Phytochemical analysis,antimicrobial, antioxidant and urease inhibitory potential of Cyphostemma digitatum Lam.

In this paper we report the antimicrobial, antiradical and urease inhibitory potential along with photochemical investigation of the crude extracts of Cyphostemma digitatum Lam. Phytochemical screening of both the crude (hot/cold) alcoholic and aqueous extracts of C. digitatum showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, coumarins, steroids, terpenoids and tannins. The crude methanolic extract (hot/cold) exhibited good antioxidant activity, while the aqueous extract was a weak antioxidant. The crude methanolic extract was found to be more active against Bacillus subtilis, while both the extracts showed moderate antifungal potential, the methanolic crude extract showed good urease inhibitory activity compared with the aqueous crude extract.     

Modeling Alleviative Effects of Ca,Mg, and K on Cu-Induced Oxidative Stress in Grapevine Roots Grown Hydroponically

The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of alleviation effects of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K) on copper (Cu)-induced oxidative toxicity in grapevine roots. Root growth, Cu and cation accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and antioxidant activities were examined in grapevine roots grown in nutrient solutions. The experimental setting was divided into three sets; each set contained a check (Hoagland solution only) and four treatments of simultaneous exposure to 15 μM Cu with four cation levels (i.e., Ca set: 0.5, 2.5, 5, and 10 mM Ca; Mg set: 0.2, 2, 4, and 8 mM Mg; K set: 0.6, 2.4, 4.8, and 9.6 mM K). A damage assessment model (DAM)-based approach was then developed to construct the dose-effect relationship between cation levels and the alleviation effects on Cu-induced oxidative stress. Model parameterization was performed by fitting the model to the experimental data using a nonlinear regression estimation. All data were analyzed by a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by multiple comparisons using the least significant difference (LSD) test. The results showed that significant inhibitory effects on the elongation of roots occurred in grapevine roots treated with 15 μM Cu. The addition of Ca and Mg significantly mitigated phytotoxicity in root growth, whereas no significant effect of K treatment on root growth was found. With respect to oxidative stress, ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, as well as antioxidant (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)) activities, were stimulated in the roots after exposure to 15 μM Cu for three days. Moreover, H₂O₂ levels decreased significantly as Ca, Mg, and K concentrations increased, indicating that the coexistence of these cations effectively alleviated Cu-induced oxidative stress; however, alleviative effects were not observed in the assessment of the MDA content and antioxidant enzyme activities. Based on the DAM, an exponential decay equation was developed and successfully applied to characterize the alleviative effects of Ca, Mg, and K on the H₂O₂ content induced by Cu in the roots. In addition, compared with Mg and K, Ca was the most effective cation in the alleviation of Cu-induced ROS. Based on the results, it could be concluded that Cu inhibited root growth and Ca and Mg absorption in grapevines, and stimulated the production of ROS, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, the alleviation effects of cations on Cu-induced ROS were well described by the DAM-based approach developed in the present study.     

Anticholinesterase,antioxidant activity and phytochemical investigation into aqueous extracts from five species of Agrimonia genus

Aqueous extracts of aerial flowering parts of five Agrimonia species (Rosaceae): Agrimonia coreana Nakai, Agrimonia japonica (Miq.) Koidz, Agrimonia procera Wallr., Agrimonia eupatoria L. and Agrimonia leucantha Kunze were investigated on their antioxidant activity, measured using five different methods; the best was the extract from A. procera with IC₅₀ values from 6 to 29 μg/mL. All the extracts displayed inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) at the tested concentration of 100 μg/mL. We found the highest inhibition of cholinesterase in the extract of A. japonica with inhibition 70.4% for AChE and 79.8% for BuChE. These findings are statistically significant in comparison with those of other extracts (p < 0.001). The phytochemical analyses showed that the antioxidant activity of Agrimonia extracts can be affected especially by hexahydroxydiphenoyl (HHDP)-glucose and quercetin glycosides, and inhibition of cholinesterases by apigenin, luteolin and quercetin glycosides.     

