Carpobrotus edulis (L.) N.E.Br. extract as a skin preserving agent: From traditional medicine to scientific validation / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Carpobrotus edulis (L.) N.E.Br. is a succulent perennial plant native to South Africa and grows invasively in the Mediterranean basin. It is commonly used for the treatment of various diseases, including skin wound healing and regeneration, for which experimental validation is lacking. We therefore evaluated the skin healing properties by testing a C. edulis aqueous leaf extract (CAE) on cell cultures and in enzymatic assays.@*METHODS@#Micro-morphological analysis of leaves was carried out using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. Phytochemical features and antioxidant activity of CAE were evaluated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry (RP-LC-DAD-ESI-MS), and in vitro cell-free assays. Biological activities were evaluated using keratinocytes and fibroblasts, as well as elastase, collagenase, and hyaluronidase.@*RESULTS@#CAE showed high carbohydrates (28.59% ± 0.68%), total phenols ([101.9 ± 6.0] g gallic acid equivalents/kg dry extract [DE]), and flavonoids ([545.9 ± 26.0] g rutin equivalents/kg DE). RP-LC-DAD-ESI-MS revealed the predominant presence of hydroxycinnamic acids (51.96%), followed by tannins (14.82%) and flavonols (11.32%). The extract was not cytotoxic, had a strong and dose-dependent antioxidant activity, and inhibited collagenase (> 90% at 500 µg/mL) and hyaluronidase (100% at 1000 µg/mL). In cell culture experiments, CAE increased wound closure and collagen production, which was consistent with its high polyphenol content.@*CONCLUSION@#Our data support the use of the C. edulis for skin care and the treatment of skin problems. Moreover, use of C. edulis for skin care purposes could be an eco-friendly solution to reduce its invasiveness in the environment.

Effects of Carpobrotus edulis Extract on Oxidative Stress and 158N Oligodendrocyte Death / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#Age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, are associated with oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, and increase the levels of cholesterol auto-oxidation products such as 7β-hydroxycholesterol (7β-OHC). Thus, it is imperative to identify agents that can prevent 7β-OHC-induced side-effects.@*METHODS@#We evaluated the potential protective effects of Carpobrotus edulis ethanol-water extract (EWe) on murine oligodendrocytes (158N) cultured in the absence or presence of 7β-OHC (20 μg/mL, 24 h). The cells were incubated with EWe (20-200 µg/mL) 2 h before 7β-OHC treatment. Mitochondrial activity and cell growth were evaluated with the MTT assay. Photometric methods were used to analyze antioxidant enzyme [catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] activities and the generation of lipid and protein oxidation products [malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated diene (CD), and carbonylated proteins (CPs)].@*RESULTS@#Treatment with 7β-OHC induced cell death and oxidative stress (reflected by alteration in CAT and SOD activities). Overproduction of lipid peroxidation products (MDA and CDs) and CPs was also reported. The cytotoxic effects associated with 7β-OHC were attenuated by 160 μg/mL of EWe of C. edulis. Cell death induced by 7β-OHC treatment was ameliorated, GPx and CAT activities were restored to normal, and MDA, CD, and CP levels were reduced following C. edulis extract treatment.@*CONCLUSION@#These data demonstrate the protective activities of C. edulis EWe against 7β-OHC-induced disequilibrium in the redox status of 158N cells, indicative of the potential role of this plant extract in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

Health-promoting and disease-preventive potential of Trianthema portulacastrum Linn. (Gadabani) -An Indian medicinal and dietary plant / 中西医结合学报

It is estimated that 80% of the world population depends on traditional medicine for primary healthcare need. Trianthema portulacastrum Linn. (family: Aizoaceae) is a small perennial weed found in the Americas, Africa, India, and other regions of the world. This plant is used extensively in Indian traditional medicines and is also consumed as a vegetable throughout Asia for its perceived health benefits. Phytochemical analysis of T. portulacastrum reveals the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, and phenolic compounds. Emerging studies demonstrate that crude extracts as well as bioactive phytoconstituents of T. portulacastrum exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-infective, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities. A growing number of in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate various biological and pharmacological activities, including prevention and amelioration of hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, infectious diseases and cancer. This review aims to present and analyze available literature to understand the full potential of T. portulacastrum in health promotion and disease prevention. Current limitations and future directions of research on this medicinal and dietary plant are also critically discussed.

Antifungal activities of some plant extracts against Fusarium solani and their molecular characterization

The present investigation was carried of the antifungal properties of leaf extract of Aegle marmelos [L.], Trianthema decandra Linn., Sphaeranthus indicus Roxb., Borreria hispida and Leucas aspera against ten clinical isolates of Fusarium solani strains from Aravind Eye Hospital, Coimbatore. The antifungal assay was determined by disc diffusion method by using the solvents such as ethanol, benzene, dimethyl formaldehyde and distilled water used, the leaves of Aegle marmelos Correa, Trianthema decandra and borreria hispida had been extracted with DMF instead of benzene. The results revealed that the ethanolic extract having significant inhibitory activity when compared to other solvent. There was no activity found in aqueous extracts against all strains. Fusarium solani [4th strain] was not inhibited by solvent extracts of all plant leaves. Based on the high inhibitory activity, the six strains were selected and the DNA were isolated from that Fusarium solani

Radical scavenging activity of Trianthema triquetra in male albino rats intoxicated with CCl4.

Radical scavenging activity of ethanolic extract of Trianthema triquetra root was investigated against CCl4 in rats. The rats were treated with T. triquetra (100 mg, 200 mg/kg b.w.) for a period of 7 days. Antihepatotoxic effect was studied by assaying the activities of thiobarbituric acid (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx),catalase (CAT), super oxide dismutase (SOD) and vitamin C (Vit. C). Lipid peroxidation is evidenced by an increase in the value of TBARS and also a distinct diminution in the level of GSH, Vit. C at 200 mg/kg b.w. The activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as GPx, CAT SOD and Vit. E is significantly recovered towards an almost normal level in animals coadministrated with T. triquetra. The maximum protection against CCl4 induced hepatic injury was afforded by the dose of 200 mg/kg b.w. of Trianthema triquetra.