Phytochemical profile, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic potential of hydroalcoholic extracts from Citrus medica L. cv Diamante flowers, leaves and fruits at two maturity stages

Since the past decade consumption of certain foods has been reported to have a positive effect on health. The object of the study was to determine for the first time the chemical composition and the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic potential of Citrus medica L. cv Diamante flowers, leaves and fruits (endocarp and mesocarp) at two maturity stages. Flowers and leaves were characterized by the highest total phenols and flavonoids content. A declining trend was observed during maturity of fruits for both phenols and flavonoids. The antioxidant activity evaluated by the β-carotene bleaching test showed a strong activity for flowers and endocarp of mature fruits with IC₅₀ values of 2.8 μg/mL and 3.5 μg/mL, respectively, after 30 min of incubation. Interestingly, the mature fruits endocarp (IC₅₀ value of 426.0 μg/mL) could inhibit α-amylase with an IC₅₀ value 2-fold higher than immature fruits. None of the tested extracts affected the proliferation of human skin fibroblasts 142BR. The obtained results suggest a potential use of C. medica L. cv Diamante as new valuable Citrus species with functional properties for food or nutraceutical product on the basis of high content of phytochemicals.     

Wild mushrooms Clitocybe alexandri and Lepista inversa: In vitro antioxidant activity and growth inhibition of human tumour cell lines

The in vitro antioxidant and growth inhibitory activity of extracts obtained from two Portuguese wild mushrooms (Clitocybe alexandri and Lepista inversa) was studied in human tumour cell lines. The extracts were phenolic (methanolic and ethanolic) and polysaccharidic (boiling water). The antioxidant activity assays included evaluation of radical-scavenging capacity, reducing power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation measured in liposome solutions. Extract-induced cell growth inhibition was measured in four different tumour cell lines (lung, breast, colon and gastric cancer) using the SRB assay. The polysaccharidic extract of L. inversa was the most potent as antioxidant (EC₅₀ < 1.8 ± 0.1 mg/ml), while the phenolic ethanolic extract of C. alexandri was the most potent as inhibitor of growth of the studied cancer cell lines (GI₅₀ < 26.0 ± 1.3 μg/ml). Together, these activities indicate that these mushrooms are promising sources of bioactive compounds.     

Evaluation of metal concentration and antioxidant,antimicrobial, and anticancer potentials of two edible mushrooms Lactarius deliciosus and Macrolepiota procera

This study is designed for the determination of metal concentrations, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer potential of two edible mushrooms Lactarius deliciosus and Macrolepiota procera. Concentrations of nine metals are determined and all metals are present in the allowable concentrations in the tested mushrooms except Cd in M. procera. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by free radical scavenging and reducing power. M. procera extract had more potent free radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 311.40 μg/mL) than L. deliciosus extract. Moreover, the tested extracts had effective reducing power. The total content of phenol in the extracts was examined using Folin–Ciocalteu reagent and obtained values expressed as pyrocatechol equivalents. Further, the antimicrobial potential was determined with a microdilution method on 15 microorganisms. Among the tested species, extract of L. deliciosus showed a better antimicrobial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 2.5 mg/mL to 20 mg/mL. Finally, the cytotoxic activity was tested using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method on human epithelial carcinoma HeLa cells, human lung carcinoma A549 cells, and human colon carcinoma LS174 cells. Extract of both mushrooms expressed similar cytotoxic activity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 19.01 μg/mL to 80.27 μg/mL.     

Antioxidant activity of selected plant species; potential new sources of natural antioxidants

The aim of this study was to examine six plants from Serbia for their potential antioxidant activity. Therefore, six antioxidant activity assays were carried out, including: total antioxidant capacity, DPPH free-radical scavenging, the inhibitory activity toward lipid peroxidation, Fe³⁺- reducing power, Fe²⁺- chelating ability and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined for each alcoholic extract. Cotinus coggygria extract contained the highest amount of total phenols (413 mg GAE /g dry extract), while the highest proportion of flavonoids was found in the Echium vulgare methanol extract (105 mg RU/g). Cotinus coggygria and Halacsya sendtneri alcoholic extracts showed the highest total antioxidant capacity (313 and 231 mg AA/g dry extract), as well as DPPH free-radical scavenging (IC₅₀ = 9 and 99 μg/ml), inhibitory activity toward lipid peroxidation (IC₅₀ = 3 and 17 μg/ml) and reducing power. Whereas, the greatest hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, as well as ferrous ion chelating ability showed Echium vulgare, Echium rubrum and Halacsya sendtneri.     

