Neelesh K. Nema

Bioactive compounds from natural resources against skin aging

Skin aging involves degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in both the epidermal and dermal layers, it leaves visible signs on the surface of skin and the physical properties of the skin are modified. Chronological aging is due to passage of time, whereas premature aging occurred due to some environmental factors on skin produces visible signs such as irregular dryness, dark/light pigmentation, sallowness, severe atrophy, telangiectases, premalignant lesions, laxity, leathery appearance and deep wrinkling. There are several synthetic skincare cosmetics existing in the market to treat premature aging and the most common adverse reactions of those include allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, phototoxic and photo-allergic reactions. Recent trends in anti-aging research projected the use of natural products derived from ancient era after scientific validation. Ample varieties of phytomolecules such as aloin, ginsenoside, curcumin, epicatechin, asiaticoside, ziyuglycoside I, magnolol, gallic acid, hydroxychavicol, hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, etc. scavenges free radicals from skin cells, prevent trans-epidermal water loss, include a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher contribute to protect skin from wrinkles, leading to glowing and healthy younger skin. Present era of treating aging skin has become technologically more invasive; but herbal products including botanicals are still relevant and combining them with molecular techniques outlined throughout this review will help to maximize the results and maintain the desired anti-skin aging benefits.

Changing scenario for promotion and development of Ayurveda – way forward ☆

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ayurveda, derives from the Sanskrit words Ayus (life) and Veda (knowledge) is the most ancient system of traditional medicine of the world. It has been practiced in Indian peninsula since 5000 BC to offer natural ways to treat diseases and to promote healthcare. METHODOLOGY We reviewed the literature on the history, principles and current status of Ayurveda. The data have been presented systematically including the initiatives from Government of India. Several aspects of administrative management, education, teaching and related aspects for promotion and development of Ayurveda and other Indian systems of traditional medicine have been discussed. RESULTS This paper reviews on different aspects of development of Ayurveda. Presently, there are 2420 hospitals with about 42271 beds, 15017 dispensaries, 429246 registered practitioners, more than 320 educational institutions, 7699 drug-manufacturing units to promote Ayurveda into the health care delivery system in the country. Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India is the official document for single Ayurvedic drugs (540 monographs) and different formulations (152 monographs). Several aspects in this regard for development of Ayurveda have been discussed. CONCLUSION Considering the widespread use and popularity of Ayurveda worldwide, administrative management and infrastructure facilities, indigenous practices and standards for quality control and its evaluation have been highlighted. In India, all such efforts for integration of Ayurveda provide potential role in the health care benefits.

Phytochemical and therapeutic potential of cucumber.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family like melon, squash and pumpkins. It is a popular vegetable crop used in Indian traditional medicine since ancient times. This vegetable is very high in water content and very low in calories. It has potential antidiabetic, lipid lowering and antioxidant activity. Cucumber has a cleansing action within the body by removing accumulated pockets of old waste materials and chemical toxins. Fresh fruit juice is used for nourishing the skin. It gives a soothing effect against skin irritations and reduces swelling. Cucumber also has the power to relax and alleviate the sunburns pain. The fruit is refrigerant, haemostatic, tonic and useful in hyperdipsia, thermoplegia etc. The seeds also have a cooling effect on the body and they are used to prevent constipation. Several bioactive compounds have been isolated from cucumber including cucurbitacins, cucumegastigmanes I and II, cucumerin A and B, vitexin, orientin, isoscoparin 2″-O-(6‴-(E)-p-coumaroyl) glucoside, apigenin 7-O-(6″-O-p-coumaroylglucoside) etc. Despite huge exploration of cucumber in agricultural field, comparatively very few studies have been published about its chemical profile and its therapeutic potential. This article reviews the therapeutic application, pharmacological and phytochemical profile of different parts of C. sativus. In this review we have explored the current phytochemical and pharmacological knowledge available with this well known plant and several promising aspects for research on cucumber.

