Antioxidant Properties of Methanolic Extracts from Leaves of Rhazya stricta

GC-MS Analysis of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Plant Rhazya stricta Using Various Solvents

Worldwide, human beings have traditionally employed many folkloric herbal resources as complementary and alternative remedies, and these remedies have played a pivotal role in modern medicines for many decades, as scientists have used them to develop drugs. We studied the effects of employing solvents with varying polarity on the yields of phytochemical components extracted from the plant Rhazya stricta. We used chloroform-methanol (1:1), methanol, ethanol, diethyl ether, and ethyl acetate as extraction solvents. The results showed that the efficiencies of the solvents at extracting phytochemical compounds were in this order: chloroform-methanol < ethanol < methanol < diethyl ether < ethyl acetate extract. The chloroform-methanol extract produced the highest concentration of phenolic and flavonoid contents among the five solvents tested (13.3 mg GAE/g DM and 5.43 CE/g DM). The yields of the extracted phytochemical compounds ranged from 47.55 to 6.05%. The results revealed that the properties of the extraction solvents considerably impacted the extraction yield and the phytochemical components of the R. stricta extract. Furthermore, compared with the other solvents, the chloroform-methanol extraction led to the highest yield (47.55%) and to more phytochemical substances being extracted. The aim of this study is to investigate the phytochemical compounds extracted from R. stricta with different solvents that have different polarities.

Evaluation of phytochemical and antioxidant potential of various extracts from traditionally used medicinal plants of Pakistan

The antioxidant potential of various extracts was evaluated using different antioxidant assays such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, and 2,2-azinobis-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) using UV spectrophotometer. The highest absorbance was observed in ethanolic extracts (EEs) of Euphrasia stricta 71.92 ± 1.22%, 65.77 ± 1.38%, and 67.88 ± 0.74%, followed by methanolic extracts (MEs) 70.14 ± 0.82%, 64.84 ± 0.74%, and 65.48 ± 1.40% for DPPH assay (517 nm), FRAP assay (700 nm), and ABTS assay (734 nm), respectively. The EEs of Euphorbia platyphyllos L. showed the antioxidant activity of 69.76 ± 1.48%, 64.42 ± 0.88%, and 65.54 ± 1.36% and MEs 68.00 ± 1.50%, 62.92 ± 0.64%, and 63.42 ± 0.94% for DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS assays, respectively. So, this research suggested that these medicinal plants possess a significant antioxidant potential and are important source of natural antioxidants and can be effectively used in treating oxidative stress disorders.

A Review of Rhazya stricta Decne Phytochemistry, Bioactivities, Pharmacological Activities, Toxicity, and Folkloric Medicinal Uses

The local medicinal plant Rhazya stricta Decne is reviewed for its folkloric medicinal, phytochemical, pharmacological, biological, and toxicological features. R. stricta has been used widely in different cultures for various medical disorders. The phytochemical studies performed on the R. stricta extract revealed many alkaloidal and fatty acid compounds. Moreover, several flavonoid and terpenoid compounds were also detected. Pharmacological activates of R. stricta extracts are approved to possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive activities. Additionally, R. stricta extract was found to hold biological activates such as larvicidal and phytoremediation activates R. stricta extract was found to be toxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic. R. stricta contains novel phytochemical compounds that have not been investigated pharmacologically. Further research is needed through in vitro and in vivo experiments to pave the road for these compounds for medical, veterinary, and ecological uses.

Antioxidant and immune responses of broiler chickens supplemented with Rhazya stricta extract in drinking water

Background and Aim

Rhazya stricta is a herbal plant widely used in traditional medicine due to its proficiency and naturalness with few side effects. In this study, we investigated the impact of using an R. stricta extract supplement on broiler chickens' performance, especially the immune system.

