Appraisal of wild fig fruits for nutra-pharmaceutical and biological attributes

The fruits of wild fig, native to Soon valley of Pakistan, were appraised for phenolic compounds and high-value nutrients. These fruits were shade-dried and extracted with different solvents of varying polarity to recover a wide range of antioxidant components, where hydroxyethanol exhibited highest extraction yield of antioxidant compounds. Among others, hydroxyethanol-derived crude concentration extracts (CCEs) and phenolic rich fractions (PRFs) showed greater amount of total phenolic, flavonoids and superior biological properties. The fruits of tested fruits were found to possess potassium (11.34 g/kg) and calcium (4.19 g/kg) as major elements, glucose (5.63g/100g DW) as dominant natural sugar and acetic acid (2.40 mg/100 g of dry matter) as principal organic acid. There was a considerable (p < 0.05) variation in phenolic content and biological properties of various extracts recovered with different solvents. Furthermore, the biological properties of tested fruits were found to be significantly correlated with their intrinsic total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). Based upon the findings of present study, the fruits of wild fig could be treated as promising source of beneficial nutrients and potent phenolic components for their applications in the development of nutrapharmaceuticals.     

Nutra-pharmaceutical potential and phytonutrients profiling of wild jujube fruits along with bioactivities studies

The present study reports the phenolic antioxidants and phytonutrients profiling in the wild jujube fruits which are naturally grown in Soon valley of Pakistan. Phenolic antioxidant components were recovered from shade-dried wild jujube fruits using various extracting solvents. Among all extracting solvents tested, aqueous ethanol recovered the maximum amount of extractable antioxidant compounds from the fruits of wild jujube. Crude concentrated extracts (CCEs) and phenolic rich fractions (PRFs) recovered from wild jujube fruits using aqueous ethanol contained higher concentration of total phenolics and flavonoids along with superior biological potential. ICP-OES analysis disclosed the occurrence of twenty-five minerals, where potassium (14.80 g/kg) and calcium (1.81 g/kg) were the dominant macro elements. The tested wild fruits juice was found to contain individual natural sugars including galactose (1.27 g/100 g dry weight), glucose (1.07 g/100 g dry weight), sucrose (0.70 g/100 g dry weight) and xylose (0.04 g/100 g dry weight); and gluconic acid (2.10 mg/100 g of dry matter) as dominant organic acid when analyzed on HPLC. The concentration of phenolic antioxidants and biological activities vary significantly (p < 0.05) among extracting systems used. A strong correlation was also recorded among total phenolic (TP), total flavonoids (TF) and biological attributes of tested wild fruits. The results of this study explored wild jujube fruits as a propitious source of natural phenolic components and valuable nutrients which advocate its potential use in the development of functional food and nutraceutical industry.     

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.     

Phytochemical profiling,in vitro biological activities,and in-silico molecular docking studies of Typha domingensis

A comparative study between methanolic extract and n-hexane fraction of Typha domingensis (Typhaceae) was conducted for the evaluation of phytochemical potential, in vitro biological activities, and in-silico molecular docking studies. The phytochemical composition was estimated by total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, and by GC–MS analysis. Several biological activities were performed such as antioxidant assays (ABTS, FRAP, DPPH, & CUPRAC), enzyme inhibition activity (Tyrosinase, Acetylcholinesterase & Butyrylcholinesterase), thrombolytic activity, and antimicrobial activity (antibacterial & antiviral) to evaluate the medicinal importance of Typha domingensis. The results of the comparative study showed that methanolic extract has more total phenolic and total flavonoid contents (95.72 ± 5.76 mg GAE/g, 131.66 ± 7.92 mg QE/g, respectively) as compared to n-hexane fraction which confirms its maximum antioxidant potential (ABTS 114.31 ± 8.17, FRAP 116.84 ± 3.01, DPPH 283.54 ± 7.3 & CUPRAC 284.16 ± 6.5 mg TE/g). In the case of in vitro enzyme inhibition study and thrombolytic activity, better results were observed for methanolic extract. Almost similar antimicrobial patterns were observed for both methanolic extract and n-hexane fraction of Typha domingensis. The major bioactive phytochemicals identified by GC–MS were further analyzed for in-silico molecular docking studies to determine the binding affinity between ligands and the enzymes. The docking study indicated that most of the bioactive compounds showed a better binding affinity with enzymes as compared to the standard compounds (kojic acid & galantamine). The results of this study recommended that Typha domingensis has promising pharmaceutical importance and it should be further analyzed for the isolation of bioactive phytochemicals which may be useful for the treatment of several diseases.     

