Search Results (24)

Background: Medicinal plants are widely used across the globe as complementary and alternative therapies for managing various health conditions. The use of medicinal plants is a fundamental component of the African traditional healthcare system and most diverse therapeutic practices. Africa harbors a variety of plant species, many of which are estimated to be endemic, making it a rich source of medicinal plants with potential relevance to human health. Aim of the study: The study aimed to review and highlight the information in the literature related to the antimicrobial activity, wound-healing activity, and melanogenesis inhibition of African medicinal plants. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines, a literature search was conducted on ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Medline Ebscohost, and PubMed, which were searched for articles published between 2018 and 2024. Due to high heterogeneity and variability in study designs, data were synthesized using a narrative approach. Result: A total of 37 studies were included. Emilia coccinea, Entada africana, Trichilia dregeana, Physalis angulata, and Prunus africana demonstrated strong wound-healing activity (100%) at concentrations between 5 and 10%. For melanogenesis inhibition, Ormocarpum trichocarpum (IC₅₀ = 2.95 µg/mL), Limonium cercinense (IC₅₀ = 3 µg/mL), and L. boitardii (IC₅₀ = 5 µg/mL) showed the most potent effects. The strongest antimicrobial effects were reported for Harpagophytum procumbens (MIC = 10 µg/mL) against Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis and Pistacia atlantica (MIC = 78.1 µg/mL) against Listeria monocytogenes and Candida albicans (MIC = 39 µg/mL). Conclusions: This study highlights the broad therapeutic potential of African medicinal plant extracts in addressing various health conditions, including skin infections, wound management, and skin pigmentation. While several extracts demonstrated strong bioactivity, inconsistent reporting of statistical data limited quantitative synthesis. Future studies should adopt standardized methodologies and report complete statistical outcomes to enable robust meta-analyses and support clinical translation. Full article

Statins, in addition to their main beneficial lipid-lowering effects (lowering cholesterol and LDL levels), have many additional adverse effects. Among them, the most common is skeletal myopathy. Mitochondria not only play a pivotal role in statin-induced adverse skeletal muscle effects but also seem to be involved in the adverse effects of statins on human cardiac function. However, given that similar oxidative phosphorylation pathways are relevant in skeletal and cardiac muscles, whether long-term statin treatment may alter cardiac muscle is currently unknown. Natural products have been widely employed in skeletal muscle disorders thanks to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a novel phytotherapic formulation (PF) composed of Curcuma and Boswellia essential oils, Harpagophytum procumbens root, and Bromelain on the human AC16 cell line in an in vitro model of atorvastatin-induced cardiomyopathy. Our results showed that atorvastatin decreased cell viability by approximately 50% and induced ROS production and mitochondrial structural damage. Interestingly, supplementation of cells with PF reduced oxidative stress by 20%, improved mitochondrial reshape and function, and restored the expression of the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 axis. These results provide new insights into statin-induced cardiomyopathy and suggest the employment of PF as a promising agent in the recovery of cardiac function. Full article

Topical formulations that include natural active compounds to treat inflamed and aching skin are favored by patients. Small local producers use commercial creams and gels to which they add compounds, often with criteria based more on trends than scientific evidence, to obtain products to treat inflamed joints or skin. Based on our previous studies that demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Harpagophytum procumbens extracts and N-acetylglucosamine, we were interested in preparing formulations with these natural substances for topical applications. In the present study, we compared the rheological properties of various creams and gels with bulk and nanoparticle forms of N-acetylglucosamine added, focusing on the flow properties of multiphase emulsion. Moreover, the ability of nanoparticles to reduce inflammation and stimulate collagen production was demonstrated in both chondrocyte and fibroblast spheroids. The results showed the activity of nano-N-acetylglucosamine in our cell models, suggesting its suitability for use as a component in creams and gels. Furthermore, its ability to affect the flow properties of commercial creams and gels makes it an ideal component of topical formulations for the treatment of inflamed skin and joints. Full article

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common and debilitating form of arthritis. Current therapies focus on pain relief and efforts to slow disease progression through a combination of drug and non-drug treatments. Bioactive compounds derived from plants show significant promise due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and tissue-protective properties. These natural compounds can help regulate the inflammatory processes and metabolic pathways involved in OA, thereby alleviating symptoms and potentially slowing disease progression. Investigating the efficacy of these natural agents in treating osteoarthritis addresses a growing demand for natural health solutions and creates new opportunities for managing this increasingly prevalent age-related condition. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the use of some bioactive compounds from plants in modulating the progression of osteoarthritis and alleviating associated pain. Full article

