Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, and Protein Kinase Inhibition Potential in Aloe vera L

Evaluation of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Vegetable Waste

Introduction

Vegetable waste has numerous essential values and can be used for various purposes. Unfortunately, it is often discarded worldwide due to a lack of awareness regarding its nutritional and practical significance. Even the nutrient-rich peels of fruits and vegetables are commonly wasted, despite their numerous useful applications. Utilizing vegetable waste to produce silver nanoparticles through green synthesis is an advantageous, economical, and environmentally friendly method for producing valuable products while addressing waste management concerns. The main emphasis of this study was to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by using vegetable waste from Solanum tuberosum (potato) and Coriander sativum (coriander).

Methods

The stems of Coriander sativum and peels of Solanum tuberosum were used as extracts for the synthesis of AgNPs. The characterization of the synthesized AgNPs involved UV-spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The phytochemical analysis was performed to analyze antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, antitumor, antioxidant, alpha-amylase, and protein inhibition activities.

Results

The change in the color of the reaction mixture from yellowish green to brown following the addition of extracts to the silver nitrate solution confirmed nanoparticle synthesis. UV analysis has shown peaks in the range of 300-400nm. SEM confirmed the spherical and agglomerated morphology and size of 64nm for potato peel and 70nm for coriander stem. XRD confirmed the crystalline structure of silver nanoparticles. The phytochemical assays confirmed that silver nanoparticles had higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles showed promising antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, antitumor, and antioxidant properties and significant alpha-amylase and protein inhibition activities in comparison with the crude extracts.

Conclusion

The bioactivity of the plant suggests that it could be a suitable option for therapeutic purposes. This study demonstrates a potential method for sustainable nanoparticle synthesis and the therapeutic applications of AgNPs derived from vegetable waste. By utilizing the potential of vegetable waste, we can contribute to both environmental sustainability and the development of innovative, valuable products in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and materials science. These findings encourage further research on agricultural byproducts, promoting environmentally friendly and economically advantageous research and development efforts.

The Release Behavior of Anthraquinones Encapsulated into Casein Micelles during In Vitro Digestion

The degradation of anthraquinones extracted from aloe vera plants can be prevented by encapsulating them in casein micelles (CMs). The oral, gastric, and intestinal digestion behavior of spray-dried microcapsules of casein micelles loaded with aloe vera-extracted anthraquinone powder (CMAQP), freeze-dried powder (CMFDP), and whole-leaf aloe vera gel (CMWLAG) obtained through ultrasonication was investigated. The results found that CMAQP and CMFDP dissolved slowly and coagulated into large curds during gastric digestion, improving the retention of anthraquinones in the digestive tract. In contrast, CMWLAG structure was destroyed and increased amounts of anthraquinones were released during oral and gastric digestion phases, indicating increased amounts of surface anthraquinones instead of the encapsulation of anthraquinones in the interior of CMs. The strong hydrophobic interactions protected anthraquinones within the core of CM for CMAQP and delayed diffusion. However, during SIF digestion, both CMAQP and CMFDP released significant amounts of anthraquinones, although CMAQP showed a much more controlled release for both aloin and aloe-emodin over SIF digestion time. The release behavior of anthraquinones from CM microcapsules was a function of the type of anthraquinone that was used to encapsulate. The present study provides insight into the release behavior of loaded bioactive compounds using food-grade CMs as the wall material during in vitro digestion and highlights the importance of the type of bioactive component form that will be encapsulated.

Ultrasound-Assisted Encapsulation of Anthraquinones Extracted from Aloe-Vera Plant into Casein Micelles

Aloe-vera extracted anthraquinones (aloin, aloe-emodin, rhein) possess a wide range of biological activities, have poor solubility and are sensitive to processing conditions. This work investigated the ultrasound-assisted encapsulation of these extracted anthraquinones (AQ) into casein micelles (CM). The particle size and zeta potential of casein micelles loaded with aloin (CMA), aloe-emodin (CMAE), rhein (CMR) and anthraquinone powder (CMAQ) ranged between 171–179 nm and −23 to −17 mV. The AQ powder had the maximum encapsulation efficiency (EE%) (aloin 99%, aloe-emodin 98% and rhein 100%) and encapsulation yield, while the whole leaf Aloe vera gel (WLAG) had the least encapsulation efficiency. Spray-dried powder (SDP) and freeze-dried powder (FDP) of Aloe vera showed a significant increase in size and zeta potential related to superficial coating instead of encapsulation. The significant variability in size, zeta potential and EE% were related to anthraquinone type, its binding affinity, and its ratio to CM. FTIR spectra confirmed that the structure of the casein micelle remained unchanged with the binding of anthraquinones except in casein micelles loaded with whole-leaf aloe vera gel (CMWLAG), where the structure was deformed. Based on our findings, Aloe vera extracted anthraquinones powder (AQ) possessed the best encapsulation efficiency within casein micelles without affecting its structure. Overall, this study provides new insights into developing new product formulations through better utilization of exceptional properties of casein micelles.

