Emerging Role of Plant-Based Bioactive Compounds as Therapeutics in Parkinson's Disease.

Neurological ailments, including stroke, Alzheimer's disease (AD), epilepsy, Parkinson's disease (PD), and other related diseases, have affected around 1 billion people globally to date. PD stands second among the common neurodegenerative diseases caused as a result of dopaminergic neuron loss in the midbrain's substantia nigra regions. It affects cognitive and motor activities, resulting in tremors during rest, slow movement, and muscle stiffness. There are various traditional approaches for the management of PD, but they provide only symptomatic relief. Thus, a survey for finding new biomolecules or substances exhibiting the therapeutic potential to patients with PD is the main focus of present-day research. Medicinal plants, herbal formulations, and natural bioactive molecules have been gaining much more attention in recent years as synthetic molecules orchestrate a number of undesired effects. Several in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies in the recent past have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants, herbal formulations, and plant-based bioactives. Among the plant-based bioactives, polyphenols, terpenes, and alkaloids are of particular interest due to their potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and brain-health-promoting properties. Further, there are no concise, elaborated articles comprising updated mechanism-of-action-based reviews of the published literature on potent, recently investigated (2019-2023) medicinal plants, herbal formulations, and plant based-bioactive molecules, including polyphenols, terpenes, and alkaloids, as a method for the management of PD. Therefore, we designed the current review to provide an illustration of the efficacious role of various medicinal plants, herbal formulations, and bioactives (polyphenols, terpenes, and alkaloids) that can become potential therapeutics against PD with greater specificity, target approachability, bioavailability, and safety to the host. This information can be further utilized in the future to develop several value-added formulations and nutraceutical products to achieve the desired safety and efficacy for the management of PD.

A Validated High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography Technique for Routine Analysis of Curcumin in Four Different Species of Curcuma Viz. C. amada, C. caesia, C. longa and C. zedoaria.

In this study, we investigated a new, simple, sensitive, selective and precise high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprint and quantitative estimation method for the routine analysis of curcumin in Curcuma species viz. Curcuma amada, Curcuma caesia, Curcuma longa and Curcuma zedoaria. Linear ascending development was carried out in a twin-trough glass chamber saturated with toluene:acetic acid (4:1; v/v with 20 minutes of saturation). The plate was dried and analyzed by CAMAG TLC scanner III at white light and 366 nm. The system was found to give compact spots for curcumin (Rf 0.42). The relationship between the concentration of standard solutions and the peak response is linear within the concentration range of 10-70 ng/spot for curcumin. In result, curcumin was not detected in any of C. caesia extracts. The percentage of curcumin was found between 0.042 and 4.908 (%w/w) in different Curcuma species obtained by two different extraction methods viz. Soxhlet and sonication, respectively. Further, extraction via Soxhlet method is most suitable method to get higher curcumin content from rhizomes. The proposed HPTLC method may be use for routine quality testing and quantification of curcumin in Curcuma samples.

An overview on therapeutic and medicinal potential of poly-hydroxy flavone viz. Heptamethoxyflavone, Kaempferitrin, Vitexin and Amentoflavone for management of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases: a critical analysis on mechanistic insight.

Neurodegenerative disorders occur when nerve cells in the brain or peripheral nervous system partial or complete fail in their functions and sometimes even die due to some injuries or aging. Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD), have been majorly resulted due to degeneration of neurons and neuroinflammation progressively. There are many similarities that correlates both AD and PD on a cellular and sub-cellular level. Therefore, a hope for therapeutic advancement for simultaneous upgradation in both the diseases are directly depending on the discovery of common mechanism at molecular and cellular level. Recent and past evidences from scientific literature supporting the efficacy of plants flavonoids in treatment and protection of both AD and PD. Further, dietary flavones, specially Heptamethoxyflavone, Kaempferitrin, Vitexin and Amentoflavone gains recently much more attention for producing many health beneficiary effects including neuroprotection. Despite of these evidence a detailed updated overview of neuroprotective effects against both AD and PD by Heptamethoxyflavone, Kaempferitrin, Vitexin and Amentoflavone are still missing. In this context several published studies were assessed by using various online electronic search engines/databases to meet the objective from 1981 to 2021 (Approx. 224). Therefore, present review was designed to deliver the detailed description on these flavones including therapeutic benefits in AD, PD and other CNS complications with critical analysis on underlying mechanisms.

