The Natural Products Journal
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Aim: Spirulina is a microalga that is widely used as a food supplement and is regarded as having performance enhancing and health promoting properties. We conducted a preliminary evaluation of the possible antidepressant, anti-anxiety, pro-socialization and cognition-enhancing effects of Spirulina in mouse models Methods: Sixty male BalbC mice aged 3 weeks were administered phycocyanin-rich Spirulina extract [PRSE, 545 mg/kg], fluoxetine [20 mg/kg] or water orally for 5 weeks. During the last 2 weeks of the experiment a series of behavioral-cognitive tests was performed to evaluate motor activity, antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects, socialization and cognitive effects. Effects of PRSE and fluoxetine were compared to those of water. Results: There was a significant effect of PRSE in the activity domain, manifesting as an increase in velocity in the open field [p=0.0007 vs. water]. Fluoxetine significantly enhanced immobility in the tail suspension test and the forced swim test reflecting the known antidepressant effect of this compound, but not PRSE. There were no significant effects of PRSE in tests of anxiety, socialization or cognition. Conclusions: The most striking observation in this study was that PRSE significantly enhanced activity in the open field test. Further studies are indicated to confirm and extend this finding and investigate possible mechanisms of action. The results of the current study do not support sporadic reports of possible antidepressant or cognition-enhancing effects of PRSE. Nevertheless, additional studies are indicated using depression models rather than naïve mice, alternative mouse strains, using additional cognitive tests, and administering higher PRSE doses.

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 the 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 for 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: A plethora of studies has 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: Medicinal plants have been used in medicine for the treatment of numerous diseases due to their medicinal properties and pharmacological activities. Popularity of herbal based drugs in the health sector has been increasing due to patient compliance and cost effectiveness. Herbal drugs derived from plant and animal source have been used in the Ayurvedic, Homeopathic, and Naturopathic system of medicine. Medicinal plants have been used as fuel, clothing, shelter and food material in worldwide since very early age. Phytoconstituents are pure plant chemicals found in different parts of the plant material. Flavonoids are important class of phytochemical found in medicinal plants and their derived products. Methods: In order to know the biological importance of tricetin, in the present investigation scientific data of tricetin in respect to their medicinal importance and pharmacological activities were collected and analyzed. Literature database such as Google, PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus has been searched using term tricetin and flavonoid. All the scientific information has been collected from these databases to know the biological importance of tricetin. Analytical data of tricetin have been also collected and analyzed in the present work to know the isolation, separation and identification procedure of trice Results: Scientific data analysis of different research work revealed the presence of tricetin in Triticum dicoccum, Lathyrus pratensis, Eucalyptus globules, Thuja occidentalis and Metasequoia glyptostroboides. Scientific data analysis signified biological importance of tricetin against different form of cancerous disorders, human osteosarcoma, glioblastoma multiforme, human breast adenocarcinoma, human non‑small cell lung cancer and liver cancer. Scientific data analysis also signified biological potential of tricetin against inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, atherosclerosis, diabetes and respiratory syncytial virus infection. Scientific data analysis revealed the biological importance of tricetin against multidrug resistance and free radicals. Conclusions: Scientific data analysis revealed biological importance and pharmacological activities of tricetin against various form of human disorders including cancer, inflammation, neurodegeneration, atherosclerosis and diabetes.

Background: Depression is common in hypertensive patients, and monotherapy may contribute for controlling depression in hypertensive patients and improving the socioeconomic outcomes. Previous studies have shown that Acacia tortilis possesses hypotensive activity. Objectives: Hence, the present study was planned to evaluate the hemodynamic activity and antidepressant effects of an ethanolic extract of Acacia tortilis leaves (ATEL) in salt-induced hypertensive rats. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups for experiments. The rats received respective treatment for 15 days: G1: Control (C); G2: Hypertensive control (HC: high dietary salt, 4% 10ml/kg); G3-5: HC+ ATEL (50, 100, 150mg/kg respectively). Cardiac hemodynamics (mean arterial blood pressure: MAP and heart rate: HR) were measured in the anaesthetized rats by an invasive method. For this method, one carotid artery was catheterized, a pressure catheter (pressure volume Millar microtip catheter connected to the Mikro-Tip Pressure-Volume System from Ultra Foundation Systems, PowerLab) was inserted, and the blood pressure (MAP in mm Hg) and HR (beats/min) were monitored continuously during the experiment. For the neuropharmacological studies, antidepressant activity was assessed by forced swim test on the 15th day. Results: A dose-dependent significant increase in mobility time was observed in rats (G3-5) treated with HC + different doses of ATEL (p < 0.05). However, the mobility time was significantly reduced by HC (G2) treatment compared with that of the control (p< 0.05). The hypertensive control (high dietary salt: HC) group showed significant increases in SP, DP, MAP, and HR (p<0.05) compared to the control (G1) group. At all doses (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg), MAP and HR were found to decrease significantly (p<0.05) when compared with the values in the HC (G2) group. Further analysis revealed an improvement in heart rate variability (HRV) in ATEL-treated hypertensive rats. Conclusion: The present research suggests that increased dietary salt intake not only increases blood pressure significantly but also increases depression. ATEL contains some efficacious constituents, N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT: a 5-HT1A agonist) with predominant antidepressant and antihypertensive activity. Hence, ATEL appears to be a valuable plant extract that can be useful, at least as an adjunct, for therapy in patients who suffer from both depression and hypertension. Objectives: Hence, the present study was planned to evaluate the hemodynamic activity and antidepressant effects of an ethanolic extract of Acacia tortilis leaves (ATEL) in salt-induced hypertensive rats. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups for experiments. The rats received respective treatment for 15 days: G1: Control (C); G2: Hypertensive control (HC: high dietary salt, 4% 10ml/kg); G3-5: HC+ ATEL (50, 100, 150mg/kg respectively). Cardiac hemodynamics (mean arterial blood pressure: MAP and heart rate: HR) were measured in the anaesthetized rats by an invasive method. For this method, one carotid artery was catheterized, a pressure catheter (pressure volume Millar microtip catheter connected to the Mikro-Tip Pressure-Volume System from Ultra Foundation Systems, PowerLab) was inserted, and the blood pressure (MAP in mm Hg) and HR (beats/min) were monitored continuously during the experiment. For the neuropharmacological studies, antidepressant activity was assessed by forced swim test on the 15th day. Results: A dose-dependent significant increase in mobility time was observed in rats (G3-5) treated with HC + different doses of ATEL (p < 0.05). However, the mobility time was significantly reduced by HC (G2) treatment compared with that of the control (p< 0.05). The hypertensive control (high dietary salt: HC) group showed significant increases in SP, DP, MAP, and HR (p<0.05) compared to the control (G1) group. At all doses (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg), MAP and HR were found to decrease significantly (p<0.05) when compared with the values in the HC (G2) group. Further analysis revealed an improvement in heart rate variability (HRV) in ATEL-treated hypertensive rats. Conclusion: The present research suggests that increased dietary salt intake not only increases blood pressure significantly but also increases depression. ATEL contains some efficacious constituents, N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT: a 5-HT1A agonist) with predominant antidepressant and antihypertensive activity. Hence, ATEL appears to be a valuable plant extract that can be useful, at least as an adjunct, for therapy in patients who suffer from both depression and hypertension.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pathophysiology caused by SARS-Cov-2 is closely related to immunoregulation and 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: This article uses the literature study method. Relevant information was gathered from scientific engines and databases (Google Scholar, Elsevier, Science Direct, Scopus, Wiley Online Library, PubMed) published 2010-2021, the data were analyzed by deductive qualitative descriptive technique. Result and Discussion: Curcumin in turmeric and gingerol in ginger has the potential to be used as a therapy for COVID-19 as it could be an immune regulator and anti-inflammatory agent 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. Conlclusion: 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.

