The Chemical Components and Pharmacological Functions of Strobilanthes Cusia (Nees) Kuntze

Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze is a member of the Acanthaceae family, and widely used as an ĂnƟͲ ŝnŇĂmmĂƚŽry drĂĚŝƟŽnĂů Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China since 1500 ’ s. As the development of the modern phytochemistry technologies, more and more compounds that have bŝŽĂcƟvŝƟĞƐ were separated from the leaf, stem and root of Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze. Through in vitro and in vivo experiments, people found many new ĨƵncƟŽnƐ of the extracts of this plant, such as ĂnƟvŝrĂů͕ ĂnƟͲ bĂcƚĞrŝĂů and ĂnƟcĂncĞr ĂcƟvŝƟĞƐ͘ Here we review the chemical components and pharmacological ĨƵncƟŽnƐ of Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze, which may help people to understand this old TCM material and its new ĂƉƉůŝcĂƟŽnƐ

EKSTRAKSI INDIGO DARI DAUN STROBILANTHES CUSIA DAN KAJIAN PEMBENTUKAN KOMPLEKS DENGAN ION Ni2+

Kajian ekstraksi zat warna alam indigo dari tanaman Strobilanthes cusia telah dilakukan. Ekstraksi dilakukan dengan metode fermentasi daun dan batang Strobilanthes cusia selama 48 jam diikuti oleh oksidasi dalam suasana basa. Indigo tidak dapat diperoleh secara langsung dari tanaman, melainkan sebagai senyawa glukosa indoksil. Ekstrak Strobilanthes cusia mengandung dua zat warna didalamnya yaitu indigo (biru) dan indirubin (merah). Pemisahan dilakukan dengan metode kromatografi lapis tipis dan kolom. Variasi pelarut terbaik yaitu campuran dari kloroform:n-heksana:metanol (8:5:0,5) karena menghasilkan pemisahan baik. Pemisahan ini menghasilkan nilai Rf sebesar 0,2 untuk indigo dan indirubin 0,428. 1 kg daun strobilanthes cusia menghasilkan 195 mg pewarna indigo dan 89 mg indirubin. Senyawa indigo memiliki serapan maksimum pada 600 nm. Puncak serapan pada 800 nm teramati ketika indigo dicampurkan dengan Ni2+. Keberadaan puncak ini mengindikasikan pembentukan senyawa kompleks antara indigo dengan ion Ni2+. Dari penelitian ini, diperoleh juga bahwa senyawa Ni-Indigo berpotensi sebagai pewarna pada sel surya

Pengaruh Metode Pembuatan dan Penyeduhan Teh Herbal Strobilanthes cusia terhadap Polifenol Total dan Aktivitas Antioksidan

Teh herbal merupakan produk pangan fungsional yang saat ini banyak dikembangkan. Strobilanthes cusia menunjukkan potensi untuk dimanfaatkan dan diolah menjadi teh herbal untuk menangkal radikal bebas. Tujuan dari penelitian adalah mengetahui pengaruh suhu pengeringan daun dan waktu penyeduhan teh herbal S. cusia terhadap kadar polifenol total dan aktivitas antioksidan. Pembuatan teh herbal S. cusia dilakukan dengan variasi suhu pengeringan daun 50, 60, dan 70 ºC serta waktu penyeduhan teh 2, 4, 6, 8, dan 10 menit. Parameter yang diuji adalah kadar air, kadar polifenol total, aktivitas antioksidan, dan organoleptik. Daun S. cusia pada suhu pengeringan suhu 70 ºC memiliki kadar air terbaik, yaitu 14,33%. Teh herbal S. cusia pada suhu pengeringan daun 70 ºC dan lama penyeduhan teh 10 menit menghasilkan kadar polifenol total tertinggi, yaitu 2,8430 mgGAE/g. Aktivitas antioksidan tertinggi diperoleh pada suhu pengeringan 70 ºC dan waktu penyeduhan 8 dan 10 menit dengan nilai IC50 sebesar 239,2667 dan 239,3398 µg/mL