Comparative antihemolytic and radical scavenging activities of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaf and fruit

The present study reports the antioxidant properties of Arbutus unedo L. leaf and fruit extracts using different in vitro assays including (i) reducing power, (ii) scavenging effect on DPPH free radicals, and (iii) inhibitory effect on AAPH-induced hemolysis and lipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes. All assays demonstrated antioxidant efficiency for A. unedo L. aqueous extracts, being consistently higher in the leaf. EC₅₀ values for reducing power and DPPH radical scavenging activities were, respectively, 0.318 ± 0.007 and 0.087 ± 0.007 mg/mL for leaf, and 2.894 ± 0.049 and 0.790 ± 0.016 mg/mL for fruit extracts. Under the oxidative action of AAPH, A. unedo leaf and fruit extracts protected the erythrocyte membrane from hemolysis (IC₅₀ of 0.062 ± 0.002 and 0.430 ± 0.091 mg/mL, respectively) and decreased the levels of malondialdehyde, a breakdown product of lipid peroxidation (IC₅₀ of 0.075 ± 0.014 and 0.732 ± 0.452 mg/mL, respectively). In accordance with antioxidant activity, phenolic content was found to be significantly higher in leaf extract. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the antioxidant activity of A. unedo species is evaluated using human biological membranes. Overall, our results suggest that A. unedo leaves are a promising source of natural antioxidants with potential application in diseases mediated by free radicals.     

Scavenging capacity of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaves on free radicals

Despite strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaves had a long use in traditional medicine due to its antiseptic, diuretic, astringent and depurative properties, the potential of their antioxidant activity are still lacking. Our study goals to assess the antioxidant and free radical scavenging potential of water, ethanol, methanol and diethyl ether extracts of A. unedo leaves. Total phenols content was achieved spectrophotometrically using Folin–Ciocalteau reagent with gallic acid as standard. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using three different methods: reducing power of iron (III)/ferricyanide complex assay, scavenging effect on DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals and scavenging effect on superoxide radicals by using the PMS–NADH–nitroblue tetrazolium system. Ethanol extracts of A. unedo leaves were the highest in reducing power (IC₅₀ 232.7 μg/mL) and DPPH scavenging effect (IC₅₀ 63.2 μg/mL) followed by water extracts (with IC₅₀ of 287.7 and 73.7 μg/mL, respectively); whereas diethyl ether extracts were the lowest. In the scavenging on superoxide radical assay, methanol extracts obtained the best results (IC₅₀ 6.9 μg/mL). For all the methods tested the antioxidant activity was concentration dependent. In accordance with antioxidant activity, highest total phenols content were found in ethanol, followed by water, methanol and diethyl ether extract. The results indicated that A. unedo leaves are a potential source of natural antioxidants.     

Purification of chicken breast protein hydrolysate and analysis of its antioxidant activity

Chicken breast protein was hydrolyzed by papain under optimal conditions. The antioxidant activity of the chicken breast protein hydrolysate was then evaluated in vitro and in vivo using different measurements, including reducing power and DPPH radical scavenging assays. The reducing power of the hydrolysate was 0.5 at 2.37 mg/mL. The DPPH radical scavenging assay showed that the EC₅₀ value of the hydrolysate was 1.28 mg/mL. In antioxidant assays in vivo, d-galactose-induced aging mice administrated the fraction peptides of chicken breast protein hydrolysate showed significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities, while malondialdehyde levels decreased both in serums and livers. Under a transmission electron microscope (TEM), the ultramicrostructure of hepatic tissue was observed and we found that the hydrolysate may play a part in inhibiting oxidative stress in hepatocytes in vivo. Therefore, we concluded that chicken breast protein hydrolysate exhibits significant antioxidant activity.     

