scholarly journals The Phytochemical Content and the In vitro Antifungal Properties of Senna alata (Linn.) Roxb.: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charisse Leanne B. Legaspi ◽  
Cecilia C. Maramba-Lazarte

Infections caused by invasive fungal species continue to rise due to various contributing factors including the changes in the environmental and weather conditions, lifestyle, the occurrence of natural disasters, and the weakened human immune system. Even though synthetic drugs effectively cure fungal diseases, their unwanted side effects, as well as the rapid rise in resistance, have compelled researchers to develop new antifungal agents. Several medicinal plants are folklorically known to have antifungal activities. Among the traditionally used antifungal herbal plants is Senna alata, commonly known as akapulko and ringworm bush. In the current review, phytochemical analysis and numerous non-clinical studies on akapulko have been performed and confirmed its activity against several fungi pathogenic to humans. Anthraquinone compounds seemed to be the major phytochemicals responsible for its antifungal activity. In the Philippines, clinical trials have also confirmed its utility as a topical agent in treating cutaneous fungal infections. Research gaps that need to be addressed include the determination of the exact molecular mechanisms of their fungal killing action.

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 986
Author(s):  
Benta Natânia Silva Figueiredo ◽  
Marcello Otake Sato ◽  
Laiane Teixeira Sousa Moura ◽  
Sandra Maria Botelho Mariano ◽  
Tarso da Costa Alvim ◽  
...  

The current study evaluated the anthelmintic effect of different extracts of Leucaena leucocephala, Parkia platycephala, and Senna alata on trichostrongylid eggs and infective larvae and determined the potential active components of each plant. Dried and macerated plant material was concentrated using rotaevaporation to obtain the crude extract (CE), followed by solvent partitioning to obtain hexanic (HexE), acetatic (AcE), and butanolic (BuE) extracts used for phytochemical analysis and anthelmintic efficacy testing in vitro. All the crude and partitioned extracts tested showed inhibition activity in the hatching of trichostrongylid eggs. Larvicidal efficacy was observed at CE concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mg/mL for P. platycephala and S. alata. However, L. leucocephala CE did not significantly reduce the number of living larvae in the tested concentrations. Chromatographic analysis revealed several active metabolites; gallic acid, ellagic acid, naringin, morin, and kaempferol on AcE of P. platycephala; gallic acid, rutin, and ellagic acid on BuE of P. platycephala; and gallic acid and naringin on BuE of L. leucocephala. The extracts of P. platycephala, L. leucocephala, and S. alata leaves showed egg hatching inhibition and larvicidal activity, probably produced by tannins and flavonoids, which may act alone or by synergism.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-48
Author(s):  
Khusnul Khusnul ◽  
Puput Putuh Anisa ◽  
Dewi Peti Virgianti

One of the strongest contributing factors in dandruff scalps is the presence of fungal pathogen or called as Malassezia. Several studies have found a connection between Malassezia and scalp health, one of which is caused by pathogenic fungal infections including Pityrosporum ovale, Microsporum gypseum, and Candida albicans. Clove flowers are known to contain eugenol and its derivative compounds which have antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, and local anesthetic activity. This research aims to determine the effect of clove flower essential oil (Syzygium aromaticum) against some dandruff-causing fungi. The research method was to test the inhibitory power of clove flower essential oil using the diffusion method (Kirby Bauer technique). Samples of pathogenic fungi were cultured on SDA media (Saboroud Dextrose Agar) and given discs that had been given several concentrations of clove flower essential oil. The concentrations used were 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, positive control using 2% ketoconazole and negative control using virgin coconut oil (VCO). The results showed a significant effect between the ability of essential oils to inhibit the growth of some fungi that cause dandruff. The treatment of clove flower essential oil against M. gypseum at the concentration of 10% has an inhibitory ability of 33,05 mm and at the concentration of 100% amounted to 63.95 mm. Meanwhile, the inhibition percentage in P. ovale with a concentration of 10% and 100% of extract were 14,75 mm and 46,15 mm, respectively. The inhibition rate in C. albicans with the concentration of 10% extract and 100% of extract was 13,5 mm and 39,35 mm. The research shows that clove flower essential oil inhibits the growth of several pathogenic fungal in vitro.


