As a rich source of bioactive compounds, plant-derived natural products hold immense promise for pharmaceutical research and development, offering a path to discovering new drug targets and innovative treatments. Sonchus species, commonly known as sow thistles, are widely distributed across various geographical regions. Several common species within this plant group have a long history of use in traditional medicine, which can be attributed to their diverse therapeutic benefits. Recently, these plants have gained attention for their potential in antimicrobial therapy, owing to their rich phytochemical profile, including sesquiterpene, flavonoids, and phenolic acids with known antimicrobial activities. Currently, available pharmacological studies demonstrate that Sonchus species extracts possess antimicrobial properties, highlighting their potential as sources for new therapeutic agents. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge on the antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral activities of the Sonchus species, along with its possible mechanisms of action. The review aims to provide directions for future research and promote the exploration of these plants as viable sources of natural antimicrobial agents, potentially contributing to the development of alternative therapeutic strategies in the face of rising antibiotic resistance.
Objective: To explore the effect of a hydrogel of Piper longum (P. longum) root against biofilm-forming multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) through in vitro, in silico, and in vivo studies.
Methods: We isolated the P. longum root ethanolic extract and the compounds using p-HPLC. In vitro antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of P. longum root extract and isolated alkamide compounds against biofilm-forming MDR S. aureus (ATCC 33591) were assessed using agar diffusion and broth microdilution methods, respectively. In silico investigations were conducted to investigate the interaction of alkamide compounds with three target proteins glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), matrix metahoproteinases-8 (MMP-8), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In addition, the wound healing effect of P. longum root extract 2% and 5% (w/v)- containing hydrogels was determined in mice.
Results: The ethanolic root extract of P. longum and its compounds exhibited in vitro antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations between 50 μg/mL and 700 μg/mL, as well as significantly reduced biofilm formation. Piperdardine isolated from P. longum root extract had the best molecular docking score (−9.7, −9.8, and −9.2 kcal/mol) with target proteins GSK3β, MMP-8, and iNOS. In vivo studies showed that P. longum hydrogels significantly lowered the number of colony-forming units (P < 0.05). The P. longum 5% (w/v) hydrogel-treated group showed enhanced wound healing activity, achieving a wound contraction rate of 99.34% on day 14. Furthermore, histopathological analysis confirmed increased re-epithelialization and reduced inflammation in mice treated with P. longum 5% (w/v) hydrogel.
Conclusions: P. longum root extract has pharmacological potential as an antibacterial and wound-healing agent, and further research is required to confirm its efficacy and clinical application.
Objective: To identify promising biomarkers for the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD).
Methods: Microarray chips of MDD patients, including the GSE98793, GSE52790, and GSE39653 datasets, were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The biological processes and pathways related to MDD were investigated using the GO and KEGG pathway tools. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis was conducted to identify modules related to MDD. The hub genes associated with MDD were obtained via protein-protein interaction analysis. Finally, the expression of hub genes in the hippocampal tissues of depression-like rats was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.
Results: A total of 658 differentially expressed genes were identified from the Gene Expression Omnibus datasets; thus, these genes and the GSE98793 dataset were used to conduct weighted gene coexpression network analysis. A total of 244 module-related genes were identified and these genes were highly correlated with MDD. These genes were involved in the Ras signaling pathway, regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, and axon guidance according to the KEGG analysis. Hub genes, including MAPK14, SOCS1, TLR2, PTK2B, and GRB2, were obtained via protein-protein interaction analysis. All these hub genes showed better diagnostic efficiency in the GSE52790, GSE39653, and GSE98793 datasets. In vivo experiments revealed that compared with those in control rats, SOCS1 and MAPK14 expression was significantly decreased; while GRB2, TLR2, and PTK2B expression was increased in the hippocampi of depression-like rats.
Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that GRB2, TLR2, SOCS1, PTK2B, and MAPK14 are promising hub genes, and targeting these five genes may be an effective treatment strategy for MDD.
Objective: To evaluate the antidiabetic effect of Salsola imbricata (S. imbricata) leaf extract against high-fat-diet/streptozocin-induced alterations in diabetic rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms involved in insulin secretion.
Methods: The total phytochemical content of ethyl acetate extract of S. imbricata was analyzed by HPLC. In vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic activities were determined. Ethyl acetate extract of S. imbricata (250 and 500 mg/kg) was administered to diabetic rats for 21 days. Serum glucose, serum insulin, fasting blood glucose, body weight, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were measured. The hepatic malondialdehyde and antioxidant enzyme activities including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were evaluated. Sandwich ELISA kits were used to measure pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in liver tissue homogenate. Pdx-1, Ins-1, and Ins-2 expression levels were assessed using qRT-PCR.
Results: S. imbricata had potent antioxidant (IC50=11.75 μg/ mL) and antidiabetic activity (IC50=28.10 μg/mL). HPLC analysis showed the presence of gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, salicylic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and quercetin. S. imbricata extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced blood glucose levels with marked improvement in insulin sensitivity and reduced insulin resistance. S. imbricata leaf extract improved malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase levels in hepatic tissue. S. imbricata leaf extract also decreased levels of TNF-α and IL-6 (P<0.05). qRT-PCR revealed the upregulation of insulin signaling transduction genes (Pdx-1, Ins-1, Ins-2).
Conclusions: S. imbricata ethyl acetate extract exhibits pronounced antidiabetic activity in rats by improving insulin resistance via modulation of insulin signaling pathway and alleviating oxidative stress.