Phytochemical analysis and antioxidant activity of Lycium barbarum (Goji) cultivated in Greece

Context: The fruit of Lycium barbarum L. (Solanaceae), known as goji berry, has been exploited for a long time in traditional Chinese medicine. In recent decades, it has received much attention as one of the trendiest functional foods with a wide array of pharmacological activities in Western diets.

Objective: In this study the phenolic profile and potential antioxidant capacity of Lycium barbarum cultivated in Crete (Greece) were investigated.

Materials and methods: The berries were defatted with hexane and then extracted with dichloromethane and methanol using a Soxhlet apparatus. Furthermore, the methanol extract was fractionated with ethyl acetate and butanol. All fractions/extracts were tested for their antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP, chemiluminescence). Folin–Ciocalteu and LC-DAD-MS analyses were utilized for the identification of the phenolic compounds.

Results: The total phenolic content ranged from 14.13?±?0.40 (water fraction) to 109.72?±?4.09 (ethyl acetate fraction) mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry extract. Ethyl acetate extract exhibited the highest scavenging activities determined as EC₅₀ (4.73?±?0.20?mg/mL) and IC₅₀ (0.47?±?0.001?mg/mL) using DPPH and chemiluminescence assays. Seventeen phenolic compounds, including cinnamoylquinic acids and derivatives, hydrocinnamic acids and flavonoid derivatives, were tentatively identified. To the best of our knowledge, quercetin 3-O-hexose coumaric ester and quercetin 3-O-hexose-O-hexose-O-rhamnose are reported for the first time in goji berry fruits.

Discussion and conclusion: The results of this study suggest that consumption of goji berry fruits could serve as a potential source of natural antioxidant compounds and that goji berry phenolic extracts could be exploited for nutritional pharmaceutical purposes.     

A new pyrrole alkaloid isolated from<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arum palaestinum</Emphasis> Boiss. and its biological activities

The phytochemical analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction ofArum palaestinum Boiss. (Araceae) led to the isolation and identification of a new polyhydroxy alkaloid compound; (S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-1H-pyrrol-2(5H)-one (1), and other five known compounds; caffeic acid (2), isoorientin (3), luteolin (4) and vicenin II (5), as well as the rare compound 3,6,8-trimethoxy, 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy flavone (6). The structural elucidations of all the compounds were based on spectroscopic data (¹H- and¹³C-NMR, DEPT, HSQC, HMBC and NOE difference techniques) and comparison with literature data. Investigation of the antioxidant activity of the ethyl acetate fraction indicated its strong scavenging capacity for 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals (SC₅₀ 3.1 ±0.82 μg/mL). Moreover, the treatment of different human cancer cell lines with the ethyl acetate fraction led to dose-dependant suppression in the proliferation of both breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7; IC₅₀ 59.09±4.1 μg/mL) and lymphoblastic leukemia cells (1301; IC₅₀ 53.1±2.9 μg/mL); however, it was found to have no effect on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Hep G2).     

Biological activity assessment and phenolic compounds characterization from the fruit pericarp of Litchi chinensis for cosmetic applications

Context: Litchi chinensis Sonn. (Spindaceae) is an important economic fruit of Thailand. Therapeutic effects of the fruits are contributed by anti-inflammatory phenolics.

Objective: To extract the litchi fruit pericarp in order to identify biologically actives substances with potential for cosmetic application.

Materials and methods: The litchi pericarp was macerated by 70% ethanol (EtOH) and partitioned using n-hexane and ethyl acetate (EtOAc). In vitro antioxidant activities were assessed by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ABTS and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assays including tyrosinase inhibitory effect. Cellular radical scavenging capacity was monitored in a normal human fibroblast cell culture (NHF). Total phenolic content was determined and characterized by HPLC.

