Antimicrobial,antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activity of young shoots of the smoke tree,Cotinus coggygria Scop

In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of the young shoots of the smoke tree, Cotinus coggygria Scop., Anacardiaceae. The acetone extract and the derived ethyl acetate fraction effectively inhibited the growth of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria (MIC 25–200 µg/ml), while the chloroform fraction showed pronounced activity against the yeast Candida albicans (MIC 3.12 µg/ml). The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited a significant ferric‐reducing ability (10.7 mmol Fe²⁺/g extract), a very high DPPH radical scavenging activity (SC₅₀ = 1.7 µg/ml) and inhibition of lipid peroxidation (IC₅₀ = 41.8 µg/ml). High amounts of total phenolics (929.8 mg/g), tannins (833.8 mg/g) and flavonoids (35.5 mg/g) were determined in the ethyl acetate fraction, which also exerted significant anti‐inflammatory (76.7%) and cytotoxic effects (IC₅₀ = 15.6 µg/ml). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of anthrone and chromone from the latex of Aloe harlana Reynolds

In the search for new antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds from plants, the latex of the medicinal plant Aloe harlana Reynolds from Ethiopia was subjected to bioassay‐guided fractionation, which led to the isolation of two known compounds, anthrone (aloin) and chromone (7‐O‐methylaloeresin A). The latex and its two constituents were assessed for their possible antimicrobial activities against 23 bacterial and four fungal strains using the disc diffusion method and their antioxidant activity by two complementary test systems, namely 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2‐deoxyribose degradation assay methods. The isolated compounds showed promising results against various pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains in comparison with standard drugs. Moreover, 7‐O‐methylaloeresin A exhibited good activity against multiple drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus (NCTC 11994) and Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 1255) with MIC values of 0.72 and 0.18 mm , respectively. Among the fungal strains tested, Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) was the most susceptible organism to the latex and the two isolated compounds. The latex and isolated compounds also showed significant activities on both antioxidant assays with the highest activity being observed for 7‐O‐methylaloeresin A, which gave IC₅₀ values of 0.026 mm and 0.021 mm for DPPH and 2‐deoxyribose degradation assay, respectively. These findings support the traditional uses of the plant for the treatment of various infectious and inflammatory diseases. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of oral dosage form and storage period on the antioxidant properties of four species used in traditional herbal medicine

Herbal infusions and decoctions in water are some of the most commonly consumed beverages in the world. Although water is not a good solvent for many of the active components in herbs, liquid preparations are rich in several bioactive compounds. Most of them have powerful antioxidant activity and have been related to medicinal herbs' properties. Herein, decoctions and infusions in water of lemon‐verbena (Aloysia citrodora) aerial parts and leaves, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) and spearmint (Mentha spicata) aerial parts with different periods of storage (0, 30, 60 and 120 days), were prepared. The effects of the method of preparation and storage period on their antioxidant properties were analysed. For all the analysed species, infusions gave better results than the corresponding decoctions. Spearmint infusions showed the highest antioxidant properties, at all the storage periods, probably due to the highest levels and synergy between phenolics, flavonoids and ascorbic acid found in this sample. Linear discriminant analysis confirmed that the length of storage period has a significant influence on the antioxidant activity and antioxidant content. Flavonoids and reducing sugars proved to be the parameters that most highly contributed to cluster individual groups according to different periods of storage. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The antiinflammatory, gastroprotective and antioxidant activities of Hieracium gymnocephalum extract

The present study investigated the antiinflammatory, gastroprotective and antioxidant activities of a CH(2)Cl(2) extract of western Balkan endemic Hieracium gymnocephalum Griseb. ex Pant. (Compositae). The carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema test was used as an experimental model for screening the antiinflammatory activity. The extract was administrated p.o. in doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg to rats and its effects compared with indomethacin, used p.o. as a reference drug. The results showed that the investigated extract reduced the oedema in a concentration-dependent manner. The obtained antiinflammatory effect was 5.9%, 11.7%, 31.2% and 44.1% at doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively, being statistically significant at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Indomethacin had a strong antiinflammatory effect of 73.4% at a dose of 8 mg/kg, but caused large gastric lesions. When the plant extract in the highest tested dose (200 mg/kg) was concomitantly given with indomethacin, the antiinflammatory effect was slightly enhanced, but the gastric lesions were significantly reduced. The antioxidant activity of the H. gymnocephalum extract, investigated using DPPH radical assay, OH-radical assay and TBA-test, was not substantial.     

