Haji Daii Nursing Center in Kermanshah, Iran. Optimized topical formulation of D. ammoniacum gum extract was prepared by evaluating the characteristics of different topical formulations of this plant. Mean Melasma severity index (MMASI) instrument was applied to assess the product effectiveness and to determine the skin stains. Patients were pursued to receive the treatment throughout the 30 days trial. This scaling was accomplished before the intervention and 30 days after the use of the herbal product. To analyze the quantitative variables, t-test and Mann-Whitney test were evaluated by SPSS 21 software, and p-value <0.05 was considered as the statistically significant. RESULTS: The survey was performed on 40 female subjects (81.6%) and nine male subjects (18.4%) with the mean age of 32.18 ± 8.69. According to the results, the mean MSI in the drug group was significantly lower than before treatment and decreased from 86.98 ± 69.48 to 31.03 ± 32.62 (p-value <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In compliance with findings this survey revealed a positive effect of the cream formulation of D. ammoniacum extract on Melasma. As it was represented no side effects, this formulation is appropriate for the treatment of Melasma.

Modulating Neurological Complications of Emerging Infectious Diseases: Mechanistic Approaches to Candidate Phytochemicals.

Growing studies are revealing the critical manifestations of influenza, dengue virus (DENV) infection, Zika virus (ZIKV) disease, and Ebola virus disease (EVD) as emerging infectious diseases. However, their corresponding mechanisms of major complications headed for neuronal dysfunction are not entirely understood. From the mechanistic point of view, inflammatory/oxidative mediators are activated during emerging infectious diseases towards less cell migration, neurogenesis impairment, and neuronal death. Accordingly, the virus life cycle and associated enzymes, as well as host receptors, cytokine storm, and multiple signaling mediators, are the leading players of emerging infectious diseases. Consequently, chemokines, interleukins, interferons, carbohydrate molecules, toll-like receptors (TLRs), and tyrosine kinases are leading orchestrates of peripheral and central complications which are in near interconnections. Some of the resulting neuronal manifestations have attracted much attention, including inflammatory polyneuropathy, encephalopathy, meningitis, myelitis, stroke, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), radiculomyelitis, meningoencephalitis, memory loss, headaches, cranial nerve abnormalities, tremor, and seizure. The complex pathophysiological mechanism behind the aforementioned complications urges the need for finding multi-target agents with higher efficacy and lower side effects. In recent decades, the natural kingdom has been highlighted as promising neuroprotective natural products in modulating several dysregulated signaling pathways/mediators. The present study provides neuronal manifestations of some emerging infectious diseases and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Besides, a mechanistic-based strategy is developed to introduce candidate natural products as promising multi-target agents in combating major dysregulated pathways towards neuroprotection in influenza, DENV infection, ZIKV disease, and EVD.

Therapeutic targets of natural products for the management of cardiovascular symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019.

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first occurred in China in December 2019 and subsequently spread all over the world with cardiovascular, renal, and pulmonary symptoms. Therefore, recognizing and treating the cardiovascular sign and symptoms that caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be effective in reducing patient mortality. To control the COVID-19-related cardiovascular symptoms, natural products are considered one of the promising choices as complementary medicine. Scientists are struggling to discover new antiviral agents specific to this virus. In this review, the natural products for management of cardiovascular symptoms of COVID-19 are categorized into three groups: (a) natural products with an impact on angiotensin II type 1 receptor; (b) natural products that inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme activity; and (c) natural products that mimic adenosine activity. All these natural products should undergo clinical investigations to test their efficacy, safety, and toxicity in the treatment of cardiovascular symptoms of COVID-19. This article summarizes agents with potential efficacy against COVID-19-related cardiovascular symptoms.

Cytotoxic Alkaloids Derived from Marine Sponges: A Comprehensive Review.

Marine sponges (porifera) have proved to be a prolific source of unique bioactive secondary metabolites, among which the alkaloids occupy a special place in terms of unprecedented structures and outstanding biological activities. Identification of active cytotoxic alkaloids extracted from marine animals, particularly sponges, is an important strive, due to lack of knowledge on traditional experiential and ethnopharmacology investigations. In this report, a comprehensive survey of demospongian bioactive alkaloids in the range 1987-2020 had been performed with a special emphasis on the potent cytotoxic activity. Different resources and databases had been investigated, including Scifinder (database for the chemical literature) CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) search, web of science, Marin Lit (marine natural products research) database. More than 230 representatives of different classes of alkaloids had been reviewed and classified, different genera belonging to the phylum porifera had been shown to be a prolific source of alkaloidal molecules, including Agelas sp., Suberea sp., Mycale sp., Haliclona sp., Epipolasis sp., Monanchora sp., Crambe sp., Reniera sp., and Xestospongia sp., among others. The sufficient production of alkaloids derived from sponges is a prosperous approach that requires more attention in future studies to consider the constraints regarding the supply of drugs, attained from marine organisms.

The Signaling Pathways, and Therapeutic Targets of Antiviral Agents: Focusing on the Antiviral Approaches and Clinical Perspectives of Anthocyanins in the Management of Viral Diseases.

As the leading cause of death worldwide, viruses significantly affect global health. Despite the rapid progress in human healthcare, there are few viricidal and antiviral therapies that are efficient enough. The rapid emergence of resistance, and high costs, as well as the related side effects of synthetic antiviral drugs, raise the need to identify novel, effective, and safe alternatives against viral diseases. Nature has been of the most exceptional help and source of inspiration for developing novel multi-target antiviral compounds, affecting several steps of the viral life cycle and host proteins. For that matter and due to safety and efficacy limitations, as well as high resistance rate of conventional therapies, hundreds of natural molecules are preferred over the synthetic drugs. Besides, natural antiviral agents have shown acceptable antiviral value in both preclinical and clinical trials.This is the first review regarding molecular and cellular pathways of the virus life cycle, treatment strategies, and therapeutic targets of several viral diseases with a particular focus on anthocyanins as promising natural compounds for significant antiviral enhancements. Clinical applications and the need to develop nano-formulation of anthocyanins in drug delivery systems are also considered.

Phytochemical analysis of Holothuria leucospilota, a sea cucumber from Persian Gulf.

Sea cucumbers are widely consumed in traditional medicine and food. These animals have a considerable secondary metabolite and also several potential biological activities. This study investigated the phytochemical and cytotoxic evaluation of Holothuria leucospilota (H. leucospilota), a sea cucumber from Persian Gulf. The saponin composition of H. leucospilota was studied by different partitioning and chromatography methods such as thin layer chromatography (TLC), medium pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC) and high performance LC (HPLC). The marine sea cucumber Holostane-type triterpenoids (1-3) were characterized by physical and spectroscopic examination (1 and 2 dimensional neuclear magnetic resonance and mass experiments) with data analysis. The structure of compounds 1-3 identified as echinoside A, holothurine A, and 24-dehydroechinoside A, showed moderate cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 1.9 ± 0.07, 6.8 ± 0.23, and 2.57 ± 0.18 µg/mL against HeLa and 10.4 ± 0.32, 8.9 ± 0.24, and 4.4 ± 0.13 on HUVEC cell line, respectively. In conclusion, the holostane-type triterpenoids showed moderate cytotoxic activity against HeLa cell line and have a prosperous future to be introduced as a lead structure.