Crude extract from a hardcoral-associated bacterium Virgibacillus salarius PHC-44-04 inhibiting growth of Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacter aerogenes human pathogen

Ayuningrum D, Muchlissin SI, Trianto A, Radjasa OK, Sabdono A. 2018. Crude extract from a hardcoral-associated bacterium Virgibacillus salarius PHC-44-04 inhibiting growth of Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacter aerogenes human pathogen. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 18: 78-83. Hardcoral-associated bacteria are potential sources of natural product compounds with wide range of activities, i.e. antibacterial activity, antiviral, anticancer, antifungal, etc. Virgibacillus salarius PHC-44-04 is a gram-positive bacterium that was isolated in prior research from hard coral Pavona sp. collected from Panjang Island, Jepara, Indonesia. This bacterium at the screening phase was showing high antibacterial activity against Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacter aerogenes (MDR-EA). Therefore, this paper has aim to deliver the result of crude extract antibacterial test from V. salarius PHC-44-04 after being cultivated in liquid medium, to know the efficiency of using supernatant and pellet extract and to determine in which concentration was the minimum for antibacterial activity. The cultivation of bacterial isolates was using liquid medium Nutrient Broth, and the production of crude extract was using liquid-liquid extraction method. The liquid medium containing bacterial cell was separated using centrifuge with 8000 rpm became supernatant and pellet. The supernatant was extracted using ethyl acetate, while the pellet was extracted using methanol. The antibacterial test from both crude extract from supernatant and pellet was using disk diffusion method with several concentration as follows: 15 µg/mL, 30 µg/mL, 60 µg/mL, 90 µg/mL, 180 µg/mL, 250 µg/mL, 350 µg/mL, and 500 µg/mL. Each concentration was repeated in three replicates. The crude extract produced from 700 mL supernatant was 0.0667 g and from 50mL pellet was 0.0320. The pellet crude extract has higher mass but not having antibacterial activity against MDR-EA. The result showed only supernatant crude extract of V. salarius showed antibacterial activity against MDR-EA bacterium. The minimal crude extract concentration to inhibit the growth of MDR-EA was 60 µg/mL, meanwhile, the best concentration for exhibiting antibacterial activity was at 500 µg/mL with zone of inhibition (ZOI) diameter of 11.77 ± 0.8730 mm. Thus, supernatant should be the main source of crude extract production rather than the pellet to get high antibacterial activity.

Review: The endless nutritional and pharmaceutical benefits of the Himalayan gold, Cordyceps; Current knowledge and prospective potentials

Elkhateeb WA, Daba GM. 2020. Review: The endless nutritional and pharmaceutical benefits of the Himalayan gold, Cordyceps; Current knowledge and prospective potentials. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 18: 70-77. As a traditional medicine, Cordyceps has long been used in Asian nations for maintaining vivacity and boosting immunity. Numerous publications on various bioactivities of Cordyceps have been investigated in both in-vitro as well as in vivo studies. Nevertheless, the role of Cordyceps is still arguable whether it acts as food supplement for health benefits or a real healing drug that can be prescribed in medicine. The Cordyceps industry has developed greatly and offers thousands of products, commonly available in a global marketplace. In this review, focus will be on introducing the ecology of Cordyceps and their classification. Moreover, elucidation of the richness of extracts originated from this mushroom in nutritional components was presented, with description of the chemical compounds of Cordyceps and its well-known compounds such as cordycepin, and cordycepic acid. Furthermore, highlights on natural growth and artificial cultivation of famous Cordyceps species were presented. The health benefits and reported bioactivities of Cordyceps species as promising antimicrobial, anticancer, hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, organ protective agent, and enhancer for organ function were presented.

Evaluation of the antiproliferative activity of red propolis hydroalcoholic extract and its fractions obtained by partition

Squarisi IS, De Freitas KS, Lemes DC, Ccana-Ccapatinta GV, Mejia JAA, Bastos JK, Veneziani RCS, Ambrosio SR, Tavares DC. 2018. Evaluation of the antiproliferative activity of red propolis hydroalcoholic extract and its fractions obtained by partition. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 18: 66-69. The present study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of red propolis hydroalcoholic extract (RPHE) and its fractions obtained by partition, hexanes (HF), dichloromethane (DF), ethyl acetate (AF) and n-butanol (BF), on tumor and non-tumor cell lines. For this purpose, the XTT colorimetric assay was performed on human lung fibroblasts (GM07492A, non-tumor cell), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), glioblastoma (U343) and cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cells. The results showed that RPHE, HF and DF presented not only cytotoxic potential to all tumor cell lines but also to normal cell line, indicating selectivity absence. HF presented the lowest IC50 (half minimal inhibitory concentration; 33.8-133.3 µg/mL), with significant difference from those observed for RPHE (137.0-262.7 µg/mL). BF and AF revealed an IC50 which was higher than 1250 µg/mL in all cell lines. The results showed that red propolis has substances with antiproliferative activity, indicating that its hexanes fraction may have substances with antitumor potential.