Results: The EtOAc fraction was a significant antioxidant, stronger than ascorbic acid (p < 0.01), as assessed by ABTS (IC₅₀ = 7.137 ± 0.021 μg/mL), DPPH (IC₅₀ = 2.288 ± 0.063 μg/mL) and FRAP (EC_1mMFeSO4 = 8013.183 ± 58.804 μg/mL) assays. It demonstrated an antityrosinase effect (IC₅₀ = 197.860 ± 1.230 μg/mL) and showed no cytotoxic activity toward Vero and NHF cells, at a maximum tested concentration (50 μg/mL), with cellular antioxidant activity. Total phenolic content was highest in the most potent antioxidant fraction. Quercetin, rosmarinic and gallic acids were found. Total phenolic content is highly related to FRAP, antityrosinase, and ABTS activities.

Discussion and conclusion: Pericarp from litchi fruit can be obtained abundantly from agricultural waste, and the strong antioxidant activity demonstrated in this report may have application in topical cosmetic products. This ecological antioxidant can be prepared using a feasible method resulting in less waste and increased agro-industrial profitability.     

Investigation of Biological Activities of Dichloromethane and Ethyl Acetate Fractions of Platonia insignis Mart. Seed

Platonia insignis Mart., a native species of the Brazilian Amazon more commonly known as bacuri, is a member of the Clusiaceae family. In this study, we evaluated the chemical composition and the antioxidant and toxicity activities of the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions from P. insignis seed ethanolic extract using different experimental models. Our results demonstrate in vitro antioxidant effects, by 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) diammonium salt and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl assays, as well as in vivo effects in antioxidant‐defective Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains to both fractions. Toxicity was evaluated against the micro‐crustaceous Artemia salina Leach. and promastigote Leishmania amazonensis. The dichloromethane fraction was the most active fraction evaluated on A. salina and promastigote L. amazonensis (IC₅₀ = 24.89 μg/mL and 2.84 μg/mL, respectively). In addition, a slight cytotoxicity was observed in mammalian V79 cells using ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions with MTT assays. Both fractions displayed genotoxicity up to 25 μg/mL (dichloromethane) and 10 μg/mL (ethyl acetate) in V79 cells, as evaluated by the alkaline comet assay. Thus, in this study, we demonstrate for the first time that ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions from P. insignis seeds display antioxidant effects, a toxic effect against A. salina and L. amazonensis and induce genotoxicity in V79 mammalian cells. The observed activities can be attributed to the phenolic compounds present in these fractions and to the presence of xanthones (alpha‐ and gamma‐mangostin).     

Phytochemical profiling of Salsola tetragona Delile by LC-HR/MS and investigation of the antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,cytotoxic, antibacterial and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities

This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and biological activity of Salsola tetragona Delile. (Amaranthaceae), a medicinal plant. The study evaluated the antioxidant potential of the crude extract and five fractions of S. tetragona using DPPH^•, ABTS^•+, CUPRAC, and metal chelating assays. The anti-inflammatory activity was determined using a protein denaturation assay, and the antibacterial activity was determined by the Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains. The MTT test and an in vitro scratch assay evaluated the effects on cell viability and cell migration. The potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity was assessed by analyzing the effects on the interaction between ACE2 and Spike protein. The bioactive compounds present in the plant were identified using LC-HR/MS analysis. The crude hydromethanolic extract (STM) and five fractions of S. tetragona, n-hexane (STH), dichloromethane (STD), ethyl acetate (STE), n-butanol (STB), and aqueous (STW) showed significant antioxidant activity in four different tests. In the anti-inflammatory assay, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited significantly higher activity than Aspirin® (IC₅₀ = 13 ± 5 µg/mL). The crude extract and its fractions showed positive antibacterial activity with similar MICs. In the cytotoxicity assay against the breast cancer cell line MCF7, the dichloromethane fractions (STD) were very effective and demonstrated superiority over the other fractions (IC₅₀ = 98 µg/mL). Moreover, the potential of the extract and fractions as anti-SARS-CoV-2, the ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane fractions demonstrated important activity in this test. LC-HR/MS analysis identified 16 different phenolic compounds, Eleven of which had not been previously reported in the genus Salsola. The results suggest that the extracts of S. tetragona have the potential to become new sources for developing plant-based therapies for managing a range of diseases.     