北虫草多糖的理化特征及抗氧化和免疫活性研究

采取超高压提取,DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow和Sephadex G-100柱层析分离纯化得到虫草多糖(CMP),通过高效凝胶色谱(HPGPC)、气相色谱(GC)和傅里叶红外光谱(FT-IR)对其理化特征进行了表征,并对CMP抗氧化及免疫调节活性进行了测定.结果显示CMP是纯度较高杂多糖,由鼠李糖、甘露糖、葡萄糖和半乳糖4个单糖组成,结果表明超高压是一种高效的菌多糖提取技术,提取得到的CMP可以探索作为天然的抗氧化和免疫调节剂应用于功能食品和药品.     

Isolation,structural elucidation and in vitro antioxidant activity of compounds from chloroform extract of Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud.

This study was designed to isolate, characterise and explore in vitro antioxidant potential of compounds from the chloroform extract of Cedrus deodara wood belonging to Pinacae family. We have investigated the in vitro free radical scavenging activity of isolated compounds by measuring total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reducing power ability. From the chloroform extract five sesquiterpenes namely atlantone, himaphenolone, atlantolone, deodardione and atlantone-2,3-diol were identified. Himaphenolone and deodardione from the chloroform extract of this plant have been isolated for the first time. A marked dose-dependent reducing power and strong TAC were found in favour of himaphenolone and atlantone-2,3-diol, respectively. Moreover, deodardione and atlantolone also exhibit good antioxidant potentials. However, atlantone has showed least antioxidant activity. In conclusion, the chloroform extract of C. deodara exhibited significant antioxidant potential mainly due to the presence of sesquiterpenes which may be responsible for various pharmacological activities of this plant.     

Synthesis,magnetic properties,DNA binding and cleavage activity of a new oxalato bridged copper(II) complex

A novel oxalato‐bridged copper(II) complex has been prepared and structurally characterized: [Cu(bpa)(μ‐C₂O₄)].H₂O (bpa = bis(2‐pyridylmethyl) amine). In the complex, the copper ion is linked in an unusual μ_1,2,3‐C₂O₄^2? bridging mode, generating one‐dimensional zigzag chain disposition. Variable‐temperature magnetic susceptibility studies (2–300 K) reveal a weak ferromagnetic coupling, J = 0.63 cm^?1, between the copper ions. The interaction of the complex with CT‐DNA has been studied using UV–visible absorption and emission spectral methods, and the binding constant of the complex with CT‐DNA is K_app = 9 × 10⁴ m ^?1, which indicates that the interaction of the complex with DNA is a moderate intercalative mode. Furthermore, the complex cleaves supercoiled plasmid DNA efficiently in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The mechanistic investigations suggest that the hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen are involved in the DNA degradation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Essential oil constituents,phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Lavandula stricta Delile growing wild in southern Iran

Lavandula stricta belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is considered as an endemic medicinal plant in southern Iran. Essential oil composition, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity from two different populations of L. stricta were studied for the first time. A GC and GC/MS analysis of essential oil isolated from the aerial part of L. stricta identified 31 constituents; the major constituents were α-pinene (58.34–63.52%), linalool (8.85–9.36%), 3-methyl butyl 2-methyl butanoate (7.45–7.70%), sabinene (2.84–3.56%), limonene (2.87–3.21%) and myrcene (2.25%). The total phenolic content of methanolic extracts was determined with the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent and the antioxidant activity of methanolic extract and essential oil were determined with the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl free radical scavenging assay, respectively. Total phenols varied from 61.05 to 64.45 mg GAE/g dry weight, and IC₅₀ values in the radical scavenging assay ranged from 334.11 to 395.23 μg/mL in methanolic extracts and 420–475 μg/mL in essential oil.     

Composition,antibacterial, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of essential oils from three Origanum species growing wild in Lebanon and Greece

The essential oils from Origanum dictamnus, Origanum libanoticum and Origanum microphyllum were analysed by GC-MS, finding carvacrol, p-cymene, linalool, γ-terpinene and terpinen-4-ol as major components. The antioxidant activity by the DPPH and FRAP tests and the antiproliferative activity against two human cancer cell lines, LoVo and HepG2, were investigated, showing that the essential oil of O. dictamnus was statistically the most inhibitory on both the cell lines, while all the oils exerted a weak antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the samples were tested against 10 Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria; all the oils were active on Gram-positive bacteria but O. dictamnus essential oil was the most effective (MIC = 25–50 μg/mL), showing also a good activity against the Gram-negative Escherichia coli (MIC = 50 μg/mL). Data suggest that these essential oils and particularly O. dictamnus oil could be used as valuable new flavours with functional properties for food or nutraceutical products.     