Author(s):  
D. P. Bazett-Jones ◽  
M. J. Hendzel

Structural analysis of combinations of nucleosomes and transcription factors on promoter and enhancer elements is necessary in order to understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for the regulation of transcription initiation. Such complexes are often not amenable to study by high resolution crystallographic techniques. We have been applying electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI) to specific problems in molecular biology related to transcription regulation. There are several advantages that this technique offers in studies of nucleoprotein complexes. First, an intermediate level of spatial resolution can be achieved because heavy atom contrast agents are not necessary. Second, mass and stoichiometric relationships of protein and nucleic acid can be estimated by phosphorus detection, an element in much higher proportions in nucleic acid than protein. Third, wrapping or bending of the DNA by the protein constituents can be observed by phosphorus mapping of the complexes. Even when ESI is used with high exposure of electrons to the specimen, important macromolecular information may be provided. For example, an image of the TATA binding protein (TBP) bound to DNA is shown in the Figure (top panel). It can be seen that the protein distorts the DNA away from itself and much of its mass sits off the DNA helix axis. Moreover, phosphorus and mass estimates demonstrate whether one or two TBP molecules interact with this particular promoter TATA sequence.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
GITA MISHRA ◽  
HEMESHWER KUMAR CHANDRA ◽  
NISHA SAHU ◽  
SATENDRA KUMAR NIRALA ◽  
MONIKA BHADAURIA

Pergularia daemia belongs to the family Asclepiadaceae, known to have anticancer, anti-inflammatory activity. Aim of the present study was to evaluate qualitative and quantitative phytochemical and antioxidant properties of ethanolic extracts of leaf, stem and root parts of P. daemia . Preliminary phytochemical analysis and in vitro antioxidant properties were evaluated by standard methods. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of P. daemia showed presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloid, phytosterol, carbohydrate, phenol, saponin, glycosides, terpenoids, steroids proteins and reducing sugars. Quantitative analysis showed polyphenol, flavonoid, flavonone, flavone and flavonol in P. daemia leaves, stem and root in considerable quantity. The in vitro antioxidant activity of P. daemia clearly demonstrated that leaf, stem and root parts have prominent antioxidant properties and was effective in scavenging free radicals.


2019 ◽  
Vol XIV (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R.E. Kalinin ◽  
I.A. Suchkov ◽  
N.V. Korotkova ◽  
N.D. Mzhavanadze

Author(s):  
Michael Russelle Alvarez ◽  
Paolo Robert Bueno ◽  
Raymond Oliver Cruz ◽  
Richard Macapulay ◽  
Francis Jayson Vallesfin ◽  
...  

Plant-derived digestive enzyme inhibitors particularly those targeted to carbohydrate metabolism has been the focus of recent studies as natural supplements for weight control and diabetes. The present study explores the salivary amylase inhibition activity of Garcinia mangostana (Linn.) pericarp extracts and Carica papaya (Linn.) leaf extracts and fractions, as well as perform phytochemical screening and quantification, and thin layer – and high performance liquid chromatographic profiling. ­Results show that crude extracts and purified fractions were able to inhibit salivary amylase, with C. papaya fraction 1 being the most active at 30.89% inhibition. Phytochemical screening of all extracts tested ­positive for tannins, glycosides, phenolics, flavonoids and alkaloids. Quantification of phenolics showed that extracts contained high levels of phenolics, with C. papaya crude extract having the highest content with 219.0±12.7 mg GAE/g extract followed by G. mangostana crude extract with 247.1±18.0 mg GAE/g extract. Quantification of total flavonoids also showed C. papaya crude extract to contain the highest content with 55.12±0.679 mg QE/g extract. All extracts contained negligible alkaloid content, though. HPLC and TLC profiling showed several peaks and bands, when viewed in 210 nm and UV light, respectively. These results demonstrate in vitro the salivary amylase inhibitory activity of both plants and their potential as antidiabetic drug candidates; however, further studies need to be done, like isolation and structure elucidation of active components and toxicity assays. Keywords: Amylase inhibition, phytochemical quantification, Carica papaya, Garcinia mangostana