Synthesis,characterization and antimicrobial activities of copper complexes derived from 4-aminoantipyrine derivatives

Cu(II) complexes have been synthesized from the Schiff base ligands derived from furfurlyidene-4-aminoantipyrine and aniline (L¹)/p-nitroaniline (L²)/p-hydroxyaniline (L³). They were characterized using analytical and spectral techniques. All the Cu(II) complexes exhibit square planar geometry. The X-band ESR spectra of the copper complexes in DMSO solution at 300 and 77 K were recorded and their salient features are reported. The in vitro biological screening effects of the investigated compounds were tested against the bacterial species, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungal species, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizoctonia bataicola and Candida albicans by serial dilution method. A comparative study of inhibition values of the Schiff base ligands and their complexes indicate that the complexes exhibit higher antimicrobial activity than the Schiff base ligands. Superoxide dismutase and reducing power activities of the copper complexes have also been studied. Depending on the molecular structure, the [CuL²(OAc)₂] complex possess promising SOD mimetic activities.     

In vitro evaluation of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. for thrombolytic,antioxidant, membrane stabilizing and antimicrobial activities

Abstract

The key purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the thrombolytic, antioxidant, membrane stabilizing and antimicrobial potentials of crude ethanol extracts (CEE) of whole plant, organic and aqueous soluble fractions (OF & AQSF). CEE showed the highest (44.63%) clot lysis activity compared to streptokinase (64.35%). In DPPH study, petroleum ether soluble fraction (PSF) has exhibited IC50 of 18.83?μg/mL while the standard ascorbic acid was 2.48?µg/mL. AQSF profoundly inhibited the lysis of erythrocytes (66.20%) which was insignificantly different (p?>?0.05) to acetylsalicylic acid (71.98%), the reference. However, AQSF showed a significantly stronger level of protection against heat-induced hemolysis (64.80%) as compared with the acetylsalicylic acid (78.90%). CEE, OF and AQSF have displayed reasonable growth of inhibition of tested bacteria compared to negative control and standard drug (77.50?mg of GAE/g).     

Melt stabilisation of Phillips type polyethylene, Part I: The role of phenolic and phosphorous antioxidants

The role of a phenolic and three phosphorous (phosphite, phosphonite and phosphine) antioxidants in the melt stabilisation of polyethylene was studied in a Phillips type polyethylene by multiple extrusions. The polyethylene was stabilised with a single antioxidant at 700 ppm and with phenolic/phosphorous antioxidant combinations containing 700 ppm of each component. The functional groups (methyl, vinyl, vinylidene, trans-vinylene and carbonyl) of polyethylene and the residual amount of phosphorous antioxidants were analysed quantitatively by FT-IR methods developed in our laboratory. The rheological characteristics, the colour and the residual thermo-oxidative stability of the polymer were determined and compared. Blown films were prepared and their mechanical strength measured by the Elmendorf and Dart-drop tests. The comparison of the different characteristics revealed that the chemical reactions taking place during the first processing of the nascent polymer powder, as well as the chemical composition of the antioxidants determine the reactions taking place in further processing operations. The changes in the characteristics of stabilised polyethylene during processing are controlled by the phosphorous stabiliser. The effect and final result depend on the chemical structure of the given antioxidant. The phenolic antioxidant itself does not hinder the formation of long chain branches. It reduces the rate of oxidation of the various phosphorous stabilisers, but does not modify the mechanism of stabilisation of the phosphonite and the phosphine. The reactions of the phosphite are significantly modified by the presence of a phenolic antioxidant.     

