Chemical composition and anticancer activities of methanol-extracted agarwood (Gyrinops verstegii [Gilg.] Domke)

This research aimed to study about chemical composition and anti-cancer activities of natural agarwood and cultivated agarwood (Gyrinops vertegii [Gilg.] Domke). Agarwood used in the research was of lowest qualities, which comprised agarwood with natural kemedangan type (A), with cultivated kemedangan-I type (B1), and with cultivated kemedangan-II type (B2), all after methanol extraction. Chemical composition was examined using GC-MS instrument, meanwhile tests on lungs associated anticancer activities (A549’s cancer cells) were performed using MTT method. Chemical composition in low-quality agarwoods was predominantly sesquiterpene compounds, comprising among others guaiacol, cumene, aromadendrene, aplha-humulene, velleral, etc; and conservely did not contain chromone derivative compounds which are compounds characterizing quality agarwood. Low-quality agarwood extracts afforded efficacious potency as anticancer actions against A549’s lungs-attacking cancer cells with IC50 values at 144.92 µgmL−1 (A); IC50 at 206.88 µgmL−1 (B1), and IC50 187.97 µgmL−1 (B2).

Rapid Screening Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors from Polygoni Vivipari Rhizoma by Multi-Step Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion, Ultrafiltration and HPLC

Polygoni Vivipari Rhizoma (PVR), the dried root of Polygonum viviparum, has been used as herbal medicine in China for a long time. In the present study, a new method based on multi-step matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD), ultrafiltration and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for screening alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) from PVR was proposed. First, three different PVR extractions were prepared by multi−step MSPD with 15% methanol, 60% methanol and 100% methanol. Second, the alpha-glucosidase inhibition tests for the three extracts were carried out, and the 60% methanol extraction showed the best activity. Then, the AGIs screening experiment was performed with ultrafiltration and HPLC analysis using the 60% methanol extraction. Seven binding components (quercetin−3−O−vicianoside, quercetin 3−O−neohesperidoside, rutin, hyperoside, quercetin 3−O−glucuronide, luteolin−7−O−neohesperidoside, kaempferol 3−glucuronide) were found. These seven components were further validated as the AGIs by molecular docking analysis. The developed method was a rapid and efficient tool for screening AGIs from PVR, which provided scientific data for the bioactive components study of PVR.

Total Carotenoid, Flavonoid and Phenolic Compounds Concentration in Willowleaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Salicifolius Franch.) Fruits

Willofleaf cotoneaster (Cotoneaster salicifolius Franch.) is a low, prostrate shrub, grown in Romania as an ornamental plant. Its fruits are small, ovoid pomes. Fruit tissues were analyzed for total carotenoid content (through acetone extraction and spectrophotometry), flavonoid content (methanol extraction and spectrophotometry) and total concentration of phenolic and polyphenolic compounds (methanol extraction and spectrophotometric Folin-Ciocâlteu method). C. salicifolius fruits analyzed contained an average of 311.50 mg/kg DW carotenoids (heat-dried fruits – only 100.25 mg/kg). Average flavonoid concentration was 9,777.62 mg/kg in fresh frozen fruits and 4,574 mg/kg in dried ones. 25,056.09 mg/kg GAE was the average concentration of total phenolics in fresh fruits, while dry fruit powder contained 5,271 mg/kg GAE. These concentrations of bioactive compounds are comparable, or even have a higher than in pomes belonging to related species, including domestic cultivars of rowanberry (Sorbus sp.), wild Sorbus species, firethorns (Pyracantha sp.), or other studied cotoneasters. This shows a significant potential for these pomes, requiring further investigation. However, heat-drying was found to be an unsuitable processing method for these fruits, since it led to a 53.22-78.94 percent decrease in bioactive compounds concentrations.

Acidity as Descriptor for Methanol Desorption in B-, Ga- and Ti-MFI Zeotypes

The isomorphous substitution of Si with metals other than Al in zeotype frameworks allows for tuning the acidity of the zeotype and, therefore, to tailor the catalyst’s properties as a function of the desired catalytic reaction. In this study, B, Ga, and Ti are incorporated in the MFI framework of silicalite samples and the following series of increasing acidity is observed: Ti-silicalite < B-silicalite < Ga-silicalite. It is also observed that the lower the acidity of the sample, the easier the methanol desorption from the zeotype surface. In the target reaction, namely the direct conversion of methane to methanol, methanol extraction is affected by the zeotype acidity. Therefore, the results shown in this study contribute to a more enriched knowledge of this reaction.

Comparison of Neutral Compound Extraction from Archaeological Residues in Pottery Using Two Methodologies: A Preliminary Study

This study compares chloroform/methanol extraction and acidic methanol extraction of neutral compounds in absorbed lipid pottery residues from fourteen archaeological sherds. Previous studies have established that fatty acid extraction is more effective with acidic methanol extraction. This study suggests that acidic methanol extraction of neutral compounds, including sterols, alkanols, alkanes, and terpenoids, is more effective than or comparable to chloroform/methanol solvent extraction in most cases. The acidic methanol method extracts sterols, terpenoids, and alkanes more effectively than or comparably to chloroform/methanol extraction.

Preliminary Screening of Some Nutraceuticals as Aflatoxin (Aspergillus flavus) Reduction Agents Using In Vitro growth Inhibition Technique

The following nutraceuticals: Moringa oleifera Lam., Garlic (Allium sativum) and Ginger (Zinger officinale) were screened for their possible use as Aflatoxin (Aspergillus flavus) reduction agents by extracting their photochemical constituent’s using aqueous and methanol extraction which were used as inhibitors of A. flavus . The results showed the presence of tannins, steroides, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinone, flavonoids, alkaloids terpenes and saponins in all the tested nutraceuticals. Methanol extraction had highest concentration of the phytochemical constituents in each and the growth inhibition zone of A. Flavus showed that the extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves, Garlic (Allium sativum L) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale) inhibit the growth of A. flavus in methanol extract, while aqueous extraction showed no zone of inhibition. The sensitivity results obtained revealed significant (p>0.05) difference on zones of inhibition at different concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200mg/ml of the extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves (A), Garlic (B) and Ginger (C) and for methanol extracts (A), (B) and (C) at concentration of 12.5mg/ml. The highest zones of inhibition is extract (C) at 200mg/ml. The constituents in these nutraceuticals and the sensitivity results obtained indicates that these nutraceuticaals could be used as phytogenic feed additive for the inhibition of growth of mycotoxins in feeds