Leaves of Chenopodium album as source of natural fungicides against Sclertium rolfsii

Series of experiments were conducted to identify the possible antifungal components of Chenopodium album leaves for the management of a highly destructive soil-borne fungal pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii. A 4% methanolic extract caused up to 82% reduction in biomass of the target organism. This extract was partitioned using solvents of variable polarities, and the obtained subfractions were evaluated for their activity against S. rolfsii. The best antifungal activity was detected for the ethyl acetate subfraction (60–74%) followed by n-hexane (51–69%), n-butanol (50–60%), chloroform (20–40%) while the aqueous sub-fraction had the lowest activity (9–35%) as detected by the decrease in biomass of the pathogen. Ethyl acetate and n-hexane sub-fractions were analyzed for their chemical constituents by GC–MS technique. Literature survey showed that among the identified compounds kitazin P, imidazole-4-carboxylic acid, 2-fluoro-1-methoxymethyl-, ethyl ester and 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester, (Z,Z,Z)- had antifungal activities against other fungal species and could be responsible for control of S. rolfsii by methanolic extract in the present study.     

Identification of chemical ingredients of peanut stems and leaves extracts using UPLC‐QTOF‐MS coupled with novel informatics UNIFI platform

Peanut stems and leaves have been used traditionally as both herbal medicines and special food in Asia. In this study, the main functional compounds of peanut stems and leaves extracts were identified using UPLC separation coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (QTOF‐MS), and a traditional medicine library. Three different extraction solvents (ethyl acetate, petroleum ether and n‐butanol) were evaluated to prepare the extracts of peanut stems and leaves. A total of 283 chemical compounds were identified in peanut stems and leaves extracts, of which 207 compounds are tentatively new identifications in Genus Arachis. The integration of data acquisition and processing with the traditional medicine library provides a simple, efficient process to effectively facilitate the identification of chemical ingredients in complex natural product extracts. The integrated workflow for separation, detection and identification of functional compounds in natural products using UPLC/QTOF‐MS greatly improves productivity for development of traditional herbal medicines. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cytotoxic,antibacterial and antioxidant activities of extracts of the bark of Melia azedarach (China Berry)

Nature provides a variety of drugs and medicinal agents derived from plants. This study was conducted to determine antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of extracts of Melia azedarach bark with methanol/water (9:1 v/v), chloroform, butanol, hexane, water and ethyl acetate. For the determination of the antimicrobial activities, the agar well diffusion method was employed. Cytotoxicity was studied by brine shrimp lethality assay; antioxidant activities were measured using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. The chloroform extract was active against Enterobacter aerogenes and Proteus mirabilis, the ethyl acetate extract had highest antibacterial spectrum against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the n-hexane extract had highest inhibition against E. aerogenes, the aqueous extract showed highest activities against P. mirabilis, the butanol fraction showed highest activities against E. aerogenes and the methanolic extract was highly active against P. mirabilis.     

含羞草中总黄酮的提取与分离纯化

确定含羞草中总黄酮的最佳提取部位,并对其初步分离纯化。通过正交试验,分别筛选含羞草根部、茎叶及种子中总黄酮的最优提取条件,比较三者黄酮总含量,最终确定提取部位为茎叶,最佳提取条件:以70%乙醇为溶剂,按照1∶8配料比,在55~58℃下超声50 min。提取液依次用石油醚、乙酸乙酯液液萃取,蒸干上样,用乙醇水溶液以4 m L/min梯度洗脱Diaion HP–20大孔树脂,收集洗脱液并用液相色谱监测每个梯度洗脱液的总黄酮含量,得到分离纯化过的黄酮类物质。当40%乙醇洗脱部位总黄酮含量最高,达57.7%。该工艺确定了含羞草中茎叶部位总黄酮含量最高,大孔树脂初步纯化黄酮类物质有效,为含羞草中黄酮类物质的应用提供了依据。     

Phytochemical screening of Nepeta cataria extracts and their in vitro inhibitory effects on free radicals and carbohydrate-metabolising enzymes

