Phytochemical analysis and biological activities of in vitro cultured Nidularium procerum, a bromeliad vulnerable to extinction

Phytochemical characterization of Thevetia peruviana (lucky nut) bark extracts by GC-MS analysis, along with evaluation of its biological activities, and molecular docking study

Thevetia peruviana (T. peruviana; Family: Apocynaceae), commonly known as Lucky Nut, is a traditionally and medicinally important plant, and the barks of the plant are traditionally used as anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antibacterial remedies. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate bioactive phytochemicals and in-vitro biological activities from the bark of T. peruviana using methanolic (TPM) and dichloromethane (TPD) extracts. The GC-MS analysis showed the presence of 54 and 39 bioactive compounds in TPM and TPD, respectively. The TPM extract has a higher level of total polyphenolic contents (TPC: 70.89 ± 1.08 and 51.07 ± 0.78 mg GAE/g extracts, while TFC: 56.89 ± 1.16 and 44.12 ± 1.76 Qu.E/g extracts for TPM and TPD, respectively). Herein, the results of antioxidant activities were also found in correlation with the total polyphenolic contents i.e., depicting the higher antioxidant potential of TPM compared to TPD. The significant inhibitory activities of extracts were observed against tyrosinase (TPM; 59.43 ± 2.87 %, TPD; 53.43 ± 2.65 %), lipoxygenase (TPM; 77.1 ± 1.2 %, TPD; 59.3 ± 0.1 %), and α-glucosidase (TPM; 71.32 ± 2.44 %, TPD; 67.86 ± 3.011 %). Furthermore, in comparison to co-amoxiclave, the antibacterial property against five bacterial strains was significant assayed. The compounds obtained through GC-MS analysis were subjected to in-silico molecular docking studies, and the phyto-constituents with maximum binding scores were then subjected to ADME analysis. The results of in-silico studies revealed that the binding affinity of several phyto-constituents was even greater than that of the standard inhibitory ligands. ADME analysis showed bioavailability radars of phyto-constituents having maximum docking scores in molecular docking. The results of this study indicated that T. peruviana has bioactive phytochemicals and therapeutic potential and may provide a basis for treating metabolic disorders (inflammatory diseases like rheumatism and diabetes), bacterial infections, and skin-related problems.

In vitro Antibacterial Activity and Secondary Metabolite Profiling of Endolichenic Fungi Isolated from Genus Parmotrema

The endolichenic fungi are an unexplored group of organisms for the production of bioactive secondary metabolites. The aim of the present study is to determine the antibacterial potential of endolichenic fungi isolated from genus Parmotrema. The study is continuation of our previous work, wherein a total of 73 endolichenic fungi were isolated from the lichenized fungi, which resulted in 47 species under 23 genera. All the isolated endolichenic fungi were screened for preliminary antibacterial activity. Five endolichenic fungi-Daldinia eschscholtzii, Nemania diffusa, Preussia sp., Trichoderma sp. and Xylaria feejeensis, were selected for further antibacterial activity by disc diffusion method. The zone of inhibition ranged from 14.3 ± 0.1 to 23.2 ± 0.1. The chemical composition of the selected endolichenic fungi was analysed through GC-MS, which yielded a total of 108 compounds from all the selected five endolichenic fungi. Diethyl phthalate, 1-hexadecanol, dibutyl phthalate, n-tetracosanol-1, 1-nonadecene, pyrrol[1,2-a] pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(2-methyl) and tetratetracontane were found to be common compounds among one or the other endolichenic fungi, which possibly were responsible for antibacterial activity. GC-MS data were further analysed through Principal Component Analysis which showed D. eschscholtzii to be with unique pattern of expression of metabolites. Compound confirmation test revealed coumaric acid to be responsible for antibacterial activity in D. eschscholtzii. So, the study proves that endolichenic fungi that inhabit lichenized fungal thalli could be a source of potential antibacterial compounds.

