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Efficient wound treatment that addresses associated infections and inflammation remains one of the big unmet needs, especially in low- and middle-income countries. One strategy for securing better healthcare can be using medicinal plants if sufficient evidence on their safety and therapeutic benefits can be ascertained. A unique novel opportunity could be photo-enhanced wound treatment with a combination of light-sensitive plant preparations and local exposure to daylight. Data mining strategies using existing resources offer an excellent basis for developing such an approach with many potential plant candidates. In the present analysis, we researched the 535 botanical drugs included in the Chinese pharmacopeia and identified 183 medicinal plant species, 82 for treating open wounds caused by trauma and 101 for inflammatory skin conditions. After further screening for reports on the presence of known photoactive compounds, we determined a core group of 10 scientifically lesser-known botanical species that may potentially be developed into more widely used topical preparations for photodynamic treatment of infected wounds. Our predictive approach may contribute to developing a more evidence-based use of herbal medicines.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) causes acute diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, and high mortality rate in neonatal piglets. Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) has been reported in Europe, America, and Asia including Thailand. The disease causes substantial losses to the swine industry in many countries. Presently, there is no effective PEDV vaccine available. In this study, we developed a plant-produced monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2C10 as a prophylactic candidate to prevent the PEDV infection. Recently, plant expression systems have gained interest as an alternative for the production of antibodies because of many advantages, such as low production cost, lack of human and animal pathogen, large scalability, etc. The 2C10 mAb was transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana and lettuce using geminiviral vector. After purification by protein A affinity chromatography, the antibody was tested for the binding and neutralizing activity against PEDV. Our result showed that the plant produced 2C10 mAb can bind to the virus and also inhibit PEDV infection in vitro. These results show excellent potential for a plant-expressed 2C10 as a PEDV prophylaxis and a diagnostic for PEDV infection.

Assai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) is a palm tree from Arecaceae family which has distribution in the central and eastern Amazonia. Chemically, polyphenols are found in assai, mainly anthocyanins and flavonoids. Amongst some substances of these groups antioxidant activity is noted, concerning the capacity of the substance to neutralize excessive harmful free radicals. One consequence of these chemical and biological activities present in acai is the increase in demands for different agroindustrial products and, proportionally, the waste generated – of which little is known. These residues are presented today as a public health issue, since they are improperly discarded. In this study, it was performed the extraction of polar substances of seeds and pulp, antioxidant activity against DPPH and ABTS radicals and quantification of total phenols from these extracts. Comparatively, it is intended to clearly understand their differences, since the pulp of this species are widely used in amazonian bioproducts both nationally and internationally. The plant material was collected in Coari-Amazonas, with cold maceration being performed with ethanol and these extracts being degreased. Qualitative antioxidant activity opposite to DPPH radicals [1] and ABTS [2] had results greater than 100 µg/mL for samples of pulps. The most promising results were for ethanol extracts of seeds and their methanol fraction (DPPH 25.27 ± 0.09 µg/ml ABTS 26.29 ± 0.85 µg/ml; DPPH 17.68 ± 0.61 µg/mL ABTS 17.56 ± 1.20 µg/ml, respectively). As to total phenols, a greater quantity was also observed for the ethanol extracts of seeds and their methanol fraction (34.30%± 1.22 and 38.57 ± 0.74%, respectively). Therefore, it was concluded that the ethanol extract and methanol fraction of the pulp showed inferior results when compared to the results of the seeds of E. oleracea. This indicates that the seeds have promising antioxidant activity to be used in amazonian bioproducts. References: [1] Molyneux, P. (2004) Songklanakarin J. Sci. Technol. 26(2): 211 – 219. [2] Re, R. et al. (1999) Free Rad. Bio. Med. 26: 1231 – 1237. [3] Mensor, L. L. et al. (2001) Phytother. Res. 15: 127 – 130.

