Comparison of HPLC fingerprints and determination of main components of Viticis Fructus from different species / 中国中药杂志

In order to comprehensively evaluate the quality of Viticis Fructus, this study established HPLC fingerprints and evaluated the quality of 24 batches of Viticis Fructus samples from different species by similarity evaluation and multivariate statistical analysis(PCA, HCA, PLS-DA). On this basis, an HPLC method was established to compare the content differences of the main components, including casticin, agnuside, homoorientin, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid. The analysis was performed on the chromatographic column(Waters Symmetry C_(18)) with a gradient mobile phase of acetonitrile(A)-0.05% phosphoric acid solution(B) at the flow rate of 1 mL·min~(-1) and detection wavelength of 258 nm. The column temperature was 30 ℃ and the injection volume was 10 μL. The HPLC fingerprint of 24 batches of Viticis Fructus samples was established with 21 common peaks, and nine peaks were identified. Similarity analysis was carried out based on chromatographic data of 24 batches of chromatographic data of Viticis Fructus, and the results showed that except for DYMJ-16, the similarity of Vitex trifolia var. simplicifolia was ≥0.900, while that of V. trifolia was ≤0.864. In addition, the similarity analysis of two different species showed that the similarity of 16 batches of V. trifolia var. simplicifolia was 0.894-0.997 and that of the eight batches of V. trifolia was between 0.990 and 0.997. The results showed that the similarity of fingerprints of these two species was different, but the similarity between the same species was good. The results of the three multivariate statistical analyses were consistent, which could distinguish the two different species. The VIP analysis results of PLS-DA showed that casticin and agnuside contributed the most to the distinction. The content determination results showed that there was no significant difference in the content of homoorientin and p-hydroxybenzoic acid in Viticis Fructus from different species, but the content of casticin and agnuside was significantly different in different species(P<0.01). The content of casticin was higher in V. trifolia var. simplicifolia, while agnuside was higher in V. trifolia. The findings of this study show that there are differences in fingerprint similarity and component content of Viticis Fructus from different species, which can provide references for the in-depth study of the quality and clinical application of Viticis Fructus.

Larvicidal activity of essential oil from Vitex negundo and Vitex trifolia on dengue vector mosquito Aedes aegypti

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The ability of Vitex trifolia and Vitex negundo essential oils to kill Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae was evaluated. METHODS: The larvae were treated with their respective essential oils at 50-125 ppm concentration. RESULTS: LC50 and LC90 for V. trifolia against Ae. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus, and those for V. negundo against Ae. aegypti were 57.7+0.4, 77.9+0.9 ppm and 55.17+3.14, 78.28+2.23 ppm, and 50.86+0.9, 73.12+1.3 ppm, respectively. Eucalyptol and caryophyllene were the major components in Vitex trifolia and Vitex negundo essential oil, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed potential larvicidal properties of essential oil from V. trifolia.

Antineoplastic potential of the Vitex species: an overview / Potencial antineoplásico de la especie Vitex: una visión general

Irrespective of progressive treatments, cancer remains to have the utmost rate of treatment failure due to numerous reasons associated. In recent years, the use of traditional medicine in cancer research has established considerable interest. Natural products represent an amazing source for cancer therapy and combating associated side-effects. More than thousand plants have been found to possess significant anticancer properties. Vitex is the largest genus in the family Lamiaceae which comprises 250 species distributed throughout world and several species have been reported to have anticancer properties. Despite a long tradition of use of some species, the genus has not been explored properly in terms of its anticancer profile. Here we are reporting the updated knowledge of the antineoplastic profile of this genus available so far. In the concluding part, the future scope of Vitex species has been emphasized with a view to explore its multifarious antineoplastic activities and mode of action.

Independientemente de los tratamientos progresivos, el cáncer sigue teniendo la mayor tasa de fracaso del tratamiento debido a numerosas razones asociadas. En los últimos años, el uso de la medicina tradicional en la investigación del cáncer ha despertado un gran interés. Los productos naturales representan una fuente increíble para la terapia contra el cáncer y la lucha contra los efectos secundarios asociados. Se han encontrado más de mil plantas que poseen propiedades anticancerígenas significativas. Vitex es el género más grande de la familia Lamiaceae, que comprende 250 especies distribuidas en todo el mundo y se ha informado que varias especies tienen propiedades anticancerígenas. A pesar de una larga tradición de uso de algunas especies, el género no ha sido explorado adecuadamente en términos de su perfil contra el cáncer. Aquí presentamos el conocimiento actualizado del perfil antineoplásico de este género disponible hasta el momento. En la parte final, se ha enfatizado el alcance futuro de las especies de Vitex con el objetivo de explorar sus múltiples actividades antineoplásicas y su modo de acción.

