Phytochemical profile and biological activities of Deverra tortuosa (Desf.)DC.: a desert aromatic shrub widespread in Northern Region of Saudi Arabia

The present study describes the chemical composition of the essential oil of different plant parts of Devrra tortuosa; in vivo and in vitro biological activities of plant extract and essential oils. Apiol was found to be the major component of the oil (between 65.73% and 74.41%). The best antioxidant activities were observed for the oil of flowers (IC50 = 175 μg/ml). The samples of stems and roots exhibit lower antioxidant activity (IC50 = 201 μg/ml and 182 μg/ml, respectively). The values of IC50 showed that the extracts of methanol exhibit the highest antioxidants activities (IC50 = 64.8 102 μg/ml). EOs showed excellent antifungal activity against yeasts with low azole susceptibilities (i.e. Malassezia spp. and Candida krusei). The MIC values of oils varied between 2.85 mg/mL and 27 mg/mL. The obtained results also showed that the plant extracts inhibited the germination and the shoot and root growth of Triticum æstivum seedlings.     

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

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

GC×GC/qMS analyses of Campomanesia guazumifolia (Cambess.) O. Berg essential oils and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity

The present study investigated the essential oil obtained from Campomanesia guazumifolia (Cambess.) O. Berg, an aromatic plant used in Brazilian folk medicine. The chemical composition was performed by GC×GC/qMS. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were evaluated by DPPH and BCB and, MIC assays, respectively. Sixty-eight compounds were identified in the oil, where the major compounds were bicyclogermacrene (15%), globulol (5%) and spathulenol (5%). Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (29 compounds) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (20 compounds) were the most representative classes of terpenes. DPPH (IC₅₀ value 26.1 ± 0.5 μg/mL) and BCB (68.3 ± 1.5%) values indicated a significant antioxidant activity. The essential oil strongly inhibited Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 15 ± 0.1 μg/mL), Escherichia coli (MIC 25 ± 0.2 μg/mL) and Candida albicans (MIC 5 ± 0.1 μg/mL). The results give a deeper understanding of the chemical composition and report for the first time the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of the C. guazumifolia essential oil.     

Chemical constituents of essential oil of endemic Rhanterium suaveolens Desf. growing in Algerian Sahara with antibiofilm,antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities

Twenty compounds were detected in the essential oil of Rhanterium suaveolens representing 98.01% of the total oil content. Perillaldehyde (45.79%), caryophyllene oxide (24.82%) and β-cadinol (5.61%) were identified as the main constituents. In β-carotene–linoleic acid assay, both the oil and the methanol extract exhibited good lipid peroxidation inhibition activity, with IC₅₀ values of 17.97 ± 5.40 and 11.55 ± 3.39 μg/mL, respectively. In DPPH and CUPRAC assays, however, the methanol extract exhibited a good antioxidant activity. The highest antibiofilm activity has been found 50.30% against Staphylococcus epidermidis (MU 30) at 20 μg/mL for essential oil and 58.34% against Micrococcus luteus (NRRL B-4375) at 25 mg/mL concentration for methanol extract. The in vitro anticholinesterase activity of methanol extract showed a moderate acetylcholinesterase inhibitory (IC₅₀ = 168.76 ± 0.62 μg/mL) and good butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory (IC₅₀ = 54.79 ± 1.89 μg/mL) activities. The essential oil was inactive against both enzymes.     

Aqueous Extract of Crataegus azarolus Protects Against DNA Damage in Human Lymphoblast Cell K562 and Enhances Antioxidant Activity

The present study was carried out to characterize the cellular antioxidant effect of the aqueous extract of Crataegus azarolus and its antigenotoxic potential using human myelogenous cells, K562. The antioxidant capacity of this extract was evaluated by determining its cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) in K562 cells. Also, preceding antigenotoxicity assessment, its eventual genotoxicity property was investigated by evaluating its capacity to induce the DNA degradation of treated cell nuclei. As no genotoxicity was detected at different exposure times, its ability to protect cell DNA against H₂O₂ oxidative effect was investigated, using the “comet assay.” It appears that 800 μg/mL of extract inhibited the genotoxicity induced by H₂O₂ with a rate of 41.30 %, after 4 h of incubation. In addition, this extract revealed a significant cellular antioxidant capacity against the reactive oxygen species in K562 cells.     

