Natural Products Journal, The - Volume 14, Issue 9, 2024

Introduction: Phytochemical investigation on the twigs and leaves of Aglaia lawii (Wight) C. J. Saldanha led to the isolation and characterization of sixteen compounds, including five sesquiterpenoids (1-5), one terpenoidal macrolide (6), seven phenolic compounds (7-13), two triterpenoids (14-15), and one steroid (16). Method: Their structures were identified by spectroscopic analyses and comparison with the literature data. Eight out of the sixteen compounds were discovered from the genus Aglaia for the first time. Result: The sesquiterpenoids (1-5) may serve as important chemotaxonomic markers. In vitro, bioassays on the anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic activities of compounds 1128;’6 were accomplished. Conclusion: Ozoroalide (6) could significantly inhibit LPS-stimulated NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages at 40 μM and caryolane-1,9β-diol (5) could largely increase the glucose uptake capacity of C2C12 cells under insulin stimulation.

Natural products from various sources play a major role in the healthcare sector, mainly in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, agro and medical divisions. Polysaccharides are one of the important biomacromolecules present in higher plants, animals, fungi and algae, and aid in the growth and development of an organism. They play a vital role in regulating and maintaining cellular homeostasis in all forms of life. They are considered bioactive polymers and possess promising beneficial effects on human health without any harmful side effects. Among different biopolymers, polysaccharides have gained greater attention in the area of natural products and biomedical research due to their unique physio-chemical properties, bioactivities and health-promoting effects. The molecular structure of the polysaccharides is highly complex, depending on their origin and the structural diversity. Carbohydrate polymers differ largely based on their molecular weight, composition, functional derivatives, pattern of glycosidic linkages and degree of polymerization. In recent years, seaweed polysaccharides have been identified in large numbers and are effectively used by the food and biotechnology industries for the production of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products. Several researches have demonstrated the biological activities of seaweed polysaccharides such as antioxidant, antiviral, hypoglycemic, antidiabetic, antitumor and immunomodulatory. Moreover, there has been a substantial increase in the utilization of natural polymeric biomaterials in the biomedical field. This review summarizes the diverse biological effects of polysaccharides derived from different types of seaweeds as well as their biomedical applications. The information reviewed here provides an insight into the biopotential efficiency of algal-based polysaccharides, further help in the development of novel pharmaceutical and biomedical products.

Introduction: Angiogenesis, oxidative stress, and epigenetic alterations involved in prostate cancer (PCa) are associated with different risk factors, such as a high-fat diet (HFD), overweight, and obesity. Jaboticaba peel extract (PJE) has shown antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, and antioxidant activities in the prostate of senile mice. Method: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of PJE on the dorsolateral prostate microenvironment in male transgenic mice for the prostate adenocarcinoma model, considering different pathological alterations, changed or unchanged by HFD, focusing on histopathology, and molecules related to extracellular matrix (ECM), oxidative stress, angiogenesis, and Dact-1. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were performed on Dact-1-associated tumor suppressor genes in transgenic mice. Mice were fed HFD and received patented jaboticaba peel extract (PJE) treatment. The plasma levels of systemic oxidative stress were evaluated. Results: Our results showed that PJE protected the dorsolateral prostate against proliferation and increased MMP9, TGFβ, and VEGF levels. PJE reduced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation by modulating catalase, SOD 2, and 4HNE. PJE exhibited an epigenetic action, evidenced by increased Dact-1 gene expression in PCa. Conclusion: PJE could be a natural protector of PCa and prostate lesions associated with HFD intake.

Background: Nanotechnology-based polyherbal drug delivery systems are considered a new and rapidly emerging area in the pharmaceutical field. They improved the drug loading capacity or enhanced encapsulation efficiency of herbal drugs and thus improved permeation efficiency, accelerated wound healing, promoted tissue remodelling, and reduced scarring. Objective: A wound on the skin is an injury of the skin tissues that arises due to a cut or damage and also by an impact, blow, or other forces like a cut, surgery, chemical, heat, cold, friction, or illness like leg ulcers or carcinomas. These wounds result in the loss of skin's protective function by the removal of epithelium or connective tissues (i.e., muscle, bone, nerves). The four sequential but overlapping phases of the typical wound healing process are hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. By encouraging the growth and movement of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, as well as angiogenesis at the site of damage, it has been demonstrated that a polyherbal mixture composed of plant extraction accelerates the lesion recovery process. Polyherbal formulations contain phytoconstituents such as triterpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins, quinones, and carotenoids etc. All these phytoconstituents are used for anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant, and lesion recovery. At the same time, nanotechnology-based polyherbal formulation has the potential to overcome the limitations of traditional polyherbal formulation in wound healing. Wounds are better managed by polyherbal combination rather than an individual plant due to its synergism and fewer side effects. To include these polyherbal components and deliver them to the wound site in a more focused and sustained way, novel drug delivery systems are also being developed. Conclusion: This review discussed many nanotechnology-based polyherbal topical formulations for efficient and faster wound healing and recovery. Nanotechnology-based polyherbal formulations prove their success in promoting wound healing which is a unique approach to improving wound care and development of healthy skin.