Chemical composition, cytotoxicity and larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti of essential oils from Vitex gardineriana Schauer / Composición química, citotoxicidad y actividad larvicida contra Aedes aegypti de aceites esenciales de Vitex gardneriana Schauer

Vitex gardneriana Schauer (Lamiaceae) popularly known as "jaramataia", is a shrub commonly found in caatinga biome located in Northeast Brazil. In folk medicine, its leaves have been used as analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents. The chemical composition of the essential oil from leaves obtained by hydrodistillation was analyzed and identified by GC-MS and GC-FID and showing a total of 26 constituents (95.9%) being 2 monoterpenes (0.4%) and 24 sesquiterpenes (95.4%). The main constituents identified were cis-calamenene (29.7%), 6,9-guaiadiene (14.5%) and caryophyllene oxide (14.0%). The essential oil has been demonstrated high larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti (LC50 = 28.0 µg/mL). In the evaluation of the bioassay with Artemia salina the essential oil showed LC50 = 98.11 µg/mL. In addition, the essential oil did not show cytotoxicity (IC50 > 2.50 mg/mL) by the hemolysis assay.

Vitex gardneriana Schauer (Lamiaceae) popularmente conocido como "jaramataia", es un arbusto que se encuentra comúnmente en el bioma de caatinga ubicado en el noreste de Brasil. En medicina popular, sus hojas se han utilizado como analgésicos y agentes antiinflamatorios. La composición química de los aceites esenciales de las hojas obtenidas por hidrodestilación fue analizada e identificada por GC-MS y GC-FID y mostrando un total de 26 constituyentes (95.9%) siendo 2 monoterpenos (0.4%) y 24 sesquiterpenos (95.4%). Los componentes principales fueron cis-calamenene (29.7%), 6,9-guaiadiene (14.5%) y caryophyllene oxide (14.0%). El aceite esencial ha demostrado una alta actividad larvicida contra Aedes aegypti (CL50 = 28.0 µg/mL). En la evaluación del bioensayo con Artemia salina, el aceite esencial demostró CL50 = 98.11 µg/mL. Además, el aceite esencial no mostró citotoxicidad (IC50 > 2.5 mg / mL) mediante el ensayo de hemólisis.

Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Vitex agnus-castus L. (Lamiaceae)

ABSTRACT Abnormal multiplication of oral bacteria causes dental caries and dental plaque. These diseases continue to be major public health concerns worldwide, mainly in developing countries. In this study, the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Vitex agnus-castus leaves (VAC‒EO) collected in the North of Brazil against a representative panel of cariogenic bacteria were investigated. The antimicrobial activity of VAC-EO was evaluated in terms of its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values by using the broth microdilution method in 96-well microplates. The chemical constituents of VAC-EO were identified by gas chromatography (GC‒FID) and gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry (GC‒MS). VAC‒EO displayed some activity against all the investigated oral pathogens; MIC values ranged from 15.6 to 200 μg/mL. VAC-EO had promising activity against Streptococcus mutans (MIC= 15.6 μg/mL), Lactobacillus casei (MIC= 15.6 μg/mL), and Streptococcus mitis (MIC= 31.2 μg/mL). The compounds 1,8-cineole (23.8%), (E)-β-farnesene (14.6%), (E)-caryophyllene (12.5%), sabinene (11.4%), and α-terpinyl acetate (7.7%) were the major chemical constituents of VAC‒EO. VAC-EO displays antimicrobial activity against cariogenic bacteria. The efficacy of VAC-EO against S. mutans is noteworthy and should be further investigated.

Pharmacokinetic-interaction of Vitex negundo Linn. & paracetamol.

