PMID: 

J Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Feb 15 ;212:86-94. Epub 2017 Oct 19. PMID: 29055721

Abstract Title: 

The essential oil from Citrus limetta Risso peels alleviates skin inflammation: In-vitro and in-vivo study.

Abstract: 

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Citrus fruit peels are traditionally used in folk medicine for the treatment of skin disorders but it lacks proper pharmacological intervention. Citrus limetta Risso (Rutaceae) is an important commercial fruit crops used by juice processing industries in all continents. Ethnopharmacological validation of an essential oil isolated from its peels may play a key role in converting the fruit waste materials into therapeutic value added products.AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the chemical and pharmacological (in-vitro and in-vivo) profile of essential oil isolated from Citrus limetta peels (Clp-EO) against skin inflammation for its ethnopharmacological validation.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hydro-distilled essential oil extracted from Citrus limetta peels (Clp-EO) was subjected to gas chromatography (GC) analysis for identification of essential oil constituents and its anti-inflammatory evaluation through in vitro and in vivo models.RESULTS: Chemical fingerprint of Clp-EO revealed the presence of monoterpene hydrocarbon and limonene is the major component. Pre-treatment of Clp-EO to the macrophages was able to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) in LPS-induced inflammation as well as the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HO-induced oxidative stress. In in-vivo study, topical application of Clp-EO was also able to reduce the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear thickness, ear weight, lipid peroxidation, pro-inflammatory cytokines production and ameliorate the histological damage in the ear tissue. In-vitro and in-vivo toxicity study indicate that it is safe for topical application on skin.CONCLUSION: These findings suggested the preventive potential of Clp-EO for the treatment of inflammation linked skin diseases.

read more

PMID: 

Drug Res (Stuttg). 2019 Apr ;69(4):201-206. Epub 2018 Oct 1. PMID: 30273946

Abstract Title: 

Antidiabetic Potentials of Citrus aurantifolia Leaf Essential Oil.

Abstract: 

Citrus aurantifolia leaf essential oil was extracted via hydrodistillation, chemical composition of the oil was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and its antidiabetic potentials was assessed in alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic rats using metformin as the reference drug for comparison. Chemical analysis showed that D-limonene (57.84%) was the major constituent of the oil. Other notable compounds identified were neral (7.81%), linalool (4.75%), sulcatone (3.48%) and isogeraniol (3.48%). Intraperitoneal administration of C. aurantifolia oil (100 mg/Kg b.wt.) to hyperglycaemic rats for 14 days caused significant reduction in fasting blood and hepatic glucose, whereas hepatic concentration of glycogen was significantly increased. Also, improvement in dyslipidaemia was observed in C. aurantifolia essential oil-treated hyperglycaemic rats; serum concentration of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol were significantly reduced and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol was increased, resulting in decreased predisposition of rats to cardiac risks. Antihyperglycaemic potential of administration of the oil was lower but compared favourably with the oral antihyperglycaemic agent used as reference antidiabetic drug. Overall, data from this study showed that essential oil from the leaf of C. aurantifolia grown in North-Central Nigeria is a D-limonene chemotype. The oil showed considerable glucose lowering effect as well as the potential to ameliorate hyperglycaemia-induced dyslipidaemic complications in alloxanized rats.

read more

PMID: 

Foods. 2019 Sep 7 ;8(9). Epub 2019 Sep 7. PMID: 31500259

Abstract Title: 

Lime ((Christm.) Swingle) Essential Oils: Volatile Compounds, Antioxidant Capacity, and Hypolipidemic Effect.

Abstract: 

Lime peels are mainly obtained from the byproducts of the juice manufacturing industry, which we obtained and used to extract essential oil (2.3%) in order to examine the antioxidant and hypolipidaemic effects. We identified 60 volatile compounds of lime essential oil (LEO) with GC/MS, of which the predominant constituents were limonene,γ-terpinene, and β-pinene. Lime essential oil was measured according to the DPPH assay and ABTS assay, with ICvalues of 2.36 mg/mL and 0.26 mg/mL, respectively. This study also explored the protective effects of LEO against lipid-induced hyperlipidemia in a rat model. Two groups of rats received oral LEO in doses of 0.74 g/100 g and 2.23 g/100 g with their diets. Eight weeks later, we found that the administration of LEO improved the serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate transaminase levels in the hyperlipidemic rats (

read more

PMID: 

Am J Kidney Dis. 2014 Jul ;64(1):57-65. Epub 2014 Mar 14. PMID: 24631042

Abstract Title: 