Revisiting liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) as anti-inflammatory, antivirals and immunomodulators: Potential pharmacological applications with mechanistic insight.

Background: Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (G. glabra) commonly known as liquorice is one of the highly exploited and utilized medicinal plant of the world. Since ancient times liquorice is considered as an auspicious and valuable traditional medicine across the world for treatment of various ailments. Method: Several electronic online scientific databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Scifinder, Google Scholar, online books and reports were assessed for collecting information. All the collected information was classified into different sections to meet the objective of the paper. Results: The electronic database search yielded 3908 articles from different countries. Out of them one ninety-eight articles published between 1956 and 2021 were included, corresponding to all detailed review on G. glabra and research on anti-inflammatories, antivirals and immunomodulatory through pre-clinical and clinical models. From all selective area of studies on G. glabra and its bioactive components it was established (including molecular mechanisms) as a suitable remedy as per the current requirement of pandemic situation arise through respiratory tract infection. Conclusion: Different relevant studies have been thoroughly reviewed to gain an insight on utility of liquorice and its bioactive constituents for anti-inflammatories, antivirals and immunomodulatory effects with special emphasized for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection with possible mechanism of action at molecular level. Proposed directions for future research are also outlined to encourage researchers to find out various mechanistic targets and useful value added products of liquorice in future investigations.

A review on albumin as a biomaterial for ocular drug delivery.

Development of ocular drug delivery system is one of the most technically challenging tasks, when compared with other routes of drug delivery. Eye (an intricate organ) is highly sophisticated and sensitive organ due to presence of various structurally differed anatomical layers, which many times limits the drug delivery approaches. Despite several limitations, many advancements have been made as evidence from various recent studies involving improvement of both residence time and permeation of the drug at the ocular region. In the last few decades, albumin(s) based ophthalmic products have been gained most attention to solve the major challenges associated with conventional ocular drug delivery systems. Interestingly, an albumin-based micro, nano, conjugates, and genetically fused target specific to ligand(s) formulation being exploited through many studies for successful ocular delivery of bioactives (mostly repurposed drugs). Past and current studies suggested that albumin(s) based ocular drug delivery system is multifunctional in nature and capable of extending both drug residence time and sustaining the release of drugs to deliver desired pharmacological outcomes. Despite wide applications, still complete progress made in albumin based ocular drug delivery is limited in literature and missing in market. So, herein we presented an overview to explore the key concepts of albumin-based nanocarrier(s) including strategies involved in the treatment of ocular disease, that have yet to be explored.

Neuropharmacological evaluation on four traditional herbs used as nervine tonic and commonly available as Shankhpushpi in India.

BACKGROUND: Shankhpushpi is an Ayurvedic drug, widely used for its actions on the central nervous system, especially to improve intellect and boost memory. Four botanicals viz. Canscora decussata Schult. (CD), Clitorea ternatea Linn. (CT), Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy. (CP) and Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. (EA) are considered as sources of Shankhpushpi by Indian practitioners on the basis of their morphological descriptions given in ancient texts. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the neuropharmacological effect of four herbs commonly identified as source of Shankhpushpi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methanol extracts of all four varieties were tested and evaluated in vitro and in vivo for their neuropharmacological effects. Experiments such as protection against ß-amyloid induced neurotoxicity on brain cell line (Neuro 2A), antioxidant potential, AchE (acetylcholinesterase enzyme) inhibition, and 5-LOX (lipoxygenase) enzyme inhibition were conducted for in vitro evaluation. For in vivo evaluation, scopolamine (0.3 mg/kg i.p.) induced memory retrieval using pole climbing apparatus and Morris water maze were performed in rat models. RESULTS: It was found that protective effects of EA and CD against ß-amyloid induced neurotoxicity in Neuro 2A cells were significantly higher than CT and CP. EA proved to be superior than other varieties on the basis of antioxidant activity, AchE inhibitory and LOX inhibitory activities. The preventive activity of EA on scopolamine induced memory retrieval in pole climbing and Morris water maze task in rats was found to be higher than that of CD, CT and CP. CONCLUSION: EA has remarkable neuropharmacological effect as compared to other three varieties of Shankhpushpi. This effect may be attributed due to the presence of steroids (stigmasterol and betulinic acid), coumarins (scopoletin) and flavonoids (ß-carotene and chlorogenic acid). Hence it can be used as a promising lead in development and management of neuronal disorders including Alzheimer's disease.

Ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological updates on Hygrophila auriculata (Schum.) Hiene: an overview.

This article explores the most recent evidence-based information on ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological understanding of Hygrophila auriculata for the treatment of various diseases and health conditions. Various ethnomedicinal writings suggest the use of the plant or its parts for the treatment of jaundice, oedema, gastrointestinal ailments, diarrhoea, dysentery, urinogenital disorder, gall stones, urinary calculi, kidney stone, leucorrhoea, rheumatism, tuberculosis, anaemia, body pain, constipation, skin disease, and as an aphrodisiac. The plant has been reported to contain flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, ellagic acid, gallic acid and quercetin), alkaloids (asteracanthine and asteracanthicine), triterpenes (lupeol, lupenone, hentricontane and betulin), sterols (stigmasterol and asterol), minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, aliphatic esters and essential oils. Extracts and bioactive compounds from the plant have been found to possess antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antitermite, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, central nervous system protective, antitumour, antidiabetic, anticataract, antioxidant, haematopoietic, diuretic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antimotility, aphrodisiac, neuroprotection, anti-endotoxin and anti-urolithiatic activities. For this paper, we reviewed patents, clinical studies, analytical studies and marketed formulations from the earliest found examples from 1887 to the end of 2017.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of mixed micellar lipid formulation of phyllanthin and piperine in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rodents.

Phyllanthin, a sparingly water-soluble hepatoprotective lignin obtained from Phyllanthus amarus Schum. et Thonn. (Euphorbiaceae) possesses low bioavailability. Phyllanthin along with piperine (a nutraceutical bioenhancer) was formulated as a mixed micellar lipid formulation (MMLF) in the present study and investigated to resolve the low bioavailability and enhance hepatoprotective effects on oral administration. Hepatoprotective, antioxidant and bioavailability studies of MMLF, a complex phosphatidylcholine formulation of phyllanthin (CP-PC), phyllanthin + piperine (CP-P-PC) and its corresponding non-formulated phyllanthin have been carried out. Phyllanthin (30 mg kg(-1) p.o.), CP-PC (30 mg kg(-1) p.o.), CP-P-PC (30 mg kg(-1) p.o.) and the reference drug silymarin (100 mg kg(-1), p.o.) were administered daily to rats for 10 days, followed by liver damage by administering a 1 : 1 (v/v) mixture of CCl4 and olive oil (1 ml kg(-1), i.p.) for 7 days from day 4 to day 10. The degree of protection was evaluated by determining the level of marker enzymes (SGOT and SGPT), bilirubin (TB) and total proteins (TP). Further, the effects of MMLF on lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) were estimated in liver homogenates to evaluate the antioxidant activity. Finally the concentration of phyllanthin was evaluated in plasma. EC50 values for the in vitro antioxidant assay with DPPH were found to be 19.99, 15.94 and 13.5 for phyllanthin, CP-PC and CP-P-PC, respectively. CP-P-PC (30 mg kg(-1) p.o.) showed significant (p < 0.05) hepatoprotective effect by reducing the levels of serum marker enzymes (SGOT, SGPT, and TB), whereas, elevated the levels of depleted total protein (TP), lipid peroxidation and antioxidant marker enzyme activities such as, GSH, SOD, CAT, GPX, and GR. The complex MMLF normalized adverse conditions of rat livers more efficiently than the non-formulated phyllanthin. The present findings indicate that the MMLF is helpful in solving the problem of low bioavailability of phyllanthin.

Rapid validated high performance thin layer chromatography method for simultaneous estimation of mangiferin and scopoletin in Canscora decussata (South Indian Shankhpushpi) extract

