Anti-inflammatory activity of saponins from roots of Impatiens parviflora DC.

Abstract

Two triterpene saponins (IPS-1, IPS-2) for the first time were isolated from the roots of Impatiens parviflora DC. (Balsaminaceae). Their anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by means of two in vitro models: anti-hyaluronidase and anti-denaturation assays. Both saponins were shown to be potent hyaluronidase inhibitors that affect the enzyme in a dose-dependent manner. The anti-hyaluronidase effect of IPS-2 (IC₅₀?=?286.7?µg/mL) was higher than that of the reference drug: escin (IC₅₀?=?303.93?µg/mL). Both saponins protected bovine serum albumin from heat-induced denaturation in a dose-dependent manner. IPS-1 demonstrated higher anti-denaturation effect (IC₅₀?=?86.7?µg/ml) than IPS-2 (IC₅₀?=?109.76?µg/mL) or the standard drug: acetylsalicylic acid (IC₅₀?=?262.22?µg/mL). In conclusion, potent activity of IPS-1, IPS-2 in both in vitro assays shows that saponins from I. parviflora have anti-inflammatory activity. The obtained results allow to suggest that such compounds may be beneficial in inflammatory conditions, especially associated with excessive degradation of hyaluronic acid.     

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).     

Bioactivity and chemical characterisation of Lophostemon suaveolens – an endemic Australian Aboriginal traditional medicinal plant

Lophostemon suaveolens is a relatively unexplored endemic medicinal plant of Australia. Extracts of fresh leaves of L. suaveolens obtained from sequential extraction with n-hexane and dichloromethane exhibited antibacterial activity in the disc diffusion and MTT microdilution assays against Streptococcus pyogenes and methicillin sensitive and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (minimum bactericidal concentration < 63 μg/mL). The dichloromethane extract and chromatographic fractions therein inhibited nitric oxide in RAW264.7 murine macrophages (IC₅₀ 3.7–11.6 μg/mL) and also PGE₂ in 3T3 murine fibroblasts (IC₅₀ 2.8–19.7 μg/mL). The crude n-hexane, dichloromethane and water extracts of the leaves and chromatographic fractions from the dichloromethane extract also showed modest antioxidant activity in the ORAC assay. GC–MS analysis of the n-hexane fraction showed the presence of the antibacterial compounds aromadendrene, spathulenol, β-caryophyllene, α-humulene and α-pinene and the anti-inflammatory compounds β-caryophyllene and spathulenol. Fractionation of the dichloromethane extract led to the isolation of eucalyptin and the known anti-inflammatory compound betulinic acid.     

Inhibition of thermal induced protein denaturation of extract/fractions of Withania somnifera and isolated withanolides

This study describes the in vitro inhibition of protein denaturation of extract/fractions of Withania somnifera and isolated withanolides including 20β hydroxy-1-oxo(22R)-witha-2,5,24 trienolide (1), (20R,22R-14α,20α)-dihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,5,16,24 tetraenolide (2). The results showed that the extract/fractions of the plant evoked profound inhibitory effect on thermal-induced protein denaturation. The chloroform fraction caused the most dominant attenuation of 68% at 500 μg/mL. The bioactivity-guided isolation from chloroform fraction led to the isolation of compounds 1 and 2 that showed profound protein inhibition with 78.05% and 80.43% effect at 500 μg/mL and thus strongly complimented the activity of extract/fractions. In conclusion, extract/fractions of W. somnifera possessed strong inhibition of protein denaturation that can be attributed to these isolated withanolides.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts and compounds isolated from Cladonia uncialis

Heptane (Hep), diethyl ether (Et₂O), acetone (Me₂CO) and methanolic (MeOH) extracts, as well as ( ? )-usnic acid and squamatic acid, were obtained from thallus of Cladonia uncialis (Cladoniaceae). The antimicrobial activities of these extracts, ( ? )-usnic acid and squamatic acid, were tested against reference strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. In addition, Me₂CO extract was analysed against 10 strains of Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolated from patients. All extracts exerted antibacterial activity against the reference strain S. aureus, comparably to chloramphenicol [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 5.0 μg/mL]. The Me₂CO extract exhibited the strongest activity against S. aureus (MIC = 0.5 μg/mL), higher than ( ? )-usnic acid, whereas squamatic acid proved inactive. The Me₂CO extract showed potent antimicrobial activity against MRSA (MIC 2.5–7.5 μg/mL). Also no activity of C. uncialis extracts against E. coli and C. albicans was observed.     