Exploring Tagetes erecta Linn flower for the elastase, hyaluronidase and MMP-1 inhibitory activity.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Traditionally Tagetes erecta Linn flower is claimed to treat skin diseases like sores, burns, wounds, ulcers, eczema and several other skin ailments. The aim of the present experiment was to evaluate the anti-wrinkle potential of standardized flower extract of Tagetes erecta. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Tagetes erecta extract and fractions were screened for hyaluronidase, elastase and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1) inhibitory activity compared with the activity of standard oleanolic acid. Syringic acid and β-amyrin were obtained from the extract and quantified through RP-HPLC. Also the compounds were evaluated for anti-wrinkle activity. RESULTS The methanol extract showed significant ((a)P < 0.05) hyaluronidase and elastase inhibition with IC50 of 11.70 ± 1.79 μg mL(-1) and 4.13 ± 0.93 μg mL(-1) respectively and better MMP-1 inhibition compared to standard oleanolic acid. The isolated compounds syringic acid and β-amyrin found to inhibit enzymes comparable to oleanolic acid. The RP-HPLC analysis revealed that good amounts of syringic acid and β-amyrin (2.30%, w/w and 0.06%) are present in Tagetes erecta. CONCLUSION Tagetes erecta flower showed effective inhibition of hyaluronidase, elastase and MMP-1. Therefore, this experiment further rationalizes the traditional uses of this plant, which may be useful as an anti-wrinkle agent.

Anti-biofilm activity of Marula - a study with the standardized bark extract.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Marula (Sclerocarya birrea; family - Anacardiaceae) is an African plant, which enjoys wide socio-economic importance particularly in southern part of Africa. The fruits are consumed as food and also as alcoholic beverage (cream liquor). In different parts of Africa, the decoction of the bark is traditionally used for the treatment of dysentery, diarrhoea, and various other infectious conditions. The aim of the study was to investigate the anti-biofilm properties of the methanol extract of Marula bark (stem bark of Sclerocarya birrea), with a view towards combating the emergence of antimicrobial resistance often associated with bacterial biofilms. MATERIALS AND METHODS The standardized methanol extract was initially tested for its antimicrobial property. The crystal violet assay was used for evaluating anti-biofilm (biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeuginosa) activity. Further in order to study the mechanism of anti-biofilm activity, the same was evaluated for understanding its role on various quorums sensing mediated phenomenon (swarming motility assay, protease and pyoverdin assay) that are known to be associated with the formation of biofilms and pathogenicity. RESULTS The methanol extract showed no inhibition of bacterial growth up to a concentration of 200 µg/ml. Interestingly, the sample produced anti-biofilm activity (around 75% decrease; 100 µg/ml) at sub-lethal concentration. Further it also significantly reduced the QS mediated swarming motility. The release of various virulent factors (protease and pyoverdin) was found to be lowered when pre-treated with the extract. CONCLUSION The present study illustrates the anti-biofilm property Sclerocarya birrea. The standardized extract significantly disrupted the quorum sensing mediated production of biofilm formation and also inhibited swarming ability of the cells. The extract displayed a regulatory role on the secretion of protease and pyoverdin, two QS dependent pathogenic factors found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study also validates the ethnobotanical use of Marula.

Mast cell stabilization and antihistaminic potentials of Curculigo orchioides rhizomes.

AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the mast cell stabilization and antihistaminic activities of the rhizomes of Curculigo orchioides (COR). Extract of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. (Fam. Amaryllidaceae) has been reported to possess immunostimulant, and anti-inflammatory potentials. In Indian traditional system of medicine it is also used as anti-asthmatic and anti-inflammatory. MATERIALS AND METHODS Estimation of histamine release is key parameter for evaluating any target for its anti-allergic potential. The stabilization potential of the alcoholic extract of COR (100-400mg/kg) against mast cell degranulation was studied on isolated mice peritoneal mast cells. The antihistaminic activity was performed by determining the mortality rate of mice upon exposure to compound 48/80 and effect on inhibition of histamine release upon degranulation. RESULTS The raised number of intact mast cells intimates that the COR stabilized the mast cell degranulation (60.96+/-1.96%) and percentage antihistaminic potential of the extract (63.58+/-1.8 inhibition at dose of 400mg/kg) and it virtues further work towards the isolation of phytoconstituents from this plant. CONCLUSION This finding provides evidence that COR inhibits mast cell-derived immediate-type allergic reactions and mast cell degranulation.

