Herbal anti-inflammatory solutions

Vietnam has biodiversity with thousands of valuable medicinal plants that can be used to make functional foods that are very good for health. (Photo: Perilla plants are grown and cared for at the Muong Long Center for Conservation and Development of Medicinal Plants).

There are more than 370 species of the plant called the Chinese clematis, widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions around the world ; many of which have medicinal value, notably anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and cytotoxic activities. In Vietnam, 12 species have been recorded, of which the three-leaf Chinese clematis (Chinese clematis) often grows in the rivers and canals of the South and can be used to prepare anti-inflammatory preparations.

The genus Combretum is the largest genus in the family Combretaceae, which are trees and shrubs. Currently, in Vietnam, there are many species of Combretaceae, but only five are used by people to improve health and treat liver, stomach, and jaundice diseases.

Dr. Nguyen Tan Phat and scientists at the Institute of Advanced Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (Academy) have successfully carried out the project "Research on chemical composition and creation of anti-inflammatory preparations from Combretum trifoliatum" (code: VAST04. 08/23-24). During the research process of this Combretum trifoliatum, Dr. Nguyen Tan Phat and his colleagues analyzed the chemical composition and evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity; and developed a process to isolate and purify 25 valuable compounds.

There are more than 370 species of the plant called the Chinese clematis, widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions around the world; many of which have medicinal value, notably anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and cytotoxic activities. In Vietnam, 12 species have been recorded, of which the three-leafed Chinese clematis (Chinese clematis) often grows in the rivers and canals of the South and can be used to prepare anti-inflammatory preparations.

The team also discovered two new saponin compounds, comtrifoside A and comtrifoside B, in the leaves. These are compounds belonging to the triterpenoid group, which are known for their many biological effects such as: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, liver protection and anti-cancer potential.

In addition, nine compounds were first discovered in the genus combretum and 14 compounds were first isolated from the species C.trifoliatum, contributing to enriching the natural compound treasure of Vietnamese plants. Scientists focused on studying the composition and anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production of extracts and compounds isolated from the leaves of the three-leafed myrtle.

According to Dr. Nguyen Tan Phat, inflammation is a natural protective response and also the first line of defense of the immune system. This is a common, dynamic process in the body, playing an important role in maintaining homeostasis and tissue repair. However, many studies have shown that when inflammation becomes chronic, it can cause cell, tissue or organ dysfunction, and increase the risk of acute vascular events and many serious diseases such as chronic enteritis, obesity, diabetes or cancer.

On that basis, the research team tested the anti-inflammatory activity of extracts from the leaves of the plant, through the ability to inhibit nitric oxide production on RAW264.7 macrophage cells. The results showed that some extract fractions, especially the saponin-rich extract CTE.1, showed significant effects (with IC50 of only 46.39 µg/mL). Among the 12 purified compounds examined, many compounds such as ursolic acid, pomolic acid, uncaric acid, belleric acid, etc. demonstrated clear anti-inflammatory effects.

The research topic has contributed to the research treasure of biologically active natural substances.
Dr. Bui Dinh Thach, Member of the Project Acceptance Council
Academy

In the coming time, the group of authors will continue to focus on researching the body parts and fruits of this species of Myrtles; at the same time, in-depth research will be conducted to determine the anti-inflammatory mechanism through the inhibition of nuclear factorKB (NF-KB), inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) gene... Previously, scientists also successfully formulated an anti-inflammatory preparation from the leaves of the Myrtles.

Evaluating the research results of the group of authors, Dr. Bui Dinh Thach, member of the Academy's Project Acceptance Council, said: The research topic has contributed to the research treasure of natural active ingredients with biological activity. Specifically, the research group has isolated and purified 25 compounds from n-hexane extract, EtOAc extract, MeOH extract and 75% MeOH from the leaves of the three-leafed myrtle; thereby, creating a scientific basis for promoting the development of herbal products to serve the management, use and effective utilization of available local materials, contributing to the development of the local economy .

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