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Abha Guggulu (AG) is a traditional Ayurvedic herbal formulation used for treating joint disorders and bone fractures. Individually, the ingredients are known for their promising anti-inflammatory and rejuvenating actions. The present study attempts to explore the anti–arthritic potential of AG through an exploratory clinical trial.The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental model. The clinical trial has been registered in Clinical Trials Registry of India (registration number: CTRI/2019/09/021354). Osteoarthritis patients of both genders (n=12, 40–70 years age group), meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria, were recruited in the single arm study. AG was administered in tablet form in a dose of 1.5 g, twice daily. The WOMAC score was used as a primary outcome measure. The WOMAC scale of patients was recorded on 0th, 15th and 30th days of treatment.At the end of treatment, there was a significant difference in the scores of the outcome measure. As per WOMAC total score, participants were significantly improved (p=0.002) after consuming the drug for 1 month.Overall, the data indicates significant improvement of subjects in both scales and objective measures used for assessment purposes. There were no adverse drug reactions reported during the trial. AG may be used as a safe and effective supplement to reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis. The clinical efficacy of the formulation might be mediated through the synergistic blend of herbal bioactive compounds from AG.

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to examine the effects of four different bioclimatic predictors (current, 2050, 2070, and 2090 under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways SSP2-4.5) and non-bioclimatic variables (soil, habitat heterogeneity index, land use, slope, and aspect) on the habitat suitability and niche dimensions of the critically endangered plant species Commiphora wightii in India. We also evaluate how niche modelling affects its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO).ResultsThe area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) values produced by the maximum entropy (Maxent) under various bioclimatic time frames were more than 0.94, indicating excellent model accuracy. Non-bioclimatic characteristics, with the exception of terrain slope and aspect, decreased the accuracy of our model. Additionally, Maxent accuracy was the lowest across all combinations of bioclimatic and non-bioclimatic variables (AUC = 0.75 to 0.78). With current, 2050, and 2070 bioclimatic projections, our modelling revealed the significance of water availability parameters (BC-12 to BC-19, i.e. annual and seasonal precipitation as well as precipitation of wettest, driest, and coldest months and quarters) on habitat suitability for this species. However, with 2090 projection, energy variables such as mean temperature of wettest quarter (BC-8) and isothermality (BC-3) were identified as governing factors. Excessive salt, rooting conditions, land use type (grassland), characteristics of the plant community, and slope were also noticed to have an impact on this species. Through distribution modelling of this species in both its native (western India) and exotic (North-east, Central Part of India, as well as northern and eastern Ghat) habitats, we were also able to simulate both its fundamental niche and its realized niche. Our EOO and AOO analysis reflects the possibility of many new areas in India where this species can be planted and grown.ConclusionAccording to the calculated area under the various suitability classes, we can conclude that C. wightii's potentially suitable bioclimatic distribution under the optimum and moderate classes would increase under all future bioclimatic scenarios (2090 > 2050 ≈ current), with the exception of 2070, demonstrating that there are more suitable habitats available for C. wightii artificial cultivation and will be available for future bioclimatic projections of 2050 and 2090. Predictive sites indicated that this species also favours various types of landforms outside rocky environments, such as sand dunes, sandy plains, young alluvial plains, saline areas, and so on. Our research also revealed crucial information regarding the community dispersion variable, notably the coefficient of variation that, when bioclimatic + non-bioclimatic variables were coupled, disguised the effects of bioclimatic factors across all time frames.