The Role of Astaxanthin as a Nutraceutical in Health and Age-Related Conditions

The current review provides an up-to-date analysis of scientific data on astaxanthin (ASX) sources and experimental studies on its health benefits as a potent antioxidant in the aging process. ASX is a liposoluble carotenoid nutrient and reddish-orange pigment, naturally synthesized by numerous microalgae, yeasts, and bacteria as secondary metabolites. Provides a reddish hue to redfish and shellfish flesh that feed on ASX-producing microorganisms. The microalga Haematococcus pluvialis is the most important source for its industrial bioproduction. Due to its strong antioxidant properties, numerous investigations reported that natural ASX is a more significant antioxidant agent than other antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and β-carotene. Furthermore, several data show that ASX possesses important nutraceutical applications and health benefits, especially in healthy aging processes. However, further studies are needed for a deeper understanding of the potential mechanisms through which ASX could lead to its effective role in the healthy aging process, such as supporting brain health and skin homeostasis. This review highlights the current investigations on the effective role of ASX in oxidative stress, aging mechanisms, skin physiology, and central nervous system functioning, and shows the potential clinical implications related to its consumption.     

Chemical constituents,antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of ethanol extract from Artemisia japonica Thumb. Leaves

The tender leaves of Artemisia japonica Thumb. are often used as vegetables and tea in China. They also used as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of liver disease. However, the identity of components responsible for health benefits remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and hepatic protective effects of a 60 % ethanol extract of Artemisia japonica Thumb. leaves (AJLEE). Total phenol content of AJLEE was determined using Folin Ciocalteau Method and it was calculated to be 123.142 ± 8.441 mg GAE/g. AJLEE shows remarkable antioxidant activity in vitro; pretreatment at 150 µg/mL can almost completely eliminate H₂O₂-induced ALM12 cell death. Moreover, AJLEE at a dosage of 400 mg/kg exhibits a strong hepatic protective effect against α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced liver injury though the upregulation of genes for the antioxidant enzymes Sod1, Cat, Gpx4 and Ho-1, while decreasing the level of MDA. These properties of AJLEE may be attributed to the existence of abundant phenolic acids, flavonoids and coumarins, identified by UPLC/QTOF-MS as chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, 7-methoxycoumarin and quercetin, apigenin and luteolin glycoside derivatives. Our data support the use of Artemisia japonica leaves as functional tea and food additives to improve human health.     

Phytochemical composition,antioxidant activity and HPLC profiles of Swertia species from Western Ghats

Swertia chirayita is one of the potential medicinal plants of the family Gentianaceae in traditional medicine. Due to its high demand and scarcity, trade of chirayita is affected by adulterants. Swertia species from Western Ghats were compared with S. chirayita for phytochemical characterisation and antioxidant activities by using different extracts. This study revealed that acetone is the best extraction solvent of phenolic and flavonoid compounds with antioxidant properties as compared with other extracts. S. chirayita showed better antioxidant activity than other species with highest content of phenolics and flavonoids. Among the species from Western Ghats, Swertia minor has better antioxidant properties with higher content of phenolics and flavonoids when compared with S. chirayita. Gallic acid was detected in all species under study by using HPLC analysis. The Swertia species under study showed similar phytochemical properties and antioxidant potential and hence their use as substitute to S. chirayita needs to be further investigated.     

In Vitro Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Effects of Different Extracts of Catharanthus roseus and Its Indole Alkaloid,Vindoline

The Catharanthus roseus plant has been used traditionally to treat diabetes mellitus. Scientific evidence supporting the antidiabetic effects of this plant’s active ingredient-vindoline has not been fully evaluated. In this study, extracts of C. roseus and vindoline were tested for antioxidant activities, alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibitory activities and insulin secretory effects in pancreatic RIN-5F cell line cultured in the absence of glucose, at low and high glucose concentrations. The methanolic extract of the plant showed the highest antioxidant activities in addition to the high total polyphenolic content (p < 0.05). The HPLC results exhibited increased concentration of vindoline in the dichloromethane and the ethylacetate extracts. Vindoline showed noticeable antioxidant activity when compared to ascorbic acid at p < 0.05 and significantly improved the in vitro insulin secretion. The intracellular reactive oxygen species formation in glucotoxicity-induced cells was significantly reduced following treatment with vindoline, methanolic and the dichloromethane extracts when compared to the high glucose untreated control (p < 0.05). Plant extracts and vindoline showed weaker inhibitory effects on the activities of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes when compared to acarbose, which inhibited the activities of the enzymes by 80%. The plant extracts also exhibited weak alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibitory effects.     

