FitoterapiaPub Date : 2024-09-24DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106220
Meng Ren , Zixuan Wang , Jie Song , Yurun Wang , Taoshuai Cao , Xiangdong Qin , Du-Qiang Luo , Jun Zhang
{"title":"Identification of isoquinoline alkaloids from Corydalis mucronifera and their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effects","authors":"Meng Ren , Zixuan Wang , Jie Song , Yurun Wang , Taoshuai Cao , Xiangdong Qin , Du-Qiang Luo , Jun Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106220","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106220","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Four new spirobenzylisoquinoline mucroniferanines N − Q (<strong>1</strong>–<strong>4</strong>) and a rare chlorinated isoquinoline mucroniferanine R (<strong>5</strong>) were isolated from <em>Corydalis mucronifera</em> Maxim. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic data analysis of HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and their absolute configurations were confirmed by ECD data. The isolated compounds were evaluated for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities. Mucroniferanine R showed significant activities with IC<sub>50</sub> values of 0.78 μM compared to galanthamine (1.34 μM). The AChE inhibitory activity was further supported by the molecular docking analysis that exhibited the accommodation of mucroniferanine R in the active site of human AChE.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12147,"journal":{"name":"Fitoterapia","volume":"179 ","pages":"Article 106220"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142344334","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FitoterapiaPub Date : 2024-09-24DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106238
Chun-Yan Zhu , Qin Luo , Zi-Wei Zhang , Yan-Peng Li , Di Han , Yong-Ming Yan
{"title":"Discovery of metabolite from the insect-derived endophytic Penicillium chrysogenum and their COX-2 inhibitory activity","authors":"Chun-Yan Zhu , Qin Luo , Zi-Wei Zhang , Yan-Peng Li , Di Han , Yong-Ming Yan","doi":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106238","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106238","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Three new <em>N</em>-alkylated amino acid derivatives, penichrysoamides A-C (<strong>1</strong>–<strong>3</strong>), along with a new citric acid derivative, penichrysoacid A (<strong>4</strong>), a new chromanone lactone penichrysoacid B (<strong>5</strong>), and a new amide derivative, penichrysoamide D (<strong>6</strong>), as well as seven known benzamide derivatives (<strong>7</strong>–<strong>13</strong>), were isolated from the endophytic fungus <em>Penicillium chrysogenum</em> derived from the insect <em>Periplaneta americana</em>. The structures of these compounds, including their absolute configurations, were elucidated using spectroscopic and computational techniques. Biological evaluation revealed that compounds <strong>8</strong>–<strong>13</strong> exhibited significant COX-2 inhibitory activity, with IC<sub>50</sub> values ranging from 275 nM to 1350 nM.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12147,"journal":{"name":"Fitoterapia","volume":"179 ","pages":"Article 106238"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142322148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FitoterapiaPub Date : 2024-09-24DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106231
Zhiwei Bian , Shian Hu , Yintai Tian , Cheng Li , Ying Chen , Xiaojuan Wang
{"title":"Glucopyranosyloxybenzyl succinates and their biological activities","authors":"Zhiwei Bian , Shian Hu , Yintai Tian , Cheng Li , Ying Chen , Xiaojuan Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106231","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106231","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Over the past decades, great efforts have been made to explore the glucopyranosyloxybenzyl succinates from Orchidaceae. At the same time, some of those compounds with new structures have led to new findings of their biological functions. The structures, classifications, distributions and bioactivities of glucopyranosyloxybenzyl succinates have been summarized in this review.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12147,"journal":{"name":"Fitoterapia","volume":"179 ","pages":"Article 106231"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142344329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FitoterapiaPub Date : 2024-09-24DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106233
Hai-Peng Tang , En-Lin Zhu , Qian-Xiang Bai , Shuang Wang , Zhi-Bin Wang , Meng Wang , Hai-Xue Kuang
{"title":"Polygala japonica Houtt.: A comprehensive review on its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics","authors":"Hai-Peng Tang , En-Lin Zhu , Qian-Xiang Bai , Shuang Wang , Zhi-Bin Wang , Meng Wang , Hai-Xue Kuang","doi":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106233","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106233","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Polygala japonica</em> Houtt. (<em>P. japonica</em>), a member of the <em>Polygala</em> genus in the <em>Polygalaceae</em> family, has been historically utilized in traditional folk medicine as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-depressant agent. This paper systematically reviews the latest research in botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics, aiming to provide a scientific foundation for the future development and application of <em>P. japonica</em> and to explore its potential value comprehensively. Approximately 86 compounds have been isolated from <em>P. japonica</em>, with triterpenoid saponins being the most prevalent and bioactive components. Extensive pharmacological activities of <em>P. japonica</em> extracts or compounds have been confirmed <em>in vivo</em> and <em>in vitro</em>, including anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, neuroprotective, anti-obesity, anti-apoptotic, and skin-protective effects. Additionally, <em>P. japonica</em> has demonstrated significant curative effects and relatively clear pharmacological mechanisms in treating inflammatory and nervous system diseases. Specific components of its primary triterpenoid saponins are rapidly absorbed in the body. This review advocates for deeper scientific research on <em>P. japonica</em>, noting that most current research remains in its early stages and many reported biological activities require further clinical validation. Despite this, the traditional medical use of <em>P. japonica</em> across various cultures attests to its broad application value. Presently, the pharmacological activities of <em>P. japonica</em> extracts and compounds provide a scientific basis for its traditional uses. Future research must ensure the safety and effectiveness of <em>P. japonica</em> through in-depth pharmacokinetic studies, and the establishment of a refined and standardized quality evaluation system is essential for its clinical development and application.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12147,"journal":{"name":"Fitoterapia","volume":"179 ","pages":"Article 106233"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142322233","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FitoterapiaPub Date : 2024-09-23DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106235
Shouyuan Wu , Xianqiang Chen , Jingling Ren , Peilian Liu , Qing Yan , Ziming Chen
{"title":"Cuparene-type sesquiterpenes with neuroprotective activities from the edible mushroom Flammulina filiformis","authors":"Shouyuan Wu , Xianqiang Chen , Jingling Ren , Peilian Liu , Qing Yan , Ziming Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106235","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106235","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Four new cuparene-type sesquiterpenes, flammuterpenols A − D (<strong>1</strong>–<strong>4</strong>), along with one known congener (<strong>5</strong>) were isolated from the solid culture of edible mushroom <em>Flammulina filiformis.</em> Their structures with a benzoxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane core were elucidated by integrated multiple spectroscopic techniques, electronic circular dichroism, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Biologically, compounds <strong>1</strong>–<strong>5</strong> were evaluated <em>in vitro</em> for their neuroprotective effects against 6-hydroxydopamine induced cell death in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. All of them exhibited remarkable neuroprotective effects possessing the EC<sub>50</sub> values ranging from 0.93 ± 0.02 to 10.28 ± 0.10 μM. These findings not only enrich the structural diversity of cuparene-type sesquiterpenes, but also provide potential candidates for the further development of the neuroprotective agents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12147,"journal":{"name":"Fitoterapia","volume":"179 ","pages":"Article 106235"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142314673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FitoterapiaPub Date : 2024-09-23DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106225
Nurdan Yazici , Seçkin Engin , Elif Nur Barut , Fadıl Kaan Kuran , Gozde Hasbal-Celikok , Tugba Yilmaz-Ozden , Mahmut Miski
{"title":"Evaluation of the Antihyperglycemic efficacy of the roots of Ferula orientalis L.: An in vitro to in vivo assessment","authors":"Nurdan Yazici , Seçkin Engin , Elif Nur Barut , Fadıl Kaan Kuran , Gozde Hasbal-Celikok , Tugba Yilmaz-Ozden , Mahmut Miski","doi":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106225","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106225","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Decoctions of <em>Ferula orientalis</em> L. (Apiaceae), have been traditionally used to lower blood glucose levels (BGLs). After <em>in vitro</em> enzyme inhibition tests on the dichloromethane extracts of the roots (FOD) and the methanol extract of the roots (FOM), isolation studies were carried out on the FOD extract. The anti-hyperglycemic effects of the FOD extract and the pure compounds were studied in mice using the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) models. Molecular docking studies were performed on potent compounds in the binding pockets of enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylase. The isolations of 11 compounds were isolated from the FOD extract, which comprised teferidine (<strong>1</strong>), ferutinin (FT) (<strong>2</strong>), teferin (<strong>3</strong>), epoxy-jaeschkeanadiol-<em>p</em>-hydroxybenzoate (<strong>4</strong>), epoxy-jaeschkeanadiol-6-vanillate (<strong>5</strong>), tovarol-8-angelate (<strong>6</strong>), leucoferin (<strong>7</strong>), tovarol-8-<em>p</em>-hydroxybenzoate (<strong>8</strong>), tovarol-8-vanillate (<strong>9</strong>), 6-β-<em>p</em>-hydroxybenzoyloxy-germacra-1(10),4-diene (<strong>10</strong>), and chimgin (<strong>11</strong>). Compounds <strong>2</strong> and <strong>8</strong>–<strong>11</strong> exhibited