Rhamnus pallasii subsp. sintenisii fruit,leaf, bark and root: Phytochemical profiles and biological activities

The genus Rhamnus has received a lot of interest as a source of phenolic chemicals. There have been no reports on the phytochemicals and biological activities of R. pallasii subsp. sintenisii various morphological components (fruit, leaf, bark, and root) in Iran to yet. Two crude ether petroleum (EP) and hydro-methanolic (HM) extracts were obtained from the separate parts. The antioxidant and antibacterial capabilities of the extracts, as well as their phytochemical screening (total phenolic, flavonoid, phenolic acid, and anthocyanin concentrations), were measured. Furthermore, the phytochemical profiles of EP and HM extracts were determined using GC–MS and LC-ESI–MS, respectively. LC-ESI-MS detected 59 chemicals in HM extracts, including flavonoids (62.71 %), phenolic acids (10.16 %), and anthraquinones (16.94 %). Furthermore, the predominant group components in EP extracts examined by GC–MS were fatty acids (58.82%), phenolic compounds (49.28%), and hydrocarbons (35.15 to 59.45 %). In terms of biological testing (DPPH radical scavenging and anti-bacterial activity), all examined extracts, particularly the fruit, had the highest activities in both assays (IC₅₀: 7.52 to 22.39 µg/ml and MIC: 0.39 to 3.12 mg/ml), owing to their high phenolic content. As a result, individual morphological elements of the species might be thought of as natural antioxidant and antibacterial agents.     

Eucalyptus oleosa essential oils: chemical composition and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the oils from different plant parts (stems, leaves, flowers and fruits)

Essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from the different parts (stems, adult leaves, immature flowers and fruits) of Eucalyptus oleosa were screened for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and their chemical composition. According to GC-FID and GC-MS, the principal compound of the stem, immature flowers and the fruit oils was 1,8-cineole, representing 31.5%, 47.0% and 29.1%, respectively. Spathulenol (16.1%) and γ-eudesmol (15.0%) were the two principal compounds of adult leaves oil. In the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assay, the oils of the four parts showed moderate antioxidant activity. In the ABTS (2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) assay, the most active part was the adult leaves, with a IC(50) value 13.0 ± 0.6 mg/L, followed by stems (IC(50) = 43.5 ± 1.4 mg/L). The essential oils showed a better antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and a significant antifungal activity also was observed against yeast-like fungi. A strong correlations between oxygenated monoterpenes and antimicrobial activity (especially 1,8-cineole) were noted (R2 = 0.99, 0.97 and 0.79 for B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans, respectively).     

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.     

Some transition metal ions complexes of tricine (Tn) and amino acids: pH-titration,synthesis and antimicrobial activity

Equilibrium studies have been carried out on complex formation of M(II) (M = Co(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)) with tricine (Tn) and L = amino acids in aqueous solution, at 25 °C and ionic strength of I = 0.1 M (NaNO₃). The ternary complexes of amino acids are formed by simultaneous reactions. The concentration distribution of the complexes is evaluated. The solid complexes of [M(II)–Tn–Histidine (Hist)] have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared, magnetic and conductance measurements. The synthesized complexes have been screened for their antibacterial activities and the complexes show a significant antibacterial activity against four bacterial species: Staphylococcus aureus (Gram +ve), Streptococcus pyogenesr (Gram +ve), Serratia marcescens (Gram −ve) and Escherichia coli (Gram −ve). The activity increases by increasing the concentration of the complexes.     

Novel silver-platinum bimetallic nanoalloy synthesized from Vernonia mespilifolia extract: Antioxidant,antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities

In this study, bimetallic nanoparticles comprising silver and platinum with promising therapeutic activities were synthesized using ethanolic Vernonia mespilifolia plant extract for the first time. The bimetallic silver-platinum nanoparticles (AgPtNPs) were characterized using solid-state techniques including UV–vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. The internal morphological structure showed that the AgPtNPs were spherical with a diameter of approximately 35.5 ± 0.8 nm, while FTIR confirmed the effective capping and formation of the nanoparticles by phytoconstituents. The polyphenolic contents of the green synthesized nanoparticles from the ethanolic extract of V. mespilifolia (AgNPs and AgPtNPs) was found to be (28.0 ± 0.8 and 13.6 ± 0.1 mg GAE/g) total phenol, while the flavonoids content was (366.2 ± 17.0 and 126.6 ± 0.2 mg QE/g), and proanthocyanins content was (161.8 ± 0.6 and 70.2 ± 0.6 mg CE/g). The AgPtNPs displayed a greater ability to scavenge free radicals, especially DPPH and ABTS (IC₅₀ 19.5 and 21.6 µg/mL) respectively when compared with AgNPs and ascorbic acid. Besides, the AgPtNPs had a higher ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (44.1 mg GAE/g) when compared to AgNPs (18.5 mg GAE/g). Moreover, the AgPtNPs showed a two-fold antimicrobial activity towards pathogenic microbes compared to AgNPs and a selective cytotoxic potency towards MCF-7 breast cancer cell line compared to HEK 293 normal cell line. In summary, these fascinating bioactivities displayed by the AgPtNPs highlighted their potential in therapeutic biomedical applications.     