Medicinal Plants for Prophylaxis and Therapy of Common Infectious Diseases In Poultry-A Systematic Review of In Vivo Studies

Medicinal plants for prophylaxis and therapy of common infectious diseases in poultry have been studied for several years. The goal of this review was to systematically identify plant species and evaluate their potential in prophylaxis and therapy of common diseases in poultry caused by bacteria and gastrointestinal protozoa. The procedure followed the recommendations of the PRISMA statement and the AMSTAR measurement tool. The PICOS scheme was used to design the research questions. Two databases were consulted, and publications were manually selected, according to predefined in- and exclusion criteria. A scoring system was established to evaluate the remaining publications. Initially, 4197 identified publications were found, and 77 publications remained after manual sorting, including 38 publications with 70 experiments on bacterial infections and 39 publications with 78 experiments on gastrointestinal protozoa. In total, 83 plant species from 42 families were identified. Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were the most frequently found families with Artemisia annua being the most frequently found plant, followed by Origanum vulgare. As compared to placebo and positive or negative control groups, antimicrobial effects were found in 46 experiments, prebiotic effects in 19 experiments, and antiprotozoal effects in 47 experiments. In summary, a total of 274 positive effects predominated over 241 zero effects and 37 negative effects. Data indicate that O. vulgare, Coriandrum sativum, A. annua, and Bidens pilosa are promising plant species for prophylaxis and therapy of bacterial and protozoal diseases in poultry.

Determination of Chemical Composition, In Vitro and In Silico Evaluation of Essential Oil from Leaves of Apium graveolens Grown in Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study was to explore the composition and evaluate the in silico and in vitro antioxidants and antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of Apium graveolens var. dulce leaves essential oil (AGO) collected from Al-Kharj (Saudi Arabia). AGO was isolated using the hydro-distillation method, and its composition was studied using gas-chromatography-mass Spectrometry (GC–MS), antimicrobial activities using well diffusion assay, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities using spectrophotometric methods. The pharmacological activities of their major compounds were predicted using PASS (prediction of activity spectra for substances) and drug-likening properties by ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) through web-based online tools. Isocnidilide (40.1%) was identified as the major constituent of AGO along with β-Selinene, Senkyunolide A, Phytyl acetate, and 3-Butylphthalide. AGO exhibited a superior antibacterial activity, and the strongest activity was detected against Gram-positive bacteria and Candida albicans. Additionally, it exhibited a weaker antioxidant potential and stronger anti-inflammatory effects. PASS prediction supported the pharmacological finding, whereas ADMET revealed the safety of AGO. The molecular docking of isocnidilide was carried out for antibacterial (DNA gyrase), antioxidant (tyrosinase), and anti-inflammatory (cyclooxygenase-2) activities. The docking simulation results were involved hydrophilic interactions and demonstrated high binding affinity of isocnidilide for anti-inflammatory protein (cycloxygenase-2). The presence of isocnidilide makes AGO a potential anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. AGO, and its major metabolite isocnidilide, may be a suitable candidate for the future drug development.

Caribbean Women's Health and Transnational Ethnobotany

Caribbean Women's Health and Transnational Ethnobotany. Immigrants from the Dominican Republic (DR) and Haiti are among the top foreign-born communities in New York City (NYC). As people migrate to new countries, they bring their ethnomedical beliefs and practices, and adapt their plant pharmacopoeias. Haiti and the DR share a flora on the island of Hispaniola. In NYC, the flora is limited to what is available in the city. We selected plants for future laboratory research based on ethnobotanical data from two surveys among Dominicans in the DR and NYC, and a Haitian literature review. In both Dominican datasets, gynecological infections were the top women's health condition treated with plants. We identified 10 species for this purpose reported by Dominicans that are also known medicines in Haitian culture, although not yet documented for women's health. Plants for gynecological infections potentially cause dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiota, and may increase rather than prevent disease. There is a public health need to assess traditional medicines for their ability to inhibit pathogenic bacteria, while causing minimal disruption to the vaginal flora. Several species are known antibacterials, but remain to be tested for their efficacy. These results also provide a foundation for a planned ethnobotanical survey among NYC Haitian women.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12231-021-09526-3.