Antidiabetic,antioxidant, molecular docking and HPTLC analysis of miquelianin isolated from Euphorbia schimperi C. Presl

The present study demonstrates the miquelianin or quercetin 3-O-glucuronide (compound 1) isolated from aerial parts of Euphorbia schimperi exhibited significant results for antioxidant and antidiabetic potential. The compound 1 along with kaempferol 3-O-glucuronide (compound 2) and quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside (compound 3) isolated from the same source were quantified by validated HPTLC method. Antioxidant activity was determined by chemical means in terms of ABTS radical cation and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Compound 1 showed significant scavenging activity in both ABTS and DPPH assays as compared to standard BHA. In ABTS method IC₅₀ values of compound 1 and standard BHA is found to be 58.90 ± 3.40 µg/mL and 28.70 ± 5.20 µg/mL respectively while in DPPH assay IC₅₀ values of Compound 1 and standard BHA is 47.20 ± 4.90 µg/mL and 34.50 ± 6.20 µg/mL respectively. Antidiabetic effect was studied through α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The mechanistic approach through molecular modelling also support the strong binding sites of compound 1 which showed significant α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities with IC₅₀ values 128.34 ± 12.30 and 89.20 ± 9.20 µg/mL respectively as compared to acarbose 64.20 ± 5.60 and 52.40 ± 4.60 µg/mL respectively. The results of validated RP-HPTLC analyses revealed the concentration of compound 1 found to be 16.39 µg/mg and for compound 2 and compound 3 as 3.92 and 14.98 µg/mg of dried extract, respectively.     

α-Amylase and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitory effects of Melicope latifolia bark extracts and identification of bioactive constituents using in vitro and in silico approaches

ContextMelicope latifolia (DC.) T. G. Hartley (Rutaceae) was reported to contain various phytochemicals including coumarins, flavonoids, and acetophenones.ObjectiveThis study investigates the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of M. latifolia bark extracts, fractions, and isolated constituents.Materials and methodsMelicope latifolia extracts (hexane, chloroform, and methanol), fractions, and isolated constituents with varying concentrations (0.078–10 mg/mL) were subjected to in vitro α-amylase and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitory assay. Molecular docking was performed to study the binding mechanism of active compounds towards α-amylase and DPP-4 enzymes. The antioxidant activity of M. latifolia fractions and compounds were determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and β-carotene bleaching assays.ResultsMelicope latifolia chloroform extract showed the highest antidiabetic activity (α-amylase IC₅₀: 1464.32 μg/mL; DPP-4 IC₅₀: 221.58 μg/mL). Fractionation of chloroform extract yielded four major fractions (CF₁–CF₄) whereby CF₃ showed the highest antidiabetic activity (α-amylase IC₅₀: 397.68 μg/mL; DPP-4 IC₅₀: 37.16 μg/mL) and resulted in β-sitosterol (1), halfordin (2), methyl p-coumarate (3), and protocatechuic acid (4). Isolation of compounds 2–4 from the species and their DPP-4 inhibitory were reported for the first time. Compound 2 showed the highest α-amylase (IC₅₀: 197.53 μM) and β-carotene (88.48%) inhibition, and formed the highest number of molecular interactions with critical amino acid residues of α-amylase. The highest DPP-4 inhibition was exhibited by compound 3 (IC₅₀: 911.44 μM).Discussion and conclusionsThe in vitro and in silico analyses indicated the potential of M. latifolia as an alternative source of α-amylase and DPP-4 inhibitors. Further pharmacological studies on the compounds are recommended.     

Human cancer cell antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of Juglans regia L.

