Investigation on cytotoxic,antioxidant, antimicrobial and volatile profile of Wrightia tinctoria (Roxb.) R. Br. flower used in Indian medicine

ObjectiveTo investigate the total phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of Wrightia tinctoria flower extract.MethodsTotal phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids content, DPPH scavenging activity, the reducing power activity, phosphomolybednum activity, metal chelating activity, Hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity of crude extract, Cytotoxicity activity, GC-MS analysis and Antibacterial screening were evaluated.ResultsTotal phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids in the extract was found to be 55.29±0.45 mg GAE, 370.53±1.213 mg QE and 1.825±0.321 mg/g respectively, where the reducing power, phosphomolybednum activity and metal chelating activity were increasing with increasing concentration of the flower extract. The antioxidant activity (IC₅₀) of the flower extract was said to be 43.16μg/mL by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl method and 124.07 mg AAE/100g of plant extract by phosphomolybednum method. The antibacterial studies of the ethanolic flower extract tested at different concentration of extracts, where 250mg/mL concentration of extract showed good inhibitory activity against all the test pathogens compared with standard antibiotics like streptomycin and penicillin. The cytotoxic activity of flower extract was evaluated by brine shrimp lethality bioassay method and the LC₅₀ value found to be 3.544μg/mL.ConclusionsThe presence of major bioactive compound, hexadecanoic acid justifies the use of the whole plant for various ailments by traditional practitioners. Further studies are needed to explore the potential phenolics, flavonoid compounds from W. tinctoria for application in drug delivery, nutritional or pharmaceutical fields.     

Free radical scavenging potential of Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl fruits extract

ObjectiveTo elucidate free radical scavenging activity of ethanolic extract Lagenaria siceraria (L. siceraria) (Molina) fruit.MethodsThe free radical scavenging activity of the L. siceraria (Molina) fruit extract was assayed by using α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,20-azinobis 3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS), FRAP, reducing power, chelating ability and β-carotene bleaching assay.ResultsThe IC₅₀ values of DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activity was found to be 1.95 mg/mL and 19 mg/mL, respectively. In ferrous chelation assay, the percentage of inhibition was found to be 89.21%. The reducing power of ethanolic extract of L. siceraria (Molina) fruit was 0.068 at 1 mg/mL and increased to 0.192 at 5 mg/mL. The β-carotene linoleate bleaching assay was 46.7% at 5 mg/mL and antioxidant activity using FRAP at 0.305 for 1 mg/mL to 0.969 for 5 mg/mL.ConclusionsThe results indicate that L. siceraria (Molina) fruit could be an important sources of natural radical scavengers.     

Antioxidant and antipyretic properties of methanolic extract of Amaranthus spinosus leaves

ObjectiveMethanolic extract of Amaranthus spinosus (A. spinosus) leaves was screened for antioxidant and antipyretic activities.MethodsAntioxidant activity was measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazile (DPPH) free radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydroxyl free radical scavenging, nitric oxide radical scavenging, 2,2 '-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazole-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assays and total phenolic content was also determined. Antipyretic activity of methanolic extract of A. spinosus was measured by yeast induced pyrexia method at concentration of 200 and 400 mg/kg using paracetamol as standard drug.ResultsMethanolic extract of A. spinosus showed potent antioxidant activity. The IC 50 value was (87.50 ±3.52) μg/mL, (98.80±1.40) μg/mL, (106.25±0.20) μg/mL, (88.70±0.62) μg/mL and (147.50±2.61) μg/mL for DPPH, superoxide, hydroxyl, nitric oxide and ABTS radical scavenging activities. Methanolic extract of A. spinosus showed significant (P <0.01) antipyretic activity.     

