Shedding Light into the Connection between Chemical Components and Biological Effects of Extracts from <i>Epilobium hirsutum</i>: Is It a Potent Source of Bioactive Agents from Natural Treasure?
Gunes Ak,
Gokhan Zengin,
Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally,
Eulogio Llorent-Martínez,
Giustino Orlando,
Annalisa Chiavaroli,
Luigi Brunetti,
Lucia Recinella,
Sheila Leone,
Simonetta Cristina Di Simone,
Luigi Menghini,
Claudio Ferrante
Affiliations
Gunes Ak
Physiology and Biochemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Selcuk University, 42250 Konya, Turkey
Gokhan Zengin
Physiology and Biochemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Selcuk University, 42250 Konya, Turkey
Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally
Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Mauritius, Réduit 80837, Mauritius
Eulogio Llorent-Martínez
Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, Campus Las Lagunillas S/N, University of Jaén, E-23071 Jaén, Spain
Giustino Orlando
Department of Pharmacy, Botanic Garden “Giardino dei Semplici”, Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Annalisa Chiavaroli
Department of Pharmacy, Botanic Garden “Giardino dei Semplici”, Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Luigi Brunetti
Department of Pharmacy, Botanic Garden “Giardino dei Semplici”, Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Lucia Recinella
Department of Pharmacy, Botanic Garden “Giardino dei Semplici”, Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Sheila Leone
Department of Pharmacy, Botanic Garden “Giardino dei Semplici”, Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Simonetta Cristina Di Simone
Department of Pharmacy, Botanic Garden “Giardino dei Semplici”, Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Luigi Menghini
Department of Pharmacy, Botanic Garden “Giardino dei Semplici”, Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Claudio Ferrante
Department of Pharmacy, Botanic Garden “Giardino dei Semplici”, Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Epilobium hirsutum is extensively used as a traditional remedy in folk medicine, especially against prostate inflammation. Therefore, we evaluated the chemical profiles and biopharmaceutical potentials of different extracts of E. hirsutum aerial parts and roots. Metabolomic, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibitory profiles were investigated. Human prostate cancer PC3 cells were exposed to the extracts to evaluate antiproliferative effects. Gene expression and bioinformatics analyses were performed to investigate anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Oenothein B and myricetin were prominent compounds in the extracts. In scavenging/reducing assays, the methanol, infusion, and methanol/water extracts exhibited similar activities. We also observed the reduction of PC3 viability occurring following exposure to methanol and methanol/water extracts. According to bioinformatics analysis, myricetin was predicted to interact with COX-2 and TNFα. The interaction between TNFα and oxo-dihydroxy-octadecenoic acid was predicted as well. Intriguingly, the gene expression of COX-2 and TNFα was reduced in PC3 cells after exposure to methanol and methanol/water extracts. These effects were paralleled by the decreased gene expression of IL-8 and NFkB and the inhibition of PGE2 release. Therefore, the present findings suggest the potential use of E. hirsutum for the management of the burden of inflammation and oxidative stress occurring in lower urinary tract diseases, including prostatitis.
