ABSTRACT
More than 500 species of Hypericum are located throughout Europe, North America, North Africa, and Asia. These plants have a long history of employment in folk medicine as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral medicines, as well as for the treatment of burns, gastrointestinal problems, and depression. The most significant species of this genus are Hypericum perforatum L. and Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra because of their pharmacological activities. Hypericum perforatum L. and Hypericum triquetrifolium are widely known for their efficacy in reducing inflammation and improving wound healing. The main reason these plants have been used for treatment of mild to moderate depression. Nevertheless, some similar species are also utilized in conventional medicine and have been previously analyzed for their biological activity and phytochemical composition. The main classes of active substances are found in Hypericum species, including naphthodianthrones (such as hypericin and pseudohyperricin), phloroglucinols (such as hyperforin), flavonoids (such as rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, and amentoflavone), and phenylpropanoids (chlorogenic acid). This review's objective is to provide a summary of the most recent research on potential medicinal uses for Hypericum perforatum L., and Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra.
ABSTRACT
Background: Ficus sycomorus is one of the recommended antipsoriatic medicinal plants in the traditional Greco-Arab herbal medicine. However, the knowledge on its action mechanisms is limited. Aims: Cytotoxic, cytostatic, and anti-inflammatory effects of water/ethanolic extracts of Ficus sycomorus leaves and fruits were evaluated to test their role in the traditionally known antipsoriatic properties. Place and Duration of Study: All the experiments were done in the Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Arab American University-Palestine in 2020. Plants were collected from the Northern region of the West Bank/Palestine during the fall months in 2019 and given (Voucher code: Pharm-PCT-1030) at An-Najah National University. Methodology: MTT assay was used to evaluate cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of Ficus sycomorus extracts in human skin keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT), human monocytic cell line (THP-1)-derived macrophages, and their co-cultures. Commercial ELISA kits were applied to measure the cytokine levels. Results: Both extracts exhibited cytostatic effects with IC 50 of 656 ?g/mL and 886 ?g/mL for HaCat and co-culture, respectively. Leaves and fruits extracts significantly reduced dose-dependently the LPS-induced NO production by THP-1-derived macrophages from 65 ?M to 19 ?M and 16 ?M, respectively. The fruit extracts showed higher effects than the leaf extracts and reduced the TNF-? levels from 709 pg/mL to 208 pg/mL. The fruit extracts increased the production levels of IL-10 from 74 pg/mL to 90 pg/mL. Conclusion: Ficus sycomorus extracts probably exert their antipsoriatic effects through cytostatic effects and modulation of the production levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.