Polyphenolic profiling of Ipomoea carnea Jacq. by HPLC-DAD and its implications in oxidative stress and cancer

Ipomoea carnea Jacq. is an important folklore medicinal plant, assessed for its underexplored biological potential. Antioxidant, cytotoxic, antiproliferative and polyphenolic profile of whole plant was evaluated using various techniques. Maximum extract recovery (29% w/w), phenolic [13.54 ± 0.27 μg GAE/mg dry weight (DW)] and flavonoid (2.11 ± 0.10 μg QE /mg DW) content were recorded in methanol-distilled water (1:1) flower extract. HPLC-DAD analysis quantified substantial amount of six different polyphenols ranging from 0.081 to 37.95 μg/mg extract. Maximum total antioxidant and reducing potential were documented in methanol-distilled water and acetone-distilled water flower extracts (42.62 ± 0.47 and 24.38 ± 0.39 μg AAE/mg DW) respectively. Ethanol-chloroform root extract manifested highest free radical scavenging (IC₅₀ of 61.22 μg/mL) while 94.64% of the extracts showed cytotoxicity against brine shrimps. Ethanol leaf extract exhibited remarkable activity against THP-1 cell line (IC₅₀ = 8 ± 0.05 μg/mL) and protein kinases (31 mm phenotype bald zone).     

Flavonoid and phenolic acid profile by LC-MS/MS and biological activity of crude extracts from Chenopodium hybridum aerial parts

Extracts from leaves and stems of Chenopodium hybridum were characterised for the presence and quantity of flavonoids and phenolic acids by LC-ESI-MS/MS. Five flavonoids and eight phenolic acids were detected for the first time in aerial parts of this plant species, the most abundant compounds being rutin (2.80 μg/g DW), 3-kaempferol rutinoside (2.91 μg/g DW), 4-OH-benzoic (1.86 μg/g DW) and syringic acids (2.31 μg/g DW). Extracts were tested for anti-inflammatory/antiarthritic, antihyaluronidase and cytotoxic activities against human prostate cancer (Du145, PC3) and melanoma cell lines (A375, HTB140 and WM793) of different malignancy. None of the extracts protected bovine serum albumin from heat-induced denaturation. Antihyaluronidase effect at the tested concentration was higher than standard naringenin. Cytotoxic activity was generally low with an exception of the extract from the leaves, which was found most effective against prostate Du145 cell line with 98.28 ± 1.13% of dead cells at 100 μg/mL.     

Quantification of polyphenols and flavonoid content and evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of Stenocereus stellatus extracts

The hexanic, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts from branches of Stenocereus stellatus were tested in both the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) – induced ear oedema model and antimicrobial activity assay. The % of oedema inhibition, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), as well as the polyphenolic and flavonoid content were determined. Also, extracts were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In TPA model, the three extracts showed moderate oedema inhibition. In the antimicrobial activity assay, methanolic extract shows better MIC against all strains. The lowest MICs were for Candida albicans (31 μg/mL) and Rhizopus sp. (15 μg/mL). Also, 50.78 mg eq. of gallic acid/g extract of polyphenol and 115.12 mg eq. of catequine/g extract of flavonoids content were founded in ethyl acetate extract. In the chromatographic analysis, β-sitosterol, β-amyrine, betulin and some other molecules were identified. The results show that S. stellatus possess antimicrobial activities against some fungus species.     

Antileishmanial diterpenoid alkaloids from Aconitum spicatum (Bruhl) Stapf

The crude extracts of tubers of Aconitum spicatum (Bruhl) Stapf were investigated for in vitro antileishmanial activity against Leishmania major. The dichloromethane extract at pH 2.5 showed antileishmanial activity with IC₅₀ value of 27.10 ± 0.0 μg/mL. Chromatographic purification of the dichloromethane extract led to isolation of three C-19 norditerpenoid alkaloids indaconitine (1), chasmaconitine (2) and ludaconitine (3). Compounds 3 and 2 showed antileishmanial activity with IC₅₀ = 36.10 ± 3.4 and 56.30 ± 2.1 μg/mL, respectively. Compound 1 was less effective (IC₅₀ > 100 μg/mL). The cytotoxicity of compounds 1, 2 and 3 studied against MCF7, HeLa and PC3 cancer cell lines and 3T3 normal fibroblast cell line did not show cytotoxicity at 30 μM.     

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.     

