1. A novel cytotoxic flavonoid glycoside from Physalis angulata.

Ismail N, Alam M.

College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun, Houston, TX 77204-5515, USA. nargisi@hotmail.com

Fitoterapia. 2001 Aug;72(6):676-9.

PMID: 11543968 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

2. Antigonorrhoeal activity of plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.

Caceres A, Menendez H, Mendez E, Cohobon E, Samayoa BE, Jauregui E, Peralta E, Carrillo G.

Faculty of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of San Carlos, Guatemala City, Guatemala.

J Ethnopharmacol. 1995 Oct;48(2):85-8

PMID: 8583798 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

3. Antihepatoma activity of Physalis angulata and P. peruviana extracts and their effects on apoptosis in human Hep G2 cells.

Wu SJ, Ng LT, Chen CH, Lin DL, Wang SS, Lin CC.

Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, ROC.

Life Sci. 2004 Mar 5;74(16):2061-73

PMID: 14967200 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

4. Antimycobacterial physalins from Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae).

Januario AH, Filho ER, Pietro RC, Kashima S, Sato DN, Franca SC.

Unidade de Biotecnologia Vegetal, Universidade de Ribeirao Preto - UNAERP, Brazil.

Phytother Res. 2002 Aug;16(5):445-8

PMID: 12203265 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

5. Antitumor agent, physalin F from Physalis angulata L.

Chiang HC, Jaw SM, Chen CF, Kan WS.

School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, ROC.

Anticancer Res. 1992 May-Jun;12(3):837-43

PMID: 1622143 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

6. Evaluation of efficacy and safety of a herbal medicine used for the treatment of malaria.

Ankrah NA, Nyarko AK, Addo PG, Ofosuhene M, Dzokoto C, Marley E, Addae MM, Ekuban FA.

Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Gana. nankrah@noguchi.mimcom.net

Phytother Res. 2003 Jun;17(6):697-701

PMID: 12820245 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

7. Immunomodulatory activity of various fractions derived from Physalis angulata L extract.

Lin YS, Chiang HC, Kan WS, Hone E, Shih SJ, Won MH.

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan.

Am J Chin Med. 1992;20(3-4):233-43

PMID: 1471607 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

8. Inhibition of macrophage activation and lipopolysaccaride-induced death by seco-steroids purified from Physalis angulata L.

Soares MB, Bellintani MC, Ribeiro IM, Tomassini TC, Ribeiro dos Santos R.

Centro de Pesquisas Goncalo Moniz, Rua Waldemar Falcao, 121-Brotas-FIOCRUZ, 40295-001 BA, Salvador, Brazil. milena@cpqgm@fiocruz.br

Eur J Pharmacol. 2003 Jan 10;459(1):107-12

PMID: 12505539 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

9. Inhibitory effects of physalin B and physalin F on various human leukemia cells in vitro.

Chiang HC, Jaw SM, Chen PM.

School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, ROC.

Anticancer Res. 1992 Jul-Aug;12(4):1155-62

PMID: 1503404 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

10. Investigations of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Piper cubeba, Physalis angulata and Rosa hybrida.

Choi EM, Hwang JK.

Department of Biotechnology and Bioproducts Research Center, Yonsei University, Shinchon-dong 134, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, South Korea.

J Ethnopharmacol. 2003 Nov;89(1):171-5

PMID: 14522451 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

11. Molluscicidal activity of Physalis angulata L. extracts and fractions on Biomphalaria tenagophila (d’Orbigny, 1835) under laboratory conditions.

dos Santos JA, Tomassini TC, Xavier DC, Ribeiro IM, da Silva MT, de Morais Filho ZB.

Nucleo de Biologia e Controle de Endo e Ectoparasita de Interesse Medico e Veterinario, Departamento de Biologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21045-900, Brasil. santosja@ioc.fiocruz.br

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2003 Apr;98(3):425-8. Epub 2003 Jul 18.

12. Trypanocidal constituents in plants 4. Withanolides from the aerial parts of Physalis angulata.

Nagafuji S, Okabe H, Akahane H, Abe F.

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.

Biol Pharm Bull. 2004 Feb;27(2):193-7

PMID: 14758032 [PubMed - in process]

1. A novel cytotoxic flavonoid glycoside from Physalis angulata.

Ismail N, Alam M.

College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun, Houston, TX 77204-5515, USA. nargisi@hotmail.com

Fitoterapia. 2001 Aug;72(6):676-9.

