Chemodiversity, Biological Activities and Molecular Docking Studies of Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne: A Comprehensive Approach to Validate Its Medicinal Use.

Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne is growing in Cholistan desert, and is known for its laxative, analgesic, anabolic and astringent, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumor, hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic properties. The present study disclosed the metabolic picture of L. pyrotechnica and validates its folk uses. LP-H fraction constitute 25.79±0.11 mgGAE/g extract and 20.64±0.33 mgRE/g extract of phenolic and flavonoid content, respectively, followed by LP-E (23.15±0.33 mgGAE/g extract and 19.40±0.13 mgRE/g extract), however, LP-E exhibited the highest free radical scavenging (DPPH: 21.05±0.45mgTE/g and ABTS: 68.12±0.53 mgTE/g) and metal reducing (FRAP: 44.93±1.66, CUPRAC: 117.42±1.28 mgTE/g, respectively) activities. The total antioxidant capacity in Phosphomolybdenum assay (1.52±0.14 mmolTE/g) and ferrous ion chelating (11.57±0.29 mgEDTAE/g) activities were observed highest for LP-H extract. In cholinesterase's inhibitory assays, the LP-E and LP-W extracts exhibited inhibitory values as 2.43 and 2.40±0.07 mgGALAE/g extract, respectively against AChE, while against BChE the LP-H displayed the highest value as 5.98±0.44 mgGALAE/g extract. The LP-H fraction also showed the highest inhibition potential (7.72±0.14 mmol ACAE/g and 0.55±0.01 mmol ACAE/g, respectively) against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes, while, in tyrosinase inhibitory assay, all the fractions exhibited significant activities in the range of 59.35±0.29 to 55.18±0.49 mgKAE/g extract. RP-UHPLC/MS analysis of LP-M disclosed the presence of 57 metabolites of various classes. A multivariate analysis and molecular docking study was also carried out to establish relationships between the metabolites and the biological activities, which finally validate the use of L. pyrotechnica as herbal medicine or component nutraceutical, food and cosmetic industry.

Qualitative, Quantitative, In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Chemical Profiling of Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne Using Advanced Analytical Techniques.

Leptadenia pyrotechnica Forssk. Decne (LP) is a medicinal herb from the Asclepiadaceae family with many advantageous properties. The goal of this research is to identify, quantify, and evaluate the antioxidant potential of LP to validate its remarkable therapeutic advantages. The hot soxhlet extraction method was employed to prepare different extracts of LP (stem and root). These extracts were evaluated physiochemically to check their impurity, purity, and quality; qualitatively to detect different phytochemicals; and quantitatively for phenol, saponin, tannin, flavonoid, and alkaloid contents. Then, the in vitro antioxidant potential was estimated by DPPH, NO, H2O2 scavenging assays, and MC and FRAP assays. The most prevalent phytochemicals of LP were then analysed by AAS, FT-IR, UV-visible, and GC-MS techniques. A higher extractive yield was shown by LPSE and LPRE (7.37 ± 0.11 and 5.70 ± 0.02). The LP stem showed better physicochemical and qualitative results than the root. The quantitative and in vitro antioxidant results indicated maximal phenols, tannins, and alkaloid contents in LPSE, which was further confirmed by UV-visible, FT-IR, and GC-MS results. The extraction methods (soxhlation or ultrasonication) were optimized by utilizing RSM to determine the impacts of multiple parameters. The study concluded that the plant has remarkable therapeutic advantages to promote additional clinical investigations and the mechanisms of its action.

Antioxidant, carbonic anhydrase inhibition and diuretic activity of Leptadenia pyrotechnica Forssk. Decne.