Detection of Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 in supplement health product liquid preparation using Real-Time PCR (qPCR)

Sophian A, Purwaningsih R, Lukita BL, Ningsih EC. 2018. Detection of Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 in supplement health product liquid preparation using Real-Time PCR (qPCR). Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 18: 61-65. Detection of Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 using Real-Time PCR (qPCR) on health supplement products was carried out in the microbiology and molecular biology testing laboratory of the Food and Drug Supervisory Office in Gorontalo. The purpose of this study was to provide an alternative testing method reference in the testing of liquid supplement health supplement products in the market. The sample consisted of 35 samples of liquid supplement health supplements spike with positive control of Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 phase 2. The method used in the study was qPCR analysis using the SYBR Green method, whereas DNA isolation using the direct PCR method. Data analysis was performed based on 2 main criteria: (i) Ct (Cycle threshold) analysis, which is looking at the value of the sample Ct and comparing it with controls and (ii) analysis of melting temperature (Tm), which is the melting point at the temperature at which melt occurs and comparing the melting point to the positive control. The results showed that in the sample, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 was detected at an average Ct value of 14.43, and an average Tm value of 86.05, for the specificity, LOD and positive control tests were all amplified. For negative controls, Ct and Tm values ​​were not detected. Based on these data it can be concluded that real-time PCR (qPCR) can be used to detect Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 in liquid supplement health supplement products.

Survey of the bacterial diversity at two coastal beaches in Guyana

Prashad L, Daniel R, Ram M. 2020. Survey of the bacterial diversity at two coastal beaches in Guyana. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 18: 1-8. The #63 Beach, Berbice and Marriott Beach, Kingston Seawall, Guyana were surveyed for halophilic bacteria present in its waters. NaCl tolerance, temperature tolerance and antimicrobial activity of isolates against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus sp. were tested. Samples of 100 mL were taken from the Shore, 5.0 m, and 10.0 m depth from both locations. The samples were plated and examined for the growth of bacteria of different pigmentation. A total of 4 halophilic isolates were found; 3 from Marriott Beach (Isolates A, B, and G) and 1 (Isolate M) from the #63 Beach. Isolates were of yellow, light orange and pink pigmentation, the 3 isolates from Marriott Beach were, Gram-negative and cocci while the one isolates from #63 Beach were Gram-positive and cocci. The optimum salinity tolerance for the Isolate G from Marriott Beach was 1.5M NaCl, Isolate M from #63 Beach 1.0M NaCl, Isolate B from Marriott Beach 1.0M NaCl and Isolate A from, Marriott Beach 0.5M NaCl. The optimum temperature for the growth of the isolates was 37°C. The isolates had no antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and Bacillus sp.

Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of the ent-kaurenoic acid and ent-kaurenoic acid enriched Mikania glomerata extract in V79

Ferreira NH, Ribeiro AB, Morais MD, Peixoto AM, Bernardino MA, Moreira MR, Soares ACF, Heleno VCG, Veneziani RCS, Tavares DC. 2018. Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of the ent-kaurenoic acid and ent-kaurenoic acid-enriched Mikania glomerata extract in V79. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 17: xxxx. The ent-kaurenoic acid-rich extract from Mikania glomerata Sprengel was effective to inhibit the formation of Streptococcus mutans biofilm. In view of the biological potential of this extract and its major component, the present study was carried out to evaluate the safety of the ent-kaurenoic acid-rich extract from Mikania glomerata Sprengel and ent-kaurenoic acid alone in an in vitro test system. The results showed that the ent-kaurenoic acid-rich extract from Mikania glomerata Sprengel was cytotoxic at concentrations up to 40.0 μg/mL. Genotoxic effects were observed in cell cultures treated with the highest concentrations tested of ent-kaurenoic acid-rich extract from Mikania glomerata Sprengel (10.0 and 15.0 µg/mL) and ent-kaurenoic acid alone (2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 µg/mL) when compared to the control group. Therefore, the ent-kaurenoic acid-rich extract from Mikania glomerata Sprengel demonstrated cytotoxicity and genotoxicity effects at the highest concentrations tested, while ent-kaurenoic acid showed to be genotoxic at the same concentrations present in ent-kaurenoic acid-rich extract from Mikania glomerata Sprengel in V79 cells. These results demonstrate that the ent-kaurenoic acid should be responsible, at least in part, of the genotoxicity of ent-kaurenoic acid-rich extract from Mikania glomerata Sprengel.

Protective effects of Curcuma longa rhizomes ethyl acetate extract against alcohol induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity in female Wistar rats

