GC-MS Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Wrightia tinctoria R.Br. Leaf Extract

Exploring the aroma profile and biomedical applications of Scutellaria nuristanica Rech. F.: A new insight as a natural remedy

BACKGROUND

The Scutellaria genus has promising therapeutic capabilities as an aromatherapy. Based on that and local practices of S. nuristanica Rech. F. The essential oil was studied for the first time for its diverse biomedical applications.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate and validate their therapeutic capabilities by screening the essential oil ingredients and examining their antimicrobial, antioxidant, carbonic anhydrase, and antidiabetic using further In silico assessment and In vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic capabilities to devise novel sources as natural remedies alternative to the synthetic drugs.

METHODS

Essential oil was obtained through hydrodistillation, and the constituents were profiled using GC-MS. The antimicrobial assessment was conducted using an agar well diffusion assay. Free radical scavenging capabilities were determined by employing DPPH and ABTS assay. The carbonic anhydrase-II was examined using colorimetric assay, while the antidiabetic significance was performed using α-Glucosidase assay. The anti-inflammatory significance was examined through carrageenan-induced paw edema, and the analgesic features of the essential oil were determined using an acetic acid-induced writhing assay.

RESULTS

Fifty constituents were detected in S. nuristanica essential oil (SNEO), contributing 95.93 % of the total EO, with the predominant constituents being 24-norursa-3,12-diene (10.12 %), 3-oxomanoyl oxide (9.94 %), methyl 7-abieten-18-oate (8.85 %). SNEO presented significance resistance against the Gram-positive bacterial strains (GPBSs), Bacillus atrophaeus and Bacillus subtilis, as compared to the Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumoniae, Gram-negative bacterial strains (GNBSs) as well as two fungal strains Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus niger associated with their respective standards. Considerable free radical scavenging capacity was observed in DPPH compared to the ABTS assay when correlated with ascorbic acid. In addition, when equated with their standards, SNEO offered considerable in vitro carbonic anhydrase II and antidiabetic capabilities. Additionally, the antidiabetic behavior of the 9 dominant compounds of SNEO was tested via In silico techniques, such as molecular docking, which assisted in the assessment of the significance of binding contacts of protein with each chemical compound and pharmacokinetic evaluations to examine the drug-like characteristics. Molecular dynamic simulations at 100 ns and binding free energy evaluations such as PBSA and GBSA models explain the molecular mechanics and stability of molecular complexes. It was also observed that SNEO depicted substantial anti-inflammatory and analgesic capabilities.

CONCLUSION

Hence, it was concluded that the SNEO comprises bioactive ingredients with biomedical significance, such as anti-microbial, antioxidant, CA-II, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic agents. The computational validation also depicted that SNEO could be a potent source for the discovery of anti-diabetic drugs.

Evaluation of in vitro anti-cancer potential and apoptotic profile of ethanolic plant extract of Wrightia tinctoria against oral cancer cell line

Background

For decades, Wrightia tinctoria (W. tinctoria) has been important in the field of traditional medicine. The identification and isolation of numerous chemically potent and pharmaceutically advantageous phytochemicals isolated from this plant extract has contributed to its resurrection into evidence-based modern medicine. This plant is inexpensive and indigenous to the Indian subcontinent.

Materials and Method

An in vitro study was carried out using KB (KERATIN-forming tumour cell line HeLa) oral cancer cell line. The control drug doxorubicin along with the test drug W. tinctoria was tested for anti-cancer potential by using MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay and for apoptotic activity by using DNA fragmentation assay and western blotting assay.

Results

The study was conducted using MTT assay to determine the cytotoxicity of plant extract against oral cancer cell line by determining the IC50 values at the end of 24 hours by the MTT calorimetric assay. The IC50 value of 48.89 and 9.62 was arrived for the W. tinctoria extract and doxorubicin, respectively, by using MTT calorimetric assay. DNA fragmentation assay showed a ladder pattern when treated with 59 μg/mL extract of W. tinctoria, and western blot analysis revealed the presence of cleaved caspase 3, confirming the apoptotic potential of the extract.

Conclusion

The current study demonstrated that the plant extract has effective anti-cancer and apoptotic potential and can be used as a natural source for the production of new anti-cancer and cytotoxic agents against oral cancer.