This review article covers the therapeutic potential of the plants Harpagophytum procumbens and Turnera subulata in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Despite the recognition of their beneficial properties, there is notable shortage of specific clinical and in vitro studies on these species regarding neurodegenerative diseases. Compounds such as harpagosides and vite-xin-2-O-rhamnoside, found in Harpagophytum procumbens and Turnera subulata, respectively, as well as other antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, are associated with mechanisms of action that involve reducing oxidative stress and modulating the inflammatory response, indicating their therapeutic potential in these pathologies. Additionally, the use of nutraceuticals derived from medicinal plants has emerged as a promising approach, offering natural therapeutic alternatives. However, the pressing need for studies focusing on the pharmacokinetics, safety, and pharmacological interactions of these extracts for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases is emphasized. This review also evaluated advances in nutraceutical delivery systems, highlighting technological innovations that can optimize the precise delivery of these compounds to patients. Such findings highlight the gaps in the study of these plants for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and, at the same time, the potential for opening new perspectives in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, providing expectations for innovative solutions in this critical domain of medicine. Full article

Osteoarthritis (OA) stands as a prevalent and progressively debilitating clinical condition globally, impacting joint structures and leading to their gradual deterioration through inflammatory mechanisms. While both non-modifiable and modifiable factors contribute to its onset, numerous aspects of OA pathophysiology remain elusive despite considerable research strides. Presently, diagnosis heavily relies on clinician expertise and meticulous differential diagnosis to exclude other joint-affecting conditions. Therapeutic approaches for OA predominantly focus on patient education for self-management alongside tailored exercise regimens, often complemented by various pharmacological interventions primarily targeting pain alleviation. However, pharmacological treatments typically exhibit short-term efficacy and local and/or systemic side effects, with prosthetic surgery being the ultimate resolution in severe cases. Thus, exploring the potential integration or substitution of conventional drug therapies with natural compounds and extracts emerges as a promising frontier in enhancing OA management. These alternatives offer improved safety profiles and possess the potential to target specific dysregulated pathways implicated in OA pathogenesis, thereby presenting a holistic approach to address the condition’s complexities. Full article

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease characterized by inflammation of the synovium, angiogenesis, cartilage degradation, and osteophyte formation. Harpagophytum Procumbens DC. ex Meisn., Boswellia Serrata Roxb., Curcuma longa L., Bromelain and Escin (Aesculus hippocastanum) are plants which extracts, together to Bromelain and Escin (Aesculus hippocastanum) are traditionally used in OA. However, their mechanistic role remains unclear. We aimed to investigate whether these bioactives alone or in combination (as in Flonat Fast^®) can suppress TNF-α-induced inflammation, angiogenesis, and osteophyte formation using two cell models involved in OA: endothelial cells and monocytes. Each plant extract was evaluated for its polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, and toxicity. In endothelial cells and monocytes, expression of genes involved in OA was assessed, functional assays for inflammation and angiogenesis were performed, and impairment of reactive oxygen species production (ROS) was evaluated. Exposure of cells to the bioactives alone and in combination before cytokine stimulation resulted in differential counterregulation of several gene and protein expressions, including those for cyclooxygenases-2, metalloproteinase-9, transforming growth factor β1, and bone morphogenic protein-2. We demonstrated that these bioactives modulated monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells as well as cell migration and endothelial angiogenesis. Consistent with radical scavenging activity in the cell-free system, the bioactives curbed TNF-α-stimulated intracellular ROS production. We confirmed the potential anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic effects of the combination of Harpagophytum procumbens, Boswellia, Curcuma, Bromelain, and Escin and provided new mechanistic evidence for their use in OA. However, further clinical studies are needed to evaluate the true clinical utility of these bioactives as supportive, preventive, and therapeutic agents. Full article

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common joint disease, shows an increasing prevalence in the aging population in industrialized countries. OA is characterized by low-grade chronic inflammation, which causes degeneration of all joint tissues, such as articular cartilage, subchondral bone, and synovial membrane, leading to pain and loss of functionality. Erythrocytes, the most abundant blood cells, have as their primary function oxygen transport, which induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. For this reason, the erythrocytes have several mechanisms to counteract ROS injuries, which cause damage to lipids and proteins of the cell membrane. Oxidative stress and inflammation are highly correlated and are both causes of joint disorders. In the synovial fluid and blood of osteoarthritis patients, erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme expression is decreased. To date, OA is a non-curable disease, treated mainly with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids for a prolonged period of time, which cause several side effects; thus, the search for natural remedies with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities is always ongoing. In this review, we analyze several manuscripts describing the effect of traditional remedies, such as Harpagophytum procumbens, Curcumin longa, and Boswellia serrata extracts, in the treatments of OA for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant activity. The effects of such remedies have been studied both in in vitro and in vivo models, considering both joint cells and erythrocytes. Full article

