Evidence-based herbal treatments in liver diseases.

The liver is the main organ for metabolic and detoxification reactions in the body. Therefore, its diseases can be associated with both metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes, or dyslipidemia, and exogenous insults such as drugs, xenobiotics, or alcohol. Indeed, lifestyle changes are the primary approaches for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases. Since ancient times, herbals have also been used for preventive and therapeutic purposes, because of their anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Here, the literature was reviewed for potential therapeutic effects of plants and their compounds by including in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as clinical trials. Although the available data imply some beneficial roles of herbals on the liver, the indications and posology of specific plants need to be clarified through multicenter, randomized clinical trials.

In silico and biological activity evaluation of quercetin-boron hybrid compounds, anti-quorum sensing effect as alternative potential against microbial resistance.

Boronic acid compounds and the natural flavonoid compound quercetin were handled to synthesize two novel ligands encoded as B1(2,2'-(1,4-phenylenebis (benzo [1,3,2] dioxaborole-2,5-diyl)) bis (3,5,7-trihydroxy-4H- chromen-4-one) and B2(3.3.6. 3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-(2-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzo[d][1,3,2]dioxaborol-5-yl)- 4 H-chromene-4). Antioxidant activities of ligands were investigated by DPPH, ABTS and CUPRAC methods. Cholinesterase inhibition effects of ligands were determined by acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzyme inhibition methods, cytotoxic effects of ligands were applied to healthy breast and colon cancer cell lines by MTT method, and urease and tyrosinase enzyme activities were determined. Antimicrobial properties of the compounds were analyzed by detecting their anti-QS potentials on Chromobacterium violaceum biosensor strain. Both compounds were found to have significant antioxidant effects compared to controls. It was determined that the compound B1 at 1-10 µg/mL was more active than the reference compounds (α-TOC and BHT). Moreover, the enzyme activity studies on ligands demonstrated that acetylchoinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzyme inhibitions were higher than the reference compounds. As expected, boron derivatives exhibited respectable activity against the biofilms of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and P. aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). These results demonstrate the potential applicability of boron derivatives in the treatment of biofilm-associated infections and provide a practical strategy for the design of new boron-based antimicrobial materials. In silico molecular docking studies were performed on ligands to identify newly synthesized compounds. The binding parameter values and binding sites of the compounds were also determined. In conclusion, our studies showed that newly synthesized hybrid compounds could be solutions for antimicrobial resistance and enzyme-related disorders.

Evaluation of botanicals as potential COVID-19 symptoms terminator.

Information about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is still evolving since its appearance in December 2019 and has affected the whole world. Particularly, a search for an effective and safe treatment for COVID-19 continues. Botanical mixtures contain secondary metabolites (such as flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, essential oils etc.) with many therapeutic effects. In this study, the use of herbal treatments against COVID-19 was evaluated. Medical synthetic drugs focus mainly on respiratory symptoms, however herbal therapy with plant extracts may be useful to relieve overall symptoms of COVID-19 due to the variety of bioactive ingredients. Since COVID-19 is a virus that affects the respiratory tract, the antiviral effects of botanicals/plants against respiratory viruses have been examined through clinical studies. Data about COVID-19 patients revealed that the virus not only affects the respiratory system but different organs including the gastrointestinal (GI) system. As GI symptoms seriously affect quality of life, herbal options that might eliminate these problems were also evaluated. Finally, computer modeling studies of plants and their active compounds on COVID-19 were included. In summary, herbal therapies were identified as potential options for both antiviral effects and control of COVID-19 symptoms. Further data will be needed to enlighten all aspects of COVID-19 pathogenesis, before determining the effects of plants on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

From nutrition to medicine: Assessing hemorrhoid healing activity of Solanum melongena L. via in vivo experimental models and its major chemicals.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Solanum melongena L. (eggplant) is used for treatment of rheumatism, beriberi, itching, toothache, bleeding, asthma, bronchitis, cholera, neuralgia and hemorrhoids in traditional medicine (Turkish, Chinese, and Indian). Hemorrhoids from these diseases, are common illness in all over the world, which are treated with various approaches including ethnobotanicals. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to evaluate the anti-hemorrhoidal activity of eggplant, an edible plant, which is commonly utilized around the world. MATERIALS & METHODS: In vivo anti-hemorrhoidal activity of the methanolic extract prepared from eggplant was evaluated by experimental hemorrhoid model, subsequently histological and biochemical analysis. Hemorrhoid, which was induced by applying croton oil to the anal area of the rats. Furthermore, the extract was screened for anti-inflammatory activity which is based on the inhibition of acetic acid-induced increase in capillary permeability. The healing potential was comparatively assessed with a reference Pilex® tablet and cream. Phytochemical analysis performed by HPLC. The amount of the major phenolic compound (chlorogenic acid) in extract was found by using HPLC method. RESULTS: Histological and biochemical analysis demonstrated that eggplant extract is highly effective against hemorrhoid in comparison to the controls and the commercial preparation. In addition, the methanolic extract demonstrated significant inhibitory effect on acetic acid-induced increase in capillary permeability. The phytochemical studies identified major compound as chlorogenic acid (2.86%) by liquid chromatography. CONCLUSION: The eggplant calyxes, not edible, are easy to reach, by products/vast from the food sources. This is the first scientific evidence revealing that the eggplant extract has significant anti-hemorrhoidal and anti-inflammatory activity.