@article {278, title = {Effect of UP165, a Zea mays Leaf Extract Standardized for 6-methoxybenzoxazolinone, as Sleep Adjunct}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {10}, year = {2018}, month = {April 2018}, pages = {156-160}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {156}, abstract = {

Background: Sleep is a natural phenomenon essential for rejuvenating the body, promoting good health, upholding memory, performance, and maintaining overall health. Its deprivation is linked to the increased health risk that leads to poor quality of life and negative socioeconomic consequences. While behavioral techniques, such as improving sleep hygiene, are typically the first-line of intervention, pharmaceutical drugs are frequently used as adjuncts. However, for most, besides being too expensive, the long-term use of these drugs is marred by their severe adverse side effects and crippling dependency. As a result, significant numbers of patients are always in search for a safe and efficacious alternative from natural sources. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the effects of UP165, a Zea mays (commonly known as corn) leaf extract standardized for 6-methoxybenzoxazolinone content, on sleep latency and sleep time in pentobarbital-induced mouse sleep model. The extract was orally administered at 250 mg/kg (low dose), 500 mg/kg (mid dose), and 1000 mg/kg (high dose) daily for 32 days. The immediate impact of the extract on sleep was also assessed. Results: Increases of 11.6 {\textpm} 0.2 (P = 0.008), 10.2 {\textpm} 2.4 (P = 0.022), and 10.5 {\textpm} 0.9 (P = 0.017) minutes in sleep time were observed for the 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg UP165 treated mice compared to vehicle control, respectively. Up to 67\% sleep latency incidence was observed for mice treated with UP165 compared to the 20\% in the vehicle control group. UP165 showed no immediate drowsiness effect. No differences in baseline and end of study bodyweight were observed between groups. Conclusion: UP165 could be used as an adjunct for a sleep disorder.

}, keywords = {6-methoxybenzoxazolinone, Anxiety, Sleep disorder, Stress, Zea mays}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_148_17}, author = {Mesfin Yimam and Ping Jiao and Mei Hong and Lidia Brownell and Qi Jia} } @article {442, title = {A Standardized Composition Comprised of Extracts from Rosmarinus officinalis, Annona squamosa and Zanthoxylum clava-herculis for Cellulite}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {November 2017}, pages = {319-324}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {319}, abstract = {

Background: Cellulite, characterized by changes in the skin morphology presented as dimpled or puckered skin appearance, is highly prevalent among postadolescent women. Cellulite management ranges from topical cream applications to invasive procedures. While some interventions showed improvements in physical appearances of affected areas, so far, none have reversed the condition to a full recovery. These unsuccessful measures signify the intricate nature of cellulite etiology highlighting its complexity leading to the possibility for a combination treatment approach to target multiple mechanisms. Materials and Methods: We screened our plant library for extracts that reduce cellular lipid accumulation, improve microcirculation, possess high total antioxidant capacity, significant anti-platelet aggregation, and anti-inflammatory activities using lipid accumulation assay in 3T3-L1 cells, Croton oil-induced hemorrhoid test in rats as a model for microcirculation, anti-platelet aggregation assay, nitric oxide (NO) inhibition assay, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay. Results: Three known botanicals such as Rosemary officinalis, Annona squamosa and Zanthoxylum clava-herculis were identified as lead extracts in these tests. Treatment of 3T3 cell with A. squamosa at 1 μg/ml resulted in 68.8\% reduction in lipid accumulation. In croton oil-induced hemorrhoid study, Z. clava-herculis reduced the recto-anus coefficient by 79.6\% at 6 mg/kg indicating improvement in microcirculations. Similarly, R. officinalis caused inhibition of 82\%, 71.8\%, and 91.8\% in platelet aggregation, NO production and free radical generation at 31.25 μg/ml, 6.2 μg/ml, and 40 μg/ml concentrations suggesting its anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Conclusions: Data depicted here suggest that formulation of these well-known botanicals at a specific ratio perhaps may yield a composition with a much wider spectrum of mechanisms of actions to impact the multiple pathways involved in cellulite onset, continuation, or exacerbations.

}, keywords = {Annona squamosa, Cellulite, Rosemary officinalis, Zanthoxylum clava-herculis}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_70_17}, author = {Mesfin Yimam and Young-Chul Lee and Ping Jiao and Mei Hong and Lidia Brownell and Qi Jia} } @article {486, title = {UP1304, a Botanical Composition Containing Two Standardized Extracts of Curcuma longa and Morus alba, Mitigates Pain and Inflammation in Adjuvant-induced Arthritic Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {8}, year = {2016}, month = {February 2016}, pages = {112-117}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {112}, abstract = {

Background: Though, the initial etiologies of arthritis are multifactorial, clinically, patients share pain as the prime complaints. Present day pain relief therapeutics heavily relies on the use of prescription and over the counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as the first line of defense where their long-term usage causes gastrointestinal and cardiovascular-related side effects. Hence, the need for evidence-based safer and efficacious alternatives from natural sources to overcome the most prominent and disabling symptoms of arthritis is an overdue. Here, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of UP1304, a composition that contains a standardized blend of two extracts from the rhizome of Curcuma longa and the root bark of Morus alba in adjuvant-induced arthritis models in rats. Materials and Methods: The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the botanical composition were demonstrated in adjuvant-induced arthritis models in rats with oral dose ranges of 50{\textendash}200 mg/kg. Ibuprofen at a dose of 100 mg/kg was used as a reference compound. Ex vivo sulfated glycosaminoglycan inhibition assays were performed. Results: Statistically significant improvements in pain resistance, suppression of paw edema and ankle thickness were observed in animals treated with UP1304 compared to vehicle-treated diseased rats. These results were similar to those achieved by ibuprofen treatment. Inhibitions of proteoglycan degradation were observed in a range of 37.5{\textendash}61.7\% for concentration of UP1304 at 50{\textendash}200 {\textmu}g/mL when compared to interleukin-1α-exposed untreated explants. Conclusions: These data suggest that UP1304, for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, could potentially be considered agent of botanical origin for the improvement of arthritis associated symptoms.

