16 research outputs found
Evaluation of Traditional Medicines III: The Mechanism of Immune Modulation by PHELA.
PHELA is a herbal traditional medicine that is under development for use as an immune booster in immune compromised individuals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine PHELA’s mechanism of action by observing for changes in cytokine profiles. Four groups of Sprague Dawley rats (n = 8) were treated daily and separately with normal-saline, cyclosporine-A, PHELA-only and PHELA+ cyclosporine-A. Thereafter, 4 animals from each group were sacrificed after 7 and 14 days of treatment. Serum Th1 cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-ά) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) were measured by ELISA. The concentrations of Th1 cytokines in the PHELA-only treated group were similar to the control group on days 7 and 14. However, the Th1 cytokines were higher in the PHELA+cyclosporine-A treated group compared to cyclosporine-A group, and cyclosporine-A concentrations were similar in both groups. These results show that PHELA did not stimulate Th1 cytokines of a normal immune system but stimulated them when the immune system was suppressed by cyclosporine-A. In conclusion, PHELA is an immune-stimulant to a compromised immune system
UPLC-MS analysis of cannabis sativa using tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) as marker compounds: inhibition of breast cancer cell survival and progression
Cannabis sativa L. extracts were characterized by ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) using
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) as marker compounds. The inhibitory
effects of various extracts were determined on the survival and progression of highly metastatic breast cancer cells. A higher
amount of CBD was found in the dichloromethane extract, and this was found to be effective in inhibiting breast cancer cell
growth in vitro and in angiogenesis. Collectively, it may be concluded that CBD, THC, and THCA in the African variety of C. sativa
can be used as marker compounds in UPLC-MS analysis. The ability of the plant to inhibit breast cancer cell survival and progression
may affirm the traditional use of the drug as an anticancer agent.The National Research Foundation and DST-IKS Based Technology, South Africa.https://journals.sagepub.com/home/npxpm2020Chemistr
EVALUATION OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINES II: THE USE OF METABOLITE PEAK-KINETICS
PHELA is a herbal mixture of four African traditional medicinal plants that is under development by the Medical Research Council (MRC) for use as an immune stimulant in immune compromised individuals. Before major in vivo investigations could be conducted, there was a need to establish a plasma marker for concentration monitoring of PHELA. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a C18 RP column (250 mm x 4.6 mm x 5 µm), 70% acetonitrile in water and fluorescent detection. Three groups of rats (n=5) were administered with PHELA (15.4 mg/kg) and one rat from each group was sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours. Surprisingly, on the HPLC analysis, none of the marker peaks of spiked plasma were detectable in the plasma of treated animals. Instead, a new peak was observed at 9.2 minutes, which implied that it was a metabolite of PHELA. Using peak area per unit plasma volume (PK-area/L), the relevant pharmacokinetic parameters were derived. The metabolite’s half-life was 3.47±0.35 hours and reached maximum concentration at 4.67 ± 1.15 hrs. It was estimated that with once daily dosing of PHELA, the concentration at steady state (Css) would be 47.52 ± 5.94 PK-area/L with no drug accumulation (Acc index =.009 ± 0.004). In conclusion, the use of peak area per unit volume to derive pharmacokinetics of unknown compounds (Peak-kinetics) and to confirm ingestion of PHELA were demonstrated with a hope that they may appeal to those experiencing similar problems with monitoring of herbal products of which little is known
Evaluation of the Nutritional Composition of Myrothamnus Flabellifolius (Welw.) Herbal Tea and its Protective Effect Against Oxidative Hepatic Cell Injury
Published ArticleThe nutrient composition of Myrothamnus flabellifolius leaf tea extract (MLTE) and
its protective effect against oxidative hepatic cell injury were evaluated. Gallic acid,
caffeic acid, ferulic acid, methyl gallate, and epicatechin were identified in MLTE by
high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The tea extract showed an appreciable
nutritional content of proximate, sugar, vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty
acids, omega 6 and 9 unsaturated fatty acids, as well as considerable amounts of
various mineral elements. Nineteen amino acids were found. Moreover, MLTE exhibited
potent in vitro antioxidant activities, presumably because of its richness in polyphenols
(gallic acid and ferulic acid) and vitamin E. In Chang liver cells, pretreatment
with MLTE suppressed oxidative lipid peroxidation (IC50 = 113.11 μg/ml) and GSH
depletion (IC50 = 70.49 μg/ml) without causing cytotoxicity. These data support the
local consumption of M. flabellifolius herbal tea, which may be used against oxidative
stress‐induced diseases while providing the body with necessary nutrients.