Herbal Composite Preparation and Investigating its Efficiency to Inhibit Biofilm Formation and Virulence Factors of Prevotella Intermedia and Porphyromonas Gingivalis - Formulation of Mouthwash Using a Herbal Composite and Evaluating its Anti-microbial Activity

Herbal composite preparation was studied with the aim of inhibiting the virulence factors of two dental pathogens: Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis. A novel herbal composite was developed using the herbal extracts of Wrightia tinctoria and Bauhinia variegata. During the study, the following observations were noted. The minimal inhibitory concentration of Wrightia tinctoria and Bauhinia variegata composites (WBc) was obtained for the test concentration of 20 μg/ml (16 ± 0.57 mm and 15 ± 0.75 mm of inhibitory zones against Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis, respectively). Biofilm inhibition assay results revealed about 0.51 ± 1.25 mg/ml and 0.53 ± 0.57 mg/ml of minimal biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) against Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis, respectively. The effect of WBc on lactic acid production showed that 200 μg/ml and 400 μg/ml concentrates reduced up to 80% and 70% in Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis, respectively. Formulated herbal mouthwash showed good stability under all three different test conditions (5°C, 25°C, and 40°C) as the color, odor, phase separation, and homogeneity were not changed for the period of 3 months. The anti-bacterial activity of formulated mouthwash (30 μg/ml) exhibited maximum inhibitory zones of about 18 ± 0.75 mm and 19 ± 1.05 mm against the respective test bacteria - Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Amplification of mfa1 and clpB genes showed 246 bp and 294 bp fragments of P. gingivalis and 238 bp and 280 bp fragments of P. intermedia during agarose electrophoretic analysis. The docking report revealed -5.84 Kcal/Mol binding energy and found three hydrogen bonding between the quercetin and target protein, mfa1 of Porphyromonas gingivalis. The target protein, clpB of Prevotella intermedia, and quercetin had -6.72 Kcal/Mol binding energy and found four hydrogen bonds between them. The developed composite could be optimized in future to develop a novel and biocompatible herbal mouthwash for the prevention of different dental caries and gingival inflammation associated with dental biofilm formation.

Phytochemical Analysis and Profiling of Antioxidants and Anticancer Compounds from Tephrosia purpurea (L.) subsp. apollinea Family Fabaceae

Tephorosia purpurea subsp. apollinea was extracted with methanol and n-hexane to obtain sub-fractions. The chemical compounds identified with GC-MS and HPLC in T. purpurea subsp. apollinea extracts showed antioxidant and anticancer properties. The antioxidant and anticancer activities were investigated using DDPH and ABTS assays, and MTT assay, respectively. Stigmasta-5,24(28)-dien-3-ol, (3 β,24Z)-, 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid methyl ester, phytol, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin were the major chemical compounds detected in T. purpurea subsp. apollinea. These compounds possessed antioxidant and anticancer properties. The methanol extract showed antioxidant properties with DDPH and ABTS radical scavenging of 84% and 94%, respectively, relative to ascorbic acid and trolox. The anticancer effects of T. purpurea subsp. apollinea against the cancer cell lines MCF7 (IC₅₀ = 102.8 ± 0.6 μg/mL), MG63 (IC₅₀ = 118.3 ± 2.5 μg/mL), T47D (IC₅₀ = 114.7 ± 1.0 μg/mL), HeLa (IC₅₀ = 196.3 ± 2.3 μg/mL), and PC3 (IC₅₀ = 117.7 ± 1.1 μg/mL) were greater than its anticancer effects against U379 (IC₅₀ = 248.4 ± 7.5 μg/mL). However, it had no adverse effects on the normal cells (WI38) (IC₅₀ = 242.9 ± 1.8 μg/mL). Therefore, the major active constituents presented in T. purpurea subsp. apollinea can be isolated and studied for their potential antioxidant and anticancer effects against breast, cervical, and prostate cancers and osteosarcoma.

Chemical Characterisation, Antidiabetic, Antibacterial, and In Silico Studies for Different Extracts of Haloxylon stocksii (Boiss.) Benth: A Promising Halophyte