Harpagophytum procumbens subsp. procumbens (Burch.) DC. ex Meisn. (Sesame seed Family—Pedaliaceae) is a popular medicinal plant known as Devil’s claw. It is predominantly distributed widely over southern Africa. Its impressive reputation is embedded in its traditional uses as an indigenous herbal plant for the treatment of menstrual problems, bitter tonic, inflammation febrifuge, syphilis or even loss of appetite. A number of bioactive compounds such as terpenoids, iridoid glycosides, glycosides, and acetylated phenolic compounds have been isolated. Harpagoside and harpagide, iridoid glycosides bioactive compounds have been reported in countless phytochemical studies as potential anti-inflammatory agents as well as pain relievers. In-depth studies have associated chronic inflammation with various diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. In addition, 60% of chronic disorder fatalities are due to chronic inflammatory diseases worldwide. Inflammation and pain-related disorders have attracted significant attention as leading causes of global health challenges. Articles published from 2011 to the present were obtained and reviewed in-depth to determine valuable data findings as well as knowledge gaps. Various globally recognized scientific search engines/databases including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect were utilized to collect information and deliver evidence. Based on the literature results, there was a dramatic decrease in the number of studies conducted on the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of Devil’s claw, thereby presenting a potential research gap. It is also evident that currently in vivo clinical studies are needed to validate the prior massive in vitro studies, therefore delivering an ideal anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent in the form of H. procumbens products. Full article

The endocannabinoid system is involved in the nociceptive and anti-inflammatory pathways, and a lowered expression of CB2 receptors has been associated with inflammatory conditions, such as osteoarthritis (OA). This suggests that CB2 modulators could be novel therapeutic tools to treat OA. In the present study, the involvement of Harpagophytum procumbens root extract, a common ingredient of nutraceuticals used to treat joint disorders, in CB2 modulation has been evaluated. Moreover, to clarify the effects of the pure single components, the bioactive constituent, harpagoside, and the main volatile compounds were studied alone or in a reconstituted mixture. Human fibroblast-like synoviocytes, extracted by joints of patients, who underwent a total knee replacement, were treated with an H. procumbens root extract dissolved in DMSO (HPE_DMSO). The effectiveness of HPE_DMSO to affect CB2 pathways was studied by analyzing the modulation of cAMP, the activation of PKA and ERK MAP kinase, and the modulation of MMP-13 production. HPE_DMSO was able to inhibit the cAMP production and MAP kinase activation and to down-regulate the MMP-13 production. Pure compounds were less effective than the whole phytocomplex, thus suggesting the involvement of synergistic interactions. Present findings encourage further mechanistic studies and support the scientific basis of the use of H. procumbens in joint disorders. Full article

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by abnormal keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation that is accompanied with dysregulated immune response and abnormal vascularization. Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC. ex Meisn.) tubers extract has been used both systemically and topically for treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, osteoporosis, inflammatory bowel disease, among others. However, its potential mechanisms of action against psoriasis remains poorly investigated. The human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line is a well-accepted in vitro model system for inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis. The present study involved an exploration of the effect of biotechnologically produced H. procumbens (HP) cell suspension extract and pure phenylethanoid glycosides verbascoside (VER) and leucosceptoside A (LEU) in interferon (IFN)-γ/interleukin (IL)-17A/IL-22-stimulated HaCaT cells as a model of psoriasis-like inflammation. Changes in key inflammatory signaling pathways related to psoriasis development were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Treatment with LEU, but not VER and HP extract improved psoriasis-related inflammation via suppression of the PI3K/AKT signaling in IFN-γ/IL-17A/IL-22-stimulated HaCaT cells. Our results suggest that LEU may exhibit therapeutic potential against psoriasis by regulating keratinocyte differentiation through inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Full article