A new flavonol glycoside, myricetin 3-O-neohesperidoside (1) was isolated from a cytotoxic MeOH extract of the leaves of Physalis angulata. Compound 1 showed remarkable cytotoxicity in vitro against murine leukemia cell line P-388, epidermoid carcinoma of the nasopharynx KB-16 cells, and lung adenocarcinoma A-549 with ED(50) values of 0.048, 0.50 and 0.55 microg ml(-1), respectively.

PMID: 11543968 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

2. Antigonorrhoeal activity of plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.

Caceres A, Menendez H, Mendez E, Cohobon E, Samayoa BE, Jauregui E, Peralta E, Carrillo G.

Faculty of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of San Carlos, Guatemala City, Guatemala.

J Ethnopharmacol. 1995 Oct;48(2):85-8

Plants popularly used in Guatemala for the treatment of gonorrhoea were macerated in 50% alcohol and the tincture tested for in vitro activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae using strains isolated from symptomatic patients and confirmed by standard bacteriological procedures. From 46 plants investigated, 13 (28.3%) showed evident inhibition zones (> 9 mm), seven (15.2%) showed small activity (6.1-8.9 mm) and 26 (56.5%) showed no activity; nine of these plants inhibited five strains of N. gonorrhoea freshly isolated. The most active plants of American origin were: bark of Bixa orellana fruits of Parmentiera edulis, leaf of Diphysa robinioides, Eupatorium odoratum, Gliricidia sepium, Physalis angulata, Piper aduncum and Prosopis juliflora, root of Casimiroa edulis, and whole Clematis dioica.

PMID: 8583798 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

3. Antihepatoma activity of Physalis angulata and P. peruviana extracts and their effects on apoptosis in human Hep G2 cells.

Wu SJ, Ng LT, Chen CH, Lin DL, Wang SS, Lin CC.

Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, ROC.

Life Sci. 2004 Mar 5;74(16):2061-73

Physalis angulata and P. peruviana are herbs widely used in folk medicine. In this study, the aqueous and ethanol extracts prepared from the whole plant of these species were evaluated for their antihepatoma activity. Using XTT assay, three human hepatoma cells, namely Hep G2, Hep 3B and PLC/PRF/5 were tested. The results showed that ethanol extract of P. peruviana (EEPP) possessed the lowest IC50 value against the Hep G2 cells. Interestingly, all extracts showed no cytotoxic effect on normal mouse liver cells. Treatment with carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone, a protonophore, caused a reduction of membrane potential (Deltapsim) by mitochondrial membrane depolarization. At high concentrations, EEPP was shown to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through mitochondrial dysfunction as demonstrated by the following observations: (i) EEPP induced the collapse of Deltapsim and the depletion of glutathione content in a dose dependent manner; (ii) pretreatment with the antioxidant (1.0 microg/ml vitamin E) protected cells from EEPP-induced release of ROS; and (iii) at concentrations 10 to 50 microg/ml, EEPP displayed a dose-dependent accumulation of the Sub-G1 peak (hypoploid) and caused G0/G1-phase arrest. Apoptosis was elicited when the cells were treated with 50 microg/ml EEPP as characterized by the appearance of phosphatidylserine on the outer surface of the plasma membrane. The results conclude that EEPP possesses potent antihepatoma activity and its effect on apoptosis is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.

PMID: 14967200 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

4. Antimycobacterial physalins from Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae).

Januario AH, Filho ER, Pietro RC, Kashima S, Sato DN, Franca SC.

Unidade de Biotecnologia Vegetal, Universidade de Ribeirao Preto - UNAERP, Brazil.

Phytother Res. 2002 Aug;16(5):445-8

Crude extracts and fractions from aerial parts of Physalis angulata have been bioassayed for antimycobacterial activity. Fraction A1-29-12 containing physalins B, F and D exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration value (MIC) against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Rv strain of 32 microg/mL. Purified physalin B and physalin D were also tested showing MIC values against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Rv strain of > 128 microg/mL and 32 microg/mL respectively, suggesting that physalin D plays a relevant role in the antimycobacterial activity displayed. Structural elucidation of both physalins D and B was based on detailed (13)C and (1)H NMR spectral analysis with the aid of 2D-correlation spectroscopy ((1)H-(1)H, COSY, HSQC and HMBC). The assignment of the (13)C chemical shift for physalin D is reported here for the first time. Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID: 12203265 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

5. Antitumor agent, physalin F from Physalis angulata L.

Chiang HC, Jaw SM, Chen CF, Kan WS.

School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, ROC.