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of marine halophyte Luminetzera racemosa bark extract in CCL(4) induced hepatotoxicity

ObjectiveTo identify the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Luminetzera racemosa (L. racemosa) bark extract.MethodsWistar albino rats were divided into 6 groups: Group 1 served as control; Group 2 served as hepatotoxin (CCL₄ treated) group; Group 3 served as positive control (Silymarin) treated groups; Group 4, 5 and 6 served as (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg bw p.o.) L. racemosa bark extract treated groups. Moreover, in vitro antioxidant indexes, including DPPH, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (HRSA), NO, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), lipid hydroperoxide (LPO) and super oxide dismutase (SOD) were also analyzed in the bark extract.ResultsThe results suggested that, the level of serum glutamate oxyloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatise (ALP), bilurubin, cholesterol, sugar and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly (P<0.05) increased in hepatotoxin treated rats when compared with the control group. But, the maximum reduction of SGOT [(225.36±13.65) IU/L], SGPT [(96.85±17.36) IU/L], ALP [(315.37±17.16) IU/L], bilirubin [(2.97±0.46) mg/dL], cholesterol [(163.73±17.54) mg/dL], sugar [(127.35±27.35) mg/dL] and LDH [(1 784.00±268.36) IU/L] were observed with 300 mg/kg bw of bark extract treated rats. Histopathological scores showed that, no visible changes were observed with high dose (300 mg/kg bw) of bark extract treated rats except mild fatty changes. The in vitro antioxidant assays showed that, the IC₅₀ values were observed as (44.17±6.87) μg/mL, (42.45±2.81)μg/mL, (62.37±3.98)μg/mL, (54.24±3.09)μg/mL, (87.25±5.90) μg/mL and (71.54±5.42)μg/mL for DPPH, HRSA, NO, FRAP, LPO and SOD radical scavenging activities, respectively.ConclusionsThe hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the bark extract might be to the presence of unique chemical classes such as flavonoids, alkaloids and polyphenols.     

Evaluation of extracts and essential oil from Callistemon viminalis leaves: Antibacterial and antioxidant activities,total phenolic and flavonoid contents

ObjectiveTo investigate antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Callistemon viminalis (C. viminalis) leaves.MethodsThe essential oil of C. viminalis leaves obtained by hydro-distillation was analyzed by GC/MS. Different extracts were tested for total phenolic and flavonoid contents and in vitro antioxidant (DPPH assay) and antibacterial (agar disc diffusion and 96-well micro-plates methods) actives.ResultsFourteen components were identified in the essential oil, representing 98.94% of the total oil. The major components were 1,8-cineole (64.53%) and α-pinene (9.69%). Leaf essential oil exhibited the highest antioxidant activity of (88.60±1.51)% comparable to gallic acid, a standard compound [(80.00±2.12)%]. Additionally, the biggest zone of inhibitions against the studied bacterial strains was observed by the essential oil when compared to the standard antibiotic (tetracycline). The crude methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction had a significant antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial strains.ConclusionsIt can be suggested that C. viminalis is a great potential source of antibacterial and antioxidant compounds useful for new antimicrobial drugs from the natural basis. The present study revealed that the essential oil as well as the methanol extracts and ethyl acetate fraction of C. viminalis leaves exhibited highly significant antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial strains.     

Antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging activities of Streptomyces sp.strain MJM 10778

Objective:To investigate the antioxidant activity of soil-borne aetinobacteria.Methods:The total phenolic contents,the level of antioxidant potential by DPPH radical scavenging activity,MO scavenging activity,and ABTS radical scavenging activity in ethyl acelale extract were determined.Results:The 16 S rDNA sequencing analysis revealed that Streptomyces sp.strain MJM 10778.which was isolated from Hambak Mountain.Korea,has 99.9% similarity to Streptomyces misionensis(S.misionenis) NBRC 13063.The physiological and the morphological test revealed that the strain MJM 10778 has different characteristics from the strain NBRC.13063.The entire antioxidant assay with the ethyl acelale extract displayed good radical scavenging activity.The IC_(50) values of the strain MJM 10778 extract on DPPH,.NO.and ABTS radicals were identified to he 92.8 μg/mL,0.02 μg/ml,and 134.9 μg/mL,respectively.The ethyl acetate extract of the strain MJM 10778 showed an 81.500% of cell viability at 100 μg/mL in Raw264.7cell viability assay.Conclusions:The results obtained suggesl that the ethyl acetate extract of Streptomyces sp.strain MJM 10778 could be considered as a potential source of drug for the diseases that is caused by free radicals with its anti-oxidant activities and low cytotoxicity.     