Determination of trace and heavy metals in some commonly used medicinal herbs in Ayurveda

Traditionally, the herbal drugs are well established for their therapeutic benefits. Depending upon their geographical sources sometimes the trace and heavy metals’ content may differ, which may lead to severe toxicity. So, the toxicological and safety assessment of these herbal drugs are one of the major issues in recent days. Eight different plant species including Aloe vera, Centella asiatica, Calendula officinalis, Cucumis sativus, Camellia sinensis, Clitoria ternatea, Piper betel and Tagetes erecta were selected to determine their heavy and trace metals content and thereby to assure their safer therapeutic application. The trace and heavy metals were detected through atomic absorption spectrometry analysis. The selected medicinal plant materials were collected from the local cultivated regions of West Bengal, India, and were digested with nitric acid and hydrochloric acid as specified. Absorbance was measured through atomic absorption spectrometer (AA 303) and the concentration of different trace and heavy metals in the plant samples were calculated. The quantitative determinations were carried out using standard calibration curve obtained by the standard solutions of different metals. The contents of heavy metals were found to be within the prescribed limit. Other trace metals were found to be present in significant amount. Thus, on the basis of experimental outcome, it can be concluded that the plant materials collected from the specific region are safe and may not produce any harmful effect of metal toxicity during their therapeutic application. The investigated medicinal plants contain trace metals such as copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni) as well as heavy metals such as arsenic (As), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg), which were present within the permissible limit.

Matrix metalloproteinase, hyaluronidase and elastase inhibitory potential of standardized extract of Centella asiatica

Abstract Context: Centella asiatica (L.) Urban (Apiaceae), a valuable herb described in Ayurveda, is used in the indigenous system of medicine as a tonic to treat skin diseases. Objective: Centella asiatica methanol extract and its ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fraction, were subjected for the evaluation of skin care potential through the in vitro hyaluronidase, elastase and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) inhibitory assay. Materials and methods: The C. asiatica plant was extracted with methanol and fractionated with ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water. The enzymatic activities were evaluated using ursolic acid and oleanolic acid as standards. Isolate molecule asiaticoside was quantified in the crude extract and fractions through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and structural was characterized by liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy (LC–MS) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Isolated compound was also evaluated for in vitro enzyme assays. Results: Extract exhibited anti-hyaluronidase and anti-elastase activity with IC50 of 19.27 ± 0.37 and 14.54 ± 0.39 µg/mL, respectively, as compared to ursolic acid. Centella asiatica n-butanol fraction (CAnB) and isolated compound showed significant hyaluronidase (IC50 = 27.00 ± 0.43 and 18.63 ± 0.33 µg/mL) and elastase (IC50 = 29.15 ± 0.31 and 19.45 ± 0.25 µg/mL) inhibitory activities, respectively, and also showed significant MMP-1 inhibition (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). Discussion and conclusion: n-Butanol fraction was found to be most effective among the all fractions from which asiaticoside was isolated and further quantified by HPLC. This work concludes that the asiaticoside from C. asiatica may be a prospective agent for skin care.

Standardized Clitoria ternatea leaf extract as hyaluronidase, elastase and matrix-metalloproteinase-1 inhibitor

Aim: Plant Clitoria ternatea L. is claimed to possess a wide range of activities including antiinflammatory, local anesthetic and antidiabetic effect, etc. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the wound healing potential of standardized C. ternatea leaf extract in terms of different enzymatic models, which are mostly associated with skin wound. Materials and Methods: The methanol extract and fractions were screened for its hyaluronidase, elastase, and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) inhibitory activity compared with standard oleanolic acid. The activity was rationalized through reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) standardization of the extract and fractions with respect to its isolated biomarker taraxerol (yield 5.27% w/w). Results: The extract showed significant (P < 0.001) hyaluronidase (IC50 18.08 ± 0.46 μg/ ml) and MMP-1 (P < 0.05) inhibition, but the elastase inhibition was insignificant (IC50 42.68 ± 0.46 μg/ml). Among the fractions, ethyl acetate fraction showed significant (P < 0.001) inhibition of hyaluronidase (IC50 28.01 ± 0.48 μg/ml) and MMP-1 (P < 0.01). The HPLC analysis revealed that the extract and the ethyl acetate fraction are enriched with taraxerol (5.32% w/w and 4.55% w/w, respectively). Conclusions: The experiment validated the traditional uses of C. ternatea and may be recommended for use in the treatment of different types of skin wounds, where taraxerol may be a responsible biomarker.

Indian Medicinal Plants with Hypoglycemic Potential

India has a well-recorded and well-practiced knowledge of traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of chronic disease like diabetes. There is a growing demand for the leads with potential antidiabetic activity. Ethnomedical approach for diabetes is a practical, cost-effective, and a logical approach for its treatment and management. This chapter aims to provide a comprehensive review on the plant species and leads from Indian systems of medicine for the treatment of diabetes. Many of the species that contribute toward the antidiabetic activity are still unexplored and require further attention. Several potential medicinal plants have been explored from Indian biospheres which are being used for the treatment of diabetes and also several works on these plants have been reported.