Silver(I) complexes based on novel tripodal thioglycosides: synthesis, structure and antimicrobial activity

The reaction of tris(2-bromoethyl)amine hydrobromide with sugar thiols or thioacetates leads to the formation of novel carbohydrate substituted tripodal NS₃ ligands. Complexation with silver(I) ions gives stable complexes. NMR, X-ray, MS and EXAFS studies indicate their mononuclear C₃-symmetric structure. The highly water soluble complexes formed from the unprotected ligands show a wide spectrum of effective antimicrobial activities and their use lowers the cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities compared to the free silver salts.     

GC/MS profiling,in vitro anti-leptospiral and haemolytic activities of Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf. used as a medicinal plant by Nicobarese of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Leaves of the plant Boesenbergia rotunda are used by the Nicobarese tribe of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, to prepare traditional medicine for treating fever, headache and body ache. In the present investigation, methanol fraction of these leaves were analysed by GC/MS that revealed the presence of 25 compounds. The anti-leptospiral activity of methanol crude extract was determined by both microdilution and macrodilution methods. The MICs of the extract were tested against 24 pathogenic leptospiral strains and ranged between 62.5–125 μg/mL in both microdilution and macrodilution. The range of MBCs was 250 and 500 μg/mL in macrodilution and microdilution respectively. The crude extract was subjected to cytotoxic studies and found to have negligible or no haemolytic activity, exhibiting IC₅₀ values of greater than 4 mg/mL. Further in vivo studies are needed to investigate the pharmacological and toxicological properties of Boesenbergia rotunda, before it can be considered as a new anti-leptospiral agent.     

Aerva lanata flower extract mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles: Their characterization,in vitro antioxidants and antimicrobial investigations

The production of nanoparticles (NPs) using biological methods may lead to the enhancement of clean, non-hazardous, and environmentally acceptable procedures. With this context, in the present study silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using the flower extract of Aerva lanata (A. lanata). The following techniques, including UV–visible spectroscopy, XRD, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), are used to study the crystalline nature, size, shape, and elemental composition of the biosynthesized AgNPs, and antimicrobial applications of the NPs also studied. In UV–visible spectroscopy results a strong absorbance peak at 425 nm confirmed the AgNPs. The SEM results confirmed the spherical shape of the NPs and their average size of 45.05 nm. X-ray diffractometry XRD spectra confirmed the crystalline nature of the AgNPs. Against the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), nitric oxide and superoxide radicals, Alf-AgNPs and ascorbic acid had significant scavenging effects at higher concentration of 250 μg/mL, exhibited 65.76 ± 0.41% and 86.42 ± 0.69%, 78.39 ± 0.49% and 72.72 ± 0.14% and 70.79 ± 0.87% and 72.79 ± 0.33% inhibition, respectively. As produced AgNPs had strong antibacterial and moderate antifungal activities against pathogenic test bacterial strains viz. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumonia) with the maximum zone of inhibition 15 ± 1.07 mm, 12 ± 0.96 mm, 14 ± 1.05 mm, and 15 ± 2.54 mm, respectively at maximum (75 μg/mL) concentration of AgNPs, and the zone of inhibition of fungal strains Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) (9 ± 0.67 mm) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) (7 ± 0.75 mm) at 75 μg/mL. It was eventually concluded that the biosynthesized Alf-AgNPs showed promising antioxidant and antimicrobial agents with very low concentrations.     