Evaluation of the antimalarial and CD4+ T-cell modulatory effects of leaf methanol extract of Phyllanthus muellerianus (Kuntze) Exell (Phyllanthaceae) in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Phyllanthus muellerianus (Kunze) Exell, a member of the Phyllanthaceae family, is a medicinal plant widely distributed in Africa. Decoctions from the leaves are used in Nigeria to treat fevers, convulsions, some neurological disorders and malaria.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study is to evaluate the anti-malarial properties of methanol extract of Phyllanthus muellerianus (MEPM) leaves and its ethyl acetate fraction using a murine malaria model infected with Plasmodium berghei. Additionally, we seek to investigate the potential modulatory effects of this extract and fraction on CD4+ T-cell populations in the context of malaria infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-malarial effects of the leaf methanol extract of Phyllanthus muellerianus (MEPM) were screened using three established in vivo models of anti-plasmodial screening namely the curative, suppressive and prophylactic models. The methanol extract (MEPM) was afterwards fractionated into hexane (HFPM), ethyl acetate (EAFPM), and methanol (MFPM) fractions. In the pilot anti-malarial screening of the fractions, EAFPM exhibited the best antiparasitic activity. Subsequently, EAFPM was screened for anti-malarial activity using the three models above. The effects of the MEPM and EAFPM on haematological indices (Hb and PCV) of the inoculated animals were further screened and the mean survival time (MST) of the animals was monitored. CD4+ T cells of various groups were counted before and after treatment using a flow cytometer. The EAFPM was further subjected to HPLC analysis for identification of its major compounds.

RESULTS

The EAFPM (100 and 200 mg/kg) elicited 88% and 93% cure respectively in the curative model, while artesunate (5 mg/kg,- the positive control) gave 87% protection. The MEPM and EAFPM also gave significant suppression of parasitemia in the suppressive model. The treated groups survived beyond 28 days as against 11 days by the control group (infected but not treated). The treated groups also prevented anaemia seen in the negative control. The EAFPM group significantly modulated the CD4+ T cell. Compounds identified were Gallocatechin, Quercetin -3-O-gallate, Ellagic acid, and Methylellagic acid rhamnoside).

CONCLUSION

The study established that the leaf of Phyllanthus muellerianus possesses antimalarial activity, thus lending support to its use in the folkloric treatment of malaria.

Effective seed cake extract of O. sanctum inducing the p53 dependent apoptotic pathway in oral cancer cells

OBJECTIVE

Present study was to observe the therapeutic aspects of seed cake extracts of Ocimum sanctum against the oral cancer cell line with the activation of p53 apoptotic pathway.

METHOD

Seed cake extracts were characterized using GC-MS analysis. Cytotoxic activity was observed on KB cells and L929 cell through MTT assay and scratch assay. Antioxidant activity on KB cells were determined using enzymatic and non enzyme content in the treated cells. Chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) was established to check the presence of blood vessel formation and neuvasculature pattern in the treated fertilized eggs. DNA fragmentation and gene expression studies were also determined in the treated cells to check the upregulation of apoptotic pathways.

RESULTS

GC-MS analysis confirmed alkaloids, phenols, and many. The cytotoxic activity showed maximum antiproliferative potential with aqueous extract, whereas no cytotoxic effect was observed on L929 cells. The ethanolic and aqueous extract has shown a greater SI value. Scratch assay has signified that aqueous extract has a lower migration rate of KB cells. Aqueous extract showed maximum enzymatic activity and lower malondialdehyde content in cells treated with ethanolic extract. CAM model confirmed that eggs treated with aqueous extract has shown inhibition of vasculature pattern and dissolutions of blood vessels. DNA Fragmentation and Gene expression studies confirmed maximum fold in the KB cell treated with an aqueous extract of seed cake leading to activation of p53 dependent apoptotic pathway.

CONCLUSION

The potent therapeutic properties of seed cake extracts have been proven, and they can be used as herbal treatments to prevent oral cancer.

Cyanidin as potential anticancer agent targeting various proliferative pathways

A natural compound cyanidin, which is a type of anthocyanin present in pigmented leaves, fruits, and flowers; distributed widely in berries, apples, and oranges possess anticancer activities, thus curing various types of cancer such as breast, liver, lung, prostate, and thyroid cancer. The article provides an insight into the potential of using a single phytochemical, cyanidin to treat various cancer types including breast, liver, lung, prostate, and thyroid cancer. Information about cyanidin and its pharmacological impact on cancer was collected from books, scientific journals, and reports through electronic data search (Web of Science, Scifinder, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Springer, Wiley, ACS, Science Direct, CNKI as well as Kew Plants of the Word Online) and library. Cyanidin produces its effects against cancer probably by inhibiting (RAS, MAPK) and activating (caspases-3 and P-38) innovative molecular pathways. It may cause cell cycle arrest, cell differentiation processes and changes in redox status which trigger the cytotoxic chemotherapeutic effects. However, it also optimizes the chemotherapeutic targets which are cancer cells less responsive to chemotherapy. Cancer is considered the most widely spread disease and cyanidin from natural origin provides an essential role in treatment of cancer by approaching various mechanistic pathways.

