Acute and Sub-Acute Toxicological Evaluations of Bioactive Alkaloidal Extract from Melodinus henryi and Their Main Chemical Constituents

Abstract

Melodinus henryi is a good source of terpenoid indole alkaloids, and traditionally used as a folk medicine in the treatment of meningitis and fracture. In order to further exploit their potential uses, its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities, safety evaluations and chemical profiles have been illustrated. Compared to the crude methanol extract from M. henryi and its non-alkaloidal fraction, the total alkaloidal fraction (MHTA) had the strongest anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities. In the acute oral toxicity assay, the half lethal dose (LD 50) of MHTA was more than 2000 mg/kg. The sub-acute toxicity assay for consecutive 28 days exhibited MHTA at a lower concentrations of less than 500 mg/kg might be regarded as safe, and might damage spleen, liver, kidney, and heart when the dose is higher than 1000 mg/kg. In addition, a phytochemical investigation on MHTA led to the isolation of 15 monoterpenoid indole alkaloids. Thus, in regard with the potent side effects of MHTA, it should be used with caution in the development of phytomedicine. Meilian Yang and Yudan Wang have contributed equally to this work.

Monoterpenoid Quinoline Alkaloids from Stems and Leaves of Melodinus tenuicaudatus

“…Comparing with MS and NMR data reported in the literatures, the structures of compounds 3-6 were elucidated to 10-hydroxyscandine (3), [25] 10-methoxyscandine (4), [26] melohemsine I (5), [10] and 3episcandine ( 6), [27] respectively.…”

Evaluation of Acute and Subacute Toxicity of Two Different Extracts from Que Zui Tea in Rats

“…Change in major organ coefficients is a crucial detection index in animals determined by subacute study, and it provides a quantitative reference for drug evaluation [40]. Abnormal changes in the visceral index of certain organs may indicate some underlying disease or damage edema or hypertrophy [41]. In this study, there was no significant difference in the relative weights of the organs between the experiment and control groups, indicating that QT extract did not cause organ damage in the rats.…”

Akuammiline alkaloid derivatives: divergent synthesis and effect on the proliferation of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes

“…Multiple component extracts from plants (including herbs), such as Melodinus henryi extracts, Betelvine (Piper betle L.) extracts, and Fuzi lipid-soluble alkaloids, have been reported for RA treatment. (Li et al, 2019;Li et al, 2020;Murugesan et al, 2020;Yang et al, 2020). Scientists continue to research natural products, aiming to find more effective and viable treatments for chronic diseases.…”