Efficacy and safety of Abelmoschus manihot for primary glomerular disease: a prospective, multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Abelmoschus manihot, a single medicament of traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used to treat kidney disease. This is the first randomized controlled clinical trial to assess its efficacy and safety in patients with primary glomerular disease.STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, open-label, multicenter, randomized, controlled, clinical trial.SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: From May 2010 to October 2011, a total of 417 patients with biopsy-proven primary glomerular disease from 26 hospitals participated in the study.INTERVENTIONS: A manihot in the form of a huangkui capsule, 2.5 g, 3 times per day; losartan potassium, 50mg/d; or combined treatment, a huangkui capsule at 2.5 g 3 times per day, was combined with losartan potassium, 50mg/d. The duration of intervention was 24 weeks.OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was change in 24-hour proteinuria from baseline after treatment. Change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline after treatment was a secondary outcome. The 24-hour proteinuria was measured every 4 weeks and eGFR was measured at 0, 4, 12, and 24 weeks.RESULTS: Mean baseline urine protein excretion was 1,045, 1,084, and 1,073 mg/d in the A manihot, losartan, and combined groups, respectively, and mean eGFR was 108, 106, and 106 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. After 24 weeks of treatment, mean changes in proteinuria were protein excretion of -508, -376, and -545 mg/d, respectively (P=0.003 for A manihot vs losartan and P0.05), and there were no severe adverse events in any group.LIMITATIONS: Results cannot be generalized to those with nephrotic syndrome or reduced eGFR.CONCLUSIONS: A manihot is a promising therapy for patients with primary kidney disease (chronic kidney disease stages 1-2) with moderate proteinuria.

read more

PMID: 

Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2016 Feb ;43(2):145-8. PMID: 26667396

Abstract Title: 

Treatment of chronic kidney disease using a traditional Chinese medicine, Flos Abelmoschus manihot (Linnaeus) Medicus (Malvaceae).

Abstract: 

The flowers of Abelmoschus manihot (Linnaeus) Medicus (Malvaceae; Flos A. manihot) have been used in China for many centuries as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of chronic kidney disease. The Huangkui capsule is a single-plant drug extracted from the dry corolla of Flos A. manihot that has been approved by China's State Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of chronic glomerulonephritis. The purpose of this paper is to review briefly some of the past experiences in rapid filtration and to present more fully a few facts brought out in recent studies. The primary chemical constituents of Flos A. manihot are flavonoids. In vivo, the flavonoids can be transformed into glucuronide-sulphate conjugates, which are the major metabolites of Flos A. manihot and could contribute to the renoprotective effects in vivo. Flos A. manihot can ameliorate proteinuria, podocyte apoptosis, glomerulosclerosis and mesangial proliferation. The renoprotective effects of Flos A. manihot are related to inhibition of caspase-3 and caspase-8 overexpression, reduction of the infiltration of ED1(+) and ED3(+) macrophages, downregulation of oxidative stress, inhibition of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and serine/threonine kinase pathways and suppression of transforming growth factor-β1 and tumour necrosis factor-α expression. Recently, a multicentre randomized controlled trial demonstrated that Flos A. manihot was more effective than the angiotensin-receptor blocker losartan in reducing proteinuria in patients with primary glomerular disease. Because Flos A. manihot is generally preferred by Chinese patients and clinicians, high-quality trials to test the efficacy and safety of Flos A. manihot are urgently needed.

read more

PMID: 

Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2017 Feb ;52(2):222-8. PMID: 29979503

Abstract Title: 

[Antidepressant activity of flavonoid ethanol extract of Abelmoschus manihot corolla with BDNF up-regulation in the hippocampus].

Abstract: 

Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medic., a folk herbal medicine in China, is a flowering plant belonging
to Abelmoschus L. genus and Malvaceae family, which has been reported with an antidepressant activity. The
study was designed to isolate flavonoids from Abelmoschus manihot corolla and explore the action mechanism
of antidepressant activities. The flavonoids were isolated and purified by D101 macroporous resin column,
polyamide column and Sephadex LH-20 sequentially and identified as myricetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside (1),
gossypetin-8-O-β-D-glucuronide (2, G-8-G), gossypetin-3'-O-β-D-glucoside (3), quercetin-3'-glucoside (4, Q-3-G),
isoquercitrin (5, IQT), hyperoside (6, HY), myricetin (7), quercetin (8, QT). Compounds 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8
(15, 30 and 60 mg·kg−1) were orally administered to miceand the reaction was observed in tail suspension
test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST). Western blot analysis was used in determination of the protein
expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) and phosphorylation
eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (p-eEF2). The results revealed that only Q-3-G and G-8-G (15, 30, 60 mg ·kg−1)
significantly reduced the immobility time in FST and TST. Furthermore, Q-3-G and G-8-G remarkably increased
the expression of BDNF and TrkB, and decreased the expression of p-eEF2. These results suggest that
Q-3-G and G-8-G had an obvious antidepressant activity via up-regulation of BDNF expression. The
new observation will provide a new direction in the development of antidepressant in the treatment of major depressive
disorder (MDD).

read more

PMID: 

Nutrients. 2018 Nov 7 ;10(11). Epub 2018 Nov 7. PMID: 30405076

Abstract Title: 

Supplementation ofAmeliorates Diabetic Nephropathy and Hepatic Steatosis by Activating Autophagy in Mice.

