Lignan compound isolated from n-Hexane extract myristica fragrans Houtt root as antioxidant and antitumor activities against MCF-7 cell lines data

Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of n-hexane extract and its fractions from Blumea balsamifera L. leaves

Blumea balsamifera is a plant species that has been popularly used to treat a broad spectrum of diseases. In efforts of tackling the increasing threat of cancers, B. balsamifera has been studied for its anticancer potentials. Hence, through this research, we aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of n-hexane extract from B. balsamifera L. leaves along with its fractionation products. After the n-hexane extract has been obtained, the sample was column chromatographed using gradient elution with n-hexane:ethyl acetate solvent. All the isolation protocols produced 1 n-hexane extract and 10 different fractions (fractions 1-10). Antioxidant and antiproliferative effects of the samples were assessed based on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and brine shrimp lethality test assay, respectively. None of the samples have a strong antioxidant level because all samples yielded IC50 of more than 100 ppm - the best of them was fraction 8 with IC50 = 113.716 ppm. On contrary, most of the samples were observed to have a potent antiproliferative effect, especially fraction 8 with LC50 = 2.00 ppm. Taken altogether, fraction 8 from the n-hexane extract of B. balsamifera L. leaves is the most potential candidate for proliferative disease therapy, where further studies confirming the results are required.

Correlation Analysis of Antioxidant Activities with Tannin, Total Flavonoid, and Total Phenolic Contents of Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) Fruit Precipitated by Egg white

The nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) flesh extract has a strong antioxidant activity. Therefore, M. fragrans flesh can be developed for functional drinks which are sources rich in antioxidants good for the prevention and treatment of diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. However, the tannins' content can cause a bitter and sour taste. Therefore, the tannins content should be reduced by the addition of egg white. The purpose of this study is to find out the comparison of antioxidant activity between a combination of M. fragrans flesh extract with various concentrations of egg white and to correlate its antioxidant activities with tannin, total flavonoid, and total phenolic contents. The antioxidant activities were conducted on M. fragrans flesh extract by using DPPH and ABTS radicals. Tannin, total flavonoid, and total phenolic contents from M. fragrans flesh extract were also tested. The M. fragrans flesh extracts without addition egg white have a strong antioxidant in scavenging the stable free radical ABTS (89.980±0.480 µg/mL) and intermediate antioxidant in scavenging the stable free radical DPPH (105.669±0.102 µg/mL). It is followed accordingly by tannin, total flavonoid, and total phenolic contents, namely 14.034±0.100 %w/w TAE, 26.929±0.129 %w/w QE, and 53.164±0.129 %w/w GAE, respectively. Correlation of tannin, total flavonoid, and total phenolic contents, which inhibited DPPH and ABTS radicals had R2 values of about 89.23-97.63%. It showed that antioxidant activity is strongly influenced by the tannin, total flavonoid, and total phenolic contents. Therefore, precipitation from the tannin-protein bond caused antioxidant activities were decreased.

Review On Documented Medicinal Plants Used For The Treatment Of Cancer

Background:

Cancer is a frightful disease and it is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Naturally derived compounds are gaining interest of research workers as they have less toxic side effects as compared to currently used treatments such as chemotherapy. Plants are the pool of chemical compounds which provides a promising future for research on cancer.

Objective:

This review paper provides updated information gathered on medicinal plants and isolated phytoconstituents used as anticancer agents and summarises the plant extracts and their isolated chemical constituents exhibiting anticancer potential on clinical trials.

Methods:

An extensive bibliographic investigation was carried out by analysing worldwide established scientific databases like SCOPUS, PUBMED, SCIELO, ScienceDirect, Springerlink, Web of Science, Wiley, SciFinder and Google Scholar etc. In next few decades, herbal medicine may become a new epoch of medical system.

Results:

Many researches are going on medicinal plants for the treatment of cancer but it is a time to increase further experimental studies on plant extracts and their chemical constituents to find out their mechanism of action at molecular level.

Conclusion:

The article may help many researchers to start off further experimentation that might lead to the drugs for the cancer treatment.

Effects of ultrasonic pre-treatment on physicochemical properties of proteins extracted from cold-pressed sesame cake

Sesame is an oil crop with high nutritional value. Protein is one of the main ingredients of sesame, however research on protein of cold-pressed sesame cake is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ultrasonic pre-treatment (UPT) on physicochemical properties of proteins (yield, solubility, amino acid composition, surface properties, structural and thermal stability) extracted from the cold-pressed sesame cake, after removing lignans by ultrasonic-assisted extraction. By comparison, the extraction yield of protein was significantly (p ＜ 0.05) increased from 22.24% (without UPT) to 25.95% (with UPT), while the purity (54.08% without UPT, 55.43% with UPT), total amount of essential amino acids (22.48% without UPT, 23.10% with UPT) and non-essential amino acids (37.48% without UPT, 36.54% with UPT) were not significantly influenced. Besides, UPT slightly reduced the solubility, foaming capacity and stability (FC and FS) of protein. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermal stability (TG) analysis demonstrated that UPT could disorder and loose protein molecular structure, resulting in the change of morphology, secondary structure and thermal stability. In conclusion, this study provides a way for the separation and future application of sesame cake protein. UPT is a good option to remove the lignans from sesame cake proteins.

(+)-Erythro-Δ8'-7S,8R-Dihydroxy-3,3',5'-Trimethoxy-8-O-4'-Neolignan, an Anti-Acne Component in Degreasing Myristica fragrans Houtt

Acne is a common skin condition observed in adolescents. Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) (MF) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine; its major toxic components, safrole and myristicin, are rich in essential oils. Essential oils of MF (MFO) were extracted by hydrodistillation; the residue was extracted using 50% methanol (MFE-M). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of MFE-M against Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus was 0.64 mg. Four compounds were obtained from MFE-M: myristicin (1), (+)-erythro-Δ^8′-7S,8R- dihydroxy-3,3,5′-trimethoxy-8-O-4′-neolignan (2), (+)-erythro-Δ^8’-7-hydroxy-3,4,3’,5’-tetramethoxy 8-O-4-neolignan (3), and erythro-Δ^8′-7-acetoxy-3,4,3′,5′-tetramethoxy-8-O-4′-neolignan (4). Compound 2 exerted the strongest antimicrobial activity, with MICs of 6.25 and 3.12 μg/mL against C. acnes and S. aureus, respectively. Moreover, 2 inhibited NO, PGE₂, iNOS, and COX-2 levels in RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS or heat-killed C. acnes; NO production at 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) was 11.07 and 11.53 μg/mL, respectively. Myristicin and safrole content was higher in MFO than in MFE-M. MFO and MFE-M caused no skin irritation after a single topical application in Wistar rats. MFE-M, with low safrole and myristicin content, did not cause skin irritation and exhibited an anti-acne effect; moreover, 2 was identified as the active substance. Therefore, MFE-M could be employed to develop anti-acne compounds for use in cosmetics.