Antioxidant Extract from Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala Pulp Ameliorates Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Hepatotoxicity in Rats

The indigenous purplish red fruit, Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala (CN), is grown in northern Thailand. The aqueous extract of CN pulp is known to exhibit antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. To search for an antioxidant fraction separated from CN, various hydroalcoholic extractions were performed. The acidified ethanolic extract of CN obtained from 0.5% (v/v) citric acid in 80% (v/v) ethanol yielded greater polyphenol content and DPPH radical scavenging activity when compared with other hydroethanolic extracts. Cyanidin-3-glucoside is a major anthocyanin present in the acidified ethanolic extract of CN (AECN). At a dose of 5000 mg/kg bw, an anthocyanin-rich extract was found to be safe when given to rats without any acute toxicity. To examine the hepatoprotective properties of AECN, an overdose of acetaminophen (APAP) was induced in a rat model, while silymarin was used as a standard reference. The administration of AECN at a dose of 300 mg/kg bw for 28 days improved hepatocyte architecture and modulated serum alanine aminotransferase levels in APAP-induced rats. Furthermore, it significantly decreased serum and hepatic malondialdehyde levels but increased hepatic glutathione content, as well as glutathione peroxidase and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities. In conclusion, AECN may effectively reduce oxidative stress induced acute hepatotoxicity in overdose APAP-treated rats through the suppression of oxidative stress and the enhancement of the antioxidant system in rat livers.

Phytochemical Analysis, Pharmacological Activities, Isolation and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds from the Roots of Sterculia urens Roxb.

The present study was intended to explore the pharmacological significance of the crude root extract of Sterculia urens Roxb. Further the bio-active compounds were isolated and characterized using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. Soxhlet extraction apparatus was utilized for isolation of the chemical constituents from the root using a series of solvents such as n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. The pharmacological activities such as inhibition of DPPH radical, α-amylase enzyme activity, albumin denaturation along with antibacterial and thrombolytic activities. The isolation of purified bioactive constituents was carried using preparative HPLC technique and the purified compounds were characterized using spectroscopic techniques like NMR, IR and mass. Among the crude root extracts, methanolic extract shows high DPPH radical scavenging activity with IC50 concentration of 26.74 ± 0.08 μg/mL. The IC50 concentrations in α-amylase enzyme inhibition activity was 263.96 ± 0.90, 127.73 ± 1.23 and 223.54 ± 4.76 μg/mL, respectively for ethyl acetate, methanol and water extracts, respectively. The methanolic extract shows high albumin denaturation inhibition assay than other extracts with IC50 concentration as 137.09 ± 0.20 μg/mL, which is very close to standard ascorbic acid. The methanolic extract also shows high % clot lysis than other extracts and results were comparable with 100 μL of streptokinase standard. The preparative HPLC followed by spectral analysis confirm that two known alkaloids (Sterculinine I & II) and three known flavonoids (gossypetin, apigenin and 6-hydroxyluteolin) were purified and characterized from the root methanol of Sterculia urens Roxb. The purified and identified compounds were reported for the first time in Sterculia urens Roxb.

A new Butenolide Derivative from the Brown Alga Sargassum micracanthum

A new butenolide derivative (1), along with three known compounds (2-4) were isolated from the MeOH extract of brown alga Sargassum micracanthum. The structures of 1 to 4 were determined by the analyses of 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic data. The known compounds (2-4) were identified as (5 E,10 Z)-6,10,14-trimethylpentadeca-5,10-dien-2,12-dione (2), (5 E,9 E)-6,10,14-trimethylpentadeca-5,9-dien-2,12-dione (3), and (-)-loliolide (4) by comparing with their published spectroscopic data. The antioxidant activities of compounds 1 to 4 were evaluated based on using 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities. Compounds 1 to 4 were inactive at the concentration of 200 μM.