Abstract: 

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a diabetic complication marked by albuminuria and a decline of the glomerular filtration rate. Diabetic kidneys are defective in the autophagy process and mitochondrial function and their enhancement of activity alleviates the pathology. In this paper, we developed a mouse model of DN by a combined treatment of a high-fat diet and streptozotocin after unilateral nephrectomy and supplementation with flower or leaf extracts of(AM) were tested. The preventive effects of the extracts on DN pathology and changes on autophagy and mitochondrial proteins were investigated. DN mice showed a significant increase in fasting blood glucose, plasma creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and urinary albumin levels. Periodic acid⁻Schiff and Sirius red staining of the diabetic kidney presented a significant change in glomerular and tubular structures that was associated with podocyte loss and fibrotic protein accumulation. These changes were attenuated by AM extract treatment in DN mice. In addition, hepatic injury, proinflammatory cytokines, and lipid accumulation were decreased by AM extracts in DN mice. As a protective mechanism, AM extracts significantly increased the expression of proteins by regulating autophagy and mitochondrial dynamics, which potentially prevented the kidney and liver from accumulating pathogenic proteins and dysfunctional mitochondria, which alleviated the progression of DN.

read more

PMID: 

Int J Mol Med. 2019 Jul ;44(1):324-334. Epub 2019 May 6. PMID: 31059072

Abstract Title: 

Total flavone of Abelmoschus manihot ameliorates Crohn's disease by regulating the NF‑κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

Abstract: 

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease, and its pathogenesis remains unknown. Total flavone of Abelmoschus manihot L. Medic (TFA), has been used as anti‑inflammatory and myocardial ischemia protective drug. The present study aimed to explore the effects of TFA on CD and its underlying mechanism. We reported that TFA comprises eight flavone glycosides, including quercetin‑3‑O‑robinobioside, gossypetin‑3‑O‑glucoside, quercetin‑3'‑O‑glucoside, isoquercetin, hyperoside, myricetin, gossypetin and quercetin. In vivo, TFA promoted the survival of 2,4,6‑trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)‑induced colitis in mice, decreased weight loss and increased colon length in a dose‑dependent manner. Additionally, TFA notably amelioratedthe inflammatory response in mice with TNBS‑induced colitis as determined by histopathological analysis. In addition, the administration of TFA in mice with TNBS‑induced colitis led to a significant decrease in the levels of cytokines in the sera and colon tissues; a significant decrease myeloperoxidase activity in the colon tissues was also observed. These findings may be associated with the suppression of the nuclear factor‑κB (NF‑κB) and mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. In vitro, TFA significantly downregulated the expression of cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑induced RAW264.7 cells. In addition, TFA suppressed LPS‑induced activation of the NF‑κB and MAPK signaling pathways in RAW264.7 cells. Our findings indicated that TFA could suppress the inflammatory response in mice with TNBS‑induced colitis via inhibition of the NF‑κB and MAPK signaling pathways. The results of the present study may improve understanding of the function of TFA and provide a novel theoretical basis for the treatment of CD.

read more

PMID: 

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019 ;2019:9679234. Epub 2019 Apr 18. PMID: 31118973

Abstract Title: 

for Diabetic Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract: 

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Many trials have shown thatcould further improve proteinuria and protect kidney function in patients with DN when added to a renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blocker. A systematic assessment of the efficacy and safety ofin DN is essential. Eight electronic databases were searched to identify eligible trials published from inception to December 2017. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of eligible studies. Seventy-two studies with 5,895 participants were identified. The methodological quality of included studies was generally low. The results indicated that, compared to a RAS blocker, combined treatment ofwith a RAS blocker was more effective for 24h urinary protein (24h UP) (mean difference [MD], -0.39 [95% confidence interval [CI], -0.46 to -0.33] g/d; P

read more

PMID: 

Front Pharmacol. 2019 ;10:567. Epub 2019 May 28. PMID: 31191310

Abstract Title: 

Total Extracts ofL. Attenuates Adriamycin-Induced Renal Tubule Injury via Suppression of ROS-ERK1/2-Mediated NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation.

Abstract: 

(L.) Medik. (Malvaceae) is a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat some kidney diseases. To date, the detailed mechanisms by whichimproves some kinds of renal disease are not fully understood. In this study, we established Adriamycin-induced NRK-52E cells, the normal rat kidney epithelial cell line, injury, and Sprague-Dawley rats with Adriamycin-induced nephropathy to evaluate the role and mechanisms of total extracts offlower (TEA) bothand. We found that TEA ameliorated Adriamycin-induced cellular morphological changes, cell viability, and apoptosis through the suppression of protein oxidation and ERK1/2 signaling. However, this anti-oxidative stress role of TEA was independent of ROS inhibition. Adriamycin activated ERK1/2 signaling followed by activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes. TEA suppressed NLRP3 inflammasomes via inhibition of ERK1/2 signal transduction; decreased proteinuria and attenuated renal tubule lesions; and inhibited the expression of NLRP3 in tubules in rats with Adriamycin nephropathy. Collectively, TEA protects renal tubular cells against Adriamycin-induced tubule injury via inhibition of ROS-ERK1/2-NLRP3 inflammasomes.

read more