Background: Leptadenia pyrotechnica Forssk. Decne is a member of family Apocynaceae and locally known as 'Khipp'. It is found in dry, sandy habitat of Pakistan and in several other regions around the world including Asia, Tropical Africa, Western Gulf and Mediterranean countries. It has nutritional value, containing 4 % lipids, 23 % proteins, 28 % carbohydrates, 4 % fibers, vitamin E and several minerals. Traditionally, this plant has been used by several communities for pain, different inflammatory and kidney disorders. Ethno-botanical studies have reported the use of L. pyrotechnica in nephrolithiasis, kidney disorders and induction of diuresis, which requires a detailed pharmacological study to validate the folkloric use of L. pyrotechnica as diuretic. Methods: The 70 % methanolic L. pyrotechnica (Lp.Cr) extract was prepared and qualitatively checked for the presence of various phytochemicals. Phenolic, flavonoid, tannin and saponin contents were quantified. GC-MS analysis of Lp.Cr was also performed. Antioxidant potential of Lp.Cr was evaluated by DPPH, ABTS and nitrite radical scavenging assays. CUPRAC and FRAP assay described the reducing potential of Lp.Cr. Diuretic activity was performed in both acute and prolonged models at different doses followed by the estimation of electrolytes, urea and creatinine levels. The mechanism of diuresis was described by pre-treatment with atropine, l-NAME, indomethacin and carbonic anhydrase inhibition. Results: Lp.Cr. indicated high phenolic and flavonoid contents which correlated with good antioxidant activity. GC-MS analysis showed the presence of 104 compounds from different phytochemical classes. Diuretic activity was performed at 10-300 mg/kg concentrations where the dose of 100 and 300 mg/kg showed good diuretic and saluretic activity comparable to furosemide. Lp.Cr exhibited diuresis both in acute and prolonged study protocols which can be attributed to carbonic anhydrase inhibition, effect on prostaglandins and cholinergic pathways. Conclusion: L. pyrotechnica contained several phytochemicals and exhibited good antioxidant activity. It induced diuresis and saluretic activity which was comparable to furosemide at higher doses. Diuretic activity can be attributed to carbonic anhydrase inhibition, prostaglandin synthesis and cholinergic pathways.

Encapsulation of Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Khip) Extract in Carbomer Based Emulgel for Its Enhanced Antioxidant Effects and Its In Vitro Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The use of natural products in skin care has been valued for their tremendous therapeutic benefits since ancient times. The current study was aimed at exploring the Leptadenia pyrotechnica plant extract and development of a stable emulgel loaded with the same extract to assess its cosmeceutical potentials. METHODOLOGY: A stable emulgel loaded with methanolic plant extract along with its control gel was prepared by homogenization. The antioxidant potential of extracts prepared in different solvents (methanol MLP, ethanol ELP, n-hexane nLP, ethyl acetate EALP, and petroleum ether PLP) was determined by DPPH scavenging activity. The presence of phytochemicals was confirmed by total phenolic and flavonoid content analysis (TPC/TFC). HPLC was used for quantification of bioactive components. FTIR analysis was performed for confirmation of functional groups. SPF was calculated via spectroscopic analysis for extract, control gel, and extract loaded emulgel. Stability studies included physical evaluation, pH, conductivity, spreadability, and rheological testing of both control and test emulgels at different temperatures, i.e., 8 °C ± 1, 25 °C ± 1, 40 °C ± 1, 40 °C ± 1 with RH of 75% for a period of 90 days. RESULTS: DPPH radical scavenging activity showed the highest antioxidant activity of 85.5% ± 2.78 for MLP. TPC and TFC were also found to be highest for the methanolic fraction, i.e., 190.98 ± 0.40 mgGAE/g and 128.28 ± 2.64 mgQE/g, respectively. The SPF of methanolic extract, placebo gel, and LPEG was 13.43 ± 0.46, 2.37 ± 0.33, and 7.28 ± 0.56, respectively. HPLC assay confirmed the presence of catechin, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, and sinapinic acid. Rheological analysis showed that formulation has pseudo-plastic flow behavior. Other stability tests also revealed that prepared emulgel is a stable one. CONCLUSION: A stable emulgel loaded with Leptadenia pyrotechnica plant extract was successfully prepared and characterized for its cosmetic effects.

Comparative morpho-anatomical study on Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Apocynaceae) growing in the hyper-arid and arid habitats of Saudi Arabia.