Physico-chemodiversity variation between the most common calcareous red seaweed, Eastern Harbor, Alexandria, Egypt

The present study sought to detect the difference in physicochemical properties and the proximate compositions of common calcareous red seaweeds "Corallina officinalis, Jania rubens, and Amphiroa rigida". J. rubens was recorded highly water (WHC), and oil holding capacity (OHC) (1.619 ± 0.08 g g^-1 DW, 3.1 ± 0.50 g g^-1 DW, respectively) than those other species relating to the hydrophilic nature of polysaccharides, whereas swelling water capacity (SWC) was higher in A. rigida (5.25 ± 0.38 mL g^-1 DW). A higher value of carbohydrates (49.88 ± 2.56% DW) was observed in J. rubens, Contrariwise, protein (36.99 ± 1.36% DW) and lipid contents (5.85 ± 0.49% DW) were higher in C. officinalis. Albumin and protamine protein fractions were higher in J. rubens specimens (45.11 ± 2.29 mg g^-1 & 0.0014 ± 0.0007 mg g^-1 DW, respectively) than other species. While globulin and glutilin (31.70 ± 1.90 mg g^-1 DW & 41.93 ± 2.20 mg g^-1 DW, respectively) were high in A. rigida. Contrariwise, insoluble protein fraction was high in C. officinalis (9.50 ± 0.50 mg g^-1 DW). J. rubens specimens were recorded maximum values of the photosynthetic pigments. The different surface types and elemental analysis of three species were examined by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). From fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy the S-S stretching peak of disulfides group at 462 cm^-1 was the fingerprint of J. rubens. From GC-MS data A.rigida possesses 16 bioactive components with biological properties. As a result, J. rubens and A. rigida could be employed as an ingredient in functional foods and drug manufacture.

Evaluation of Nutritional Substances and Investigation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials of Boerhavia diffusa with in Silico Molecular Docking

Boerhavia diffusa L. Nyctanginaceae (B. diffusa) is a medicinal herb commonly considered as a weed. The exploration of phytochemicals in different parts of B. diffusa with different solvents will create awareness, along with the suitable solvent and method for extraction of pharmaceutical compounds. Hence, the present study focuses on phytochemical analysis of B. diffusa leaves, stems, and roots in various solvents with hot and cold extraction. The decoctions performed well in most of the qualitative and quantitative tests, along with the DPPH assay. The aqueous extract showed a good result in the FRAP assay and ABTS assay. In the antimicrobial test, the B. diffusa root ethanol extract inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus with zones of inhibition of about 8 mm and 20 mm at 200 µg concentration, respectively. Using a molecular docking approach, the top four ranked molecules from the crude extract of B. diffusa profiled from GC–MS spectroscopy in terms of growth inhibition of the pathogenic bacterium P. aeruginosa were selected; among them, 2-(1,2 dihydroxyethyl)-5-[[2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-3,4-dihydrochromen-6-yl]oxy]oxolane-3,4-diol exhibited the minimum binding score, revealing high affinity in complex. B. diffusa is highly nutritious, and the maceration and decoction extracts were similar except for the chloroform extract that was found to be weak.

Bioprospection and secondary metabolites profiling of marine Streptomyces levis strain KS46

The quest for novel broad spectrum bioactive compounds is needed continuously because of the rapid advent of pathogenic multi drug resistant organisms. Actinomycetes, isolated from unexplored habitats can be a solution of this problem. The motive of this research work was isolation of actinomycetes having potential antimicrobial activities from unexplored regions of Devbag and Tilmati beach. The isolated actinomycetes were screened against pathogenic microbes for antimicrobial activities through cross streak method. Enzyme production activity was checked for these actinomycetes for amylase, protease, cellulase and lipase enzymes. Further antimicrobial activity of ethyl acetate extract of the potent strain KS46 was performed. The strain KS46 was identified with 16S rRNA gene sequencing and secondary structure was analysed. Gas chromatography–Mass spectrometry (GC–MS) profiling was conducted to ascertain the presence of bioactive metabolites in the ethyl acetate extract. The collected samples were pre-treated and 70 actinomycetes were isolated. The Streptomyces sp. strain KS46 showed the best antimicrobial activity in primary screening. Ethyl acetate extract of the strain KS46 revealed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, B. subtilis, B. cereus, E. faecalis, K. pneumoniae, E. coli, S. flexneri, C. albicans and C. glabrata. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified the strain KS46 as Streptomyces levis strain KS46. The GC–MS metabolite profiling of the ethyl acetate extract revealed the availability of 42 compounds including fatty acid esters, fatty acid anhydrides, alkanes, steroids, esters, alcohols, carboxylic ester, etc. having antibacterial, antifungal, antiproliferative, antioxidant activities. This study indicated that Devbag and Tilmati beaches being untapped habitats have enormous diversity of promising antimicrobial metabolite producing actinomycetes. Therefore, further exploration should be carried out to characterize the potential actinomycetes, which can be optimistic candidates for generation of novel antimicrobial drugs.