Materials and Methods

In addition to the control group, one group received the methanol extract of R. stricta in drinking water for the first 2 weeks before being challenged with sheep erythrocytes (SRBCs), while the other group was challenged with SRBCs without receiving the R. stricta treatment. We evaluated cellular immunity by determining the phagocytic activity and lymphocyte (L) proliferation and assessed humoral immunity by quantification of the serum total IgM and IgG. We measured the serum levels of antioxidant enzymes and performed a histological examination of the spleen and the bursa of Fabricius (BF).

Results

Our results indicate a significant enhancement in cellular immunity in the group supplemented with R. stricta as demonstrated by a significant increase in the phagocytic activity, L proliferation, and percentages of circulating L (p<0.05). The chickens treated with R. stricta exhibit an enhanced humoral response shown by a significant elevation in the serum levels of the total antibodies of the IgM and IgG isotypes, along with a notable increase in BF activity. Furthermore, R. stricta supplementation is associated with a significant increase in the serum levels of catalase and superoxide dismutase (p<0.05), along with a significant improvement in broilers' general performance, body weight, and feed efficiency.

Conclusion

Our results suggest an immunomodulatory effect for the methanol extract of R. stricta and highlight the potential use of this plant in preventive and therapeutic medicine.

Optimizing the formulation of the functional beverage from the co-crystalized powder of Securigera securidaca seed extract

The co-crystalized powder prepared from Securigera securidaca seed extract was used for the formulation of a functional beverage in the study. In doing so, various ratios of co-crystalized powder from the plant extract, water, citric acid, mint essential oil, honey, apple extract, and stevia were mixed together. Three beverage formulas along with the control sample were prepared and evaluated by panelists using six-point hedonic scale. The formula containing 2 g of the extract powder was introduced as the best beverage from the panelists' perspective and received an average score. The samples were stored at 4 °C for 3 months and examined for pH, acidity, brix, turbidity, vitamin C, phenolic compounds, radical scavenging capacity, total microorganism count, molds and yeasts to evaluate shelf life. The pH and acidity changes were almost constant until day 60; but pH and acidity were decreased and increased in the last month, respectively. The brix changes were slight and had a slight decrease in the last month of storage. Although turbidity changes were small, they were associated with an increase over the storage time. Moreover, the beverage could well retain the phenolic compounds and the radical scavenging capacity and the antioxidant activity had a little change during storage. The changes trend in vitamin C was declining and equal to 16.85 mg/ml in the last month. No mold and yeast contamination were observed in any of the treatments according to ISO 21527 and mesophilic aerobic bacterial counts were in the range based on the ISO 4833. Hence, the herbal beverages produced with 2 g of the extract powder can replace industrial beverages given their proper chemical and microbial properties.

Rhazyaminine from Rhazya stricta Inhibits Metastasis and Induces Apoptosis by Downregulating Bcl-2 Gene in MCF7 Cell Line

Background: The role of alkaloids isolated from Rhazya stricta Decne (Apocynaceae family) (RS) in targeting genes involved in cancer and metastasis remains to be elucidated. Objective: Identify and characterize new compounds from RS, which inhibit gene(s) involved in the survival, invasion, self-renewal, and metastatic processes of cancer cells. Methods: Bioinformatics study was performed using HISAT2, stringtie, and ballgown pipeline to understand expressional differences between a normal epithelial cell line-MCF10A and MCF7. NMR and ATR-FTIR were performed to elucidate the structure of rhazyaminine (R.A), isolated from R stricta. Cell viability assay was performed using 0, 25, and 50 μg/mL of total extract of R stricta (TERS) and R.A, respectively, for 0, 24, and 48 hours, followed by scratch assay. In addition, total RNA was isolated for RNA-seq analysis of MCF7 cell line treated with R.A followed by qRT-PCR analysis of Bcl-2 gene. Results: Deptor, which is upregulated in MCF7 compared with MCF10A as found in our bioinformatics study was downregulated by R.A. Furthermore, R.A effectively reduced cell viability to around 50% (P < .05) and restricted cell migration in scratch assay. Thirteen genes, related to metastasis and cancer stem cells, were downregulated by R.A according to RNA-seq analysis. Additionally, qRT-PCR validated the downregulation of Bcl-2 gene in R.A-treated cells by less than 0.5 folds (P < .05). Conclusion: R.A successfully downregulated key genes involved in apoptosis, cell survival, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cell proliferation, and Wnt signal transduction pathway making it an excellent “lead candidate” molecule for in vivo proof-of-concept studies.

