A comparative study of phytochemical metabolites and antioxidant properties of Rhodiola

Rhodiola crenulata (RC) and Rhodiola fastigiata (RF) are representative species of Rhodiola with well-accepted health benefits; the roots are the medicinal part. However, prior to this study, the differences in phytochemicals between these two species and different parts of the same species remained unclear. Using LC-ESI-MS/MS, HS-SPME-GC–MS, chemical and sensory analyses, volatile compounds and non-volatile compounds, and antioxidant activities of the roots of Rhodiola crenulata and Rhodiola fastigiata and four parts (roots, leaves, flowers, and above-ground stems) of RC were investigated. The volatile compounds and non-volatile compounds of RC roots exhibited upregulation overall compared to those of RF roots, and the odorousness, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity were more pronounced in the RC roots. The phenolic content and antioxidant activity of roots and leaves, alongside the odorousness of roots and flowers, were more significant among the four parts of RC, and the RC roots and RC flowers exhibited similar odorousness. Comparison of non-volatile differential metabolites between RC roots and RC leaves showed upregulations of saccharides and phospholipids, and minor upregulations of flavonoids and phenylpropanoids in the roots; in addition, amino acids, organic acids, and vitamins were upregulated in the leaves. These results revealed the following: 1) RC roots are superior to RF roots regarding volatile compounds and non-volatile compounds, and antioxidant activity; 2) it is more favorable to select RC roots for exploiting volatile compounds compared with RC flowers in consideration of the biomass available; 3) in terms of non-volatile compounds, and antioxidant ability, RC leaves are also of great value in addition to RC roots, though these two parts show distinct characteristics.     

LC-MS Metabolite Profiling and the Hypoglycemic Activity of Morus alba L. Extracts

Morus alba L. is used in traditional Chinese medicine for its anti-diabetic activity; however, the part of the hypoglycemic activity and related active metabolites are still not fully clarified. In this study, the metabolites in the M. alba roots, leaves, twigs, and fruits extracts (70% ethanol extracts) were systematically identified, and their hypoglycemic activity was evaluated by the high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) mouse model. A total of 60 high-level compounds, including 16 polyphenols, 43 flavonoids, and one quinic acid, were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS) combined with the fragmentation pathways of standards and the self-established database. Among them, 23 metabolites were reported for the first time from this plant. In contrast to the extracts of M. alba leaves and fruits, the extracts of roots and twigs displayed significant hypoglycemic activity The glycemia was significantly reduced from 32.08 ± 1.27 to 20.88 ± 1.82 mmol/L and from 33.32 ± 1.98 to 24.74 ± 1.02 mmol/L, respectively, after 4 weeks of treatment with roots and twigs extracts. Compound 46 (morusin), which is a high-level component identified from the extracts of M. alba roots, also displayed significant activity in decreasing the blood glucose level of T2D mice reduced from 31.45 ± 1.23 to 23.45 ± 2.13 mmol/L. In addition, the extracts of roots and twigs displayed significant activity in reducing postprandial glycemia. This work marks the first comparison of the metabolites and hypoglycemic activity of M. alba roots, leaves, twigs, and fruits extracts, and provides a foundation for further development of M. alba extracts as anti-diabetic drugs.     

Antioxidant,antimicrobial and urease inhibiting activities of methanolic extracts from Cyphostemma digitatum stem and roots

Cyphostemma digitatum stem and roots extracts were investigated for antioxidant, antimicrobial, urease inhibition potential and phytochemical analysis. Phytochemical screening of the roots and stem extract revealed the presence of secondary metabolites including flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, saponins, terpenoids, tannins, carbohydrates/reducing sugars and phenolic compounds. The methanolic extracts of the roots displayed highest antioxidant activity (93.518%) against DPPH while the crude methanolic extract of the stem showed highest antioxidant activity (66.163%) at 100 μg/mL concentration. The methanolic extracts of both stem and roots were moderately active or even found to be less active against the selected bacterial and fungal strains (Tables S2 and S3). The roots extract (methanol) showed significant urease enzyme inhibition activity (IC₅₀ = 41.2 ± 0.66; 0.2 mg/mL) while the stem extract was found moderately active (IC₅₀ = 401.1 ± 0.58; 0.2 mg/mL) against thiourea (IC₅₀ = 21.011; 0.2 mg/mL).     

Methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid induced oxidative stress and accumulation of phenolics in Panax ginseng bioreactor root suspension cultures

To investigate the enzyme variations responsible for the synthesis of phenolics, 40 day-old adventitious roots of Panax ginseng were treated with 200 microM methyl jasmonate (MJ) or salicylic acid (SA) in a 5 L bioreactor suspension culture (working volume 4 L). Both treatments caused an increase in the carbonyl and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents, although the levels were lower in SA treated roots. Total phenolic, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, non-protein thiol (NPSH) and cysteine contents and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical reducing activity were increased by MJ and SA. Fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW) decreased significantly after 9 days of exposure to SA and MJ. The highest total phenolics (62%), DPPH activity (40%), flavonoids (88%), ascorbic acid (55%), NPSH (33%), and cysteine (62%) contents compared to control were obtained after 9 days in SA treated roots. The activities of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, substrate specific peroxidases (caffeic acid peroxidase, quercetin peroxidase and ferulic acid peroxidase) were higher in MJ treated roots than the SA treated ones. Increased shikimate dehydrogenase, chlorogenic acid peroxidase and beta-glucosidase activities and proline content were observed in SA treated roots than in MJ ones. Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase activity remained unaffected by both MJ and SA. These results strongly indicate that MJ and SA induce the accumulation of phenolic compounds in ginseng root by altering the phenolic synthesis enzymes.     

Antifungal activity of sakurasosaponin from the root extract of Jacquinia flammea

The methanolic crude extract from the roots of Jacquinia flammea showed moderate antifungal activity against dermatophytes and very strong antifungal activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The bioassay-guided purification of the extract, using a combination of vacuum-liquid chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography, allowed the identification of sakurasosaponin as the main metabolite responsible for the antifungal activity.     

The relationship of nitrogen and C/N ratio with secondary metabolites levels and antioxidant activities in three varieties of Malaysian kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila Blume)

Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila Blume), one of the most famous and widely used herbs, especially in Southeast Asia, is found to have interesting bioactive compounds and displays health promoting properties. In this study, the antioxidant activities of the methanol extracts of leaves, stems and roots of three varieties of L. pumila (var. alata, pumila and lanceolata) were evaluated in an effort to compare and validate the medicinal potential of this indigenous Malaysian herb species. The antioxidant activity determined by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, as well as the total amount of phenolics and flavonoids were the highest in the leaves, followed by the stems and roots in all the varieties. A similar trend was displayed by the ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) activity, suggesting that the L. pumila varieties possess high foliar antioxidant properties. At low FRAP activity concentrations, the values of the leaves' inhibition activity in the three varieties were significantly higher than those of the stems and roots, with var. alata exhibiting higher antioxidant activities and total contents of phenolics and flavonoids compared to the varieties pumila and lanceolata. The high production of secondary metabolites and antioxidant activities in var. alata were firmly related to low nitrogen content and high C/N ratio in plant parts. The study also demonstrated a positive correlation between secondary metabolite content and antioxidant activities, and revealed that the consumption of L. pumila could exert several beneficial effects by virtue of its antioxidant activity.     

Influence of wilt infection on the gossypol pigments of seeds and roots of a cotton plant of the variety Tashkent-1

A study has been made of the gossypol pigments of the seeds and roots of a cotton plant of the variety Tashkent-1 infected with wilt in comparison with a healthy plant. The amount of gossypol in the infected plant was lower than in the healthy plant. In the diseased plant, gossypurpurin was concentrated in the roots, and in the healthy plant it was concentrated in the seeds. Gossypol possessing optical activity was detected in the seeds and roots of both the healthy and the diseased plants.Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Uzbek SSR Academy of Sciences, Tashkent. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 63–66, January–February, 1989.     

