Centellosides viz., asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside, madecassoside, are the major bioactive molecules in Centella asiatica. In this study madecassic acid:asiatic acid, ...madecassoside:asiaticoside (C6-hydroxylation versus non-hydroxylation) and asiaticoside:asiatic acid, madecassoside:madecassic acid (C28-glycoside versus aglycone) ratios in 50 C. asiatica accessions originally collected from their natural habitats in south India and grown under identical ecological conditions for six generations were determined using validated HPTLC-densitometry protocols. Asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside and madecassoside contents ranged from 0.00-0.29% (average 0.03 ± 0.06%; 28 accessions recorded asiatic acid content as zero), 0.02-0.72% (0.12 ± 0.13%), 0.04-2.41% (0.44 ± 0.52%) and 0.15-5.27% (1.59 ± 1.26%), respectively. Distinctly, C6-hydroxylated (madecassic acid:asiatic acid 4.00, madecassoside:asiaticoside 3.61) and C28-glycosylated (asiaticoside:asiatic acid 14.67, madecassoside: madecassic acid 13.25) centellosides dominated over the respective non-derivatized entities. Our results infer that both C6-hydroxylation by CYP450-dependent monooxygenases and C28-glycosylation by UDP-Glc glucosyltransferases are dominant bioconversion steps in C. asiatica. Besides, this study discovered six elite lines of C. asiatica, with their (asiaticoside + madecassoside) contents above the industrial benchmark (≥ 4%) from south India. Two elite clones with asiaticoside contents ≥ 2% were also identified. Standardization of the agrotechniques of these elite lines could lead to their industrial applications. Further, this study emphasizes the need for standardizing all four centellosides as biomarkers in C. asiatica raw drugs, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.
Bacopa monnieri, commonly known as Brahmi, has been extensively used as a neuromedicine for various disorders such as anxiety, depression and memory loss. Chemical characterization studies revealed ...the major active constituents of the herb as the triterpenoid saponins, bacosides. Bacoside A, the vital neuroprotective constituent, is composed of four constituents viz., bacoside A3, bacopaside II, jujubogenin isomer of bacopasaponin C (bacopaside X) and bacopasaponin C. B. monnieri extracts as well as bacosides successfully establish a healthy antioxidant environment in various tissues especially in the liver and brain. Free radical scavenging, suppression of lipid peroxidation and activation of antioxidant enzymes by bacosides help to attain a physiological state of minimized oxidative stress. The molecular basis of neuroprotective activity of bacosides is attributed to the regulation of mRNA translation and surface expression of neuroreceptors such as AMPAR, NMDAR and GABAR in the various parts of the brain. Bioavailability as well as binding of neuroprotective agents (such as bacosides) to these receptors is controlled by the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB). However, nano conversion of these drug candidates easily resolves the BBB restriction and carries a promising role in future therapies. This review summarizes the neuroprotective functions of B. monnieri extracts as well as its active compounds (bacoside A, bacopaside I) and the molecular mechanisms responsible for these pharmacological activities.
•Madecassoside encapsulated alginate chitosan nanoparticles, characterization.•MACNP acts as cytoprotective to astrocytes, maintains the brain milieu.•MACNP exhibits anti-proliferative activity on C6 ...glioma cells.•MACNP enhanced ROS production and cellular uptake in C6 cells.•MACNP shed a new insight to the tumor maladies.
Madecassoside (MAD), an ursane type pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin, isolated from Centella asiatica (CA) possesses various pharmacological activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate therapeutic potential of MAD encapsulated alginate chitosan nanoparticles (MACNPs) on C6 glioma cells. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential thermal analysis (DTA), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Cell viability and compatibility of both MAD and MACNP were observed on primary astrocytes. Cytotoxicity and anti-proliferative effect of MACNPs were studied on C6 glioma cells by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and 5′-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (Edu) assays. MACNPs showed 90% cytotoxicity, and depicted anti-proliferative activity against C6 cells. Annexin V-Alexa flour-488/propidium iodide (PI) staining followed by flow cytometry revealed that MACNPs induced necrosis in C6 glioma cells. Cell death was also observed using acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EtBr) and Hoechst staining. 2′,7′-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) assay by flow cytometry showed an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in MACNP treated C6 glioma cells. MACNPs showed a greater uptake and distribution in C6 glioma cells and inhibited the proliferation of C6 cells via increased intracellular ROS production. Our findings suggest MACNP as a promising drug delivery carrier for the management of glioma and shed new insights to brain malaises.
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Ficus krishnae stem bark and leaves are used for diabetes treatment in traditional medicines. Stem bark of F. krishnae was sequentially extracted with hexane, methanol and water, and these extracts ...were tested for their antihyperglyceamic activity by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in overnight fasted glucose loaded normal rats. Hexane extract showed significant glucose lowering activity in OGTT, and the triterpene alcohols (cycloartenol+24-methylenecycloartanol) (CA+24-MCA) were isolated together from it by activity guided isolation and characterized by NMR and mass spectroscopy. The ratio of the chemical constituents CA and 24-MCA in (CA+24-MCA) was determined as 2.27:1.00 by chemical derivatization and gas chromatographic quantification. (CA+24-MCA) in high fat diet-streptozotocin induced type II diabetic rats showed significant antidiabetes activity at 1 mg/kg and ameliorated derailed blood glucose and other serum biochemical parameters. Cytoprotective activity of (CA+24-MCA) from glucose toxicity was evaluated in cultured RIN-5F cells by MTT assay and fluorescent microscopy. (CA+24-MCA) in in vitro studies showed enhanced cell viability in RIN-5F cells and significant protection of beta cells from glucose toxicity. Both in in vivo and in vitro studies (CA+24-MCA) showed enhancement in insulin release from the beta cells. In short term toxicity studies in mice (CA+24-MCA) did not show any conspicuous toxic symptoms. The combination of the phytosterols (CA+24-MCA) obtained through activity guided isolation of the stem bark of F. krishnae showed significant activity, and therefore is a promising candidate for new generation antidiabetes drug development.
Targeted drug delivery systems gave newer dimensions for safer and more effective use of therapeutic drugs, thus helping in circumventing the issues of toxicity and unintended drug accumulation. ...These ongoing developments in delivery systems can, in turn, bring back drugs that suffered various limitations, Ellipticine (EPT) being a candidate. EPT derivatives witnessed entry into clinical settings but failed to survive in clinics citing various toxic side effects. A large body of preclinical data deliberates the potency of drug delivery systems in increasing the efficiency of EPT/derivatives while decreasing their toxic side effects. Recent developments in drug delivery systems provide a platform to explore EPT and its derivatives as good clinical candidates in treating tumors. The present review deals with delivery mechanisms of EPT/EPT derivatives as antitumor drugs, in vitro and in vivo, and evaluates the suitability of EPT-carriers in clinical settings.
Mast seeding and associated events in Melocanna baccifera, the largest fruit producing bamboo, is an enigma. So far there are no comprehensive accounts on its flowering phenology, fruiting dynamics ...and animal interactions. In this study, spanning over 13 years (2009 to 2022), we observed eight M. baccifera clumps in JNTBGRI Bambusetum from flowering initiation, fruiting to eventual death. Flowering phenology, floral characteristics, floret types, breeding system, bee visitation, pollination, fruit production and predators were recorded; predation patterns were correlated with fruit chemistry. Flowering duration of clumps ranged from 20 (March 2009-October 2010) to 120 (September 2012-August 2022) months. Bisexual florets are dichogamous and protogynous; and female duration (22-72 h) is many times higher than male duration (2-6 h). The highest ever fruit production for an individual bamboo clump (456.67 Kg) was recorded. Of the total fallen fruits (38371), 38.11% were predated, 43.80% good fruits (no predator hits) and 18.09% immature fruits. A positive correlation between reward (fruits) versus predation was observed, especially in short intervals of high fruit production. Pollen predators (Apis cerana indica, Halictus taprabonae, Braunsapis cupulifera, Trigona iridipennis), fruit predators, ranging from arthropods to mammals, viz., millipede (Spinotarsus colosseus), slug (Mariaella dussumieri), snails (Cryptozona bistrialis, Macrochlamys sp.), borers (Achroia grisella, Blattella germanica), mammals (monkeys Macaca radiata, rats Rattus rattus, porcupine Hystrix indica, wild boar Sus scrofa, palm civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), seedling predators (rabbit Lepus nigricollis, deer Axis axis), and insect/pest predators (ants Crematogaster biroi, Oecophylla smaragdina, mantis Euchomenella indica) were identified. Fruit predation is linked to its age and chemistry. Apart from new insights on flowering phenology, breeding system, pollination and fruiting dynamics, this study demonstrates the vibrant interaction between M. baccifera flowers/fruits and visitors/predators, and provides significant leads towards elucidating the cause of rat multiplication and other events associated with its gregarious flowering.
Humboldtia unijuga
Bedd. (Fabaceae), a tree species endemic to southern region of Western Ghats in India, is least explored for its chemical constituents and biological activities. Phytochemical ...analysis of
H. unijuga
roots and stems resulted in the isolation of twenty-nine secondary metabolites with four new molecules,
viz
., methyl 3-(tetradecanoyloxy)olean-12-en-28-oate (
3
), lup-20(29)-en-3-yl 3-hydroxyheptadecanoate (
26
), methyl 3-(dodecanoyloxy)olean-12-en-28-oate (
27
), 28-oxoolean-12-en-3-yl myristate (
28
). Antiproliferative (cytotoxicity) activity of the twenty-nine isolated compounds was evaluated by MTT assay in five cancer cell lines,
viz
., C6, Hepa 1-6, RIN-5F, DLA and PC-12. These in vitro screening assays revealed promising anticancer activity of oleanolic acid-3-acetate (
5
) and (2S)-1
-O-
palmitoyl-2-
O
-(9Z-octadecenoyl)-3
-O-
(6’-sulfo-α-D-quinovopyranosyl) glycerol (
16
). The mechanism of anticancer activity of these two molecules was elucidated by phase contrast and fluorescent microscopy, caspase 3 activity assay and flow cytometric cell cycle/apoptotic analyses. These compounds demonstrated anticancer activity on C6 and DLA cells by inducing cell specific apoptosis. Briefly, this study led to the isolation of twenty nine secondary metabolites, with four new ones, from
H. unijuga
, and two of the isolated molecules demonstrated promising anticancer activity.
Graphical abstract
Chemistry of Amomum essential oils Sabulal, Nikitha; Baby, Sabulal
The Journal of essential oil research,
09/2021, Volume:
33, Issue:
5
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Genus Amomum with 108 currently accepted species is distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia. This article is a comprehensive review of the chemical profiles of Amomum essential oils (EOs) and ...their spice and flavor properties. In genus Amomum, chemical profiles of EOs of only 29 species and 1 variety are studied so far. EOs of Amomum subulatum, A. tsao-ko, A. kravanh, A. aromaticum, A. compactum, A. korarima and A. verum are rich in 1,8-cineole. These Amomum species are used as spices and flavors. Bornyl acetate, camphor, methyl chavicol, trans-p-(1-butenyl) anisole, santolina triene, α-pinene and β-pinene are other major constituents in EOs of various Amomum species. The quality of EOs is decided by factors such as plant genotype, plant part, collection season, ecological and edaphic factors, isolation and analytical techniques. Studies on the chemical profiles and spice and flavor assessments of EOs of hitherto uninvestigated Amomum species are the future priorities.
Bacopaside II nanoparticles inhibit proliferation of C6 glioma cells Sekhar, Vini C.; Viswanathan, Gayathri; Baby, Sabulal
Phytomedicine Plus : International journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology,
August 2021, 2021-08-00, 2021-08-01, Volume:
1, Issue:
3
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
•Preparation of PLGA-PEG encapsulated bacopaside II nanoparticles (BM1NP).•Physico-chemical characterization of BM1NPs.•In vitro cytotoxicity analysis of BM1NPs in C6 glioma cells.•Measurement of ...reactive oxygen species.•BM1NPs inhibited C6 glioma cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis.