Anti-inflammatory,antioxidant and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bouvardia ternifolia</Emphasis>: potential implications in Alzheimer’s disease

Bouvardia ternifolia has been used medicinally to treat inflammation. In the present study, we investigate the anti-Alzheimer’s potential effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of B. ternifolia through evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, quantification of the percentage inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity, protection effect against β-amyloid fibrillar-induce neurotoxicity, and the identification of the main constituents. Our results show that B. ternifolia extract and ethyl acetate fraction induced anti-inflammatory effects by reducing inflammation by >70 %, while antioxidant test revealed significant IC₅₀ values for flavonoid content fraction (30.67 ± 2.09 μg/ml) and ethyl acetate fraction (42.66 ± 0.93 μg/ml). The maximum inhibition of acetylcholinesterase was exhibited by scopoletin content fraction (38.43 ± 3.94 %), while ethyl acetate fraction exerted neuroprotective effect against β-amyloid peptide (83.97 ± 5.03 %). Phytochemical analysis, showed the presence of 3-O-quercetin glucopyranoside (415 mg/g), rutin (229.9 mg/g), ursolic and oleanolic acid (54 and 20.8 mg/g respectively), 3-O-quercetin rhamnopyranoside (12.8 mg/g), chlorogenic acid (9.5 mg/g), and scopoletin (1.38 mg/g). Our findings support the use of B. ternifolia since the extract induced significant neuroprotection against β-amyloid peptide, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-acetylcholinesterase effects that could be attributed to its contents of polyphenols, coumarins, and triterpenes, and encourage further studies for development of this extract as therapeutic agent in treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.     

Estimation of Total Phenols and Flavonoids in Extracts of Actaea spicata Roots and Antioxidant Activity Studies

Actaea spicata Linn. (Ranunculaceae) has been traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments such as rheumatism, inflammation, nerve diseases, lumbago, scrofula and chorea, but no systematic phytochemical and pharmacological work has ever been carried out on this potential plant. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed presence of phenols and flavonoids in A. spicata. Thus, the present investigation was undertaken to estimate total phenols and flavonoids in methanol extract of A. spicata roots, and its ethyl acetate fraction. In vitro antioxidant activity was also evaluated in the methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction using DPPH method. Ethyl acetate fraction was found to contain twice the content of flavonoids and phenols in comparison to methanolic extract, whereas phenolic content in methanol extract was approximately similar to ethyl acetate fraction. A significant antioxidant activity, i.e., mean percentage inhibition of DPPH radical was observed in methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction at the concentration of 10 μg/ml and 5 μg/ml respectively. Finally, it was suggested that polyphenols are responsible for antioxidant activity of A. spicata.     

Flavonoids,cytotoxic, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Evax pygmaea

Context: Phytochemical study and biological potential of Evax pygmaea (L.) Brot. (Asteraceae) are reported for the first time.

Objective: To identify the secondary metabolites of Evax pygmaea and to determine its antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic activities.

Materials and methods: Dried aerial parts (1?kg) were macerated in 70% MeOH (5?L) during 72?h. The concentrated hydromethanolic extract was subjected to extractions with chloroform (3?×?300?mL), ethyl acetate (3?×?300?mL) and n-butanol (3?×?300?mL), successively. VLC of combined ethyl acetate (EAEP) and n-butanol (BEP) fractions was followed by column purifications. Antioxidant activity was investigated using DPPH, CUPRAC, and metal chelating, β-carotene/linoleic acid and ABTS assays. Agar method was used in the antibacterial study. Cytotoxic activity was determined by Brine shrimp lethality test in DMSO and ethanol, at varying concentrations (2, 1 and 0.2%) and (1, 0.2 and 0.1%) successively.

Results: Quercetin (1), isorhamnetin 3-O-β-d-xyloside (2), isorhamnetin 3-O-β-d-glucoside (3), quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucoside (4), quercetin 7-O-β-D-glucoside (5), patuletin 3-O-β-d-glucoside (6) were isolated from for the first time from Evax genus. The EAEP was the most active in ABTS (IC₅₀: <3.125?μg/mL) assay whereas the BEEP exhibited the highest activity in the β-carotene/linoleic acid assay (IC₅₀: <3.125?μg/mL). The EAEP and BEP exhibited good antibacterial activity (MIC: 40–80 µg/mL). The plant did not show any toxicity (LD₅₀>80 µg/mL).