Antimicrobial screening and quantitative determination of benzoic acid derivative of Gomphrena celosioides by TLC-densitometry

The antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract and pure compounds of Gomphrena celosioides have been screened by Kirby-Bauer method. Quantitative determination of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzoic acid in stems, leaves, flowers and roots was established by TLC-densitometry. Results showed significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi. There were no significant differences in the determined benzoic acid derivative.     

Antimicrobial activity and phytochemical screening of Arbutus unedo L.

In this study, antimicrobial activities of water and methanol extract, and three phenolic fractions of the roots of Arbutus unedo L. were investigated. Poor antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria was shown with water and methanol extract. However moderate antibacterial activity was shown by water extract and phenolic fractions against Escherichia coli and S. aureus, respectively. The phytochemical screening of roots of A. unedo revealed the presence of quinones, anthraquinones reducteurs compounds, anthocyanins, tannins and flavonoids. Quantitative analysis showed that the roots were strongly dominated by anthocyanins compounds (3.65 mg g^?1) followed by total flavonoids (0.56 mg^?1) and flavones & flavonols (0.17 mg g^?1).     

Inhibition of histamine mediated responses by Mirabilis jalapa: confirming traditional claims made about antiallergic and antiasthmatic activity

The roots of Mirabilis jalapa are used traditionally in allergic skin disorders and asthma. The effect of an ethanol:acetone (1:1) extract of the roots of M. jalapa was studied for antihistaminic activity using a guinea pig tracheal chain preparation and clonidine-induced mast cell granulation in mice. Its antiallergic activity was evaluated using milk-induced eosinophilia and albumin-induced paw oedema in mice. The extract (0.5 mL of 100 mg mL(-1)) inhibited histamine-induced guinea pig tracheal chain contractions non-competitively. The extract (100 or 200 mg kg(-1) i.p.) inhibited milk-induced eosinophilia, albumin-induced paw oedema and protected mast cells against clonidine-induced granulation. The study justified the folkloric use of M. jalapa in the treatment of allergic diseases and asthma.     

Diterpenoid tanshinones and phenolic acids from cultured hairy roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and their antimicrobial activities

Four diterpenoid tanshinones and three phenolic acids were isolated from the crude ethanol extract of the cultured hairy roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge by bioassay-guided fractionation. By means of physicochemical and spectrometric analysis, they were identified as tanshinone ΙΙA (1), tanshinone Ι (2), cryptotanshinone (3), dihydrotanshinone Ι (4), rosmarinic acid (5), caffeic acid (6), and danshensu (7). These compounds were evaluated to show a broad antimicrobial spectrum of activity on test microorganisms including eight bacterial and one fungal species. Among the four tanshinones, cryptotanshinone (3) and dihydrotanshinone Ι (4) exhibited stronger antimicrobial activity than tanshinone ΙΙA (1) and tanshinone Ι (2). The results indicated that the major portion of the antimicrobial activity was due to the presence of tanshinones and phenolic acids in S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots, which could be used as the materials for producing antimicrobial agents for use in agricultural practice in the future.     