鹅掌楸苷和光甘草定协同抗氧化作用研究

[目的]研究鹅掌楸苷和光甘草定协同抗氧化作用。[方法]采用1,1-二苯基-2-苦苯肼(DPPH)和2,2-联氮-二(3-乙基-苯并噻唑-6-磺酸)二铵盐(ABTS)自由基清除实验,测定鹅掌楸苷和光甘草定单独及不同浓度配比的抗氧化活性,等辐射分析法(Isobologram)对协同作用结果进行分析。[结果]鹅掌楸苷和光甘草定配比为3∶1时对DPPH自由基清除表现为协同作用,1∶1表现为相加作用,1∶3表现为拮抗作用。ABTS实验结果显示复配为1∶1、1∶3和3∶1时均有协同作用,并且复配组合中协同作用强弱为:1∶31∶13∶1。[结论]鹅掌楸苷和光甘草定按一定比例复配后具有协同抗氧化作用。     

Antifungal,antioxidant and larvicidal activities of compounds isolated from the heartwood of Mansonia gagei

Eleven compounds isolated from the heartwood of Mansonia gagei were tested for their antifungal activities against Cladosporium cucumerinum and Candida albicans, as well as for their larvicidal activities against Aedes aegypti and radical scavenging properties in a DPPH assay. Mansonone C (4) was found to be the most interesting compound with antifungal activities against Cladosporium cucumerinum and Candida albicans as well as for its larvicidal properties against Aedes aegypti. Mansonone E (5) was active against Cladosporium cucumerinum and Candida albicans. Two coumarin derivatives, mansorin A (1) and mansorin B (2) were also found to be active against Cladosporium cucumerinum, while mansonone N (9) was the only isolated product to show radical scavenging properties.     

Antimicrobial, resistance-modifying effects, antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of Mezoneuron benthamianum Baill., Securinega virosa Roxb. &Wlld. and Microglossa pyrifolia Lam

Mezoneuron benthamianum, Securinega virosa and Microglossa pyrifolia are used in folk medicine in Ghana for the treatment of dermal infections and wounds. Petroleum spirit, chloroform and ethanol extracts of the plants were tested for antimicrobial activity against a battery of organisms using the agar well diffusion technique and a serial dilution microassay. The resistance modifying activities of these extracts on standard antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus possessing efflux mechanisms of resistance have also been assessed. A 4-fold potentiation of the activity of norfloxacin was observed for ethanol and chloroform extracts of M. benthamianum and S. virosa, respectively, whilst the petroleum spirit extract resulted in a 2-fold potentiation with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in the range 8-16 microg/mL. Ethanol extracts of all three species, the petroleum spirit extract of M. benthamianum and the chloroform extracts of M. benthamianum and S. virosa, showed interesting antimicrobial activities. Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities using DPPH spectrophotometric and TBA lipid peroxidation assays were also conducted. Of the five extracts that showed antioxidant activities, the petroleum spirit and chloroform extracts of M. benthamianum rated most highly by displaying strong free radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 15.33 and 19.72 microg/mL, respectively. Lipid peroxidation inhibition provided by the same two extracts also produced the lowest IC50 values for all the extracts tested, of 23.15 and 30.36 microg/mL. These findings therefore give some support to the ethnopharmacological use of the plants in the treatment of various skin diseases and wounds, as well as demonstrating the potential of some of the plants as sources of compounds possessing the ability to modulate bacterial multidrug resistance.     

Antimicrobial,anti-inflammatory,anti-ulcer and antioxidant activities of Carlina acanthifolia root essential oil

The root of Carlina acanthifolia All. (Asteraceae) has been traditionally used in the treatment of various disorders including stomach and skin diseases. We studied antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antioxidant activities of Carlina acanthifolia root essential oil, in order to validate some of the ethnopharmacological claims. Antimicrobial activity was tested on 15 bacteria and three strains of fungi using the agar diffusion and broth microdilution methods. In assessing anti-inflammatory activity the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema test was used, while ethanol-induced stress gastric ulcer test in rats was used in testing anti-ulcer activity. Antioxidant properties were evaluated trough the effect of the essential oil on lipid peroxidation (TBA assay) and its capability of quenching 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and OH radicals. The oil expressed significant antimicrobial activity, being the most active against Gram (+) bacteria: Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis and against Candida albicans. In all applied concentrations, Carlina acanthifolia root essential oil reduced carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema in dose-dependent manner, achieving high degree of anti-inflammatory activity. The effect was comparable with that of indomethacin used as a reference drug. In the ethanol-induced stress gastric ulcer test in rats, it was shown that the tested essential oil produced significant dose-dependent gastroprotective activity. The results also pointed out substantial and dose-dependent antioxidant activity of the investigated essential oil, with carlina oxide as the main antioxidant component.     

