Molecular Spectroscopic (FTIR and UV-Vis) and Hyphenated Chromatographic (UHPLC-qTOF-MS) Analysis and In Vitro Bioactivities of the Momordica balsamina Leaf Extract

Assessment of bioactive compound variations and in-vitro and in-vivo antioxidant activity in edible fresh and processed Bambusa nutans shoot through FTIR, GC/MS and HPLC analyses

This study explores the impact of processing techniques on the bioactive composition and antioxidant properties of Bambusa nutans shoots, an underutilized superfood. Boiling resulted in a significant reduction of total phenols (39.52%), flavonoid (8.07%), and tannin (27.77%). Conversely, fermentation increased total phenols (25.92%), tannin (34.72%), and phytosterol (75.39%). Antioxidant activities were notably higher in fermented-shoots, as indicated by DPPH and FRAP assays, and in-vivo experiments demonstrated increased GSH (31.85%) and decreased LPO levels (11.12%) post-administration of fermented-shoots extract. Spectral analysis revealed an increased diversity of compounds in fermented shoots, with GC/MS identifying hexadecane-1-ol in significantly higher proportions and 11 characteristic bands in FTIR spectra. HPLC analysis demonstrated changes in phenolic acids and flavonoid content, with fermentation enhancing 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, 4'-hydroxycinnamic acid, benzene-1,2-diol, and luteolin contents. This study underscores the dynamic nature of B. nutans shoots, highlighting the potential for enhanced bioactivity and antioxidant properties through fermentation, offering promising avenues for culinary and pharmaceutical developments.

Phytochemical profiling and antioxidant evaluation of Rhododendron arboreum Sm leaf and flower: integrative analysis using advanced analytical techniques

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the biological activities of Rhododendron arboreum Sm from the eastern Himalayas, addressing a literature gap on its properties. It explores the plant's phytochemical, antioxidant, and medicinal characteristics.

SIGNIFICANCE

Evaluating methanolic extracts of R. arboreum offers valuable insights into its bioactive potential. Comprehensive GC-MS analysis identified a diverse array of compounds, highlighting the plant's chemical composition.

METHODS

Methanolic leaf and flower extracts underwent sequential extraction and phytochemical profiling using column chromatography, TLC, and GC-MS analysis. Spectral studies aided compound identification, and antioxidant activity was assessed via spectrophotometric assays.

RESULTS

Column chromatography separated methanol leaf and flower extracts into 17 and 24 distinct fractions, respectively. TLC analysis showed specific Rf values for leaf (0.58, 0.65, 0.75, 0.8, 0.86, 0.9) and flower samples (0.91, 0.38, 0.48, 0.51, 0.56, 0.6, 0.65, 0.75, 0.85, 0.96). GC-MS analysis revealed a variety of organic functional groups, including aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic compounds, heterocyclic molecules, phenolic compounds, steroids, terpenoids, alcohols, esters, and other bioactive compounds. FTIR spectra identified functional groups such as hydroxyls, primary amines, alkanes, and alkynes. NMR data indicated a complex molecular composition with diverse proton environments. Leaf extracts demonstrated superior antioxidant activity compared to flower extracts in DPPH, ABTS, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, lipid peroxidation inhibition, and FRAP assays.

CONCLUSION

The study identifies diverse phytochemicals in R.arboreum extracts and highlights their potential applications in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and functional foods, owing to the superior antioxidant activity of leaf extracts compared to flowers.

Qualitative, Quantitative, In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Chemical Profiling of Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne Using Advanced Analytical Techniques

Leptadenia pyrotechnica Forssk. Decne (LP) is a medicinal herb from the Asclepiadaceae family with many advantageous properties. The goal of this research is to identify, quantify, and evaluate the antioxidant potential of LP to validate its remarkable therapeutic advantages. The hot soxhlet extraction method was employed to prepare different extracts of LP (stem and root). These extracts were evaluated physiochemically to check their impurity, purity, and quality; qualitatively to detect different phytochemicals; and quantitatively for phenol, saponin, tannin, flavonoid, and alkaloid contents. Then, the in vitro antioxidant potential was estimated by DPPH, NO, H2O2 scavenging assays, and MC and FRAP assays. The most prevalent phytochemicals of LP were then analysed by AAS, FT-IR, UV-visible, and GC-MS techniques. A higher extractive yield was shown by LPSE and LPRE (7.37 ± 0.11 and 5.70 ± 0.02). The LP stem showed better physicochemical and qualitative results than the root. The quantitative and in vitro antioxidant results indicated maximal phenols, tannins, and alkaloid contents in LPSE, which was further confirmed by UV-visible, FT-IR, and GC-MS results. The extraction methods (soxhlation or ultrasonication) were optimized by utilizing RSM to determine the impacts of multiple parameters. The study concluded that the plant has remarkable therapeutic advantages to promote additional clinical investigations and the mechanisms of its action.

