Keywords
Curculigo orchioides
- phytochemistry - bioactivity - medicinal herb
Introduction
Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. (www.theplantlist.org) is an endangered flowering plant species; it belongs to the genus Curculigo of the family Hypoxidaceae. It is globally distributed in Asian countries such as
India, Japan, China and Nepal. It is a tropical plant and is found in almost all districts
of India, from near sea level up to 400 m altitude, especially in rock crevices and
laterite soil. The plant is called “Kali Musli” in India and “Xian mao” in China.
The rhizome is used in the Ayurvedic system and traditional Chinese medicines. In
China, the rhizome extract is used to treat irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, and
dysmenorrhea and in strengthening the spleen, kidney, bones, muscles, etc.[1] The traditional use of rhizomes as per Ayurveda is known to be used in the preparation
of Rasayana (antiaging), Vrushya (aphrodisiac), Brimhana (improving weight), etc.
The usage of C. orchioides in China can be traced back to the first year of the Kaiyuan reign (AD 713), when
this plant was offered to the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty as a tribute by a Brahman
monk from the western region.[1]
C. orchioides is now a significant resource in many pharmaceutical industries for its medicinal
properties such as antidiabetic, aphrodisiac, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory,
and antioxidative.[1] Bioactive compound curculigoside plays a significant role; it is the phenolic glycoside
isolated from the plant's rhizomes. The plant contains mannose, mucilage, starch,
fat, glucuronic acid, and xylose. Researchers have isolated 61 phytochemicals from
the whole plant. The present review critically evaluates the claims made by various
in vitro and in vivo studies performed globally to understand the bioactivity of C. orchioides.
Phytology and Cultivation
Phytology and Cultivation
C. orchioides is a herbaceous, geophilus, perennial plant. It is mainly found in the hilly regions
as compared with the plains. The plant grows up to 30 cm in height. The harvesting
time is mainly from July to October. Leaves are sessile or petiolate 15–45 × 1.2–2.5 cm,[2] linear-lanceolate, tips sometimes rooting, scape very short, and clavate. The plant's
leaf often produces adventitious buds at the tip whenever in contact with soil. The
roots are cylindrical, straight, and tuberous, and it grows up to 5 to 22 cm long
and 0.5 to 0.8 cm thick. It opens a golden yellow flower at the leaf base every day
during the flowering period. Seeds are black, oblong, deeply grooved in wavy lines.
It is a tropical plant; well-drained laterite soil is considered the best for cultivation.
Phytoconstituents
The plant extracts can be made with various solvents to isolate and purify the active
compounds responsible for the bioactivity. Column chromatography is the primary technique
used, which is further accelerated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC),
and different varieties of spectroscopic techniques are used to identify the purified
compounds like ultraviolet-visible, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass
spectroscopy. C. orchioides has an array of phytoconstituents. The qualitative analysis of rhizomes and whole
plant extracts shows phenolics, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenes, and
steroids in the extracts.[3]
[4]
[5]. Some of the bioactive compounds isolated from the plant are described in the following.
Glycosides
The phenolic glycosides such as curculigoside and a substituted benzyl benzoate glycoside
2-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-5-hydroxy benzyl-2'-methoxy-6'-hydroxybenzoate were the first
compounds isolated from the plant and analyzed using spectrophotometric methods.[6] The chlorophenyl glycosides curculigine A,[7] curculigine B and curculigine C,[8] curculigine K, curculigine L and curculigine J,[9] curculigine M, curculigine N and curculigine O,[10] and curculigine P and Q[11] are isolated from the rhizomes of C. orchioides plant. The structural elucidation of curculigine B and C is designated as 2,4-dichloro-3-methyl-5-methoxy-phenol-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl
(1–6)-β-D glucopyanoside (III) and 2,4,6-trichloro-3-methyl-5-methoxyphenol-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl
(1–6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (IV), respectively. An orcinol glucoside, orcinol-1-O-b-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-b-D-glucopyranoside
and two other phenolic compounds, syringic acid and 2,6-dimethoxy benzoic acid, were
isolated from rhizomes of the plant. The purity of the compounds was confirmed by
thin-layer chromatography and HPLC.[12] Benzyl benzoate glucosides curculigoside (A–D) were isolated and identified from
in vitro cultures grown as bulbils in shake flasks.[13] Curculigoside E and orchioside D, a phenolic glycoside, were isolated and characterized
from the rootstock of C. orchioides. Phenolic glucosides named orcinosides A, B, and C were isolated in low yields (4.0 × 10−6, 11.5 × 10−6, and 4.5 × 10−6%, respectively) from the rhizomes of C. orchioides. Compounds contained two orcinol-glucoside moieties linked through a methylene (CH2) group.[14] Traces of phenolic glycosides named orcinosides D, E, F, and G were isolated from
the plant's rhizomes, and their structures were resolved as orcinol-1-O-β-D-xylopyranoside,
orcinol-1-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside, orcinol-3-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside,
and 1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-4-ethoxyl-3-hydroxymethyl phenol, respectively.[15] Orcinoside I and J were isolated from the plant-based rhizomes on comprehensive
spectroscopic analyses.[16] Orchiosides A and B were isolated from the plant's rhizomes.[17]
Polysaccharides
Water-soluble polysaccharides COBb-1 and COPf-1 are separated and purified by column
chromatography on Diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose, and the structures are identified.