a higher inhibitory activity on α-glucosidase. In the OGTT, pretreatment with the FOD extract or compound <strong>2</strong> did not alter the BGLs after administration of the glucose solution compared to the control. In the STZ-induced diabetic mice model, no significant difference in the BGLs was observed with the FOD extract (200 mg/kg) or compound <strong>2</strong> (100 mg/kg)-treated diabetic mice compared to the diabetic control mice. The experimental studies all showed that the <em>F. orientalis</em> extract had significant effects on the enzyme systems involved in DM, and it would be appropriate to plan further studies on possible problems of bioavailability of the compound FT and the FOD extract, inadequate dose, and duration of administration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12147,"journal":{"name":"Fitoterapia","volume":"179 ","pages":"Article 106225"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142322234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FitoterapiaPub Date : 2024-09-23DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106236
Csilla Zsuzsanna Dávid , Zuhao Cui , Katalin Veres , Annamária Kincses , Norbert Kúsz , Anita Barta , Tamara Sápi , László Bakacsy , Judit Hohmann , Andrea Vasas
{"title":"Phytochemical and pharmacological investigation of the non-volatile compounds of Lepidium cartilagineum (J. C. Mayer) Thell. and determination of the essential oil composition of its flowers and fruits","authors":"Csilla Zsuzsanna Dávid , Zuhao Cui , Katalin Veres , Annamária Kincses , Norbert Kúsz , Anita Barta , Tamara Sápi , László Bakacsy , Judit Hohmann , Andrea Vasas","doi":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106236","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106236","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Eighteen compounds, among them phenylpropanoids (<strong>1</strong>–<strong>2</strong>), neolignans (<strong>3</strong>–<strong>9</strong>), a megastigmane (<strong>10</strong>), a phenyl glucoside (<strong>11</strong>), flavonoids (<strong>12</strong>–<strong>14</strong>), and N-containing compounds (<strong>15</strong>–<strong>18</strong>) were isolated from the methanolic extract of the whole plant of <em>L</em>. <em>cartilagineum</em>. The structures of the compounds were determined by NMR and MS measurements. The composition of the essential oils prepared from the flowers and fruits of <em>L</em>. <em>cartilagineum</em> was investigated using GC and GC–MS measurements. The essential oils were rich in aliphatic aldehydes and hydrocarbons, but low in sulfur-containing compounds, e.g., isothiocyanates. The extracts prepared from the aerial parts and roots of the plant, the essential oil, and the isolated compounds (<strong>1</strong>–<strong>9</strong>) were tested for antiproliferative activity against COLO 205 and COLO 320 cell lines and antibacterial activity on <em>Lactobacillus rhamnosus</em>. Dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol γ’-methyl ether (<strong>5</strong>) possessed marked antiproliferative activity against both human tumor cell lines. Neither the extracts nor the compounds affected the growth of the bacteria and did not influence the biofilm formation of <em>L</em>. <em>rhamnosus</em>. Based on the results, it can be concluded that <em>L</em>. <em>cartilagineum</em> is non-toxic to the human gut microbiome forming <em>L</em>. <em>rhamnosus</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12147,"journal":{"name":"Fitoterapia","volume":"179 ","pages":"Article 106236"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142322147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FitoterapiaPub Date : 2024-09-23DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106237
Zhong-Nan Wu , Yu-Bo Zhang , Guo-Cai Wang , Qing Tang , Yao-Lan Li , Wen Cheng
{"title":"Pegaharolines A − I, structurally novel indole alkaloids with anti-HSV-2 virus activities from Peganum harmala L. seeds","authors":"Zhong-Nan Wu , Yu-Bo Zhang , Guo-Cai Wang , Qing Tang , Yao-Lan Li , Wen Cheng","doi":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106237","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106237","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Leading by the antiviral activities against HSV-2 virus, bioactivity-guided the fraction of crude alkaloids from seeds of <em>Peganum harmala</em> led to the isolation of nine structurally novel indole alkaloids, pegaharolines A − I (<strong>1</strong>–<strong>9</strong>), and 11 known ones (<strong>10</strong>−<strong>20</strong>). Compound <strong>3</strong> was an unusual 6/5/5/5 spirotetracyclic indole-derived alkaloids featuring a classic bicyclic indole unit fused with an additional pyrrolizine ring via a spiral atom (C-3). Compound <strong>4</strong> was determined as a novel indole alkaloid, characterized with a rare hexacyclic 6/5/6/5–6/6 ring system, by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds <strong>5</strong> and <strong>6</strong> were peculiar indole dimers featuring with the rare carbon skeleton of an octacyclic scaffold. Compounds <strong>1</strong>–<strong>6</strong> were six racemates. Most compounds exhibited different levels of antiviral activities against HSV-2. Especially, the anti-HSV-2 activity of compound <strong>1</strong> (IC<sub>50</sub> = 0.90 ± 0.10 μM) was much better than that of the positive control (acyclovir, IC<sub>50</sub> = 1.12 ± 0.15 μM). In this study, the discovery of anti-HSV-2 components from the seeds of <em>P. harmala</em>, could benefit development and utilization of this plant in antiviral medicinal products.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12147,"journal":{"name":"Fitoterapia","volume":"179 ","pages":"Article 106237"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142344331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FitoterapiaPub Date : 2024-09-23DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106224