Practical application
Herbal teas are one of the most consumed beverages in the world today, due to
their refreshing taste and additional health benefits. Myrothamnus flabellifolius
herbal tea is a widely used traditional herbal tea in Southern Africa with potentials
for commercialization due to its pleasant flavor. This study, for the first time, reported
the nutritional composition of the leaf decoction of M. flabellifolius and its
protective effect on hepatic oxidative insults. These results can inform the dietary
and nutritional use of the tea for optimum benefits, as well as provide preliminary
scientific validation of the use of the herbal tea as an antioxidant beverage with
good nutritional value
Priority areas for cannabis and cannabinoid product research in South Africa
No abstract available
Possible importance of Cannabis sativa L. in regulation of insulin and IL-6R/MAO-A in cancer cell progression and migration of breast cancer patients with diabetes
Nano chloroquine delivery against Plasmodium berghei NK65 induced programmed cell death in spleen
Objective: To compare the protective effects of chitosan-trypolyphosphate (CS-TPP) nanoparticle conjugated chloroquine(CQ) with effect of CQ alone on the reversal of splenic damages and induction of apoptosis. Methods: Different researches have been carried out to explore the potential role of chitosan based drug delivery system against parasitic diseases. After successive Plasmodium berghei NK65 parasiste infection by intraperitoneal injection in Swiss mice and subsequent parasite development, the ROS generation, anti-apoptotic and pro apoptotic protein levels in spleen were measured. To analyze caspases, flow cytometry study was performed with annexin V -FITC and with PI staining. Results: The results revealed that ROS mediated caspase 3 and 9 activation and the induction of apoptosis occurred during the parasitic infection. However, CS-TPP conjugated CQ was relatively better in reversing the splenic damage compared with similar effects of CQ alone. Conclusions: This study indicates that Plasmodium berghei NK65 induces apoptosis in the spleen. The study further shows that CS-TPP nanoparticles conjugation with CQ have positive influence on the recovery of damaged host’s system towards maintenance of normal homeostasis, and this is shown to be selective to CS-TPP conjugated CQ treated animals only
Unravelling the Anticancer Mechanisms of Traditional Herbal Medicines with Metabolomics
Metabolite profiling of cancer cells presents many opportunities for anticancer drug discovery. The Chinese, Indian, and African flora, in particular, offers a diverse source of anticancer therapeutics as documented in traditional folklores. In-depth scientific information relating to mechanisms of action, quality control, and safety profile will promote their extensive usage in cancer therapy. Metabolomics may be a more holistic strategy to gain valuable insights into the anticancer mechanisms of action of plants but this has remained largely unexplored. This review, therefore, presents the available metabolomics studies on the anticancer effects of herbal medicines commonly used in Africa and Asia. In addition, we present some scientifically understudied ‘candidate plants’ for cancer metabolomics studies and highlight the relevance of metabolomics in addressing other challenges facing the drug development of anticancer herbs. Finally, we discussed the challenges of using metabolomics to uncover the underlying mechanisms of potential anticancer herbs and the progress made in this regard
Immunomodulatory leads from medicinal plants
235-256Immunomodulation is the alteration of immune
response which may increase or decrease the immune responsiveness. Medicinal
plants, since times immemorial, have been used virtually in all cultures as a
source of medicine for altering the immune systems. Several medicinal plants
have been investigated for immunomodulatory potentials and they are proved to
have beneficial effect on alteration of immune system by diverse mechanisms in
animals. The present review will provide an up to date knowledge about the
medicinal plants used as immunomodulators and their phytoconstituents. This
article highlights on the phytochemistry, pharmacology, therapeutic usage and related
aspects of 55 medicinal plants, such as Allium sativum, Aloe vera,
Andrographis paniculata, Azadirachta indica, Boerhaavia diffusa, Boswellia
serrata, Curcuma longa, Centella asiatica, Carica papaya, Datura quercifolia,
Emblica officinalis, Hydrastis Canadensis, Hypericum perforatum, Ocimum
sanctum, Panax ginseng, Plantago major, Plantago asiatica, Piper longum,
Tinospora cordifolia, Mangifera indica, Momordica charantia, Withania
somnifera, etc. which have been investigated for their
immunomodulatory potentials, and they are proved to acquire beneficial effect
on alteration of immune system by diverse mechanisms. Thus an approach for integration of the available
information on several species of medicinal plants used as immunomodulators
along with the metabolites responsible for the same has been made in this
article.
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Quality Related Safety Evaluation of a South African Traditional Formulation (PHELA<sup>®</sup>) as Novel Anti-Biofilm Candidate
A South African traditional formulation, PHELA®, is consumed by the traditional people for severe chest problems with coughing, diarrhea, oral ulcers etc. The present study focused on establishing the anti-infective properties of a safe and standardized poly-herbal formulation through a series of criteria and specifications