Bioassay-guided isolation and POM analyses of a new immunomodulatory polyphenolic constituent from Callistemon viridiflorus

Chromatographic separation of 80% EtOH extract of Callistemon viridiflorus leaves led to the isolation of six known constituents (1–6) along with a new polyphenolic compound 7 identified as apigenin 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1″′ → 4″)-O-β-d-glucopyranoside. The ethanolic extract of C. viridiflorus leaves and isolated compounds were evaluated for in vitro immunomodulatory activity by means of RAW 264.7 macrophages proliferation (MTT) assay. Ethanolic extract of leaves and compounds 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 caused a significant increase in macrophage proliferation; these findings may suggest that this medicinal plant could be utilised as an excellent source of compounds for immunomodulatory activity.     

Physiochemical properties and novel biological applications of Callistemon viminalis‐mediated α‐Cr2O3 nanoparticles

We report an eco‐friendly synthesis of α‐Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) using Callistemon viminalis (Bottle Brush) flower extracts as an efficient reducing and capping agent. NPs of sizes 15 nm and 17 nm were synthesized by annealing them at 400°C and 500°C, respectively, which were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, UV–Vis, Fourier transform‐infrared, high‐resolution‐transmission electron microscopy/scanning electron microscopy, SAED, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and SQUID. Microplate‐based assay was used for examining antibacterial potential against 12 pathogenic bacterial strains, and their minimum inhibitory concentrations were calculated. MTT cytotoxic assay was accomplished on Leishmania tropica amastigotes and promastigotes, which revealed IC₅₀ values of 44 μg/ml and 10.56 μg/ml, respectively. An IC₅₀ value of 46.32 μg/ml was obtained for HepG2 cancer cells. Enzyme inhibition studies indicated good acetylcholinesterase, moderate butyrylcholinesterase and low alpha‐glucosidase inhibition. Hemolytic assay indicated hemocompatibility at low concentration. In addition, good DPPH radical scavenging and moderate reducing power and total antioxidant potential was revealed by α‐Cr₂O₃ NPs.     

Single-phase α-Cr2O3 nanoparticles’ green synthesis using Callistemon viminalis’ red flower extract

This contribution reports for the first time on the synthesis and the main physical properties of single-phase pure α-Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles synthesized by a facile, rapid and eco-friendly process using Callistemon viminalis flower's extract as an effective oxidizing/reducing agent. These crystalline nanoparticles exhibit a cubic-like platelet shape with sharp edges with an average particle diagonal size of ～92.2?nm. The room temperature physical properties of these pure highly crystalline Eskolaite α-Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles were carried out using complementary techniques such as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), XRD, FTIR-ATR, Raman and XPS.