Eteng OE, Moses CA, Enobong J, Akamo AJ, Akinloye DI, Ugbaja RN, Akinloye OA. 2020. Protective effects of Curcuma longa rhizomes ethyl acetate extract against alcohol induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity in female Wistar rats. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 21: 5-12. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Curcuma longa Linn. (syn. Curcuma domestica Val.) rhizomes ethyl acetate extract (CLREAE) facing alcohol-induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity. Thirty female (30) Wistar rats were categorized randomly into six groups. Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were treated with normal saline; 20% ethanol; 100 mg of CLREAE + 20% ethanol; 200 mg of CLREAE + 20%; 350 mg of CLREAE + 20% ethanol and 350 mg of CLREAE respectively for 14 days. A significant (p<0.05) decrease in the SOD, CAT and GPx activities and GSH concentration of rat treated with only 20% ethanol were found when compared to the normal control group, whereas a significant (P<0.05) increase in the groups pretreated with different doses of the CLREAE were also found when compared to groups with only 20% ethanol treatment. Thus, comparing to the normal control group, treatment with the CLREAE fetched a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the renal biomarkers (creatinine and urea). Whilst, comparing to the groups with 20% methanol treatment, a significant (p<0.05) increase happened in the groups pretreated with different doses of the CLREAE. There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease on Kidney MDA level in rats pretreated with different doses of CLREAE compared with the normal control. It was shown in the results of the histology that there was a physiologic recovery in the kidney tissues as groups were treated with different doses of the CLREAE. Evidenced by reduced necrosis of tubular and glomerular epithelial, the signs of protection against toxicity were found on the rats. The study suggested that through in vivo free radical scavenging ability, the CLREAE has protective effects against alcohol-induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity in female Wistar rats.

Antioxidant and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities of Euchresta horsfieldii

Prihantini AI, Krisnawati, Setyayudi A. 2019. Antioxidant and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities of Euchresta horsfieldii. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 17: 61-64. Euchresta horsfieldii, known as pranajiwa, is a medicinal plant that is widely grown in Bali and West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Its seeds or fruits are commonly used for body freshness and stamina. The present study aimed to investigate the biological activities of leaves, root, stem, fruits, seeds of the E. horsfieldii. Antioxidant, alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities and total phenolic compound were evaluated from methanolic extracts of all parts of E. horsfieldii. The result showed that leaf extract of E. horsfieldii exhibited the highest antioxidant activity with IC50 215.11±08.06 µg/mL. Meanwhile, the root extract had the highest alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity and total phenolic compound with IC50 29.76±13.17 µg/mL and 763±0.01 mg GAE/100mg dry extract, respectively. In conclusion, the study suggested that E. horsfieldii is potential as natural source of antioxidant and alpha-glucosidase inhibitor agents.

Nutritional value and safety of castor bean (Ricinus communis) seeds detoxified in solid-state fermentation by Pleurotus ostreatus

Adebayo OC, Ogidi CO, Akinyele BJ. 2019. Nutritional value and safety of castor bean (Ricinus communis) seed detoxified in solid-state fermentation by Pleurotus ostreatus. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 17: 51-60. The nutrient and antinutrient contents of unfermented castor seeds (UCS), castor seeds fermented with Pleurotus ostreatus (CPF) and “Ogiri,” a naturally fermented condiment from castor seeds (CSF) were determined. Proximate analyses of all the samples were carried out using methods of Association of Official Agricultural Chemists. The biosafety of the samples was carried out using the animal model. The raw castor seeds (UCS) had the highest carbohydrate (61.04%), ash (6.02%), fats (6.65%), fiber (6.62%), and calcium (0.30 mg/100g). Castor seeds fermented with Pleurotus ostreatus (CPF) had the highest protein content of 20.47%, magnesium of 7.16 mg/100g, alkaloids (7.40 mg/g) and saponins (6.69 mg/g) . CSF had the highest zinc (0.69 mg/100g). CPF had the lowest tannin (0.05 mg/g). All the essential amino acids increased significantly in the fermented samples. Tryptophan was absent in UCS but present in CSF and CPF with values of 0.78 mg/100g and 1.15 mg/100g, respectively. The hematological analysis of the rats fed CPF had the highest WBC of 5.43×109, which indicated a positive immunomodulatory effect. Hence, this study revealed that Pleurotus ostreatus degraded the toxic compounds in castor seeds to a large extent and enhanced the nutritional contents of the final product.

The potential of white-oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) as antimicrobial and natural antioxidant

Egra S, Kusuma IW, Arung ET, Kuspradini H. 2018. The potential of white-oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) as antimicrobial and natural antioxidant. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 16: 17-23. White-oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is a favorite meal in Indonesia. Previously this fungus was known as a useless plant, but after the nutrition is known, everything changes. People tried to cultivate it because the nutrients contents are very good for body health. Therefore, to support this added value in the field of health, especially antimicrobials and antioxidants, this research needs to be done. This research used successive extraction with hexane solvent, acetate ethyl, ethanol, water, and crude ethanol by antimicrobial assay, antioxidants assay (DPPH), total antioxidant content, total phenolic content. The highest results on barrier antimicrobial test which occurred against Candida albicans bacteria was 47.60 % with 100 ppm concentration. While, on antimicrobial assay using Propionibacterium acnes bacteria, there was no significant inhibition. Regarding the antioxidant test against DPPH, the result showed the occurrence of free radical by 25 % on water extraction at the concentration of 100 ppm. Continuously, the total antioxidant content assay showed the ethyl acetate had the highest value of 368.708 mg gae/g. The results of the total content phenolic assay showed the solvent hexane had the value of 78.495 mg gae/g. These findings indicated that mushroom has an active phenolic compound with no contribution to impede its working on Candida albicans assay.