Background: Natural products from the marine-derived Aspergillus sp. have great potential in agricultural usage due to their broad biological activities. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the antiphytopathogenic compounds from marinederived fungus Aspergillus sydowii LW09. Methods: The compounds were isolated and purified by chromatography methods, and their structures were elucidated by analysis of the NMR and MS spectroscopic data as well as comparison with those of literature. All compounds were evaluated for antibacterial activities against phytopathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas syringae and Ralstonia solanacarum, along with spore germination inhibition of phytopathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria alternata. Results: Two diphenyl ethers violaceols I (1) and II (2), along with two alkaloids acremolin (3) and WIN 64821 (4) were isolated from the fermentation extracts of A. sydowii LW09. Compound 1 showed significant antibacterial activity against P. syringae and R. solanacarum with the same MIC values of 4 μg/mL, while compound 2 showed obvious antibacterial activity against P. syringae and R. solanacarum with MIC values of 2 and 1 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, both 1 and 2 could inhibit the spore germination of F. oxysporum in the concentration range of 64–128 μg/mL. In addition, violaceol I (1) also inhibited the spore germination of A. alternata at 128 μg/mL. Conclusion: This study provided the potential antiphytopathogenic drug candidate for further studies.

Background: Melastoma dodecandrum Lour. (MD) is a component used in traditional Chinese medicine that is widely distributed in southern China. MD has long been used clinically to treat various diseases, such as inflammation. However, the potential anti-inflammatory mechanism of MD remains to be elucidated. Objective: In this study, network pharmacology and experimental validation have been used to explore the underlying mechanism of MD in inflammation. Methods: The chemical composition of MD was determined using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-HRMS). The effects of MD on pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as NO, i-NOS, IL-1β, and TNF-α, in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were determined by ELISA and QRT-PCR. Through the analysis of multiple databases, targets for the treatment of inflammation with MD were identified. Other extensive analyses included PPI, GO, and KEGG pathway enrichment, which were completed through the use of the STRING database, Cytoscape software, and the DAVID database. Key targets and key components have been selected for molecular docking. Results: A total of 33 active components were identified in MD, and 134 common targets were obtained and used to construct the networks. Of these, 10 core components and 10 core targets of MD in the treatment of inflammation were identified. The GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that the common targets were involved in multiple signaling pathways, including the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, chemokine signaling pathway, and IL-17 signaling pathway. The molecular docking methods confirmed the high affinity between bioactive molecules of MD and their targets in inflammation. Two core targets (PIK3CA and AKT) and three core components (asiatic acid, apigenin, and kaempferol) were found to be closely related to MD in the treatment of inflammation. In vitro, MD exerted a significant effect on LPS-stimulated NO, IL- 1β, and TNF-α secretion, and iNOS, IL-1β, and TNF-α expressions in macrophages. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the bioactive constituents and mechanisms of MD in inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors and the multicomponent, multitarget, and multipathway treatment characteristics involved in inflammation, but this still needs further in vivo/in vitro experiments.

Alginates, originating from the cell walls of brown algae, constitute a class of biopolymers known for their linear, unbranched architecture. Comprising both homopolymeric and heteropolymeric blocks, these polymers are constructed through glycosidic bonds linking β-D mannuronic acid and α-L-guluronic acid units in a 1-4 configuration. The specific arrangement of these monomers, whether in alternate, sequential, or random configurations, imparts distinct physical and chemical properties to the polysaccharide. The composition and organization of alginates play a pivotal role in dictating their performance and potential applications, particularly within the realm of biomedicine. A comprehensive understanding of their intricate chemistry and characterization is imperative for effective utilization. This knowledge serves as the cornerstone for designing tailored delivery systems and strategies to leverage the unique attributes of alginates for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Commercially, alginates are offered in diverse forms and hues, encompassing sodium, potassium, or ammonium salts. Alginates show commendable biocompatibility and biodegradability and exhibit a marked absence of antigenicity and toxicity. In addition, their ability to form chelates with divalent cations and to facilitate the creation of pH-responsive gels through crosslinking with calcium and magnesium significantly enhances their versatility. Alginates possess a molecular weight range of from 60,000 to 700,000 Da, a parameter capable of adjusting to align with specific applications. This inherent versatility positions them as valuable assets across a spectrum of fields, including pharmaceuticals, tissue regeneration scaffolds, drug delivery systems, and imaging agents. The review article provides a comprehensive exploration of the diverse applications of alginates in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and various domains within biomedicine. By delving into the nuanced characteristics and behaviors of alginates, we aspire to unlock their full potential in advancing therapeutic and diagnostic interventions.