This research was performed to investigate in?vitro the biological activities of successive as well as 70% ethanol extracts of Nepeta cataria on some biochemical parameters including oxidative markers and carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzyme activities (α-amylase, β-galactosidase and α-glucosidase). Powdered N. cataria and its successive extracts were screened for their phytochemical constituents. Tests for tannins, carbohydrates, glycosides and flavonoids were positive in ethanolic extract, but those for steroids and terpenoids were positive in petroleum ether and chloroform extracts. Also, different extracts were chromatographically investigated. The results obtained demonstrated that different successive extracts of N. cataria exhibited an inhibitory effect on oxidative stress indices and carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzymes. It is observed that 70% ethanol, petroleum ether and chloroform extracts showed, respectively, the most potent inhibitory activities, while ethyl acetate and ethanol successive extracts appeared with moderate or low reducing activities.     

Bioguided isolation of pentacyclic triterpenes from the leaves of Alstonia scholaris (Linn.) R. Br. growing in Egypt

Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the leaves and flowers of Alstonia scholaris were evaluated for their antioxidant activity by investigating their effect on blood glutathione levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The ethanolic extract of the leaves was the most active; therefore, its cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells was also tested. Promising GI?? values of 1.96, 4.34 and 4.65?μg?mL?1 were observed for the extract, its chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions, respectively. The chloroform active subfraction I (GI???=?2.97?μg?mL?1) yielded betulin (1), betulinic acid (2) and ursolic acid (3) upon purification. Compounds 1-3 were identified using spectroscopic techniques and by comparison with reported data. GLC of unsaponifiable and saponifiable fractions of the hexane extract revealed β-sitosterol (7.37%) and n-tetracosane (54.4%) to be the major sterol and hydrocarbon components, respectively. Linoleic acid (48.89%) was the predominant fatty acid.     

Antiangiogenic Activity and Bioassay‐guided Isolation of Aqueous Extract of Orthosiphon stamineus

Orthosiphon stamineus Benth. (Family: Lamiaceae), a famous traditional medicinal plant in tropical and sub‐tropical region, is being used for treating various ailments including inflammatory conditions. Since anti‐inflammation and antiangiogenesis involve cyclooxygenase‐II pathway, the present study is aimed to carry out antiangiogenic studies and bioassay‐guided isolation on aqueous extract of the plant. After antiangiogenic activity studies on the extract, fractions were prepared by partitioning the extract with hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate, which were then evaluated for antiangiogenic activity. The most active, hexane fraction (HF) upon activity‐guided isolation gave three compounds, 1 (betulinic acid), 2 (oleanolic acid) and 3 (ursolic acid). The total contents of these three compounds were determined in the extract and its fractions using HPLC. The extract and HF exhibited 20% and 80% antiangiogenic activity, respectively, whereas, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions were inactive. The three isolated compounds exhibited 100% antiangiogenic activity. Median effective concentrations (EC_50s) of HF, 1, 2 and 3 were found to be 84, 32, 34 and 38 μg/mL, respectively. The results of this study indicate that hexane fraction and the isolated compounds have promising antiangiogenic activity. Additionally, the isolated compounds may be sued as analytical markers to standardize extracts and formulations prepared from O. stamineus.     

Two new xanthones from Calophyllum nodusum (Guttiferae)

The air-dried powdered stem bark of Calophyllum nodusum (Guttiferea) collected from Sandakan (Sabah, Malaysia), was extracted sequentially with hexane, chloroform and methanol. The solvents were removed by rotary evaporator to give dark viscous extracts. Detailed and repeated chromatographic separation of the extracts lead to isolation of two new xanthones, identified as nodusuxanthone and trapezifolixanthone A. Other common terpenoids such as betulinic acid, lupeol, stigmasterol and friedelin were also isolated from the extracts and identified. The structures of the compounds were established by detailed spectral analysis and comparison with previously reported data.     

