Preliminary Study on TNF􀀁-Blocker Activity of Amygdalus lycioides Spach Extracts

Abstract

Badam Talkh kuhi is an endemic species of Iran commonly used by native people as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial remedy. The present study was aimed at investigating the folk claims of this plant, identified by us as Amygdalus lycioides Spach. Several extracts were prepared using various extraction procedures combined with solvents of different polarity. A decoction was firstly prepared according to the procedure of the folk medicine. Maceration (ME), Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (USAE) and Microwave-Assisted Solvent Extraction (MASE) were then experimented using pure methanol (MeOH) and n-hexane-acetone (n-Hex-Ac, 50% v/v). Concerning biological investigation, the antimicrobial potential of all extracts was firstly evaluated by employing the growth inhibition test. Then, the free radical scavenging effect of each extract was measured, given that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in TNF-induced signaling pathways associated with inflammation. Finally, the anti-TNF activity of the most active extracts was evaluated using in vitro and in vivo assays. Regarding the anti-inflammatory activity, decoction and MASE n-Hex/Ac extract inhibited the production of TNF with IC 50 in the range of 120-390 g/ml and 6-20 g/ml, respectively. Interestingly, after oral administration in mice, MASE n-Hex/Ac extract was effective in reducing TNF of about 60%. Moreover, treated animals did not show any signs of toxicity. Results herein reported clearly evidenced that Amygdalus lycioides Spach could be a valuable source of TNF-blockers effective against chronic inflammatory diseases.

Chiral Flavanones from Amygdalus lycioides Spach: Structural Elucidation and Identification of TNFalpha Inhibitors by Bioactivity-guided Fractionation

“…In spite of the widespread use of Amygdalus lycioides , no investigations on its bioactive secondary metabolites or on its phytochemical fingerprint were carried out so far. As a part of our ethnobotanical-directed search for novel drugs, Amygdalus lycioides was recently studied by performing a bioassay guided extraction [ 3 ]. Particularly, during the early phase of biological screening, the extract obtained from Amygdalus lycioides dried branchelets using n -hexane-acetone ( n –Hex-Ac, 1:1 v/v) as extraction mixture and applying a microwave assisted solvent extraction (MASE) procedure (henceforth called the MASE extract), gave rise to the best results in terms of antimicrobial, free-radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory activities.…”

Molecular interactions of 4-acetoxy-plakinamine B with peripheral anionic and other catalytic subsites of the aromatic gorge of acetylcholinesterase: Computational and structural insights

“…Hence, compounds interacting with both the ES and the PAS of AChE could not only alleviate cognitive deficits associated with cholinergic neuron depletion but also inhibit Ab peptide aggregation. These so-called bivalent ligands are now being developed as a new avenue of AD therapeutic approach (Gaggeri et al, 2010(Gaggeri et al, , 2011Khan et al, 2011;Langjae et al, 2007;Martino et al, 2006Martino et al, , 2008Nisar et al, 2011). The PAS varies among AChEs and that from Torpedo californica, for example, consists of aromatic and carboxylic acid residues, Asp72, Tyr70, Tyr121, Trp279 and Phe290 (Szegletes et al, 1998).…”

Molecular interactions of an alkaloid euchrestifoline as a new acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

“…Hence, compounds interacting with both the ES and the PAS of AChE could not only alleviate cognitive deficits associated with cholinergic neuron depletion but also inhibit A peptide aggregation. These so-called bivalent ligands are now being developed as a new avenue of AD therapeutic approach (Gaggeri et al, 2010;Khan et al, 2011;Langjae et al, 2007;Martino et al, 2006;Martino et al, 2008;Nisar et al, 2011). The PAS varies among AChEs and that from Torpedo californica (TcAChE), for example, consists of aromatic and carboxylic acid residues, Asp72, Tyr70, Tyr121, Trp279, and Phe290 (Szegletes et al, 1998).…”