Therapeutic potential of Leea indica (Vitaceae)

Background: Leea indica (Burm. f.) Merr. (fam. Vitaceae), commonly known as ‘bandicoot berry’, is a Thai medicinal plant, and distributed widely in the far-east and south-east Asian countries, and in some parts of northern Australia. In Thailand, this plant has traditionally been used for the treatment of diarrhoea, pain, gastric ulcer, viral infections and some forms of cancers. Aims: To review published findings on medicinal properties of L. indica and to critically appraise its therapeutic potential. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed utilizing several databases, notably, Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar, and other relevant published materials. The keywords used in the search, individually as well as in combinations, were Leea indica, Vitaceae and traditional medicine. Results: In vitro assays and in vivo animal studies displayed efficacy of the extracts and fractions of L. indica as an analgesic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiproliferative agent and indicated their therapeutic potential. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenolics and terpenoids as major bioactive components in L. indica. Conclusion: Preliminary bioactivity studies on L. indica provided some scientific basis for its traditional therapeutic applications. The presence of certain bioactive compounds in this plant could further support its therapeutic potential and traditional medicinal uses

Composition of Amesiodendron chinense(Merr.) Hu Seed Oil and Assessment of Its Nrf2/ARE Induction Activity in AREc32 Cells

Background: Amesiodendron chinense (Merr.) Hu (family: Sapindaceae) is a Thai medicinal plant. The seed oil of this species has been used by folk healers and local people in southern Thailand for the treatment of wounds, skin disorders and common hair problems. This study aimed at the GC-MS-based determination of the chemical composition of the seed oil of this plant, and evaluation of its Nrf2/ARE induction activity in AREc32 cells (modified human breast cancer cell line MCF-7) using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] and luciferase reporter gene assays. Results: GC-MS analysis identified 9-(E)-octadecenoic acid (84.82%) as the main component of this seed oil. TLC-based qualitative DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay revealed the DPPH radical-scavenging activity of the seed oil and its chromatographic fractions. A low-level DPPH-scavenging activity was observed in the quantitative assay, but no IC50 value could be determined even with the highest tested concentration (10 mg/mL). Neither the oil nor its chromatographic fractions showed any significant Nrf2/ARE induction in AREc32 cells. The seed oil was noncytotoxic against the AREc32 cells. Conclusions: A. chinense seed oil and its fractions had a low level of free-radical scavenging property but no significant Nrf2/ARE induction activity in AREc32 cells. However, as the oil did not show any cytotoxicity at test concentrations in the MTT assay, this oil might potentially be safe to use in cosmetic formulations or as a vehicle for the dermal delivery of drug molecules