Aedes mosquitoes are the major cause of several vector-borne diseases in tropical and subtropical regions. Synthetic pesticides against these mosquitoes have certain limitations; hence, natural, eco-friendly, and safe larvicides obtained from plant resources are used to overcome these. In the present study, the larvicidal efficiency of Commiphora wightii against the fourth instar stage of the dengue fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) was studied. The gum resin of C. wightii was collected using the borehole tapping method, and hexane extracts in different concentrations were prepared. The fourth-instar larvae were exposed to the extracts, and percent mortality, as well as LC 20 , LC 50 , and LC 90 , was calculated. Volatile compounds of the hexane gum extract were analyzed by Headspace GC/MS, and the sequence of the acetylcholine, Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, and octopamine receptor subunit of A. aegypti was obtained. It was found that the hexane gum extract was toxic and lethal for larvae at different concentrations. Minimum mortality was observed at 164 µg mL −1 (10%/h), while maximum mortality was at 276 µg mL −1 (50%/h). The lethal concentrations LC 20 , LC 50 , and LC 90 were 197.38 µg mL −1 , 294.13 µg mL −1 , and 540.15 µg mL −1 , respectively. The GC/MS analysis confirmed the presence of diterpenes, monoterpenes, monoterpene alcohol, and sesquiterpenes in the gum samples, which are lethal for larvae due to their inhibitory activity on the acetylcholinesterase enzyme, GABA receptor, and octopamine receptor subunit. The use of commonly occurring plant gum for the control of mosquitoes was explored, and it was found that the gum of C. wightii had larvicidal activities and could be potentially insecticidal.

Alveolar osteitis (AO) is a painful condition occurring in 0.5-68% of the dental patients following tooth extraction posing a challenge for clinicians due to lack of a definitive treatment. Commiphora wightii is a naturally occurring oleo-gum resin that has been shown to exhibit antibacterial and wound healing potential. This study was designed to formulate a 0.5%w/w Commiphora wightii-based mucoadhesive gel and investigate its role in bone healing in an animal model of AO. After obtaining ethical approval, Commiphora wightii based mucoadhesive gel was formulated. Eighteen male Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into three groups comprising of nine subgroups (n = 2); C1, C2 and C3 (control group), A1, A2 and A3 (experimental group A) and B1, B2 and B3 (experimental group B). Tooth extraction in 1st maxillary right molar region was done in all groups followed by creation of AO in experimental group A and B only. Commiphora wightii based-gel was applied once only on 3rd day in extraction socket of experimental group B while no application of gel was performed in control group and experimental group A. All animals were sacrificed on 4th, 7th and 14th day after extraction of the tooth and creation of alveolar osteitis model. At the end of the experimental period, the animals were euthanized and the part of maxilla containing the extraction socket was surgically removed and all the samples processed for histological analysis. Initially, Control group had a higher healing score on 4th day as compared to both experimental groups. However, the experimental group B had the highest healing score on the 7th and 14th day as compared to both other groups, while experimental group A had the lowest score on all three days of sacrifice. Hence it was concluded that Commiphora wightii-based mucoadhesive gel improved healing in the extraction socket of experimentally induced model of alveolar osteitis rats belonging to group B.

The use of medicinal plants is integral to addressing liver, heart, lung, and other metabolic issues. These plants are rich in vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, and alkaloids, which collectively help in lowering intestinal glucose absorption and increasing insulin secretion by pancreatic tissues. Elemental analysis, encompassing major, minor, and trace elements, was performed on various parts (leaves, roots, and seeds) of 16 anti-diabetic medicinal plants collected from different regions of Swat and Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. This analysis utilized proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) techniques. Our PIXE and ICP-OES analysis revealed the presence of major (Ca, K, S, P), minor (Si, Cl), and trace (Al, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Cr, and Sc) elements in various parts (leaves, roots, and seeds) of the 16 anti-diabetic medicinal plants studied. Specifically, elements such as Ca, K, Cr, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Se were detected, all of which are known to contribute in maintaining normal glucose metabolism. Notably, Zn and Se are crucial trace elements for the synthesis, secretion, and action of insulin. Significant Zn concentrations were observed in ten anti-diabetic medicinal plants: Albizia lebbeck (AL), Atropa acuminata (AA), Avena fatua (AF), Citrus medica (CM), Commiphora wightii (CW), Cymbopogon citratus (CC), Daucus carota (DC), Ziziphus mauritiana (FM), Hyoscyamus niger (HN), and Martynia annua (MA), and significant Se concentrations were observed in twelve medicinal plants, i.e., Albizia lebbeck (AL), Allium sativum (AS), Atropa acuminata (AA), Avena fatua (AF), Cannabis sativa (CS), Capparis spinosa (CaS), Commiphora wightii (CW), Cymbopogon citratus (CC), Datura alba (DA), Daucus carota (DC), Ziziphus mauritiana (FM), and Hyoscyamus niger (HN). Our study’s elemental analysis using PIXE and ICP-OES on various parts of 16 medicinal plants identified a significant number of useful elements. Elements such as Ca, K, S, P, Al, Si, Cl, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, and Cr were identified and quantified. These findings support the potential use of these plants in managing diabetes and highlight the importance of elemental profiling in understanding their therapeutic properties. Highlights • Diabetes mellitus is a major challenge in developing countries including Pakistan. • The potential side effects and high cost of synthetic anti-diabetic medicines are of significant concerns. • Conduction of elemental profiling of anti-diabetic medicinal plants of Pakistan using PIXE and ICP-OES techniques. • Elemental profiling is important for understanding the therapeutic properties and ensuring the efficacy and safety of medicinal plants.