In vitro biological activity of aromadendrin-4′-methyl ether isolated from root extract of Ventilago madraspatana Gaertn with relevance to anticandidal activity

In this study, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the hexane extract of the root of Ventilago madraspatana were evaluated. Based on the significant bioactivity of crude hexane extract, an active compound was purified from the root extract. The active compound was further purified and identified as aromodendrin-4′-methyl ether by the ¹H NMR spectrum. The isolated compound significantly inhibited Staphylococcus epidermidis with the lowest MIC and MBC at 78 μg/mL (P < 0.05). The compound also exhibited significant anticandidal activity with MIC and MBC values of 312 and 625 μg/mL, respectively. The radical scavenging activity of aromodendrin-4′-methyl ether was evident by its lower IC₅₀ values of 60 μg/mL for DPPH scavenging and 3.2 μg/mL for ABTS scavenging. The compound also exhibited ferrous ion chelation and H₂O₂ scavenging activities. The study is an attempt to increase the industrial utility of V. madrasapatana.     

Modulation of antibiotic activity by the hydroalcoholic extract from leaves of Caryocar coriaceum WITTM

The aim of this study was to identify the presence of tannins, phenols and flavonoids on the hydroalcoholic extract of Caryocar coriaceum leaves (HECCL) and to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of this extract. The extract was tested alone (1024–1 μg/mL) or associated (MIC/8) with several antibiotics in order to identify any antibacterial activity against multiresistant bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The existence of tannins, total phenols (901.31 mg/g) and flavonoids (89.68 mg/g) was confirmed in the HECCL. The presence of rutin and quercetin were confirmed by Thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, the antioxidant activity of the extract (9 μg/mL) was determined. Moreover, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) value found for HECCL was 1024 μg/mL and the association between HECCL (MIC/8) with benzylpenicillin significantly changed its minimum inhibitory concentration from 2500 to 625 μg/mL against E. coli.     

Chemical composition of the essential oil from the leaves of Anaxagorea brevipes (Annonaceae) and evaluation of its bioactivity

The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from leaves of Anaxagorea brevipes was analysed by gas chromatography fitted with a flame ionisation detector (GC–FID) and coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Thirty one components were identified, representing around 75.7% of total oil. The major components were β-eudesmol (13.16%), α-eudesmol (13.05%), γ-eudesmol (7.54%), guaiol (5.12%), caryophyllene oxide (4.18%) and β-bisabolene (4.10%). The essential oil showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and yeast with the MIC values between 25.0 and 100 μg/mL. The highest antiproliferative activity was observed for the oil against MCF-7 (breast, TGI = 12.8 μg/mL), NCI-H460 (lung, TGI = 13.0 μg/mL) and PC-3 (prostate, TGI = 9.6 μg/mL) cell lines, while against no cancer cell line HaCat (keratinocyte) the TGI was 38.8 μg/mL. The oil exhibited a small antioxidant activity assessed through ORAC-FL assay (517 μmol TE/g). This is the first report regarding the chemical composition and bioactivity of A. brevipes essential oil.     

Chemical composition and in vitro antibacterial and antiproliferative activities of the essential oil from the leaves of Psidium myrtoides O. Berg (Myrtaceae)