Anticancer Res. 1992 May-Jun;12(3):837-43

Physalin F and physalin D were isolated and characterized from the ethanolic extract of the whole plant of Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae). Systematic fractionation of the ethanolic extract of the plant led to characterization of physalin F from the fraction PAIV-2 as an active ingredient which showed cytotoxicity in vitro by DEA and MTT assays on 8 cancer cell lines, five human cancer cell lines: HA22T(hepatoma), HeLa(cervix uteri), KB(nasopharynx), Colo-205(colon) and Calu-1(lung); and three animal cancer cell lines: H1477(melanoma), Hep-2(laryngeal) and 8401(glioma). It was found that the anti-hepatoma action is the strongest, and the anti-HeLa is the next. Physalin F also had an antitumor effect in vivo against P388 lymphocytic leukemia in mice whereas physalin D was inactive both in vitro and in vivo.

PMID: 1622143 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

6. Evaluation of efficacy and safety of a herbal medicine used for the treatment of malaria.

Ankrah NA, Nyarko AK, Addo PG, Ofosuhene M, Dzokoto C, Marley E, Addae MM, Ekuban FA.

Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Gana. nankrah@noguchi.mimcom.net

Phytother Res. 2003 Jun;17(6):697-701

Resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine has been reported in several countries. Other anti-malarial drugs in use are expensive and not readily accessible to most people in malaria endemic countries. This has led to renewed interest in the development of herbal medicines that have the potential to treat malaria with little or no side effects. This study obtained a preliminary information on the safety and effectiveness of a plant decoction (AM-1), used in treating malaria.The AM-1 is formulated from Jatropha curcas, Gossypium hirsutum, Physalis angulata and Delonix regia. Patients with suspected malaria attending a herbal clinic were enrolled in the study on voluntary basis. They were hospitalized for treatment, clinical observation, biochemical and haematological monitoring, and parasite clearance while on AM-1. In addition male and female Sprague Dawley rats were used to evaluate the acute and subchronic toxicity effects of AM-1.The AM-1 eliminated malaria parasites (Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium malarie) from the peripheral blood of patients with malaria. In addition the AM-1 did not show any undesired effects in the patients as well as in laboratory rats. The AM-1, however, showed differential effect on the activities of selected cytochrome P450 isozymes (7-pentoxyresorufin-O-depentylation, 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylation and p-nitrophenol hydroxylase) in relation to sex of the laboratory rats.These results indicate that AM-1 could be used to treat malaria. However, it could precipitate interactions with other drugs via their biotransformation and elimination. The obtained data warrant further studies in a large number of malaria subjects with monitoring for possible drug interactions. Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID: 12820245 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

7. Immunomodulatory activity of various fractions derived from Physalis angulata L extract.

Lin YS, Chiang HC, Kan WS, Hone E, Shih SJ, Won MH.

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan.

Am J Chin Med. 1992;20(3-4):233-43

The immunomodulatory effects of Physalis angulata L. extract fraction VII (PA-VII), PA-VII-A, PA-VII-B and PA-VII-C were investigated in this study. The results showed that PA-VII and PA-VII-C strongly enhanced blastogenesis response, PA-VII-B had moderate activity, and PA-VII-A exerted only slight effect on cell proliferation. A synergistic effect was observed when the suboptimal dosage of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was added to the culture. Furthermore, PA-VII and PA-VII-C possessed stimulatory activity on B cells and less effect on T cells. The antibody responses were also augmented by PA-VII, PA-VII-B and PA-VII-C, but not by PA-VII-A. The enhancement of antibody response could be observed both in BALB/c and C3H/HeJ mice.

PMID: 1471607 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

8. Inhibition of macrophage activation and lipopolysaccaride-induced death by seco-steroids purified from Physalis angulata L.

Soares MB, Bellintani MC, Ribeiro IM, Tomassini TC, Ribeiro dos Santos R.

Centro de Pesquisas Goncalo Moniz, Rua Waldemar Falcao, 121-Brotas-FIOCRUZ, 40295-001 BA, Salvador, Brazil. milena@cpqgm@fiocruz.br

Eur J Pharmacol. 2003 Jan 10;459(1):107-12

Physalis angulata L. is an annual herb widely used in popular medicine for the treatment of a variety of pathologies. Here, we tested immunomodulatory activities of physalins, seco-steroids purified from P. angulata extracts. Addition of physalins B, F or G, but not D, caused a reduction in nitric oxide production by macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccaride and interferon-gamma. In the presence of physalin B, macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccaride, alone or in combination with interferon-gamma, produced lower levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-12. The inhibitory activity of physalin B, unlike that of dexamethasone, was not reversed by RU486 [(4-dimethylamino) phenyl-17beta-hydroxy-17-(1-propynyl)estra-4,9-dien-3-one], an antiglucocorticoid. Physalin B-treated mice had lower levels of serum TNF-alpha than control mice after lipopolysaccaride challenge. More importantly, mice injected with physalins B, F or G survived after a lethal lipopolysaccaride challenge. These results demonstrate that seco-steroids from P. angulata are potent immunomodulatory substances and act through a mechanism distinct from that of dexamethasone.

