Profiling of two Lampranthus species using LC-ESI/MS with evidence of their hepatoprotective activity

Lampranthus glaucus and Lampranthus glaucoides are only reported to have significant cytotoxic activity against certain cancer cell lines with phytochemical investigation of their petroleum ether and the ethyl acetate extracts. Further investigation was suggested concerning their hepatoprotective activity and relating it to the metabolic profile of their defatted methanol extracts using LC-ESI/MS analysis. Hepatoprotective activity was evaluated through assessment of three liver parameters as well as liver histopathological examination in thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity model. Sixty-eight and 26 phytochemicals were tentatively identified in L. glaucoides and L. glaucus, respectively, with phenolic compounds as the major class. Both plants showed significant inhibition of serum GPT and GOT levels, inhibition of tissue IL-1β and TNF-α levels and inhibition of tissue NF-κβ and caspase-3 gene expression proving hepatoprotective action. Liver treated with L. glaucoides showed lesion scoring range between negative to mild, whereas L. glaucus showed a range between mild to moderate.

Ethnopharmacology and biological activities of the Aizoaceae

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Aizoaceae is one of the largest succulent plant families. Most members of the family are ornamental and form part of specialist succulent collections. The exceptional diversity of the Aizoaceae is not only limited to its growth forms, habitat, and chemistry, but is also reflected in its many traditional uses. Selected species are well known for their use in traditional medicines, with recent scientific studies validating their biological activity.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Herein, this review aimed to articulate foundational and current global research endeavors related to the traditional uses and pharmacological activities of the Aizoaceae.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Research articles and search terms related to the ethnopharmacology and bioactivities of the Aizoaceae between 1940 and 2022 were evaluated using electronic databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, JSTOR, and Web of Science.

RESULTS

Popular Aizoaceae genera including Mesembryanthemum, Trianthema, and Tetragonia are noted for their cultural value and are key components in herbal medicines for the treatment of a myriad of disorders. Isolated bioactive compounds isolated from selected species demonstrated varied antimicrobial, antioxidant, and neuroprotective functions in basic pharmacological studies. However, most studies lacked reliable correlation to in vivo activity and did not adequately validate the safety and efficacy of potential therapeutic compounds.

CONCLUSIONS

While the cultural and therapeutic value of popular Aizoaceae species have been highlighted in the literature, there remains glaring inconsistencies among other related species. Data deficiency may be ameliorated by further studies focused on taxonomic markers, chemical characterization and underlying molecular mechanisms of activity of a wider pool of species to enhance our knowledge of this hyperdiverse family.

Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antidiabetic Effects of Leaf Extracts from Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae)

Fruits and leaves of Persia americana are used in traditional medical practices. This study was carried out to determine the antibacterial, antifungal, and antidiabetic effects of the leaf extracts from P. americana. The antibacterial activities of the leaf extracts were evaluated against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus epidermidis while antifungal activities were determined against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. The antidiabetic potential of the extracts was determined against mammalian α-glucosidase in vitro. The broth microdilution method was used to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal susceptibility of the microbial strains towards the leaf extracts. S. epidermidis was the most susceptible microbe out of the tested microorganisms. The acetone extract was the most potent extract against S. epidermidis with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 50 μg/mL. At 100 μg/mL, the ethanol:water extract 18% of K. pneumoniae cells remained viable. Cell viability after exposure to the dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol extracts was 28% against C. albicans and 8% against C. tropicalis, respectively. The DCM:methanol and acetone extracts caused membrane damage in S. epidermidis exhibited by protein leakage. Only the acetone extract effected nucleic acid leakage. Screening of extracts’ potential to inhibit the activity of α-glucosidase was carried out spectrophotometrically following the production of p-nitrophenol from p-nitrophenol-glucopyranoside (substrate) at a wavelength of 405 nm. Out of all the tested extracts, the methanolic extract showed the best inhibitory activity on α-glucosidase enzyme in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner.${\mathbf{K}}_i$and${\mathbf{K}}_{\text{inact}}$values were found to be 1.4 mg/mL and 2.4 U/min, respectively, after incubation for 1 hour. It was concluded that the leaf extracts of P. americana contain phytochemicals with antibacterial, antifungal, and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects. Further studies are required for the identification of the active compounds in the leaf extracts responsible for these observed effects.