In this study, the chemical composition and antibacterial and antiproliferative potential of the essential oil obtained from fresh leaves of Psidium myrtoides (PM-EO) against oral pathogens and human tumour cell lines were investigated for the first time. GC-FID and GC-MS analyses showed that trans-β-caryophyllene (30.9%), α-humulene (15.9%), α-copaene (7.8%), caryophyllene oxide (7.3%) and α-bisabolol (5.3%) are the major constituents of PM-EO. The antibacterial activity of PM-EO against a panel of oral pathogens was investigated in terms of their minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) using the broth microdilution method. PM-EO displayed moderate activity against Streptococcus mitis (MIC = 100 μg/mL), S. sanguinis (MIC = 100 μg/mL), S. sobrinus (MIC = 250 μg/mL), and S. salivarius (MIC = 250 μg/mL), and strong activity against S. mutans (MIC = 62.5 μg/mL). The antiproliferative activity in normal (GM07492A, lung fibroblasts) and tumour cell lines (MCF-7, HeLa, and M059 J) was performed using the XTT assay. PM-EO showed 50% inhibition of normal cell growth at 359.8 ± 6.3 μg/mL. Antiproliferative activity was observed against human tumour cell lines, with IC₅₀ values significantly lower than that obtained for the normal cell line, demonstrating IC₅₀ values for MCF-7 cells (254.5 ± 1.6 μg/mL), HeLa cells (324.2 ± 41.4 μg/mL) and M059 J cells (289.3 ± 10.9 μg/mL). Therefore, the cytotoxicity of PM-EO had little influence on the antibacterial effect, since it showed antibacterial activity at lower concentrations. Our results suggest that PM-EO is a promising source of new antibacterial and antitumour agents.     

Chemical composition and biological activities of Iranian Achillea wilhelmsii L. essential oil: a high effectiveness against Candida spp. and Escherichia strains

In the case of Achillea wilhelmsii, 30 compounds were identified representing 94.48% of the total oil with a yield of 0.82% w/w. The major constituents of the oil were described as α-thujene (6.11%), α-pinene (5.11%), sabinene (5.23%), p-cymene (7%), 1,8-cineole (6%), linalool (10%), camphor (8.43%), thymol (18.98%) and carvacrol (20.13%). A. wilhelmsii oil exhibited higher antibacterial and antifungal activities with a high effectiveness against Escherichia coli and Candida albicans with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration/minimum fungicidal concentration value (2 ± 0.0–2 ± 0.0 g/mL, 1 ± 0.5–1 ± 0.5 g/mL), respectively. Results showed that A. wilhelmsii oil exhibits a higher activity in each antioxidant system with a special attention for β-carotene bleaching test (IC₅₀: 19 μg/mL) and reducing power (EC₅₀: 10 μg/mL). Antioxidant activity-guided fractionation of the oil was carried out by TLC-bioautography screening and fractionation resulted in the separation of main antioxidant compounds which were identified as thymol (65%) and carvacrol (19%). In conclusion, these results support the use of the essential oil and its main compounds for their antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activity.     

Lycopus europaeus: phenolic fingerprint,antioxidant activity and antimicrobial effect on clinical Staphylococcus aureus strains

Lycopus europaeus L. leaves water extract (LEL) was subjected to phytochemical analysis, and evaluated for its antibacterial and antioxidant effects. Antibacterial activity testing was performed on Staphylococcus aureus clinical strains from catheter-related and skin infections by broth microdilution test. LEL showed bactericidal activity at concentrations from 2500 to 5000 μg/mL against all, including methicillin resistant and polyresistant nosocomial, strains. Antioxidant activity was examined using DPPH and ABTS (11.3 and 9.8 μg/mL, respectively) and by ferric reducing ability of the plasma method (891 μmol AAE/g dry extract). Phytochemical analysis of LEL was performed by LC-DAD-MS/MS. Ten phenolic compounds were identified; two minor compounds (glucopyranosyl rosmarinic acid and sagerinig acid) have not been described in Lycopus yet. The major compounds, considered to be responsible for biological activities detected in the study, were determined as rosmarinic acid (76 mg/g) and luteolin-7-O-glucuronide (23 mg/g). L. europaeus arises from our study as a promising source of antibacterial agent for topical usage.     

