Search Results (8)

Anemia remains a widespread public health concern, and the search for interventions demonstrating potent anti-anemic activity is critical for reducing its impact among high-risk populations. Conventional iron therapies are associated with several complications and potential adverse effects. This study explored a polyherbal approach to develop a safer and more effective alternative treatment for anemia. A molecular docking study was initially performed to screen and evaluate alizarin, catechin, kaempferol, recesmol, rubiadin, and rutin, which are known for their antioxidant and hematinic potential. Using AutoDock Vina, these compounds were docked against the target protein (PDB ID: 6MOE) with EPE and ferrous ions as controls. Rutin demonstrated the highest binding affinity of −6.4 kcal/moL, whereas alizarin and rubiadin both followed closely with −6.3 kcal/moL, while kaempferol and ellagic acid exhibited a binding affinity of −6.2 kcal/moL. In comparison, the reference compounds tested ferrous ions, and native ligand EPE (−5.0 kcal/moL) and iron (−4.8 kcal/moL), showed mild affinities. Moreover, the tested compounds demonstrated stable binding, suggesting their potential relevance in modulating anemia-related pathways. Based on the docking results and traditional therapeutic values, a polyherbal formulation (PHF) was developed using methanolic extracts of Trigonella foenum-graecum, Emblica officinalis, Pterocarpus marsupium, Withania somnifera, Asparagus racemosus, Zingiber officinale, Rubia cordifolia, Boerhavia diffusa, and Adhatoda vasica. Phytochemical screening via HPTLC analysis was used to quantify the presence of gallic and ellagic acids. In addition, PHF showed significant antioxidant potential (DPPH IC₅₀: 14.29 µg/mL; FRAP IC₅₀: 58.57 µg/mL) and iron content (98.47 ppm) values. Furthermore, in vivo evaluation using a phenylhydrazine-induced hemolytic anemia model in Sprague Dawley rats revealed that the PHF achieved complete restoration of RBCs (6.15 ± 0.04), hemoglobin (14.82 ± 0.03 g/dL), and hematocrit (43.08 ± 0.28%) in anemic rats and improved histopathological features in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. These results demonstrate that combined molecular and pharmacological evidence support the efficacy of PHF as a promising candidate for the management of anemia by enhancing erythropoiesis, improving iron metabolism, and reducing oxidative stress. Full article

Background: Dengue virus (DENV) is the fatal pathogenic arthropod-borne virus (arboviruses) that belongs to the Flaviviridae family, which transmits to humans through mosquito bites from infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes or maternal-fetal transmission. Despite antigenic differences, the four serotypes of DENV (DENV-1 to DENV-4) share 65–78% of their genome. Non-structural (NS) proteins amongst serotypes show analogous functions. Among NS proteins, NS3 and NS5 are frequently used as targets for antiviral drugs due to their multifunctional roles. Methods: To identify potential inhibitors of DENV, we created a phytochemical library of 898 compounds derived from 17 medicinal plants recognized for their medicinal and antiviral properties. The phytochemicals library has been docked against the target proteins. Phytochemicals with a docking score greater than −8.0 kcal/mol were selected for further evaluation using a machine learning approach. Further, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted to evaluate the root mean square deviation, root mean square fluctuation, solvent-accessible surface area, radius of gyration, and hydrogen bond count of the compounds. Results: From the docking results, Silibinin, Rubiadin, and Ellagic acid showed binding affinities of −8.5, −8.3, and −8.2 kcal/mol, respectively, for NS3, and NSC 640467, Bisandrographolide A, and Andrographidin A showed binding affinities of −9.3, −10.1, and −9.3 kcal/mol, respectively, for NS5 target proteins. These compounds exhibited strong interactions with target proteins. MD simulation results confirmed the stable formation of protein–ligand complexes. Further, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) and bioactivity predictions confirmed their pharmacological safety. Conclusions: Despite global public health concerns, DENV still lacks specific drug treatments. Our identified new drug candidates might help for developing effective antiviral inhibitors against the DENV. However, further confirmation is needed through in vivo and in vitro research. Full article