Whitening and Moisturizing Effects of Hydrolyzed Swiftlet Nest Extracts

Purpose: This research verified the skin whitening and moisturizing effects of hydrolyzed swiftlet nest extracts (HSNE) in vitro using human keratinocytes and melanoma.Methods: To confirm the antioxidant effect of HSNE, DPPH radical-scavenging activity was measured. To find out the whitening effect of HSNE, the genes related to melanogenesis, mRNA expression of tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase related protein (TRP) 1, 2 and microphthalmia associated transcription factor (MITF) were measured. We also measured the melanin contents after treatment of HSNE to confirm the anti-melanogenesis effect. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the genes related to moisturizing such as aquaporin (AQP) 3, hyaluronan synthase (HAS) 1, 2, and 3 were determined. The results of the tests were analyzed with student’s t-test and expressed as mean±standard deviation.Results: DPPH radical scavenging effects of HSNE increased in a concentration dependent manner. The expression of melanogenesis-related genes were inhibited by the treatment of HSNE in a concentration-dependent manner (MITF, TYR, TRP1, and 2). Melanin contents also decreased with the treatment of HSNE. The expression of moisturizing-related genes (HAS1, 2, 3, and AQP3) increased in a concentration-dependent manner.Conclusion: It is confirmed that the hydrolyzed swiftlet nest extracts have skin whitening and moisturizing effects and can be used as a functional cosmetic raw material.

Screening of secondary metabolites, bioactive compounds, in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.)

Recent research studies indicate the role of functional foods in preventing the development of complications associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Chia seeds are an excellent source of dietary fibre, essential fatty acids, micronutrients and non-nutritive components. The objective of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant, antibacterial, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory potential of chia seeds. TPC and TFC were estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu Reagent and Alumininum Chloride method. The antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH● radical, ABTS●+ radical, Superoxide (O2-) radical, Fe3+ reducing and phosphomolybdenum reduction assay. Agar well diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Shigella flexneri, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated using alpha amylase inhibition assay and heat induced haemolysis method. Volatile functional compounds were identified using Gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Upon quantification, TPC and TFC were found to be 850.67±14.14µg/mg GAE and 171.21±12.86µg/mg QE. Free radical scavenging activity of chia seeds was ranked in the order of DPPH● radical >ABTS●+ radical > Superoxide (O2-) radical. The capability of chia seeds to function as electron donors was evident through its strong reducing power. With regard to antibacterial activity, maximum inhibition was observed for Staphylococcus aureus, with a zone of inhibition of 31mm at 500µg/mL. Results of antidiabetic assay highlighted the alpha amylase inhibitory action of chia seeds with an IC50 value of 121.46µg/mL. The anti-inflammatory activity of chia seeds increased linearly in a dose dependent manner. GC-MS analysis showed the presence of functionally active compounds such as coumarine, napthoquinone, phytol, fatty acids, flavone and flavone derivatives. Findings of the study highlight that chia seeds have several essential therapeutic properties. Furthermore, clinical studies are required to validate the role of chia seeds in preventing the development of complications associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Analyses of Antioxidative Properties of Selected Cyclitols and Their Mixtures with Flavanones and Glutathione

The conditions for determining the antioxidant properties of cyclitols (d-pinitol, l-quebrachitol, myo-, l-chiro-, and d-chiro-inositol), selected flavanones (hesperetin, naringenin, eriodictyol, and liquiritigenin) and glutathione by spectrophotometric methods—CUPRAC and with DPPH radical, and by a chromatographic method DPPH-UHPLC-UV, have been identified. Interactions of the tested compounds and their impact on the ox-red properties were investigated. The RSA (%) of the compounds tested was determined. Very low antioxidative properties of cyclitols, compared with flavanones and glutathione alone, were revealed. However, a significant increase in the determined antioxidative properties of glutathione by methyl-ether derivatives of cyclitols (d-pinitol and l-quebrachitol) was demonstrated for the first time. Thus, cyclitols seem to be a good candidate for creating drugs for the treatment of many diseases associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

EVALUATION OF IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND IN VIVO HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF BAUHINIA VARIEGATA ROOT ETHANOLIC EXTRACT AGAINST CCL4 INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN RATS