Evaluation of Antimalarial Potential of Extracts from Alstonia boonei and Carica papaya in Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice

Extracts of Alstonia boonei and Carica papaya are used in herbal medicine for the treatment of malaria. This work investigated the phytochemical, antioxidant, and antimalarial effects of hydromethanolic extracts of Alstonia boonei and Carica papaya. A four-day chemosuppressive test was conducted to assess the ability of the extracts to prevent establishment of infection. Three doses of the extracts were administered—100, 200, and 400 mg/kg bw—prior to Plasmodium berghei challenge. Change in body weight, parasitemia, packed cell volume (PCV), and mean survival time was determined. A three-day curative test was also carried out on Plasmodium berghei-infected mice to determine the effects of the plant extracts (200 mg/kg bw) on parasitemia and biochemical indices of liver and kidney functions, lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress. The study revealed that the extracts possessed phenolic compounds (34.13 ± 1.90 mg GAE/g for Alstonia boonei and 27.99 ± 1.46 mg GAE/g for Carica papaya) and flavonoids (19.47 ± 1.89 mg QE/g for Alstonia boonei and 18.24 ± 1.36 mg QE/g for Carica papaya). In vitro antioxidant activity measured as total antioxidant power, total reducing power, and DPPH radical scavenging activity showed that the extracts possessed higher antioxidant activity than the reference compounds. The outcome of the chemosuppressive test revealed that whereas Plasmodium berghei-infected mice had high parasitemia, decreased mean survival time, exhibited loss of weight, and had low PCV, treatment with the extracts reversed the effects in a concentration-dependent manner. Similarly, the curative test revealed that the extracts significantly suppressed parasitemia compared with the malaria negative control group. This was mirrored by reversal of indices of hepatic toxicity (AST, ALT, and ALP levels), nephropathy (urea and creatinine levels), oxidative stress (SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH, and lipid peroxides), and dyslipidemia (TC, HDL, and TG levels and HMG-CoA reductase activity) in infected but treated mice compared with negative control. Put together, the results of this study demonstrate that the extracts of Alstonia boonei and Carica papaya possess antimalarial properties and are able to ameliorate metabolic dysregulations that characterize Plasmodium berghei infection. The phytoconstituents in these extracts are believed to be responsible for the pharmacological activity reported in this study.

Antileishmanial activity of cordiaquinone E towards Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis

Leishmaniasis is caused by several protozoan species of Leishmania, and being endemically present in 98 countries around the world, it is also a severe public-health problem. The available antileishmanial drugs are toxic and yet present risks of recurrent infection. Efforts to find new, effective, and safe oral agents for the treatment of leishmaniasis are continuing throughout the world. This work aimed to evaluate the antileishmania activity of cordiaquinone E (CORe), isolated from the roots of Cordia polycephala (Lam.) I. M. Johnston. Cytotoxicity, and possible mechanisms of action against promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis were examined. CORe was effective in inhibiting promastigote (IC₅₀ 4.5 ± 0.3 µM) and axenic amastigote (IC₅₀ 2.89 ± 0.11 µM) growth in concentrations found non-toxic for the host cell (CC₅₀ 246.81 ± 14.5 µM). Our results revealed that CORe presents direct activity against the parasite, inducing cell death by apoptosis. CORe present greater activity against intracellular amastigotes (EC₅₀ 1.92 ± 0.2 µM), yet with much higher selectivity indexes than the reference drugs, being respectively more benign towards RAW 264.7 macrophages than meglumine antimoniate and amphotericin B, (respectively by 4.68 and 42.84 fold). The antiamastigote activity was associated with increased TNF-α, IL-12, NO, and ROS levels, as well as decreased IL-10 levels. These results encourage the progression of studies on this compound for the development of new leishmanicidal agents.