Unraveling the bioenergy production and electron transport characteristics of processed Rheum palmatum L. for antiviral drug development

Deciphering Houttuynia cordata extract as electron shuttles with anti-COVID-19 activity and its performance in microbial fuel cells

“… [21] emphasized that neurological processes involve numerous redox processes comprising neurotransmitters (e.g., epinephrine and dopamine) which owns a structural moiety aiding effective electron-shuttling efficiency and considerably increasing bioelectricity-generating performance in MFCs. Due to the COVID-19 pandemics, recent studies pointed out that the electron-shuttling characteristics of chemical species in TCMs as RMs were associated with an effective antiviral activity following the “twofold index” of its amplification factor on power-generation in MFCs [ 22 , 23 ]. In fact, major compounds in Rheum palmatum L.…”

“…In fact, major compounds in Rheum palmatum L. (e.g., aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion) had significant MFC amplification factor and expressed antiviral effects on Flaviviridae viruses causing Dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and Hepatitis C [22] . Notably, a potential candidate for anti-COVID-19 treatment from Coffea arabica , which also satisfied the twofold MFC amplification factor, was found to be chlorogenic acid in molecular simulations [23] .…”

In Silico Neuroprotective Effects of Specific Rheum palmatum Metabolites on Parkinson’s Disease Targets

“…In traditional Chinese medicine, the roots of Rheum palmatum (RP) or Chinese rhubarb are used for various therapeutic uses, including PD symptom treatment [ 33 ]. Previously, it has been revealed that anthraquinones (specifically chrysophanol, rhein, aloe-emodin, emodin, and physcion as shown in Figure 1 ) are abundant in RP [ 34 ]. Consequently, neurotransmitters such as dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and levodopa show redox-mediating activity for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and quasi-reversible redox ability in cyclic voltammetry measurements [ 35 ].…”

“…Also, PD medications were observed as quasi-reversible redox mediators where the electrochemical mechanism for biological function is still open for follow-up investigations [ 36 ]. Since RP extracts show good electron-shuttling characteristics, the major metabolites of RP may have similar activity as the treatment mentioned [ 34 ]. Indeed, prior studies have explored that emodin and chrysophanol exhibited neuroprotective properties in vitro and in vivo for PD [ 37 ].…”