Iron overload disease is characterized by the excessive accumulation of iron in the body. To better alleviate iron overload, there is an urgent need for safe and effective small molecule compounds. Rubiadin, the active ingredient derived from the Chinese herb Prismatomeris tetrandra, possesses notable anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective properties. Nevertheless, its impact on iron metabolism remains largely unexplored. To determine the role of rubiadin on iron metabolism, Western blot analysis, real-time PCR analysis, and the measurement of serum iron were performed. Herein, we discovered that rubiadin significantly downregulated the expression of transferrin receptor 1, ferroportin 1, and ferritin light chain in ferric-ammonium-citrate-treated or -untreated HepG2 cells. Moreover, intraperitoneal administration of rubiadin remarkably decreased serum iron and duodenal iron content and upregulated expression of hepcidin mRNA in the livers of high-iron-fed mice. Mechanistically, bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) inhibitor LDN-193189 completely reversed the hepcidin upregulation and suppressor of mother against decapentaplegic 1/5/9 (SMAD1/5/9) phosphorylation induced by rubiadin. These results suggested that rubiadin increased hepcidin expression through the BMP6/SMAD1/5/9-signaling pathway. Collectively, our findings uncover a crucial mechanism through which rubiadin modulates iron metabolism and highlight it as a potential natural compound for alleviating iron-overload-related diseases. Full article

Callus suspension techniques have been considered attractive for improving bioactive metabolite productivity; methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is a widely used elicitor for stimulating synthetic pathways. In this study, a multivariate analysis-based metabolomics approach was employed to investigate the primary and specialized metabolites in the leaves, unelicited calli, and 100 or 200 μM MeJA elicited calli of Damnacanthus major. Rubiadin, a powerful anthraquinone with various therapeutic properties, was only identified in D. major calli, accumulating in a MeJA elicitation concentration-dependent manner. Callus cultures also contained high levels of amino acids, sugars, and phenolic compounds, indicating energy metabolism and metabolic adaptation responses for proliferation and stabilization. Regarding MeJA application, elicited calli contained higher amounts of quinic acid, kaempferol, and glucose with lower amounts of sucrose and raffinose than those in the unelicited control, which were closely related to protective mechanisms against MeJA. Moreover, excessive elicitation increased the asparagine, fructose, and raffinose levels and decreased the glucose and sucrose levels, which was ascribed to increased activation of the aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis pathway and wider utilization of glucose than of fructose after sucrose degradation. These results will be useful for optimizing plant cell culture techniques to achieve high production rates for valuable specialized metabolites. Full article

This paper discusses colorants found in Tumulus MM, the tomb of King Midas or his father, at Gordion, the capital of the Phrygian kingdom. Chromophores, colorants, and auxiliaries are preserved largely independent of the textiles they once colored. The Tumulus MM textiles are now fragmentary due to the degradation processes that occurred inside the tomb chamber. For DHA 26 (Vienna, Austria, 2007), we discussed a group of golden-yellow fragments from Tumulus MM that appeared to be tabby cloth but were skeletal lattices of goethite, αFeOOH (yellow ochre), as identified by FTIR, with SEM/EDS, XRD with molybdenum Kα radiation, NIR, and Raman spectroscopy. The “dyeing” has been replicated using a patented method; originally it may have involved a controlled redox reaction, based on our preliminary experiments. Amidst the goethite lattices, some skeletal fragments were green, with near-black lines within the yarn spiral, identified as indigo by FTIR at the time. Other masses with colorations of red, orange/brown, and purple with deep red veins did not yield identifiable inorganic coloration profiles with SEM/EDS. A purple fragment (2003-Tx-6 Front) was assayed by ICP-MS for mordants and for bromine, but neither could be found. Recently, direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) enabled us to successfully detect organic colorants. For one fragment, indoxyl, isatin, indigo, and leuco-indigo were identified. One striated red-to-brown mass (2003-Tx-3) contained alizarin, purpurin, xanthopurpurin, lucidin, and other madder substituents; it also contained indigo/isatin but neither indoxyl nor leuco-indigo. Other beige-brown masses like 2003-Tx-5 sometimes contained alizarin, xanthopurpurin, rubiadin, and lucidin but rarely purpurin or indigo-related compounds. The purple (2003-Tx-6) shared the madder analogues with browner hues. The versatility appears related to that found in Anatolian pile carpets and flat weaves. Our new analyses confirm that the Phrygian textile colorists were indeed superb, versatile dyers. Full article