Anti-hydroxyl radical activity,redox potential and anti-AChE activity of Amanita strobiliformis polysaccharide extract

This study outlines antioxidant and anti-AChE activities of the polysaccharide (PSH) extract from the mushroom species Amanita strobiliformis. Both the presence of α and ß glucans within the aforementioned extract was recorded. PSH extract displayed a profound scavenging activity of OH radicals (IC₅₀ value, 11.86 ± 0.59 μg/mL) and high potential for reduction of Fe³⁺ ions (174.11 ± 8.70 mg eq. AA/g d.w.) being almost 48- and 5-fold more effective than mannitol and butylated hydroxytoluene used as a positive control, respectively. Compared with galanthamine (0.001 μg), the same extract exhibited a moderate anti-AChE activity (10 μg) in solid. Since purified PSH extract exhibited higher bioactivity (IC₅₀ value 7.27 ± 0.31 μg/mL, 197.68 ± 9.47 mg eq. AA/g d.w. and 0.1 μg, respectively), it can be predominantly ascribed to the polysaccharide compounds. A. strobiliformis PSH extract may be considered as a promising resource of potent bioactive polysaccharides of natural origin successfully addressing both oxidative stress and lack of acetylcholine.     

Egyptian herbal tea infusions' antioxidants and their antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities against cancer cells

The antioxidant, antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities against different human cancer cells were investigated in local and recently introduced plants of Mentha sp., Rosmarinus officinalis L. (ROL) and Origanum majorana L. (OML). ROL exhibited the highest antioxidant activities (IC₅₀ 8.4 ± 0.2 μg/mL) followed by OML and mint species such as Mentha suaveolens ‘apple mint’ and Mentha longifolia L. exhibiting moderate antioxidant activities. HPLC analysis of leaf extract revealed that rosmarinic acid is the main component followed by caffeic acid. Herbal leaf extracts varied in their proliferation inhibition and cytotoxicity against HeLa, MCF-7 and Jurkat cancer cells in a dose-dependent matter. The highest antiproliferative inhibition and cytotoxic activity were detected in ROL and OML followed by mint. Local herbs might have a potential role as anticancer natural medicines in addition to their high antioxidant activities due to the presence of different phenolics in their aqueous tea extracts.     

Biological activities,phenolic profiles and essential oil components of Tanacetum cilicicum (BOISS.) GRIERSON

Tanacetum species are consumed as tea in Turkey. We comparatively evaluated the phytochemical potentials and antioxidant activities of the essential oil and methanolic extracts of Tanacetum cilicicum. The chemical constitutes of T. cilicicum essential oil and antioxidant activity of this species was analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) method. Bicyclo (3,1,1) hept-2-en-4-ol (21.92%), camphor (15.56%) and 1,8-cineole (13.45%) which are oxygenated monoterpenes were found as the major constituents. Phenolic acids and flavonoids were quantificated by HPLC–UV. Catechin was found as the main component. The essential oils and methanolic extracts were evaluated by antioxidant activities. The leaves exhibited significant metal chelation activity with a value of 20.75 ± 4.63 μg/mL.     

Phytochemical composition,in vitro antioxidant activity and antibacterial mechanisms of Neolamarckia cadamba fruits extracts

Aqueous extracts of Neolamarckia cadamba fruits prepared at different maturity stages were used for the analysis of various phytochemicals, and their antioxidant and antibacterial activities were determined. Ripe fruit extract had highest phenolics (3.14 mM GAE/ g fruit extract) with caffeic acid, tannic acid, syringic acid and quercetin as major phenolic compounds. The ripe fruit extract showed lowest IC₅₀ values in DPPH radical scavenging assay (231.33 μg fruit extract/ mL), and highest ABTS radical scavenging activity (111.18 μM TEAC/g). Immature fruit extract showed lowest minimum inhibitory concentration against tested bacteria, and the antibacterial activity was probably due to membrane permeation, as was evident by leakage of genetic material and reduction in propidium iodide uptake by bacterium; and by inhibition of sugar and amino acid uptake. The appreciable amount of phenolic compounds and biological activities in the aqueous extracts of N. cadamba fruits suggests it's potential application as natural preservative.     