The hydrophobic polysaccharide, COPb-1 isolated, was glucose-fructose and xylose.
Besides, the COPf-1 part was stachyose, glucuronic acid, and galacturonic acid.[18] The polysaccharide CO70 isolated from the rhizomes and the structures was elucidated.[19]
Saponins and Alkaloids
Based on the chemical evidence and spectral data, the curculigosaponins A–F structures
were elucidated, and a triterpenoidal sapogenin curculigenin A was identified.[20] Cycloartane-type triterpene glycosides named curculigosaponins G, H, I, and J were
isolated from rhizomes of C. orchioides.[21] Curculigosaponins K, L, M and triterpenoidal sapogenins curculigenin B and C is
formulated as 3β, 11α, 16β-trihydroxycycloartane-24-one, (24S)-3β, 11α, 16β, 24-tetrahydroxycycloartane
and 3β, 11α, 16β-trihydroxycycloartane-24(25)-en respectively.[22] Lycorine, which is the most abundant alkaloid found in the plant species belonging
to the family Amaryllidaceae, was also isolated from C. orchioides.[23]
Terpenoids and Aliphatic Compounds
The curculigol, a cycloartane triterpene alcohol from the rhizomes of C. orchioides, was isolated and characterized as methylcycloart-7-en-3β, 20-diol.[24] In C. orchioides, aliphatic compounds were isolated and identified from 3-(2-methoxy propyl)-spectral
data and chemical evidence characterize 4-In C. orchioides, six aliphatic compounds were isolated and it was identified as 4-methylnonacosan-2-one
(25); 4-acetyl-2-methoxy-5-methyltriacontane (26); 27-hydroxy triacontane-6-one and
23-hydroxy triacontane-2-one (27); 21-hydroxy tetracontane-20-one and 4-methylheptadecanoic
acid (28).[28]
Ethnopharmacological Importance
Ethnopharmacological Importance
The plant C. orchioides has a detailed profile in the Indian traditional medicinal system of Ayurveda and
Chinese traditional medicines. The rhizomes are the main component of many Ayurvedic
formulations such as vidaryadighrta, vidaryadi lehya, marmagulika, and musalyadi churna.[29] Additionally, the Chinese traditional medicines use rhizomes of C. orchioides as components in formulations such as Er Xian Tang,[30] San Xian Tang,[1] and Geng Nian An Pian.[1] Curculigoside is the main component of C. orchioides and has a range of pharmacological activities such as neuroprotective and antiosteoporotic
activity ([Table 1]).
