Antioxidant Potentials of the Pod Extract of Caesalpinia Pulcherrima Swarta (Fabaece) and the Theoretical Evaluation of the Antioxidant Property of the Isolated Compounds

Various diseases associated with oxidative stress have necessitated the need to investigate plants for antioxidant agents. This study aims to investigate the antioxidant potential of the extract and fractions of C. pulcherrima and estimate the quantum chemical properties of polyphenolic compounds isolated from its most active antioxidant fraction. Methanolic extract and partition fractions of the pods of the plant were assayed for their antioxidant activity using four models: 1,1-diphenyl-2-dipicrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power, total antioxidant capacity and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extract and fractions were also investigated. Furthermore, the quantum chemical properties of two polyphenolic compounds were calculated to predict the antioxidant potential. The extract exhibited good antioxidant activity with IC50 = 45.63 µg/ml comparable to ascorbic acid of IC50 = 37.94 µg/ml, high reducing power with value at 376.74 ± 6.78, total antioxidant capacity obtained at ascorbic acid equivalence of 383 ± 8.16 mgAAE/g and potent hydroxyl radical scavenging activity with value at 580.97 µg/ml with ascorbic acid at 30.7 µg/ml. The total phenol and flavonoid contents values at 540.53 ± 3.71 and 347.87 ± 7.13 respectively. Furthermore, the results obtained from the quantum chemical calculations reveals polyphenolic compounds; 5(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methoxyphenol and 3(4-methanetriiol-2,6-dihydroxyphenoxy)-3’, 4’, 5’, 5, 7-pentahydroxyflavonol as promising antioxidant agents. The study concluded that C. pulcherrima pods have good antioxidant activity. Also, the polyphenolic compounds are among the chemical constituents responsible for the antioxidant activity obtained for the extract and ethyl acetate fraction.

Phytochemical Screening and In-vitro Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Unani Formulation Habb-e-Asgand

Aim: In the present work we aimed to perform phytochemical Screening and In-vitro free radical scavenging activity of Unani formulation Habb-e-asgand. Study Design: The present work was designed to determine the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Ferrous reducing antioxidant capacity assay (FRAC), DPPH radical scavenging assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and nitric oxide scavenging assay. Place and Duration of the Study: The present work has been carried out at Ali-allana College of Pharmacy, Akkalkuwa, from February-2020 to November-2020. Methodology: Habb-e-asgand (HEA), a Unani polyherbal drug used in arthritis, gout, and joint pain, is a blend of many herbal medicinal plants. Scientific attempts to test and validate its effectiveness are scarce. The selected Unani formulation was evaluated for DPPH radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and nitric oxide scavenging assay. The given formulation also evaluated the total antioxidant capacity and the reducing antioxidant capacity of ferrous metals. Results: It was found that DPPH radical scavenging activity of HEA and BHT at a concentration of 100 μg/ml was 95±0.74 and 59±0.94 μg/ml. Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of HEA, at the concentration of 100μg/ml, was 55±0.64, whereas at the same concentration catechin was 63±0.84 μg/ml. The IC50 value for nitric acid scavenging activity was found to be 49.60±1.57 for HEA, and 186.34 ± 3.28 µg/ml for ascorbic acid. The result obtained from TAC and FRAC activity demonstrates that HEA possessed the highest TAC and FRAC values in comparison to standards catechin and ascorbic acid. Conclusion: From the above results it was concluded that HEA has a potent antioxidant activity. HEA showed moderate to high TAC and FRAC in dose-dependent manner compared to standards catechin and ascorbic acid. HEA shows dose-dependent DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Nitric oxide generation was observed after the incubation of solutions of sodium nitroprusside in PBS at 25°C for 150 min. HEA effectively reduced the generation of nitric oxide.