Evaluation of phytochemical and antioxidant activities of the different fractions of Hybanthus enneaspermus (Linn.) F. Muell. (Violaceae)

ObjectiveTo investigate the naturally occurring antioxidant for the first time from the different solvent fractions of Hybanthus enneaspermus (H. enneaspermus) Linn F. Muell. family (Violaceae).MethodsDifferent fractions of H. enneaspermus were tested for total phenolic content, and in vitro antioxidant activity was measured by total antioxidant assay, DPPH assay, reducing power, nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) scavenging assays.ResultsThe ethyl acetate (EA) fraction was found to have high levels of phenolic content [(212.15±0.79) mg GAE/g]. The EA fraction exhibited higher total antioxidant capacity, higher percentage of DPPH radical scavenging activity [(127.07±2.29) μg/mL], nitric oxide [(245.16±1.44) μg/mL], hydrogen peroxide [(227.38±7.18) μg/mL], deoxyribose [(270.61±8.72) μg/mL] and higher reducing power. There was a significant correlation between total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity (r²=0.972).ConclusionsThese results reveal that EA fraction of H. enneaspermus has strong antioxidant potential compared with other fractions. Our further study has been extended to the isolation of the possible compound that is responsible for having antioxidant property.     

Antioxidant activity and phytochemical screening of the methanol extracts of Euphorbia hirta L

ObjectiveTo assess antioxidant activities of different parts of Euphorbia hirta (E. hirta), and to search for new sources of safe and inexpensive antioxidants.MethodsSamples of leaves, stems, flowers and roots from E. hirta were tested for total phenolic content, and flavonoids content and in vitro antioxidant activity by diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and reducing power was measured using cyanoferrate method.ResultsThe leaves extract exhibited a maximum DPPH scavenging activity of (72.96±0.78)% followed by the flowers, roots and stems whose scavenging activities were (52.45±0.66)%, (48.59±0.97)%, and (44.42±0.94)%, respectively. The standard butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) was (75.13±0.75)%. The IC₅₀ for leaves, flowers, roots, stems and BHT were 0.803, 0.972, 0.989, 1.358 and 0.794 mg/mL, respectively. The reducing power of the leaves extract was comparable with that of ascorbic acid and found to be dose dependent. Leaves extract had the highest total phenolic content [(206.17±1.95) mg GAE/g], followed by flowers, roots and stems extracts which were (117.08±3.10) mg GAE/g, (83.15±1.19) mg GAE/g, and (65.70±1.72) mg GAE/g, respectively. On the other hand, total flavonoids content also from leave had the highest value [(37.970±0.003) mg CEQ/g], followed by flowers, roots and stems extracts which were (35.200±0.002) mg CEQ/g, (24.350±0.006) mg CEQ/g, and (24.120±0.004) mg CEQ/g, respectively. HPTLC bioautography analysis of phenolic and antioxidant substance revealed phenolic compounds. Phytochemical screening of E. hirta leaf extract revealed the presence of reducing sugars, terpenoids, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, flavanoids and phenolic compounds.ConclusionsThese results suggeste that E. hirta have strong antioxidant potential. Further study is necessary for isolation and characterization of the active antioxidant agents, which can be used to treat various oxidative stress-related diseases.     

In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of Jasminum humile leaves

ObjectiveTo evaluate in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of Jasminum humile (J. humile) leaves extract.MethodMethanolic extract of J. humile was evaluated for its antimicrobial activity by using agar well diffusion method &; their possible antioxidant assay by two complementary test systems, namely DPPH and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. These various antioxidant activities were compared to standard antioxidants such as ascorbic acid for both the tests.ResultsIn the DPPH &; hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, the IC₅₀ value of methanol extract was 70.43 μg/mL &; 60.79 μg/mL respectively. Further, the extract showed inhibitory activity for Gram-positive and negative bacteria at different concentrations. The maximum antibacterial activity of extract was exhibited against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) at concentration 50 mg/mL when compared with ciprofloxacinConclusionsThese results clearly indicate that J. humile is effective in scavenging free radicals and has the potential to be a powerful antioxidant. Thus, the results obtained in the present study indicate that J. humile leaves extract could be considered as a potential source of natural antioxidants and that could be used as an effective source against bacterial diseases.     

