Evaluation of the safety and antioxidant activities of Crocus sativus and Propolis ethanolic extracts

The possible toxicological effects and in vitro antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extracts of Crocus sativus and Propolis were investigated. Both extracts did not cause any mortalities or signs of toxicity in mice when administered orally at doses up to 5 g/kg b.wt. In the sub-chronic study; the tested extracts did not produce any significant change in liver and kidney functions of rats, following oral administration for 8 successive weeks at doses of 500 mg/kg b.wt. of each. Propolis showed remarkable in vitro antioxidant activity at concentrations of (40–100 mg/ml). In contrast, the ethanolic extract of C. sativus ethanolic extract showed weak antioxidant activity in concentrations of (1–10 mg/ml) while at concentrations of (20–100 mg/ml) failed to exhibit any antioxidant activity. It was concluded that: both extracts were non-toxic, as they did not cause any mortalities or signs of toxicity in mice when administered orally at doses up to 5 g/kg b.wt. Daily oral administration of C. sativus, Propolis ethanolic extracts alone or in combination for 8 successive weeks to rats was quiet safe and didn't cause any toxic changes in liver and kidney. Antioxidant study showed that Propolis ethanolic extract was a more potent antioxidant than C. sativus extract.     

Evaluation of antioxidant and immunity-enhancing activities of Sargassum pallidum aqueous extract in gastric cancer rats

The effect of Sargassum pallidum (brown seaweed) aqueous extract on the immunity function and antioxidant activities in was studied gastric cancer rats. Treatment with Sargassum pallidum aqueous extract at oral doses 400, 600 or 800 mg/kg body weight was found to provide a dose-dependent protection against N-methyl-N′-nitro-Nnitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced immunity damage and oxidative injury by enhancing serum interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels, decreasing interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels, preserving normal antioxidant enzymes activities, and by inhibiting lipid peroxidation in gastric mucosa. It can be concluded that Sargassum pallidum aqueous extract may enhance the immunity and antioxidant activities in gastric cancer rats.     

Evaluation of the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Origanum dictamnus extracts before and after encapsulation in liposomes

The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of methanol or dichloromethane extracts of O. dictamnus, produced from wild and organic cultivated specimens, were determined. The Rancimat and malondialdehyde (MDA) by HPLC methods were used to measure the antioxidant action, in comparison with that of the common commercial antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and alpha-tocopherol. The extracts that presented high antioxidant activity were encapsulated in liposomes and their antioxidant action was again estimated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermaloxidative decomposition of the samples (pure liposomes and encapsulated extracts) and the modification of the main transition temperature for the lipid mixture and the splitting of the calorimetric peak in the presence of the antioxidants were also studied by the DSC method. All extracts showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Their action proved superior to alpha-tocopherol. The methanol extract of organic cultivated O. dictamnus (240 ppm) showed higher activity than butylated hydroxytoluene. After encapsulation in liposomes the antioxidant as well as antimicrobial activities proved to be higher than those of the same extracts in pure form.     

Elsholtzia ciliata (Thunb.) Hyland: A Review of Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

In this paper, the confusion of the sources of medicinal materials was briefly expounded, and the differences among the varieties were pointed out. At the same time, the chemical components and pharmacological properties of Elsholtzia ciliata (Thunb.) Hyland (E. ciliata) were reviewed. The structures of 352 compounds that have been identified are listed. These mainly include flavonoids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, and other chemical components. They have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, insecticidal, antiviral, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, analgesic, antiarrhythmic, antitumor, antiacetylcholinesterase, and immunoregulator activities. At present, there are many researches using essential oil and alcohol extract, and the researches on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and other pharmacological activities are relatively mature. This paper aims to summarize the existing research, update the research progress regarding the phytochemicals and pharmacology of E. ciliate, and to provide convenience for subsequent research.     

Evaluation of antioxidant and cytoprotective activities of Arnica montana L. and Artemisia absinthium L. ethanolic extracts