Sulfated Modification, Characterization and Potential Bioactivities of Polysaccharide From Ziziphus jujuba cv. Jinsixiaozao

In this study, jujube polysaccharide (JP) was extracted from Ziziphus jujuba cv. Jinsixiaozao and sulfated JP (SJP) was prepared. The optimum preparation conditions were as follows: reaction temperature 75°C, reaction time 1 h, ratio of chlorosulfonic acid-to-pyridine ( VCSA/ VPyr) 1. The degree of substitution of SJP was 0.664 ± 0.014. JP and SJP were typical heteropolysaccharides, which were composed of rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucose, and galactose, but the molar ratio of monosaccharides was different. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed that JP was sulfated successfully. Compared with JP, the molecular weight of SJP increased to 3.17 × 105 Da, its water solubility increased significantly, and its viscosity decreased significantly. When the microstructure of SJP was examined, it was found that the surface of the polysaccharides became loose and porous after sulfation. SJP had a higher hydroxyl radical scavenging activity than the unsulfated polysaccharide. Moreover, sulfation enhanced the antibacterial activity of the polysaccharides against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Therefore, sulfation is an effective way to improve the biological activity of the polysaccharide, and SJP can be used as a potential antioxidant and antimicrobial agent in the field of food and medicine.

Probiotic Properties of Bacillus proteolyticus Isolated From Tibetan Yaks, China

Yaks (Bos grunniens) live primarily in high-altitude hypoxic conditions and have a unique intestinal micro-ecosystem, remarkable adaptability, and strong climatic resistance. Accumulating evidence revealed the importance of probiotics in host metabolism, gut microbiota, growth performance, and health. The goal of this study was to screen out probiotics with excellent probiotic potential for clinical application. In this study, four strains of Bacillus, i.e., Bacillus proteolyticus (named Z1 and Z2), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (named J), and Bacillus subtilis (named K), were isolated and identified. Afterward, their probiotic potential was evaluated. Antioxidant activity tests revealed that Z1 had the highest DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, whereas Z2 had higher reducing power and inhibited lipid peroxidation. Additionally, the antibacterial testing revealed that all strains were antagonistic to three indicator pathogens, Escherichia coli C83902, Staphylococcus aureus BNCC186335, and Salmonella enteritidis NTNC13349. These isolates also had a higher hydrophobicity, autoaggregation, and acid and bile tolerance, all of which helped to survive and keep dangerous bacteria out of the host intestine. Importantly, all strains could be considered safe in terms of antibiotic susceptibility and lack of hemolysis. In conclusion, this is the first study to show that B. proteolyticus and B. amyloliquefaciens isolated from yaks have probiotic potential, providing a better foundation for future clinical use.

Seasonal Variability of Juniperus communis L. Berry Ethanol Extracts: 1. In Vitro Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging Activity

In the present study, in vitro hydroxyl radical scavenging activities, total phenols and terpene contents in 70% ethanol extracts were evaluated. Samples of crushed (CB) and non-crushed ripe juniper berries (NCB) collected at five localities in North-East Slovakia during the years 2012–2014 were compared. Standard or modified methods for determining phytochemical and antioxidant activity were used together with a novel method for the evaluation of the results after the correction of the measured values per gram of dry matter (DM). Statistically significantly higher DM contents (average values for three years) were found in the CB extracts (ranging from 18.86 to 21.91 mg/mL) in comparison to those for NCB (ranging from 2.59 to 9.90 mg/mL). Depending on the localities and years, the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity ranged from 15.52 to 32.85% for NCB and from 65.59 to 88.12% for CB, respectively. The contents of total phenols ranged from 43.75 to 246.75 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/L (NCB) and from 151.84 to 278.19 mg GAE/L (CB), respectively. However, the higher content of total phenols per gram of DM was found in the NCB extracts (8.49–42.23 mg GAE/g DM) and then in CB (6.87–18.77 GAE/g DM). The results obtained in this study showed a higher efficiency for extraction from juniper berries in 70% ethanol if the pericarp was disrupted in comparison to that achieved with the maceration of intact berries.