Table 1
Bioactivity of the plant C. orchioides
Bioactivity
|
Extract
|
Plant part
|
Active components
|
In Vitro/In Vivo
|
Active controls
|
Exposure
|
Reference
|
Antidiabetic
|
Ethanol
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vivo (rats)
|
PC: Glimepiride
NC: Glucose
AD: 100 mg/kg
|
Acute (single dose)
|
[31]
|
Aqueous alcohol
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vivo (rats)
|
PC: Glibenclamide
NC: Alloxan
AD: 500 mg/kg
|
Acute (21 d)
|
[32]
|
Antihypertensive
|
Methanol
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vivo (rat)
|
PC: Enalapril
NC: DOCA salt
AD: 600 mg/kg
|
Chronic (43 ds)
|
[33]
|
Anticancer
|
Hexane
Chloroform
Acetonitrile
Methanol
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vitro
|
PC:17-β-estradiol
NC: Culture medium
AD:1 µg/mL
|
–
|
[34]
|
Methanol
|
Whole plant
|
Crude
|
In vivo (mice)
|
PC: None
NC: Cyclophosphamide
AD: 20 mg/kg
|
Acute (10 d)
|
[35]
|
Methanol
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vitro
|
PC: None
NC: None
AD:100 µg/mL
|
–
|
[36]
|
Aqueous
|
Whole plant
|
Polysaccharides
|
In vivo
|
PC: None
NC: None
AD: 40 mg/kg
|
Acute (15 d)
|
[37]
|
|
|
Phenolics
• 2,6-dimethoxy benzoic acid
• Curculigoside A
• Curculigoside B
• Curculigine A
• Curculigine D
• 3,3',5,5'-tetramethoxy-7,9,7',9-diepoxylignan-4,4'-di-O-b-D-glucopyranoside
|
In vivo (rat)
|
PC: Genistein
NC: None
AD: 10−10 M
|
–
|
[38]
|
Ethanol
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vivo (rat)
|
PC: Nylestriol
NC: None
AD: 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg
|
Chronic (90 d)
|
[39]
|
Ethanol
|
Rhizome
|
Benzyl benzoate glucosides
• Curculigoside
• Curculigoside B
|
In vivo (rat)
|
PC: Nylestriol
NC: None
AD: 6, 18, and 54 mg/kg
|
Chronic (12 d)
|
[40]
|
Aqueous
|
Rhizome
|
Polysaccharide (O-acetyl glucomannan)
|
In vitro
|
PC: Alendronate sodium
NC: None
AD: 2.2, 10.8, 21.7, and 54.2 Mm
|
Acute
|
[41]
|
|
|
Curculigoside
|
In vitro
|
PC: N-acetyl-L-cysteine
NC: None
AD: 0.1–10 µM
|
–
|
[42]
|
|
|
Curculigoside
|
In vivo (mice)
|
PC: N-acetyl-L-cysteine
NC: None
AD: 100 mg/kg
|
–
|
[43]
|
|
|
Curculigoside
|
In vitro
|
PC: None
NC: Dexamethasone
AD: 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL
|
–
|
[44]
|
Antioxidant
|
Ethyl acetate
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vitro
|
PC: None
NC: None
AD: 300 µg/mL
|
Acute
|
[46]
|
Methanol
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vitro
|
PC: None
NC: None
AD: 15 mg/mL
|
Acute
|
[47]
|
Methanol
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vivo (rat)
|
PC: None
NC: Carbon tetrachloride
AD: 70 mg/kg
|
Chronic (90 d)
|
[48]
|
Antimicrobial
|
Aqueous chloroform
Methanol
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vitro
|
PC: Gentamicin
NC: None
AD: 2 mg
|
Acute
|
[50]
|
Anti-inflammatory
|
Methanol
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vivo (rat)
|
PC: Diclofenac sodium
NC: Carrageenan
AD: 400 mg/kg
|
Acute
|
[51]
|
Neuroprotective
|
|
|
Curculigoside
|
In vitro
|
PC: None
NC: N-methyl-D-aspartate
AD:10 µM
|
Acute
|
[52]
|
|
Aqueous ethanol
|
Rhizome
|
Curculigoside
|
In vivo (mice)
|
PC: Imipramine
NC: Chronic mild stress
AD: 40 mg/kg
|
Chronic (28 d)
|
[53]
|
|
|
|
Curculigoside
|
In vivo (rat)
|
PC: None
NC: None
AD: 20 mg/kg
|
Acute
|
[54]
|
Hepatoprotective
|
Methanol
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vivo (rat)
|
PC: None
NC: Carbon tetrachloride
AD: 70 mg/kg
|
Chronic (90 d)
|
[56]
|
Aphrodisiac activity
|
Ethanol
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vivo (rats)
|
PC: Testosterone and sildenafil citrate
NC: None
AD: 100 mg/kg
|
Chronic (30 d)
|
[58]
|
Aqueous
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vivo
|
PC: Sildenafil citrate
NC: Streptozotocin
AD: 200 mg/kg
|
Acute (28 d)
|
[59]
|
Aqueous
|
Whole plant
|
Crude
|
In vivo (rat)
|
PC: None
NC: None
AD: 200 mg/kg
|
Acute (14 d)
|
[60]
|
Aqueous
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vivo (rat)
|
PC: Testosterone propionate
NC: None
AD: 200 mg/kg
|
Acute (28 d)
|
[61]
|
Alcohol
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vivo (rats)
|
PC: Diethylstilbesterol
NC: Sodium carboxy
methyl cellulose
AD: 1,200 mg/kg
|
Acute (7 d)
|
[62]
|
Antiarthritic
|
Aqueous ethanol
|
Rhizome
|
Curculigoside
|
In vivo (rat)
|
PC: Methotrexate
NC: Bovine type II collagen
AD: 50 mg/kg
|
Chronic (30 d)
|
[63]
|
Antiasthmatic
|
Ethanol
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vivo (mice)
|
PC: Chlorpheniramine maleate
NC: Haloperidol
AD: 375 mg/kg
|
Acute
|
[64]
|
|
Ethanol
|
Rhizome
|
Crude
|
In vivo (mice)
|
PC: Disodium cromoglycate
NC: Compound 48/80
AD: 400 mg/kg
|
Acute (4 d)
|
[65]
|
Abbreviations: AD, active dose; DOCA, deoxycorticosterone acetate; NC, negative control;
PC, positive control.
