Assessment of antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-osteosarcoma potential of four traditionally used Indian medicinal plants

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Salsola imbricata methanolic extract and its phytochemical characterization

Methanolic extract from Salsola imbricata was investigated for its phytochemical content, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties against phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponin, tannins, and alkaloids with 1.25%, 18.8 mg catechin/g of extract, and 9.12%, respectively. Total flavonoid content was 20.8 mg quercetin equivalent/g while total phenolic content was 202 mg gallic acid equivalent/g. Antioxidant activity using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay resulted in an IC50 value of 48.61 µg/mL, while the phosphomolybdenum method yielded a value of 215.43 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g of extract. The highest phenolic acids detected in the extract were gallic acid (712.97 µg/g), syringic acid (742.7 µg/g), and caffeic acid (474.70 µg/g) according to high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Palmitic acid (28.38%) dominated the fatty acids identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, while stigmasterol (8.34%) was the most abundant steroid. At a concentration of 3 mg/mL, the extract showed strong antibacterial activity against Pectobacterium carotovorum (10.50 mm), Ralstonia solanacearum (9.93 mm), and Pectobacterium atrosepticum (8.37 mm). Additionally, the extract significantly suppressed fungal growth of Rhizoctonia solani (38.22%) and Fusarium oxysporum (33.56%) but showed lower activity toward Botrytis cinerea (13.33%) at 5 mg/mL. In conclusion, S. imbricata extract exhibited promising antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, making it a potential candidate for further exploration in agricultural applications.

Assessment of anticancer properties of cumin seed (Cuminum cyminum) against bone cancer

Introduction

Early-life osteosarcoma is associated with severe morbidity and mortality, particularly affecting young children and adults. The present cancer treatment regimen is exceedingly costly, and medications like ifosfamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin have unneeded negative effects on the body. With the introduction of hyphenated technology to create medications based on plant molecules, the application of ayurvedic medicine as a new dimension (formulation, active ingredients, and nanoparticles) in the modern period is rapidly growing. The primary source of lead compounds for the development of medications for avariety of ailments is plants and their products. Traditionally, Cuminum cyminum (cumin) has been used as medication to treat a variety of illnesses and conditions.

Methods

The cumin seed was successfully extracted with solvents Hexane, Chloroform, Methanol, Ethanol and Acetone. Following the solvent extraction, the extract residue was assayed in MG63 cells for their anti-proliferative properties.

Results

First, we used the [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide] (MTT) assay to test the extracted residue's cytotoxicity. The results show that hexane extract Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 86 µG/mL) effciently inhibits cells by causing programmed cell death. Furthermore, using the Acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining method, the lactate dehydrogenase assay, and the reactive oxygen species assay using the Dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCHFDA) staining method, we have demonstrated that the hexane extract causes apoptosis in MG63 cells. Furthermore, flow cytometry research revealed that the hexane extract stops the cell cycle in the S phase. In addition, the hexane extract limits colony formation and the migration potential as shown by the scratch wound healing assay. Furthermore, the extract from cumin seeds exhibits remarkable bactericidal properties against infections that are resistant to drugs. Gas chromatography analysis was used to quantitatively determine the hexane and methanolic extract based on the experimental data. The primary chemical components of the extract are revealed by the study, and these help the malignant cells heal. The present study finds that there is scientific validity in using cumin seeds as a novel method of anticancer therapy after undergoing both intrinsic and extrinsic research.

Protective manifestation of herbonanoceuticals as antifungals: A possible drug candidate for dermatophytic infection

Background and Aims

Fungal dermatophytosis or Tinea is a predominance in about 20%-25% of all total world populations. Dermatophyte infections are mainly caused by fungi belonging to Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, and Microsporum genera along with some other fungi. This epidemiological distribution may change with migration, lifestyle, immunosuppressive state, drug therapy, and socioeconomic conditions.

Methods

The present review indicated the bioefficacy of herbal and herbonanoconjugate as safe management of fungal dermatophytic infection.

Results

It also emphasized the action mechanism as fungicidal and fungistatic with different harmful impacts indicating the need for alternative therapeutics. Simultaneously, the herbal and herbonanoconjugate approaches proved better to manage the prevalence of hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, nausea, altered taste, anemia, GI upsets, hair loss, and so forth. due to conventional oral treatment approaches.

Conclusion

Adoption of the remedial approach can be recommended after preclinical trials' approval as a safe treatment.

Therapeutic Potential and Pharmaceutical Applications of Cucurbita

Aim:

The present review aims to discuss the therapeutic potential and pharmaceutical applications of the Cucurbita plant.

Methods:

Various search engines such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, Google Patents, etc. were used for the literature survey.

Discussion:

During the literature survey, it was observed that different parts of the Cucurbita species have significant therapeutic effects against disease conditions. They have antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antiulcer, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, etc., activities. Studies also showed that various pharmaceutical formulations have been prepared for the delivery of therapeutic active ingredients of cucurbits. A list of patents based on pharmaceutical formulations and therapeutic activity has also been included in the manuscript.

Conclusion:

It can be concluded from the findings that Cucurbita has significant therapeutic potential, clinical effects and can be used to treat various diseases.

Cucurbits Plants: A Key Emphasis to Its Pharmacological Potential

Cucurbita genus has received a renowned interest in the last years. This plant species, native to the Americas, has served worldwide folk medicine for treating gastrointestinal diseases and intestinal parasites, among other clinical conditions. These pharmacological effects have been increasingly correlated with their nutritional and phytochemical composition. Among those chemical constituents, carotenoids, tocopherols, phenols, terpenoids, saponins, sterols, fatty acids, and functional carbohydrates and polysaccharides are those occurring in higher abundance. However, more recently, a huge interest in a class of triterpenoids, cucurbitacins, has been stated, given its renowned biological attributes. In this sense, the present review aims to provide a detailed overview to the folk medicinal uses of Cucurbita plants, and even an in-depth insight on the latest advances with regards to its antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer effects. A special emphasis was also given to its clinical effectiveness in humans, specifically in blood glucose levels control in diabetic patients and pharmacotherapeutic effects in low urinary tract diseases.