The in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Achillea biebersteini Afan. (Asteraceae)

The essential oil and methanol extracts from A. biebersteinii Afan. (Asteraceae) were evaluated for their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities in vitro. The oil showed stronger antimicrobial activity than the extracts. Their antioxidant features were also evaluated using diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), inhibition of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals and inhibition of the lipid peroxidation assays. Particularly, polar subfraction of the methanol extract showed antioxidant activity. The GC-MS analysis of the oil has resulted in the identification of 23 components; piperitone, eucalyptol, camphor, chrysanthenone and borneol were the main components. Antimicrobial activity tests carried out with the fractions of the oil showed that the activity was mainly observed in those containing eucalyptol and camphor, in particular, followed by borneol and piperitone.     

In vitro and in vivo antihypertensive and antioxidant activities of fermented roots of Allium hookeri

Objective: To evaluate antihypertensive and antioxidant activities of Allium hookeri root (AHR) fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and Weissella cibaria. Methods: The novel fermented AHR products using L. plantarum, L. mesenteroides, and W. cibaria were developed and ACE inhibitory activity, DPPH radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content, and total thiosulfinate content were determined. The antihypertensive and antioxidant effects of fermented AHR were further investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Results: Administration of fermented AHR to SHRs had an attenuating effect on both diastolic and systolic blood pressure. The SHRs treated with fermented AHR showed lower plasma ACE activity and higher plasma NO levels. Furthermore, fermented AHR administration led to parallel improvements in plasma oxidative stress biomarkers in SHRs. Conclusion: Our results highlight the potential usefulness of fermented AHR for the prevention of hypertension.     

In Vitro Evaluation of Portuguese Propolis and Floral Sources for Antiprotozoal,Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity

Propolis is a beehive product with a very complex chemical composition, used since ancient times in several therapeutic treatments. As a contribution to the improvement of drugs against several tropical diseases caused by protozoa, we screened Portuguese propolis and its potential floral sources Populus x Canadensis and Cistus ladanifer against Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania infantum, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi. The toxicity against MRC‐5 fibroblast cells was evaluated to assess selectivity. The in vitro assays were performed following the recommendations of WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) and revealed moderate activity, with the propolis extracts presenting the relatively highest inhibitory effect against T. brucei. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum and Aspergillus fumigatus was also verified with the better results observed against T. rubrum. The quality of the extracts was controlled by evaluating the phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The observed biological activity variations are associated with the variable chemical composition of the propolis and the potential floral sources under study. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antioxidant activities of Carlina acanthifolia root essential oil

In the Moroccan traditional medicine, the ripe fruits of Carum carvi L. (Apiaceae) and the leaves of Tanacetum vulgare L. (Asteraceae/Compositae), two widely available plant materials, are used as diuretics. Since, the diuretic activity of these substances has not been investigated in scientifically controlled studies, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the diuretic potential of aqueous extracts of Carum carvi fruit (caraway) and the leaves of Tanacetum vulgare (tansy) in normal rats after acute and sub-chronic oral administration. Water extracts of Carum carvi and Tanacetum vulgare (100 mg/kg) or the reference drug, furosemide (10 mg/kg) were administrated orally to male Wistar rats and their urine output was quantitated at several intervals of time after the dose. After single doses of the extracts of both caraway seeds and tansy leaves, urine output was significantly increased at all time points, and at 24 h after the dose, the total volume of urine excreted was similar for the plant extracts and furosemide. Both extracts increased urinary levels of Na⁺ and K⁺, to about the same extent, while furosemide increased urinary levels of only Na⁺ and decreased urinary K⁺. Despite changes in urinary excretion of the electrolytes, plasma Na⁺ and K⁺ levels were not affected by any of the three substances. In the 8-day sub-chronic study, all three substances induced significant diuresis and natriuresis; only tansy increased urinary potassium excretion. The plant extracts did not appear to have renal toxicity or any other adverse effects during the study period. In conclusion, water extracts of both Carum carvi and Tanacetum vulgare have strong diuretic action confirming their ethnopharmacological use. From the pattern of excretion of water, sodium and potassium, it may be deduced that there are atleast two types of active principals present in these extracts, one having a furosemide-like activity and the other a thiazide-like activity.     