23种挥发性有机化合物在3种吸附剂上漏出容量的测定评价

采用吸附热解吸－气相色谱－质谱法对23种挥发性有机化合物Chromosorb 106、Tenax TA、Tenax TG等3种吸附剂上漏出容量进行了测定。根据实验结果确定了不同的化合物应选择不同的吸附剂及相应的采样体积。结果表明,Chromosorb 106可较好地吸附低沸点的挥发性有机化合物,Tenax TA、Tenax TG均可用于沸点较高的挥发笥有机化合物吸附,这对测定大气中的有机化合物含量采样有一定的参考价值。     

Effect of seasonal variation on the chemical composition and antioxidant and antifungal activities of Convolvulus althaeoides L. leaf extracts

The composition of polyphenols, chlorophylls and carotenoids of eight extracts of Convolvulus althaeoides L. leaves, harvested in two different seasons, winter and spring, and extracted by hot extraction method using four solvents (dichloromethane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol) with increasing polarity, were evaluated along with their antioxidant and antifungal activities. Qualitative and quantitative variations were observed in the composition based on two different high performance liquid chromatography systems, liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection coupled to either atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry or to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, permitting the identification of 22 polyphenols, 11 chlorophyll derivatives and 10 carotenoid compounds. Polyphenolic compounds were predominant in extracts from leaves collected in winter, whereas pigments were predominant in the spring collections. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were determined by DPPH radical scavenging method, revealing a half inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) ranging from 0.1369 ± 0.0272 mg g⁻¹ to 0.432 ± 0.0018 mg g⁻¹, with no correlation to seasonal fluctuation. Concerning antifungal assays, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts have been shown to be the most active against dermatophytes (T. rubrum, T. menthagrophytes, M. canis), with inhibiting percentages reaching 100% with 50 mg mL⁻¹. Moreover, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts showed a maximum inhibition potential with minimum inhibitory/fungicidal concentrations ranging from 0.78 to 6.25 mg mL⁻¹ on Candida spp. cultures. The winter collect of these extracts showed an inhibitory effect of 90% on Candida albicans germ tubes formation, at a concentration of 3.1 mg mL⁻¹. In conclusion, seasonality seems to influence the quality and the quantity of natural substances from leaves of C. althaeoides L., which have major importance on the antioxidant and the antifungal effectiveness.     

Chemical composition of Artemisia annua L. leaves and antioxidant potential of extracts as a function of extraction solvents

This study was conducted to investigate the chemical and nutritional composition of Artemisia annua leaves in addition to determination of antioxidant potential of their extracts prepared in different solvents. Chemical composition was determined by quantifying fat, protein, carbohydrate, fiber, tocopherol, phytate, and tannin contents. Extraction of A. annua leaves, for antioxidant potential evaluation, was carried out using five solvents of different polarities, i.e., hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. Antioxidant potential was evaluated by estimating total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC) contents, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), DPPH radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation. Efficiency of different solvents was compared for the yield of antioxidant extracts from leaf samples and a clear variation was observed. The highest TPC, TFC, TEAC, DPPH radical scavenging and lowest lipid peroxidation were observed in MeOH extracts, whereas aqueous extract exhibited high ferric reducing antioxidant power; suggesting MeOH to be the most favorable extractant.     

Free radical scavenging activity, determination of phenolic compounds and HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS profile of Campomanesia adamantium leaves

Numerous diseases are induced by free radicals via lipid peroxidation, protein peroxidation and DNA damage. It has been known that a variety of plant extracts have antioxidant activity to scavenge free radicals. Campomanesia adamantium (Myrtaceae) is a small tree with edible fruit, commonly known as "guavira" or "guabiroba-branca" that has been used in popular medicine as depurative anti-diarrhoeic, antiinflammatory, anti-rheumatic and to liver diseases. In this study, the antiradical activities of ethanol crude extract of the leaves from C. adamantium and the ethyl acetate and butanol fractions obtained by partition, were determined using DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical) and ORAC-FL (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) assays. The total phenol content in the samples was estimated by Folin Ciocalteau method (FCR). In an initial evaluation the ethanolic extract and the fractions ethyl acetate and butanol have shown levels of phenolic compounds between 15- 74 mg GAE/g in FCR assay, showed DPPH free-radical scavenging activity with SC50 in the range of 7.77-13.35 microg/mL and demonstrated antioxidant capacity between 2648-3502 micromol TE/g of extract and fractions in the ORAC-FL assay. HPLC-DAD and ESI-MS analysis revealed were that the extract of the leaves of C. adamantium studied appears to contain flavonoids as major constituents, including isoquercetrin and quercetin that exhibit proven antioxidant activity.     

