Quantitative and qualitative analysis for standardization of Euphorbia cuneata Vahl

Phytochemical profile of petals from black Dahlia pinnata by flow injection analysis-electrospray ionization-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

INTRODUCTION

Dahlia pinnata Cav. is a flower native to Mexico that has many applications; in particular, its petals have been used for ornamental, food, and medicinal purposes, for example to treat skin rashes and skin cracks. It has been reported that the medicinal properties of plants are generally related to the phytochemical constituents they possess. However, there are few studies on black D. pinnata.

OBJECTIVES

The present study was aimed at qualitatively and quantitatively determining the phytochemical profile of petals from black D. pinnata.

METHODOLOGY

Phytochemicals from Dahlia petals were extracted by consecutive maceration (hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol); then, the extracts were analyzed through colorimetric assays and UV-Vis spectroscopy for qualitative identification and quantification of phytochemical compounds, respectively. The methanolic extract was analyzed by flow injection analysis-electrospray ionization-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FIA-ESI-FTICR-MS) in negative and positive mode.

RESULTS

Quantitative phytochemical profiling of the methanolic extract by UV-Vis spectroscopy indicated high contents of phenolic compounds (34.35 ± 3.59 mg EQ/g plant) and sugars (23.91 ± 1.99 mg EQ/g plant), while the qualitative profiling by FIA-ESI-FTICR-MS allowed the tentative identification of several flavonoids and phenolic acids. Kaempferol-3-rutinoside, pelargonidin-3-(6″-malonylglucoside)-5-glucoside, rutin, kaempferol-3-(2″,3″-diacetyl-4″-p-coumaroylrhamnoside), and myricetin-3-(2‴-galloylrhamnoside) were the main compounds detected.

CONCLUSION

The results expand our knowledge of the phytochemical constituents of petals from black D. pinnata.

Euphorbia cuneata Represses LPS-induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice via its Antioxidative and Anti-inflammatory Activities

Euphorbia cuneata (EC; Euphorbiaceae), which widely grows in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, is used traditionally to treat pain and inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the protective anti-inflammatory effect of a standardized extract of EC against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice and the possible underlying mechanism(s) of this pharmacologic activity. ALI was induced in male Balb/c mice using intraperitoneal injection of LPS. A standardized total methanol extract of EC or dexamethasone was administered 5 days prior to LPS challenge. Bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) and lung samples were collected for analysis. The results demonstrated the protective anti-inflammatory effect of EC against LPS-induced ALI in mice. Standardized EC contained 2R-naringenin-7-O-β-glucoside (1), kaempferol-7-O-β-glucoside (2), cuneatannin (3), quercetin (4), and 2R-naringenin (5) in concentrations of 6.16, 4.80, 51.05, 13.20, and 50.00 mg/g of extract, respectively. EC showed a protective effect against LPS-induced pulmonary damage. EC reduced lung wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio and total protein content in BALF, indicating attenuation of the pulmonary edema. Total and differential cell counts were decreased in EC-treated animals. Histopathological examination confirmed the protective effect of EC, as indicated by an amelioration of LPS-induced lesions in lung tissue. EC also showed a potent anti-oxidative property as it decreased lipid peroxidation and increased the antioxidants in lung tissue. Finally, the anti-inflammatory activity of EC was obvious through its ability to suppress the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and hence its reduction of the levels of downstream inflammatory mediators. In conclusion, these results demonstrate the protective effects of EC against LPS-induced lung injury in mice, which may be due to its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities.

Cytotoxic, Antioxidant, and Metabolic Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Euphorbia cyparissias Extracts

Plants of the Euphorbia genus present a wide range of therapeutic applications. This study is aimed at investigating new antidigestive enzyme agents from Euphorbia cyparissias through inhibition of lipid and carbohydrate absorption, to evaluate their potential applications for the treatment of metabolic syndrome. Lipase, phospholipase, protease, α-amylase, β-glucosidase, and xanthine oxidase activities under treatment with aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Euphorbia cyparissias were observed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of these extracts, as well as their antioxidant and cytotoxic effects. Results showed that ethanolic and aqueous extracts exhibited important inhibitory activity in a concentration-related manner on digestive enzymes, which is more effective than the commercial drugs used as controls. Results also showed that, out of the two extracts tested, the ethanolic extract presented the most promising results in inhibiting the activities of all digestive enzymes used. Moreover, the two extracts displayed a higher reducing power than that of the positive control used. The obtained results, together with previous reports in the literature, strongly suggest that Euphorbia cyparissias extracts may be natural inhibitors of the digestive enzymes and thus a potential new drug for metabolic syndrome treatment.

Analysis of Alpina officinarum Hance, chemically and biologically

Alpinia officinarum Hance is one of the most commonly used herbs belongs to Family Zingiberaceae. The current work deals with the qualitative and quantitative chemical study of this plant rhizomes in addition to the investigation of its anticancer activities. The results of the qualitative analysis showed a variation of phytochemical contents in this plant. While quantitative analysis showed a very promising percentage of active materials and Pharmacopeial constants. Analysis of elements like Cu, Zn & Mg were variable chromium was the lowest (0.680 ppm). The active constituents showed the highest percentage of carbohydrate (20.25 ± 1.11) and the lowest was of lipid (2.79 ± 1.03), other constituents percentage ranged from 5.11 ± 1.31 to 18.26 ± 1.24 for protein and flavonoids respectively. The pharmacopeial constant determinations reported the highest in moisture content (11.02 ± 1.05), Total ash, water-soluble ash, and acid insoluble ash were varied in values (5.64 ± 1.31 to 2.01 ± 1.12).

The evaluation of the antitumor activities (in vitro) of the investigated plant rhizomes extract showed that; it exhibited a direct cytotoxic effect on the growth of some cell lines compared to the standard drug vinblastine sulphate. The activities were recorded against two cell lines; A-549 (Lung carcinoma) and CACO (colorectal carcinoma) with IC50 6.72 ± 0.5 and 7.6 ± 0.3 µg/ml respectively, these effects were better than the standard drug vinblastine sulphate (IC₅₀ were 24.6 ± 0.7& 30.3 ± 1.4 µg/ml). Moreover, the effect of the investigated extract was also promising on the other three cell lines (HCT-116 (Colon carcinoma, Hela (Cervical carcinoma) & Pc3 (prostate cancer) the best effect was on Hela with IC₅₀ of 24.5 ± 1.1 µg/ml better than vinblastine sulphate (59.7 ± 2.1 µg/ml).