Several studies suggest that regular consumption of nuts, mostly walnuts, may have beneficial effects against oxidative stress mediated diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Walnuts contain several phenolic compounds which are thought to contribute to their biological properties. The present study reports the total phenolic contents and antioxidant properties of methanolic and petroleum ether extracts obtained from walnut (Juglans regia L.) seed, green husk and leaf. The total phenolic contents were determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu method and the antioxidant activities assessed by the ability to quench the stable free radical 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and to inhibit the 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative hemolysis of human erythrocytes. Methanolic seed extract presented the highest total phenolic content (116 mg GAE/g of extract) and DPPH scavenging activity (EC₅₀ of 0.143 mg/mL), followed by leaf and green husk. In petroleum ether extracts, antioxidant action was much lower or absent. Under the oxidative action of AAPH, all methanolic extracts significantly protected the erythrocyte membrane from hemolysis in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, although leaf extract inhibitory efficiency was much stronger (IC₅₀ of 0.060 mg/mL) than that observed for green husks and seeds (IC₅₀ of 0.127 and 0.121 mg/mL, respectively). Walnut methanolic extracts were also assayed for their antiproliferative effectiveness using human renal cancer cell lines A-498 and 769-P and the colon cancer cell line Caco-2. All extracts showed concentration-dependent growth inhibition toward human kidney and colon cancer cells. Concerning A-498 renal cancer cells, all extracts exhibited similar growth inhibition activity (IC₅₀ values between 0.226 and 0.291 mg/mL), while for both 769-P renal and Caco-2 colon cancer cells, walnut leaf extract showed a higher antiproliferative efficiency (IC₅₀ values of 0.352 and 0.229 mg/mL, respectively) than green husk or seed extracts. The results obtained herein strongly indicate that walnut tree constitute an excellent source of effective natural antioxidants and chemopreventive agents.     

Phenolic composition and biological activities of Juniperus drupacea Labill. berries from Turkey

The present study was designed to define the phenolic profile and the biological potential of berries methanol extract of Juniperus drupacea Labill. from Turkey.The total phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteau assay) was 48.06 ± 0.99 mg GAE/g extract. The HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis allowed the determination of the complete phenolic profile of J. drupacea berries. Phenolic acids represented more than 60% of the total phenolics, and tyrosol was the major one (1324 ± 0.64 μg/g extract); within the flavonoids amentoflavone was detected as the main constituent (927 ± 0.35 μg/g extract).The extract exhibited good antioxidant properties, as determined by different in vitro models: DPPH test (IC₅₀ 0.38 ± 0.02 mg/mL), reducing power (12.63 ± 0.14 ASE/mL), Fe²⁺ chelating ability (IC₅₀ 2.26 ± 0.06 mg/mL), and TBA test (IC₅₀ 2.47 ± 1.13 μg/mL).Cytotoxicity against Artemia salina was highlighted (LC₅₀ 489.47 ± 27.8 μg/mL), and a significant decrease (p ? 0.05; p ? 0.01) in HepG2 cells viability was observed at the higher concentrations (5-10 μg/mL).The extract displayed good antibacterial activity towards Gram-positive bacteria and in particular Staphylococcus aureus was the most susceptible strain (MIC 78.12 μg/mL).     

Acetylcholinesterase inhibition,antioxidant activity and toxicity of Peumus boldus water extracts on HeLa and Caco-2 cell lines

This work aimed to study the inhibition on acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE), the antioxidant activity and the toxicity towards Caco-2 and HeLa cells of aqueous extracts of Peumus Boldus. An IC₅₀ value of 0.93 mg/mL, for AChE inhibition, and EC₅₀ of 18.7 μg/mL, for the antioxidant activity, was determined. This activity can be attributed to glycosylated flavonoid derivatives detected, which were the main compounds, although boldine and other aporphine derivatives were also present. No changes in the chemical composition or the biochemical activities were found after gastrointestinal digestion. Toxicity of P. boldus decoction gave an IC₅₀ value 0.66 mg/mL for HeLa cells, which caused significant changes in the cell proteome profile.     

Dieckol isolated from Ecklonia cava inhibits α-glucosidase and α-amylase in vitro and alleviates postprandial hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

This study was designed to investigate whether dieckol may inhibit α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities, and alleviate postprandial hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Dieckol isolated from Ecklonia cava, brown algae, evidenced prominent inhibitory effect against α-glucosidase and α-amylase. The IC₅₀ values of dieckol against α-glucosidase and α-amylase were 0.24 and 0.66 mM, respectively, which evidenced the higher activities than that of acarbose. Dieckol did not exert any cytotoxic effect in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) at various concentrations (from 0.33 to 2.69 mM). The increase of postprandial blood glucose levels were significantly suppressed in the dieckol administered group than those in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic or normal mice. Moreover, the area under curve (AUC) was significantly reduced via dieckol administration (259 versus 483 mmol min/l) in the diabetic mice as well as it delays absorption of dietary carbohydrates. Therefore, these result indicated that dieckol might be a potent inhibitor for α-glucosidase and α-amylase.     