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Arnica montana L. and Artemisia absinthium L. (Asteraceae) are medicinal plants native to temperate regions of Europe, including Romania, traditionally used for treatment of skin wounds, bruises and contusions. In the present study, A. montana and A. absinthium ethanolic extracts were evaluated for their chemical composition, antioxidant activity and protective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in a mouse fibroblast-like NCTC cell line. RESULTS: A. absinthium extract showed a higher antioxidant capacity than A. montana extract as Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, Oxygen radical absorbance capacity and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical-scavenging activity, in correlation with its flavonoids and phenolic acids content. Both plant extracts had significant effects on the growth of NCTC cells in the range of 10--100 mg/L A. montana and 10--500 mg/L A. absinthium. They also protected fibroblast cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage, at the same doses. The best protection was observed in cell pre-treatment with 10 mg/L A. montana and 10--300 mg/L A. absinthium, respectively, as determined by Neutral red and lactate dehydrogenase assays. In addition, cell pre-treatment with plant extracts, at these concentrations, prevented morphological changes induced by hydrogen peroxide. Flow-cytometry analysis showed that pre-treatment with A. montana and A. absinthium extracts restored the proportion of cells in each phase of the cell cycle. CONCLUSIONS: A. montana and A. absinthium extracts, rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids, showed a good antioxidant activity and cytoprotective effect against oxidative damage in fibroblast-like cells. These results provide scientific support for the traditional use of A. montana and A. absinthium in treatment of skin disorders.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant activities of extracts from Apocyni Veneti Folium

An expeditious and effective HPLC-UV method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of seven major flavonoids in Apocyni Veneti Folium (AVF) extract. The chemical profile of seven flavonoids, including quercetin-3-O-β-D-glc(2?→?1)-β-D-glucoside, rutin, isoquercetin, kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-(6″-O-malonyl)-β-D-glucoside, quercetin and kaempferol was acquired by HPLC-UV. The analysis was performed on a Diamosil C18 analytical column with a gradient solvent system of acetonitrile-0.1% aqueous acetic acid. Full validation of the method was carried out (linearity, reproducibility, repeatability, accuracy and limit of detection). The results indicated that the contents of investigated flavonoids in Apocyni Veneti Folium varied significantly from habitat to habitat, with contents ranging from 0.01 to 5.57 mg g?1. The antioxidant activity results demonstrate that the seven flavonoids showed great efficiency in scavenging DPPH radicals. The high content of flavonoid components of AVF could be responsible for its high antioxidant activity. This study provides powerful evidence for the relationship between the chemical ingredients of and bioactivity in AVF.     

Evaluation of in vivo and in vitro biological activities of different extracts of Cuscuta arvensis

In the present study, the potential effects of extracts from the whole plant of Cuscuta arvensis were studied in mice using the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model for antiinflammatory activity and the p-benzoquinone-induced writhing reflex for the assessment of antinociceptive activity. In order to obtain the extracts, the whole plant of C. arvensis was extracted with different solvents such as n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and distilled water. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. The methanolic and water extracts inhibited the carrageenan-induced paw edema and p-benzoquinone-induced writhing reflex, whereas the other extracts showed only mild inhibitory antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities in these in vivo models. Additionally, the methanol and ethyl acetate extracts had higher scavenging ability then the non polar extracts.     

Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanolic extracts of three Salvia species from Tunisia

This study examines the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanolic extracts of three Salvia species from Tunisia: Salvia aegyptiaca L., S. argentea L. and S. verbenaca Ssp. clandestina L. Pugsley. The extracts inhibited the growth of dermatophytes and of bacteria responsible for unpleasant odours to varying degrees; the pathogenic yeasts Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, the filamentous fungi Aspergillus fumigatus and selected dog otitis bacteria were all resistant to each of the extracts. The extracts were screened for their antioxidant activities using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) test systems, and gave positive results in both tests. The extracts of S. aegyptiaca were the most active in both tests, followed by those of S. verbenaca, then S. argentea. These results confirm the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the genus Salvia and underline the potential of these plants either as natural preservatives or in pharmaceutical applications.     

Polyphenolic contents and antioxidant activities of aerial parts of Salvia multicaulis from the Iran flora

Abstract

Folk medicine sometimes involves the use of salvia species for therapeutic purposes. Polyphenols with the highest amounts included rosmarinic acid (7.358mg/g), catechin (1.5?mg/g), vanillin (1.00?mg/g), chlorogenic acid (0.53?mg/g), quercetin (0.16?mg/g), and p-coumaric acid (0.015). Furthermore, the results showed that S. multicaulis has a high content of total phenol (4.39?mg/g) and DPPH activity (8.44?mg/g). Salvia multicaulis could be potentially used as a medicinal plant because of its antioxidant activity and polyphenol content.     

