Effect of contrasting climates on antioxidant and bioactive constituents in five medicinal herbs in Western Himalayas

To understand the effect of climate change on constitutive antioxidant and biochemical metabolites in Western Himalayas, five medicinal herbs were selected and grown at two altitudes in Jammu(305 m) and Srinagar(1730 m) with subtropical and temperate climates, respectively.Significant variations were observed in phenols and flavonoids in Hypericum perforatum L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Thymus vulgaris L., Cynara cardunculus L. and Echinacea purpurea L. growing at two locations. High altitude temperate site show variable(up to 13 fold) increase in their content.Proteins(1.3- 1.8 times), sugars(2.8- 4.1 times) and free amino acid(1.04- 1.22 times) were also higher at Srinagar(1730 m). Within these plants, H.perforatum and M. chamomilla have shown higher accumulation of phenols, xanthophylls and proline even at subtropical environment in Jammu(305 m)suggesting potential for increasing their geographical area. The results demonstrate that changing environmental conditions significantly affect the bioactive constituents, which accumulate as a defence strategy by these temperate plants. Their medicinal significance during climate change scenario has also been discussed.

Discovery and preclinical development of ⅢM-160, a Bergenia ciliatabased anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic botanical drug candidate

Objective: Bergenia ciliata(Haw.) Sternb. is used in the Indian traditional system of medicine to treat various ailments including rheumatism and to heal wounds. The objective of the present study was to perform a preclinical characterization of the B. ciliata-based botanical extract IIIM-160.Methods: ⅢM-160 was chemically standardized and analyzed for heavy metal content, aflatoxins,pesticides and microbial load. The in vitro and in vivo efficacies were determined in suitable models of inflammation, arthritis and nociception. An acute oral toxicity study was performed in Swiss albino mice.A suitable oral formulation was developed and characterized.Results: Bergenin was found to be the major component(9.1% w/w) of ⅢM-160. The botanical lead displayed inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines in THP-1 cells, with selectivity toward interleukin-6(IL-6) and had an excellent safety-window. It showed anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and antinociceptive activity in animal models and was not toxic at oral doses up to 2 g/kg in Swiss-albino mice. The gastroretentive, sustained-release capsule formulation showed sustained-release of the bergenin over the period of 24 h, resulting in improved plasma-exposure of bergenin in Sprague–Dawley rats.Conclusion: The dual-activity of IL-6 inhibition and antinociception marks the suitability of ⅢM-160 for treating rheumatoid arthritis. This study will serve as the benchmark for further research on this botanical formulation.