Morinda officinalis is an important herbal medicine and functional food, and its main constituents include anthraquinone and iridoid glycosides. Quantification of the main compounds is a necessary step to understand the quality and therapeutic properties of M. officinalis, but this has not yet been performed based on liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Analytes were extracted from M. officinalis by reflux method. Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-QqQ-MS) using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was applied for quantification. Fragmentation pathways of deacetyl asperulosidic acid and rubiadin were investigated based on UPLC with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (Q/TOF-MS) in the MS^E centroid mode. The method showed a good linearity over a wide concentration range (R² ≥ 0.9930). The limits of quantification of six compounds ranged from 2.6 to 27.57 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day precisions of the investigated components exhibited an RSD within 4.5% with mean recovery rates of 95.32–99.86%. Contents of selected compounds in M. officinalis varied significantly depending on region. The fragmentation pathway of deacetyl asperulosidic and rubiadin was proposed. A selective and sensitive method was developed for determining six target compounds in M. officinalis by UPLC-MS/MS. Furthermore, the proposed method will be helpful for quality control and identification main compounds of M. officinalis. Full article

Dichloromethane root extract of Rennellia elliptica Korth. showed strong inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum growth in vitro with an IC₅₀ value of 4.04 µg/mL. A phytochemical study of the dichloromethane root extract has led to the isolation and characterization of a new anthraquinone, 1,2-dimethoxy-6-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (1), and ten known anthraquinones: 1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-6-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (2), nordamnacanthal (3), 2-formyl-3-hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (4), damnacanthal (5), lucidin-ω-methyl ether (6), 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (7), rubiadin (8), 3-hydroxy-2-methoxy-6-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (9), rubiadin-1-methyl ether (10) and 3-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-9,10-anthraquinone (11). Structural elucidation of all compounds was accomplished by modern spectroscopic methods, notably 1D and 2D NMR, IR, UV and HREIMS. The new anthraquinone 1, 2-formyl-3-hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (4) and 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (7) possess strong antiplasmodial activity, with IC₅₀ values of 1.10, 0.63 and 0.34 µM, respectively. Full article

Bioactivity-guided fractionation led to the successful isolation of antiosteoporotic components, i.e. physicion (1), rubiadin-1-methyl ether (2), 2-hydroxy-1-methoxy- anthraquinone (3), 1,2-dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone (4), 1,3,8-trihydroxy-2-methoxy- anthraquinone (5), 2-hydroxymethyl-3-hydroxyanthraquinone (6), 2-methoxyanthraquinone (7) and scopoletin (8) from an ethanolic extract of the roots of Morinda officinalis. Compounds 4-8 are isolated for the first time from M. officinalis. Among them, compounds 2 and 3 promoted osteoblast proliferation, while compounds 4, 5 increased osteoblast ALP activity. All of the isolated compounds inhibited osteoclast TRAP activity and bone resorption, and the inhibitory effects on osteoclastic bone resorption of compounds 1 and 5 were stronger than that of other compounds. Taken together, antiosteoporotic activity of M. officinalis and its anthraquinones suggest therapeutic potential against osteoporosis. Full article