Phytochemical characterization, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Terminalia catappa methanol and aqueous extracts

BACKGROUND

A study carried out by World Health Organization revealed that around 80% of individuals globally depends on herbal forms of medication with 40% of pharmaceutical products being sourced from medicinal plants. The study objective was to evaluate the phytochemicals composition, in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the leaves of Terminalia catappa L. aqueous and methanolic extracts.

METHODS

Antimicrobial activity was analyzed by disk diffusion, the minimum inhibitory concentration in-vitro assays with ciprofloxacin as the standard for antibacterial assay while nystatin for antifungal assay. Ferric reducing antioxidant power and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate assays were used for the evaluation of antioxidant properties of the crude extracts while the groups responsible for this activity identified using Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer.

RESULTS

The study found that the leaves of Terminalia catappa contained alkaloids, tannins, steroids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, and coumarins, but terpenoids were absent. Presence of functional groups associated with this class of compounds such as OH vibrational frequencies were observed in IR spectrum of the crude extracts. Methanolic extract from Terminalia catappa exhibited greater antibacterial properties against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, whereas aqueous extract displayed greater antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis for all concentrations tested. The amount of the sample that scavenged 50 percent of DPPH (IC50) was found to be 8.723, 13.42 and 13.04 µg/mL for L-ascorbic acid, Terminalia catappa L. methanolic and aqueous extracts respectively. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities varied with the extract concentration and solvent used in extractions.

CONCLUSION

Terminalia catappa L. leaves are prospective for use as a source of therapeutic agents that could lead to the advancement of new antimicrobial and antioxidant products.

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Activities of Pomegranate Juice Concentrate

Pomegranate juice concentrate (PJC) is a rich source of polyphenols, which exhibit significant antioxidant activity and potential health benefits for disease prevention and therapy. In this study, the polyphenolic profile of PJC was investigated for the first time, and it was found that PJC can inhibit oxidative damage to bovine serum albumin (BSA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), as well as acetylcholinesterase, α-amylase, and tyrosinase activities. The primary polyphenols identified in PJC were 4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxybenzoate, epicatechin, catechin, rutin, ferulic acid, P-coumaric acid, and cinnamic acid. Additionally, PJC demonstrated potent antibacterial effects against human pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans and Aeromonas hydrophila and dose-dependently reduced the proliferation of colorectal, breast, and hepatic cancer cells via apoptosis. Furthermore, PJC blocked B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCl-2) and the expression of a potent cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (P21) and enhanced tumor protein (P53) expression, compared to both untreated cells and cells treated with fluoropyrimidine 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). As a result, PJC may be a beneficial ingredient in the formulation of emerging natural-compound-based chemotherapy and functional foods and could be utilized by the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries.

Endophytic bacteria of Fagonia indica Burm. f revealed to harbour rich secondary antibacterial metabolites

Endophytic bacteria are the source of novel bioactive compounds, used as therapeutic agent. Molecular docking is a computational technique use frequently, to find novel drugs targets and drugs-receptors interactions. The current study was designed to isolate and identify endophytic bacteria for the extraction of bioactive compounds. Further, to characterized extracts and to explore compounds interactions with bacterial cell wall and outer membrane synthesizing proteins. Endophytes were identified using 16s rRNA amplification technique. For bioactive compounds, solvent extraction method was followed and characterized further through GC-MS analysis. To find targets and drugs-receptors interactions, molecular docking studies and biological assays were performed. The isolated endophytes belong to five different genera namely Enterobacter, Bacillus, Erwinia, Stenotrophomonas and Pantoea. In case of antibacterial assay Stenotrophomonas maltophilia extract showed significant inhibitory zones (15.11±0.11mm and 11.3±0.16) against Staphylococcus caseolyticus and Acinetobacter baumanni, with MIC 33.3 and 50μg/mL respectively. Among the characterized fifty compounds, from endophytic bacteria "antibacterial compound" N-(5-benzyl-10b-hydroxy-2-methyl-3,6-dioxooctahydro-8H-oxazolo[3,2-α] pyrrolo[2,1c] pyrazin-2-yl)-7-methyl2,3,3a,3a1,6,6a,7,8,9,10,10a,10b-dodecahydro-1H-4λ2-indolo[4,3-fg]quinoline-9-carboxamide of bacteria Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were an excellent binder with MurF ligase active site, with binding energy of -10.2 kcal/mol. Extracts of endophytic bacteria composed of various pharmacologically active ingredients such as antibacterial compounds. Molecular docking studies provide important information regarding drug-receptor interaction, thus can be used in novel drug discovery.

Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and Antihypertension Inhibitory Potentials of Phenolic Rich Medicinal Plants

Veronica (Plantaginaceae) and Schoenoplectus have a unique chemotaxonomic and phytochemical importance and are widely utilized in Turkish and Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (TCM) for treating tonics, influenza, diuretics, expectorants, restoratives, and respiratory diseases, and both are very useful in treating infectious and metabolic disorders as well. This study evaluates two medicinal plant species, Veronica biloba and Schoenoplectus triqueter (L.) Palla; extraction was performed through Soxhlet and maceration methods as well as determination of free and bound phenolics. Evaluated biological screening of (extracts and phenolics) angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE), Type-II diabetes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase), and antioxidants potential was performed using modified assays. The angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) 50% inhibition potential in Veronica biloba was found at IC50 = 210.68 μg/mL and in Schoenoplectus triqueter (L.) Palla at IC50 = 229.40 µg/mL, respectively. Meanwhile Type-II diabetes with α-amylase 50% inhibition shown by bound phenolics of Veronica biloba at IC50 = 219.66 µg/mL and its water extract at IC50 = 110.09 µg/mL possesses higher potential, and α-glucosidase potential by free phenolics was found to be active at IC50 = 469.56 µg/mL, while water and ethyl acetate extracts showed higher potential, IC50 = 78.65 µg/mL and IC50 = 97.03 µg/mL, than the standard acarbose, recorded lower. In case of amylase, α-glucosidase showed IC50 = 88.73 μg/mL. Our results showed that both plants possess a direct relationship with the increase in the concentration of extracts and inhibited very strongly angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) and Type-II diabetes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase). The properties of enzyme hindrance may be associated with phenolic compounds and rich phenolic plant antioxidant potential provides a route to the elucidation of natural antihypertension and antidiabetes.

A Comparative Study of Diospyros malabarica (Gaub) Extracts in Various Polarity-Dependent Solvents for Evaluation of Phytoconstituents and Biological Activities

Keeping in mind the ascribed repute of Diospyros malabarica (D. malabarica), this investigation was commenced to assess the effect of diverse solvents on extraction yields, phytochemical components and antioxidant capability, and in vitro biological activities of D. malabarica for pharmaceutically active constituents to combat various infections. To screen phytochemicals both qualitatively (flavonoids, terpenoid, saponins, tannins) and quantitatively like total phenolic and flavonoid contents, Diospyros malabarica parts include the following: root, leaves, bark, stem, ripe, and unripe fruit were sequentially extracted with organic solvents such as petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol, and water in increasing order of polarity from less polar to more polar solvents. Furthermore, biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory were explored. The results revealed that all the tested solvents displayed a vital role in the extraction yield, the content of phytochemicals, and the studied biological activities. Methanol was found as the best solvent followed by the ethanol for the extraction, representing the highest extraction yield (18.3%), rich diversity of phytochemicals, and the highest total phenolic contents (602 ± 0.001 μg EAG/mg of extract) and total flavonoid contents (455 ± 0.6 μg EQ/mg of extract) in bark extract. Furthermore, methanol bark extract showed high in vitro antibacterial activity (30.25 mm ± 0.9), antifungal activity (18.25 mm ± 0.2), anticancer activity (48%), antidiabetic activity (68%) and anti-inflammatory activity (62%) followed by ethanol amongst other extracts of D. malabarica. Accordingly, methanol might be as an ideal solvent to get maximum content of phytochemicals, promising antioxidants, and in vitro biological activities from bark extract amongst other extracts of D. malabarica compared to pet ether, ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane and may act as free radical rummager because phytochemical constituents exhibit antioxidant capability. Our findings suggest that phytochemical compounds (flavonoids, tannins, phenols, saponins, and terpenoids) found in the bark extract of D. malabarica may be attributed to evaluate potent anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antibacterial, and antifungal activities.

Chemical characterization, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic potentials of Swietenia mahagoni

Infectious diseases are the most important cause of death worldwide. Many of these diseases show great resistance to drugs and antibiotics with long-term use. Extracts of some medicinal plants have antimicrobial properties, which can treat and overcome these diseases. Meliaceae is a family of timber trees used extensively in treating many bacterial and fungal diseases, especially Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq. In this study, phytochemical screening, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis, and antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antitumor activities of the methanolic extract of S. mahagoni (L.) leaves were performed. Phytochemical screening exhibited the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenols, triterpenoids, glycosides, and tannins. GC/MS analysis exhibited 40 compounds, mainly 7-hexadecene, (Z)-, imidazole-4,5-d2, and 1-acetyl-4,4-bis[4-(3-bromopropoxy)-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl] piperidine. The antibacterial and antifungal potentials of the methanolic extract of S. mahagoni (L.) leaves was investigated using the agar well diffusion technique. Potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Proteus vulgaris and antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans were found. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal and fungicidal concentrations ranged from 12.5 to 25 mg/mL. Antioxidant activity was studied using the free radical scavenging assay, and the IC₅₀ value of the leaf extract was 69.9 µg/mL. Cytotoxic activity was screened using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and the IC₅₀ value was 44.2 µg/mL. These findings suggested the importance of this plant in treating some bacterial and fungal infections and cancer.