The ripe pod pulp of Cassia fistula L. (Caesalpiniaceae) has long been used as a traditional laxative drug due to anthraquinone constituents while rhein is a major anthraquinone component. This study was aimed to develop a good tablet formulation from standardized C. fistula pod pulp extract and evaluate its physical and chemical stabilities under storage conditions described in ASEAN guideline on stability of drug product [1]. A wet granulation method was employed while the excipients of the tablet comprised dibasic calcium phosphate, sodium starch glycolate, hydrophilic fumed silica, and magnesium stearate. Three batches of the tablets were stored for 6 months under accelerated (at 40 °C) and real time storage conditions. The physical properties of the tablet such as weight variation, friability and disintegration time were evaluated to meet the requirements of the USP XXVI [2]. The content of rhein in each tablet was quantitatively analyzed by a validated HPLC [3]. The results revealed that C. fistula pod pulp tablets had good conformity and chemical stability. The content of rhein in the tablet was remained more than 95% (96 – 99%) of the initial amount for all storage conditions. There was no significant change of the tablets and the acceptance criteria were met. Due to good stabilities of the tablets, non-toxic effect, low cost, and abundance of C. fistula pods; therefore, the tablet formulation from C. fistula pod pulp should be promoted as an alternative laxative drug as same as senna. Keywords: Cassia fistula, anthraquinone, rhein, laxative References: [1] ASEAN Guideline on Stability Study of Drug Product. 9th ACCSQ-PPWG Meeting, Philippines. 2005. [2] The Council of Experts. The United States Pharmacopeia 36 – National Formulary 31. US Pharmacopeial Convention, Rockville. 2013. [3] Chewchinda S et al. Thai J Agr Sci 2012; 45: 121 – 125.

Considering the different untoward effects of the drugs prescribed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), there has been an increasing interest in adjuvant therapies devoid of such unfavorable reactions. Although the beneficial effects of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) on RA have been established, it seems that its mechanisms of action have not still been reviewed. The present review is designed to evaluate the effects of N. sativa on RA systematically. We searched these electronic databases until April 2019: PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, Ovid, ProQuest, and Google scholar. No restriction was conducted based on language or publication date. We selected all of the related clinical, animal, and in vitro studies. Review papers, abstracts in conferences, book chapters, and papers regarding the effects of N. sativa combined with other herbs, as well as articles regarding the effects of N. sativa on other diseases, were excluded. Each article was assessed critically for the possible risk of bias. Nineteen articles were reviewed. Animal and in vitro investigations supported the favorable effects of N. sativa on clinical, inflammatory, oxidative, and immunologic parameters on RA, whereas results of limited clinical studies did not illustrate any change or improvement of inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers in RA. N. sativa could control RA via multiple ways such as decreasing inflammation, inhibiting oxidative stress, and modulating the immune system. This paper provides persuasive clues to defend the efficacy of N. sativa in RA and justifies the significance of subsequent clinical trials.

In the last 20 or so years, the influence of endophytes and, quite recently, epiphytes of plants upon the compounds found in those plants, which were usually assumed to be phytochemicals produced by the plant for a variety of reasons, often as a defense against predators, is becoming more evident, in particular in the case of antitumor agents originally isolated from plant sources, though antibiotic agents might also be found, particularly from epiphytes. In this review, we started with the first report in 1993 of a taxol-producing endophyte and then expanded the compounds discussed to include camptothecin, the vinca alkaloids, podophyllotoxin, and homoharringtonine from endophytic microbes and then the realization that maytansine is not a plant secondary metabolite at all, and that even such a well-studied plant such as Arabidopsis thaliana has a vast repertoire of potential bioactive agents in its leaf epiphytic bacteria. We have taken data from a variety of sources, including a reasonable history of these discoveries that were not given in recent papers by us, nor in other papers covering this topic. The sources included the Scopus database, but we also performed other searches using bibliographic tools, thus, the majority of the papers referenced are the originals, though we note some very recent papers that have built on previous results. We concluded with a discussion of the more modern techniques that can be utilized to “persuade” endophytes and epiphytes to switch on silent biosynthetic pathways and how current analytical techniques may aid in evaluating such programs. We also comment at times on some findings, particularly in the case of homoharringtonine, where there are repetitious data reports differing by a few years claiming the same endophyte as the producer.

