Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32188443›Full record

ArticleBMC complementary medicine and therapies2020

Effects of Vitex trifolia L. leaf extracts and phytoconstituents on cytokine production in human U937 macrophages.

Hai-Ning Wee, Soek-Ying Neo, Deepika Singh, Hui-Chuing Yew, Zhi-Yu Qiu, Xin-Rong Cheryl Tsai, Sin-Yi How, Keng-Yan Caleb Yip, Chay-Hoon Tan, Hwee-Ling Koh

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed
3.7field-weighted citation impact, top 8% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed, 32 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Research Progress on Anti-Inflammatory Mechanism ofInternational journal of molecular sciences · 2025
    Review
  5. Review
  6. Review
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021
    Review
  10. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Hai-Ning WeeDepartment of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
Soek-Ying NeoDepartment of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore. phansy@nus.edu.sg.
Deepika SinghDepartment of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
Hui-Chuing YewDepartment of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
Zhi-Yu QiuDepartment of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
Xin-Rong Cheryl TsaiDepartment of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
Sin-Yi HowDepartment of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
Keng-Yan Caleb YipDepartment of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
Chay-Hoon TanDepartment of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 16 Medical Drive, Block MD3, #04-01S, Singapore, 117600, Singapore.
Hwee-Ling KohDepartment of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore. phakohhl@nus.edu.sg.
National University of Singapore · SG

Funding

Lee Foundation Grant R-184-000-290-720National University of Singapore - Leeward Pacific Pte Ltd R-148-000-140-592National University of Singapore - Leeward Pacific Pte Ltd R-148-000-172-592
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDysregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) form the basis of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Vitex trifolia L. is a medicinal plant growing in countries such as China, India, Australia and Singapore. Its dried ripe fruits are documented in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat ailments like rhinitis and dizziness. Its leaves are used traditionally to treat inflammation-related conditions like rheumatic pain.

objectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effects of V. trifolia leaf extracts prepared by different extraction methods (Soxhlet, ultrasonication, and maceration) in various solvents on cytokine production in human U937 macrophages, and identify phytoconstituents from the most active leaf extract.

methodsFresh leaves of V. trifolia were extracted using Soxhlet, ultrasonication, and maceration in hexane, dichloromethane, methanol, ethanol or water. Each extract was evaluated for its effects on TNF-α and IL-1β cytokine production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human U937 macrophages. The most active extract was analyzed and further purified by different chemical and spectroscopic techniques.

resultsAmongst 14 different leaf extracts investigated, extracts prepared by ultrasonication in dichloromethane and maceration in ethanol were most active in inhibiting TNF-α and IL-1β production in human U937 macrophages. Further purification led to the isolation of artemetin, casticin, vitexilactone and maslinic acid, and their effects on TNF-α and IL-1β production were evaluated. We report for the first time that artemetin suppressed TNF-α and IL-1β production. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses revealed the presence of eight other compounds. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of butylated hydroxytoluene, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, campesterol and maslinic acid in V. trifolia leaf extracts.

conclusionsIn conclusion, leaf extracts of V. trifolia obtained using different solvents and extraction methods were successfully investigated for their effects on cytokine production in human U937 macrophages. The findings provide scientific evidence for the traditional use of V. trifolia leaves (a sustainable resource) and highlight the importance of conservation of medicinal plants as resources for drug discovery. Our results together with others suggest further investigation on V. trifolia and constituents to develop novel treatment strategies in immune-mediated inflammatory conditions is warranted.

Indexed as

HumansInterleukin-1betaMacrophagesPlant ExtractsPlant LeavesSingaporeTumor Necrosis Factor-alphaU937 CellsVitexIL1B protein, humanInterleukin-1betaPlant ExtractsTumor Necrosis Factor-alphaArtemetinBHTCasticinIL-1βMaslinic acidTNF-αVitexilactoneVitex trifolia

Identifiers

PMID32188443
PMCPMC7081688
OpenAlexW3012944706

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.