Ruta chalepensis L. (Rutaceae) leaf extract: chemical composition,antioxidant and hypoglicaemic activities

Ruta chalepensis L. (Rutaceae) leaf extract was investigated for its chemical profile and antioxidant and hypoglycaemic properties. The antioxidant effects were investigated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), β-carotene bleaching, and metal chelating activity assays. The carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzymes inhibition assay was used to test the hypoglycaemic potential. R. chalepensis showed a high content of hesperidin and rutin with values of 591.9 and 266.7 mg/g dry extract, respectively. The extract exhibited a promising protection of lipid peroxidation (IC₅₀ value of 16.9 μg/mL) and inhibited both α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes in a concentration-dependent manner. The highest activity was found against α-amylase (IC₅₀ value of 69.0 μg/mL). The obtained results support the use of R. chalepensis leaves as healthy food ingredients.     

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).     

Antiviral properties from plants of the Mediterranean flora

Natural products are a successful source in drug discovery, playing a significant role in maintaining human health. We investigated the in vitro cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of extracts from 18 traditionally used Mediterranean plants. Noteworthy antiviral activity was found in the extract obtained from the branches of Daphne gnidium L. against human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (EC₅₀ = 0.08 μg/mL) and coxsackievirus B5 (EC₅₀ = 0.10 μg/mL). Other relevant activities were found against BVDV, YFV, Sb-1, RSV and HSV-1. Interestingly, extracts from Artemisia arborescens L. and Rubus ulmifolius Schott, as well as those from D. gnidium L., showed activities against two different viruses. This extensive antiviral screening allowed us to identify attractive activities, offering opportunities to develop lead compounds with a great pharmaceutical potential.     

Biological activity and LC-MS/MS profiling of extracts from the Australian medicinal plant Acacia ligulata (Fabaceae)

Acacia ligulata A.Cunn. ex Benth. (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) is a native Australian plant used traditionally by Australian Aboriginal groups. This study was undertaken to investigate the bioactivity of A. ligulata extracts and to evaluate their chemical composition. Potential antibacterial, cytotoxic and enzyme inhibitory effects relevant to traditional medicinal and food uses of the species were examined and LC-MS/MS was performed to investigate the chemical composition. Antibacterial activity was observed for bark and leaf extracts with an MIC for the bark extract of 62.5 μg/mL against Streptococcus pyogenes. Pod extracts showed cytotoxic effects against cancer cells, with the highest activity against melanoma SK-MEL28 cells with IC₅₀ values between 40.8 and 80.6 μg/mL. Further, the leaf and pod extracts also inhibited α-amylase EC-3.2.1.1 and α-glucosidase EC-3.2.1.20 with IC₅₀ values between 9.7–34.8 and 12.6–64.3 μg/mL, respectively. The LC-MS/MS profiling indicated that several different saponins were present in the active extracts.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Inula viscosa (L.) Aiton leaves and flower buds: Effect of extraction solvent/technique on their antioxidant ability,antimicrobial properties and phenolic profile

Abstract

This study was designed to establish the most effective solvent/technique for extracting antioxidant phytoconstituents from leaves and flower buds of Inula viscosa (L.) Aiton (Asteraceae) grown wild in Morocco. Maceration and hot extraction with methanol or water and Soxhlet ethanol extraction were utilized. The antioxidant potential was evaluated in vitro by DPPH, reducing power, and ferrous ions chelating activity assays. I. viscosa leaf and flower bud extracts displayed the strongest effect in the DPPH test, being the Soxhlet ethanol the most active ones (IC₅₀ = 54.24?±?0.21?μg/mL and 39.77?±?0.23?μg/mL); thus, they were selected for further investigations. The antimicrobial efficacy of the Soxhlet ethanol extracts against ATCC and food isolates strains was assayed; the leaf extract showed the best activity, and Candida albicans was the most sensitive strain (MIC = 125?µg/mL). The extracts resulted non-toxic against Artemia salina. Among the phenolics characterised by HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS, hispidulin hexoside, patuletin and spinacetin were identified for the first time.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant,antibacterial activity of Cirsium rivulare (Jacq) All. roots

The mixture of three phytosterols (campesterol, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol), β-sitosterol 3-O-glucoside and syringin were isolated from hexane and methanol extract of Cirsium rivulare roots after chromatographic separation. The main component of the source was syringin which was obtained with the yield 0.08% of the dry source. In hexane extract, the qualitative and quantitative composition of fatty acids was determined. The predominant component was linoleic acid (23.31 mg/g of extract). The extracts showed antioxidant activity. The ability to scavenge DPPH? free radical was in correlation with appointed total phenol content. The not-defatted methanolic extract was the most active. Hexane and defatted methanol extracts showed moderate antibacterial activity against G(+) and G(?) strains with MIC and MBC ranged from 25 to 200 μg/mL.     

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.