Antioxidant activity and identification of bioactive compounds from leaves of Anthocephalus cadamba by ultra–performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry

ObjectiveTo evaluate the antioxidant potential of different extract/fractions of Anthocephalus cadamba (A. cadamba) (Roxb.) Miq. (Rubiaceae) and study the tentative identification of their active constituents.MethodsThe extract/fractions were screened for antioxidant activity using various in vitro assays viz. DPPH assay, ABTS assay, superoxide anion radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay and plasmid DNA nicking assay. Total phenolic content of extract/fractions was determined by colorimetric method. An ultra–performance LC-electrospray-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry method was used to analyse the active constituents of extract/fractions of A. cadamba.ResultsThe ethyl acetate fraction was found to be most active fraction in all the assays as compared to other extract/fractions. The IC₅₀ value of ethyl acetate fraction (ETAC fraction) was 21.24 μg/mL, 1.12 μg/mL, 9.68 μg/mL and 57.81 μg/mL in DPPH assay, ABTS assay, reducing power assay and superoxide scavenging assay respectively. All the extract/fractions also showed the potential to protect the plasmid DNA (pBR322) against the attack of hydroxyl radicals generated by Fentońs reagent. The bioactive compounds were identified by UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS, by comparing the mass and λ_max with literature values.ConclusionsThe potential of the extract/fractions to scavenge different free radicals in different systems indicated that they may be useful therapeutic agents for treating radical-related pathologic damage.     

Phytochemical and biological activities of Bituminaria bituminosa L. (Fabaceae)

ObjectiveTo investigate the phytochemical composition, the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Bituminaria bituminosa L. (Fabaceae) (B. bituminosa).MethodsThe aerial parts of B. bituminosa yielded two compounds. The structures of these compounds were determinated using UV, ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR experiments and comparison of their spectroscopic properties with literature data. The antibacterial activity of the extracts (CH₂Cl₂, ethyl acetate and n-BuOH) was determinated using disk diffusion method against standard and clinical strains. Antioxidant potential of n-BuOH extract was evaluated through two methods: DPPH and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity assay.ResultsThe n-BuOH extract from B. bituminosa yielded the isolation of isoflavone and flavone. The extracts CH₂Cl₂, ethyl acetate and n-BuOH demonstrated significant antibacterial activities. CH₂Cl₂ extract showed the maximum antibacterial activity with high concentration of 2 mg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (20.45 mm, 16.41 mm and 15.74 mm inhibition zone, respectively). The value IC₅₀ was 0.26 μg/mL for n-BuOH extract using DPPH method. Whereas the E% value was 0.10 L/mg every centimeter for cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity assay.ConclusionsThe phytochemical study of B. bituminosa revealed the presence of isoflavone (daidzin) and flavone (isoorientin) and identified for the first time in this specie. The antibacterial activity of the plant B. bituminosa is certainly related to its chemical content. The n-BuOH extract showed a significant antioxidant activity.     

Pharmacological activity,phytochemical analysis and toxicity of methanol extract of Etlingera elatior (torch ginger) flowers