Discussion and conclusions: Six flavonoids were isolated for the first time from Evax pygmaea which exhibited good antioxidant and antibacterial activities.     

Comparative evaluation of cytotoxic,antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the crude extracts of three Plectranthus species grown in Saudi Arabia

Natural products from medicinal plants represent major resource of novel therapeutic substances for combating serious diseases including cancers and microbial infections. The genus Plectranthus (Family: Labiatae) represents a large and widespread group of species with a diversity of traditional uses in treatment of various ailments. Therefore, this research study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of three Plectranthus species growing in Saudi Arabia namely P. cylindraceus Hocst. ex Benth., P. asirensis JRI Wood and P. barbatus Andrews. Moreover, this work focused on the isolation of the active constituents responsible for the activities from the most active Plectranthus species.The extracts were tested for their cytotoxic activity against three cancer cell lines (Hela, HepG2 and HT-29), using MTT-test, antimicrobial activity against Gram positive, Gram negative bacterial and fungal strains using broth micro-dilution assay for minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) and antioxidant activity using scavenging activity of DPPH radical and β-carotene-linoleic acid methods. The ethanolic extracts of the Plectranthus species showed remarkable cytotoxic activity against all cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging between 10.1?±?0.33 to 102.6?±?8.66?μg/mL and a great and antimicrobial activity with MIC values between 62.5 and 250?µg/mL. In addition, the three Plectranthus species showed almost moderate antioxidant activity. The most interesting cytotoxic and antimicrobial results were observed with the extract of P. barbatus. Consequently, this extract was partitioned between water and n-hexane, chloroform and n-butanol and tested. The cytotoxic activity resided predominantly in the n-hexane and chloroform fractions. The analysis of the chloroform fraction led to the isolation of four diterpenoid compounds, two of labdane- and two of abietane-type, which were identified as coleonol B, forskolin, sugiol and 5,6-dehydrosugiol. Purification of the n-hexane fraction led to isolation of a major abietane-type diterpene, which was identified as ferruginol. Sugiol, 5,6-dehydrosugiol and ferruginol were isolated for the first time from P. barbatus in this study. The isolated diterpenoids showed variable cytotoxic effects with IC₅₀ values between 15.1?±?2.03 and 242?±?13.3?µg/mL, a great antimicrobial activity with MIC values between 15.6 and 129?µg/mL and a total antioxidant activity ranging from 23.1?±?2.9 to 69.2?±?3.8%.     

Phytochemical screening and evaluation of in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the indigenous medicinal plant Albizia odoratissima

Context: Albizia odoratissima (L. f.) Benth has been used in Indian folk medicine to treat numerous inflammatory pathologies, such as leprosy, ulcers, burns and asthma.

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of A. odoratissima.

Materials and methods: Dried leaves of A. odoratissima were extracted in organic solvents (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol). The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. The antioxidant activity was examined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The antibacterial activity was examined using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bacterial concentration (MBC), determined by broth microdilution method against Gram-negative bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus vulgaris) and Gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus).

Results: The TPC ranged from 4.40?±?1.06 to 1166.66?±?31.85?mg GAE/g of dry weight (DW), and the TFC ranged from 48.35?±?3.62 to 109.74?±?1.84?mg QE/g of DW. The IC₅₀ values of the ethyl acetate extract for DPPH, ABTS, and H₂O₂ were 10.96?±?0.40, 4.35?±?0.07, and 163.82?±?1.52?μg/mL, respectively. Both methanol and ethyl acetate extracts demonstrated effective antibacterial activity with MICs and MBCs values ranging 136–546?μg/mL and 273–1093?μg/mL, respectively, against the tested pathogenic species.

Conclusions: The leaves of A. odoratissima showed potent free radical scavenging property and antimicrobial activity.     

