In vitro studies on phytochemical evaluation and antimicrobial activity of Borassus flabellifer Linn against some human pathogens

Effect of Green Synthesized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Using Spinach Extract on Triton X-100-Induced Atherosclerosis in Rats

The effect of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) synthesized using Spinacia oleracea leaf extract on Triton X-100-induced atherosclerosis in white Wistar rats was determined. FeONPs were characterized to determine their size, structure, composition, and shape. In vitro antioxidant activity of FeONPs against 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) was determined. Atherosclerosis was induced by intraperitoneal administration of 5% Triton X-100 (100 mg/kg body weight) for 14 days. Group 1 received standard rat chow and water. Group 2 received 100 mg/kg body weight of Triton X-100 and a standard diet. Group 3 received 100 mg/kg body weight of Triton X-100 followed by 20 mg/kg body weight of atorvastatin for 21 days. Groups 4, 5, and 6 received 100 mg/kg body weight Triton X-100 was followed by variable concentrations of 100, 300, and 500 µg/kg body weight FeONPs, respectively, for 21 days. Blood samples were analyzed for lipid, liver, antioxidant, and cardiovascular markers. Histopathology of the heart was also examined. Characterization revealed the amorphous nature, functional groups, and clustered topography of FeONPs. An upregulated antioxidant activity of FeONPs was observed in a dose-dependent manner. Administration of Triton X-100 showed elevated levels of lipid biomarkers except for high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which decreased in group 2 in comparison to group 1. Liver, antioxidant, and cardiovascular biomarkers all significantly increased. The structural alteration was observed in the heart tissue following histopathology examination. Administration of FeONPs significantly decreased all biomarkers and increased the level of HDL. Also, tissue architecture was restored. Our findings demonstrated that FeONPs were effective in ameliorating Triton X-100-induced atherosclerosis in rats.

A novel synthesis, analysis and evaluation of Musa coccinea based zero valent iron nanoparticles for antimicrobial and antioxidant

Zerovalent Iron Nanoparticles (MC-ZVI NPs) were synthesized from Musa coocinea peel extract as reducing and stabilizing agent using a novel synthesis technique. The synthesis of MC-ZVI NPs was confirmed using UV-vis spectroscopy showing a sharp absorption peak at 341 nm. Further the chemical and structural characterization of MC-ZVI NPs were performed using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Dynamic Light Scattering technique (DLS). FTIR analysis revealed the presence of phytochemical molecules associated with the MC-ZVI NPs. SEM analysis revealed the synthesized MC-ZVI NPs were in spherical shaped, while DLS analysis confirmed the synthesis of poly dispersed and non-homogenous MC-ZVI NPs. The antimicrobial efficacy of MC-ZVI NPs synthesized using Musa coccinea peel extract was tested against bacterial (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Bacillus subtilis) and fungal (Aspergillus niger) pathogens. But MC-ZVI NPs exhibited maximum of 19 mm zone of inhibition against B. subtilis and A. niger. Further the free radical scavenging activity MC-ZVI NPs was confirmed using DPPH, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, FRAP assay showing displayed effective antioxidant activity. Thus, the present idea will give a fast and cost effective approach to synthesize MC-ZVI NPs with antimicrobial property for application in biomedical purposes.

Hydrogel Containing Borassus flabellifer L. Male Flower Extract for Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Borassus flabellifer L. is a plant in Arecaceae family, widely distributed and cultivated in tropical Asian countries. The purpose of this study was to identify the bioactive compounds of B.flabellifer L. male flower ethanolic extract and investigate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities against Cutibacterium acnes. Total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids in B.flabellifer L. male flower ethanolic extract were determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu method and aluminum chloride colorimetric assay, respectively. Active substances in the extract and their quantities were analyzed by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The antioxidant evaluation was carried out using DPPH, ABTS free radical scavenging assays, and FRAP assay. C. acnes inhibitory activity was performed by the broth microdilution method. Anti-inflammatory activity was determined by the protein denaturation assay. In addition, gel containing different amounts of B.flabellifer L. male flower extract was formulated. The physical stability of the gel was observed by measuring viscosity and pH after six heating and cooling cycles, as well as 1-month storage at 4, 30, and 45 °C. The total phenolic content in the extract was 268.30 ± 12.84 mg gallic acid equivalent/g crude dry extract. The total flavonoid contents in the extract were 1886.38 ± 55.86 mg quercetin equivalent/g extract and 2884.88 ± 128.98 mg EGCG equivalent/g extract, respectively. The LC–MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of gallic acid, coumarin, and quercetin and the concentrations of quercetin, coumarin, and gallic acid in B. flabellifer male flower ethanolic extract were 0.912, 0.021, and 1.610 µg/mL, respectively. DPPH and ABTS antioxidant assays indicated that the B.flabellifer L. male flower extract had IC₅₀ values of 31.54 ± 0.43 and 164.5 ± 14.3 µg/mL, respectively. FRAP assay revealed that the B.flabellifer male flower extract had high ferric ion reducing power. The extract was able to inhibit C.acnes bacteria with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 250 mg/mL. At 250 and 500 µg/mL, the extract demonstrated the highest anti-inflammatory activity. The gel containing 31.25% w/w and 62.5% w/w showed good physical stability after six heating and cooling cycles, as well as 1-month storage.