Antioxidant potential assessment of phenolic and flavonoid rich fractions of Clematis orientalis and Clematis ispahanica (Ranunculaceae)

The antioxidant activities of crude extract fractions using Hexane, Chloroform, Ethyl Acetate, Butanol and Water of Clematis orientalis and Clematis ispahanica were investigated. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay and the ferric reducing/antioxidant potential (FRAP) were used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. The total phenolics were found to be 4.37–9.38 and 1.32–11.37 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g in different fractions for C. orientalis and C. ispahanica, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction of C. orientalis and chloroform fraction of C. ispahanica showed the highest DPPH and FRAP activities at a concentration of 300 μg/mL. The predominant phenolic compounds identified by HPLC in C. orientalis were Resorcinol (603.5 μg/g DW) in chloroform fraction and Ellagic acid (811.7 μg/g DW) in chloroform fraction of C. ispahanica.     

Antioxidant activity and kinetics studies of eugenol and 6-bromoeugenol

In this work, we report the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of 6-bromoeugenol and eugenol. EC₅₀, the concentration providing 50% inhibition, is calculated and the antioxidant activity index (AAI) is evaluated. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging method. EC₅₀ values of 6-bromoeugenol, ascorbic acid and eugenol were 34.270 μg/mL, 54.888 μg/mL and 130.485 μg/mL, respectively. 6-Bromoeugenol showed higher AAI value (1.122) followed by ascorbic acid (0.700), then by eugenol (0.295). We also investigate the kinetics of DPPH radical scavenging activity of our products to determine the useful parameter TEC₅₀ to evaluate their antiradical efficiency (ARE). Our results have shown high ARE. This study has provided the following ARE ( × 10^? 3) order for the tested antioxidants: ascorbic acid (70.119)>6-bromoeugenol (34.842) > eugenol (21.313). Finally, we classify ascorbic acid and eugenol as fast kinetics reaction (TEC₅₀ 8.82 and 11.38 min, respectively) and 6-bromoeugenol as medium kinetics reaction (TEC₅₀ 39.24 min).     

Trametes versicolor ethanol extract,a promising candidate for health–promoting food supplement

This study aimed to estimate antiradical, antioxidant (AO) and cytotoxic activities of the fungus Trametes versicolor ethanol fruiting body extract. The extract was found to effectively scavenge both O₂^?? and NO^? (29.62 and 52.48 μg/mL, respectively). It also showed a good AO activity in the polarographic HPMC assay (950%/mL). p-Hydroxybenzoic acid may be one of the responsible compounds for the afore-mentioned activities. The same extract also exhibited a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and HepG2 tumour cell lines reaching IC₅₀ values of 123.51 and 134.29 μg/mL, respectively with no cytotoxic activity against normal MRC-5 cells. Gentisic, syringic and protocatechuic acids may be among the bioactive principles for the observed cytotoxicity. Taken all together, T. versicolor ethanol extract can be considered as a promising candidate for development of health promoting food supplement.     

Microwave-assisted neat synthesis of α-aminophosphonate/phosphinate derivatives of 2-(2-aminophenyl)benzothiazole as potent antimicrobial and antioxidant agents

A series of diethyl/ethylphenyl {2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)phenylamino}phosphonates and phosphinates were synthesized under microwave irradiation and neat conditions via Kabachnik-Fields reaction in high yields (80%–93%). The compounds were screened for antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. A few compounds showed effective antibacterial and antifungal activities at MIC value 12.5 μg/mL as compared with the standard at MIC value 6.25 μg/mL.     

Phytochemical characterisation and bioprospection for antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Lippia alba Brown ex Britton & Wilson (Verbenaceae)

Ethanol extract and fractions obtained from fresh and dry aerial parts of Lippia alba were examined in order to determine their phytochemical composition, antioxidant capacity and antibacterial activities. The ethanol extracts and fractions exhibited an antioxidant effect by the DPPH assay, especially samples of fresh plant. HPLC analysis of the ethyl acetate fractions identified the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids. The ethanol extract and fractions showed activity against reference and multidrug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis (MIC range 2000–250 μg/mL). The hexane and dichloromethane fractions of fresh plant showed better activity against reference strains of Escherichia coli (MIC of 250 and 125 μg/mL, respectively), but all extracts and fractions were less active against multidrug-resistant strains of all the Gram-negative species evaluated. The results showed that the extract and fractions of L alba aerial parts showed antibacterial activity, even against multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria, and antioxidant effect (DPPH assay).