Investigation of fruit peel extracts as sources for compounds with antioxidant and antiproliferative activities against human cell lines

The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity against human cell lines of fruit peel extracts from rambutan, mangosteen and coconut. The highest antioxidant activity was found from rambutan peel crude extract where the highest radical scavenging capacity via ABTS assay was from its ethyl acetate fraction with a TEAC value of 23.0 mM/mg and the highest ferric ion reduction activity via FRAP assay was from its methanol fraction with an EC value of 20.2 mM/mg. Importantly, using both assays, these fractions had a higher antioxidant activity than butylated hydroxyl toluene and vitamin E. It was shown that the ethyl acetate fraction of rambutan peel had the highest polyphenolic content with a gallic acid equivalent of 2.3 mg/mL. The results indicate that the polyphenolic compounds are responsible for the observed antioxidant activity of the extracts. Interestingly, the hexane fraction of coconut peel showed a potent cytotoxic effect on KB cell line by MTT assay (IC₅₀ = 7.7 μg/mL), and no detectable cytotoxicity toward normal cells. We concluded that the ethyl acetate fraction of rambutan peel is a promising resource for potential novel antioxidant agents whereas the hexane fraction of coconut peel may contain novel anticancer compounds.     

4-O-Caffeoylquinic acid as an antioxidant marker for mulberry leaves rich in phenolic compounds

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves are widely used as herbal tea to prevent heat stroke. Potential chemical markers of the antioxidant properties and its correlation with harvesting times and leaf location were explored in this study. A 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay guided isolation of mulberry leaves extract provided five phenolic compounds: 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (1), 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid (2), gastrodin (3), isoquercetin (4) and rutin (5). The 50% radical-scavenging concentrations (SC₅₀) of these compounds were 32.76 ± 0.27, 11.41 ± 0.48, 404.30 ± 4.92, 10.63 ± 0.96, and 10.57 ± 0.61 μg/mL, respectively. Chromatographic fingerprinting allowed content analysis of 1–5 in samples over a 12-month period. Compounds 1–5 were abundance in apical leaves (0–10 cm) in January and February at temperatures < 20 °C. Contents of 2 and 5 were highest in these months and were strongly correlated to the antioxidant property. Therefore, we suggested that the mulberry leaves harvested during January and February have high yield of 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid and this compound can be used as antioxidative marker in mulberry leaves.     

Phytochemical and antioxidant characterization,cytogenotoxicity and antigenotoxicity of the fractions of the ethanolic extract of in Poincianella bracteosa (Tul.) L.P. Queiroz

ABSTRACT

Poincianella bracteosa

has been widely used in folk medicine to treat catarrhal infections, diarrhea, and anemia; however, phytochemical and toxicogenetic data are still lacking. The objective of this study was to examine the phytochemical and antioxidant characteristics as well as assess cytogenotoxicity and antigenotoxicity in hexane (HF), ether (EF) and ethyl acetate (AF) fractions of P. bracteosa leaves using Allium cepa bioassay. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins and phenolic groups. EF fraction contained a higher content of total phenolics (441.23 ± 1.82 mg GAE/g), while HF fraction showed a higher content of total flavonoids (84.77 ± 5.33 mg QE/g). Higher antioxidant activity was observed in EF (EC₅₀ 25.06 ± 0.07 µg/ml). Cytotoxic effect was verified for all fractions, but no chromosomal alterations were observed in the A. cepa assay. With respect to antigenotoxicity, the protective effect of EF and AF fractions was attributed to as evidenced by the modulation of mutagenic action of methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), mainly by inhibiting the development of micronuclei. Among the fractions, EF was considered the most promising, as it exhibited higher antioxidant activity, was not genotoxic, exerted protective activity against the damage induced by MMS and also presented cytotoxic activity, a desired quality in the search for natural anticarcinogenic compounds.     