Molecular characterization and antioxidant assay of pigment producing bacteria,Sphingomonas paucimobilis and Microbacterium arborescens isolated from fresh water sediments

Abstract

This study focuses on isolation of pigment producing bacteria from fresh water sediment. The isolated bacteria were grown in nutrient broth and the maximum absorbance of 2.512 was obtained for the extracted pigment at 500 nm. The effective strains were optimized, pH 11 and temperature 30 °C was found to be more favorable for its maximum growth. The isolates were identified based on their molecular characterestics as Microbacterium arborescens and Sphingomonas paucimobilis, molecular size of the amplified 16S rRNA gene sequence was found to be approximately 1270 and 765 bp respectively. The antioxidant property of the pigment was analyzed using DPPH and ABTS assay. The IC₅₀ value of Microbacterium arborescens was higher in all the three assays in comparison with Sphingomonas paucimobilis. The extracted pigment was characterized for the presence of compounds using GC-MS and FTIR analysis to determine the functional groups. As the pigment obtained from M. arborescens had shown better antioxidant activity it may be used as colorant in food industrial applications.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Phlomis leucophracta,an endemic species from Turkey

Abstract

The chemical composition, and antioxidant activity of the essential oils of the endemic Phlomis leucophracta P. H. Davis et Hub.-Mor. was investigated. The major compounds of the essential oil were linalool (36.4%), spathulenol (8.4%) and caryophyllene oxide (8.4%). The composition of the oil differs with published data, suggesting other chemotype. Moreover, the oil of this species was analysed for its antioxidant activity for the first time and results indicate it possess strong antioxidant activity comparable with already known antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, BHT, or Trolox. Presented results suggest that this endemic species has strong potential to be used in food and pharmacological industries, and therefore they need to be further investigated.     

Evaluation of seasonal chemical composition,antibacterial, antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity of essential oil from Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.

This study describes the seasonal composition and the antibacterial, antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity of the essential oil from Eugenia brasiliensis leaves. Analysis by using GC allowed the identification of 40 compounds. It was observed that the monoterpenes varied more (42%) than the sesquiterpenes (14%), and that the monoterpene hydrocarbons suffered the greatest variation throughout the year (64%). Major compounds were spathulenol in the spring (16.02 ± 0.44%) and summer (18.17 ± 0.41%), τ-cadinol in the autumn (12.83 ± 0.03%) and α-pinene (15.94 ± 0.58%) in the winter. Essential oils were tested for their antibacterial activity, and the best result was obtained from the autumn oil, with MIC = 500 μg mL^? 1 against Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH, lipid peroxidation and iron-reducing power assays, as well as the anticholinesterase activity. Both tests showed a weak performance of the essential oils.     

Anti-inflammatory,antioxidant and antiangiogenic activities of diosgenin isolated from traditional medicinal plant,Costus speciosus (Koen ex.Retz.) Sm

Costus speciosus is an important medicinal plant widely used in several indigenous medicinal formulations. The present study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiangiogenic activities of diosgenin isolated from C. speciosus. The diosgenin was isolated from C. speciosus by HPTLC and its biological activities were studied by different protocols. The results demonstrated that LPS stimulated TNF-α generation in RAW 264.7 macrophage culture supernatant up to 3.7-fold of the control and that sample treatment (50 μg/mL) resulted in a highly significant inhibitory effect on LPS-stimulated TNF-α (p < 0.01) in a similar manner to methotrexate inhibitory effect. The tested sample possessed an effective antioxidant scavenging affinity against DPPH radicals as compared with the standard antioxidant activity of vitamin C. The results presented here may suggest that diosgenin isolated from C. speciosus possess anticancer, apoptotic and inhibitory effects on cell proliferation.     