Antioxidant activities of leaf extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and related phenolic constituents

Leaf of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, the waste part during the root harvest, is rich in health-promoting phenolics and is a novel resource of natural antioxidants. The acetone and methanol extracts of leaves (AL and ML, respectively) of S. miltiorrhiza were evaluated by various in vitro antioxidant assays. The total phenolic contents of AL and ML were 39.0 ± 1.13 and 54.3 ± 1.1 mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract tested, respectively. EC₅₀ of ML was 7.0 ± 0.28 μg/mL in DPPH radical scavenging assay and 246.5 ± 10.35 μg/mL in superoxide radical quenching assay. It was also found that ML has prominent effects on the inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation (93.2%), which was equivalent to the positive control, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, p > 0.05), and was significantly higher than α-tocopherol (VE, p < 0.05). The reducing power of leaf extracts was as strong as roots (p > 0.05). HPLC and correlation analysis show that salvianolic acid B and rosmarinic acid constitute the most abundant phenolic compounds. They are the major contributors to antioxidant activities. The results suggested that S. miltiorrhiza leaves could be considered as a new potential source of natural phenolic antioxidants for food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics or nutraceutical industries.     

Comparative analysis of the antioxidant and DNA protection capacities of Anadenanthera colubrina, Libidibia ferrea and Pityrocarpa moniliformis fruits

This study aimed to explore the antioxidant and DNA protection abilities of hydroalcoholic extracts from fruits of Anadenanthera colubrina (ACHE), Libidibia ferrea (LFHE) and Pityrocarpa moniliformis (PMHE). These extracts were tested by five antioxidant methods (phosphomolibdenium and reducing power assays; superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide scavenging) and DNA protection capacity. Total phenolic content was measured by Folin-Ciocalteu method. ACHE exhibited the highest phenolic content (578 mg/g GAE), followed by LFHE (460 mg/g GAE) and PMHE (448 mg/g GAE). In phosphomolibdenium assay, ACHE showed 24.81% of activity in relation to ascorbic acid, whereas LFHE and PMHE had 21.08% and 18.05%, respectively. These plants showed high ability to inhibit reactive species tested with IC50 values ranged from 10.66 to 14.37 μg/mL for superoxide radical; 26.05 to 45.43 μg/mL for hydrogen peroxide; 178.42 to 182.98 μg/mL for reducing power; and 199.2 to 283 μg/mL for nitric oxide. Furthermore, these extracts had capacity to break the DNA damage induced by hydroxyl radicals. The antioxidant activity of these plants is related with their higher phenolic content and show that they may be used as source of bioactive compounds, relevant to the maintenance of oxidative stability of the food matrix, cosmetics and/or pharmaceutical preparations.     

Insights into cholinesterase inhibitory and antioxidant activities of five Juniperus species

In vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory and antioxidant activities of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves, ripe fruits, and unripe fruits of Juniperus communis ssp. nana, Juniperus oxycedrus ssp. oxycedrus, Juniperus sabina, Juniperus foetidissima, and Juniperus excelsa were investigated in the present study. Cholinesterase inhibition of the extracts was screened using ELISA microplate reader. Antioxidant activity of the extracts was tested by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radical scavenging, ferrous ion-chelating, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Total phenol and flavonoid contents of the extracts were determined spectrophotometrically. The extracts had low or no inhibition towards AChE, whereas the leaf aqueous extract of J. foetidissima showed the highest BChE inhibition (93.94 ± 0.01%). The leaf extracts usually exerted higher antioxidant activity. We herein describe the first study on anticholinesterase and antioxidant activity by the methods of ferrous ion-chelating, superoxide radical scavenging, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays of the mentioned Juniperus species.     