Biological screening of Nigella damascena for antimicrobial and molluscicidal activities

The essential oil, various extracts at different polarity, fractions, and pure compounds obtained from Nigella damascena plants and seeds were screened for biological activity. Antimicrobial tests showed the essential oil to be active only against Gram positive bacteria; among the extracts, the BuOH was active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Molluscicidal activity was absent.     

贵州白苞蒿抗肿瘤、抗氧化内生真菌的筛选与鉴定

白苞蒿Artemisia lactiflora是一种重要的药用植物。对已分离获得的54株白苞蒿内生真菌粗提物分别采用MTT法和DPPH法进行体外抗肿瘤和抗氧化活性筛选,并采用分子生物学方法对筛选出的活性内生真菌进行鉴定。结果显示,共计10株（18.5%）白苞蒿内生真菌粗提物对人骨髓白血病细胞系（HL-60）、人乳腺癌细胞系（MCF-7）和人前列腺癌细胞系（PC-3）生长的抑制活性较好,其中以链格孢属GYBH47菌株粗提物的抗肿瘤活性最佳,对3种肿瘤细胞株的生长均有抑制作用;共计2株（3.7%）白苞蒿内生真菌粗提物的抗氧化活性较好,其中,拟茎点霉属GYBH42菌株粗提物同时具有抗氧化活性和细胞毒活性。表明贵州白苞蒿内生真菌是寻找有价值的生物活性成分的潜在资源,其生物活性成分值得进一步研究和开发。     

文冠果叶总黄酮微波辅助酶提取工艺的优化及其抗氧化、抑菌活性

目的优化文冠果叶总黄酮微波辅助酶提取工艺,并考察其抗氧化、抑菌活性。方法在单因素试验基础上,以微波功率、微波时间、乙醇体积分数为影响因素,总黄酮提取率为评价指标,响应面法优化提取工艺。然后,检测抗氧化活性和对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌、枯草芽孢杆菌的抑制作用。结果最佳条件为纤维素酶用量0.20%,料液比1∶20,微波功率600 W,微波时间6 min,乙醇体积分数70%,提取率9.90%。总黄酮对DPPH·、ABTS·的IC₅₀值分别为12.23、14.59μg/mL,略低于维生素C,但明显高于芦丁;该成分对大肠杆菌的抑制作用最强,其抑菌圈直径大于茶多酚和95%乙醇。结论该方法稳定可靠,可用于微波辅助酶提取抗氧化、抑菌活性良好的文冠果叶总黄酮。     

黄花蒿酚类物质及其抗氧化活性对施肥的响应

研究施肥对黄花蒿Artemisia annua根、茎、叶总多酚、东莨菪内酯、猫眼草酚、猫眼草黄素的含量、累积量及其抗氧化活性的影响,为提高黄花蒿产量、质量和科学施肥提供理论依据.采用盆栽试验,设置不同施肥处理,利用高效液相色谱(HPLC)和紫外-可见分光光度法测定现蕾期根、茎、叶中的上述有效成分,以及提取物对DPPH·自由基的清除率.在黄花蒿体内,总多酚、东莨菪内酯、猫眼草酚和猫眼草黄素的分布趋势:叶＞茎＞根.黄花蒿的抗氧化活性与总多酚、东莨菪内酯、猫眼草酚、猫眼草黄素之间均呈显著正相关.施肥显著促进黄花蒿生长,纯施无机肥肥、纯施有机肥和有机无机配施的生物量比不施肥分别增加57.37％,91.63％,92.27％.施肥尤其是有机无机配施通常能提高黄花蒿总多酚、猫眼草酚和猫眼草黄素的含量和累积量,以及DPPH·自由基清除率.东莨菪内酯、猫眼草酚、猫眼草黄素主要在叶片中合成和储存,是主要的药用器官.在黄花蒿施肥实践中,提倡有机无机配施,可提高黄花蒿产量和质量,增加药农收入.     