Nutritional composition,antioxidant activity and isolation of scopoletin from Senecio nutans: support of ancestral and new uses

Continuing with our study characterising Senecio nutans Sch. Bip., we have isolated and identified a simple coumarin, scopoletin, that could be relevant for the biological properties of the species related with the ancestral medical uses. This is the first report of scopoletin from S. nutans. In addition, the extract was analysed for its antioxidant activity using the ABTS and FRAP method as well as providing the first nutritional analyses of this plant from northern Chile highlands.     

Hydroxycinnamic Acids as DNA‐Cleaving Agents in the Presence of CuII Ions: Mechanism,Structure–Activity Relationship,and Biological Implications

The effectiveness of hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs), that is, caffeic acid (CaA), chlorogenic acid (ChA), sinapic acid (SA), ferulic acid (FA), 3‐hydroxycinnamic acid (3‐HCA), and 4‐hydroxycinnamic acid (4‐HCA), as pBR322 plasmid DNA‐cleaving agents in the presence of Cu^II ions was investigated. Compounds bearing o‐hydroxy or 3,5‐dimethoxy groups on phenolic rings (CaA, SA, and ChA) were remarkably more effective at causing DNA damage than the compounds bearing no such groups; furthermore, CaA was the most active among the HCAs examined. The involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Cu^I ions in the DNA damage was affirmed by the inhibition of the DNA breakage by using specific scavengers of ROS and a Cu^I chelator. The interaction between CaA and Cu^II ions and the influence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), the solvent, and pH value on the interaction were also studied to help elucidate the detailed prooxidant mechanism by using UV/Vis spectroscopic analysis. On the basis of these observations, it is proposed that it is the CaA phenolate anion, instead of the parent molecule, that chelates with the Cu^II ion as a bidentate ligand, hence facilitating the intramolecular electron transfer to form the corresponding CaA semiquinone radical intermediate. The latter undergoes a second electron transfer with oxygen to form the corresponding o‐quinone and a superoxide, which play a pivotal role in the DNA damage. The intermediacy of the semiquinone radical was supported by isolation of its dimer from the Cu^II‐mediated oxidation products. Intriguingly, CaA was also the most cytotoxic compound among the HCAs toward human promyelocytic leukemia (HL‐60) cell proliferation. Addition of exogenous Cu^II ions resulted in an effect dichotomy on cell viability depending on the concentration of CaA; that is, low concentrations of CaA enhanced the cell viability and, conversely, high concentrations of CaA almost completely inhibited the cell proliferation. On the other hand, when superoxide dismutase was added before, the two stimulation effects of exogenous Cu^II ions were significantly ameliorated, thus clearly indicating that the oxidative‐stress level regulates cell proliferation and death. These findings provide direct evidence for the antioxidant/prooxidant mechanism of cancer chemoprevention.     

Production of Bioactive Peptides from Baltic Herring (Clupea harengus membras): Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitory,Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Properties

This study aimed to produce bioactive protein hydrolysates from undervalued fish, namely Baltic herring, and its filleting by-products. Protein hydrolysates were produced with Alcalase and Flavourzyme to achieve effective hydrolysis. The hydrolysates were evaluated for chemical composition, molecular weight distribution, antioxidant capacity, dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitory activity, effects on cell proliferation and surface hydrophobicity. The protein content of the hydrolysates was high, from 86% to 91% (dm), while the fat content was low, from 0.3% to 0.4% (dm). The hydrolysates showed high DPP4 inhibition activities with IC₅₀ values from 5.38 mg/mL to 7.92 mg/mL. The scavenging activity of the hydrolysates towards DPPH was low, but an intermediate Folin–Ciocalteu reducing capacity and Cu²⁺ chelating ability was observed. The solid phase extraction with Sep-Pak C18 cartridges increased the DPP4 inhibition activity and antioxidant capacity, indicating peptides’ crucial role in the bioactivities. The cytotoxicity of the hydrolysates was evaluated on the HCT8, IMR90, and A549 cell lines. The hydrolysates inhibited cell growth in the cancer and normal cells, although they did not reduce cell viability and were not lethal. Overall, our results indicate that protein hydrolysates from Baltic herring have potential as health-promoting foods and nutraceuticals, especially for enhancing healthy blood glucose regulation.