Polarity guided extraction,HPLC based phytochemical quantification,and multimode biological evaluation of Otostegia limbata (Benth.) Boiss

Purpose of studyOtostegia limbata (Benth.) Boiss. (Family: Lamiacae) is an important underexplored ethnomedicinal plant that has been used as antinflammatory, anticancer and antibacterial herbal remedy previously. The present work was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial, antileishmanial, and anticancer prospective of O. limbata stem and leaf extracts.ResultsThe highest amount of phenolic and flavonoid content was obtained in the methanol-acetone and methanol stem extracts i.e., 53.29 ± 1.33 and 28.64 ± 1.16, respectively with highest DPPH scavenging in MeH stem extract (IC₅₀ = 34.5 ± 1.34 μg/ml). Significant amount of catechin, gallic acid, apigenin and rutin was quantified. A moderate antibacterial and substantial antifungal activity was observed. Cytotoxicity against brine shrimps categorized 21% of stem (3 out of 14 extracts) and 57% (8 out of 14 extracts) of leaf extracts as potent. Substantial cytotoxicity against THP-1 cell line (IC₅₀ = 3.46 ± 0.25 μg/ml) and Leishmania (IC₅₀ = 1.50 ± 0.23 μg/ml) was exhibited by methanol-distilled water leaf extract while noteworthy antiproliferative activity against Hep-G2 (IC₅₀ = 0.44 ± 0.45 μg/ml) was manifested by n-hexane stem extract. Absence of hemolysis in normal RBCs signified plant’s selective cytotoxicity. Methanol-distilled water and chloroform stem extracts displayed prominent protein kinase inhibition and antidiabetic potential of plant.ConclusionThe results of present study recommend O. limbata as a potential source of antifungal, antileishmanial, anticancer, and α-amylase inhibitory agents.     

A New Isoflavanol from the Fruits of Kotschya strigosa (Fabaceae)

The phytochemical investigation of the MeOH extract from fruits of Kotschya strigosa using repeated normal and reversed‐phase column chromatography and Sephadex LH‐20 chromatography led to the isolation and characterization of a new isoflavanol, named kotstrigoisoflavanol ( 1 ), together with three known compounds, diosmetin ( 2 ), β‐sitosterol ( 3 ), and the 3‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside of β‐sitosterol ( 4 ). The antioxidant activity of crude extract, 1, and 2 was determined using the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH˙) method. The crude extract (IC₅₀ 61.7 ± 0.2 μg/ml) and 2 (IC₅₀ 70.2 ± 0.1 μg/ml) showed moderate antioxidant activities, while 1 was weakly active (IC₅₀ 153.1 ± 0.1 μg/ml), as compared with the standard reference l ‐ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ 21.9 ± 0.0 μg/ml).     

Total phenolic and flavonoid contents,antioxidant, antidiabetic and antiplasmodial activities of Garcinia forbesii King: A correlation study

Garcinia forbesii King belongs to Clusiaceae is a source of secondary metabolites especially xanthones with various biological activities. G. forbesii King is also known for its empirical use for malaria and diabetes. This study investigated the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, in vitro antioxidant, antidiabetic and antiplasmodial activities of four extracts attained from the stem bark of G. forbesii King. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by spectrophotometric methods and antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP assays. In vitro antidiabetic activity was assessed by α-glucosidase and α-amylase assays and antiplasmodial activity was studied against chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7. The highest value of total phenolic (187.37 ± 0.06 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (35.97 ± 0.02 mg QE/g) contents were recorded in n-hexane and methanolic extracts. n-Hexane extract showed the highest DPPH activity with IC₅₀ of 8.12 ± 0.02 μg/mL. Ethyl acetate extract exhibited better scavenging ability for ABTS with IC₅₀ of 3.88 ± 0.04 μg/mL. The FRAP assay showed better activity in methanol extract with an inhibition value of 73.68 ± 3.66 µM Fe²⁺/g. The strong inhibition against α-glucosidase and α-amylase were displayed by dichloromethane extract with IC₅₀ of 35.13 ± 2.01 μg/mL and 4.83 ± 0.20 μg/mL. n-Hexane and methanol extracts showed significant antiplasmodial activity with IC₅₀ of 0.23 ± 0.01 μg/mL and 0.73 ± 0.01 μg/mL, respectively. The correlation analysis indicated a positive relationship of total phenolic and flavonoid contents with antiplasmodial activity. The results revealed that n-hexane and methanol extracts could be used as a potential natural antiplasmodial, while dichloromethane extract is a promising natural antidiabetic.     