Depsidones are some of the most abundant secondary metabolites produced by lichens. These compounds have aroused great pharmacological interest due to their activities as antioxidants, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic agents. Hence, this paper aims to provide up-to-date knowledge including an overview of the potential biological interest of lichen depsidones. So far, the most studied depsidones are fumarprotocetraric acid, lobaric acid, norstictic acid, physodic acid, salazinic acid, and stictic acid. Their pharmacological activities have been mainly investigated in in vitro studies and, to a lesser extent, in in vivo studies. No clinical trials have been performed yet. Depsidones are promising cytotoxic agents that act against different cell lines of animal and human origin. Moreover, these compounds have shown antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, mainly Candida spp. Furthermore, depsidones have antioxidant properties as revealed in oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo models. Future research should be focused on further investigating the mechanism of action of depsidones and in evaluating new potential actions as well as other depsidones that have not been studied yet from a pharmacological perspective. Likewise, more in vivo studies are prerequisite, and clinical trials for the most promising depsidones are encouraged.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the infiltration of synovial inflammatory cells and progressive joint destruction. Total flavonoids of Bidens pilosa have been used against inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, but its role in bone destruction remains to be explored. The aim of this paper was to study whether total flavonoids of B. pilosa relieve the severity of collagen-induced arthritis in rats, particularly whether it regulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines and the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand/osteoprotegerin signaling pathway. In this research, a collagen-induced disease model was induced in adult rats by subcutaneous injection of collagen II. Total flavonoids of B. pilosa at different doses (40, 80, and 160 mg/kg/d) were administered intragastrically, while methotrexate (1 mg/kg/w) was injected intraperitoneally as a positive control. Paw swelling, arthritis score, and body weight were assessed and evaluated. The severity of joint damage was determined using X-ray and confirmed by histopathology. The expression levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, osteoprotegerin, IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF in the serum and tissue were assayed using ELISA and immunohistochemistry. We found that total flavonoids of B. pilosa attenuated collagen-induced arthritis at the macroscopic level, and total flavonoids of B. pilosa-treated rats showed reduced paw swelling, arthritis scores, and X-ray appearance of collagen-induced arthritis in addition to improved histopathological results. These findings were consistent with reduced serum and tissue receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, TNF, IL-1β, and IL-17 levels but increased osteoprotegerin levels. Our data suggest that total flavonoids of B. pilosa attenuate collagen-induced arthritis by suppressing the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB/osteoprotegerin pathway and the subsequent production of proinflammatory cytokines. In addition, total flavonoids of B. pilosa may be a promising therapeutic candidate for the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

This paper reports on the major contributions and results of the 2nd International Workshop of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids held in September 2020 in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are among the most relevant plant toxins contaminating food, feed, and medicinal products of plant origin. Hundreds of PA congeners with widespread occurrence are known, and thousands of plants are assumed to contain PAs. Due to certain PAsʼ pronounced liver toxicity and carcinogenicity, their occurrence in food, feed, and phytomedicines has raised serious human health concerns. This is particularly true for herbal teas, certain food supplements, honey, and certain phytomedicinal drugs. Due to the limited availability of animal data, broader use of in vitro data appears warranted to improve the risk assessment of a large number of relevant, 1,2-unsaturated PAs. This is true, for example, for the derivation of both toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic data. These efforts aim to understand better the modes of action, uptake, metabolism, elimination, toxicity, and genotoxicity of PAs to enable a detailed dose-response analysis and ultimately quantify differing toxic potencies between relevant PAs. Accordingly, risk-limiting measures comprising production, marketing, and regulation of food, feed, and medicinal products are discussed.

To fight the rising resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics, a strategy followed by several researchers is to focus on natural compounds, such as essential oils, as a source of potent antibacterial compounds. These last decades, hundreds of original papers have been written about microbiological assays that prove the antibacterial activity of essential oils and their use in the medical field. But can we really compare all the data available in the literature when the raw material, the microbiological assays, and/or the strains are different from one article to another? This review will point out the differences and the inadequate practices found in published articles that tested 2 lesser-studied essential oils–Spanish lavender and the ajowan–by the broth dilution method against Staphylococcus aureus, a human pathogenic bacterium. Many pitfalls were found in the literature, for example, a variable chemical composition rarely underlined by the authors, unidentified strains or clinical strains used without a related antibiogram, a lack of quality controls, and the assertion of questionable positive results. At last, some general guidelines that should be followed by every scientific researcher will be discussed.

