Rapid selection of Andrographis paniculata medicinal plant materials based on major bioactive using near-infrared spectroscopy

Identification and characterization of major bioactive compounds from Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) extracts showed multi-biomedical applications

The Andrographis paniculata recognized as most valuable medicinal plant in folk medicine. Hence, this research was designed to evaluate antibacterial potential of petroleum ether (PE) and methanol (ME) extracts of A. paniculata against skin infection causing bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris, and Propionibacterium acnes. Also assessed the antidiabetic (α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition assay), antioxidant, and photoprotective potential of PE and ME extract analyses. The major bioactive compounds were identified and characterized through UV, FTIR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectra analyses. The ME extract contain more number of phytochemicals (alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, glycoside, protein, and phytosterol) than PE extract. The antibacterial activity result also revealed that the ME (as dose dependent) extract showed better activity at 250 mg mL-1 as in the following order: P. acnes (6-29 mm) > K. pneumoniae (3-28 mm) > S. aureus (3-27 mm) > P. vulgaris (3-26 mm) > S. pyogenes (2-25 mm) > E. aerogenes (1-23 mm). PE: E. aerogenes (3-20 mm) > P. vulgaris (2-19 mm) > P. acnes (3-18 mm) > K. pneumoniae (3-17 mm) > S. aureus (2-16 mm) > S. pyogenes (0-11 mm). The MIC value of ME extract was found as 100-150 mg mL-1 and it was better than PE extract. Similarly, the ME also possesses dose based α-glucosidase inhibition activity as up to 85% at 250 mg mL-1 concentration. The fluorescence spectra analysis method also stated that the ME extract possess photoprotective bioactive agent. The ME fractions (F01 and F02) obtained from TLC and column chromatogram were identified as 3-O-β-d-glucosyl-14- deoxyandrographiside and 14-deoxyandrographolide respectively through UV, FTIR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectra analyses. Such compounds may be responsible for significant antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria causing skin infections, excellent antidiabetic activity, as well as photoprotective potential.

Applications of some advanced sequencing, analytical, and computational approaches in medicinal plant research: a review

The potential active chemicals found in medicinal plants, which have long been employed as natural medicines, are abundant. Exploring the genes responsible for producing these compounds has given new insights into medicinal plant research. Previously, the authentication of medicinal plants was done via DNA marker sequencing. With the advancement of sequencing technology, several new techniques like next-generation sequencing, single molecule sequencing, and fourth-generation sequencing have emerged. These techniques enshrined the role of molecular approaches for medicinal plants because all the genes involved in the biosynthesis of medicinal compound(s) could be identified through RNA-seq analysis. In several research insights, transcriptome data have also been used for the identification of biosynthesis pathways. miRNAs in several medicinal plants and their role in the biosynthesis pathway as well as regulation of the disease-causing genes were also identified. In several research articles, an in silico study was also found to be effective in identifying the inhibitory effect of medicinal plant-based compounds against virus' gene(s). The use of advanced analytical methods like spectroscopy and chromatography in metabolite proofing of secondary metabolites has also been reported in several recent research findings. Furthermore, advancement in molecular and analytic methods will give new insight into studying the traditionally important medicinal plants that are still unexplored.