No abstract

Viniferin is a resveratrol derivative. Resveratrol is the most prominent stilbenoid synthesized by plants as a defense mechanism in response to microbial attack, toxins, infections or UV radiation. Different forms of viniferin exist, including alpha-viniferin (α-viniferin), beta-viniferin (β-viniferin), delta-viniferin (δ-viniferin), epsilon-viniferin (ε-viniferin), gamma-viniferin (γ-viniferin), R-viniferin (vitisin A), and R2-viniferin (vitisin B). All of these forms exhibit a range of important biological activities and, therefore, have several possible applications in clinical research and future drug development. In this review, we present a comprehensive literature search on the chemistry and biosynthesis of and the diverse studies conducted on viniferin, especially with regards to its anti-inflammatory, antipsoriasis, antidiabetic, antiplasmodic, anticancer, anti-angiogenic, antioxidant, anti-melanogenic, neurodegenerative effects, antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal, antidiarrhea, anti-obesity and anthelminthic activities. In addition to highlighting its important chemical and biological activities, coherent and environmentally acceptable methods for establishing vinferin on a large scale are highlighted to allow the development of further research that can help to exploit its properties and develop new phyto-pharmaceuticals. Overall, viniferin and its derivatives have the potential to be the most effective nutritional supplement and supplementary medication, especially as a therapeutic approach. More researchers will be aware of viniferin as a pharmaceutical drug as a consequence of this review, and they will be encouraged to investigate viniferin and its derivatives as pharmaceutical drugs to prevent future health catastrophes caused by a variety of serious illnesses.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are neurodegenerative disorders that have emerged as among the serious health problems of the 21st century. The medications currently available to treat AD and PD have limited efficacy and are associated with side effects. Natural products are one of the most vital and conservative sources of medicines for treating neurological problems. Karanjin is a furanoflavonoid, isolated mainly from Pongamia pinnata with several medicinal plants, and has been reported for numerous health benefits. However, the effect of karanjin on AD and PD has not yet been systematically investigated. To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of karanjin, extensive in silico studies starting with molecular docking against five putative targets for AD and four targets for PD were conducted. The findings were compared with three standard drugs using Auto Dock 4.1 and Molegro Virtual Docker software. Additionally, the physiochemical properties (Lipinski rule of five), drug-likeness and parameters including absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and toxicity (ADMET) profiles of karanjin were also studied. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed with two selective karanjin docking complexes to analyze the dynamic behaviors and binding free energy at 100 ns time scale. In addition, frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) and density-functional theory (DFT) were also investigated from computational quantum mechanism perspectives using the Avogadro-ORCA 1.2.0 platform. Karanjin complies with all five of Lipinski’s drug-likeness rules with suitable ADMET profiles for therapeutic use. The docking scores (kcal/mol) showed comparatively higher potency against AD and PD associated targets than currently used standard drugs. Overall, the potential binding affinity from molecular docking, static thermodynamics feature from MD-simulation and other multiparametric drug-ability profiles suggest that karanjin could be considered as a suitable therapeutic lead for AD and PD treatment. Furthermore, the present results were strongly correlated with the earlier study on karanjin in an Alzheimer’s animal model. However, necessary in vivo studies, clinical trials, bioavailability, permeability and safe dose administration, etc. must be required to use karanjin as a potential drug against AD and PD treatment, where the in silico results are more helpful to accelerate the drug development.

Genistein is a naturally occurring polyphenolic molecule in the isoflavones group which is well known for its neuroprotection. In this review, we summarize the efficacy of genistein in attenuating the effects of memory impairment (MI) in animals. Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were used to find the relevant articles and discuss the effects of genistein in the brain, including its pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, behavioral effects, and some of the potential mechanisms of action on memory in several animal models. The results of the preclinical studies highly suggested that genistein is highly effective in enhancing the cognitive performance of the MI animal models, specifically in the memory domain, including spatial, recognition, retention, and reference memories, through its ability to reduce oxidative stress and attenuate neuroinflammation. This review also highlighted challenges and opportunities to improve the drug delivery of genistein for treating MI. Along with that, the possible structural modifications and derivatives of genistein to improve its physicochemical and drug-likeness properties are also discussed. The outcomes of the review proved that genistein can enhance the cognitive performance and ameliorate MI in different preclinical studies, thus indicating its potential as a natural lead for the design and development of a novel neuroprotective drug.

Background: Psychological problem is a key medical issue for numerous neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, for example, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, dementia, seizure and Parkinsonism. Morinda citrifolia (Noni) has been utilized for a considerable length of time to cure or counteract assortment of diseases by conventional therapeutic professionals in Hawaii and Polynesia. Objective: The present study is focused to identify the neuroprotective activity of Morinda citrifolia fruit extract (MCFE) on in vitro and ex vivo animal model by inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme target used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Methods: Acetylcholinesterase inhibition assay was performed by in vitro & ex vivo methods as described by Ellman et al. In vitro antioxidant assay of the extract was performed by DPPH free radical scavenging activity & nitric oxide scavenging activity. Statistical analysis used: Statistical analysis was carried out using non linear regression analysis for plotting the line of best fit for the observed values using GraphPad Prism software. Results: By performing in vitro antioxidant assay the IC 50 value of the standard quercetin was found to be 46.22 µg/ml as compared to the MCFE which has an IC 50 value of 43.14 µg/ml for DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Similarly the IC 50 value of the standard ascorbic acid was found to be 81.85 µg/ml as compared to the MCFE which has an IC 50 value of 148.0 µg/ml for nitric oxide scavenging activity. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition assay was performed by in vitro method and the IC 50 value of MCFE and neostigmine was found to be 31.84 µg/ml & 19.71 µg/ml respectively. Conclusions: The present study investigated the neuroprotective activity of MCFE and it was identified by both in vitro and ex vivo techniques that the phytoconstituents has the ability to improve the learning and memory function by inhibiting the acetylcholinesterase. Key words:Morinda citrifolia, Noni, Acetylcholinesterase, Neuroprotective activity, in vitro, ex vivo. Key Messages: The present study investigated the neuroprotective activity of Morinda citrifolia and it was identified by both in vitro and ex vivo techniques that the phytoconstituents in the plant can improve the learning and memory function by inhibiting the acetylcholinesterase. Further the antioxidant potential of the plant was also evident from the DPPH and nitric oxide scavenging activity. Future studies may be designed for chronic administration of Morinda citrifolia to further investigate the effect on in vivo experimentation and also to identify the safety and efficacy parameters at both preclinical and clinical stages.