Plants consumed by non-human primates represent potential drug sources for human disease management. In this study, we isolated kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside as an active compound from the leaves of Schima wallichii Korth., a plant commonly consumed by non-human primates. Its anti-cancer activities, including its ability to induce apoptotic mechanisms, were investigated in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Results showed that in MCF-7 cells, kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside inhibits cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and promotes apoptosis via the activation of the caspase signaling cascade, which includes caspase-9, caspase-3 and PARP. Our results provide a basis for further exploration of kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside as an active compound for potential anti-cancer therapeutics.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the world’s most common metabolic disease. The development of T2DM is mainly caused by a combination of two factors: the failure of insulin secretion by the pancreatic β-cells and the inability of insulin-sensitive tissues to respond to insulin (insulin resistance); therefore, the disease is indicated by a chronic increase in blood glucose. T2DM patients can be treated with mono- or combined therapy using oral antidiabetic drugs and insulin-replaced agents; however, the medication often leads to various discomforts, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, nausea and vomiting, and hypersensitivity reactions. A biguanide drug, metformin, has been used as a first-line drug to reduce blood sugar levels. Sulfonylureas work by blocking the ATP-sensitive potassium channel, directly inducing the release of insulin from pancreatic β-cells and thus decreasing blood glucose concentrations. However, the risk of the failure of sulfonylurea as a monotherapy agent is greater than that of metformin or rosiglitazone (a thiazolidinedione drug). Sulfonylureas are used as the first-line drug of choice for DM patients who cannot tolerate metformin therapy. Other antidiabetic drugs, thiazolidinediones, work by activating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), decreasing the IR level, and increasing the response of β-cells towards the glucose level. However, thiazolidines may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, weight gain, water retention, and edema. This review article aims to discuss case reports on the use of metformin, sulfonylureas, and thiazolidinediones in DM patients. The literature search was conducted on the PubMed database using the keywords ‘metformin OR sulfonylureas OR thiazolidinediones AND case reports’, filtered to ‘free full text’, ‘case reports’, and ‘10 years publication date’. In some patients, metformin may affect sleep quality and, in rare cases, leads to the occurrence of lactate acidosis; thus, patients taking this drug should be monitored for their kidney status, plasma pH, and plasma metformin level. Sulfonylureas and TZDs may cause a higher risk of hypoglycemia and weight gain or edema due to fluid retention. TZDs may be associated with risks of cardiovascular events in patients with concomitant T2DM and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Therefore, patients taking these drugs should be closely monitored for adverse effects.

Increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance necessitates the development of more potent antibiotics. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Cassia fistula L. barks as an alternative agent for resistant pathogenic bacteria. The C. fistula barks were extracted with ethanol, followed by partition of the extract to give n-hexane, ethyl acetate and water fractions. An in vitro antibacterial assay was conducted to evaluate inhibitory activity of the extract and fractions against Salmonella typhosa and Shigella dysenteriae. An in vivo antibacterial activity was examined using S. typhosa-infected mouse models, in which the colony number of S. typhosa were counted from the infected rats' feces. Assesment on safety of the extract was conducted by a subchronic toxicity test which mainly examined alteration occured in biochemical parameters and hystopatological conditions of livers and kidneys. The results showed that the ethanol extract inhibited the growth of both S. typhosa and S. dysenteriae with the MIC of 0.3125% w/v, and the ethyl acetate fraction with the MIC of 0.625% b/v. In the in vivo antibacterial assay, the extract at three doses decreased the colony number of S. typhosa significantly, and after the fourth to sixth days, the precentage of decrease reached more than 90% by 1000 mg/kg dose. The subchronic toxicity test revealed that after the extract exposured for 90 days, a dose of 1000 mg/kg induced liver and kidney damages histologically, however, it returned to normal condition after 30 days of recovery. The results of this study indicated that the extract of C. fistula L. barks had potent in vivo antibacterial activity against S. typhosa as sample of resistant bacteria, and is safe to be used as a herbal medicine, preferably at a dose lower than 1000 mg/kg.

Objective: This study aims to predict a bioactive compound from Peronema canescens (PC) with mechanisms inhibitor interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) potential as an immunomodulatory using in silico approach. Methods: Autodock 4 was used to accomplish computer-assisted drug design with molecular docking simulation to discover binding energy, inhibition constant, and interactions with an amino acid in bioactive compounds from PC against IL-6 and TNF-α receptors. Lipinski predicts the drug-likeness of a bioactive compound for the oral route of administration. ADMET profiling of bioactive compounds to predict pharmacokinetic properties with pkCSM ADMET. Results: The results showed that the best binding energy, inhibition constant, and interactions with an amino acid of peronemin C1 against IL-6 and TNF-α receptors were (-7.19 kcal/mol; 5.39 nM; Arg 179, Arg 182, Gln 175), and (-8.86 kcal/mol; 320.42 nM; Tyr 119, Tyr 59, and Gly 121), respectively. All bioactive compounds from PC met Lipinski's rule of five requirements for oral administration. ADMET prediction results all bioactive compounds from PC are non-mutagenic, except peronemin D1 is mutagenic. Conclusion: The peronemin C1 bioactive compounds from PC have good immunomodulatory potential, effectively inhibiting human IL-6 and TNF-α receptors using in silico approach.

This article review aims to evaluate the traditional usage, phytoconstituent, and pharmacological activities of Peronema canescens (PC) published between 1994 to 2021 and suggest directions for further in-depth research of PC as a medicinal resource. A literature review used relevant keywords to collect primary and secondary scientific papers from popular media databases such as Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Science Direct. The search keywords for papers included Peronema canescens, traditional usage, phytoconstituent, pharmacological activity, in vitro, in vivo, combined, or separated. Traditional usage of PC as medicine has been identified to treat various diseases such as toothache, malaria, fever, skin disorders, itching, bruising, and hypertension, as refreshing drinks, increasing stamina, and as food ingredients. Chemical constituents of PC were seven clerodane diterpenoid compounds, namely A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, C1, and D1 peronemin. Five of them are furanyl groups. Secondary metabolites contained in PC extract were phenols, triterpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, and saponins. In vitro, pharmacological activities of PC showed anti-plasmodium, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, and antibacterial activities, had non-toxic effects, and did not cause teratogenic effects. In vivo studies of PC showed that PC could use as an immune booster, antiparasitic, anti-hyperuricemic, anti-plasmodium, antidiabetic, and antipyretic. Many phytoconstituent and pharmacological reports indicated that PC was an essential medicinal herb resource, and some of its traditional uses, including the treatment of fever, antiparasitic, anti-hypertension, malaria, and tonic drink, have been partially confirmed through modern pharmacological studies. Diterpenoids were the main active constituents. However, these crude extracts and isolated chemicals of PC required additional research to identify the effects, optimal dosage, mechanisms of action, long-term safety, and potential side effects. In addition, clinical research was necessary to support the therapeutic potential of PC.

A novel chromene, (S)-2-methyl-2-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)-6-(propan-2-ylidene)-3,4,6,7-tetrahydropyrano[4,3-g]chromen-9(2H)-one (1), was isolated from the leaves of Peperomia pellucida (Piperaceae). The chemical structure of 1 was determined by spectroscopic methods and comparison with those related compounds previously reported.