Neutral lipids, phospholipids, and biological activity of extracts from Zygophyllum oxianum

The chemical composition of lipid extracts from aerial parts of Zygophyllum oxianum was determined by GC and TLC. The yield of total lipids was 0.75% in leaves, 0.33% in stems, and 0.49% in fruit calculated for fresh plant mass. Phospholipids were represented by nine classes, of which phosphatidylcholine dominated (55.8% in leaves, 56.4% in stems, 63.7% in fruit of total PL). The n-BuOH extract from the plant aerial part exhibited noticeable antifungal activity. The CHCl₃:MeOH (2:1) extract from leaves and stems exhibited pronounced in vitro cytotoxicity against human bladder carcinoma cell line 5637 with IC₅₀ 6.2 μg/mL.     

Anti sickling potential and chemical profiling of traditionally used Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz leaves

Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz is a widely used plant in traditional medicine systems. The tribal communities of Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh (India) are using this plant for the treatment of general weakness, blood related complications like blood deficiency, blood purification and for the treatment of symptoms related to sickle cell disease (SCD). SCD is a genetic disease with life threatening complications. In the absence of any drugs without any side effects, the alternative plant based therapies that may either reduce/ reverse the sickling of the red blood cells can be safe and effective therapeutic agents. We evaluated W. fruticosa extracts for phytoconstituents, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Anti-sickling properties of the extracts were evaluated by estimation of reverse sickling, polymerization inhibition and osmotic fragility assays. Chemical profiling of the methanol extract was done using LC-MS analysis. Phytochemicals such as alkaloids, steroids, tannin, and saponins were present in all the extracts. Methanol extract displayed maximum reversal (66 ± 1%) of sickled Red blood Cells (RBC) and significantly inhibited Hb polymerization. The hexane and methanol extracts led to minimum hemolysis of sickled RBC in the osmotic fragility assays. Total tannin (365 ± 2.4 TAE) content was highest in acetone extract, while the total flavonoid and phenolic content (156.9 ± 2.0 QE) and (113.7 ± 0.7 GAE) were highest in methanol extract. The methanol extract displayed minimum IC₅₀ (8.1 ± 1.5) in 2, 2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) while the acetone extract had minimum IC₅₀ (215.8 ± 5.7) in 2,2′-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assay. The hexane extract displayed maximum Ferric reducing anti-oxidant power (FRAP) value (1.5 ± 0.5 mM Fe(II)/mg dry weight) that were higher than methanol and aqueous extracts (1.45 ± 0.1, 1.45 ± 0.05 mM Fe(II)/mg dry weight). The methanol extract provided maximum RBC protection from hemolysis (73.8 ± 0.8%). Maximum Lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition was observed by the acetone and methanol extracts at 400 μg/mL while the hexane extract displayed maximum Xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition (57.0 ± 0.5%). LC-MS profiling of the methanol extract identified several secondary metabolites that might be responsible for the observed activities. The results validate the traditional use of W. fruticosa and present us with potential compounds for further development of novel anti sickling agents.     