Plant formulations with antidiabetic and antioxidant properties have recently gained popularity due to their lower cost and lesser side effects. Guggul gum is one such formulation that is extensively being used to cure various ailments. The present study was designed to explore the antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of the aqua-ethanolic Guggul gum extract (GE) from Commiphora wightii using in silico studies and in vitro assays. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GCMS) identified compounds were docked to the Human pancreatic α-amylase (HPA, PDB ID: 1HNY) for in silico studies to predict the inhibition. Molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) were performed using GROMACS for 100 ns. The inhibition of the enzyme was further evaluated at in vitro level to show the compounds' hypoglycemic role. The extract showed a good amount of phenolic (5.14 ± 0.011 mg), flavonoid (0.66 ± 0.023 mg) and terpenoid (1.08 ± 0.018 mg) content along with a promising free radical scavenging activity of 41.96 ± 4.02%. In the in silico studies, 3 out of 6 GCMS-identified bioactive compounds showed permissible values of bioavailability properties suggesting them as a potential candidate for antidiabetic drugs. Similarly, in molecular docking studies, 3 compounds showed more binding energy than the standard drug acarbose indicating better inhibition. MDS studies showed Compound 4 (Diisooctyl phthalate), was the most stable with the lowest root mean square deviation (RMSD) and root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) values, a consistent radius of gyration (Rg), and stable solvent accessible surface area (SASA). This was further confirmed by in vitro analysis where the pancreatic α-amylase inhibitory activity of the extract and the standard drug (acarbose) were comparable at an IC50 value of 4.17 ± 1.26 mg/mL and 3.69 ± 0.89 mg/mL respectively. The results demonstrated GE as a potential alternative to commercial antidiabetic drugs. Out of the major 6 GCMS-identified compounds, Compound 4 showed the most stable conformation during MDS studies. However, the isolation of the identified compounds could be done in the future for in vivo studies.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered a notable prolonged inflammatory condition with no proper cure. Synovial inflammation and synovial pannus are crucial in the onset of RA. The “tumor-like” invading proliferation of new arteries is a keynote of RA. Commiphora wightii (C wightii) is a perennial, deciduous, and trifoliate plant used in several areas of southeast Asia to cure numerous ailments, including arthritis, diabetes, obesity, and asthma. Several in vitro investigations have indicated C wightii’s therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of arthritis. However, the precise molecular action is yet unknown. Material and methods: In this study, a network pharmacology approach was applied to uncover potential targets, active therapeutic ingredients and signaling pathways in C wightii for the treatment of arthritis. In the groundwork of this research, we examined the active constituent-compound-target-pathway network and evaluated that (Guggulsterol-V, Myrrhahnone B, and Campesterol) decisively donated to the development of arthritis by affecting tumor necrosis factor (TNF), PIK3CA, and MAPK3 genes. Later on, docking was employed to confirm the active components’ efficiency against the potential targets. Results: According to molecular-docking research, several potential targets of RA bind tightly with the corresponding key active ingredient of C wightii. With the aid of network pharmacology techniques, we conclude that the signaling pathways and biological processes involved in C wightii had an impact on the prevention of arthritis. The outcomes of molecular docking also serve as strong recommendations for future research. In the context of this study, network pharmacology combined with molecular docking analysis showed that C wightii acted on arthritis-related signaling pathways to exhibit a promising preventive impact on arthritis. Conclusion: These results serve as the basis for grasping the mechanism of the antiarthritis activity of C wightii. However, further in vivo/in vitro study is needed to verify the reliability of these targets for the treatment of arthritis.

