Nanoformulations of quercetin: a potential phytochemical for the treatment of uv radiation induced skin damages

Abstract The continuous prolonged exposures of sun light especially the ultra violet (UV) radiation present in it, cause not only the risk of skin cancer but also it may cause premature skin aging, photodermatoses and actinic keratoses. Flavonoids (including Flavane, Flavanone, Flavone, Flavonol, Isoflavone, Neoflavone etc.) having potent antioxidant activity, used as topical applications for protection against UV induced skin damages as well as for skin care. Most commonly used flavonoid is quercetin (Flavonol), which is present in fruits, vegetables, and herbs. We aim to review the research focused on development of different novel formulations to treat UV radiations induced skin diseases. In this review, several formulations of flavonoid quercetin were discussed and their outcomes were compiled and compared in context to solubility, stability and efficiency of application. On the basis this comparative analysis we have concluded that three formulations, namely glycerosomes, nanostructured lipid carriers and deformable liposomes hold good applications for future aspects for topical delivery of quercetin. These formulations showed enhanced stability, increased quercetin accumulation in different skin layers, facilitated drug permeation in skin and long-lasting drug release.

Extract of Solidago chilensis Meyen inflorescences: cytotoxicity and inhibitory activity on nitric oxide synthesis in activated macrophage cell line J774A. 1

Solidago chilensis Meyen (= Solidago microglossa) popularly known as "Brazilian arnica" is used to treat of inflammatory disorders. S. chilensis is constant in the Therapeutic Memento of the Rio de Janeiro city and belongs to the medicinal species of Brazilian National List of Medicinal Plants of Interest of the Unified National Health System (SUS). There are no studies in the literature showing the direct activity of this plant species on immune system cells. The present study evaluated the chemical composition as well as the cytotoxic and pharmacological activity of the ether-ethanol extract from S. chilensis inflorescences (SCIE) in murine macrophage cell line J774A.1. The results showed that higher concentrations (50 to 200 µg/mL) of SCIE had significant cytotoxicity on J774A.1 cells, however, lower concentrations (from 10 to 0.1 µg/mL) did not produce significant cytotoxic effects and exhibited an inhibitory effect on nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated J774A.1 cell line. The chemical analysis by HPLC-UV-PDA indicated that the SCIE contains flavonoid derived from quercetin and kaempferol; and diterpenes, probably labdanes. These findings complement data in the literature regarding the activity of this plant species on an important cell from the immune system involved in the innate and acquired immune response, the macrophages.

The effect of pycnogenol on lymphatic nodes and adhesion during in a peritoneal adhesion model in rats

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the effects of pycnogenol on peritoneal adhesions and additionally to investigate the immunohistochemical effects of free oxygen radicals and reactive lymph nodes detected in the adhesive tissue that was sampled surrounding the cecum on intra-abdominal adhesions. Methods: Twenty-seven Wistar Albino rats were divided into three groups. In group 1 (sham), laparotomy was performed and stitched up. In group 2 (control), after laparotomy was performed, punctate hemorrhage was induced by cecal abrasion in the cecum and each rat was intraperitoneally administered 2 cc of saline. In group 3 (experimental), after laparotomy was performed, punctate hemorrhage was induced by cecal abrasion in the cecum and each rat was intraperitoneally administered a sterile Pycnogenol derivative. The rats in all groups were re-laparotomized on postoperative day 7; samples were obtained from the peritoneal tissue surrounding the cecum, and the rats were sacrificed. Results: In group 3, there was a statistically significant difference in terms of inflammation, lymph node size, and free oxygen radicals; these parameters tended to increase. In terms of fibrosis evaluated using H&E and MT, there was no significant difference between groups 2 and 3. Conclusions: No positive outcomes indicating that pycnogenol reduces intra-abdominal adhesions were obtained. However, it caused severe inflammation in the tissue. Moreover, a significant increase in lymph node size was detected secondary to inflammation. Additionally, in immunohistochemical analyses conducted to detect oxidative stress, pycnogenol increased the production of free oxygen radicals in the tissue.