AbstractMangiferin (polyphenolic xanthone) and scopoletin (phenolic coumarin) are well-studied biological markers present in Canscora decussata(Roxb.) Roem. & Schult., Gentianaceae. The objective set for the present studies is to establish and develop a new, simple, selective, sensitive, and precise high performance thin layer chromatography method for the simultaneous estimation of mangiferin and scopoletin in hydroalcoholic extract of C. decussata. The thin layer chromatographic separation of these biomarkers was carried out on aluminum plate pre-coated with silica gel 60F254, eluted with ethyl acetate:acetic acid:formic acid:water (10:0.5:0.5:1.5). The plate was then dried and densitometric scanning was performed at 254 nm using a Camag TLC scanner III. The system was found to give compact spots for mangiferin (RF 0.22) and scopoletin (RF 0.78). A good relationship of linear precision between the concentrations (100–600 ng/spot) and peak areas was obtained with correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9979 (mangiferin) and 0.9962 (scopoletin), respectively. The limits of detection and limit of quantification were determined to be 46 and 94 ng/spot for mangiferin and 31 and 78 ng/spot for scopoletin respectively. The percentage of recovery was found from 99.91 to 99.94% for mangiferin and 99.75 to 99.86% for scopoletin. Results obtained from recovery studies showed excellent reliability and reproducibility of the method. Present communication on validated high performance thin layer chromatography method may provide a new, selective, sensitive, and precise method to estimate mangiferin and scopoletin as phytomarkers in the hydroalcoholic extract of C. decussata used in Ayurvedic formulations.

Antioxidant markers based TLC-DPPH differentiation on four commercialized botanical sources of Shankhpushpi (A Medhya Rasayana): A preliminary assessment.

Shankhpushpi is a cognition boosting traditional ayurvedic brain supplement. Convolvulus pluricaulis (Convolvulaceae), Evolvulus alsinoides (Convolvulaceae), Clitoria ternatea (Papilionaceae), and Canscora decussata (Gentianaceae) are botanical claimants of Shankhpushpi. This investigation is to focus the identification of the compound based on biological marker differentiation of four botanical claimants of Shankhpushpi for their antioxidant evaluation on thin layer chromatography (TLC) by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. A rapid TLC-DPPH method was developed to identify and differentiate four botanical claimants of Shankhpushpi in terms of presence of ß-carotene, rutin, scopoletin, chlorogenic acid, and mangiferin. C. pluricaulis shows presence of scopoletin; E. alsinoides shows presence of ß-carotene, scopoletin, and chlorogenic acid; C. ternatea shows presence of ß-carotene, scopoletin, and rutin; and C. decussata shows presence of ß-carotene, scopoletin, and mangiferin. The order, they followed, based on their antioxidant potential is ß-carotene < mangiferin < rutin < scopoletin < chlorogenic acid. Antioxidants are attributed for their beneficial role in age-related cognition decline. The proposed method provides an edge in terms of identification and quantification of antioxidant constituents in a multi-component system. This method may also provide application for identification of correct plant sources used in the name of Shankhpushpi in marketed ayurvedic formulation, food supplement, and extracts.

Antidiabetic activity of alkaloids of Aerva lanata roots on streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced type-II diabetes in rats.

CONTEXT: The roots of Aerva lanata Linn. (Amaranthaceae) (AL) are employed traditionally as an antihyperglycaemic in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. OBJECTIVE: The present investigation is focus for identification and isolation of the bioactive compound from methanol roots extract of AL against streptozocin-nicotinamide induced elevated serum glucose level in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The methanol extract of the roots was fractionated using different solvents. The partially purified alkaloid basified toluene fraction (PPABTF) showed the presence of alkaloids. The fraction (10 and 20 mg/kg) was tested for oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)-induced elevated serum glucose level in rats. The fraction was also subjected to high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) for the determination of content of individual alkaloids. RESULTS: Single oral administration of PPABTF (10 and 20 mg/kg) after 20 h caused a significant (p < 0.01) reduction in the serum glucose level (mg/dl). On other hand, PPABTF normalised plasma glucose levels after 2 weeks of repeated oral administration in diabetic rats (p < 0.01). HPTLC analysis on PPABTF showed the presence of three known alkaloids. The fraction was further subjected to column chromatography and the compounds identified by ultraviolet, infrared, mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance, as canthin-6-one derivatives. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The PPABTF in the dose of 20 mg/kg showed significant effects on streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced type-II NIDDM in rats. The activity may be due to the presence of alkaloids like canthin-6-one derivatives.

