Phytochemical characterization, antioxidant potential and antibacterial activity of the Croton argyrophylloides Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae)

Croton argyrophylloides Muell. Arg., from the Euphorbiaceae family, popularly known as marmeleiro prateado or sacatinga, is a plant from the Caatinga biome commonly found in Brazil’s northeastern region. The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the species. The phytochemical study was performed through qualitative analysis of chemical constituents and quantitative determination of the total phenol content through the Folin-Ciocalteu test. The qualitative and quantitative antioxidant tests were performed using the DPPH method (2.2 diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazil) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by microdilution in 96-well plates. The ethanolic extract of the leaves of C. argyrophylloides manifested antioxidant action in the quantitative DPPH test with a significant bioactivity of 84.70 AAO% in 500 µg/mL, with an EC50 of 236.79. The content of total phenolic compounds was 946.06 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of sample, and total flavonoids was 58.11 mg of quercetin equivalents/g of sample, the result obtained for FRAP was 15294.44 µM Trolox/g of sample and ABTS was 718 μM Trolox of sample. The prospecting of the chemical constituents of the leaves of C. argyrophylloides revealed the presence of the main compounds that manifests the antioxidant activity and it was proven by the DPPH method that there is antioxidant activity in the analyzed sample, in addition to demonstrating a significant content of phenolic compounds and total flavonoid content in the species, which corroborates the antioxidant activity of the plant sample. The leaf extracts presented growth inhibition halos of 10 and 12 mm upon Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923.

OPTIMIZATION OF THE EXTRACTION PARAMETERS OF THE COMPLEX OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES FROM THE DRIED BIOMASS OF CALLUS CROPS

Оптимизированы параметры экстракции растительного сырья – высушенной биомассы каллусных культур клеток лекарственных растений – шлемника байкальского (Scutellaria Baicalensis), лапчатки белой (Potentilla alba), лимонника (Schisandra), любки двулистной (Platanthera bifolia), произрастающих в Сибирском федеральном округе. Варьируемыми параметрами были продолжительность экстракции, температурный режим и соотношение объема органического растворителя к количеству высушенного образца растений – гидромодуль. В качестве органического растворителя для получения экстрактов шлемника байкальского и любки двулистной использовали ацетон, экстрактов лимонника и лапчатки белой – 70%-й этанол. Оптимизацию параметров проводили по максимальному показателю выхода сухого экстракта. Установлено, что оптимальными параметрами экстракции комплекса БАВ из высушенного каллуса лекарственного растения шлемника байкальского является температура 50°С, продолжительность процесса 60 мин и гидромодуль 1 : 10, лапчатки белой – температура 40°С, продолжительность процесса 60 мин и гидромодуль 1 : 20, лимонника – температура процесса 40°С, его продолжительность 60 мин и гидромодуль 1 : 10, любки двулистной – температура 50°С, продолжительность экстракции 120 мин и гидромодуль 1 : 10. Метод экстракции, описанный в настоящей работе, и оптимизированные параметры процесса могут быть использованы как новые инструменты для полного анализа растительного сырья, используемого в пищевой и фармацевтической отраслях. The parameters of the extraction of plant raw materials – dried biomass of callus cultures of medicinal plant cells: Scutellaria Baicalensis, Potentilla alba, Schisandra, Platanthera bifolia, growing in the Siberian federal district, are optimized. The variable parameters were the duration of extraction, the temperature regime, and the ratio of the volume of organic solvent to the amount of dried plant sample-hydromodule. Acetone and was used as an organic solvent to produce extracts of Scutellaria Baicalensis and Platanthera bifolia, 70% ethanol – extracts of Schisandra and Potentilla alba. The parameters were optimized according to the maximum yield of the dry extract. It was found that the optimal parameters for the extraction of the BAS complex from the dried callus of the medicinal plant Scutellaria Baicalensis are the temperature of 50°C for the duration of the process of 60 minutes and the hydromodule of 1 : 10, white Potentilla alba – the temperature of 40°C for the duration of the process of 60 minutes and the hydromodule of 1 : 20, Schisandra – the temperature of the process of 40°C for the duration of 60 minutes and the hydromodule of 1 : 10, Platanthera bifolia – the temperature of 50°C for the duration of the extraction of 120 minutes and the hydromodule of 1 : 10. The extraction method described in this article and the optimized process parameters can be used as new tools for the complete analysis of plant raw materials used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