Songqin Yang , Mao Zhao , Yuhan Feng , Xia Zhang , Qiuhong Li , Wenwen Jiang , Daoping Wang
{"title":"Exploring the molecular mechanism of Toddalia asiatica (L.) lam on the treatment of thrombosis based on zebrafish models, network pharmacology and experimental verification","authors":"Songqin Yang , Mao Zhao , Yuhan Feng , Xia Zhang , Qiuhong Li , Wenwen Jiang , Daoping Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106224","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106224","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Toddalia asiatica (L.)</em> Lam. (TA) is a traditional folk medicine of ethnic minorities in the southwest of China. It is widely used in the treatment of dispersing blood stasis and activating blood. However, the effective substance and pharmacological mechanism have not been fully elucidated. The zebrafish larvae were treated with Phenylhydrazine (PHZ) to establish a thrombus model, and the staining intensity of zebrafish red blood cells was analyzed. The antithrombotic activity of TA was verified for the first time, and it was found that the inhibition rate of TA on thrombosis was up to 60.85 %. The chemical ingredients of TA were collected by combining UPLC-HRMS analysis and the literature research. Network pharmacology revealed that six key targets were obtained, which including TNF, AKT1, EGFR, PTGS2, PPARG, and IFNG. It showed that the PI3K-Akt pathway was a core signaling pathway. Coagulation factor III(TF), playing an important role in the process of hemostasis and thrombosis, which ranks high in the PPI network. Moreover, the results of molecular docking showed that the active components had a strong binding force with TF, which indicated that TF might be the key target of TA in treating thrombosis. In vitro experiments showed that TA could inhibit TNF-α-induced high expression of TF in EA.hy926 cells. In addition, TA could inhibit TNF-α-activated expression of Akt, IκBα and P65 protein phosphorylation in PI3K-Akt pathway. The results showed that TA had antithrombotic activity and exerted an antithrombotic effect by inhibiting the expression of TF through the PI3K-Akt-NF-κB signaling pathway.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12147,"journal":{"name":"Fitoterapia","volume":"179 ","pages":"Article 106224"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142344328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FitoterapiaPub Date : 2024-09-23DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106226
Walaa S.A. Mettwally , Rehab A. Hussein , Gehad A. Abdel Jaleel , Azza Hassan , Dalia O. Saleh , Ahmed A. El-Beih
{"title":"Cardenolides; calotropin and gomphogenin from Calotropis procera (Aiton) mitigate bone turnover in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats: Targeting RANKL/OPG axis and estrogen receptor-alpha","authors":"Walaa S.A. Mettwally , Rehab A. Hussein , Gehad A. Abdel Jaleel , Azza Hassan , Dalia O. Saleh , Ahmed A. El-Beih","doi":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106226","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106226","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present study aimed to examine the effect of <em>Calotropis procera</em> (Aiton) and its major cardenolides; calotropin and gomphogenin on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats. Osteoporotic rats were orally treated with <em>C. procera</em> alcoholic extract (100 mg/kg), calotropin (CLT; 100 μg/kg) and gomphogenin (GPG; 100 μg/kg) for 14 consecutive days. Bone resorption/formation biomarkers; bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and nuclear factor-κβ ligand (RANKL) as well as serum calcium and phosphorus were assessed 24 h after last doses of treatments. Serum levels of estradiol (E2) and catalase were also measured.</div><div>Oral treatment with <em>C. procera</em> extract, CLT and GPG caused E2 restoration to normal level with a marked regulation in the RANKL/OPG axis. Serum phosphorus and calcium were up-leveled whereas BALP was downregulated. Histopathological examination, bone histomorphometric analysis and immunohistochemical staining for osteopontin (OPN) inspection further emphasized the aforementioned outcomes. The results revealed the superiority of CLT and to a lesser extent GPG osteoporotic effect over <em>C. procera</em> extract. Molecular docking of the two compounds on ER-α and RANKL/OPG complex showed noteworthy binding affinities which also confirmed the supremacy of CLT due to the additional hydrogen bonding of the hydroxyl groups of the sugar moiety with RANKL/OPG complex. Finally, it is concluded that CLT and GPG from <em>C. procera</em> hinder bone turnover by decreasing osteoclastic bone cells activity and increasing calcium mineralization thus suppressing bone remodeling and preventing bone infirmity in OVX osteoporotic rats directly via binding to RANKL/OPG complex and ER-α and indirectly through elevating level of E2.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12147,"journal":{"name":"Fitoterapia","volume":"179 ","pages":"Article 106226"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142327296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}