Bioactivity and chemical characterisation of Lophostemon suaveolens – an endemic Australian Aboriginal traditional medicinal plant

Lophostemon suaveolens is a relatively unexplored endemic medicinal plant of Australia. Extracts of fresh leaves of L. suaveolens obtained from sequential extraction with n-hexane and dichloromethane exhibited antibacterial activity in the disc diffusion and MTT microdilution assays against Streptococcus pyogenes and methicillin sensitive and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (minimum bactericidal concentration < 63 μg/mL). The dichloromethane extract and chromatographic fractions therein inhibited nitric oxide in RAW264.7 murine macrophages (IC₅₀ 3.7–11.6 μg/mL) and also PGE₂ in 3T3 murine fibroblasts (IC₅₀ 2.8–19.7 μg/mL). The crude n-hexane, dichloromethane and water extracts of the leaves and chromatographic fractions from the dichloromethane extract also showed modest antioxidant activity in the ORAC assay. GC–MS analysis of the n-hexane fraction showed the presence of the antibacterial compounds aromadendrene, spathulenol, β-caryophyllene, α-humulene and α-pinene and the anti-inflammatory compounds β-caryophyllene and spathulenol. Fractionation of the dichloromethane extract led to the isolation of eucalyptin and the known anti-inflammatory compound betulinic acid.     

AntiHepatitis C Virus Activity of Alectryon serratus Leaves Extract

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) has infected approximately 2-3% (130-170 million) of the world's population. No vaccine is available to prevent HCV infection. Investigation of anti-HCV agent is thus deemed necessary. Various plants have been explored for their anti-HCV activity. A. serratus is a member of Sapindaceae family, which fruit and seed were traditionally used as insecticide. Anti-HCV activity tested on A.serratus leaves extract has been done. The result showed that leaves extract exhibited anti-HCV with IC₅₀ value of 14.9 μg/ml and 9.8 μg/ml against HCV J6/JFH1 and JFH1a, respectively. The cytotoxicity assay results showed that A.serratus leaves extract was not toxic and has CC₅₀ >100 μg/ml. Mode of action experiment results suggested that A.serratus extract inhibited HCV at the post-entry step. Further fractionation of leaves extract by open column chromatography resulted in 4 fractions. Only Fraction 1 (AP-5F.1) exhibited anti-HCV with IC₅₀ value of 1.2 μg/ml against HCV JFH1a. Separation of AP-5F.1 by open column chromatography resulted in 15 fractions. Fraction number 13 (AP-5F.1.13) exhibited anti-HCV with IC₅₀ value of 0.43 μg/ml against HCV JFH1a. Separation of AP-5F.1.13 by semi preparative-HPLC resulted in isolate identified by TLC and LC-MS method as chlorophyll derivate. There was a possibility that chlorophyll derivate has participated in performing the anti-HCV activity of fractions and extract besides the other compounds contained. In this study, we concluded that A. serratus leaves extract, AP-5F.1, and AP-5F.1.13 exhibited anti-HCV activity against JFH1a virus.     

A comparative study of selected vitex species for phenolics estimation along with their antioxidant and herbicidal activities

This study aims to quantitative, qualitative estimation of phenolics, antioxidant (DPPH free radical scavenging, nitric oxide radical scavenging, superoxide anion scavenging, reducing power and metal chelating activity), and herbicidal properties of methanol extract of Vitex species {(Vitex negundo L. collected from Haldwani (VNH), Bhimtal (VNB) and Salari (VNS); Vitex agnus-castus L. collected from Pantnagar (VACP); Vitex trifolia L. collected from Pantnagar (VTP)}, Kumaun region, Uttarakhand, India. Herbicidal activity of methanol extracts of Vitex species was evaluated against Raphanus sativus at various concentrations for 120 h. The results revealed that the phenolic content varies from species to species as well as their location. HPLC profiling of Vitex species was carried out to identify the presence of different phenolic acids viz: vanillic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, etc. In methanol extracts of Vitex species. VTP showed the highest DPPH (IC₅₀ = 6.84 μg/mL), nitric oxide (IC₅₀ = 2.86 μg/mL) and superoxide radical scavenging (IC₅₀ = 3.12 μg/mL) activity. The maximum reducing power was observed in VNH (RP₅₀ = 28.22 μg/mL) and the highest ion chelating capacity in VNB (IC₅₀ = 6.80 μg/mL). The effective herbicidal activity was shown by VNS, resulting in complete inhibition of seed germination. Based on the heatmap clustering selected species are divided into two clusters. The first cluster comprises VNB and VTP are there whereas in the second cluster there are two sub-clusters including VNS only in one sub-cluster and VNH and VACP in the second sub-cluster.     

