Comparative study of the antifungal activity of sequential extracts of Fuchsia lycioides against Candida sp.

The genus Fuchsia is generally used in herbal preparations to treat conditions caused by microorganisms. Based on the popular use of this type of plants, the objective of this study was to obtain sequential extracts of increasing polarity from the branches of Fuchsia lycioides by maceration at room temperature and by the Soxhlet method at 60ºC, to later evaluate the antifungal capacity of the extracts against different clinical isolates of the Candida genus. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited strong anti-fungal activity, selectively inhibiting C. albicans strains with MIC and CMF values of 10 and 15 µg/mL, respectively; comparable with the drug itraconazole®. The analysis of the extract by GC-MS showed a high concentration of terpenoids (mainly phytol) and phenylpropanoids (mainly cinnamic acid), possibly responsible for the antifungal activity of the ethyl acetate extract of F. lycioides.

Effects of Peganum harmala L. Seed Extract on Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)

Mosquito-borne diseases result in the loss of life and economy, primarily in subtropical and tropical countries, and the emerging resistance to insecticides is increasing this threat. Botanical insecticides are promising substitutes for synthetic insecticides. This study evaluated the larvicidal and growth index of Culex pipiens of four solvent extracts of Terminalia chebula, Aloe perryi, and Peganum harmala against Cx. pipiens. None of the 12 extracts exhibited larvicidal potential against third instars except the ethyl acetate extract of P. harmala. After 24 h of exposure, the LC50 value was 314.88 ppm, and the LC90 value was 464.19 ppm. At 320 ppm, the hatchability was 25.83%, and it resulted in 100% mortality. In addition, the eggs treated with the EtOAc extract of P. Harmala exhibited a long larval period compared with the control. The larval period continued for 12 days, and the pupal period took three days in the treatment groups. The growth index data also exhibited a decrease (0.00–7.53) in the treated groups compare with 8.5 in the control. The transformation of eggs into adults decreased with increasing concentrations. This paper is the first report on the development and growth index of Cx. pipiens potential using P. harmala seeds.

The Activities of the Central Nervous System Following Ethyl Acetate Extract of Mucuna pruriens Seed Administration in Male BALB/c Mice

A number of reports showed the beneficial psychotropic effects of many of the Nigerian medicinal plants, but few scientific studies have been carried out as empirical evidence. This study investigated the possible neurobehavioural effects of ethyl acetate extract of Mucuna pruriens (MP) seed in male BALB/c mice. Male BALB/c mice (2½-3 months old) were grouped into 5 (n=6), treated with normal saline (0.1 mL), n-propanol extract of MP (200, 100, 50 mg/kg) or reference drug haloperidol (HP) or diazepam (DZP); thereafter, subjected to diverse behavioural models to evaluate the central nervous system (CNS) effects of the extract. A bolus of MP (200, 100, and 50 mg/kg) decreased the rectal temperature, exploratory activities (locomotion, rearing and grooming), anxiety-like responses (% open-arms time, open-arm entries, and the total number of enclosed arms times). Additionally, a one-shot of intraperitoneal administration of MP decimated the total score of apomorphine-induced stereotyped behaviours. Latency to hexobarbitone-induced sleep increased significantly in the 200 mg/kg MP, unchanged in the 100 mg/kg MP, and decreased in the 50 mg/kg MP treated groups. There was a marked decrease in the markers of convulsion (tonic flexion, extension, clonic convulsion, stupor, and recovery time) following MP treatment, especially the higher doses (200 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg). In conclusion, the CNS effects of systemic administration of MP seed are not unrelated to its hypothermic, hypnotic, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant effects.

A Flavonoid compound of Turbinaria decurrens Bory with The Potential Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity

Isolation and characterization of quercetin flavonoid compound from Dutungan Island, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia has been successfully done from ethyl acetate extract. Extraction method used maceration, isolation used chromatography, anticancer activity with MTT method and antioxidant test used DPPH radical. Structure was discussed with the FT-IR, NMR spectrophotometer and compared with the literature. Total flavonoids from ethyl acetate extract were 4.8 mgEQ/g, IC50 value of antioxidant activity was 4.23 μg/ml using the DPPH method (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), and anticancer activity of H460 cells IC50 value was 10.95 μg/ml. The quercetin compound is potential as an anticancer and was first report in the T. decurrens Bory species.

Antioxidant p-terphenyl compound, isolated from edible mushroom, Boletopsis leucomelas

A new acetyl p-terphenyl derivative, boletopsin 15, was isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of fruit bodies of the Basidiomycete Boletopsis leucomelas, together with four known compounds. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectral analysis, as well as by directly comparing the spectral data of the new compound with those of known compounds. The free radical-scavenging activity of the compounds was assayed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging method. The results showed that compounds 1 and 2 exhibited significant antioxidant activity (1: EC50 = 2.1 μM and 2: EC50 = 6.6 μM).

Mansouramycins E–G, Cytotoxic Isoquinolinequinones from Marine Streptomycetes

Chemical investigation of the ethyl acetate extract from the marine-derived Streptomyces sp. isolate B1848 resulted in three new isoquinolinequinone derivatives, the mansouramycins E–G (1a–3a), in addition to the previously reported mansouramycins A (5) and D (6). Their structures were elucidated by computer-assisted interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR spectra, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and by comparison with related compounds. Cytotoxicity profiling of the mansouramycins in a panel of up to 36 tumor cell lines indicated a significant cytotoxicity and good tumor selectivity for mansouramycin F (2a), while the activity profile of E (1a) was less attractive.

Antimicrobial Activities of Fungus Comb Extracts Isolated From Indo-Malayan Termite Macrotermes Gilvus Mound

The embodiment of antimicrobial components into the food packaging material has the ability to prevent microbial contamination. Fungus comb could be an alternative source of natural antimicrobial agents. In this study, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts from fungus comb isolated from Indo-malayan termite Macrotermes gilvus Hagen mound were analysed for its antibacterial and antifungal activities against food spoilage microorganisms, including Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus niger. The antimicrobial activity of the fungus comb extracts was evaluated using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion and microdilution method. The result showed that ethyl acetate extract exhibited the biggest diameter inhibition zone for all bacteria and fungi tested. Ethyl acetate extract showed antibacterial activity in all bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 0.39 mg/mL and 0.78 mg/mL, respectively. This extract also inhibited A. flavus and A. niger with MIC value of 0.78 mg/ml. Ethyl acetate extract contained guaiacol and syringol, which were predicted as the main antimicrobial components in fungus comb. Whereas n-hexane extract only inhibited Gram-positive bacteria. S. aureus ATCC 25923 was the most sensitive bacteria tested using all extracts. In addition, A. flavus was more sensitive compared to A. niger. Overall, fungus comb extract exhibited antimicrobial activity against E.coli ATCC 25922, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, S. aureus ATCC 25923, A. flavus, and A. niger. This study revealed that the fungus comb extract, especially ethyl acetate, could be considered as a new antimicrobial agent.