Protective effect of Centaurea pallescens Del. against CCl4-induced injury on a human hepatoma cell line (Huh7)

Through a hepatoprotective bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanol extract from Centaurea pallescens Del. (Asteraceae), a new acylated flavonoid triglycoside, 4′-methoxy kaempferol 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-(2-O-E-p-coumaroyl)] β-d-glucopyranoside-7-O-(4-O-E-p-coumaroyl) α-l-rhamnopyranoside (1) was isolated from the highly active aqueous fraction. In addition, six known compounds were isolated from both aqueous (2–3) and ethyl acetate soluble fractions (4–7). The structure of (1) was determined by comprehensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectral data. The protective effects of the methanol extract of C. pallescens and its fractions on the human hepatoma cell line were evaluated using Silymarin as a positive control. Hepatoprotection was assessed through determination of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in addition to glutathione (GSH) levels before and after incubating the cells with carbon tetrachloride. Compound 1, the major constituent of the aqueous fraction, showed a significant cytoprotection at 100 μg/mL as evidenced by decreasing ALT activity to 18.6 ± 0.12, and enhancing SOD activity to 264.6 ± 4.3 U/mL. Meanwhile, compound 2 at 10 μg/mL decreased AST activity to 5.8 ± 2.4 U/mL. Moreover, Compounds 2 and 3 at 1,000 μg/mL significantly enhanced GSH levels. In conclusion, the protective effects of C. pallescens extract, its fractions and compounds 1–3 are concluded to be partly mediated by its antioxidant activity.     

The antioxidant activity ofEcklonia stolonifera

The antioxidant activity ofEcklonia stolonifera was determined by measuring lipid peroxide produced when a mouse liver homogenate was exposed to the air at 37°C, using 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and the radical scavenging effect on 1,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. The methanol extract ofEcklonia stolonifera showed strong antioxidant activity. And the methanol extract was fractionated with several solvents. With regard their fractions, the antioxidative activity were in the order of ethyl acetate>dichloromethane insoluble intermediated phase>dichloromethane>n-butanol>water fraction. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction exhibiting the strongest antioxidant activity was further purified by repeated silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Antioxidant phloroglucinol was isolated and identified by¹H-NMR and¹³C-NMR. Its antioxidant activity was similar to that of L-ascorbic acid.     

Antimalarial and free radical scavenging activities of rhizomes of Polygonatum verticillatum supported by isolated metabolites

Antimalarial activity of the crude extract of Polygonatum verticillatum rhizomes and its sequentially partitioned fractions were investigated against Plasmodium falciparum. The crude extract possessed notable activity (IC₅₀: 21.67?μg/mL) that enhanced reasonably upon fractionation. The antiparasitic potency of the n-hexane fraction was maximum (IC₅₀: 2.33?μg/mL) followed by chloroform (IC₅₀: 4.62?μg/mL). However, the remaining fractions showed insignificant activity in the assay. The extracts of the plant showed marked scavenging activity on stable free radical, DDPH. The most potent antioxidant was the chloroform fraction (IC₅₀: 90?μg/mL) followed by ethyl acetate (IC₅₀: 93?μg/mL) and n-butanol (IC₅₀: 95?μg/mL) fractions. In the brine shrimps lethality test, the extracts were found nontoxic with the exception of ethyl acetate fraction (LD₅₀: 492.846?μg/mL). The bioactivity-guided isolation resulted into 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (HMF) and diosgenin which strongly supports the present experimental findings.     

In vitro cytotoxicity, α-glucosidase inhibition,antioxidant, and free radical scavenging activities of Illicium griffithii Hook. f. & Thoms fruits

Illicium griffithii is a medicinal tree species of the temperate broad-leaved forests of North East India; its fruits are used in the pharmaceutical and spice industries. The fruits are used medicinally to treat cough, sinusitis, toothache, regurgitating, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, and food poisoning and are considered carminative, stomachic, and glactagogic. The present study was aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity, α-glucosidase inhibitory potential, antioxidant, and free radical scavenging activities of hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts of I. griffithii fruits. Ethyl acetate extract (EAE) exhibited 78.7 % toxicity at the dose of 500 μg/ml with IC₅₀ value of 300 μg/ml against A549 human adenocarcinoma lung cancer cell line, 50 % α-glucosidase inhibition at 810.32 ± 1.28 μg/ml concentration, and potent scavenging activity at 1,000 μg/ml on DPPH (91.12 % ± 2.08), CUPRAC (2.384 ± 0.03), reducing power (0.847 ± 0.02), lipid peroxidation (55.52 % ± 1.56), hydroxyl (75.83 % ± 1.47), and DMPD (76.12 % ± 1.35). It additionally showed maximum activity at 300 μg/ml on total antioxidant activity (0.290 ± 0.04 GAE mg/g) and FRAP (2.150 ± 0.23 mM Fe²⁺/g). The results demonstrated that EAE possessed marked activity in all the tested biological parameters. On further fractionation, EAE gave an active fraction F3. Two phenolic compounds were isolated and identified (3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) from this fraction for the first time. I. griffithii showed promising cytotoxic and antioxidant activities.     