Physiochemical properties and novel biological applications of Callistemon viminalis‐mediated α‐Cr2O3 nanoparticles

We report an eco‐friendly synthesis of α‐Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) using Callistemon viminalis (Bottle Brush) flower extracts as an efficient reducing and capping agent. NPs of sizes 15 nm and 17 nm were synthesized by annealing them at 400°C and 500°C, respectively, which were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, UV–Vis, Fourier transform‐infrared, high‐resolution‐transmission electron microscopy/scanning electron microscopy, SAED, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and SQUID. Microplate‐based assay was used for examining antibacterial potential against 12 pathogenic bacterial strains, and their minimum inhibitory concentrations were calculated. MTT cytotoxic assay was accomplished on Leishmania tropica amastigotes and promastigotes, which revealed IC₅₀ values of 44 μg/ml and 10.56 μg/ml, respectively. An IC₅₀ value of 46.32 μg/ml was obtained for HepG2 cancer cells. Enzyme inhibition studies indicated good acetylcholinesterase, moderate butyrylcholinesterase and low alpha‐glucosidase inhibition. Hemolytic assay indicated hemocompatibility at low concentration. In addition, good DPPH radical scavenging and moderate reducing power and total antioxidant potential was revealed by α‐Cr₂O₃ NPs.     

Phenolic composition,antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) Benth., Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl) A. Gray,and Crossopteryx febrifuga (Afzel.) Benth

Medicinal plants from Chad grow under special climatic conditions in between the equatorial forest of Central Africa and the desert of North Africa and are understudied. Three medicinal plants from Chad (T. diversifolia, P. Biglobosa and C. Febrifuga) were evaluated for their phenolic composition, antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities. The total phenolic composition varied from 203.19 ± 0.58 mg GAE/g DW in the ethyl acetate extract of P. biglobosa, to 56.41 ± 0.89 mg GAE/g DW in the methanol extract of C. febrifuga while the total flavonoid content varied from 51.85 ± 0.91 mg QE/g DW in the methanol extract of P. biglobosa to 08.56 ± 0.25 mg QE/g DW in the methanol extract of C. febrifuga. HPLC-DAD revealed that rutin, gallic acid and protocatechuic acid were the most abundant phenolics in T. diversifolia, P. Biglobosa and C. Febrifuga respectively. The antioxidant activity assayed by five different methods revealed very good activity especially in the DPPH^?, ABTS^?+ and CUPRAC assays where the extracts were more active than the standard compounds used. Good inhibition was exhibited against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) with methanol (IC₅₀: 15.63 ± 0.72 µg/mL), ethyl acetate (IC₅₀: 16.20 ± 0.67 µg/mL) extracts of P. biglobosa, and methanol (IC₅₀: 21.53 ± 0.65 µg/mL) and ethyl acetate (IC₅₀: 30.81 ± 0.48 µg/mL) extracts of T. diversifolia showing higher inhibition than galantamine (IC₅₀: 42.20 ± 0.44 µg/mL) against BChE. Equally, good inhibition was shown on α-amylase and α-glucosidase. On the α-glucosidase, the ethyl acetate (IC₅₀ = 12.47 ± 0.61 µg/mL) and methanol extracts (IC₅₀ = 16.51 ± 0.18 µg/mL) of P. biglobosa showed higher activity compared to the standard acarbose (IC₅₀ = 17.35 ± 0.71 µg/mL) and on α-amylase, the ethyl acetate (IC₅₀ = 13.50 ± 0.90 µg/mL) and methanol (IC₅₀ = 18.12 ± 0.33 µg/mL) extracts of P. biglobosa showed higher activity compared to acarbose (IC₅₀ = 23.84 ± 0.25 µg/mL). The results indicate that these plants are good sources of antioxidant phenolics and can be used to manage oxidative stress linked illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes.     