Inhibition of Corn Oil Peroxidation by Extracts from Defatted Seeds of Camellia oleifera Abel

The defatted seed of Camellia oleifera Abel is an underexploited byproduct. In the present study, 3 solvents (isopropanol, hexane, and diethyl ether) were used to extract active compounds from defatted seeds of Camellia oleifera Abel. The qualitative and quantitative characterization of the main phenolic compounds were performed using the HPLC-DAD. In addition, the antioxidant efficacy of defatted seed extracts in the stabilization of the corn oil was estimated by monitoring its primary and secondary oxidation products. The results showed that isopropanolic extract (IE) exhibited the highest yield of total phenolic compounds (9.23±0.33 mg/g) compared with other solvents. The predominant phenolic compounds identified by HPLC-DAD in defatted seed extracts were epicatechin, naringenin, and catechin. In addition, IE exhibited the best inhibition effect on both primary and secondary oxidation products. The results reveal that IE of defatted seed of Camellia oleifera Abel is a useful antioxidant for the stabilization of corn oil.

Effects of crude extracts from medicinal herbs Rhazya stricta and Zingiber officinale on growth and proliferation of human brain cancer cell line in vitro

Hitherto, limited clinical impact has been achieved in the treatment of glioblastoma (GBMs). Although phytochemicals found in medicinal herbs can provide mankind with new therapeutic remedies, single agent intervention has failed to bring the expected outcome in clinical trials. Therefore, combinations of several agents at once are gaining increasing attractiveness. In the present study, we investigated the effects of crude alkaloid (CAERS) and flavonoid (CFEZO) extracts prepared from medicinal herbs, Rhazya stricta and Zingiber officinale, respectively, on the growth of human GBM cell line, U251. R. stricta and Z. officinale are traditionally used in folkloric medicine and have antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and free radical scavenging properties. Combination of CAERS and CFEZO treatments synergistically suppressed proliferation and colony formation and effectively induced morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis in U251 cells. Apoptosis induction was mediated by release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, increased Bax : Bcl-2 ratio, enhanced activities of caspase-3 and -9, and PARP-1 cleavage. CAERS and CFEZO treatments decreased expression levels of nuclear NF-κBp65, survivin, XIAP, and cyclin D1 and increased expression level of p53, p21, and Noxa. These results suggest that combination of CAERS and CFEZO provides a useful foundation for studying and developing novel chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of GBM.

Antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds of Dezful sesame cake extracts obtained by classical and ultrasound-assisted extraction methods

Sesame cake is a by-product of sesame oil industry. In this study, the effect of extraction methods (maceration and sonication) and solvents (ethanol, methanol, ethanol/water (50:50), methanol/water (50:50), and water) on the antioxidant properties of sesame cake extracts are evaluated to determine the most suitable extraction method for optimal use of this product. Total phenolic content is measured according to the Folin–Ciocalteu method and antioxidant activities of each extract are evaluated with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), β-carotene bleaching, and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. The highest amount of total phenolic compounds is observed in ethanol-ultrasonic extract with the amount of 88.89 mg/g gallic acid equivalent. Methanol-ultrasonic extract with the amount of 88.475% indicates the highest activity in scavenging DPPH free radicals. In β-carotene-linoleic acid system, ethanol-ultrasonic extract indicates the highest inhibition percent of 45.64. In FRAP assay, ethanol/water (50:50)-maceration and ethanol/water (50:50)-ultrasonic extracts with the absorption of 1.132 and 1.0745 nm indicate the highest antioxidant activity.