Ethnobotany of dye plants in Dong communities of China

BACKGROUND: Dyes derived from plants have an extensive history of use for coloring food and clothing in Dong communities and other indigenous areas in the uplands of China. In addition to use as coloring agents, Dong communities have historically utilized dye plants for their value for enhancing the nutritive, medicinal and preservative properties of foods. However, the persistence of plant-derived dyes and associated cultural practices and traditional knowledge is threatened with rapid socio-economic change in China. Research is needed to document the ethnobotany of dye plants in indigenous communities towards their conservation and potential commercialization as a sustainable means of supporting local development initiatives. METHODS: Semi-structured surveys on plants used for coloring agents and associated traditional knowledge were conducted in fifteen Dong villages of Tongdao County in Hunan Province of South Central China during 2011–2012. Transect walks were carried out with key informants identified from semi-structured surveys to collect samples and voucher specimens for each documented plant species for taxonomic identification. RESULTS: Dong households at the study sites utilize the flowers, bark, stems, tubers and roots of 13 plant species from 9 families as dyes to color their customary clothing and food. Out of the documented plants, a total of 7 are used for coloring food, 3 for coloring clothing and 3 for both food and clothing. Documented plants consist of 3 species that yield black pigments, 3 for brownish red/russet pigments, 3 for red pigments, 2 for dark blue pigments and 2 for yellow pigments. In addition to dyes, the plants have multiple uses including medicinal, ornamental, sacrificial, edible, and for timber. CONCLUSIONS: The use of dyes derived from plants persists at the study sites for their important role in expressing Dong cultural identity through customary clothing and food. Further research is needed to evaluate the safety of dye plants, their efficacy in enhancing food items and their commercial potential. Conservation policies and management plans are called for to preserve these ethnobotanical resources in a sustainable manner that supports local livelihoods while maintaining cultural practices

A pharmacognostic approach, including phytochemical and GC-MS analysis, targeted towards the authentication of Strobilanthes jomyi P. Biju, Josekutty, Rekha & J.R.I.Wood

The genera Strobilanthes Blume have a rich history in therapeutic culture all over the world. Asian countries like India, China, Myanmar and Thailand still use Strobilanthes genus-based medicinal preparations for various diseases. Strobilanthes jomyi is a newly discovered species from Kerala, India. Some tribal communities of Kasaragod district still use S. jomyi leaf extract as a wound healing medication. The current study aims to investigate the pharmacognostic, phytochemical and GC-MS analysis of the leaves, stems and roots of S. jomyi. The microscopic, macroscopic, organoleptic, fluorescent, phytochemicals and GC-MS analysis of the leaves, stem, and root of S. jomyi were estimated using various standard protocols. The macroscopic and microscopic characters of leaves revealed the presence of non-glandular trichomes with paracytic stomata in the leaves. The transverse section of the stem and petiole showed the presence of raphides and the root showed the presence of tannin cells. Cystoliths were observed only in the petiole. Powder morphology of leaves, stems and roots revealed the presence of fibers, trichomes, palisade cells, spiral xylem vessels, bordered pit vessels and raphides. The vegetative part of S. jomyi powder exhibited various fluorescent coloration based on numerous chemical treatments along with different tastes, smells, colors and textures by organoleptic assays. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of different vegetative parts revealed the presence of flavonoids and other phytochemicals. GC-MS study revealed that lupeol a significant bioactive compound was present in all the vegetative parts of S. jomyi. The results acquired from this study can be used for the standardization, identification, quality and purity check of plant samples

Phytochemical And Bioactivity Studies Of Strobilanthes Crispus L

Phytochemical investigation of the hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts of the leaves of Strobilanthes crispus has led to the isolation of nine compounds, comprising 1-heptacosanol (c-1), lignoceric acid (c-2) and stigmasterol (c-3) from the hexane extract, a mixture of four esters of β-amyrin (c-4), taraxerone (c-5), taraxerol (c-6) and a mixture of two esters of taraxerol (c-7) from the dichloromethane extract, as well as 4-acetyl-2,7-dihydroxy-1,4,8-triphenyloctane-3,5-dione (c-8) and stigmasterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (c-9) from the methanol extract. Structures of compounds c-1 to c-9 were elucidated with the aid of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques

Identity blues: the ethnobotany of the indigo dyeing by Landian Yao (Iu Mien) in Yunnan, Southwest China