Comparative study of the phenolic profile,antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of leaf extracts of five Juniperus L. (Cupressaceae) taxa growing in Turkey

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to conduct a comparative evaluation of some biological properties of methanol and water extracts of leaves of five Juniperus taxa growing in Turkey: J. communis L. var. communis (Jcc), J. communis L. var. saxatilis Pall. (Jcs), J. drupacea Labill. (Jd), J. oxycedrus L. subsp. oxycedrus (Joo), J. oxycedrus L. subsp. macrocarpa (Sibth. & Sm.) Ball. (Jom). The antioxidant properties were examined in vitro; both in the DPPH and in the reducing power tests, Joo methanol extract resulted the most active (IC₅₀?=?0.09?±?0.01mg/mL and ASE/mL?=?2.56?±?0.06). In the TBA assay, Jcs methanol extract exhibited the highest activity (IC₅₀?=?4.39?±?0.47?μg/mL). The extracts displayed bacteriostatic activity against Staphylococcus aureus, and Jd methanol extract resulted the most effective (MIC?=?19.53?μg/mL); no effect on the S. aureus biofilm formation was observed. The extracts resulted non-toxic in the Artemia salina lethality bioassay. Finally, the phenolic profile of the methanol extracts was characterized by HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS.     

Bioprospecting Dodonaea viscosa Jacq.; a traditional medicinal plant for antioxidant,cytotoxic, antidiabetic and antimicrobial potential

Purpose of studyDodonaea viscosa Jacq. is an ethnomedicinal plant that has been extensively used for the treatment of gout, rheumatism and pain. Current study was undertaken to mine its antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and antidiabetic potential. Chromogenic assays were employed to establish plant’s multimode antioxidant profile whereas HPLC fingerprinting was performed to quantify polyphenols. Standard brine shrimp lethality, MTT and SRB assays proved its cytotoxicity potential.ResultsAmong all the extracts (flower, leaf, stem and root), maximum extract recovery (22% w/w), gallic acid equivalent total phenolic content (20.11 ± 0.11 ug GAE/mg DW), ascorbic acid equivalent total antioxidant capacity (22.5 ± 0.07 µg/mg DW) and total reducing power (31.1 ± 1.13 µg/mg DW) were recorded in the distilled water + acetone extract of leaf. The acetone extract of leaf showed maximum quercetin equivalent total flavonoid content (4.78 ± 0.13 µg/mg DW). HPLC-DAD analysis revealed significant amount of rutin, vanillic acid, coumaric acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, syringic acid, cinnamic acid, gentisic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, apigenin and myricetin in the different plant parts. Maximum scavenging potential was exhibited by methanol + ethyl acetate stem extract (IC₅₀ = 23.8 µg/ml). The highest antibacterial potential was found in flower (85.7%) and root (71.4%) extracts. The ethanol + ethyl acetate (1:1) leaf extract showed noteworthy toxicity against brine shrimps (LC₅₀ = 95.46 µg/ml) while a notable antiproliferative activity against THP-1 (IC₅₀ = 3.4 µg/ml) and Hep G2 (IC₅₀ = 20 µg/ml) cell lines was shown by ethanol + ethyl acetate extracts (1:1) of stem and root, respectively. A moderate inhibition of α-amylase enzyme was observed in all parts of the plant.ConclusionThe results of the present study suggest D. viscosa as a potential source of antioxidant, anticancer and α-amylase inhibitory phytochemicals.     