GC-MS analysis of the bioactive phytoconstituents of various organic crude extracts from the seed kernels of Manilkara bidentata (balata) collected in Trinidad,W.I.

The present study reports the first phytochemical investigation of the seed kernels of Manilkara bidentata (Balata) harvested in Trinidad, W.I. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol and methanol extracts showed a total of 39 components. 2,6,10,14,18-pentamethyl-2,6,10,14,18-eicosapentaene (74.93%), 9-octadecenoic acid, (Z)- 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester (79.98%), (Z)-ethyl oleate (92.75%), Z,E-2-methyl-3,13-octadecadien-1-ol (80.51%) and 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furancarboxyaldehyde (50.32%) were the major constituents identified in the n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol and methanol extracts, respectively. The extracts showed the presence of several bioactive components and provides reference data for further research of its active constituents.     

Anti-inflammatory, laxative and intestinal motility effects of Senna macranthera leaves

Several species of Senna are well known for their therapeutic properties, being used in folk medicine to treat throat inflammation and constipation. In this regard, the anti-inflammatory, laxative and intestinal motility effects of different extracts of Senna macranthera (Colladon) H. Irwin and Barneby leaves were determined. The hexane extract significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats in a manner similar to that of sodium diclofenac. A laxative effect was observed for the methanolic and hexane extracts comparative to the standard drug bisacodyl; however, only the hexane extract increased the intestinal motility in the studied period. Moreover, the extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant activity and the ethyl acetate extract presented a pronounced activity comparable to the standard rutin. Phytochemical screening was also performed and phenolic compounds like flavonoids, tannins and coumarins were observed in all extracts except for the hexane extract, which instead presented anthrones, triterpenes and steroids in its composition. The HPLC profile showed the presence of the anthraquinone emodine in all tested extracts.     

Essential oil composition and antioxidant activities of the various extracts of Tanacetum sonbolii Mozaff. (Asteraceae) from Iran

This study is designed to examine the chemical composition of the essential oil and antioxidant activities of the different extracts of Tanacetum sonbolii Mozaff. from Iran for the first time. The essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation and its gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses resulted in the identification of 26 components, representing 96.5% of the oil. The major components were characterised to be α-cadinol (35.3%), globulol (20.1%) and 1,8-cineole (8.6%). Antioxidant activities of the various extracts of the plant were determined by two different test systems; 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and β-carotene-linoleic acid. Also, their total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined. DPPH radical-scavenging activities of test samples followed the order water?>?chloroform?>?ethyl acetate?>?butanol?>?BHT?>?methanol. Moreover, the ethyl acetate extract showed better β-carotene bleaching capacity than the other extracts and the amount of total phenolics was very high in ethyl acetate extract.     

Phytochemical profiles and antioxidant capacity of the crude extracts,aqueous- and saponin-enriched butanol fractions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicteres hirsuta</Emphasis> Lour. leaves and stems

This study aimed to compare phytochemical profiles and antioxidant capacity of various extracts including crude extracts, aqueous- and saponin-enriched butanol fractions prepared from the stems and leaves of Helicteres hirsuta Lour. The results revealed that all the three powdered extracts from the leaves and the stems possessed high levels of phenolics (177.07–241.03 mg GAE g^?1), flavonoids (158.03–280.06 mg CE g^?1) and saponins (165.77–1035.33 mg ESE g^?1) and exhibited strong antioxidant capacity. HPLC analysis identified nine major compounds in the leaf powder crude extract; however, the leaf aqueous fraction had three extra compounds; whereas, the saponin-enriched butanol leaf fraction had seven extra compounds. For the stems, twelve main compounds were evident in either the powdered crude extract or the aqueous fraction, and five new compounds were revealed in the saponin-enriched butanol fraction. The findings revealed that the powdered aqueous fractions and saponin-enriched butanol fractions are potential sources of biologically active compounds for further investigation and industrial utilisation.     