Characterization of increased phenolic compounds from fermented Bokbunja (Rubus coreanus Miq.) and related antioxidant activity

This study examined the changes in the phenolic acid-content and antioxidant activity of Rubi Fructus (RF), the fruit of Rubus coreanus Miq., after fermentation with yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The phenolic acids were fractionated into three forms, free (Fr. A), ester (Fr. B), and insoluble-bound phenolic acids (Fr. C) and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). This method was validated and allowed the successful identification of 11 phenolic acids in the RF extracts. HPLC-DAD analysis of the samples showed substantial increases in the levels of protocatechuic, vanillic and p-coumaric acid as the result of yeast fermentation. The total phenolic content (TPH) was also increased by fermentation. The total phenolics in Fr. A and Fr. B increased from 117 to 173 mg GAE/100 g and from 488 to 578 mg GAE/100 g, respectively. The total phenolics in Fr. C decreased from 264 to 175 mg GAE/100 g. The antioxidant activity of the fermented RF was measured as the 1,1-diphenoly-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity, which is expressed as the IC₅₀. The IC₅₀ for Fr. A and Fr. B decreased from 5.9 to 4.0 mg/ml (mg of dried RF equiv./ml) and from 1.2 to 0.8 mg/ml, respectively. In Fr. C, the IC₅₀ value increased from 2.1 to 2.8 mg/ml. In summary, the fermented RF had a higher total phenolic content and better DPPH radical-scavenging activity than the unfermented material.     

In vitro screening of essential oil from young and mature leaves of Artemisia scoparia compared to its major constituents for free radical scavenging activity

The present study investigated the chemical characterization, and antioxidant activity of essential oil hydrodistilled from young and mature leaves of Artemisia scoparia. GC–MS analyses revealed a monoterpenoid nature (64–67%) with 44 and 31 constituents in young and mature leaves oil, respectively. The oil from young leaf contained greater amount of oxygenated compounds. β-Myrcene (24.13%) and p-cymene (27.06%) were the major constituents in young and mature leaves oil, respectively. A. scoparia leaf oils (25–200 μg/ml) exhibited a strong 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity and antioxidant activity against hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide. However, the activities of major constituent monoterpenes, β-myrcene and p-cymene, were less. In general, the DPPH radical scavenging and antioxidant activity was in the order: mature leaf oil > young leaf oil > β-myrcene > p-cymene.     

In vitro antioxidant and inhibitory potential of Terminalia bellerica and Emblica officinalis fruits against LDL oxidation and key enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes

The present study evaluated the free radical scavenging capacity and antioxidant potential of different solvent extracts (Hexane (HE), ethyl acetate (EA), methanol (ME), 70% methanol (MW) and Water (WA)) of Terminalia bellerica (TB) and Emblica officinalis (EB) fruits. Methanol extract (ME) of TB and EB fruits exhibited maximum scavenging activity against DPPH, superoxide, hydroxyl and nitric oxide radicals. Cell based antioxidant activity was assayed by flow cytometry using DCFH-DA as probe. Methanol extracts were also screened for their antidiabetic activity via inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase and antiglycation assays. Results showed that ME of TB and EB can act as potent α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitor. Significant antiglycation activity also confirms the therapeutic potential of these extracts against diabetes. Both the extracts significantly inhibited the oxidation of LDL under in vitro conditions. Liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) analysis revealed that methanol extract of TB and EB contains ellagic acid and ascorbic acid as the major compound respectively.     

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the leaf essential oils of Himalayan Lauraceae species

The leaf essential oils from seven Himalayan Lauraceae species viz. Neolitsea pallens, Lindera pulcherrima, Dodecadenia grandiflora, Persea duthiei, Persea odoratissima, Persea gamblei and Phoebe lanceolata exhibited potent antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The in vitro antioxidant activity was assessed by using β-carotene bleaching assay, reducing power, DPPH radical scavenging and inhibition of lipid peroxidation methods. The oils of D. grandiflora and L. pulcherrima showed a potent free radical scavenging activity as evidenced by low IC₅₀ value for DPPH radical (0.032 mg/ml and 0.087 mg/ml, respectively) and inhibition of lipid peroxidation (in between IC₅₀ = 0.44 mg/ml and IC₅₀ = 0.74 mg/ml, respectively). The oils were tested against three Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica enterica and Pasturella multocida) and one Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria at different concentrations using disc diffusion and tube dilution methods. The inhibition zones (IZ) and MIC values for bacterial strains were in the range of 8.7–22.0 mm and 3.90–31.25 μl/ml, respectively.