Phenylpropanoids as the biologically active compounds of the medicinal plants and phytopharmaceuticals

In the present paper are discussed the results of the investigations of the phenylpropanoids of the medicinal plants which are of the great interest as the sources of the neurotropic, adaptogenic, immunostimulating, antioxidative, and hepatoprotective preparations. There were shown the necessity of using of the standard samples of triandrin (Rhodiola rosea L. tissue cultures, Salix viminalis L. barks), rosavin (Rhodiola rosea L. rhizomes), syringin, or eleutheroside B [Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim. rhizomes, Syringa vulgaris L. barks], and silybin [Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. fruits] for purpose of the standardization of the corresponding drugs and pharmaceuticals. It was shown also the significance of γ-schizandrin, chicoric acid, rosmarinic acid and lavandoside for purposes of the standardization of raw material and preparations of Schizandra chinensis Baill. fruits and seeds, Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. herbs, Melissa officinalis L. herbs and Lavandula spica L. flowers respectively.

Xenobiotics-Induced Liver Damage Is Biochemically Abrogated by Treatment with Lipophilic Extracts of <i>Moringa oleifera in Vivo</i>

Context Drug-induced hepatotoxicity represents a significant proportion of liver disease cases. Currently, there is no effective treatment. To date efforts to identify treatment regimen that can reverse progressive damage have not been successful. We have previously shown that extract from Moringa (M) oleifera possesses clinically relevant antidiabetic and electrolyte modulators. Objective The aim of the current studies is to create experimental model of xenobiotic induced liver damage and investigate if treatment with lipophilic extract of M. oleifera could biochemically reverse progressive liver damage. Materials and Method For two groups of healthy rats, 7 in each group received 200 mg of extract or vehicle twice daily for 14 days. Acute toxicity, hepatotoxicity and hematologic/endothelial toxicity were monitored. Then 30 rats weighing 130 - 200 g received repeated dose of acetaminophen (xenobiotics) (640 mg/kg) for 5 days. Hepatotoxicity was confirmed biochemically by an established protocol. Treatment with M. oleifera extract resulted in mean weight of 132.2 ± 5.05 compared to the control with 134.1 ± 5.08 (P > 0.8115) among the healthy rats. Their LDH levels were 170.7 ± 13.02 and 133.8 ± 7.17 (P > 0.0698) for controls group, while the mean serum (ALT) level was 12.4 ± 1.2 or 25.6 ± 5.644 (P M. oleifera resulted in 100% biochemical recovery from hepatitis compared to the control group (P M. oleifera could effectively and biochemically abrogate xenobiotics induced liver damage in animal model.

NPS31807, a Standardized Extract from <i>Sphaeranthus indicus</i>, Inhibits Inflammatory, Migratory and Proliferative Activity in Keratinocytes and Immune Cells

Chronic inflammation induced hyper-proliferation, and migration of keratinocytes are pathological hallmarks of psoriasis. Extracts from Sphaeranthus spp. demonstrate pharmacological activity in-vitro and in-vivo. However, the activity in modulating disease relevant pathways in psoriasis has not been reported. In the current study, a standardized herbal extract from Sphaeranthus indicus (NPS31807) was used to study the mechanistic activity under conditions of inflammation, keratinocyte proliferation and migration using cell based and gene expression assays. NPS31807 treatment reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines from human macrophages and activated epidermal keratinocytes in a dose dependent manner. Treatment with NPS31807 diminished NFκB and AP-1 transcription activity in human macrophages. Lowered nuclear translocation of p65 sub-unit in macrophages by treatment confirmed reduced activity of NFκB. Gene expression profiling showed attenuated expression of genes involved with inflammation such as TNF signaling, and angiogenesis by NPS31807. Inhibition of angiogenesis and matrix metalloproteinase production in keratinocytes was confirmed using RTq-PCR assays. Pretreatment with NPS31807 led to significant reduction of STAT3 phosphorylation and mitogen induced cellular migration. NPS31807 induced inhibition of proliferative genes and BrdU uptake in epidermal keratinocytes. In summary, our study provides novel molecular insights into the anti-inflammatory, anti-migratory and anti-proliferative properties of NPS31807. In summary, NPS31807, an extract from Sphaeranthus indicus can be used as therapeutic option in inflammatory and auto-immune conditions such as psoriasis.

Dendrobium orchid polysaccharide extract: Preparation,characterization and in vivo skin hydrating efficacy

Objective:Dendrobium spp.,the major globally commercializing tropical orchid,has been continuously used in Chinese medicine.However,preparation and standardization of this therapeutic orchid including its clinical evidence for topical application are sparely to be exploited.Methods:Maceration of the white orchid(Dendrobium cv.Khao Sanan)in water was varied on the extraction time.The extraction yields and total polysaccharide content of the extracts were compared.The best extract condition was selected,standardized,and evaluated on safety and skin hydrating efficacy in human volunteers.Results:The extraction for 3 h gave the extract with polysaccharide content that significantly(P<0.001)greater than the other extraction times with the following specification:yield[(35.60±2.51)%],moisture content[(7.65±0.21)%],total polysaccharide,sugar,reducing sugar and ash content[(72.95±2.37)%,(34.38±0.00)%,(16.28±0.00)%,and(0.12±0.00)%],p H(4.42±0.01),viscosity[(15.07±0.12)cps]swelling and water absorption capacities[(10.00±0.00)%,(1.19±0.24)g/g].This antioxidative polysaccharide caused no skin irritation with a better skin hydrating efficacy than the untreated skin and the benchmark as examined in 22 Thai volunteers.Conclusion:White Dendrobium is ready to be supplied as a specialty ingredient with a safe and efficient profile for skin dryness therapy.This innovative application of the identified traditional Chinese medicinal herb flows in the main stream of the consumers’preferences and demand upon natural derived products.