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Toward the identification of a phytocannabinoid-like compound in the flowers of a South African medicinal plant (Leonotis leonurus).

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:Current global trends on natural therapeutics suggest an increasing market interest toward the use and discovery of new plant-derived therapeutic compounds, often referred to as traditional medicine (TM). The Cannabis industry is currently one such focal area receiving attention, owing to the occurrence of phytocannabinoids (pCBs) which have shown promise in health-promotion and disease prevention. However, the occurrence of pCBs in other plant species are often overlooked and rarely studied. Leonotis leonurus (L.) R. Br. is endemic to South Africa with a rich history of use in TM practices amongst indigenous people and, has been recorded to induce mild psychoactive effects akin to Cannabis. While the leaves have been well-reported to contain therapeutic phytochemicals, little information exists on the flowers. Consequently, as part of a larger research venture, we targeted the flowers of L. leonurus for the identification of potential pCB or pCB-like compounds. RESULTS:Flower extracts were separated and analyzed using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). A single pCB candidate was isolated from HPTLC plates and, using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we could successfully group this compound as a fatty amide and tentatively identified as 7,10,13,16-Docosatetraenoylethanolamine (adrenoyl-EA), a known bioactive compound.

SUBMITTER: Hunter E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7653773 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Toward the identification of a phytocannabinoid-like compound in the flowers of a South African medicinal plant (Leonotis leonurus).

Hunter E E Stander M M Kossmann J J Chakraborty S S Prince S S Peters S S Loedolff Bianke B

BMC research notes 20201110 1

<h4>Objective</h4>Current global trends on natural therapeutics suggest an increasing market interest toward the use and discovery of new plant-derived therapeutic compounds, often referred to as traditional medicine (TM). The Cannabis industry is currently one such focal area receiving attention, owing to the occurrence of phytocannabinoids (pCBs) which have shown promise in health-promotion and disease prevention. However, the occurrence of pCBs in other plant species are often overlooked and ...[more]

PMID: 33172494

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Project description:BackgroundInfluenza infection remains a major health threat for animals and humans which crucially requires effective antiviral remedies. The usage of herbal medications as readily available alternatives for their compatibility with the body and fewer side effects compared to synthetic chemical treatments has become popular globally. The aim of this study was to investigate and screen in vitro anti-influenza activity of extracts of five South African medicinal plants, namely Tabernaemontana ventricosa, Cussonia spicata, Rapanea melanophloeos, Pittosporum viridiflorum and Clerodendrum glabrum, species which are used traditionally for the treatment of several diseases such as inflammatory and respiratory diseases.MethodsMethanol, ethanol (100% and 30%), acetone, hot and cold water extracts of the powdered plants leaves were obtained by standard methods. The cytotoxicity was determined by the MTT colorimetric assay on MDCK cells. The concentrations below CC50 values were tested for antiviral activity against influenza A virus (IAV) in different combination treatments. The effect of extracts on viral surface glycoproteins and viral titer were tested by HI and HA virological assays, respectively.ResultsBased on the applied methods, the most effective results against IAV were obtained from Rapanea melanophloeos methanol leaf extract (EC50?=?113.3 ?g/ml) and Pittosporum viridiflorum methanol, 100% and 30% ethanol and acetone leaf extracts (EC50 values?=?3.6, 3.4, 19.2, 82.3 ?g/ml, respectively) in all types of combined treatments especially in pre- and post-penetration combined treatments with highly significant effects against viral titer (P???0.01).ConclusionThe outcomes offer for the first time a scientific basis for the use of extracts of Rapanea melanophloeos and Pittosporum viridiflorum against IAV. It is worth focusing on the isolation and identification of effective active compounds and elucidating the mechanism of action from these species. However, Tabernaemontana ventricosa, Cussonia spicata and Clerodendrum glabrum leaf extracts were ineffective in vitro in this study.

Project description:Background:Medicinal plants are used by a large proportion of the global population as complementary and alternative medicines. However, little is known about their toxicity. G. africana has been used to treat wounds, coughs and skin diseases and is used in cosmetic formulations such as lotions and shampoos. Methods:The acute oral and dermal toxicity potential of G. africana was analyzed after a single administration of 300 and 2000?mg/kgbw for acute oral toxicity and 2000?mg/kgbw for acute dermal toxicity. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the acute oral toxicity study whereas both male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the acute dermal toxicity study. In the Episkin skin irritation test, the irritation potential of G. africana (concentrate) and G. africana (in-use dilution) extracts were assessed using the Episkin reconstituted human epidermis. In the dermal sensitization study, female CBA/Ca mice were treated with G. africana concentrations of 50, 100 and 200?mg/ml respectively. The vehicle of choice was dimethylformamide which acted as a control. Results:The results of the acute oral and dermal toxicity studies revealed that the median lethal dosage (LD50) for G. africana extract in Sprague-Dawley rats was considered to exceed 2000?mg/kgbw. In the irritation test, the G. africana (concentrate) and G. africana (in-use dilution) extracts were non-irritant on the Episkin reconstituted human epidermis. In the dermal sensitization study, the stimulation index (SI) values for the mice treated with the G. africana extract at concentrations of 50, 100 and 200?mg/ml/kgbw, when compared to the control group, were 1.3, 0.9 and 1.3 respectively. The open application of the extract at the various concentrations did not result in a SI of ? 3 in any group. Hence, it did not elicit a hypersensitivity response. Conclusion:These findings demonstrate that the acute toxicity profile for G. africana is acceptable and can subsequently be used for single use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Dataset Information

Toward the identification of a phytocannabinoid-like compound in the flowers of a South African medicinal plant (Leonotis leonurus).

Publications

Toward the identification of a phytocannabinoid-like compound in the flowers of a South African medicinal plant (Leonotis leonurus).

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