Total flavonoids from Ampelopsis megalophylla suppress proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in vivo and in vitro

ABSTRACT Various benefits of flavonoids for ameliorating cardiovascular diseases have been demonstrated. However, the lowering effects on blood pressure caused by antiproliferative potentials of flavonoids in vascular smooth muscle cells are rare. In this study, the antihypertensive effects of total flavonoids from Ampelopsis megalophylla were investigated. The dynamic pressure values and the rate of media thickness versus lumen diameter were measured by the tail-cuff system and H&E staining in vivo, respectively. The mRNA expressions of ACE, Ang II, eNOS, c-Myc, cyclin D1 and p27Kip1 in thoracic aorta or A7r5 cells were measured by qPCR, respectively. The protein expressions of c-Myc, Cyclin D1, p27Kip1 and ß-catenin in tissues or A7r5 cells were measured by Western blot assay. Total flavonoids of A. megalophylla (TFAM) reduced the expressions of ACE and Ang II, and elevated the content of eNOS in thoracic aorta cells of SHRs. Furthermore, TFAM decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of c-Myc and cyclin D1 by repressing the Wnt/ß-catenin-mediated TCF/LEF transcriptional activation both in vivo and in vitro, which is synergetic with the up-regulation of p27Kip1 expression. Our study provided evidence for developing flavonoids from A. megalophylla as herbal supplements to prevent against cardiovascular diseases by suppressing vascular remodeling

Phenolic content of some selected lamiaceous egyptian medicinal plants: antioxidant potential and ecological friend mosquitolarvicidal

Phenol compounds are naturally occurring biologically active compounds existing in all plants had received major medical concern so development in research focused on their extraction, identification and quantification have occurred over the last 25 years; they constitute an important source of antioxidants and were used to help human body to reduce oxidative damage. Mosquitos-borne diseases constitute one of the major health problems worldwide. Control strategies involving pinpointing natural ecological friend, cheap and safe mosquitocides, mainly larvicides to stop their life cycle. Quantitative estimation of total phenol, flavonoids, phenylethanoid and iridoid contents of sixteen selected Lamiaceous Egyptian plants for screening of their antioxidant and mosquito larvicidal effects was carried out. The results showed that the most suitable medicinal plants used as antioxidants were Lavendula dentata L., Thymus capitatus L. and Thymus bovei Benth., which contain adequate mixture of total phenol, flavonoid and phenylethanoid contents, with distinct larvicidal effect in a descending order was T. capitatus L., T. bovei Benth. and L dentata L. by their adequate mixture of total phenol, flavonoid, iridoid and phenylethanoid glycoside content

Phytochemical and bioactivity investigation of chrysanthemum coronarium [var. discolor] durv growing in Egypt

The unsaponifiable fraction afforded by the pet. ether extract of the aerial parts of Chrysanthemum coronarium [var. discolor] was analysed by GLC. A series of hydrocarbons ranging from C[13]-C[29] in addition to cholesterol, stigmasterol and the triterpenoids alpha-amyrin and Beta-amyrin were identified. The GLC analysis of the fatty alcohol fraction revealed presence of 9 waxy alcohols, also analysis of the fatty acid fraction revealed the presence of 14 fatty acids in which. linolenic acid represent the main component [19.42%]. The flavonoid constituents isolated from the flowers and leaves were identified as quercetin, luteolin-4'-methyl ether, quercetin-3-O-rhamnosyl from the flowers and luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucuronide,quercetin-7-O-glucoside and quercetin -3-O-rhamnogalactoside from the leaves . Their identity was proved by m.p, TLC, PC, UV, [1]H-NMR and MS analysis. GLC analysis of the volatile oil of Chrysanthemunt coronarium [Var. discolor] allowed the identification of 27 compounds which represent [79.5%] of the oil. The oil is characterized by a high content of monoterpene hydrocarbons, among which are limonene [19.3%] and alpha-pinene [11.14%] were the major compounds. Sesquiterpene compounds, either hydrocarbons or oxygenated, were detected as minor or trace amount. The ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts showed a strong antioxidant activity, using DPPH, while the volatile oil showed moderate activity, also the flavonoidal compounds isolated from the plant showed significant antioxidant activity compared to Trolox [standard antioxidant compound]. The different extracts and the isolated compounds of the plant exhibited no cytotoxic activity against Ehrlich-ascites carcinoma cell line, while the volatile oil which showed moderate activity