C. Orchioides Extracts Found to Be Crucial against Metabolic Disorders
Plant extracts are known to correct the metabolic disorders since they have diverse
biologically active compounds and play a synergetic role in treatment. The crude alcoholic
and aqueous extracts of C. orchioides have exhibited a potential antihyperglycemic activity when tested in alloxan-induced
diabetic rats. The dose-dependent (100–500 mg/kg) antihyperglycemic effect was observed
after treatment with ethanolic rhizome extract.[31]
[32] The antihypertensive activity of methanolic extract of C. orchioides was investigated on deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) salt–induced hypertensive
rats. Parameters such as systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP),
mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), and pulse pressure (PP) were measured to evaluate
the antihypertensive activity. SBP, DBP, MABP, and PP significantly decreased in methanolic
extract–treated rats than the disease control group. The extract possessed intense
antihypertensive activity with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor mechanism
similar to enalapril in DOCA salt–induced hypertensive rats.[33]
Methanolic extract has shown a significant anticancer property due to the presence
of saponins and glycosides in the extract.[34] When administered to mice along with cyclophosphamide, methanolic rhizome extract
of the plant shows significant anticancer activity.[35] Metallic silver nanoparticles synthesized using the rhizome extract of C. orchioides showed significant anticancer activity with nominal dose, and the study was performed
in breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) and on African monkey kidney cells (Vero).[36] The polysaccharides extracted from the whole plant of C. orchioides exhibit antitumor activity on cervical cancer, both in vitro and in vivo.[37]
The ethanolic extract and the phenolic compounds isolated from the rhizomes of C. orchioides have shown antiosteoporotic activity in vitro. The rhizome extracts were studied
on neonatal rat calvaria cultures and multinucleated osteoclasts derived from rat
marrow cells. It is indicated that phenolic compounds promoted osteoblast proliferation,
and the stimulatory effects of curculigoside A and B were durable compared with other
phenolics.[38] Similarly, the ethanolic extract and the benzyl benzoate glycosides prevent bone
loss, deterioration of bone tissue marked by an increase in serum alkaline phosphatase,
loss of calcium, and decreased level of antioxidant in serum in ovariectomized rats
without affecting the weight of the body and uterus.[39]
[40] Polysaccharide O-acetyl-glucomannan isolated from the plant's rhizomes has shown
significant osteoporotic activity in vitro.[41] Curculigoside, isolated from C. orchioides, prevents hydrogen peroxide–induced dysfunction and oxidative damage in calvarial
osteoblast.[42] A pharmacokinetic and bioavailability study calculated curculigoside in the rat
model as 1.27%.[43] Through antioxidation, curculigoside prevents excess iron-induced bone loss in mice
and osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells.[44] Further, curculigoside reportedly protects osteoblasts against dexamethasone-induced
cell injury.[45]
C. orchioides Extract Acts as an Effective Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anti-inflammatory Medicine
The C. orchioides ethyl acetate and methanolic fraction have exhibited important antioxidant activities
by scavenging free radicals.[46]
[47] The activity was studied in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)–induced hepatopathy in rats, and it was found that the methanolic extract decreased
the activity of antioxidant enzymes.[48] The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay of
the in vitro and in vivo plant extracts have suggested that both leaf and root extracts
have potential antioxidant activity.[49] The rhizome extracts have shown significant antimicrobial activity against various
gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhimurium.[50] At a 400 mg/kg dose, the methanolic extract showed significant anti-inflammatory
effect and was comparable to the standard drug, i.e., diclofenac sodium.[51]
Extracts of C. orchioides Act as a Neuroprotective Agent
Cyclophosphamide-induced neurotoxicity studies have proven that the phytochemicals
present in the whole-plant methanolic extract of C. orchioides have a protective effect by restoring the antioxidant enzyme levels.[52] The neuroprotective effect of curculigoside was studied on the glutamate-induced
culture of cortical neurons. The results indicated that the treatment prevented N-methyl-D-aspartate–induced neuronal cell loss and condensed the number of apoptotic