Acanthus mollis L. leaves as source of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant phytoconstituents

This work expands the phytochemical composition knowledge of Acanthus mollis and evaluates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities which could be related with its traditional uses. Extracts from leaves, obtained by sequential extraction, were screened using TLC and HPLC-PDA. The ethanol extract was the most active on DPPH assay (IC₅₀ = 20.50 μg/mL) and inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 macrophages (IC₅₀ = 48.31 μg/mL). Significant amounts of cyclic hydroxamic and phenolic acids derivatives were detected. A lower antioxidant effect was verified for a fraction enriched with DIBOA derivatives (IC₅₀ = 163.02 μg/mL), suggesting a higher contribution of phenolic compounds for this activity in ethanol extract. However, this fraction exhibited a higher inhibition of NO production (IC₅₀ = 32.32 μg/mL), with absence of cytotoxicity. These results support the ethnomedical uses of this plant for diseases based on inflammatory processes. To our knowledge, it is the first report to the anti-inflammatory activity for DIBOA derivatives.     

Experimental and computational approaches to reveal the potential of Ficus deltoidea leaves extract as α-amylase inhibitor

Ficus deltoidea leaves extract are known to have good therapeutic properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic. We showed that 50% ethanol-water extract of F. deltoidea leaves and its pungent compounds vitexin and isovitexin exhibited significant (p < 0.05) α-amylase inhibition with IC₅₀ (vitexin: 4.6 μM [0.02 μg/mL]; isovitexin: 0.06 μg/mL [13.8 μM] and DPPH scavenging with IC₅₀ (vitexin: 92.5 μM [0.4 μg/mL]; isovitexin: 0.5 μg/mL [115.4 μM]). Additionally, molecular docking analysis confirmed that vitexin has a higher binding affinity (-7.54 kcal/mol) towards α-amylase compared to isovitexin (?5.61 kcal/mol). On the other hand, the molecular dynamics findings showed that vitexin-α-amylase complex is more stable during the simulation of 20 ns when compared to the isovitexin-α-amylase complex. Our results suggest that vitexin is more potent and stable against α-amylase enzyme, thus it could develop as a therapeutic drug for the treatment of diabetes.     

Green synthesis and characterizations of Nickel oxide nanoparticles using leaf extract of Rhamnus virgata and their potential biological applications

In the present report, Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs) were synthesized using Rhamnus virgata (Roxb.) (Family: Rhamnaceae) as a potential stabilizing, reducing and chelating agent. The formation, morphology, structure and other physicochemical properties of resulting NiONPs were characterized by Ultra violet spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared analysis (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy‐dispersive‐spectroscopy (EDS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Detailed in vitro biological activities revealed significant therapeutic potential for NiONPs. The antimicrobial efficacy of biogenic NiONPs was demonstrated against five different gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC: 125 μg/mL) were found to be the least susceptible and Bacillus subtilis (MIC: 31.25 μg/mL) was found to be the most susceptible strain to NiONPs. Biogenic NiONPs were reported to be highly potent against HepG2 cells (IC₅₀: 29.68 μg/ml). Moderate antileishmanial activity against Leishmania tropica (KMH₂₃) promastigotes (IC₅₀: 10.62 μg/ml) and amastigotes (IC₅₀: 27.58 μg/ml) cultures are reported. The cytotoxic activity was studied using brine shrimps and their IC₅₀ value was recorded as 43.73 μg/ml. For toxicological assessment, NiONPs were found compatible towards human RBCs (IC₅₀: > 200 μg/ml) and macrophages (IC₅₀: > 200 μg/ml), deeming particles safe for various applications in nanomedicines. Moderate antioxidant activities: total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (51.43%), 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity (70.36%) and total reducing power (TRP) (45%) are reported for NiONPs. In addition, protein kinase and alpha amylase inhibition assays were also performed. Our results concluded that Rhamnus virgata synthesized NiONPs could find important biomedical applications with low cytotoxicity to normal cells.     