Evaluation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of solvent extracts of Tricholepis chaetolepis (Boiss) Rech. f. whole plant

Abstract

The whole plant, Tricholepis chaetolepis, powder was investigated using proximate and fluorescence analysis along with determining the extractive values. Total phenolics, flavonoids and total protein contents of n-hexane, chloroform and methanolic extracts of the whole plant were also determined. The anti-diabetic activity of all the three extracts of the plant was determined by in vitro alpha-amylase inhibition assay. The anti-oxidant potential was evaluated using Phosophomolybdenum and DPPH methods. The anti-inflammatory potential of all extracts were determined by carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema model. The evaluation of the plant extracts exhibited the anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities in dose dependent fashion. The research concludes that Tricholepis chaetolepis extracts contain phenol, flavonoids, and tannins that show observable anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic potential. It is also concluded that the methanol extract of the plant showed the maximum effect against inflammation induced by carrageenan in rat paw oedema as compared with n-hexane and chloroform extracts.     

Structure determination and quantification of a new flavone glycoside with anti-acetylcholinesterase activity from the herbs of Elsholtzia ciliata

Three acacetin triglycosides (compounds 1, 2 and 3) were isolated from the herbs of Elsholtzia ciliata (Labiatae). The structure were identified as 7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (compound 1), 7-O-(6-O-acetyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (compound 2) and 7-O-(6-O-acetyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)[(4-O-acetyl)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (compound 3) of acacetin. The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of 2D-NMR spectroscopic data. Compound 3 has not been isolated from a natural source. In addition, the three compounds were quantitatively analysed by HPLC. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition activity was assayed to find anti-Alzheimer’s activity, since this enzyme increases the concentration of acetylcholine (ACh), a neurotransmitter, responsible for brain’s memory. Acacetin, the aglycone of the three compounds, exhibited a potent anti-cholinesterase activity (IC₅₀, 50.33 ± 0.87), though its glycosides (1, 2 and 3) were less active. HPLC analysis demonstrated that the three compounds were contained in the MeOH extract in the order of compounds 2 (12.63 mg/g extract) > 3 (3.10 mg/g) > 1 (2.92 mg/g).     

Determination of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the extracts of aerial parts of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Portulaca quadrifida</Emphasis>

Background

The extracts from the aerial parts of Portulaca quadrifida have been reported to show the total flavonoid content, antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

Results

Our results revealed that the total flavonoid content of methanol and chloroform extracts is 2.335?±?0.0097 and 1.7312?±?0.0082 mgQE/100 g respectively. The two extracts also showed good antioxidant activity and total phenolic content as well as weak to moderate antibacterial activity against some bacteria.

Conclusions

The extracts the aerial parts of the P. quadrifida showed good total flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging activity and antibacterial activity. In addition to this, the extracts also showed the presence of some important compounds by phytochemical analysis.

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Chemical constituents of Genista numidica Spach aerial parts and their antimicrobial,antioxidant and antityrosinase activities

A previously undescribed triterpenoid saponin, 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-{β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-}β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl]-sophoradiol (1), in addition to twenty-nine known constituents (2–30) were isolated from the aerial parts of Genista numidica Spach. Structures elucidation was performed by comprehensive 1D- and 2D-NMR analyses and HRESIMS. The extracts, fractions and isolated compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial, antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities. The experimental findings indicated that genistin (16), isosalipurpol (27), and koaburaside (29) have moderate to low antibacterial activity against E. faecalis, S. aureus, S. epidermidis and P. aeruginosa bacteria with MICs ranging from 31.2 to 125 μg/mL. Compounds 19 and 27 exhibited a good antiradical activity potential (IC₅₀ 11.8 and 11.1 μg/mL, respectively). Only compounds 23, 27 and 28 exhibited low inhibitory effect against mushroom tyrosinase (IC₅₀ from 90.2 to 225.6 μg/mL).     

Evaluation of antioxidant and immunity activities of quercetin in isoproterenol-treated rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of quercetin on myocardial oxidative stress and immunity function impairment induced by isoproterenol in rats. To induce myocardial ischemia, Wistar rats were subcutaneously injected with isoproterenol (70 mg/kg). Blood immunity index, cardiac marker enzymes and antioxidative parameters in hearts were measured. It was found that the levels of blood AST, creatine kinase, NO, NOS, IL-10, IL-1, IL-8 and lactate dehydrogenase in isoproterenol-treated rats were significantly increased. The rats administrated with isoproterenol showed the declines in myocardial antioxidant enzymes activities. Administration of quercetin significantly ameliorated myocardial oxidative injury and immunity function impairment induced by isoproterenol. The results indicated that quercetin possesses activity against isoproterenol-induced myocardial oxidative injury and immunity function impairment, and that the mechanism of pharmacological action was related at least in part to the antioxidant activity of quercetin.     