Anti-arthritis activity of roots of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. (Anantmul) in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of hydroalcoholic and its fractions from roots of Hemidesmus indicus on arthritis in in vitro models of rodents. METHODS: Preliminary phytochemical analysis and thin-layer chromoatography were performed to analyze constituents of hydroalcoholic extract and its three fraction namely ethyl acetate fraction, chloroform fraction and residual fraction of root of Hemidesmus indicus. Arthritis rats models were established by Complete Freund's Adjuvant. The parameters including paw edema, body weight, arthritic index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum rheumatoid factor, serum C-reactive protein, serum nitrite level, and histopathology of synovial joints were observed. Methotrexate was taken as positive control. RESULTS: Rats treated with hydroalcoholic extract (450 mg/kg, p.o.), ethyl acetate (75 mg/kg, p.o.), chloroform (60 mg/kg, p.o) and residual fractions (270 mg/kg, p.o.), showed significant decrease in physical and biochemical parameters compared with arthritic model rats. Hydroalcoholic extract and its ethyl acetate fraction of Hemidesmus indicus showed significantly higher anti-arthritic activity than chloroform and residual fraction. Histopathological analysis demonstrated that both of hydroalcoholic extract and its ethyl acetate fraction had comparable anti-arthritic activity with methotrexates. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that Hemidesmus indicus has protective activity against arthritis and the activity might be attributed to presence of terpenoid in hydroalcoholic extract, as well as in ethyl acetate fraction.

Phytopharmacologic aspects of Canscora decussata Roem and Schult.

Nature is an inexhaustible source of secondary metabolites-different types of alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics, and other classes of organic compounds. In the process of isolation, purification and determination of the structures of lead, with their biological effectiveness, every type of experimental tool and strategy, known too and developed over the years by various practitioners. The present review is an attempt to compile information on various aspects of Canscora decussata, "Shankhpushpi" of Indian traditional system of medicine. The phytoconstituents, such as phenolic compounds, xanthones, and triterpenoids were isolated from different parts of the plant. The plant possesses immunomodulatory, analgesic, anticonvulsant, antitubercular, antiinflammatory, spermicidal, central nervous system-depressive, and cardiostimulant properties. Clinical trials of marketed formulation showed very encouraging results.

Comparative pharmacognostical investigation on four ethanobotanicals traditionally used as Shankhpushpi in India.

People in Indian region often apply Shankhpushpi and other Sanskrit-based common name to Evolvulus alsinoides, Convolvulus pluricaulis, Canscora decussata, and Clitorea ternatea. These are pre-European names that are applied to a medicinal plant. Before the establishment of British rule, like the other books, ayurvedic treatises were also hand written. This might be one of the reasons due to which ayurveda could not stand parallel to the western medicine and an ambiguity is reflected in the interpretation of names and description of drugs found in the books like Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. The most widespread application of Shankhpushpi is for mental problems, but they have been considered for an array of other human maladies. The present investigation deals with the comparative pharmacognostical evaluation of four ethanobotanicals of Shankhpushpi. A comparative morphoanatomy of the root, stem, and leaves has been studied with the aim to aid pharmacognostic and taxonomic species identification. Various physicochemical, morphological, histological parameters, comparative high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), and comparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), chromatogram of methanolic extract presented in this communication may serve the purpose of standard parameters to establish the authenticity of commercialized varieties and can possibly help to differentiate the drug from the other species. All the parameters were studied according to the WHO and pharmacopoeial guidelines.

Isolation and characterization of total volatile components from leaves of citrus limon linn.

The isolation of the essential oil of whole fresh leaves of Citrus lemon by steam distillation is described. The chemical composition of the oil was investigated by means of Gas-Liquid Chromatography (GLC), Column Chromatography (CC) and coupled Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The 27 most important volatile components were identified. The volatile components were identified by comparing their retention times of GC chromatograph with those of literature. Further identification was done by GC- MS. The components of the oil, percentage of each constituent, their RI values and their Eight Peak Index were also summarized and reviewed with standard available literature.

Protective effect of stem bark of Ceiba pentandra linn. against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

The present study reports protective activity of ethyl acetate fraction of methanol extract of stem bark of Ceiba pentandra against paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats. The ethyl acetate fraction (400 mg/kg) was administered orally to the rats with hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol (3 gm/kg). Silymarin (100 mg/kg) was used as positive control. High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting of ethyl acetate fraction revealed presence of its major chemical constituents. A significant (P < 0.05) reduction in serum enzymes GOT (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), GPT alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin content and histopathological screening in the rats treated gave indication that ethyl acetate fraction of methanolic extract of Ceiba pentandra possesses hepatoprotective potential against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.