Aims: Isolation of Isocarpine From Adenocarpus Complicatus. Background: Adenocarpus Complicatus L. is one of Adenocarpus genus which has about 50 species, from Fabaceae (Papilionaceae) family. This plant found in the Mediterranean basin as southern west part of Europe and North Afric forestes. Objective: Isolation of Isocarpine From Adenocarpus Complicatus as Anticandidal Agent method: A new piperidine alkaloid Isocarpine was isolated from the aerial parts of Adenocarpus Complicatus L., which gross in Syria. The structure of the new compound was determined by UV, IR, EI-Ms, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, DEPT-135, DQF-COSY and HMQC. Results: The anticandidal activity of isocarpine was screened against 38 Candida strains and showed remarkable inhibitory effect compared with fluconazole as antifungal reference drug. Conclusion: Isocarpine is antifungal agent.

Background: Quercetin, one of the most beneficial flavonoids, has been included in the human diet due to its therapeutic effect on health. Recently, Quercetin is gaining scientific attraction for its multifarious activities, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-arthritic, as well as function to ease some cardiovascular diseases. However, these applications of quercetin in the pharmaceutical field are limited due to its poor aqueous solubility and poor permeability. Objective: The present review summarizes various pharmacological activities of quercetin, analyses the barriers like solubility and permeability, which restrict the therapeutic efficiency of quercetin, and also discusses novel approaches to enhance aqueous solubility and permeability of quercetin for its effective clinical use. Methods: The current review information sources were peer-reviewed relevant scientific articles of recognized journals from scientific engines and databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar) using different key words related to quercetin pharmacological effects, mechanism, solubility, permeability, absorption barriers, and formulation approaches. Results: Various novel approaches, including solid dispersions, inclusion complex, pro-drugs, nanoemulsion, micelles, liposomes, SNEEDS, and microspheres, have been developed to overcome the solubility and permeability barriers for efficient quercetin delivery. Conclusion: This review revealed that the multifaceted pharmacological activities of quercetin for management of various disease are enormously dependent on the development of novel and safe drug delivery systems of quercetin.

Background: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is one of the major causes of mortality. I/R injury leads to apoptosis in the brain, especially in the hippocampus and induces cognitive impairments. On the other hand, Salvia officinalis L. is perennial, evergreen subshrub that is widely used in traditional medicine. The antiapoptosis and antioxidant effects of Salvia officinalis L. have also been reported. Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Salvia officinalis L. on the expression of genes involved in apoptosis and percentage of viable neurons in the CA1 hippocampal region of rats following transient global I/R. Methods: The expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and Caspase 3 was evaluated using Real time PCR. Nissl staining was used to measure the number of viable neurons. The percentage of cell viability was also evaluated using MTT assay and flow cytometry. Salvia officinalis L. was injected intraperitoneal at the doses of 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg at both aqueous-alcoholic and aqueous extracts. Results : The expression of Bax and Caspase 3 was increased and the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased following transient global I/R in the CA1 region. The injection of Salvia officinalis L. at most doses reversed the effect of transient global I/R on genes expression. The number of viable neurons in the CA1 region was also decreased following transient global I/R and injection of Salvia officinalis L. at all doses reversed this effect. Conclusion: Transient global I/R significantly promotes apoptosis and cell death, and Salvia officinalis L. may induce neuroprotective and anti-apoptosis effects.