Dalbergia monetaria is an Amazonian plant whose bark is widely used to treat urinary tract infections. This paper describes a bio-guided study of ethanolic extracts from the bark and leaves of D. monetaria, in a search for metabolites active against human pathogenic bacteria. In vitro assays were performed against 10 bacterial strains, highlighting methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Fractioning of the extracts was performed using instrumental and classical techniques, and samples were characterized by UHPLC-HRMS/MS. Ethyl acetate fractions from bark and leaves showed similar antibacterial activities. EAFB is enriched in isoflavone C-glucosides and EAFL enriched in proanthocyanidins. Subfractions from EAFL presented higher activity and showed a complex profile of proanthocyanidins constructed by (epi)-cassiaflavan and (epi)-catechin units, including dimers, trimers and tetramers. The fragmentation pattern emphasized the neutral loss of cassiaflavan units by quinone-methide fission. Fraction SL7-6, constituted by (ent)-cassiaflavan-(ent)-cassiaflavan-(epi)-catechin isomers, showed the lowest MIC against the S. aureus and P. aeruginosa with values corresponding to 64 and 32 µg/mL, respectively. Cassiaflavan-proanthocyanidins have not been found previously in another botanical genus, except in Cassia, and the traditional medicinal use of D. monetaria might be related to the antibacterial activity of proanthocyanidins characterized in the species.

A wide array of therapeutic effects has been exhibited by compounds isolated from natural sources. “Bio-actives of endophytic origin” is a recently explored area that came into recognition over the last 2 decades. Literature search on the secondary metabolites of endophytes have shown several pharmacologically active compounds especially anti-inflammatory compounds, which have been reviewed in the present paper. The article is structured based on the chemical classification of secondary metabolites. The compounds were identified to possess activity against a total of 16 anti-inflammatory targets. The most common targets involved were NO, TNF-α, and inhibition of total ROS. Further, the article gives a detailed insight into the compounds, their endophytic source, and anti-inflammatory target as well as potency. The contents of the article cover all the scientific reports published until Feb. 2019. Thus 118 compounds and 6 extracts have been reported to be obtained from endophytic sources showing anti-inflammatory activities. Amongst these, herbarin, periconianone A, and periconianone B were identified as the most potent compounds in terms of their IC50 values against NO inhibition.

The present study aimed to investigate the gastroprotective activity of the total alkaloids from the bark of Phellodendron amurense and identify their possible mechanism. Total alkaloids were obtained through an alcohol extraction method and were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. Chronic gastric ulcers were induced by acetic acid (0.14 mol/L) filter paper on the gastric serosa. The antiulcer effect of total alkaloids was evaluated using the ulcer area, the ulcer inhibition ratio, and epidermal growth factor. The gastroprotective mechanism of total alkaloids was revealed using the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline. The results showed that oral administration of total alkaloids (30 mg/kg/day) obviously decreased the ulcer area (7.67 ± 2.06 mm 2 ; p 2 ). The ulcer inhibition ratio of the total alkaloids group (50 %) was higher than the omeprazole-treated group (46 %), which showed that the antiulcer effect of the total alkaloids may be superior to omeprazole. Besides, the total alkaloids significantly increased the epidermal growth factor level and accelerated the healing of ulcers. Histological examination of gastric tissues also supported the same conclusion. In addition, the total alkaloids significantly elevated the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline (both p

In this paper, the isolation of one new iridoid glucoside, 6β-acetoxyipolamiide (1), and thirteen (2 – 14) known congeners from two Lamiaceae species, Stachys ocymastrum and Premna resinosa, leaf extracts is reported. The structural determination of the isolated compounds was performed by mono- and bidimensional NMR spectroscopic analysis as well as MS experiments. The isolates were assayed for their antiangiogenic activity by two in vivo models, zebrafish embryos and chick chorioallantoic membrane assays. The compounds with a significant antiangiogenic activity in both assays were β-hydroxyipolamiide (2), ipolamiide (3), and buddlejoside A5 (8). 6-O-α-l-(3″-O-p-Methoxycinnamoyl-4″-O-acetyl)rhamnopyranosyl catalpol (13) and 6-O-α-l-(2″-trans-caffeoyl)rhamnopyranosyl catalpol (6) showed the best antiangiogenic response on blood vessel growth in zebrafish embryos, whereas saccatoside (10) and 6-O-α-l-(2″-O - p-methoxycinnamoyl-3″-O-acetyl)rhamnopyranosyl catalpol (14) resulted in a strong reduction of capillary formation in the chorioallantoic membrane assay.