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 1278-1285
Author(s):  
Mohamed Yafout ◽  
Amine Ousaid ◽  
Ibrahim Sbai El Otmani ◽  
Youssef Khayati ◽  
Amal Ait Haj Said

The new SARS-CoV-2 belonging to the coronaviruses family has caused a pandemic affecting millions of people around the world. This pandemic has been declared by the World Health Organization as an international public health emergency. Although several clinical trials involving a large number of drugs are currently underway, no treatment protocol for COVID-19 has been officially approved so far. Here we demonstrate through a search in the scientific literature that the traditional Moroccan pharmacopoeia, which includes more than 500 medicinal plants, is a fascinating and promising source for the research of natural molecules active against SARS-CoV-2. Multiple in-silico and in-vitro studies showed that some of the medicinal plants used by Moroccans for centuries possess inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2. These inhibitory activities are achieved through the different molecular mechanisms of virus penetration and replication, or indirectly through stimulation of immunity. Thus, the potential of plants, plant extracts and molecules derived from plants that are traditionally used in Morocco and have activity against SARS-CoV-2, could be explored in the search for a preventive or curative treatment against COVID-19. Furthermore, safe plants or plant extracts that are proven to stimulate immunity could be officially recommended by governments as nutritional supplements.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hidekatsu Yanai ◽  
Hiroshi Yoshida ◽  
Yuji Hirowatari ◽  
Norio Tada

Characteristics for the serum lipid abnormalities in the obesity/metabolic syndrome are elevated fasting, postprandial triglyceride (TG), and decreased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Diacylglycerol (DAG) oil ingestion has been reported to ameliorate postprandial hyperlipidemia and prevent obesity by increasing energy expenditure, due to the intestinal physiochemical dynamics that differ from triacylglycerol (TAG). Our study demonstrated that DAG suppresses postprandial increase in TG-rich lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and insulin, as compared with TAG in young, healthy individuals. Interestingly, our study also presented that DAG significantly increases plasma serotonin, which is mostly present in the intestine, and mediates thermogenesis, proposing a possible mechanism for a postprandial increase in energy expenditure by DAG. Our other study demonstrated that DAG suppresses postprandial increase in TG, VLDL-C, and remnant-like particle-cholesterol, in comparison with TAG in an apolipoprotein C-II deficient subject, suggesting that DAG suppresses postprandial TG-rich lipoprotein independently of lipoprotein lipase. Further, to understand the molecular mechanisms for DAG-mediated increase in serotonin and energy expenditure, we studied the effects of 1-monoacylglycerol and 2-monoacylglycerol, distinct digestive products of DAG and TAG, respectively, on serotonin release from the Caco-2 cells, the human intestinal cell line. We also studied effects of 1- and 2-monoacylglycerol, and serotonin on the expression of mRNA associated with β-oxidation, fatty acids metabolism, and thermogenesis, in the Caco-2 cells. 1-monoacylglycerol significantly increased serotonin release from the Caco-2 cells, compared with 2-monoacylglycerol by approximately 40%. The expression of mRNA of acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO), fatty acid translocase (FAT), and uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2), was significantly higher in 1-MOG-treated Caco-2 cells, than 2-MOG-treated cells. The expression of mRNA of ACO, medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, FAT, and UCP-2, was significantly elevated in serotonin-treated Caco-2 cells, compared to cells incubated without serotonin. In conclusion, our clinical and in vitro studies suggested a possible therapeutic application of DAG for obesity, and obesity-related metabolic disorders.Key words: Diacylglycerol, intestine, obesity, serotonin, thermogenesis


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