Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Genus Gynura: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background:Gynura species have been used traditionally to treat various ailments, such as fever, pain, and to control blood glucose level. This systematic review critically discusses studies regarding Gynura species that exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, thus providing perspectives and instructions for future research of the plants as a potential source of new dietary supplements or medicinal agents.Methods: A literature search from internet databases of PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, e-theses Online Service, and ProQuest was carried out using a combination of keywords such as “Gynura,” “antioxidant,” “anti-inflammatory,” or other related words. Research articles were included in this study if they were experimental (in vitro and in vivo) or clinical studies on the antioxidant or anti-inflammatory effects of Gynura species and if they were articles published in English.Results: Altogether, 27 studies on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Gynura species were selected. The antioxidant effects of Gynura species were manifested by inhibition of reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation, modulation of glutathione-related parameters, and enzymatic antioxidant production or activities. The anti-inflammatory effects of Gynura species were through the modulation of inflammatory cytokine production, inhibition of prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide production, cellular inflammatory-related parameters, and inflammation in animal models. The potential anti-inflammatory signaling pathways modulated by Gynura species are glycogen synthase kinase-3, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, PPARγ, MAPK, NF-κB, and PI3K/Akt. However, most reports on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the plants were on crude extracts, and the chemical constituents contributing to bioactivities were not clearly understood. There is a variation in quality of studies in terms of design, conduct, and interpretation, and in-depth studies on the underlying mechanisms involved in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the plants are in demand. Moreover, there is limited clinical study on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Gynura species.Conclusion: This review highlighted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of genus Gynura and supported their traditional uses to treat oxidative stress and inflammatory-related diseases. This review is expected to catalyze further studies on genus Gynura. However, extensive preclinical data need to be generated from toxicity and pharmacokinetic studies before clinical studies can be pursued for their development into clinical medicines to treat oxidative stress and inflammatory conditions.

Potentials of Gynura procumbens to modulate chronic stress and immunological responses in Oreochromis niloticus

“…Gynura species are known to possess anti-inflammatory effects. These anti-inflammatory properties work by modulation of inflammatory cytokine production, inhibition of prostaglandin E 2 and nitric oxide production, cellular inflammatory-related parameters, and inflammation in animal models [ 37 ]. The results of the biological evaluation of GPE have supported the medical usage of this plant as a topical anti-inflammatory agent in Thai traditional medicine.…”

Gynura procumbensLeaf Extract-Loaded Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery System Offers Enhanced Protective Effects in the Hepatorenal Organs of the Experimental Rats

“…Gynura procumbens is a plant whose fresh leaves can be consumed raw or cooked 15 . Multiple reports have demonstrated that Gynura procumbens Leaves extract (GLE) contains a variety of secondary metabolites, including quercetin, gallic acid, kaempferol, kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, rutin, chlorogenic acid, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, 3,5-dicafeoylquinate methyl ester, terpenoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and astragali 16,17 . In addition, it possesses a diverse array of pharmacological actions, including antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, organ-protective, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activity.…”

Assessment of antibacterial activity and cytotoxic effects of in vitro and in vivo plant parts of a medicinal plant Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr.

“…It has widespread habitats in Africa [ 1 ] and the tropics of Southeast Asia [ 2 ]. G. procumbens possesses a high therapeutic potential and is used as a traditional medicine for rashes, kidney problems, constipation, hypertension, migraines, diabetes, urinary infections, fever, dysentery, cancer, and inflammation [ [3] , [4] , [5] ]. Pharmacological studies have also revealed the potential of G. procumbens as a treatment for anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-herpes simplex virus, anti-cancer, and as an analgesic agent like others medicinal plants [ [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] ].…”

“…The bioactive compounds found in the leaves of G. procumbens have a number of positive health effects [ 12 ]. In this era of rising demand for herbal medicines, the medicinal properties of G. procumbens can be effectively used for the development of novel medications [ 3 , 13 ]. Cuttings, which are the traditional method of propagation for this plant, are unable to meet the plant's large-scale commercial demand, whereas the in vitro culture technique does so quickly, in a sterile environment, and without compromising quality [ 14 ].…”