Classical multicomponent preparations mostly derived from traditional usages in Western and Eastern phytotherapy have been under-evaluated for a long time as potential new pharmaceutical products. The regulatory scenario, in particular at the European level, has only recently considered these aspects proposing harmonized guidelines for the pharmaceutical registration of traditional herbal products. Nevertheless, a specific regulation for innovative products based on the combination of precious knowledge arising from traditional usages and modern scientific advancements is still missing. In this paper, we propose a critical review of the current situation with the specific aim of contributing to create a more favorable regulatory environment for the pharmaceutical registration of new and innovative herbal medicinal products.

Este artículo se encuentra disponible en la página web de la revista en la siguiente URL: https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/pdf/10.1055/a-0633-9492.pdf This is a pre-print of an article published in Ríos, JL., Giner, RM., Marín, M. and Recio, MC. (2018). A pharmacological update of ellagic acid. Planta Medica, vol. 84, n. 15, pp. 1068-1093. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0633-9492 Este es el pre-print del siguiente artículo Ríos, JL., Giner, RM., Marín, M. and Recio, MC. (2018). A pharmacological update of ellagic acid. Planta Medica, vol. 84, n. 15, pp. 1068-1093 que se ha publicado de forma definitiva en https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0633-9492 Ellagic acid is a common metabolite present in many medicinal plants and vegetables. It is present either in free form or as part of more complex molecules (ellagitannins), which can be metabolized to liberate ellagic acid and several of its metabolites, including urolithins. While ellagic acidʼs antioxidant properties are doubtless responsible for many of its pharmacological activities, other mechanisms have also been implicated in its various effects, including its ability to reduce the lipidemic profile and lipid metabolism, alter pro-inflammatory mediators (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6), and decrease the activity of nuclear factor-κB while increasing nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 expression. These events play an important role in ellagic acidʼs anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Several of these activities, together with the effect of ellagic acid on insulin, glycogen, phosphatases, aldose reductase, sorbitol accumulation, advanced glycation end-product formation, and resistin secretion, may explain its effects on metabolic syndrome and diabetes. In addition, results from recent research have increased the interest in ellagic acid, both as a potential protective agent of the liver and skin and as a potential anticancer agent, due to the specific mechanisms affecting cell proliferation, apoptosis, DNA damage, and angiogenesis and its aforementioned anti-inflammatory properties. Taken together, these effects make ellagic acid a highly interesting compound that may contribute to different aspects of health; however, more studies are needed, especially on the compoundʼs pharmacokinetic profile. In this review, we selected papers published from 2005 to the present.

Preparations from ivy leaves (Hederae helicis folium, Hedera helix) dry extracts are well established in the treatment of different respiratory diseases. Until today, the efficacy and safety of ivy leaf preparations has been demonstrated in a variety of controlled clinical studies and non-interventional studies. These results were nearly exclusively obtained using the commercial ivy leaves dry extract EA 575®. This paper will provide information on the clinical data obtained with this special extract, showing the importance of those preparations as a valuable therapeutic option for the treatment of acute and chronic respiratory diseases. Overall, 18 publications covering clinical trials and non-interventional studies of, in total, 65 383 patients suffering from acute as well as chronic respiratory diseases were included.

In this paper, the chemical composition and biological activity of the essential oil of Artemisia absinthium was studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of ethnopharmacological uses of this plant species in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and wounds, and as an insect repellent. The aerial part of the plant was hydrodistilled, and the chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Forty-seven compounds, corresponding to 94.65 % of the total oil, were identified, with the main constituents being sabinene (24.49 %), sabinyl acetate (13.64 %), and α-phellandrene (10.29 %). The oil yield was 0.23 % (v/w). The antimicrobial activity of the oil was investigated against ten bacterial isolates (from patients wounds and stools) and seven American Type Culture Collection strains using a microwell dilution assay. The minimal inhibitory/bactericidal concentration of the oil ranged from