Spectrochemical analysis using LIBS and ICP-OES techniques of herbal medicine (Tinnevelly Senna leaves) and its anti-cancerous/antibacterial applications

Tinnevelly senna leaves are being applied to cure many diseases especially in developing countries and sub-Saharan region due to many bioactive compounds such as sennosides, phenols, and flavonoids. The conventional methods to isolate and analyze plant extracts biomolecules are not very effective as well cost effective as they require hazardous chemical solvents and reagents, which are time-consuming processes. The major objective of the present study is to investigate the feasibility of the Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique for rapid, eco-friendly, and multi-elemental analysis of Senna leaves extracts and study their antibacterial and anticancer potentials. The elegant LIBS technique was applied as a qualitative and quantitative method for Senna leaves sample’s elemental analysis and their biological activities were measured by evaluating anti-cancer and anti-bacterial analysis. The quantitative analysis of Senna leaves extracts was done using the calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) algorithm showing their appreciable content of several nutrient elements, and the obtained results were in close conformity with these achieved by using the standard analytical ICP OES technique. We studied the bactericidal efficacy of the Senna leaves extract against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) by AWD assays and morphogenesis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the anticancer activity was also investigated where different concentrations of Senna leaves extract were tested on cancer cells (HCT-116 and HeLa) and normal cells (HEK-293) using the cell metabolic activity MTT assay and Propidium iodide (PI) staining. We have also calculated the inhibitory concentration (IC50) value for the various extracts concentrations (25 µg/ml, 50 µg/ml, 100 µg/ml, 150 µg/ml, 200 µg/ml, and 225 µg/ml). We have found that IC₅₀ value for HCT-116 cells were 13.5 µg/ml, 17.5 µg/ml, 21.5 µg/ml, 22.5 µg/ml, 26 µg/ml and 33.5 µg/ml and for HeLa cells 15.25 µg/ml, 21.25 µg/ml, 23.5 µg/ml, 262.5 µg/ml, 36.25 µg/ml, and 39.50 µg/ml. The bactericidal efficacy of the Senna leaves extract showed significant inhibition against Gram-positive bacterium. Both MTT and PI analysis showed that Senna leaves extract induced profound inhibition on HCT-116 growth and proliferation. Additionally, Senna leaves extract did not exert an inhibitory influence on normal (HEK-293), which is non-cancerous cells. We suggest that the extract specifically targets the cancerous cells, which could be highly beneficial for the development of future safe anticancer and antibacterial drugs using these extracts.     

Antibacterial activity of native plants from Northwest Argentina against phytopathogenic bacteria

Abstract

Extracts from aerial parts of medicinal plants from northwest Argentina were screened for antibacterial activity against the phytopathogenic strains namely CECT 124 (Pseudomonas corrugata), CECT 126 (P. syringae pv. tomato), CECT 225 (Erwinia carotovora var. carotovora), CECT 472 (Agrobacterium tumefaciens) and CECT 792 (Xanthomonas campestres pv. vesicatoria). Leaves and stems of Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco, Schinus fasciculatus, S. gracilipes, Amphilophium cynanchoides and Tecoma stans were separately extracted with solvents of increasing polarity to obtain the dichloromethane (fCH₂Cl₂), ethyl acetate (fEtAc) and methanol extracts (fMeOH), respectively. Among the thirty extracts tested, only fEtAc from leaves and stems of S. fasciculatus reached the IC₅₀ against the five bacterial strains tested (IC₅₀?=?0.9?mg/ml). The fEtAc from the leaves contained kaempferol, quercetin and agathisflavone which had moderate to strong antibacterial activity. This extract and its identified flavonoids showed synergic (CECT 124,126 and 792) or additive effects (CECT 472 and 225) in mixtures with Kocide 3000.     