Phytochemical Characterization of Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) Roots and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant and Antibacterial Potential

Matricaria recutita L., German chamomile, is one of the most widely used medicinal plants, whose efficacy has been proven in numerous studies. However, its roots have attracted only little interest so far, since mainly above-ground plant parts are used for medicinal purposes. To broaden the knowledge of chamomile roots, a profound phytochemical characterization was performed along with a bioactivity screening of corresponding root extracts. While volatile constituents such as chamomillol and polyynes were detected using GC-MS, HPLC-MSⁿ analyses revealed the occurrence of four coumarin glycosides, more than ten phenolic acid esters and five glyceroglycolipids. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated. Polar extracts revealed IC₅₀ values ranging from 13 to 57 µg/mL in the DPPH radical scavenging assay, which is in the same range as reported for chamomile flower extracts. In addition, superoxide radical scavenging potential and mild antibacterial effects against S. aureus und B. subtilis were demonstrated. Moreover, to assess interspecies variation in chamomile roots, extracts of M. recutita were compared to those of M. discoidea DC. Interestingly, the latter revealed stronger antioxidant activity. The presented results aim at the valorization of chamomile roots, previously discarded as by-product of chamomile flower production, as a sustainable source of bioactive phytochemicals.     

Production of the Biopesticide Azadirachtin by Hairy Root Cultivation of Azadirachta indica in Liquid-Phase Bioreactors

Batch cultivation of Azadirachta indica hairy roots was carried out in different liquid-phase bioreactor configurations (stirred-tank, bubble column, bubble column with polypropylene basket, and polyurethane foam disc as root supports) to investigate possible scale-up of the A. indica hairy root culture for in vitro production of the biopesticide azadirachtin. The hairy roots failed to grow in the conventional bioreactor designs (stirred tank and bubble column). However, modified bubble column reactor (with polyurethane foam as root support) configuration facilitated high-density culture of A. indica hairy roots with a biomass production of 9.2 g l^?1dry weight and azadirachtin yield of 3.2 mg g^?1 leading to a volumetric productivity of azadirachtin as 1.14 mg l^?1 day^?1. The antifeedant activity in the hairy roots was also evaluated by no choice feeding tests with known concentrations of the hairy root powder and its solvent extract separately on the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria. The hairy root powder and its solvent extract demonstrated a high level of antifeedant activity (with an antifeedant index of 97 % at a concentration of 2 % w/v and 83 % at a concentration of 0.05 % (w/v), respectively, in ethanol).     

Separation and identification of bioactive compounds in Anabasis articulata (Forsk) Moq. roots

In the present paper, for the first time, we are interested to separate and identify some bioactive fractions isolated from the roots of a Saharan plant Anabasis articulata, which is widely used in traditional medicine against cancer. The crude methanolic extract of the roots was fractionated on column chromatography, and eluted with dichloromethane/methanol each time with increasing polarity of methanol; 17 fractions were separated. One of these fractions named F12 showed more antioxidant activity to scavenge DPPH free radical with percentage inhibition of 95.29%. F12 was separated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) to give 12 compounds. A second preparative TLC of compound 2, which has antioxidative activity of 74.92%, provided the three phenolic acids M1, M2 and M3, analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography and UV–visible spectrophotometry.     

Chemical constituents of roots of Epimedium wushanense and evaluation of their biological activities

Seven flavonoids named diphylloside A, epimedoside A, epimedin C, icariin, epimedoside C, icarisoside A, desmethylanhydroicaritin, as well as the oleanolic acid, were isolated from the roots of Epimedium wushanense for the first time. These flavonoids manifested significant antioxidant activity in vitro. Scavenging effects of two flavonoids were comparable to that of Vitamin C. Antibacterial experiment has shown that the diphylloside A, icarisoside A and desmethylanhydroicaritin have significant activity towards Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

Phenylethyl cinnamides as potential alpha-glucosidase inhibitors from the roots of Solanum melongena

Bioassay-guided fractionation against alpha-glucosidase resulted in isolation and identification of six phenolic compounds (1-6) from the 70% EtOH extract of the roots of Solanum melongena L. (Solanaceae). Of these, three phenylethyl cinnamides, N-trans-feruloyl tyramine (1), N-trans-p-coumaroyl tyramine (2) and N-cis-p-coumaroyl tyramine (3) possessed inhibitory activity against alpha-glucosidase with IC50 values of 500.6, 5.3 and 46.3 microM, respectively. Mechanism analysis revealed these phenylethyl cinnamides were non-competitive inhibitors. This is the first study of the alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities of the roots of S. melongena, and this preliminary observation suggested potential medicinal use of this herb.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of a novel flavonol glycoside from the Bauhinia variegata Linn