Protective Effect of Borassus flabellifer Haustorium Extract against Alkoxyl Radical-Induced Cytotoxicity by Improving Glutathione Metabolism by Modulating Nrf2/Haeme Oxygenase-1 Expression

AIM

The study was aimed to assess the ability of Borassus flabellifer haustorium methanolic extract (BHE) on de novo glutathione biosynthesis in normal and pro-oxidant exposed cells via Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and haeme oxygenase-1 (HO1) signaling in 2,2'-Azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) di-hydrochloride (AAPH) induced cytotoxicity in normal intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6 cells).

METHODS

The in vitro antioxidant activity was determined in terms of radical scavenging and ex vivo hemolysis. The cytoprotective effect was studied using AAP H as the alkoxyl radical inducer in IEC-6 cell model. The mechanistic basis of protection is determined by Nrf2/HO1 expression using qPCR.

RESULTS

In vitro screening observed DPPH, hydrogen peroxide and ABTS radical scavenging activity for the BHE; further, BHE also protected the oxidative hemolysis in the erythrocytes induced by AAPH. In IEC-6 cells, AAPH treatment significantly reduced the cell viability (p < 0.001) by inducing lipid peroxidation. Further, there observed a significant reduction in the activities of enzymes involved in the de novo glutathione biosynthesis (p < 0.01) and glutathione reductase in these cells. However, pretreatment with BHE (10, 25 and 50 µg/mL) dose-dependently protected from the cytotoxicity of AAPH-derived alkoxyl radicals (p < 0.05); besides, the de novo glutathione biosynthesis and regeneration of GSH from oxidized form was also increased in these cells. In corroboration with the biochemical parameters, the Nrf2/HO1 expression was upregulated by the BHE pretreatment concomitantly reducing the cellular lipid peroxidation products. The improvement glutathione biosynthesis was also observed in BHE alone treated cells.

CONCLUSION

The study indicated the potential of methanolic extract of Borassus flabellifer haustorium in enhancing the de novo glutathione biosynthesis in normal and pro-oxidant exposed cells by Nrf2/HO1 dependent manner, concomitantly mitigating the toxicity of AAPH-derived alkoxyl radicals in intestinal epithelial cells.

Borassus flabellifer Linn haustorium methanol extract mitigates fluoride-induced apoptosis by enhancing Nrf2/Haeme oxygenase 1 -dependent glutathione metabolism in intestinal epithelial cells

Fluoride is the most common cause of drinking water-associated toxicity and is known to induce various metabolic imbalances and dental/skeletal fluorosis. The present study analyzed the protective effect of Borassus flabellifer Linn. haustorium extract (BHE) against fluoride-induced intestinal redox metabolism and apoptosis. The total polyphenols and total flavonoids present in BHE were estimated to be 39.67 ± 5.14 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract and 8.59 ± 0.74 mg quercetin equivalent. In cultured intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6), sodium fluoride exposure-induced apoptosis mediated through antioxidant enzyme inhibition and subsequent oxidative damages. Further, there observed an increased expression of caspase-3, caspase-7, and apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (apaf-1) genes, increased cytochrome C release, and caspase 3/7 activity indicating the apoptosis- mediated cell death (p < 0.05). Upon pretreatment with BHE, the cytotoxic effect of fluoride was reduced by decreasing the expression of apoptotic genes and increased the cytochrome release as well as caspase 3/7 activity (p < 0.01). Providing the mechanistic basis, the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2)/haeme oxygenase-1 (HO1) gene was increased in the BHE pretreated cells; corroborating to these, there observed increased activity of glutathione biosynthetic enzymes (p < 0.05) and glutathione reductase. Hence, the protective effect of BHE may be mediated through Nrf2-mediated glutathione biosynthesis, the subsequent establishment of redox balance, and inhibition of apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells.