Natural Products Journal, The - Volume 13, Issue 1, 2023

Introduction: The COVID-19 pathophysiology caused by SARS-Cov-2 is closely related to immunoregulation and the process of inflammation. There are therapeutic targets in both, which are ideal for the healing process of infected patients. Phytonutrients are closely related to nutrigenomics. Curcumin and gingerol are two types of phytonutrients that have been studied, researched, and developed as therapeutic agents for diseases. Objective: This study aimed to examine the potential of curcumin and gingerol as immune regulators and anti-inflammatory agents in SARS-CoV-2 infections using a nutrigenomic approach. Methods: The literature review method was used in this study. Relevant information was gathered from scientific engines and databases (Google Scholar, Elsevier, Science Direct, Scopus, Wiley Online Library, PubMed) published during 2010-2021, and the data were analyzed by deductive qualitative descriptive technique. Results and Discussion: Curcumin in turmeric and gingerol in ginger have the potential to be used as a therapy for COVID-19 as they could be immune regulators and anti-inflammatory agents for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Curcumin and gingerol can act as primary and secondary antioxidants that can activate endogenous antioxidant enzymes, regulate cell signaling related to immunity such as interferons, nuclear factor-kappa beta, nitric oxide, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, as well as stimulate anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokine homeostasis, especially interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IL-8). In silico, these two compounds were also proven to have potential as SARS-CoV-2 antivirals by acting as viral protease inhibitors. Conclusion: The combination of curcumin and gingerol showed synergistic activity with increasing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities. Thus, it has great potential for use in COVID-19 therapy.

Background: Borneol, a bicyclic monoterpene belonging to the class of camphene, is sourced from Blumea balsamifera, Cinnamonum camphora (L.) Presl, Dryobalanops aromatica Gaertner, and the volatile oils extracted from various other plant sources. Chinese Traditional Medicine system documents almost 1000 years of clinical use of borneol as an adjuvant as well as an active in treating various diseases and disorders, mainly pertaining to the central nervous system. Objective: The review aims to provide insights into the array of pharmacological activities elicited by borneol along with their underlying mechanisms. Methods: Apart from the promising permeation enhancing activity, the scientific database has established strong evidence of a variety of pharmacological effects of borneol. The current work involved critical evaluation of the published and patented literature revealing various pharmacodynamic activities of borneol alone and in combination with other actives. The mechanisms responsible for the same were also investigated. Results: Many studies have revealed a promising antimicrobial, antiparasitic, and antimicrobial adhesion activity of borneol. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, neuroprotective, and antiepileptic actions of borneol have been elucidated via a number of preclinical studies. Anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, antihypertensive, and anticancer effects have also been explored for borneol. Conclusion: The array of pharmacological activities evaluated for borneol alone or in combination with other actives could be attributed to its specific molecular structure, excellent brain permeability, strong antioxidant property, and ability to modulate various inflammatory pathways and precursors. However, more extensive preclinical and mainly clinical studies are warranted before this bicyclic monoterpene can establish as an active pharmaceutical agent.

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the mechanism of Moringa oleifera-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. HeLa cells over-express cyclin E and cyclin B1, abrogate G0-G1 and G2-M cell cycle arrest, promoting tumorigenesis. Cyclin E, cyclin B1, E2F1 and telomerase expression, and caspase-3 and -7 activation were assessed after 24-treatment with M. oleifera leaf fractions. Methods: Apoptosis through caspase-3 and caspase-7 activation was determined quantitatively by the FAM FLICA™ Caspase-3/7 assay. Cyclin E, cyclin B1 and E2F1 were quantified by flow cytometry. Telomerase was evaluated by Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP reaction). The effects on colony formation were assessed by seeding treated cells in six-well plates for 7 days under culture conditions. The MTT assay was used to determine cell survival. Results: HeLa cells treated for 24 hours with M. oleifera leaf fractions showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity, activation of caspases-3 and -7, down regulation of cyclin E, cyclin B1, E2F1, and inhibition of telomerase expression. Cell cycle analysis of the dead cell population showed G2-M cellcycle arrest. Conclusion: M. oleifera leaf fractions triggered apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway and cell cycle arrest at G2-M phase in HeLa cells after 24-hour treatment, through down regulation of cyclin E and cyclin B1 expression, and caspase-3 and -7 activation. In addition, M. oleifera leaf extract induces senescence in HeLa cells through the down-regulation of telomerase. Colony formation and cell proliferation were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner, corresponding with telomerase inhibition.