In-vitro antioxidant and oxidant properties of Centaurea rigida

Many different natural materials are used in complementary medicine. Among natural products, herbal materials are used quite a lot. Centaurea rigida Willd. was used as material in this study. The antioxidant and oxidant potential of the plant was determined. The aerial parts of the plant sample were extracted with ethanol in a soxhlet device. Antioxidant and oxidant potentials were measured with Rel Assay kits. As a result of the studies, the total antioxidant value of the plant was determined as 3.522±0.166, the total oxidant value as 15.424±0.281 and the oxidative stress index as 0.440±0.020. It was determined that the plant has antioxidant potential, but its oxidant values are high. As a result, it was determined that C. rigida could be used as a natural antioxidant source.

A high throughput assay of lichenase activity with Congo red dye in plants

Background Since the beginning of the use of reporter proteins for expression analysis, a variety of approaches have been developed and proposed; both qualitative and quantitative. The lack of simple methods for direct observation of gene expression in living organisms makes it necessary to continue to propose new methods. In this work, we consider a method for the quantitative analysis of the expression of thermostable lichenase from Clostridium thermocellum used as a sensitive reporter protein. Results In this study, we report the design a high throughput fluorometric method for quantification of thermostable lichenase C. thermocellum using Congo red and further experimental verification of its relevance and efficiency in assessment of the functional role of regulatory sequences in the plant cell. Conclusions The specific interaction between the dye Congo red and $$\beta$$ β -d-glucans formed the background for designing a high-throughput fluorometric assay for quantification of C. thermocellum thermostable lichenase as a reporter protein for plants. This assay (i) makes it possible to precisely measure the amount of reporter protein in a plant sample; (ii) has shown a high sensitivity for quantification of thermostable lichenase; (iii) is more time- and cost-efficient as compared with the Somogyi–Nelson assay; and (iv) is to the least degree dependent on the presence of the tested buffer components as compared with the Somogyi–Nelson assay.

HPTLC and ATR/FTIR Characterization of Antioxidants in Different Rosemary Extracts

The effect of spontaneous fermentation by lactic acid bacteria on the extraction yield of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity from rosemary leaf extracts was investigated using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Brining and spontaneous fermentation with lactic acid bacteria more than doubled extraction of polyphenolics and antioxidants from the rosemary leaves. The results show that lactic acid fermentation enhances antioxidant activity in extracts by increasing the total phenolic content but does not increase extraction of phytosterols. Increased extraction of phenolic oxidants during fermentation assisted extraction, results from the in situ generated natural eutectic solvent from the plant sample. ATR-FTIR spectra from the bioactive bands suggests that this increased antioxidant activity is associated with increased extraction of rosmarinic acid, depolymerised lignin, abietane diterpenoids and 15-hydroxy-7-oxodehydroabietic acid.

Phytoremediation Potentials of Cynodon dactylon on Heavy Metal Contaminated Soils from Challawa Industrial Estate, Kano-Nigeria

