Mert Ilhan1, Zulfiqar Ali2, Ikhlas A Khan2, Hakkı Taştan3, Esra Küpeli Akkol4. 1. Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Tuşba, 65080, Van, Turkey; Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Etiler, 06330, Ankara, Turkey; National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA. 2. National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA. 3. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gazi University, Etiler, 06330, Ankara, Turkey. 4. Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Etiler, 06330, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: esrak@gazi.edu.tr.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall. is commonly used for treating bronchitis, painful menstruation, hemorrhoids, kidney stones, ulcers of the eyes, earache, and hardening and swelling of uterus. The European Medicines Agency reported the use of M. officinalis orally against stomach ache, gastric ulcer, and disorders of the liver and uterus in folk medicine. The present study aimed to appraise the activity of M. (L.) Pall. aerial parts in endometriosis rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The endometriosis rat model was used to evaluate the potential activity of M. officinalis aerial parts based on its folkloric usage. The aerial parts of M. officinalis were extracted with n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and methanol (MeOH), respectively. The adhesion scores, endometrial foci areas, and cytokine levels were measured in all treated groups. After the biological activity studies, phytochemical studies were performed on the active extract and the fractions obtained from the active extract. RESULTS: The MeOH extract significantly decreased the endometrial foci areas and cytokine levels in rats with endometriosis. Fractionation was performed on the MeOH extract to achieve bioactive molecules. Following the fractionation, the fractions obtained from the MeOH extract were tested. Fraction C showed the highest activity in the rat endometriosis model. Phytochemical investigation of the active fraction (Fraction C) resulted in isolation and elucidation of some quercetin and kaempferol glucoside derivatives. CONCLUSION: Fraction C obtained from the MeOH extract of M. officinalis showed the highest activity, yielding four glycosylated flavonoids.
OBJECTIVE:Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall. is commonly used for treating bronchitis, painful menstruation, hemorrhoids, kidney stones, ulcers of the eyes, earache, and hardening and swelling of uterus. The European Medicines Agency reported the use of M. officinalis orally against stomach ache, gastric ulcer, and disorders of the liver and uterus in folk medicine. The present study aimed to appraise the activity of M. (L.) Pall. aerial parts in endometriosisrat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The endometriosisrat model was used to evaluate the potential activity of M. officinalis aerial parts based on its folkloric usage. The aerial parts of M. officinalis were extracted with n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and methanol (MeOH), respectively. The adhesion scores, endometrial foci areas, and cytokine levels were measured in all treated groups. After the biological activity studies, phytochemical studies were performed on the active extract and the fractions obtained from the active extract. RESULTS: The MeOH extract significantly decreased the endometrial foci areas and cytokine levels in rats with endometriosis. Fractionation was performed on the MeOH extract to achieve bioactive molecules. Following the fractionation, the fractions obtained from the MeOH extract were tested. Fraction C showed the highest activity in the ratendometriosis model. Phytochemical investigation of the active fraction (Fraction C) resulted in isolation and elucidation of some quercetin and kaempferol glucoside derivatives. CONCLUSION: Fraction C obtained from the MeOH extract of M. officinalis showed the highest activity, yielding four glycosylated flavonoids.