Background: Rosmarinic Acid (RA) is an important natural bioactive compound widely distributed in food plants. ATR-FTIR and HPLC methods for comparative determination of RA in aqueous methanolic extracts of Orthosiphon stamineus leaf samples are described. Methods: The quantitative determination of RA was performed by using HPLC with UV detection at 340 nm and ATR-FTIR based on peak height location at 1712.29 cm^-1. Results: The mean recovery of RA was 99.54 ± 1.23% by the HPLC method and 105.48 ± 2.76 by the ATR-IR method. The relative standard deviation for the intra-day and inter-day precision was less than 5% for the HPLC method and less than 8% for the ATR-FTIR method. The limit of detection and limit of quantification values for the HPLC method were 2 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml, respectively. The limit of detection and limit of quantification values for the ATR-FTIR method were 0.34% and 0.86% w/w, respectively. The validated methods were used for the quantification of RA in leaf samples of O. staminues. The results of HPLC and ATR-FTIR methods were comparable. Conclusion: ATR-FTIR method is suitable for the routine determination of RA in herbal medicinal products of O. stamineus.

Background: A virus is a tiny agent, around one-hundredth the size of a bacterium which can infect cells of plants and animals. Seven coronaviruses are known to infect humans; three of them are serious, namely, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome, China, 2002), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome, Saudi Arabia, 2012), and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) (2019-2020). SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV belong to beta coronaviruses (betaCoVs). Objective: In this mini-review, we want to consider the importance of vitamin D and C, especially plants containing these two vitamins, in the fight against COVID-19. Methods: The manuscript includes review articles, randomized control experiments, analytical studies, and observations, which have been gathered from different sources such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, and PubMed. A literature review was carried out using keywords such as vitamin D, vitamin C, COVID-19, influenza, plant, and coronaviruses. Results: Various sources of vitamin D for humans are food, dietary supplements, and the skin by exposure to 7-dehydrocholesterol to ultraviolet light. There are some new findings on the influence of vitamin D in preventing and controlling influenza and COVID-19. Vitamin D may play a role in preventing influenza and COVID-19 by producing large quantities of IL-1 and IL-6 or interleukins. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is a potential link between respiratory infection and immune evasion, and vitamin D is a pleiotropic factor known to modulate the immune response against the pathogen.

The emergence of organic pollutants such as phenolic acids, pesticides, dyes, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and industrial wastes threatens our environment, including biodiversity, ecosystems of terrestrial and aquatic animals, and human health. It is well known that toxicants disrupt the biochemical balance of organisms and cause physiological effects in individuals. Emerging Organic Pollutants (OPs) have varied levels of lethality depending on their chemical nature and byproducts, properties and composition of the compound fractions, mode of exposure, levels of exposure, and time of exposure. Accordingly, risk mitigation measures should be taken with constant environmental changes. The peroxidases are groups of heme-proteins, which at present are considered the most efficient biocatalysts for the bioremediation of the environment. To overcome the numerous disadvantages of conventional biological remediation methods, peroxidases require a more thorough interpretation for broadly understanding their potential uses in organic transformations as an efficient biocatalyst. Peroxidases are susceptible to the breakdown of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, dyes, pharmaceutical compounds, agrochemicals, phenols, and other highly hazardous organic pollutants found in industrial effluents. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the applications and the efficiency of peroxidases as eco-friendly catalysts.

Diabetes mellitus is a highly prevalent metabolic disease specified by increased blood glucose and impaired insulin function. Various antidiabetic drugs are currently being used, but plant sources of antidiabetic agents are of recent scientific interest as they possess multitarget effects and the most negligible side effects. Nymphaea species (water lilies) have long been traditionally taken as food and antidiabetic agents. Growing research evidence suggests that different Nymphaea species exhibit antidiabetic activity. Therefore, we took an endeavor to summarize the available scientific literature on the antidiabetic activity of the genus Nymphaea. We extensively searched in three search engines and selected 27 in vivo, 9 in vitro, and 4 in silico studies regarding antidiabetic properties of 7 Nymphaea species named Nymphaea stellata, Nymphaea pubescens, Nymphaea lotus, Nymphaea alba, Nymphaea nouchali, Nymphaea rubra, and Nymphaea odorata. All these studies coincided with the conclusion that the Nymphaea species have effective antidiabetic properties and safety. Therefore, Nymphaea species are potential candidates for evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine and integrative medicine. The species have shown antidiabetic properties through antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, pancreatic β cell-regenerating, insulin secretion and sensitivity promoting, glucose uptake and metabolizing protein-expressing, intestinal glucose metabolizing enzyme inhibiting, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular protective, nephroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. A variety of antidiabetic compounds have been identified in the 7 Nymphaea species, which can be responsible for the antidiabetic activity exerted by diverse mechanisms. Future studies should be conducted on other Nymphaea species and different plant parts and diabetic parameters to investigate their antidiabetic activity and responsible phytochemical contents.