This study investigated the phytoremediation potentials of Cynodon dactylon in heavy metal contaminated soils of Challawa Industrial Estate, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria. A total of 100 samples comprising of 50 soils and 50 plant parts of C. dactylon were evaluated for the presence of heavy metals by the use of atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) method. Extent of heavy metal soil contamination and phytoremediation potentials of the study plant were assessed by the use of metal contamination factor (Cf) for soil; Bioaccumulation and translocation factors for the plant sample respectively. From the results, levels (mg/kg) of the metals in the C. dactylon from contaminated and control sites were found to be in the sequence of Fe (442.60) > Cu (138.35) > Zn (133.53) > Cd (61.50) > Pb (42.47) > Mn (28.40) > Ni (18.40) > Cr (17.73) and Fe (88.60) > Zn (38.18) > Cu (33.60) > Ni (13.70) > Mn (12.67) > Pb (6.07) > Cd (5.60) > Cr (5.03) respectively. The contamination factor values Cf, (mg/kg) of all the metals in the soils were found to be in the sequence of Cd (10.73) > Cu (5.64) > Cr (3.07) > Pb (2.98) > Ni (2.17) > Zn (2.09) > Mn (2.00) > Fe (1.72). The results showed that the soils are highly contaminated with Cd, considerably contaminated with Cu and Cr, and moderately contaminated with Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni and Pb. The bioaccumulation and translocation factor values (BAF>1 and TF<1) for Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn suggest accumulation in roots and qualify the plant as good candidate for phytostabilization. Moreover, the bioaccumulation and translocation factor values (BAF and TF>1) for the plant species were greater than 1 for Fe suggesting efficient accumulation in the shoot. However, C. dactylon could be recommended as good candidate for phytoextraction of Fe and phytostabilization of the study investigated metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in multi-metal contaminated soils.

Effect of Paclobutrazol on the Physiology and Biochemistry of Ophiopogon japonicus

Ophiopogon japonicus is a commonly used Chinese medicine with multiple pharmacological effects. To increase the yield of O. japonicus, paclobutrazol is widely used during the cultivation, and residues of paclobutrazol cause undesired side effects of O. japonicus. In this study, the effect of different concentrations of paclobutrazol on O. japonicus was investigated, and the final residual amount of paclobutrazol in the plant sample was determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS); cell morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The inhibitory effect of paclobutrazol on plant height and the stimulatory effect on root elongation were concentration-dependent from 0.6 to 11.3 g/L, reaching a maximum of about 28% and 67%, respectively. However, when the concentration was 22.5 g/L, these effects were significantly weakened, and the same trend was observed for the tuber root weight. Paclobutrazol caused the cell wall of O. japonicus to thicken, making the cells smaller and more densely arranged. Paclobutrazol also inhibited bacterial growth, irrespective of the concentration. Considering the residual concentration after application and the effects on growth, the application of 1.3 g/L or 2.8 g/L paclobutrazol can increase the accumulation of effective ingredients while promoting production, reducing application costs, and maximizing farmers’ profit.

The effect of Vympel and Rhizostym on some indicators of vegetable pepper growth at different phases of ontogenesis

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the leading vegetable crops, cultivated mainly on farms. A study was introduced to study the comparative effect of pre-sowing seed treatment with Vympel and Rhizostym on some indicators of growth of pepper of sweet vegetable variety Bogatyr at different phases of ontogenesis. According to the results of research, it was found that the treatment of seeds with Vympel and Rhizostym has a positive effect on the accumulation of raw and dry matter of vegetable pepper plants. In the phase of two true leaves, the drug Vympel outperformed the control indicators by 65.5 and 100 %, respectively. In the phase of eight true leaves, the best results on the weight of the raw material were obtained in the variant with the use of Rhizostym, which exceeded the control value by 94 %, while the weight of dry matter was better influenced by Vympel, which exceeded the control values by 109.3 %. In terms of the percentage of dry matter in the plant sample, the best effect was shown by the drug Vympel, which exceeded the control value by 16.9–21.4 % depending on the phase of development. According to the water content in the plant sample in the phase of two true leaves, Vympel showed high efficiency, which exceeded the control indicators by 56.1 %. Rhizostym contributed to an increase of 94.1 % compared to the control in the phase of eight true leaves. Studying the effect of the studied drugs on the linear growth rates of pepper vegetable variety Bogatyr, it was found that the height of the stem and root length of plants in the phase of two true leaves was better influenced by the drug Vympel, which exceeded control by 6.3 % and 61.5 %, respectively. In the phase of eight true leaves, these indicators were better influenced by the drug Rhizostym. In terms of stem diameter in the middle part of pepper plants in the flowering phase, the drug Rhizostym was highly effective, exceeding the control value by 30 %, and in the ripening phase – Vympel, which contributed to the predominance compared to the control by 26.5 %. The highest yield of vegetable peppers was found during seed treatment with Rhizostym. It also helped increase the wall thickness of pepper fruits. Therefore, plant growth regulators Vympel and Rhizostiy should be used to treat vegetable pepper seeds in order to improve growth, yield and fruit quality

