Mosquitocidal activities of Chenopodium botrys whole plant n-hexane extract against Culex quinquefasciatus

This research aimed to investigate various mosquitocidal activities of Chenopodium botrys whole- plant n-hexane extract against Culex quinquefasciatus. The extract showed remarkable larvicidal, pupicidal, adulticidal, oviposition deterrent and adult emergence inhibitory activities against Cx. quinquefasciatus. During the larvicidal and pupicidal activities, the 24-hour lethal concentration (LC50) of extract against 2nd instar larvae, 4th instar larvae and pupae were 324.6, 495.6 and 950.8 ppm, respectively. During the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) bottle bioassay for adulticidal activity, the median knockdown times (KDT50) at 1.25% concentration was 123.4 minutes. During the filter paper impregnation bioassay for adulticidal activity, the KDT50 value at 0.138 mg/cm2 concentration was 48.6 minutes. The extract was fractionated into 14 fractions through silica gel column chromatography which were then combined into six fractions on the basis of similar retention factor (Rf) value. These fractions were screened for adulticidal activity by applying CDC bottle bioassay. The fraction obtained through 60:40 to 50:50% n-hexanes-chloroform mobile phase with 0.5 Rf value showed 100% adulticidal activity at 0.2% concentration. During oviposition deterrent activity, the highest concentration (1000 ppm) showed 71.3 ± 4.4% effective repellence and 0.6 ± 0.1 oviposition activity index. During adult emergence inhibition activity, the median emergence inhibition (EI50) value was 312.3 ppm. From the outcome of the present investigation, it is concluded that the n-hexane extract of C. botrys whole- plant possesses strong larvicidal, pupicidal, adulticidal, oviposition deterrent and adult emergence inhibitory activities against Cx. quinquefasciatus.

In vitro antioxidant and antidiarrheal activities of aqueous and n-hexane extracts of Cucurbita maxima seed in castor oil-induced diarrheal rats

Diarrhea is a common health complaint occurring with mild, temporary conditions to a potentially life-threatening condition. <i>Cucurbita maxima</i> (Cucurbitaceae) seed is reportedly used traditionally for the treatment of diarrheal and thus this study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidants, total tannins, phenolics contents, and antidiarrheal potentials of <i>n</i>-hexane and aqueous <i>C. maxima</i> seed extracts in castor oil induced diarrheal rats. The <i>n</i>-hexane extract mainly contains oils while the aqueous extract was thick, brown solid. The aqueous and <i>n</i>-hexane seed extract of <i>C. maxima</i> expressed significant 2,2, diphenyl-1-picrythdrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activities at 6.25 – 1000 mg/mL with IC₅₀ values of 104.01 mg/mL, 29.27 mg/mL and 26.78 mg/mL for <i>n</i>-hexane, aqueous and vitamin C respectively. The hydroxyl radical scavenging activities of the <i>n</i>-hexane and aqueous seed extract of <i>C. maxima</i> were significantly lower at higher concentrations compared with that of vitamin C. Furthermore, the total antioxidant capacities of <i>n</i>-hexane (22.08mg/mL) and aqueous seed extract (11.03 mg/mL) of <i>C. maxima</i> were found to be higher than that of vitamin C (134.46 mg/mL). The aqueous extracts (658.33±380.08 mg QE/g) total tannins were not significantly different from the <i>n</i>-hexane extract (468.33±102.55 mg QE/g) while the <i>n</i>-hexane extract contains significantly higher total phenolics (2.93±1.25 mg GAE/g) compared with the aqueous extract (0.19±0.04 mg GAE/g). Percentage inhibition of stooling was found to be 57±22%, 41±16%, and 46±11% for loperamide, <i>n</i>-hexane, and aqueous respectively. The study concludes that aqueous and n-hexane seed extracts of <i>C. maxima</i> (pumpkin) possess in vitro antioxidant activities and antidiarrheal properties.

CRUDE EXTRACTS OF MAGNOLIA ALBA FLOWERS USING N-HEXANE AND METHANOL SOLVENTS AND THEIR ANTI-ACNE POTENTIAL

This study aimed to test the antibacterial activity of n-hexane and methanol extracts of white cempaka flowers (Magnolia alba) against Propionibacterium acnes bacteria. The extract was obtained by using the maceration method for 72 hours. Each extract was tested for its antibacterial properties using the disc diffusion method with the variant concentration of the extract used was 0.05%; 2%; 4%; 6%; and 8%. The results showed that the methanol extract had a higher inhibition zone than the n-hexane extract. In n-hexane extract, the lowest concentration of 0.05% showed an inhibition zone of 6.6 mm and the highest concentration of 8% had an inhibition zone of 9.6 mm. Whereas in methanol extract, the inhibition zone obtained was 7.3 mm at a low concentration of 0.05%, but at the highest concentration of 8% the inhibition zone obtained was 11.6 mm. The effect of extract concentration on the diameter of the inhibition zone formed is very significant (directly proportional), where the higher the concentration used, the larger the diameter of the inhibition zone produced. Antibacterial testing for both extracts showed a weak (< 10 mm) to moderate (> 10 mm) bacterial inhibition, which was similar with the inhibition zone obtained from the positive control (11-11.3 mm; moderate bacterial inhibition).

