Moringa oleifera (MO) is an important plant for traditional medicine. The present study aimed to identify the MO active phytochemical compounds for their ability against inflamed macrophages. An ethyl acetate extract fraction of MO was fractionation by flash column chromatography. Human macrophages were stimulated by Lipopolysaccharide and then treated with fractions of MO to examine their anti-inflammatory activity and cellular mechanism. The active fractions were analyzed by liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS). MO treated cells showed a decreased production of pro-inflammatory mediator in response to lipopolysaccharide. This was evident at both mRNA and protein levels. The study revealed that MO suppressed mRNA expression of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, PTGS2, NF-κB (P50), and RelA. Furthermore, the extract effectively inhibited the expression of inflammatory mediators, including IL-6, TNF-α, and cyclooxygenase-2. Interestingly, the effect of MO inhibited phosphorylation of IκB-α and the ability to reduce expression of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65, suppressing its nuclear translocation. Moreover, LC-ESI-QTOF-MS analysis of the MO active fraction revealed seven compounds, namely 3,4-Methyleneazelaic acid, (2S)-2-phenylmethoxybutane-1,4-diol, (2R)-2-phenylmethoxybutane-1, 4-diol, γ-Diosphenol, 2,2,4,4-Tetramethyl-6-(1-oxobutyl)-1,3,5-cyclohexanetrione, 3-Hydroxy-β-ionone, and Tuberonic acid. Our findings highlight the ability of MO compounds to inhibit inflammation through regulation of the NF-κB pathway.

No abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of head and neck cancer worldwide. Radiation and chemotherapy are general treatments for patients; however, these remedies can have adverse side effects and tumours develop drug resistance. Effective treatments still require improvement for cancer patients. Here, we investigated the anti-cancer effect of Moringa oleifera (MO) Lam. leaf extracts and their fractions, 3-hydroxy-β-ionone on SCC15 cell line. SCC15 were treated with and without MO leaf extracts and their fractions. MTT assay was used to determine cell viability on SCC15. Cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated by the Muse™ Cell Analyser. Colony formation and wound closure analysis of SCC15 were performed in 6-well plates. Apoptosis markers were evaluated by immunoblotting. We found that Moringa extracts and 3-HBI significantly inhibited proliferation of SCC15. Moreover, they induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase in SCC15 compared to the untreated control. MO extracts and 3-HBI also inhibited colony formation and cell migration of SCC15. Furthermore, we observed the upregulation of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax with downregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, indicating the induction of cancer cell apoptosis. Our results revealed that MO extracts and 3-HBI provided anti-cancer properties by inhibiting progression and inducing apoptosis of SCC15.

We suggest certain perspectives, by which we as scientists, may contribute towards prevention of biopiracy and also to foster the fair utilization of natural resources. We discuss ways, in which the interests of indigenous people especially from developing countries can be secured.

Citrus hystrix DC. (CH) is found in many countries in Southeast Asia. This plant has been reported for anti-microbial, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory bioactivities. However, the anti-inflammatory and anti-inflammasome properties of the leaves remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of CH leaves on NLRP3 and NF-κB signaling pathways. CH leaves were sequentially extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate and 95% ethanol to give three crude extracts. An active compound, lupeol was fractionated from the ethanolic extract using chromatographic techniques, and its structure was identified and confirmed by spectroscopic methods. Anti-inflammatory activities were observed on both lipopolysaccharide-stimulated and NLRP3 adenosine triphosphate-induced macrophages. The release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) was analyzed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Real-time qRT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to measure inflammatory-associated gene expression. NF-κB protein expressions were investigated using the immunoblotting technique. The active fraction of ethanolic CH leaves and lupeol significantly reduced the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppressed the expression of both inflammasome genes and NF-κB proteins. The ethanolic extract of CH leaves and lupeol showed potent anti-inflammatory activities by targeting NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways.

No abstract

Oral hygiene and control of microbial plaque biofilm formation are effective methods for preventing gingivitis. Mouthwashes containing leaf extracts of the medicinal plants Citrus hystrix DC. (KL), Moringa oleifera Lam. (MO) and Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (NE) were assessed for oral healthcare and gingivitis adjunctive treatment. Three types of mouthwash were developed; KL, a combination of KL and MO (KL + MO), and a combination of KL, and NE (KL + NE). The mouthwashes were tested in vivo on 47 subjects with gingivitis who were allocated into five groups as (i) placebo, (ii) KL, (iii) KL + MO, (iv) KL + NE, and (v) 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX). Participants were instructed to rinse with herbal mouthwash twice daily for two weeks. Gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), and oral microbial colonies were measured at baseline and 15 days. Results showed that GI and PI of groups (ii)–(iv) significantly decreased over the placebo group, while accumulative reduction percentages of both Staphylococcus spp. and Candida spp. were found in groups (iii) and (iv). Findings indicated that the herbal mouthwashes reduced GI and PI, and showed potential as oral healthcare products.

Candida albicans is a fungus that lives primarily on the mucosal surfaces of healthy humans, such as the oral cavity, vagina, and gastrointestinal tract. This commensal organism can be controlled by other microbiota, while certain conditions can increase the risk of C. albicans outgrowth and cause disease. Prevalence of the drug-resistant phenotype, as well as the severity of C. albicans infection in immunocompromised patients, presents a challenge for scientists to develop novel, effective treatment, and prevention strategies. β-Citronellol is an intriguing active compound of several plants that has been linked to antifungal activity, but data on the mechanism of action in terms of proteomic profiling are lacking. Here, β-citronellol identified from Citrus hystrix DC. leaf against C. albicans were evaluated. A proteomic approach was used to identify potential target proteins involved in the mode of action of β-citronellol. This study identified and discussed three protein groups based on the 126 major proteins that were altered in response to β-citronellol treatment, 46 of which were downregulated and 80 of which were upregulated. Significant protein groups include cell wall proteins (e.g., Als2p, Rbt1p, and Pga4p), cellular stress response enzymes (e.g., Sod1p, Gst2p, and Ddr48p), and ATP synthesis-associated proteins (e.g., Atp3p, Atp7p, Cox1p, and Cobp). Results demonstrated the complexities of protein interactions influenced by β-citronellol treatment and highlighted the potential of antifungal activity for future clinical and drug development research.