ObjectiveTo elucidate its pharmacological activities and medicinal potential of extract of Etlingera elatior (E. elatior).MethodsPhytochemical screening of the flower extract was done to determine the phytochemical in the extract. The pharmacological study included the determination of antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of metabolic flower extract. The antimicrobial activity of the extract was tested against medically important bacterial, yeast and fungal strains. Apart from that, the methanolic extract of E. elatior flower was further tested in vivo toxicity using the brine shrimp lethality test. Moreover, the flower extract was qualitatively screened for their free radical scavenging activity by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) assay.ResultsThe extract was effective on tested microorganisms and MIC values were in the range of 1.563-50.000 mg/mL. The brine shrimp lethality test exhibited no significant toxicity (LC₅₀ = 2.52 mg/mL) against Artemia salina. The E. elatior flower extract with high LC₅₀ value signified that this plant is not toxic to humans. While the phytochemical screening of the flower extract revealed the presence of the following compounds: flavonoids, terpenoids, saponin, tannins and carbohydrates whereas, alkaloids, anthraquinone and reducing sugars were absent. The concentration of the flower extract required for 50% inhibition of DPPH radical scavenging effect (IC₅₀) were 9.14 mg/mL and 8.08 mg/mL for butylated hydroxytoluene 8.08 mg/mL.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that the extract of E. elatior flower possesses pharmacological properties and potential to develop natural products based pharmaceuticals products.     

Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of selected wild edible Nigerian mushrooms

ObjectiveTo elucidate the phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of selected wild edible Nigerian mushroom species.MethodsPhytochemical screening was carried out using standard methods while 1,1-Diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical and reductive power assays were used to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant properties of the selected edible Nigerian mushroom species.ResultsThe result obtained revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, terpenes, steroids, tannins and phenols in the selected mushrooms extracts. The extract of Pleutorus ostearus showed a significantly (P<0.05) higher total phenol and flavonoid content of (248.80±7.63) mg/g and (42.63±0.63) mg/g respectively compared to other mushroom extracts. Cantherale cibarus had the most significant (P<0.05) amount of alkaloids [(135.57±0.27) mg/g] and saponins [(150.41±0.50) mg/g] when compared to other extracts while the tannin content [(170.56±0.74)] mg/g was highest in the mushroom Temitomyces robustus. All mushroom extracts scavenged DPPH radical in a dose dependent manner. However, Lactarus deliciousus had the highest DPPH scavenging activity compared to the other mushroom extracts. Pleutorus ostearus and Lactarus deliciousus had better reductive power than other mushroom extracts concentrations used.ConclusionsThe mushroom species analysed have been shown to be good sources of antioxidants and other phytoconstituents, thus it can be used in the management of oxidative stress induced diseases.     

Assessment of in vitro antimicrobial potency and free radical scavenging capacity of the essential oil and ethanol extract of Calycotome villosa subsp. intermedia growing in Algeria

ObjectiveTo assess the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the essential oil and ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Calycotome villosa subsp. intermedia growing in the West Northern region of Algeria.MethodsChemical composition of essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from areal parts of Calycotome villosa subsp. intermedia was investigated using gas chromatography (retention indices) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry while the antimicrobial activities were determinate by paper disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration assays tested against four bacterial strains and one yeast and antioxidant activity was evaluated as a free radical scavenging capacity (RSC).ResultsEssential oils were dominated by non-terpenic compounds and fatty acids. However, the phenylpropanoids, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes components were only present in small percentages. The most important antibacterial activity of essential oil was expressed on Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella typhimurium. Antioxidant activity was evaluated as a RSC. RSC was assessed by measuring the scavenging activity of essential oil and ethanol extract on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH). Investigated ethanol extract reduced the DPPH radical formation (IC₅₀=68 μg/mL).ConclusionResults in this experiment indicate that the essential oil and the ethanol extract display antibacterial activity against two Gram-positive bacteria and activity to a lesser extent against two Gram-negative species. They may be a new potential source of components, which are likely to have impact on human health.     