}, keywords = {Anti-inflammatory, Arthritis, Bradykinin inhibition, Chronic pain, Curcuma longa, Morus alba}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.172563}, author = {Mesfin Yimam and Young-Chul Lee and Breanna Moore and Ping Jiao and Mei Hong and Jeong-Bum Nam and Mi-Ran Kim and Tae-Woo Kim and Hyun-Jin Kim and Eu-Jin Hyun and Min Chu and Lidia Brownell and Qi Jia} } @article {499, title = {UP1306, a Botanical Composition with Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Effect}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {8}, year = {2016}, month = {May 2016}, pages = {186-192}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {186}, abstract = {

Background: Pain, one of the cardinal signs of inflammation, is the most common clinical manifestations of arthritis. Conventional pain relief therapy heavily relies on the use of prescription and over the counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as the first line of defense where their long-term usage causes deleterious gastrointestinal and cardiovascular-related side-effects. Hence, there is an equivocal need for evidence-based safer and efficacious alternatives from natural sources to overcome the most prominent and disabling symptoms of arthritis. Materials and Methods: Carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and abdominal constriction (writhing{\textquoteright}s) assays in mouse were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of UP1306, a composition that contains a standardized blend of extracts from the heartwood of Acacia catechu and the root bark of Morus alba administered orally at dose ranges of 100{\textendash}300 mg/kg. Cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition assays were carried out to determine the IC50 of Acacia and Morus extracts. The merit of combining these two extracts was also assessed. Results: Statistically significant improvement in pain resistance and suppression of edema were observed in animals treated with UP1306, when compared to vehicle-treated diseased rats and mice. Results from the high dose of UP1306 (300 mg/kg) were similar to those achieved by ibuprofen treatment at a dose of 200 mg/kg in early hours of treatment. In vitro, UP1306 showed dose-dependent inhibition of the enzymatic activities of COX and LO with IC50 values of 20.9 μg/mL, 49.2 μg/mL, and 11.1 μg/mL in COX-1, COX-2, and 5{\textquoteright}-LO, respectively. Conclusions: These data suggest that UP1306, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory agent of botanical origin with dual COX-LO inhibition activity, could potentially be used to alleviate symptom associated to osteoarthritis.

}, keywords = {Acacia catechu, cyclooxygenase-LO dual inhibition, inflammatory pain, Morus alba, osteoarthritis}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.182918}, author = {Mesfin Yimam and Young-Chul Lee and Ping Jiao and Mei Hong and Jeong-Bum Nam and Lidia Brownell and Eujin Hyun and Qi Jia} } @article {569, title = {Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of UP3005, A Botanical Composition Containing Two Standardized Extracts of Uncaria gambir and Morus alba}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {7}, year = {2015}, month = {June 2015}, pages = {s39-s46}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {s39}, abstract = {

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic debilitating degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage degradation and synovial inflammation exhibited by clinical symptoms such as joint swelling, synovitis, and inflammatory pain. Present day pain relief therapeutics heavily relies on the use of prescription and over the counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as the first line of defense where their long-term usage causes detrimental gastrointestinal and cardiovascular-related side-effects. As a result, the need for evidence based safer and efficacious alternatives from natural sources to overcome the most prominent and disabling symptoms of arthritis is a necessity. Materials and Methods: Describe the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of UP3005, a composition that contains a standardized blend of two extracts from the leaf of Uncaria gambir and the root bark of Morus alba in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, abdominal constriction (writhing{\textquoteright}s) and ear swelling assays in mouse with oral dose ranges of 100-400 mg/kg. Results: In vivo, statistically significant improvement in pain resistance, and suppression of paw edema and ear thickness in animals treated with UP3005 were observed compared with vehicle-treated diseased rats and mice. Ibuprofen was used a reference compound in all the studies. In vitro, enzymatic inhibition activities of UP3005 were determined with IC50 values of 12.4 μg/ml, 39.8 μg/ml and 13.6 μg/ml in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-1), COX-2 and lipoxygenase (5-LOX) enzyme activity assay, respectively. Conclusions: These data suggest that UP3005, analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent of botanical origin with balanced dual COX-LOX inhibition activity, could potentially be used for symptom management of OA.

}, keywords = {Chronic pain, Cyclooxygenase-lipoxygenase dual inhibitor, Morus alba, osteoarthritis, Uncaria gambir}, doi = { 10.4103/0974-8490.157995}, author = {Mesfin Yimam and Young-Chul Lee and Tae-Woo Kim and Breanna Moore and Ping Jiao and Mei Hong and Hyun-Jin Kim and Jeong-Bum Nam and Mi-Ran Kim and Jin-Sun Oh and Sabrina Cleveland and Eu-Jin Hyun and Min Chu and Qi Jia} }