Free radical scavenging activity and chemical constituents of Urvillea ulmaceae

The methanol extract of Urvillea ulmaceae Kunth (Sapindaceae) aerial parts and the hexane, ethyl acetate, and hydromethanol fractions were evaluated for their free radical scavenging activity with the DPPH assay. Among all the tested fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction was the most active, exhibiting an IC₅₀ of 16.33?μg/mL, comparable to that of the commercial antioxidant BHT. Fractionation of the ethyl acetate fraction through chromatographic methods afforded trans-N-methyl-5-hydroxypipecolic acid, epicatechin, and proanthocyanidin A2 as the main constituents. Epicatechin and proanthocyanidin A2 showed potent DPPH radical scavenging activity, with IC₅₀ values of 18.34 and 11.45?μg/mL, respectively. A new compound, trans-N-methyl-5-hydroxypipecolic acid, did not show any antioxidant effect (IC₅₀?>?500?μg/mL).     

A new antioxidant compound from Capparis spinosa

An activity-directed fractionation and purification process was used to isolate 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH?) scavenging components from fruits of Capparis spinosa L. (Capparaeae). Ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions showed greater DPPH? scavenging activities compared to the petroleum ether fractions. The ethyl acetate fraction was subjected to purification using column chromatography. A new antioxidant cappariside (4-hydroxy-5-methylfuran-3-carboxylic acid, 1), together with seven known organic acids (2–8) for the first time from plants of genus Capparis and four known organic acids (9–12) were isolated from C. spinosa. The structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic. In addition, compounds 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 10 and 12 indicated strong scavenging capacity for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals with a SC₅₀ value of 0.204?±?0.002, 0.007?±?0.0, 0.011?±?0.0, 0.044?±?0.0016, 0.032?±?0.0, 0.090?±?0.001, and 0.350?±?0.017?mM, respectively.     

Evaluation of antiurolithiatic and antioxidant potential of Lepidagathis prostrata: A Pashanbhed plant

Context: Oxidative stress acts as an essential mediator in the pathophysiology of urolithiasis. Lepidagathis prostrata Dalz. (Acanthaceae) is a Pashanbhed plant that is recommended for the management of urolithiasis; however, no scientific validation has been reported.

Objectives: To evaluate the antiurolithiatic and antioxidant potential of L. prostrata.

Materials and methods: Methanol extract (LPM) and fractions; petroleum ether (LPPE), ethyl acetate (LPEA), n-butanol (LPBU) and aqueous (LPAQ) were prepared. In vitro antiurolithiatic activity was evaluated by the capacity to inhibit calcium oxalate (CaOx) nucleation and aggregation at different concentrations of extract/fractions (0.04–3?mg/mL) for 30?min. Total phenol and flavonoid content and antioxidant potential were determined. A validated HPTLC method was performed to quantify lupeol and β-sitosterol.

Results: LPEA exhibited the highest dose-dependent inhibition of CaOx nucleation (IC₅₀: 336.23?±?30.79?µg/mL) and aggregation (IC₅₀: 149.63?±?10.31?µg/mL), which was significantly (p?<?0.05) better than standard Cystone®. The polar LPBU fraction was enriched with phenols (47.34?±?0.19?mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (20.38?±?0.05?mg QE/g), which correlates with its highest antioxidant potential in DPPH, ABTS, nitric oxide scavenging and iron chelating activities (IC₅₀: 1.18–87.34?µg/mL). To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the presence of lupeol and β-sitosterol in L. prostrata.

Conclusion: The antiurolithiatic activity of L. prostrata is probably mediated through the inhibition of CaOx crystallization. In addition to its free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities, it would act as an excellent agent for the prevention of urolithiasis.