Pharmacological Properties and Chemical Profiles of Passiflora foetida L. Extracts: Novel Insights for Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals

Abstract

In the present study, Passiflora foetida extracts characterized by different polarities were studied for their phytochemical profile, enzyme inhibitory, and antioxidant potentials. In silico, in vitro and ex vivo studies were also carried out on methanol and water extracts for predicting pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. In this regard, neuronal HypoE22 cells, isolated mouse skin tissues, and pathogen dermatophytes strains were exposed to extracts. Emphasis was given to the preventing effects induced by the extracts on hydrogen peroxide-induced alterations of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), l-dopa, and serotonin. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of similar compounds in infusion and methanolic extracts. The ex vivo studies also showed protective skin properties by P. foetida water and methanol extracts, as evidenced by the decrease of hydrogen peroxide-induced PGE2 level. Additionally, the blunting effects on hydrogen peroxide-induced l-dopa levels are consistent with the anti-tyrosinase effect exerted by both extracts. In silico studies demonstrated the affinity of extracts’ phytochemicals, namely apigenin, chrysoeriol, loliolide, luteolin, quercetin, and vitexin, towards cyclo-oxygenase-2 and tyrosinase. Finally, microbiological tests demonstrated the efficacy of P. foetida methanol and water extracts as anti-mycotic agents against Trichophyton and Arthroderma species, involved in skin inflammation. Hence, P. foetida L. extracts could represent potential sources of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.

Metabolomic Profile and Antioxidant/Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Industrial Hemp Water Extract in Fibroblasts, Keratinocytes and Isolated Mouse Skin Specimens

“…The water extract of Futura 75 was tested in isolated skin tissues challenged with hydrogen peroxide (1 mM), an ex vivo experimental model able to induce oxidative stress burden and tyrosinase activity [ 5 ]. Specifically, the extract 1–500 µg/mL was able to blunt the hydrogen peroxide-induced l-dopa turnover ( Figure 7 ) that is closely related to the upregulation of tyrosinase activity [ 4 , 5 ]. The reduction in l-dopa turnover induced by Futura 75 extract is consistent with our recent finding of reduced intrinsic antityrosinase activity by water hemp extract l [ 12 ].…”

“…In this pathway, tyrosinase converts tyrosine in l-dopa and the latter in dopaquinone. Therefore, the activity of tyrosinase can be evaluated as l-dopa turnover and/or dopaquinone production [ 4 , 5 ]. Tyrosinase can be regarded as the most prominent and successful target for melanogenesis inhibitors that directly inhibit the enzyme catalytic activity [ 6 ].…”

“…Natural compounds and herbal extracts have long been investigated for their antityrosinase activity [ 3 ]. Polar extracts displayed valuable capability in inhibiting directly the enzyme activity, displaying IC 50 values in the micromolar range [ 5 ]. This effect is due, albeit partially, to the high content of phenolic compounds, often found in water and hydroalcoholic extracts from good yields.…”

Comparative Investigation of Composition, Antifungal, and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of the Essential Oil from Three Industrial Hemp Varieties from Italian Cultivation

“…In this regard, isolated mouse skin specimens were exposed to hydrogen peroxide 1 mM and treated with 0.125 µL/mL (about 100 µg/mL) of EOs. In isolated skin tissue, the hydrogen peroxide stimulus is able to induce both tyrosinase and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) synthesis [ 21 ]. In this context, the blunting effect induced by all tested EOs on hydrogen-peroxide-induced PGE 2 level ( Figure 2 ) further supports the use of hemp EOs against infectious and inflammatory skin diseases.…”

“…Aiming to enlarge our comprehension about antimicrobial properties of industrial hemp by-products, in the present multidirectional study, we have tested the antimycotic properties of three industrial hemp varieties, namely, Futura 75, Carmagnola selezionata , and Eletta campana, toward several dermatophytes species ( Trichophyton mentagrophytes , Trichophyton rubrum , Arthroderma crocatum, Arthroderma quadrifidum , Arthroderma gypseum , Arthroderma curreyi , and Arthroderma insingulare ) which are reputed to be involved in skin inflammatory disorders, including hyperpigmentation [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. In parallel, we have evaluated the inhibitory effects of the EOs against the activity of tyrosinase, an enzyme playing a master role in hyperpigmentation [ 20 ], and the production of prostaglandin E 2 in an ex vivo toxicity model constituted by isolated mouse skin specimens challenged with hydrogen peroxide [ 21 ]. Also considering the recent interest of scientific research toward hemp-deriving extracts as putative anti-COVID-19 agents [ 12 , 13 ], we investigated the influence of the aforementioned EOs on the gene expression of ACE-2 and TMPRSS2 in human H1299 lung adenocarcinoma cell line.…”