Background Indigo-dyed textiles have been central to the cultural identity of Landian Yao (literally “blue clothes Yao”) people in Southwest China for centuries, driving a significant local market for naturally dyed indigo cloth. In the past two decades, local indigo production for traditional textiles has declined for several reasons: Firstly, the younger generation of Landian Yao has shifted to using western style jeans and T-shirts. Secondly, due to its labor-intensive nature. In contrast, at a global scale, including in China, there has been a revival of interest in natural indigo use. This is due to a growing awareness in the fashion industry about human and environmental health issues related to synthetic dye production. Ironically, this new awareness comes at a time when traditional knowledge of indigo dyeing is being lost in many places in China, with weaving and use of natural dyes now limited to some remote areas. In this study, we recorded indigo dyeing processes used by Landian Yao people and documented the plant species used for indigo dyeing. Methods Field surveys were conducted to the study area from September 2015 to November 2016, supplemented by follow-up visits in July 2018 and November 2018. We interviewed 46 key informants between 36 and 82 years old who still continued traditional indigo dyeing practices. Most were elderly people. Semi-structured interviews were used. During the field study, we kept a detailed account of the methods used by Landian Yao dyers. The data were then analyzed by using utilization frequency to determine the best traditional recipe of indigo dye extraction. All the specimens of documented species were collected and deposited at the herbarium of Kunming Institute of Botany. Results Our results showed that indigo dyeing was divided into two main steps: (1) indigo pigment extraction and (2) dyeing cloth. The general procedures of indigo dye extraction included building or buying a dye vat, fermentation, removal of the leaves of indigo producing plant species, addition of lime, oxygenation, followed by collection, and the storage of the indigo paste. The procedures of dyeing cloth included preparing the dye solutions, dyeing cloth, washing, and air drying. It is notable that Landian Yao dyers formerly only performed the dyeing process on the goat days in the lunar calendar from June to October. After comparing the range of local indigo extraction methods, our results showed that the following was best of these traditional recipes: a indigo-yielding plant material to tap water ratio of 30 kg: 200 l, lime 3 kg, a fermentation time of 2–3 d, aeration by agitation for up to 60 min, and a precipitation time of 2–3 h. Our results show that 17 plant species in 11 families were recorded in the indigo dyeing process. With the exception of the indigo sources, only Dioscorea cirrhosa Lour. and Artemisia argyi H.Lév. & Vaniot were previously recorded in dyeing processes. Other species given in this paper are recorded for the first time in terms of their use in the indigo dyeing process. In the study area, Landian Yao men were in charge of indigo dye extraction, and the women were responsible for dyeing cloth. Conclusions The Landian Yao has completely mastered the traditional indigo dyeing craft and are one of the well-deserved identity blues. Indigo production from plants using traditional methods is a slow process compared to synthetic dyes and is not suitable for modern and rapid industrial production. Therefore, our study records the detailed information of traditional indigo dyeing to protect and inherit it. Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze is the main indigo source in Landian Yao that is widely used in the world and can be commercially exploited as an indigo plant. For commercial and environment benefits, we suggest that producing natural indigo for the commercial market is a good choice

Effect of various mordants in Kum dyed cotton, silk and woollen yarns

The colour fastness properties, tensile strength and elongation percentage of various yarns such as cotton, wool and silk, naturally dyed with fermented Kum leaves [Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze] using traditional technique of cold and heating process and chemical technique with metallic salts have been studied. The colour fastness in both traditional and chemical technique shows fair to excellent results. Except for some cases in silk and woollen yarns, the tensile strength and elongation percentage of all the dyed yarns are found to be higher as compared to that of the grey yarn. In cotton yarn, both traditional and chemical pre-mordanting techniques show improvement in colourfastness and high tensile strength and elongation percentage as compared to grey yarn

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of BcTSA in the biosynthesis of indole alkaloids in Baphicacanthus cusia

Baphicacanthus cusia (Nees) Bremek (B. cusia) is an essential traditional Chinese herb that is commonly used to treat colds, fever, and influenza. Indole alkaloids, such as indigo and indirubin, are the primary active constituents of B. cusia. The indole-producing reaction is crucial for regulating the flow of indole alkaloids metabolites along the pathways and coordinating primary and secondary product biosynthesis in plants. The tryptophan synthase alpha-subunit (TSA) can catalyse a process that produces indole, which is free to enter secondary metabolite pathways; however, the underlying potential mechanism of regulating indigo alkaloids synthesis remains unknown. Here, a BcTSA was cloned from the transcriptome of B. cusia. The BcTSA has a significant degree of similarity with other plant TSAs according to bioinformatics and phylogenetic analyses. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) research showed that BcTSA was dramatically enhanced in response to treatment with methyl jasmonate (MeJA), salicylic acid (SA), and abscisic acid (ABA), and was predominantly expressed in the stems as opposed to the leaves and rhizomes. Subcellular localization revealed that BcTSA is localized in chloroplasts, which is compatible with the fact that the conversion of indole-3-glycerol phosphate (IGP) to indole occurs in chloroplasts. The complementation assay results showed that BcTSA was functional, demonstrating that it was capable of catalyzing the conversion of IGP to indole. BcTSA was shown to stimulate the manufacture of indigo alkaloids including isatin, indigo, and indirubin when the gene was overexpressed in the hairy roots of Isatis indigotica. In conclusion, our research provides novel perspectives that might be applied to manipulating the indole alkaloid composition of B. cusia

Natural and Nature-Derived Products Targeting Human Coronaviruses

The ongoing pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), caused by the SARS-CoV-2 human coronavirus (HCoV), has brought the international scientific community before a state of emergency that needs to be addressed with intensive research for the discovery of pharmacological agents with antiviral activity. Potential antiviral natural products (NPs) have been discovered from plants of the global biodiversity, including extracts, compounds and categories of compounds with activity against several viruses of the respiratory tract such as HCoVs. However, the scarcity of natural products (NPs) and small-molecules (SMs) used as antiviral agents, especially for HCoVs, is notable. This is a review of 203 publications, which were selected using PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, evaluates the available literature since the discovery of the first human coronavirus in the 1960s; it summarizes important aspects of structure, function, and therapeutic targeting of HCoVs as well as NPs (19 total plant extracts and 204 isolated or semi-synthesized pure compounds) with anti-HCoV activity targeting viral and non-viral proteins, while focusing on the advances on the discovery of NPs with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, and providing a critical perspective