Experimental, DFT and MD Assessments of Bark Extract of Tamarix aphylla as Corrosion Inhibitor for Carbon Steel Used in Desalination Plants

This study aimed to examine the extract of barks of Tamarix aphylla as a corrosion inhibitor. The methodology briefly includes plant sample collection, extraction of the corrosion inhibitor, gravimetric analysis, plotting potentiodynamic polarization plots, electrochemical impedance spectroscopic measurements, optimization of conditions, and preparation of the inhibitor products. The results show that the values of inhibition efficiency (IE%) increased as the concentrations of the inhibitor increased, with a maximum achievable inhibition efficiency of 85.0%. Potentiodynamic polarization (PP) tests revealed that the extract acts as a dual-type inhibitor. The results obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements indicate an increase in polarisation resistance, confirming the inhibitive capacity of the tested inhibitor. The adsorption of the inhibitor on the steel surface follows the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model and involves competitive physio-sorption and chemisorption mechanisms. The EIS technique was utilized to investigate the effect of temperature on corrosion inhibition within the 298–328 K temperature range. Results confirm that the inhibition efficiency (IE%) of the inhibitor decreased slightly as the temperature increased. Lastly, the thermodynamic parameters for the inhibitor were calculated.

Phytochemical analysis and versatile in vitro evaluation of antimicrobial, cytotoxic and enzyme inhibition potential of different extracts of traditionally used Aquilegia pubiflora Wall. Ex Royle

Background Himalayan Columbine (Aquilegia pubiflora Wall. Ex Royle) is a medicinal plant and have been used as traditional treatments for various human diseases including skin burns, jaundice, hepatitis, wound healing, cardiovascular and circulatory diseases. Till now there is no report available on phytochemical investigation of Himalayan Columbine and to the best of our knowledge, through present study we have reported for the first time, the phytochemical analysis and pharmacological potentials of different leaf extracts of Aquilegia pubiflora. Methods Four types of extracts were prepared using solvent of different polarities (Distilled water APDW, Methanol APM, Ethanol APE and Ethyl acetate APEA), and were evaluated to determine the best candidate for potent bioactivity. Phytochemical constituents in prepared extracts were quantified through HPLC analysis. Subsequently, all four types of leaf extracts were then evaluated for their potential bioactivities including antimicrobial, protein kinase inhibition, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-Alzheimer, anti-aging and cytotoxic effect. Results HPLC analysis demonstrated the presence of dvitexin, isovitexin, orientin, isoorientin, ferulic acid, sinapic acid and chlorogenic acid in varied proportions in all plant extracts. Antimicrobial studies showed that, K. pneumonia was found to be most susceptible to inhibition zones of 11.2 ± 0.47, 13.9 ± 0.33, 12.7 ± 0.41, and 13.5 ± 0.62 measured at 5 mg/mL for APDW, APM, APE and APEA respectively. A. niger was the most susceptible strain in case of APDW with the highest zone of inhibition 14.3 ± 0.32, 13.2 ± 0.41 in case of APM, 13.7 ± 0.39 for APE while 15.4 ± 0.43 zone of inhibition was recorded in case of APEA at 5 mg/mL. The highest antioxidant activity of 92.6 ± 1.8 μgAAE/mg, 89.2 ± 2.4 μgAAE/mg, 277.5 ± 2.9 μM, 289.9 ± 1.74 μM for TAC, TRP, ABTS and FRAP, respectively, was shown by APE. APM, APE and APEA extracts showed a significant % cell inhibition (above 40%) against HepG2 cells. The highest anti-inflammatory of the samples was shown by APE (52.5 ± 1.1) against sPLA2, (41.2 ± 0.8) against 15-LOX, followed by (38.5 ± 1.5) and (32.4 ± 0.8) against COX-1 and COX-2, respectively. Conclusions Strong antimicrobial, Protein Kinase potency and considerable α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and cytotoxic potential were exhibited by plant samples. Significant anti-Alzheimer, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and kinase inhibitory potential of each plant sample thus aware us for further detailed research to determine novel drugs.