Antibacterial effects of extracted corn zein with garlic extract-based nanoemulsion on the shelf life of Vannamei prawn (Litopenaeus vannamei) at refrigerated temperature

BACKGROUND

Litopenaeus vannamei is one of the most perishable foods due to microorganism growth. Using essential oil-based nanoemulsion as a biodegradable and edible coating can enhance the shelf life of shrimp at refrigerated temperature through retarding microbial growth compared to synthetic coatings.

METHODS

Zein was extracted from 50 g dry milled corn with ethanol. Garlic essential oil was prepared by mixing with Tween 80. Nanoemulsion was prepared in an ultrasonic bath. DLS analysis, turbidity, and stability of nanoemulsions were performed. Radical scavenging activity, and total phenol content were done for evaluation of garlic essential oil and nanoemulsion. A 10% zein solution was prepared using ethanol 95% and glycerol plasticizer (2.5%). In the end, various microbial analysis, peroxide value, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) value, the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) values, and sensory evaluations of different shrimp samples were determined.

RESULTS

Corn zein along with garlic-based nanoemulsion, had a great impact on the TVB-N, TBARS, and peroxide value (which indicated that z+24% garlic nanoemulsion group was the lowest among other groups on days 3, 7, and 14 (p < 0.05) as well as microbial properties (garlic EO nanoemulsion had significantly better antibacterial effectiveness compared to other groups (p < 0.05)), and sensory evaluation (the z+24% garlic nanoemulsion sample received a significantly higher score than other groups (p < 0.05)) of Litopenaeus vannamei.

CONCLUSIONS

Corn zein nanoemulsion functioned as an antioxidant and antimicrobial agent, increasing the shelf life of Litopenaeus vannamei at refrigerated temperature.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Emerging nanotechnology-based approaches with no side-effects on immune system of consumers plays a vital role in bioactive packaging, and on reduction of food spoilage or food poisoning in the transportation, exporting, and distribution stages of food products, especially marine-based products with cold chain transportation. Additionally, it can reduce aquaculture and environmental risks due to the usage of chemical agents used in packaging. Our results showed that administration of a corn zein with nanoemulsion of garlic extract can prolong shelf life of Litopenaeus vannamei. The paper should be of interest to readers such as food microbiologists, aquaculture scientists, fisheries scientists, marine biologists, biomaterial scientists, food packaging industrialists, medical microbiologists, public health managers, and health system managers.

Comparative anticancer activities of Ficus carica and Ficus salicifolia latex in MDA-MB-231 cells

Ficus latex is rich in polyphenolic compounds and hence considered as an antioxidant and anti-proliferative. Many studies are available on Ficus carica (common fig) whereas Ficus salicifolia is less studied. F. salicifolia grows in a harsh dry environment, therefore its latex was selected in the current study along with the F. carica for their comparative anti-cancer potential and the involved molecular mechanism. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) derived MDA-MB-231 cells were used in the study. MTT and morphological studies indicated that the latex of both plants has anti-proliferative effects. To know their anti-metastatic effects, a wound-healing assay was performed. Both species were able to maintain the wound size compared to the untreated cells indicating their anti-metastatic effects. Using a DNA damage assay kit, we found that both fig species have genotoxic and cytotoxic effects in MDA-MB-231 cells compared to the untreated control. To know the potential molecular mechanism involved, we used a human kinase array kit. We found that ERK2, CREB, and AKT2 were downregulated after treatment the MDA-Mb-231 cells with the latex of F. carica. We assumed that F. salicifolia will also affect the same pathways, however after confirmation through real-time (RT)-PCR, downregulations of the above mentioned pathways were confirmed in cells treated with F. carica latex, however, in cells treated with F. salicifolia the selected genes were upregulated at the transcriptional level. We conclude that latex of both species of ficus have anti-cancer effects in MDA-MB-231 cells, however differ in their level of toxicity and the mechanism of action at the molecular level.

The Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidants Potential of Schoenoplectus triqueter L. Palla

Over the centuries, humans use different types of therapeutic plants to treat several diseases. Cyperaceae family has a significant number of monocotyledon plants, and Schoenoplectus is one of the genera that belong to this family; about forty-nine compounds are isolated. Our current study was evaluated on Schoenoplectus triqueter L. Palla to show the potential of its antioxidants and confirm the phytochemical constituents in this plant species. Fully powdered plant taken for successive extraction process in hot continuous process for Soxhlet was 20 g plant in porous bag manually prepared; the constant temperature provided was 40–50°C. In the maceration extraction method, 30 g plant was taken in a closed jar and the solvent placed for extraction was 300 mL of ethanol; the extract gets filtered and fractioned to different solvents such as water, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane fraction. Important types of phytochemicals found in this species are alkaloids, proteins, amino acids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, and carbohydrates. All the entire extracted fractions which are water, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane possess noticeable activity at various concentrations of 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 µg/mL by the dilution method. The ethyl acetate extract holds greater median inhibitory concentration (IC50 = 3.52 ± 0.01), and water showed IC50 = 3.61 ± 0.01 percent potential as compared to the standard ascorbic acid which possesses IC50 = 2.27 ± 0.01. Their potential may be enhanced or lowered with the purification of extracts which might be useful in biological activities.