Background & objectives: Currently, herbal preparations are clinically used as functional food, food supplements or as add on therapy, which affects the bioavailability and also the net therapeutic potential of co-administered allopathic drugs. Therefore, it is important to assess the interaction among these two classes of drugs. Here we studied the interaction between orally-administered ethanolic extract of leaves of Vitex negundo Linn. (Verbenaceae) (VN extract) and paracetamol in albino rats. Method: Solvent free dried extract of VN leaves was orally given to experimental rats in different doses (62.5-1000 mg/kg/b.wt.), daily for six consecutive days. On days 3 and 6, paracetamol (100 mg/kg/b.wt.) was orally administered to these extract treated rats and control rats (drug vector). At various time intervals (5 min - 120 min), blood was collected from each animal and paracetamol concentration was determined in plasma by using HPLC with UV detector at 249 nm. Various pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by non compartmental model. Results: A significant decline in plasma concentration of paracetamol with time-gap was recorded with the increasing dose of VN extract, without affecting its Tmax (maximum time to achieve peak plasma concentration). There was a significant decrease in the extent of absorption and decline in intensity of therapeutic response (as evidenced by reduced AUC value and decline in Cmax). Further, compared to control, the relative bioavailability of paracetamol, in presence of VN extract, decreased significantly. Interpretation & conclusions: VN extract or its ayurvedic formulation if co-administered with allopathic drug like paracetamol, the dose of allopathic drug needs to be adjusted in order to achieve desired therapeutic response of paracetamol.

In vitro effect of four herbal plants on the motility of Brugia malayi microfilariae.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Disease burden due to lymphatic filariasis is disproportionately high despite mass drug administration with conventional drugs. Usage of herbal drugs in traditional medicine is quite well known but largely empirical. Hence the present study was designed to screen the in vitro antifilarial effect of four herbal plants on Brugia malayi. METHODS: Motility of microfilariae of B. malayi after incubation for 48 h with aqueous/methanol extracts of Vitex negundo L. (roots), Butea monosperma L. (roots and leaves), Ricinus communis L. (leaves), and Aegle marmelos Corr. (leaves) was explored in the concentration range of 20 to 100 ng/ml for possible antifilarial effect by comparing with suitable solvent control. RESULTS: Butea monosperma leaves and roots, Vitex negundo root and Aegle marmelo leaves showed significant inhibition of motility of microfilariae as compared to controls whereas inhibitory activity demonstrated by Ricinus communis L. leaves was not significant. Antifilarial effects imparted by all these extracts were found to be a function of their relative concentrations. Inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) for the plant extracts with significant antifilarial activity against Brugia malayi microfilariae in in vitro system have been derived to be 82, 83 and 70 ng/ml for Vitex negundo L., Butea monosperma L. and Aegle marmelos Corr. respectively. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The present study recorded significant antifilarial effect of all plant extracts studied except for Ricinus communis L. leaves and contributes to the development of database for novel drug candidates for human lymphatic filariasis.

Estrogen-like activity of volatile components from Vitex rotundifolia L.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The fruits of Vitex rotundifolia L. are used as a traditional medicine in China. Dried fruits of V. rotundifolia (rich in essential oils) have been known to show strong estrogenic activity. Therefore, we investigated volatile components in the essential oil isolated from the fruits of V. rotundifolia and its estrogen-like biological activity in human breast adenocarcinoma cells. METHODS: Essential oil was extracted by SFE (supercritical fluid extraction) and its chemical composition was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The estrogenic activity of essential oil was evaluated in the MCF-7 cells by proliferation assay. RESULTS: The chemical composition of 40 compounds was determined and this represented 84.1 per cent of the total oil which was characterized by a high content of unsaturated fatty acids (54.84% of total oil). The oil contained mainly linoleic acid (47.46%), palmitic acid (5.18%), untriacontane (2.28%), bicetyl (2.61%) and stearic acid (2.2%). The essential oil strongly stimulated the proliferation of MCF-7 cells, and this effect was significantly inhibited by the specific estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our results showed estrogen-like biological activity of the essential oil of the fruits from V. rotundifolia, and in future has a potential medical application.

Effect of solvent residues of Vitex negundo Linn. and Cassia fistula Linn. on pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus Fab. and its larval parasitoid, Dinarmus vagabundus (Timberlake).

Effect of solvent residues of Vitex negundo L. and Cassia fistula L. leaves (0.5 and 1%) was studied on egg laying and adult emergence of Callosobruchus maculatus Fab. and on percentage of larval parasitism by Dinarmus vagabundus (Timberlake). Cowpea seeds treated with methanol and aqueous extract of Vitex, at these concentrations (0.5 and 1%), significantly reduced the number of eggs and emergence of F1 adults of C. maculatus. Both Vitex and Cassia extracts did not affect the percentage of parasitism by D. vagabundus on C. maculatus grubs.