and necrotic cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner.[53] Besides, curculigoside exhibits antidepressant activity in mice. It causes a significant
increase in the level of dopamine, norepinephrine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine, leading
to upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor proteins in the hippocampus of
chronic mild stress rats.[54] Curculigoside A reduces apoptosis necrosis and lessens cerebral ischemia both in
vitro and in vivo.[55]
C. orchioides Extracts as Hepatoprotective Agent
An elevated level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs) and conjugated
dienes (CD) was observed in the liver cells of CCl4-induced rats. However, administration of the methanolic extract of rhizomes showed
a decrease in the level of TBARS and CD in the liver cells of CCl4-induced rats.[56] The extract also shows significant hepatoprotective activity compared with the standard
drug silymarin.[57]
C. orchioides Extracts as Potent Aphrodisiac Agent
The ethanolic extract has significantly changed the sexual behavior in male rats after
treatment with the methanolic extract of dose 100 mg/kg.[58] The effect of C. orchioides extract was studied on hyperglycemia-induced oligospermia and sexual dysfunction
in male rats. After 28 days of treatment, they reported that it could cure diabetes-induced
sexual dysfunction.[59] Lyophilized aqueous extracts of C. orchioides were administered to male albino rats and showed a significant increase in pendiculatory
activity after 14 days of treatment. It could also preserve the in vitro sperm count
significantly higher than control after 30 minutes of incubation.[60] Rhizome extract also showed a significant effect on variation in animals' sexual
behavior by reducing mount latency, ejaculation latency, postejaculatory latency,
intromission latency, and an increase of mount frequency.[61] When alcoholic extracts of rhizomes are administered to ovariectomized albino rats,
significant increase in vaginal cornification, uterine wet weight, uterine glycogen
content, and a proliferative uterine endometrium was observed.[62]
C. orchioides Extracts as Antiarthritic Agent
Curculigoside has inhibited paw swelling and arthritis scores in type II collagen–induced
arthritic rats. It has also decreased serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-1β
(IL-1β), IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-17A in the collagen-induced arthritic rats. Curculigoside
also significantly inhibited rheumatoid arthritis–derived fibroblast-like synoviocyte
MH7A cell proliferation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner.[63]
C. orchioides Extracts as Antiasthmatic Agent
In isolated goat tracheal chain preparation and guinea pig ileum preparation, the
ethanolic rhizome extract showed a significant relaxant effect against histamine.
C. orchioides showed significant protection at lower doses. Biochemical estimations in milk-induced
total leukocytes count and milk-induced differential leukocyte count exhibited a maximum
increase in leucocytes and lymphocytes (99%) and maximum decrease up to 0% in eosinophils
at the dose of 250, 375, and 500 mg/kg.[64] The alcoholic extract significantly hinders the mast cell–derived immediate-type
allergic reactions and mast cell degranulation.[65]
Conclusion and Future Perspectives
Conclusion and Future Perspectives
The plant C. orchioides is a significant plant with several medicinal properties such as antidiabetic, antioxidant,
neuroprotective, anticancer, and antiosteoporotic activities. The plant's rhizome
has more medicinal value than its leaf or whole plant extracts. The bioactivity mainly
was studied with polar extracts such as methanol and ethanol. The dosage commonly
used for bioactivity in both in vitro and in vivo ranges from 10 to 500 mg/kg. However,
most pharmacological studies on C. orchioides are tested with crude extracts.
There are two approaches to understanding the medicinal systems: one is the traditional
system of medicine, which is mainly focused on the synergistic effect of certain extracts,
and other is the modern medicine, which focuses on the isolation of active compound
and studying its effect in isolation. In both the approaches, the need for advanced
studies in crude extracts or isolating the pure active compounds from the plant for
their pharmacological value is immediate. The wide array of bioactivity invites potential
researchers to explore the plant. We observe a steady rise in the discovery and characterization
of novel compounds from C. orchioides. The plant's potential truly reflects its title as the black gold in the “Rasayana
sastra” of Ayurveda.