The objective of the study is to evaluate the chemical characterisation, and biological and in silico potential of Haloxylon stocksii (Boiss.) Benth, an important halophyte commonly used in traditional medicine. The research focuses on the roots and aerial parts of the plant and extracts them using two solvents: methanol and dichloromethane. Chemical characterisation of the extracts was carried out using total phenolic contents quantification, GC-MS analysis, and LC-MS screening. The results exhibited that the aerial parts of the plant have significantly higher total phenolic content than the roots. The GC-MS and LC-MS analysis of the plant extracts revealed the identification of 18 bioactive compounds in each. The biological evaluation was performed using antioxidant, antibacterial, and in vitro antidiabetic assays. The results exhibited that the aerial parts of the plant have higher antioxidant and in vitro antidiabetic activity than the roots. Additionally, the aerial parts of the plant were most effective against Gram-positive bacteria. Molecular docking was done to evaluate the binding affinity (BA) of the bioactive compounds characterised by GC-MS with diabetic enzymes used in the in vitro assay. The results showed that the BA of γ-sitosterol was better than that of acarbose, which is used as a standard in the in vitro assay. Overall, this study suggests that the extract from aerial parts of H. stocksii using methanol as a solvent have better potential as a new medicinal plant and can provide a new aspect to develop more potent medications. The research findings contribute to the scientific data of the medicinal properties of Haloxylon stocksii and provide a basis for further evaluation of its potential as a natural remedy.

Investigation of Potential In Vitro Anticancer and Antimicrobial Activities of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile Fruit Extract and Its Phytochemical Components

The therapeutic importance of Balanites aegyptiaca in folk medicine for the treatment of several common human diseases has led researchers to conduct phytochemical and pharmacological studies on extracts from various parts of the plant. In the current study, the phytochemical composition of the B. aegyptiaca methanolic fruit extract was characterized, and its antimicrobial activity was evaluated together with the cytotoxic activity against MCF-7, PC-3, and Caco-2, compared with normal Vero cells. Further, its effects on cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction and expression of apoptosis-related genes were assessed. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of fatty acids and their esters in addition to phytosterols, steroid derivatives, and bioflavonoid glycosides with oleic and palmitic acids being the prevalent components (24.12 and 21.56%, respectively). The results showed considerable cytotoxic activity of the extract against the three cancer cell lines (MCF-7, PC-3, and Caco-2) with a selectivity index ranging from 5.07 to 6.52. This effect was further confirmed with the accompanied increased total apoptosis of treated PC-3 cells (19.22% of the total number of cells) compared to the control cells (0.64% of the total number of cells) with cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and the increased transcription of pro-apoptotic genes including P53 (3.69) and BAX (3.33) expressed as fold change (2^ ΔΔCT). The calculated minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was similar (62.5 µg/mL) against the three tested bacterial strains (Acinetobacter johnsonii, Serratia marcescens and Agrobacterium tumefaciens), while it was higher than 1000 µg/mL for the fungal species (Rhizoctonia solani, Penicillium italicum, and Fusarium oxysporium). Our findings suggest a promising anticancer activity for B. aegyptiaca, which paves the way for more detailed future studies.

Anticancer and Antioxidant Activities of the Root Extract of the Carnivorous Pitcher Plant Sarracenia purpurea

The carnivorous pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea exhibits many ethnobotanical uses, including the treatments of type 2 diabetes and tuberculosis-like symptoms. In this study, we prepared different extracts from the leaves (pitchers), stems, and roots of S. purpurea and investigated their antioxidant and anticancer properties. To evaluate the extraction efficiency, we individually used different solvents, namely methanol, ethanol, acetone, and distilled water, for S. purpurea extract preparations. The root extract of S. purpurea, obtained by 100% acetone (S. purpurea-root-acetone), had the highest anticancer activities, antioxidation capacity (the DPPH activity with IC₅₀ of 89.3 ± 2.2 μg/mL), antibacterial activities, total phenolic content (33.4 ± 0.7 mg GAE/g), and total flavonoid content (107.9 ± 2.2 mg QUE/g). The most abundant compounds in S. purpurea-root-acetone were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; 7,8-Dihydro-α-ionone was the major compound present in S. purpurea-root-acetone. In addition, the co-cytotoxicity of S. purpurea-root-acetone (combined with the clinical anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the survival, apoptosis, proliferation, and migration of the 4T1 mammary carcinoma) was examined. The combination of 5-FU with S. purpurea-root-acetone could be highly efficient for anti-4T1 cells. We also found that S. purpurea-root-acetone could inhibit the enzymatic activity of human dihydroorotase (huDHOase), an attractive target for potential anticancer chemotherapy. The sic most abundant compounds in S. purpurea-root-acetone were tested using an in silico analysis via MOE-Dock software for their binding affinities. The top-ranked docking conformations were observed for 7,8-dihydro-α-ionone and stigmast-5-en-3-ol, suggesting the inhibition potential against huDHOase. Overall, the collective data in this study may indicate the pharmacological potentials of S. purpurea-root-acetone for possible medical applications.