PMID: 12505539 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

9. Inhibitory effects of physalin B and physalin F on various human leukemia cells in vitro.

Chiang HC, Jaw SM, Chen PM.

School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, ROC.

Anticancer Res. 1992 Jul-Aug;12(4):1155-62

Physalins B and F were isolated and characterized from the ethanolic extract of the whole plant of Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae). Both physalin B and physalin F inhibited the growth of several human leukemia cells: K562 (erythroleukemia), APM1840 (acute T lymphoid leukemia), HL-60 (acute promyelocytic leukemia), KG-1 (acute myeloid leukemia), CTV1 (acute monocytic leukemia) and B cell (acute B lymphoid leukemia). Physalin F showed a stronger activity against these leukemia cells than physalin B, especially against acute myeloid leukemia (KG-1) and acute B lymphoid leukemia (B cell). From the structural features, the active site seems to be the functional epoxy group for physalin F and the double bond for physalin B located at carbon 5 and 6; the former is much more active than the latter as regards anti-leukemic effects.

PMID: 1503404 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

10. Investigations of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Piper cubeba, Physalis angulata and Rosa hybrida.

Choi EM, Hwang JK.

Department of Biotechnology and Bioproducts Research Center, Yonsei University, Shinchon-dong 134, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, South Korea.

J Ethnopharmacol. 2003 Nov;89(1):171-5

The anti-inflammatory activities of Piper cubeba (fruit), Physalis angulata (flower) and Rosa hybrida (flower) were determined by carrageenan-induced paw edema, arachidonic acid-induced ear edema and formaldehyde-induced arthritis in mice. The anti-allergic and analgesic activities of these plants were also studied by using 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact hypersensitivity reaction (type IV) and hot plate test in mice, respectively. These plant extracts clearly exhibited inhibitory effects against acute and subacute inflammation by oral administration (200 mg/kg). Also, administration (200 mg/kg, p.o.) of plant extracts for 1 week significantly inhibited type IV allergic reaction in mice (P<0.05). Rosa hybrida showed an analgesic effect against hot plate-induced thermal stimulation at a dose of 200 mg/kg. These results provide support for the use of Rosa hybrida in relieving inflammatory pain, and insight into the development of new agents for treating inflammatory diseases.

PMID: 14522451 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

11. Molluscicidal activity of Physalis angulata L. extracts and fractions on Biomphalaria tenagophila (d’Orbigny, 1835) under laboratory conditions.

dos Santos JA, Tomassini TC, Xavier DC, Ribeiro IM, da Silva MT, de Morais Filho ZB.

Nucleo de Biologia e Controle de Endo e Ectoparasita de Interesse Medico e Veterinario, Departamento de Biologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21045-900, Brasil. santosja@ioc.fiocruz.br

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2003 Apr;98(3):425-8. Epub 2003 Jul 18.

The main objective of this research is to evaluate the molluscicide activity of Physalis angulata L. Biomphalaria tenagophila specimens under laboratory conditions. Extracts and fractions were supplied by the Laborat rio de Qu mica de Produtos Naturais, Farmanguinhos-Fiocruz. Experiments were performed according to the methodology described by the World Health Organization for molluscicide tests using the concentrations from 0.1 to 500 mg/l of the extracts, fractions and of a pool of physalins modified steroids present in this species. The results show that ethyl acetate and acetone extracts from the whole plant, the ethanolic extracts of the roots and the physalins pool from stems and leaves were active. Only the whole plant extracts were available in sufficient quantity for the determination of LD50 and LD90 values.

12. Trypanocidal constituents in plants 4. Withanolides from the aerial parts of Physalis angulata.

Nagafuji S, Okabe H, Akahane H, Abe F.

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.

Biol Pharm Bull. 2004 Feb;27(2):193-7

The constituents of the aerial parts of Physalis angulata (Solanaceae) were investigated based on the plant’s trypanocidal activity against epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent for Chagas’ disease. Four new withanolides were isolated, along with six known ones, from the active fraction. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis. Trypanocidal activity against trypomastigotes, an infectious form of T. cruzi, was also estimated, as well as cytotoxic activity against human uterine carcinoma (HeLa) cells in vitro. Evaluation of trypanocidal activity using the colorimetric reagent Cell Counting Kit-8 was also examined.

PMID: 14758032 [PubMed - in process]