Assessment of transesterified palm olein and Moringa oleifera oil blends as vanaspati substitutes

This study aimed to investigate the suitability of Moringa oleifera oil and palm olein blends as vanaspati substitutes on the basis of physico-chemical and sensory characteristics. Blends were prepared either by blending Moringa oleifera oil or palm olein at 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100 ratios, transesterified by Rhizopus miehei, compared with market vanaspati, designated as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. The blends were filled in 3-layer polyethylene pouch packs, stored at ambient temperature, sampled at every at 0, 90 and 180-days for the assessment of storage stability. The melting point and iodine value of T2 and control were 36.8, 37.2 °C and 62.2, 51.8, with no effect on free fatty acids content, peroxide, anisidine values and color of the deodorized stuffs. C18:1 content of T2 was 59.7 % with no trans fatty acids. Trans fatty acid content of the market vanaspati was 22.9 %. The addition of Moringa oleifera oil improved the induction period of the blends strongly inhibited the formation of primary and secondary oxidation products. The overall acceptability score of French fries prepared in T2 was 81 % of the total score (9). Blend containing 50 % palm olein and 50 % Moringa oleifera oil can be used in the formulation of a functional shelf stable fat that can be used as a vanaspati substitute.

Fucoidan from New Zealand Undaria pinnatifida: monthly variations and determination of antioxidant activities

The content and composition of fucoidans extracted from Undaria pinnatifida from mussel farms at the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand were investigated using CaCl2 extraction. Crude fucoidan (F0) was subsequently extracted on a monthly basis from U. pinnatifida harvested from July to October 2011 from mussel farms in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. Fucoidan yield varied between the frond and sporophyll parts of the algae, with the sporophyll consistently the highest content. The yield from the sporophyll increased significantly from July (25.4-26.3%) to September (57.3-69.9%). Sulphate content in the extracted fucoidan increased more than twice within the same period, while fucose content remained constant. F0 was further purified by ion-exchange chromatography to yield three fractions, F1, F2 and F3. All three fucoidan fractions contained fucose as the primary sugar component followed by galactose, with xylose, glucose and mannose as minor constituents. All fractions exhibited strong antioxidant activities using the DPPH scavenging and CUPRAC assays. This study showed that sporophyll maturation of U. pinnatifida in New Zealand influenced fucoidan content and composition. Sporophyll fucoidan could potentially be a good resource for natural antioxidants.

Induction of quinone oxidoreductase 1 enzyme by Rhazya stricta through Nrf2-dependent mechanism

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Rhazya stricta Decne. (Apocynaceae) is a common medicinal plant in the Arabian Peninsula, Pakistan and India. Rhazya stricta has been used traditionally to treat several diseases including tumors; however, the underlying mechanism is still not fully elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to examine the ability of Rhazya stricta to induce a key enzyme involved in cancer chemoprevention, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1) in murine and human hepatoma cells. Nqo1 is regulated by the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) transcription factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rhazya stricta leaves were extracted using ethanol, the strong basic alkaloid fraction (AF) was isolated according to a bioassay-guided fractionation and its mass spectrum was used as a fingerprint for its identity. The effect of increasing concentrations of AF on Nqo1 was tested in murine hepatoma Hepa 1c1c7 and human HepG2 cells. The role of Nrf2-dependent mechanism was tested by using Nrf2-dependent luciferase assay and by determining the Nrf2 nuclear accumulation in Hepa 1c1c7 cells. The role of AhR-dependent mechanism was assessed by using an AhR-deficient version of murine hepatoma c12 cells.

RESULTS

AF significantly induced the Nqo1 at mRNA, protein and catalytic activity levels in murine hepatoma Hepa 1c1c7 cells. Moreover, the induction of Nqo1 by AF was completely abolished by using the transcriptional inhibitor, actinomycin D, implying a role of transcriptional regulation. In addition, the role of Nrf2 signaling pathway was confirmed by the induction of Nrf2-dependent luciferase activity and the induced Nrf2 nuclear accumulation in Hepa 1c1c7 cells. Interestingly, AF induced Nqo1 at mRNA and catalytic activity in c12 and HepG2 cells. Finally, the AF induced the Nrf2-dependent luciferase activity in HepG2 cells, confirming the role of Nrf2 in its regulation.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study presents the first evidence that Rhazya stricta and its active strongly basic alkaloid fraction induce the chemopreventative enzyme, Nqo1 through Nrf2-dependent mechanism.