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulphonate, a water-soluble derivative of tanshinone IIA, has been proven to possess versatile biological properties, but its pharmacological effect on tracheal smooth muscle remains elusive. This paper presents a study on the relaxant effect and underlying mechanisms of sodium tanshinone IIA sulphonate on mouse tracheal smooth muscle. The relaxant effect of sodium tanshinone IIA sulphonate was evaluated in mouse tracheal rings using a mechanical recording system. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration was measured in primary cultured tracheal smooth muscle cells using confocal imaging system. The results showed that sodium tanshinone IIA sulphonate induced dose-dependent relaxation of mouse tracheal rings in a β-adrenoceptor- and epithelium-independent manner. Pretreatment with the ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker glibenclamide partly attenuated the relaxation response. Administration of sodium tanshinone IIA sulphonate notably inhibited the extracellular Ca2+-induced contraction. High KCl or carbachol-evoked elevation in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration was also abrogated by sodium tanshinone IIA sulphonate in tracheal smooth muscle cells. In conclusion, the tracheal relaxant effect of sodium tanshinone IIA sulphonate was independent of β-adrenoceptor and airway epithelium, mediated primarily by inhibition of extracellular Ca2+ influx via L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and partially by activation of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel. These results indicate the potential therapeutic value of sodium tanshinone IIA sulphonate for asthma treatment.

The traditional medicines of Asia and Europe have long used various Rhodiola species, which are endemic to the subarctic areas of the northern hemisphere, as tonic, adaptogen, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory drugs. In order to establish the therapeutic uses of these plants in modern medicine, the pharmacological effects of Rhodiola sp. have been widely studied. Indeed, the most amply researched species, Rhodiola rosea, has been shown to possess antioxidant, adaptogenic, antistress, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, angiomodulatory, and antitumoral effects. Salidroside (p-hydroxyphenethyl-β-D-glucoside), a major compound in Rhodiola, seems to be responsible for many of the effects observed with Rhodiola extracts. The aim of this paper is to review the pharmacological effects not only of various Rhodiola species, mainly R. rosea along with Rhodiola imbricata, Rhodiola algida, and Rhodiola crenulata, but also of salidroside, focusing especially on its antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antitumoral, and antiproliferative activities, as well as to describe their therapeutic significance in disease management. Although previous pharmacological studies have established a scientific basis for possible therapeutic uses of Rhodiola extracts and salidroside, high-quality, randomized, controlled clinical trials are still needed.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among the elderly. The death of retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cells caused by excessive A2E accumulation is crucial determinants of AMD according to recently research papers. A2E, a pyridinium bis-retinoid derived from all-trans-retinal and ethanolamine, can intercede light mediated damage to RPE cells by generation of singlet oxygen and self-oxidation at carbon-carbon double bonds. Cassia tora L. (Leguminosae) is traditional medicinal plant in Asia countries which is well known to have bioactivities such as hypotensive, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-mutagenic activities. The C. tora 70% EtOH extract and its fractions by liquid-liquid partition using hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water were evaluated for the blocking on RPE cell damage from A2E photo-oxidation. The hexane fraction exhibited remarkable anti-photo-oxidant efficacy. These results demonstrate that C. tora may have protective effect on ARPE-19 cell death caused by blue light induced A2E photo-oxidation.

Radix Paeoniae Alba, a well-known Chinese herbal, has been widely used in Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. Paeoniflorin (PF) has been extensively studied in the last 5 years and shows multiple pharmacological actions. In this paper, we review the relevant literature to know the effect of PF on nervous system (NS). Data sources of PUBMED from January 2012 to April 2015 were searched. Inclusion criteria clearly described the effect of PF on NS. Among 280 articles identified in the literature search, 22 studies met the review inclusion criteria. According to current findings, PF was found to ameliorate the decline of memory and learning capacities among NS-related pharmacological models. In addition, PF shows protective effects on depression, cerebral ischemia injury as well as Parkinson's disease by reliving the pain and improving neural synapse plasticity. The pharmacological targets involve multiple pathways including adenosine A1 receptor, M cholinergic receptor, opiate receptor calcium ion channel, NF-κB, Akt and NGF.