Activity-guided investigation of Carissa carandas (L.) roots for anti-inflammatory constituents

The present study was structured to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of the extracts, fractions and compounds isolated from Carissa carandas (L.) roots. Bioassay guided fractionation of methanol extract based on inhibitory potential towards proinflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β and nitric oxide (NO)) led to the identification of stigmasterol (1), lupeol (2), oleanolic acid (3), carissone (4) and scopoletin (5) as potential anti-inflammatory agents. Carissone (4) (IC₅₀ = 20.1 ± 2.69 μg/mL) and scopoletin (5) (IC₅₀ = 24.6 ± 1.36 μg/mL) exhibited significant inhibition of NO production comparable to specific NO inhibitor (L-NAME; IC₅₀ = 19.82 ± 1.64 μg/mL) without affecting the cell viability. Also, 4 and 5 at a concentration of 30 μM were found to inhibit 41.88–53.44% of TNF-α and IL-1β. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report displaying the anti-inflammatory effects of C. carandas (L.) roots, partially mediated by inhibition of TNF-α, IL-1β and NO.     

A Superoxide Dismutase Purified from the Rhizome of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Curcuma aeruginosa</Emphasis> Roxb. as Inhibitor of Nitric Oxide Production in the Macrophage-like RAW 264.7 Cell Line

Superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) is a metalloenzyme or antioxidant enzyme that catalyzes the disproportionation of the harmful superoxide anionic radical to hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen. Due to its antioxidative effects, SOD has long been applied in medicinal treatment, cosmetic, and other chemical industries. Fifteen Zingiberaceae plants were tested for SOD activity in their rhizome extracts. The crude homogenate and ammonium sulfate cut fraction of Curcuma aeruginosa were found to contain a significant level of SOD activity. The SOD enzyme was enriched 16.7-fold by sequential ammonium sulfate precipitation, diethylaminoethyl cellulose ion exchange, and Superdex 75 gel filtration column chromatography. An overall SOD yield of 2.51 % with a specific activity of 812.20 U/mg was obtained. The enriched SOD had an apparent MW of 31.5 kDa, as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and a pH and temperature optima of 4.0 and 50 °C. With nitroblue tetrazolium and riboflavin as substrates, the K _m values were 57.31 ± 0.012 and 1.51 ± 0.014 M, respectively, with corresponding V _max values of 333.7 ± 0.034 and 254.1 ± 0.022 μmol min⁻¹ mg protein⁻¹. This SOD likely belongs to the Fe- or Mn-SOD category due to the fact that it was insensitive to potassium cyanide or hydrogen peroxide inhibition, but was potentially weakly stimulated by hydrogen peroxide, and stimulated by Mn²⁺and Fe²⁺ ions. Moreover, this purified SOD also exhibited inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in cultured mouse macrophage cell RAW 264.7 in a dose-dependent manner (IC₅₀ = 14.36 ± 0.15 μg protein/ml).     

Comparative analysis of phytochemical profile,antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity from Hibiscus manihot L. flower

Hibiscus manihot L. is a kind of healthy plant with edible value and health benefits, which possesses multiple pharmacological activities that are closely related to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The dynamic changes of main active components and biological activities in Hibiscus manihot L. flower (HMLF) during its flowering period were systematically studied to determine the appropriate harvest time. Chemopreventive efficacies of the investigated HMLF extracts, by means of their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, were assessed. The sample harvested on early August had the supreme total flavonoid content, total phenolic content and the strongest antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ 0.160 mg/mL), ABTS radical scavenging activity (1.570 mmol/g Trolox), reducing power (IC₅₀ 0.101 mg/mL) and FRAP (3.644 mmol FeSO₄/g)). The results of principal component analysis indicated that the primary active components included hyperin, isoquercetin, hibifolin and quercetin-3′-O-glucoside, which were strongly associated with the antioxidant activity in the early August sample, while neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid were associated with the anti-inflammatory activity. The extracts significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 cells, especially the samples harvested around August, which was only 3.569 μΜ with the inhibition ratio of>50%. This study indicated that HMLF harvested on the early August possessed the highest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential and could be used as high bioactive resources for healthy production.