Plant derived herbal formulations and remedies provide an effective means for the treatment of various types of disease that are dogmatic and incurable in other types of systems of medicines, but it is essential to explore and establish the scientific basis for therapeutic action of herbal plant medicines. Bauhinia variegata root ethanolic extract was studied for the hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced liver injury in rats. For estimation of hepatoprotective role of B. variegata, total bilirubin count, serum enzymes level and finally histopathological study of liver were performed. This extract’s DPPH radical scavenging potential was also studied. The ethanolic extract of B. variegata root administered orally to animal showed significant depletion in CCL4 induced increased level of SGPT, SGOT, ALP and total bilirubin concentration. Significantly (p<0.05), hepatotoxicity is reversed by treatment with Liv 52 syrup also. For initiation of biochemical analysis, the histopathological studies are provided supportive evidence. This extract also showed better activity in quenching DPPH radical. The ethanolic extract of B. variegata root shows antioxidant property by preventing the formation of trichloromethyl peroxy radicals, and thus reduce tissue damage, which is examined and confirmed by the histopathological studies. Therefore, the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of B. variegata root may be due to its antioxidant potential. Previously studies have reported that plants containing flavonoids possess antioxidant properties. The antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of the test plant may be attributed to the presence flavonoids. B. variegata root ethanolic extract is shown to have hepatoprotective and antioxidant action.

Enhancing Phenolic Content of Medicinal Aromatic Plants Extracts-Biofunctional Foods Preparation

In this study, the assessment of TPC and antioxidant activity enhancement of medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) aqueous extracts using natural sweeteners or encapsulation materials was carried out. MAP extracts fortified with polyphenols were used to produce biofunctional chocolate bites. Honey or erythritol added to Melissa officinalis concentrated aqueous extracts exhibited TPC at 19.53 mg GAE/mL and 18.24 mg GAE/mL, respectively, and DPPH radical scavenging activity greater than 82%, comparing to its non-concentrated aqueous extract (3.74 mg GAE/mL and 72.9%, respectively). Honey added to MAP concentrated aqueous extract mixtures presented up to twofold higher TPC compared to M. officinalis concentrated aqueous extracts with honey. Chocolate bites with MAP concentrated aqueous extract mixtures and honey exhibited TPC and DPPH radical scavenging activity at 29.48 mg GAE/g chocolate and 93.7%, respectively. The addition of gum arabic or inulin in MAP concentrated aqueous extract mixtures increased the TPC up to 12-fold (40.37 mg GAE/mL and 34.14 mg GAE/mL, respectively) compared to its non-concentrated aqueous extracts (3.38 mg GAE/mL), whereas DPPH radical scavenging activity approached 99.5%. Honey incorporation as a sweetener and polyphenolic compound encapsulation in gum arabic can lead to the production of biofunctional foods with elevated cytoprotective action without compromising their organoleptic attributes.

Determination of Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of Alchemilla alpina L.

Alchemilla genus, which belongs to the Rosaceae family, is a medicinal plant used for various purposes among the people. Species of this genus are known in Turkish folk medicine as lion claw or hazelnut grass. Especially, they are used mainly women’s illnesses, in gastritis, anti-inflammatory, as carminative, and in the treatment of wound. Besides the antimutagenic effect of Alchemilla alpina L., its above-ground parts are used for antimycotic purposes in the form of tea or oral care water. In this study, it has been aimed to determine the antimicrobial effect of the above-ground parts of Alchemilla alpina extracts obtained from methanol, ethanol and chloroform and the antioxidant activity of different concentrations of the extract obtained from methanol. The antimicrobial activity of methanol, ethanol and chloroform extracts of the above-ground parts of A. alpina has been determined according to disk disc diffusion method. In the results obtained have been showed that these extracts inhibited the growth of some bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, Escherichia coli ATCC25322, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC700603, Bacillus megaterium DSM32) and yeasts (Candida albicans FMC17 and Candida glabrata ATCC66032) at different rates (8-23 mm). The antioxidant activity of different concentrations (1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/ml) of the above-ground parts of A. alpina extract obtained from methanol has been determined according to the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity method. In the results obtained, it has been observed that the effect of removing DPPH radical of A. alpina increased depending on increasing concentrations.