Natural compounds capable of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells have always been of considerable interest as potential anti-cancer agents. Many such compounds are under screening and development with their potential evolution as a clinical drug benefiting many of the cancer patients. Guggulsterone (GS), a phytosterol isolated gum resin of the tree Commiphora mukul has been widely used in Indian traditional medicine as a remedy for various diseses. GS has been shown to possess cancer chemopreventive and therapeutic potential as established by in vitro and in vivo studies. GS has been shown to target constitutively activated survival pathways such as PI3-kinase/AKT, JAK/STAT, and NFκB signaling pathways that are involved in the regulation of growth and inflammatory responses via regulation of antiapoptotic and inflammatory genes. The current review focuses on the molecular targets of GS, cellular responses, and the animal model studies in various cancers. The mechanistic action of GS in different types of cancers also forms a part of this review. The perspective of translating this natural compound into a clinically approved drug with its pros and cons is also discussed.

Guggulu ( Commiphora wightii oleo-gum resin) is exported in more than 42 countries including developed countries like the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The demand for guggulu is more than its production. Various purification processes have been mentioned in Ayurvedic classical literature which are not explored well yet, so it is impossible to discriminate between purified and raw guggulu. In the present study, an effort was made where guggulu was purified by using cow urine and changes were analyzed by using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–QTOF–MS/MS). In HPTLC analysis, three new bands ( R F 0.31, 0.68, 0.74) and twelve other bands were observed including the bands of marker compounds guggulsterone E ( R F 0.81) and Z ( R F 0.85) at 254 nm. In LC–QTOF–MS/MS analysis, two new peaks at Rt 5.00 and 16.21 min were observed in cow urine-purified guggulu. After purification, all the peaks were resolute well which shows the effects of purification. Overall, in LC–MS/MS study, metabolites, viz ., 5-(13′ Z -nonadecenyl)resorcinol (Rt 8.31), 8 β -hydroxy-3,20-dioxopregn-4,6-diene (Rt 10.33), guggulsterone E (Rt 12.99), guggulsterone Z (Rt 13.28), guggulsterol I (Rt = 15.19), mangiferolic acid (Rt = 15.27), 20( S ),21-epoxy-3-oxocholest-4-ene (Rt = 15.75), and guggulsterol II (Rt 16.23) were identified. The present study reports the first time a comparative analysis of raw guggulu and cow urine-purified guggulu by using advanced analytical tools like HPTLC and LC–QTOF–MS/MS. This study may be helpful in the standardization of and quality control of raw guggulu and cow urine-purified guggulu used in various formulations of guggulu.

Guggulsterone (GS) is a bioactive phytosteroid found in the oleo-gum resin of guggul ( Commiphora wightii ). In Indian system of medicine, there is a long history of the use of gum and plant extract of guggul for treating various ailments. Due to the complex nature, low availability, and inconsistency of phytosteroids, their analysis is a difficult task. A fast, sensitive, selective, and robust densitometric high-performance thin-layer chromatographic method was developed to determine guggulsterones E and Z (GS-E and GS-Z) quantitatively in six different guggul-based formulations used in AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) systems of medicine, which are used as chemical markers for the standardization of different guggul-based formulations. Separation was done on silica gel 60F 254 aluminum plates using n -hexane–ethyl acetate (5:5, V/V ) as the mobile phase. Quantification of GS-E and GS-Z was carried out using densitometry at 254 nm. A precise and accurate quantification method was developed in the linear working concentration range of 6.43‒24.12 µg/mL, 13.06‒42.43 µg/mL with good correlations, r 2 0.9971 and 0.9994, respectively, for GS-E and GS-Z. The contents of GS-E and GS-Z were in the range of 50‒2240 µg/g and 70‒3330 µg/g, respectively, in different guggul-based formulations. The method was validated for precision, robustness, accuracy, limit of detection and limit of quantification, etc., as per the International Council for Harmonization guidelines. Specificity was confirmed using retention factor and spectra correlation of standard and sample tracks. Further, antioxidant profile of oleo-gum resin of guggul was carried out by using the TLC-bioautography approach. TLC-bioautography showed prominent spots of GS-E and GS-Z with other compounds in yellowish color against purple background of the developed plate. The developed method is economical and can be applied for the routine analysis of marketed polyherbal guggul-based formulations.