Mentha pulegium L. (Pennyroyal, Lamiaceae) Extracts Impose Abortion or Fetal-Mediated Toxicity in Pregnant Rats; Evidenced by the Modulation of Pregnancy Hormones, MiR-520, MiR-146a, TIMP-1 and MMP-9 Protein Expressions, Inflammatory State, Certain Related Signaling Pathways, and Metabolite Profiling via UPLC-ESI-TOF-MS

Abstract

Pregnant women usually turn to natural products to relieve pregnancy-related ailments which might pose health risks. Mentha pulegium L. (MP, Lamiaceae) is a common insect repellent, and the present work validates its abortifacient capacity, targeting morphological anomalies, biological, and behavioral consequences, compared to misoprostol. The study also includes untargeted metabolite profiling of MP extract and fractions thereof viz. methylene chloride (MecH), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), butanol (But), and the remaining liquor (Rem. Aq.) by UPLC-ESI-MS-TOF, to unravel the constituents provoking abortion. Administration of MP extract/fractions, for three days starting from day 15th of gestation, affected fetal development by disrupting the uterine and placental tissues, or even caused pregnancy termination. These effects also entailed biochemical changes where they decreased progesterone and increased estradiol serum levels, modulated placental gene expressions of both MiR-(146a and 520), decreased uterine MMP-9, and up-regulated TIMP-1 protein expression, and empathized inflammatory responses (TNF-α, IL-1β). In addition, these alterations affected the brain's GFAP, BDNF, and 5-HT content and some of the behavioral parameters escorted by the open field test. All these incidences were also perceived in the misoprostol-treated group. A total of 128 metabolites were identified in the alcoholic extract of MP, including hydroxycinnamates, flavonoid conjugates, quinones, iridoids, and terpenes. MP extract was successful in terminating the pregnancy with minimal behavioral abnormalities and low toxicity margins.

Rosmarinus officinalis L. hexane extract: phytochemical analysis, nanoencapsulation, and in silico, in vitro, and in vivo anti-photoaging potential evaluation

“…[M-H] − m/z Exact mass MS/MS Error (ppm) Class Refs. 1 19.234 Coniferyl alcohol C 10 H 12 O 3 179.0712 180.0786 nd 0.49 Phenylpropanoid 52 2 26.094 Podolide C 19 H 22 O 5 329.1405 330.1467 nd − 4.28 Norditerpene 53 3 29.12 Rosmanol C 20 H 26 O 5 345.1717, 691.3501 [2 M-H] − 346.178 283, 301 − 1.76 Phenolic diterpene 46 , 47 4 30.331 (Epi)(iso)rosmanol I C 20 H 26 O 5 345.1718, 691.3507 [2 M-H] − 346.178 283, 301 − 3.09 Phenolic diterpene 46 , 49 5 31.441 (Epi)(iso)rosmanol II C 20 H 26 O 5 345.1719 346.178 <...…”

Enhanced Wound Healing Potential of Spirulina platensis Nanophytosomes: Metabolomic Profiling, Molecular Networking, and Modulation of HMGB-1 in an Excisional Wound Rat Model

“…The following parameters were determined using the Western blotting assay: HMGB-1, AIF, LC3BII/I, and Beclin-1 (primary antibodies were purchased from Thermo Scientific Co., IL, USA), and the steps adhered to the formerly mentioned technique by El Gazar et al (2022) [ 82 ]. Specific bands were visualized with a ChemiDocTM imaging system (Image LabTM software version 5.1, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Hercules, CA, USA).…”

Pedoclimatic Conditions Influence the Morphological, Phytochemical and Biological Features of Mentha pulegium L.

“…Traditionally, this plant was used in ancient times in Greek, Roman and Medieval cultures as a digestive, emmenagogue, antitussive, antiseptic, and abortifacient [ 9 , 10 ]. Recent studies have shown that M. pulegium can be particularly indicated as an adjuvant in chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative pathologies [ 11 ], owing to its antioxidant [ 12 ], antiviral [ 13 ] and antibacterial/antibiofilm properties [ 14 , 15 ].…”