A 20-hydroxyecdysone-enriched fraction from Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) pedersen roots alleviates stress, anxiety, and depression in mice.

Pfaffia glomerata roots are widely used in Brazil to treat various pathological conditions, particularly psychological disorders. 20-hydroxyecdysone, a phytosteroid present in the plant, can promote greater body resistance against exogenous and endogenous stressors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible neuroprotective effect of a 20-hydroxyecdysone-enriched fraction (20E-EF), obtained from P. glomerata roots, in an acute murine stress model. The 20E-EF was obtained by partitioning the methanol extract from P. glomerata roots with dichloromethane. Mice were treated by gavage with three doses of 20E-EF (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg) and parameters of stress, anxiety, and depression were evaluated. Biomarkers of oxidative stress (enzymes, antioxidant profile, and oxidized molecules) were evaluated in the cortex, striatum (basal ganglia), and hippocampus of animals treated with 30 mg/kg of 20E-EF. Mass spectrometry revealed that 20E was the main compound in the dichloromethane fraction. At a dose of 30 mg/kg, 20E-EF reduced stress, anxiety, and depression, while stimulating antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase), promoting antioxidant activity (antioxidant capacity, sulfhydryl groups, and reduced glutathione), and reducing oxidative markers (lipid peroxidation). In addition, 20E increased the concentration of NO in the striatum, possibly improving memory function and antioxidant activity. A 30 mg/kg dose of 20E-EF was able to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, in addition to maintaining antioxidant defenses of the cortex and striatum. These findings open new perspectives for understanding the therapeutic properties of P. glomerata and the underlying mechanism(s).

Franco RR ，de Almeida Takata L ，Chagas K ，Justino AB ，Saraiva AL ，Goulart LR ，de Melo Rodrigues Ávila V ，Otoni WC ，Espindola FS ，da Silva CR ... -  《-》

Phytochemical composition of aerial parts and roots of Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen and anticholinesterase, antioxidant, and antiglycation activities.

Franco RR ，Franco RM ，Justino AB ，Borges ALS ，Bittar VP ，Saito N ，Saraiva AL ，Júnior NN ，Otoni WC ，Espindola FS ... -  《-》

A comprehensive review of Pfaffia glomerata botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, biological activities, and biotechnology.

Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen, Amaranthaceae, is found in South America, mainly in Brazil, where it is considered a species of great medicinal interest owing to its popular use as a tonic, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic. These properties can be attributed to the presence of the phytosteroid, 20-Hydroxyecdysone (β-ecdysone), the main compound found in its roots. This review aims to provide information about the botanical characteristics, ethnomedicinal uses, the phytochemistry, the biological activities, and the biotechnology of P. glomerata, an important species to local communities and groups researching medicinal plants of South America. The information available on P. glomerata was collected from scientific databases (ScienceDirect, PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, and Scopus) until June 7, 2023, using the search terms "Pfaffia glomerata", "Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen", and "Brazilian ginseng". The review includes studies that evaluated the botanical, ethnopharmacological, and phytochemical aspects, biological properties, nutraceutical uses, and the application of biotechnology for improving the biosynthesis of metabolites of interest. A total of 207 studies were identified, with 81 articles read in full. Seventy-six studies were included for qualitative synthesis. Overall, 40 compounds belonging to different classes are presented in this review, including ecdysteroids, triterpenes, saponins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, tannins, coumarins, alkaloids, and polysaccharides. Among them, flavonoids, anthraquinones, tannins, coumarins, and alkaloids were only putatively identified. β-Ecdysone, triterpenes, saponins, and polysaccharides are the chemical components most frequently identified and isolated from P. glomerata and possibly responsible for ethnopharmacological use and the biological activities of this species, with important in vitro and in vivo activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, analgesic, gastroprotective, antioxidant, and prebiotic. This review summarizes discussions about the P. glomerata species, highlighting its ethnopharmacological, chemical, biotechnological, and nutraceutical importance. New scientific studies on this species are encouraged in the search for new therapeutic molecules with pharmaceutical potential and nutraceutical applications.

Cotrim Ribeiro ST ，Gancedo NC ，Braz de Oliveira AJ ，Correia Gonçalves RA ... -  《-》

Banana fruit pulp and peel involved in antianxiety and antidepressant effects while invigorate memory performance in male mice: Possible role of potential antioxidants.

Samad N ，Muneer A ，Ullah N ，Zaman A ，Ayaz MM ，Ahmad I ... -  《-》

Diet supplements of banana fruit pulp mitigates repeated noise stress induced behavioral deficits and oxidative stress.

Samad N ，Yasmin F ，Khaliq S ，Ahmad S ，Azizuddin - ，Mustafa S ... -  《-》