Antibacterial activity of crude ethanolic extract and solvent fractions of Ficus pseudopalma Blanco leaves

ObjectiveTo investigate the antimicrobial properties of Ficus pseudopalma (F. pseudopalma) leaf extracts.MethodsThe antibacterial properties of F. pseudopalma Blanco crude ethanolic leaf extract, and its solvent fractions chloroform (CF), ethylacetate (EF) and water fractions were evaluated through antibacterial agar disc diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. Five Gram-positive and five Gram-negative bacteria were used for the study.ResultsThe zone of inhibitions obtained from the antibacterial agar diffusion disc method showed that CF, and EF exhibited active (14-19 mm) antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis UST CMS 1011, and partially active (10-13 mm) antibacterial properties against both Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228. Water exhibited no antibacterial properties against all microorgranisms tested. The MIC values observed for all Gram-positive bacteria tested were >5 mg/mL, except for Bacillus subtilis whose MIC value was 5 mg/mL for CF and EF fractions. All extracts exhibited no antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria.ConclusionsFrom this study, it can be concluded that F. pseudopalma extracts may be a potential antibacterial agent against Gram-positive bacteria. The antibacterial property may be attributed to flavonoids and terpenoids present in the crude ethanolic extract, CF and EF.     

Protective effects of Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels leaf extracts on acetaminophen and thioacetamide induced hepatic injuries in Wistar rats

ObjectiveTo investigate and compare the hepatoprotective effects of crude ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels (P. acidus) leaves on acetaminophen (APAP) and thioacetamide (TAA) induced liver toxicity in wistar rats. Silymarin was the reference hepatoprotective agent.MethodsIn two different sets of experiments, the P. acidus extracts (200 and 400 mg/kg, body weight) and silymarin (100 mg/kg, body weight) were given orally for 7 days and a single dose of APAP (2 g/kg, per oral) or TAA (100 mg/kg, subcutaneous) were given to rats. The level of serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin and total protein were monitored to assess hepatotoxicity and hepatoprotection.ResultsAPAP or TAA administration caused severe hepatic damage in rats as evident from significant rise in serum AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin and concurrent depletion in total serum protein. The P. acidus extracts and silymarin prevented the toxic effects of APAP or TAA on the above serum parameters indicating the hepatoprotective action. The aqueous extract was found to be more potent than the corresponding ethanolic extract against both toxicants. The phenolic and flavonoid content (175.02±4.35 and 74.68±1.28, respectively) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) [IC₅₀ = (33.2±0.31)μg/mL] scavenging potential was found maximum with aqueous extract as compared to ethanolic extract.ConclusionsThe results of present study suggests that the aqueous extract of P. acidus leaves has significant hepatoprotective activity on APAP and TAA induced hepatotoxicity, which might be associate with its high phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant properties.     

Isolation and identification of bioactive antibacterial components in leaf extracts of Vangueria spinosa (Rubiaceae)

ObjectiveThe column chromatographic fraction of ethyl acetate (EA1, EA2, EA3, EA4 and EA5) leaf extracts of Vangueria spinosa (V. spinosa) were screened for antibacterial activity and phytochemical analysis.MethodsEA3 fraction was isolated and identified by column chromatography, thin layer chromatography, spectral data analysis and phytochemical screening were used for analysis.ResultsEA3 fraction was significantly active at 4 to 64 mg/L against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.5625 to 3.1250 mg/mL. The active fraction (EA3) revealed the presence of flavonoid with retention factor value (R_f) of 0.39. The active antibacterial agent in the most potent fraction (EA3) was isolated and identified as flavonoid (?)–epicatechin–3–O–β–glucopyranoside by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and phytochemical screening. EA1 and EA2 show inhibitory activity at 4 to 64 mg/L against Staphylococcus aureus only where as fraction EA4 and EA5 do not shows any inhibitory activity within that range of concentration against any bacteria.ConclusionsThe results support the ethnomedicinal use of leaf of V. spinosa for the treatment of bacterial diseases.     