Nelumbo nucifera leaves as source of water-repellent wax: Extraction through polar and non-polar organic solvents

Nelumbo nucifera leaves are rich source of natural wax possessing super-hydrophobic properties. It provides protection to them from ecological turbulences and climatic wear and tear. In this study, various experiments have been conducted to observe the yield of extraction and the determination of various functional groups, which are present in natural wax, derived from Nelumbo nucifera leaves. The natural wax has been extracted from lotus leaves through non-polar (hexane) and polar (ethanol) solvent via different extraction methods. The superhydrophobic wax has been successfully extracted with hexane. Whereas, ethanol did not extract the water-repellent wax of lotus leaf. Considering the cumulative amount, i.e. (desired + undesired), the maceration shows the extraction of 2.9% (%w/w, through hexane) and 10.2% (%w/w, through ethanol), while it was found 2.5% (%w/w, cycle period 15 min) and 9.0% (%w/w, cycle period 26 min) respectively, in case of Soxhlet extraction technique. For this specific case of natural wax recovery from biomass (lotus leaf), the maceration (traditional method) resulted a little bit superior extraction yield in comparison to the Soxhlet extraction method for extraction of crude wax. In the case of non-polar solvent (hexane), an extraction yield of 1.97% (%w/w) through maceration method was observed while in the case of non-polar solvent (ethanol), an extraction yield of 1.62% (%w/w) through Soxhlet extraction was observed. The TLC analysis on both types of extracts was performed. For the detection of various hydrocarbon chains in the crude wax extracts, FTIR was also performed. Topography of wax surface and wax-coated waterproof fabric was compared through SEM.     

GC–MS analysis and anti–microbial activity of Prunella vulgaris L. extracts

In this study, the chemical composition of the methanol, hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of Prunella vulgaris L. were investigated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) method. 2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzaldehyde (15.70%), linolenic acid (45.50%) and icosane (16.24%) were found to be the most abundant in methanol, hexane and ethyl acetate extracts, respectively. Following the determination of chemical components of the Prunella vulgaris L. extracts, their anti–microbial activities against certain human pathogenic bacteria were tested and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined. While some extracts of Prunella vulgaris L. show anti–microbial activity well above the standards (penicillin and tetracycline), it was determined that in general all the extracts showed good anti–microbial activity against these pathogenic bacteria.     

Bioassay Guided Isolation and Identification of a Cytotoxic Compound from Azadirachta indica Leaves

This study aimed to investigate the structural features of the isolated flavonol glycoside, which might behave as a cytotoxic compound. The hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and aqueous fractions of an 80% methanol solution of Neem (Azadirachta indica) (Family: Meliaceae) leaves were subjected to a cytotoxicity bioassay against brine shrimp, Artemia salina. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest cytotoxic effect, supported by the lowest lethal concentration, a LC₅₀ value of 1.35±0.40 ppm. A compound, Quercetin 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside, was isolated from the most toxic fraction of the ethyl acetate via preparative liquid chromatography and then identified via ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐Vis), infrared (IR), mass spectrum (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses. The compound was further confirmed by physical state, color, solubility, and melting point determination. The cytotoxic results suggest that the leaf ethyl acetate fraction consists of toxic compounds, which point towards the isolation of Quercetin 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside.     

Comparative metabolic profiling of Costus speciosus leaves and rhizomes using NMR,GC-MS and UPLC/ESI-MS/MS

Costus speciosus had been used in oriental systems of medicines, to treat diverse ailments. The present study was focused on NMR, GC-MS and UPLC/ESI-MS/MS-based metabolic profiling of C. speciosus. This metabolic study resulted in the identification of 91 and quantification of 69 metabolites. Caffeic acid derivatives previously unreported in C. speciosus were also identified. High quantity of steroidal saponins namely methyl protogracillin (297.97 ± 0.07 mg/g dried wt.) and dioscin (158.72 ± 0.27 mg/g dried wt.) were observed in butanol fraction of rhizomes. Health care metabolites including caffeic acid (37.88 ± 0.04 mg/g dried wt.) and trehalose (75.12 ± 0.08 mg/g dried wt.) were also detected in ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of rhizomes, respectively. Metabolites of nutraceutical and biological significance including eremanthine (5.14 ± 0.68%, peak area), tocopherols (~22%), sterols (~25%) were also identified from hexane fractions of rhizomes and leaves using GC-MS. The analytical techniques used had successfully differentiated metabolites composition among leaves and rhizomes.