Devil’s claw is the vernacular name for a genus of medicinal plants that occur in the Kalahari Desert and Namibia Steppes. The genus comprises two distinct species: Harpagophytum procumbens and H. zeyheri. Although the European pharmacopeia considers the species interchangeable, recent studies have demonstrated that H. procumbens and H. zeyheri are chemically distinct and should not be treated as the same species. Further, the sale of H. zeyheri as an herbal supplement is not legal in the United States. Four markers were tested for their ability to distinguish H. procumbens from H. zeyheri: rbcL, matK, nrITS2, and psbA-trnH. Of these, only psbA-trnH was successful. A novel DNA mini-barcode assay that produces a 178-base amplicon in Harpagophytum (specificity = 1.00 [95% confidence interval = 0.80–1.00]; sensitivity = 1.00 [95% confidence interval = 0.75–1.00]) was used to estimate mislabeling frequency in a sample of 23 devil’s claw supplements purchased in the United States. PCR amplification failed in 13% of cases. Among the 20 fully-analyzable supplements: H. procumbens was not detected in 75%; 25% contained both H. procumbens and H. zeyheri; none contained only H. procumbens. We recommend this novel mini-barcode region as a standard method of quality control in the manufacture of devil’s claw supplements. Full article

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex disease, source of pain and disability that affects millions of people worldwide. OA etiology is complex, multifactorial and joint-specific, with genetic, biological and biomechanical components. Recently, several studies have suggested a potential adjuvant role for natural extracts on OA progression, in terms of moderating chondrocyte inflammation and following cartilage injury, thus resulting in an overall improvement of joint pain. In this study, we first analyzed the phenylethanoid glycosides profile and the total amount of polyphenols present in a leaf aqueous extract of Verbascum thapsus L. We then investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoarthritic bioactive potential of the extract in murine monocyte/macrophage-like cells (RAW 264.7) and in human chondrocyte cells (HC), by gene expression analysis of specifics inflammatory cytokines, pro-inflammatory enzymes and metalloproteases. Six phenylethanoid glycosides were identified and the total phenolic content was 124.0 ± 0.7 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g of extract. The biological investigation showed that the extract is able to significantly decrease most of the cellular inflammatory markers, compared to both control cells and cells treated with Harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC. ex Meisn, used as a positive control. Verbascum thapsus leaf aqueous extract has the potential to moderate the inflammatory response, representing an innovative possible approach for the inflammatory joint disease treatment. Full article

The present paper reports a new application: the voltammetric determination in herbal medicines of ultra-trace thallium(I), in the presence of lead(II), tin(II) and antimony(III) as interfering metals, by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). A conventional three-electrodes voltammetric cell was employed with a stationary hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) as working electrode and a platinum electrode and an Ag|AgCl|KCl_satd. electrode as auxiliary and reference electrodes, respectively. The supporting electrolyte was 0.5 mol L⁻¹ ammonium citrate buffer pH 6.5 + 7.3·10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ EDTA-Na₂. The analytical procedure was verified by the analysis of the standard reference materials: spinach Leaves NIST-SRM 1570a and tomato leaves NIST-SRM 1573a from National Institute of Standards and Technology. Precision and trueness, expressed as relative standard deviation and relative error, respectively, were generally lower than 7% in all cases. Once set up on the standard reference materials, the analytical procedure was transferred and applied to herbal medicines samples—Taraxacun officinale weber, Eucalyptus globulus and Harpagophytum procumbens DC—sold on the market. A critical comparison with spectroscopic measurements is also discussed. Full article

Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum spp., Pedaliaceae) is one of the best-documented phytomedicines. Its mode of action is largely elucidated, and its efficacy and excellent safety profile have been demonstrated in a long list of clinical investigations. The author conducted a bibliographic review which not only included peer-reviewed papers published in scientific journals but also a vast amount of grey literature, such as theses and reports initiated by governmental as well as non-governmental organizations, thus allowing for a more holistic presentation of the available evidence. Close to 700 sources published over the course of two centuries were identified, confirmed, and cataloged. The purpose of the review is three-fold: to trace the historical milestones in devil’s claw becoming a modern herbal medicine, to point out gaps in the seemingly all-encompassing body of research, and to provide the reader with a reliable and comprehensive bibliography. The review covers aspects of ethnobotany, taxonomy, history of product development and commercialization, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, as well as clinical efficacy and safety. It is concluded that three areas stand out in need of further investigation. The taxonomical assessment of the genus is outdated and lacking. A revision is needed to account for intra- and inter-specific, geographical, and chemo-taxonomical variation, including variation in composition. Further research is needed to conclusively elucidate the active compound(s). Confounded by early substitution, intermixture, and blending, it has yet to be demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt that both (or all) Harpagophytum spp. are equally (and interchangeably) safe and efficacious in clinical practice. Full article