The use of wild plants is considered to be an eco-friendly and promising natural resource. In sandy desert habitats, Leptadenia pyrotechnica flourishes as a xerophytic shrub with high biomass production. As a dominant shrub in the arid sand dune habitats of Saudi Arabia, Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne (Asclepiadaceae) is one of the most common xerophytes; the many medicinal uses of this plant include treating allergies, productive coughs, abortions, diabetes, stomach disorders, fevers, kidney disorders, and stones. In such a distribution, morpho-anatomical characteristics, among other adaptive traits, play an important role. This study aims to characterize some morpho-anatomical adaptations of L. pyrotechnica in two stressful habitats: the hyper-arid inland sand dunes of the Empty Quarter (EQ) and the arid coastal sand dunes of Jazan. A morpho-anatomical analysis of plant stems and roots from both habitats was conducted using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The outcomes indicated similar characteristics, a low surface-to-volume ratio (S/V), a thin boundary layer (δbl), an epidermis with many layers of hypodermis, bundles of sclerenchymatous cells around vascular tissue, and storage starch grains in ray parenchyma between xylem conduits. On the other hand, the L. pyrotechnica stem from the hyper-arid habitat of the Empty Quarter revealed more encrypted stomata, more elongated palisade cells, less calcium oxalate crystals with low Ca percentage, and a high vulnerability index of xylem vessels compared with the same traits of the stem from the Jazan coastal sand dunes habitat. Roots of L. pyrotechnica from both habitats revealed similar features of general anatomy. However, differences in specific anatomical traits were observed, especially in xylem vessel characters. The vulnerability index of root xylem vessels from the Empty Quarter habitat was more than that from the Jazan coastal sand dunes habitat. Furthermore, vestured bordered pits in root xylem walls were more abundant in the Empty Quarter habitat than in the Jazan coastal sand dunes habitat. As a result, these characteristics in the morpho-anatomy of L. pyrotechnica from both habitats provide practical adaptations to highly stressful conditions, along with specific anatomical traits relating to each habitat.

Immunostimulant activities of the aqueous methanolic extract of Leptadenia pyrotechnica, a plant from Cholistan desert.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne (Asclepiadaceae) is a well-renowned medicinal shrub, used by herbal practitioners for various ailments including allergic rhinitis, productive cough, abortion, diabetes, stomach disorders, fever, kidney disorders, stones and cancer AIM OF THE STUDY: On the basis of folkloric uses, L. pyrotechnica was selected from the wide medicinal flora of the Cholistan desert of Pakistan, for the exploration of immunomodulatory potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous methanolic (30:70) extract of aerial parts of L. pyrotechnica (Lp. Cr) was prepared by 3 days thrice maceration and subsequent evaporation under reduced pressure. In-vivo experiments were performed in Wistar albino rats including neutrophil adhesion test, haemagglutinating antibody (HA) titre, delayed-type hypersensitivity response, phagocytic activity and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. RESULTS: Lp. Cr produced a significant increase in phagocytic index in dose-dependent fashion (3.56, 4.18 and 5.42 at 30, 100 and 300mg/kg, respectively) as well as an augmented response in the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and HA titre induced by sheep erythrocytes. Lp. Cr also showed improved adhesion of neutrophils with nylon pellets (15.28, 27.85 and 38.42% at the doses of 30, 100 and 300mg/kg) and prevented myelosuppression in cyclophosphamide-treated rats as evidenced from the hematological parameters. The results of treatment were compared with normal and standard control groups throughout the study and the effects by Lp. Cr (300mg/kg) were found to be comparable with Levamisole. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that L. pyrotechnica possesses immunostimulatory activity and justify its traditional use for the control and management of diseases in which the immune system needs to be stimulated like infectious diseases.

ETHNOBOTANICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne.: A REVIEW.

BACKGROUND: Leptadenia pyrotechnica is traditionally used for treating various diseases. This species holds variety of bioactive constituents that trigger healing properties. The present review was aimed to analyze nutritional, phytochemical and pharmacological activities of L. pyrotechnica. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present review regarding Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne. Is the compilation of data from the previous research works conducted by various scientists across the world. Various published papers, medicinal plant databases, etc were utilized to compile the information. RESULTS: L. pyrotechnica is a wonderful desert plant belongs to the family Asclepiadaceae This plant possesses antifungal, antibacterial, anticancer, antioxidant, wound healing, anthelmintic, antiatheroscloretic, hypolipidemic, antdiabetic and hepatoprotective activities coupled with other multifarious uses. Almost all plant parts are used in the traditional medicinal system to treat various disorders. CONCLUSION: This review includes the substance of different ethnobotanical uses, phytochemistry and exclusive capability of this plant in the field of anti-microbial and human disease activities.