Complexation of 4-amino-1,3 dimethyl-2,6 pyrimidine-dione derivatives with cobalt(II) and nickel(II) ions: synthesis,spectral, thermal and antimicrobial studies

Four heterocyclic Schiff-base ligands derived from condensation of 4-amino-1,3 dimethyl-2,6 pyrimidine-dione with 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 2-methoxybenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde and 4-(dimethylamino) benzaldehyde, (HL¹, L², HL³and L⁴), respectively, and their Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized via elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic moment, thermal and XRPD analysis as well as spectral data (IR, ¹H-NMR, mass and solid reflectance). IR data reveal that the ligands are bidentate neutral ligands except HL¹, which is monobasic tridentate with coordination sites azomethine (N), carbonyl (O) and phenolic (O). Conductance data suggest that all complexes are non-electrolytes, except cobalt(II) complexes of L²and HL³are 1 : 1 electrolytes. The mass spectra confirm the proposed structure of the ligands and their complexes. The solid reflectance spectral data and magnetic moment measurements suggest octahedral, tetrahedral and square planar geometrical structures for the metal complexes. The spectral data were utilized to compute the important ligand field parameters B, β and Dq; LFSE also was calculated. The thermal behavior is also studied. Antibacterial and antifungal properties of the ligands and their complexes show broad-spectrum activities and the metal complexes show higher activity than the free ligands.     

Triphenylarsenic(V) and -antimony(V) derivatives of multidentate Schiff bases: synthesis,characterization, and antimicrobial activities

Equimolar reactions of Ph _n M(OPr ⁱ )₂ (where M?=?As and Sb) with Schiff bases [OHC₆H₄CH=N(R)OH] in benzene solution yield organoarsenic and -antimony derivatives, (where M?=?As and Sb; n?=?1 and 3; R?=?–CH₂CH(CH₃)–, –(CH₂)₃–, –(CH₂)₂–, and –C(CH₃)₂CH₂–). All these derivatives have been characterized by elemental analyses and molecular weight measurements, and structures have been proposed on the basis of IR, NMR (¹H and ¹³C), and FAB-mass studies. Schiff bases and their corresponding organoantimony derivatives have been screened for antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus flavus (fungus) and Escherichia coli (bacteria).     

Two new b-hydroxy amino acid-coupled secoiridoids from the flower buds of Lonicera japonica:Isolation,structure elucidation,semisynthesis,and biological activities

Two new b-hydroxy amino acid-coupled secoiridoids,named serinosecologanin(1) and threoninosecologanin(2),were isolated from an aqueous extract of the flower buds of Lonicera japonica.Their uncommon structures including absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic data analysis,and confirmed by semisynthesis from the co-occurring secologanin(3) and secologanic acid(4).Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited resistant activity against b-glucosidase from almonds and hesperidinase from Aspergillus niger,they also showed activity against the release of glucuronidase in rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes induced by the platelet-activating factor with inhibition rates of(34.9 3.1)% and(53.6 2.6)%,respectively.     

N‐Phenyl‐substituted carbene precursors and their silver complexes: synthesis,characterization and antimicrobial activities

A series of unsymmetrically substituted N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors ( 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e ) were synthesized from the reaction of N‐phenylbenzimidazole with various alkyl halides. These compounds were used to synthesize NHC–silver(I) complexes ( 2a , 2b , 2c , 2d , 2e ). The five new 1‐phenyl‐3‐alkylbenzimidazolium salts ( 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e ) and their NHC–silver complexes ( 2a , 2b , 2c , 2d , 2e ) were characterized by the ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and FT‐IR spectroscopic methods and elemental analysis techniques. Also, the two NHC–silver complexes 2b and 2c were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, which confirmed the linear C―Ag―Cl arrangements. The antibacterial activities of the NHC precursor and NHC–silver complexes were tested against three Gram‐positive bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus) and three Gram‐negative bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) using the microdilution broth method. The NHC–silver complexes showed higher antibacterial activity than the NHC precursors. In addition, silver complexes 2a , 2b , 2c , 2d showed high antibacterial activity against the Gram‐positive bacteria L. monocytogenes and S. aureus compared to the standard, tetracycline. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.