Role of phenolics as antioxidants,biomolecule protectors and as anti–diabetic factors – Evaluation on bark and empty pods of Acacia auriculiformis

ObjectiveTo search for an efficient and inexpensive source of phytoconstituents with antioxidant potential and health promoting traits from bark and empty pods of Acacia auriculiformis (A. auriculiformis).MethodsSamples of bark and empty pod extracts were analyzed for bioactives (phenolics, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins) and subjected to free radical scavenging activity on DPPH^˙, ABTS^˙+, OH^˙, O₂^?? and NO along with the determination of reducing power, iron chelating activity and peroxidation inhibition. Defensive action of extracts on biomolecules and cell membranes were evaluated by DNA nicking assay and haemolysis inhibition assay respectively. α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory potentials were also determined.ResultsAll the bioactives analyzed were higher in bark (B) than empty pods (EP) [TPC: B (574.51±16.11); EP (96.80±3.45) mg GAE/g. TFC: B (94.71±7.65); EP (247.87±20.45) mg RE/g. Proanthocyanidins: B (2.81±0.31); EP (1.25±0.01) mg LE/100 g DM] except flavonoids. Both the extracts showed higher quenching capacity on DPPH and ABTS (DPPH: B (0.21±0.01); EP (1.51±0.17) g extract/g DPPH. ABTS: B (111 519.14±79 340.91); EP (80 232.55±32 894.12) mmol TE/g) with the FRAP of B (84 515.63±3 350.69) and EP (47 940.79±1 257.60) mmol Fe (II)/g. Iron chelation was not observed. In addition, they showed lower quenching activity on OH^˙ (B (48.95±1.72); EP (34.94±1.62)%) and equivalent quenching on O₂^?? (B (53.47±3.92); EP (24.41±2.61)%), NO (B (49.04±5.04); EP (51.00±5.13)%), peroxidation inhibition (B (67.50±5.50); EP (55.1±2.3)%) and antihaemolytic potential (B (87.60±6.84)%) towards authentic antioxidant standards. Interestingly, Empty pod extracts are devoid of antihaemolytic activity. Both the extracts showed dose dependent DNA protection. Besides this, bark and empty pod extracts exhibited dual inhibiting potential against α -amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes.ConclusionsOn summarization, it insinuated that both bark and empty pods can be used for the preparation of antioxidant/nutraceutical supplements and in anti–diabetic formulations.     

Comparative evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of crude extract and secondary metabolites isolated from Artemisia kulbadica

ObjectiveTo investigate the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Et₂O/MeOH/petrol extract and three isolated compounds from Artemisia kulbadica (A. kulbadica).MethodsThe antimicrobial activity was tested by using the disc-diffusion method and determining the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the agar dilution method against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, and fungi. The antioxidant activities of crude extract and tree isolated compounds were evaluated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assays.ResultsThe plant extract was showed moderate values DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀= (422.4 ± 2.4) μg/mL) while it was showed no considerable antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms. Three isolated compounds tested for the first time, demonstrated antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Two sesquiterpenes showed higher antimicrobial activity than the flavone while the later compound was better antioxidant than the sesquiterpens.ConclusionsThe present study clearly demonstrated that A. kulbadica and some of its isolates each one separately possess antimicrobial or antioxidant properties and may act as potential antioxidant for biological systems susceptible to free radical-mediated reactions.     

Antimicrobial properties of Teucrium polium against some clinical pathogens

ObjectiveTo explore the antibacterial effect of the alcoholic extracts of aerial parts of Teucrium polium, native in Iran on some pathogenic bacteria.MethodsAntibacterial activity of ethanolic extract (50 to 400 mg/mL) and methanolic extract (400 and 600 mg/mL) was evaluated by disc diffusion method.ResultsThe ethanolic extract results showed that Bacillus anthracis was the most sensitive species, while Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis were more resistant than others. In the case of the methanolic extract, Bordetella bronchiseptica was the most sensitive and Proteus mirabilis and Arcanobacterium pyogenes were the most resistant species. The hydroalcoholic extract of Teucrium polium had a relatively satisfactory effect on Salmonella typhi. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi was 40 mg/mL and Bordetella bronchiseptica and Bacillus anthracis was 10 mg/mL. The minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) against Bacillus anthracis was 10 mg/mL while against other species were not found (>200 mg/mL). The methanolic extract had also synergistic effect with methicillin, vancomycin against Staphylococcus aureus and with novobiocin against Salmonella typhi.ConclusionsThese results suggest that this plant contains relatively good antibacterial activity and it can be used as a source of antiseptic compounds for medicinal uses.