化学计量学方法研究北五味子中木脂素含量与抗氧化活性的相关性

目的:通过五味子抗氧化活性与木脂素含量的相关性分析,建立五味子抗氧化活性的快速评价方法。方法:采用高效液相色谱测定了采自吉林省不同地区的37批不同五味子样品中的5种木脂素的含量,并分别从抑制肝、肾、脑中脂质过氧化能力和清除.DPPH自由基能力几方面测定了上述样品的抗氧化活性。以SPSS 11.5软件进行了双变量相关性(biva-riate)分析及多元线性回归的逐步回归(stepwise)分析。结果:双变量相关性分析结果表明,五味子醇甲与抑制肝脏、脑脂质过氧化、.DPPH清除能力具有显著的相关性(P<0.01),均呈正相关;五味子醇乙与4种抗氧化活性均有相关性(P<0.05或0.01),均呈正相关;而五味子甲素与抑制肝脏、脑脂质过氧化、.DPPH清除能力具有显著的负相关性(P<0.01),五味子乙素仅与抑制脑脂质过氧化能力具有负相关性(P<0.05)。逐步回归分析结果与Bivariate分析结果基本一致,并分别得出木脂素与不同模型中抗氧化活性相关性的线性回归方程。采用另外10批样品的测定结果经回归方程模拟,所得的抗氧化活性与测定的抗氧化活性基本一致。结论:采用相关性分析和线性逐步回归分析法建立的抗氧化活性评价模型,从而确定五味子抗氧化活性的物质基础,同时还可根据所测定的五味子中木脂素的含量来推测样品的抗氧化活性。     

甘遂中的新三萜及其抗氧化活性

目的 对甘遂Euphorbia kansui块根中的三萜化学成分和抗氧化活性进行研究。方法 采用多种柱色谱法进行分离纯化,并运用谱学分析鉴定化合物的结构。通过CCK-8法,对分离的化合物在SH-SY5Y细胞中的抗氧化活性进行了筛选。结果 从甘遂块根甲醇提取物中分离鉴定出5个三萜,其中包括3个大戟烷型,分别为大戟-8,24-二烯-3β-醇-7,11-二酮(1)、(24R)-大戟-8,25-二烯-3β,24-二醇(2)、大戟二烯醇(3);2个羊毛脂烷型三萜,3β,11β-二羟基羊毛脂-8,24-二烯-7-酮(4)、3β,7β-二羟基羊毛脂-8,24-二烯-11-酮(5)。结论 化合物5为新化合物,为羊毛脂烷型三萜,命名为甘遂羊毛脂酮A;化合物1和4为首次从该植物中分离得到;化合物2和5在SH-SY5Y细胞中具有一定的抗氧化能力和潜在的神经保护活性。     

Antioxidant activities of some common ingredients of traditional chinese medicine, Angelica sinensis, Lycium barbarum and Poria cocos

The antioxidant activities of three popular ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, namely Angelica sinensis (AS), Lycium barbarum (LB) and Poria cocos (PC) were evaluated in this study. The results showed that aqueous extracts of these crude drugs exhibited antioxidant activities in a concentration-dependent manner. All extracts displayed an inhibitory effect on FeCl2-ascorbic acid induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate in vitro, with the order of activity LB > AS > PC. The tested extracts showed a superoxide anion scavenging activity ranging from 28.8% to 82.2% and anti-superoxide activity varying from 38.0% to 84.5%. Among the different extracts, LB extract exhibited the lowest IC50 values (0.77-2.55 microg/mL) in all model systems tested in this study. The present study concludes that LB extract possessed the strongest inhibition on malondialdehyde formation in rat liver homogenate, and superoxide anion scavenging and anti-superoxide formation activities. These results also suggest that LB extract is a good source of antioxidant agent in the daily dietary supplement.     

Screening of Malian medicinal plants for antifungal, larvicidal, molluscicidal, antioxidant and radical scavenging activities

A total of 78 different extracts from 20 medicinal plants belonging to 14 plant families from Mali were tested for their antifungal, larvicidal, molluscicidal, antioxidant and radical scavenging activities. Dichloromethane, methanol, water and ethanol extracts were used. TLC autobiography for antifungal activity was run with Cladosporium cucumerinum and Candida albicans. Extracts were also tested on the larvae of the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti, Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus. Molluscicidal activities were established with the snails Biomphalaria glabrata, Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Bulinus truncatus. β‐Carotene and DPPH solutions sprayed on TLC plates were used for antioxidant and radical scavenging assays. Of the extracts investigated, 20% were antioxidant and radical scavengers, 19% fungicidal, 30% were larvicidal and 11% were molluscicidal. Three of the plant extracts, from Cussonia barteri (Araliaceae), Glinus oppositifolius (Aïzoaceae) and Lannea velutina (Anacardiaceae) gave positive responses in all four tests. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.