Bacopaside II is one of the four triterpenoid saponin components of bacoside A, the major bioactive constituent in the medicinal herb, Bacopa monnieri.
The present study is aimed to investigate the effect of PLGA-PEG encapsulated bacopaside II nanoparticles (BM1NPs) on C6 glioma cells.
Bacopaside II was isolated from B. monnieri using sequential extraction followed by fractionation, column chromatography and characterized by FTIR and NMR. BM1NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation and their physicochemical characterization was carried out by DLS, XRD, TEM and zeta potential analyses.
The spherical nanoparticles showed optimum size range, negative zeta potential and slow but significant in vitro release profile. BM1NPs (100–300 µg/mL) on MTT assay displayed 30–90% cell cytotoxicity against C6 glioma cells. In 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) assay, BM1NP-treated cells showed more intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). The apoptosis-inducing property was evaluated by annexin V Alexa fluor 488 staining. EdU (5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine) assay on C6 glioma cells confirmed the antiproliferative potential of BM1NPs. Cell cycle analysis by quantitation of DNA content showed the appearance of sub-G1 peak and confirmed the occurrence of apoptosis.
Our results indicate that BM1NPs significantly inhibited C6 glioma cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis.
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Ganoderma is a genus of medicinal mushrooms. Phytochemical studies led to the isolation of over 380 terpenoids (ganoderic acids, lucidenic acids, meroterpenoids) from genus Ganoderma. More than 30 ...steroidal compounds were also isolated from the genus. Terpenoids, steroids (and polysaccharides) isolated from Ganoderma showed significant biological activities. Display omitted
•Ganoderma is a genus of medicinal mushrooms.•Over 430 secondary metabolites were isolated from genus Ganoderma.•Over 380 terpenoids (ganoderic/lucidenic acids, meroterpenoids) were isolated.•Over 30 steroids were also isolated from Ganoderma.•Terpenoids and steroids from Ganoderma showed significant biological activities.
Ganoderma is a genus of medicinal mushrooms. This review deals with secondary metabolites isolated from Ganoderma and their biological significance. Phytochemical studies over the last 40years led to the isolation of 431 secondary metabolites from various Ganoderma species. The major secondary compounds isolated are (a) C30 lanostanes (ganoderic acids), (b) C30 lanostanes (aldehydes, alcohols, esters, glycosides, lactones, ketones), (c) C27 lanostanes (lucidenic acids), (d) C27 lanostanes (alcohols, lactones, esters), (e) C24, C25 lanostanes (f) C30 pentacyclic triterpenes, (g) meroterpenoids, (h) farnesyl hydroquinones (meroterpenoids), (i) C15 sesquiterpenoids, (j) steroids, (k) alkaloids, (l) prenyl hydroquinone (m) benzofurans, (n) benzopyran-4-one derivatives and (o) benzenoid derivatives. Ganoderma lucidum is the species extensively studied for its secondary metabolites and biological activities. Ganoderma applanatum, Ganoderma colossum, Ganoderma sinense, Ganoderma cochlear, Ganoderma tsugae, Ganoderma amboinense, Ganoderma orbiforme, Ganoderma resinaceum, Ganoderma hainanense, Ganoderma concinna, Ganoderma pfeifferi, Ganoderma neo-japonicum, Ganoderma tropicum, Ganoderma australe, Ganoderma carnosum, Ganoderma fornicatum, Ganoderma lipsiense (synonym G. applanatum), Ganoderma mastoporum, Ganoderma theaecolum, Ganoderma boninense, Ganoderma capense and Ganoderma annulare are the other Ganoderma species subjected to phytochemical studies. Further phytochemical studies on Ganoderma could lead to the discovery of hitherto unknown biologically active secondary metabolites.
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