EFFECT OF AN EXTRAGENT ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE LIPOPHILIC CONSTITUENTS OF THE EXTRACTS OF RHODIOLA ROSEA L. AND ON THE EXTRACTS ACTIVITY

The composition of the plant Rhodiola rosea L. lipophylic substances was studied. Acidic and neutral components were identified by gas-chromatography-mass-spectrometry. With methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) as an extractant instead of the volatile solvent diethyl ether, lipophylic extract was obtained. Methyl-tert-butyl ether used as an extraction solvent for raw materials has all the advantages of diethyl ether, being free of its disadvantages. It does not form peroxides or produce elevated partial gas pressure due to its higher boiling point. As a result, comparison with databases identified some triterpene, phenolic and aliphatic acids with chain lengths 12 to 30 carbon atoms, including saturated, unsaturated, and dibasic acids. In addition to the components known from the literature, more than 50 triterpene and aliphatic compounds were detected in the unsaponifiable residue and acidic fractions for the first time. The hexane extract and the product obtained by the stepwise extraction of MTBE after the extraction of low-polarity compounds with hexane were investigated in a similar way. In the case of an extract obtained using MTBE after the extraction of low-polarity components with hexane, there was shown a more efficient extraction of benzoic and cinnamic acids compared to the exhaustive extraction of MTBE. These acids are absent in the hexane extract. Ethanol extraction was also carried out to test bioactivity: exhaustive and after hexane and MTBE extraction. Extracts obtained using MTBE and ethanol showed anti-virus activity against Ebola psevdovirus.

Phytochemical analysis and anticancer activity of Falcaria vulgaris Bernh growing in Moghan plain, northwest of Iran

Background Falcaria vulgaris Bernh among the most important member of Apiaceae family has been used for medical investigation in Iran and some regions in the world. This plant possesses a range of coumarin and flavonoids compounds that have many therapeutic properties such as gastrointestinal and liver diseases, skin ulcers, gastric ulcers, and intestinal inflammation. It has also been found that these compounds lead to cytotoxic effects. Objective This study contains concentrates on the cytotoxic effect and induction of apoptosis on cancerous cells (SW-872) through various extracts and essential oil of Falcaria vulgaris Bernh. It considers the volatile compounds of effective samples. Methods The shoot of the plant was extracted by the Soxhlet apparatus and its essential oil was taken by the Clevenger apparatus. The cytotoxicity of the samples was evaluated by the MTT method and the mechanism of cancer cell death by flow cytometry and finally, the volatile compounds of essential oils and effective extracts were identified by GC-MS. Results The results demonstrated that n-Hexane extract and 40% VLC fraction had the greatest cytotoxic effect on SW-872 cells. While, the most abundant volatile compounds in essential oil and 40% VLC fraction of n-Hexane extract were terpenoid compounds like (+) spathulenol and caryophyllene oxide, in n-Hexane extract tetradecan, and spathulenol were the most, respectively. Conclusion The fraction of 40% n-Hexane was in a concentration-dependent manner and significantly with controlling cells inhibited the growth of cancer cells. A plausible explanation could be made to account for this effect. This inhibition was made through induction of apoptosis and due to the presence of effective volatile compounds such as terpenoids and non-terpenoids which could be considered as valuable natural sources for the isolation of anti-cancer compounds.

Identification and Isolation of lupeol and β-sitosterol from Iraqi Bauhinia variegata and determination the cytotoxic activity of the hexane extract of its leaves, stems and flowers

Objective: Bauhinia variegata is evergreen small medicinal tree grows all over the world especially in the tropical regions. The aims of the study were detection, isolation quantification and identification of β-sitosterol and lupeol of Iraqi B. variegata stem using various chromatographic and spectroscopic methods, beside the cytotoxic investigation of hexane extract of different aerial parts. Methods: detection by GC mass spectroscopy, isolated by preparative TLC. The identification and the structural elucidation of isolated β-sitosterol and lupeol were performed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and FTIR. While the cytotoxic activity was performed against MCF-7 cells line. Results: Results highlighted that β-sitosterol and lupeol present in Iraqi B. variegata stem that confirmed by different chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis. Also the leaves extract has the superior action on MCF-7 cells followed by stem extract and end up by flower extract. Conclusions: The plant has a good content of both β-sitosterol and lupeol and the good cytotoxic action of aerial parts hexane extract confirm the successful plantation of B. variegata. These isolated compounds are a suitable candidate for further pharmacological study.

Stigmasterol and β-Sitosterol: Antimicrobial Compounds in the Leaves of Icacina trichantha identified by GC–MS

Background The development of resistance to many antibiotics currently in use has necessitated the search for more effective alternatives. Plants have been used in ethnomedicine in different parts of the world to treat various diseases. Many studies on plants have confirmed their medicinal potentials and have led to the isolation and characterization of several potential drug candidates. This study investigates the leaves of Icacina trichantha for antimicrobial properties and seeks to identify the compounds responsible for the observed activities. The leaves of Icacina trichantha are used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of skin infections. In this study, a solvent-based fractionation of bioactive compounds in the leaves of Icacina trichantha was carried out using hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. The resultant extracts were screened for antimicrobial activity against six bacteria and four fungi using standard procedures. GC–MS analysis of the most active fraction was carried out. Results The non-polar fraction (hexane) showed better antimicrobial activity than the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts. At 200 mg/mL, the fraction showed inhibition of 28.0 ± 0.82, 23.7 ± 0.47, and 24.6 ± 0.94 against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis,, respectively. At the same concentration, the extract showed zones of inhibition of 18.0 ± 0.82 against Candida albicans and Penicillium notatum. The lowest Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) values of 2.5 mg/mL were obtained against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis. GC–MS analysis of the hexane extract revealed 62 peaks, out of which ten peaks were successfully characterized. Conclusions None of the extracts screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities in this study is as potent as the standard drugs, Gentamicin and Tioconazole. The hexane extract, however, showed some activity against the microorganisms and was analyzed using GC–MS. The hexane extract contained many bioactive compounds, some of which could not be identified. Two of the identified compounds, Stigmasterol and β-Sitosterol, are known to possess antimicrobial properties. However, the unidentified compounds could also have contributed significantly to the antimicrobial activities of the extract.