Protective effect of polyphenols from Glycyrrhiza glabra against oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells

In the present article, we have investigated the antioxidant properties of methanolic liquorice polyphenol extracts (LPE(s)). Polyphenol extraction was performed with 60% and 100% methanol. Analysis of LPE(s) by thin-layer chromatography revealed that a higher amount of polyphenols was recovered by extraction with 60% methanol. Antioxidant activity measurement of the reducing power, scavenging effect on 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging capability have been taken as the parameters for assessment of antioxidant potential of LPE(s). Results have been compared with both natural and synthetic antioxidants. All experimental data have indicated that LPE(s) possess strong antioxidant power proportional to their o-diphenolic and total polyphenolic content, independently from the assay used. Therefore, the LPE(s) antioxidant property was examined against the cytotoxic effects of reactive oxygen species in human colon carcinoma cells. Pretreatment of Caco-2 cells with liquorice polyphenolic extracts provided a remarkable protection against oxidative damage induced by H(2)O(2). The highest oxidative stress protection (72% of cell vitality) was measured in cells pretreated with 0.54 mM polyphenols. This effect seems to be associated to the antioxidant activity of liquorice polyphenolic compounds. Our data suggest that polyphenols from Glycyrrhiza glabra could exert a beneficial action in the prevention of intestinal pathologies related to production of reactive oxygen species.

Interactions of Piriformospora indica with Medicinal Plants

The microbial world exerts a negative as well a positive impact on living plants and animals, and forms an association either pathogenic or symbiotic with the other partners of the living world. Mycorrhiza refers to an association or symbiosis between plants and fungi that colonize the roots during periods of active plant growth. The intimate symbiotic relationships developed between mycorrhizal fungi and plants, since the colonization of land by the latter, have led to interdependence between these organisms for many basic processes. The fungi require plants to accomplish their life cycle. Plants depend heavily on mycorrhizal fungi for many different functions, such as mineral nutrition and abiotic and biotic stress resistance. Substantial evidence has accumulated in the recent past about how the use of the microsymbiont could significantly contribute in decreasing use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture, forestry and flori-hortriculture, especially if combined with other beneficial soil microorganisms.

The most common and prevalent arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play an indispensable role in upgrading plant growth, vigor and survival by a positive impact on the nutritional and hydratic status of the plant and on soil health, by increasing the reproductive potential, improving root performance, and providing a natural defence against invaders, including pests and pathogens. The described species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi mainly belong to Zygomycetes placed in the order Glomerales. However, the growing of arbuscular mycorrhizae in pure culture in the absence of living host roots is a matter of global concern. Unfortunately, their biotechnological applications cannot be exploited to the level they deserve due to their axenically unculturable nature.

Phytochemical, pharmacological and ethnobotanical studies of Rhazya stricta Decne

Rhazya stricta Decne. is an important medicinal species that is rich in alkaloids containing anticancer alkaloids also. This paper reviews phytochemical, pharmacological and ethnobotanical studies of R. stricta. Phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of the species have been thoroughly explored. Over 100 alkaloids have been isolated from R. stricta, but the pharmacological activities are known for only a few of these compounds. Very few ethnobotanical studies of R. stricta have been done, and there is a particular need for such studies in various regions of South Asia and in Middle Eastern countries where the species grows. These ethnobotanical studies should investigate herbal recipes of R. stricta and their use for curing diseases. The genetic diversity, chemotaxonomy and allelopathy of R. stricta have not yet been explored, and these studies are recommended, with the ultimate goal of benefiting local communities in regions where R. stricta grows. This should be achieved by sharing knowledge and through the manufacture of herbal drugs from R. stricta's active chemical constituents, while protecting intellectual property rights and following the World Health Organization's guidelines for safety and efficacy.