Bauhinia variegata Linn. (Leguminosae) is commonly known as 'Kachnar' in Hindi. It is distributed almost throught India. Its powdered bark is traditionally used for tonic, astrain, ulcers. It is also useful in skin diseases. The roots are used as antidote to snake poison. The present article deals with the isolation and structural elucidation of a novel flavonol glycoside 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxy-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->3)-O-beta-galactopyranoside (1) from the roots of Bauhinia Variegata and its structure was identified by spectral analysis and chemical degradations. The novel compound (1) showed anti-inflammatory activity.     

Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of Helleborus odorus Waldst. & Kit, H. multifidus Vis. and H. hercegovinus Martinis

This study was undertaken in order to evaluate possible antioxidative and antiproliferative activities of three Helleborus taxa. The dry leaves and roots of three Helleborus taxa were extracted with ethanol and water. A phytochemical evaluation of the selected extracts was performed using spectrophotometric methods and a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity assay was used for measuring the antioxidative activity of extracts. The antiproliferative activity of the three Helleborus taxa was studied using Burkitt's lymphoma B cells (BJAB) cell lines. The phytochemical evaluation showed that the leaves contain high levels of total phenolic and flavonoid content. Results from the DPPH assay indicated that the activity of the ethanol and water extracts of the leaves was higher than that of positive control (thymol). Extracts from the roots of H. odorus also displayed higher antioxidant activity than the positive probe, while H. mulifidus and H. hercegovinus root extracts were less effective. A statistically significant correlation between total phenolic content and antioxidative properties indicates that these compounds contribute to the antioxidant activity. The highest percentage of cell growth inhibition was observed when testing the water root extracts of H. multifidus (50.14%) and H. hercegovinus (49.04%). In contrast, the water leaf extract of H. hercegovinus exhibited the lowest inhibition of cell growth (8.59%), although it showed strong antioxidant activity.     

Hypoglycemic activity of a new carbohydrate isolated from the roots of Psacalium peltatum

A new ulopyranose isolated from aqueous extract of roots and rhizomas of Psacalium peltatum has been determined to have hypoglycemic activity at doses of 100 mg/kg, comparable to that of tolbutamide and insulin in alloxan diabetic mice. The skeletal structure of the new compound was established by spectral analysis.     

Antioxidant,Antibacterial, and Antifungal Activities of the Ethanolic Extract Obtained from Berberis vulgaris Roots and Leaves

This work assessed the phenolic and flavonoid components and their antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial effects in the ethanolic extract of barberry leaf and roots. The antibactericidal activity of root and leaf extracts against pathogenic bacteria was tested using agar diffusion and microdilution broth production for the lowest inhibitory concentration (MIC). Berberis vulgaris root and leaf extracts inhibited Staphylococcus aureus ATCC9973, Escherichia coli HB101, Staphylococcus enteritis, and Escherichia coli Cip812. The disc assay technique was used to assess the bactericidal activity of the extracts versus both pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. Hydro alcoholic extract was more effective against bacterial than fungal strains. The results showed that Berberis vulgaris leaf and roots extract had similar antifungal activities. Berberis vulgaris root extract inhibited the mycelial growth of Penicillium verrucosum, Fusarium proliferatum, Aspergillus ochraceous, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus flavus. Berberis vulgaris root extract has excellent antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal effects. Berberis vulgaris exhibited antimicrobial activity in vitro, and MIC showed that Berberis vulgaris parts efficiently affected pathogens in vitro. In conclusion, both Berberis vulgaris roots and leaves have considerable antibacterial activity and can be used as a source of antibacterial, antioxidant, and bioactive compounds to benefit human health.