IN VITRO ANTI-RADICAL ACTIVITY OF BIFIDOBACTERIUM BIFIDUM AND LACTOBACILLUS REUTERI CELL-FREE EXTRACTS

Probiotic microorganisms are known to be able to exhibit antioxidant activity. Most of beneficial probiotics effects are due to the action of their derivatives (structural components and metabolites). The aim of the work was to investigate the antiradical activity of cell-free extracts containing bacterial derivatives of Bifidobacterium bifidum 1 and Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 probiotic strains, by their hydroxyl radical scavenging activity in the model system of their generation. Cell-free extracts were obtained from disintegrators and cultures of probiotic bacteria cultured in the disintegrators of their own cells. A metabiotic HYLAK FORTE was chosen as the reference drug. At a concentration 20% vol. in the incubation medium the hydroxyl radical scavenging by L. reuteri cell-free extracts was at a level of 75–90 %, and the hydroxyl radical scavenging by B. bifidum cell-free extracts was at a level of 50–60%. The metabiotic provided the same level of the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity when its content in the incubation medium was lower in 1.5 – 2.5 times. Extracts obtained from disintegrators showed a more pronounced antiradical activity than extracts from probiotic cultures. Based on the weight of the dry residue, concentrations for 50% hydroxyl radical scavenging (ІС50) by extracts and metabiotic were calculated. According to this indicator, L. reuteri extract obtained from disintegrate was the most effective (IC50 = 1.57 mg/ml). Other investigated derivative-containing products were arranged in decreasing order of antiradical activity as follows: B. bifidum extract from disintegrate (IC50 = 1, 64 mg/ml) > B. bifidum extract from culture (IC50 = 1, 75 mg/ml) > L. reuteri extract from culture (IC50 = 1, 86 mg/ml) > HYLAK FORTE (IC50 = 11, 03 mg/ml). Thus, all the studied extracts showed antiradical activity with respect to the most reactive hydroxyl radical. The obtained results encourage further study of the antioxidant properties of L. reuteri and B. bifidum cell-free extracts in order to elucidate the mechanisms of their biological activity and justify the appropriateness of their therapeutic use.

Antioxidant Properties of R-Phycoerythrin from Red Alga Spyridia filamentosa (Wulfen) Harvey Collected on the Pudumadam Coast

Natural antioxidants are found in algae, are important biologically active compounds that involve in protecting the cells from oxidation thereby used in defense mechanism on ageing processes and various diseases. In this study, R-Phycoerythrin (R-PE) was extracted from Spyridia filamentosa and was assessed for their antioxidant properties. The antioxidising property of decontaminated R-PE has been evaluated by measuring the free radical scavenging activity by DPPH radical scavenging assay, ABTS radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, superoxide radical (O2) scavenging assay, nitric oxide scavenging activity and phosphomolybdenum reduction assay. The purified R-PE extract was subjected to structural analysis by UV-Visible spectroscopy, fluorescence emission spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy. The UV-Visible spectrum showed a peak at 496 nm, 543 nm and 564 nm and fluorescence emission spectrum of R-PE was measured 575 nm which confirmed the presence of R-Phycoerythrin. The IR spectral data showed the presence of aromatic constituents containing amide group in the protein. DPPH radical scavenging assay showed the highest antioxidant potential with an IC50 value of 128.25 μg/ml. The radical scavenging activity of Nitric oxide showed an IC50 value of 87.85 μg/ml, Phosphomolybdenum reduction assay showed an RC50 value of 61.45 μg/ml. The hydroxyl radical scavenging activity showed IC50 value of 34.56 μg/ml and Superoxide radical (O2) scavenging assay showed IC50 value of 18.58 μg/ml. The ABTS radical scavenging activity showed the lowest antioxidant potential of 3.13 μg/ml. The free radical scavenging property of R-Phycoerythrin (R-PE) concentrate of Spyridia filamentosa demonstrate that it has high antioxidant potency and it could be considered as utilitarian nourishment with essential pharmaceutical and biological importance.