A new indole alkaloid,antioxidant and antibacterial activities of crude extracts from Saccocalyx satureioides

Abstract

The new acylated indole alkaloid glucoside indole-3-carboxylic acid-(6'-O-caffeoyl)-β-D-glucoside 1 has been isolated from the ethyl acetate (EtOAC) extract of Saccocalyx satureioides Coss. & Dur. (Lamiaceae) together with eight known secondary metabolites 2-9. Two indoles 2 and 3, five methylated flavone aglycones 4-8 and one monoterpene glucoside 9 were reported for the first time in the genus Saccocalyx. The structural elucidation of these compounds was accomplished by spectroscopic methods including 1?D (¹H and ¹³C) and 2?D (COSY, HSQC and HMBC) NMR techniques, and mass spectrometry, and by comparison with literature data. Light petroleum, EtOAc, chloroform and n-butanol (n-BuOH) extracts of S. Satureioides were screened for their antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging and β-carotene bleaching methods. The antibacterial activity of these extracts indicates that n-BuOH and EtOAc extracts possess the strongest activity.     

Comparative study of the chemical profiling,antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of essential oils of different parts of Thymus willdenowii Boiss & Reut

The analysis of Thymus willdenowii Boiss &; Reut essential oils (TW EOs) shows 33 components accounting for (96.3–97.7%) of all identified. The main constituents of TW EOs were thymol (35.5–47.3%), p-cymene (13.9–23.8%), γ-terpinene (8.9–20.3%). The antioxidant assays revealed that all TW EOs tested showed strong activities, the antimicrobial effect of TW EOs has been tested against isolated clinical strains of Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 35659), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Candida albicans (ATCC 10231), Bacillus cereus (ATCC 10876), and Aspergillus brasilliensis (ATCC 16404). The antimicrobial test indicates that TW EOs show an inhibition effect against all the tested bacteria with a MIC of 6.9 to 27.6 μg/mL^?1. These results proving that the essential oils extracted from Thymus willdenowii Boiss &; Reut may be a new potential source of natural antimicrobial applied in pharmaceutical and food industries.     

Antioxidant activities and phenolics profiling of different parts of Carica papaya by LCMS-MS

This article deals with the comparison of the antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts of various parts of Carica papaya L. The evaluation of total phenolic content and total flavonoid content revealed high antioxidant potential of the seeds and fruits. The free radical-scavenging potential of the aqueous extracts indicated the seeds to have better DPPH-scavenging activity than fruits. The results were augmented by the FRAP activity as well. The phenolics present in the extracts were separated and identified as 5-hydroxy feruloyl quinic acid, acetyl p-coumaryl quinic acid, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside, syringic acid hexoside, 5-hydroxy caffeic quinic acid, peonidin-3-O-glucoside, sinapic acid-O-hexoside, cyaniding-3-O-glucose and methyl feruloyl glycoside by LCMS-MS technique.     

Comparative study on the antioxidant activities of the different extracts and the composition of the oil extracted by n-hexane from Iranian Vitex pseudo-negundo

Antioxidant activities of different extracts obtained from the aerial parts of Vitex pseudo-negundo from Kashan, central Iran, were evaluated for the first time in this study using β-carotene/linoleic acid and scavenging of free-radical (DPPH) assays. Water extract showed the highest activity in both assays. GC-MS analysis of the oil extracted by n-hexane revealed 46 compounds with trans-β-farnesene being the main component. Several new compounds, not reported in the previous literature, were identified in the essential oil of this chemo-type.     

Phenolic composition,antioxidant and antinociceptive activities of Syringa vulgaris L. bark and leaf extracts

Metabolite profile, antioxidant and antinociceptive activities of Syringa vulgaris bark and leaf methanolic extracts were investigated. By means of HPLC-DAD-ESI-TOF and HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS, a total of 33 phenolics were identified, including 15 secoiridoids, 6 phenylpropanoids, 3 flavonoids, 3 lignans and 6 low molecular weight phenols. Validated quantitative analysis show that syringin (2.52%) and rutin (1.13%) are the main phenolic compounds in bark and leaf, respectively. Notable radical scavenging and antinociceptive activities of the bark and leaf extracts were confirmed by in vitro DPPH^● and ABTS^●+ assays and by in vivo hot-plate method in mice, respectively. Our results could lay the scientific basic of future clinical perspectives of lilac bark and leaf.