Assessment of antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties of acetone extract of Aerva lanata (L.) by in-vitro approach and bioactive compounds characterization

The antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities efficiency of Aerva lanata plant extracts (aqueous (Aqu-E), acetone (Ace-E), and ethanol (Eth-E)) were investigated in this study. Furthermore, the active molecules exist in the crude extract were characterized by UV-Visible spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses. The preliminary phytochemical study revealed that the Ace-E restrain more phytochemicals like alkaloids, saponins, anthraquinone, tannins, phenolics, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, amino acid, steroids, protein, coumarin, as well as quinine than Aqu-E and Eth-E. Accordingly to this Ace-E showed considerable antimicrobial activity as the follows: for bacteria S. aureus > E. coli > K. pneumoniae > P. aeruginosa > B. subtilis and for fungi T. viride > A.flavus > C. albicans > A.niger at 30 mg ml concentration. Similarly, Ace-E showed considerable antidiabetic (α-amylase: 71.7 % and α-glucosidase: 70.1 %) and moderate anti-inflammatory (59 % and 49.8 %) activities. The spectral and chromatogram studies confirmed that the Ace-E have pharmaceutically valuable bioactive molecules such as (Nbutyl)-octadecane, propynoic acid, neophytadiene, and 5,14-di (N-butyl)-octadecane. These findings suggest that Ace-E from A. lanata can be used to purify additional bioactive substances and conduct individual compound-based biomedical application research.

Antimicrobial and anti-diabetic efficiency of Polyalthia longifolia leaf extracts and major compounds characterization

This research was performed to investigate the bactericidal and fungicidal competence of extracts (methanol and petroleum ether extract) of Polyalthia longifolia leaf. Moreover, the major active compounds present in the effective crude extract (either methanol or petroleum ether extract) was determined through initially with UV-Vis spectra, FTIR, and GC-MS analyses. The methanol extract alone showed remarkable bactericidal and fungicidal activity against the bacterial (S. pyogenes > E. coli > S. aureus > S. pneumoniae > C. difficile > P. aeruginosa) and fungal (A. clavatus > C. albicans > A. niger > A. fumigatus > C. tropicalis > C. auris) pathogens at increased concentration (12.5 mg mL-1) than petroleum ether extract. The MIC and MBC values of methanol extract were found as 10-20 mg mL-1 and 30-40 mg mL-1 respectively. The MFC value of methanol extract was found as 10-20 mg mL-1. These MIC, MBC, and MFC values of methanol extract were considerably greater than petroleum ether extract. The FTIR and GC-MS characterization studies revealed that the presence of more acre functional groups belonging to bioactive compounds such as Z)-7-Hexadecenal, Aromandendrene, α-Curcumene, Caryophyllene, Methyl 14-methyl Pentadecanoat, Methyl trans-13-Octadecenoate, 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, and 2-hydroxy-1- (hydroxymethyl)ethyl. As a result of these findings, it is possible that P. longifolia leaf methanol extract contains medicinally important bioactive substances with bactericidal and fungicidal properties.

Cytotoxic activity of bimetallic Ag@Se green synthesized nanoparticles using Jerusalem Thorn (Parkinsonia aculeata)

Introduction: The process of green synthesis of metal nanoparticles is considered to be eco-friendly and cost-effective. Methods: In this study, bimetallic Ag@Se-P and Ag@Se-S nanoparticles were synthesized successfully using Parkinsonia aculeata aerial parts and seed extracts. The phytochemical contents in P. aculeata aerial parts and seed aqueous extract serve as reducing and stabilizing capping agents without the need for any chemical stabilization additive in the synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles. Result and Discussion: The obtained results from UV-vis spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the successful synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles with cluster irregular spherical morphology, crystalline nature, and average particle sizes of 17.65 and 24.36 nm for Ag@Se-S and Ag@Se-P, respectively. The cytotoxicity assessment of greenly synthesized nanomaterials using seed and plant extracts showed cell inhibition >50 μg/mL. Ag@Se-S and Ag@Se-P seed and plant extracts significantly reduced LPS-induced inflammation, which was assessed by NO and cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. The mRNA and protein expression levels of phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB) were significantly overexpressed in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell lines. Ag@Se-S and Ag@Se-P downregulated the expression of PI3K and NFkB in LPS-induced cell models.

Applications of some advanced sequencing, analytical, and computational approaches in medicinal plant research: a review

The potential active chemicals found in medicinal plants, which have long been employed as natural medicines, are abundant. Exploring the genes responsible for producing these compounds has given new insights into medicinal plant research. Previously, the authentication of medicinal plants was done via DNA marker sequencing. With the advancement of sequencing technology, several new techniques like next-generation sequencing, single molecule sequencing, and fourth-generation sequencing have emerged. These techniques enshrined the role of molecular approaches for medicinal plants because all the genes involved in the biosynthesis of medicinal compound(s) could be identified through RNA-seq analysis. In several research insights, transcriptome data have also been used for the identification of biosynthesis pathways. miRNAs in several medicinal plants and their role in the biosynthesis pathway as well as regulation of the disease-causing genes were also identified. In several research articles, an in silico study was also found to be effective in identifying the inhibitory effect of medicinal plant-based compounds against virus' gene(s). The use of advanced analytical methods like spectroscopy and chromatography in metabolite proofing of secondary metabolites has also been reported in several recent research findings. Furthermore, advancement in molecular and analytic methods will give new insight into studying the traditionally important medicinal plants that are still unexplored.

Mitigation of Benzene-Induced Haematotoxicity in Sprague Dawley Rats through Plant-Extract-Loaded Silica Nanobeads

Benzene, a potent carcinogen, is known to cause acute myeloid leukaemia. While chemotherapy is commonly used for cancer treatment, its side effects have prompted scientists to explore natural products that can mitigate the haematotoxic effects induced by chemicals. One area of interest is nano-theragnostics, which aims to enhance the therapeutic potential of natural products. This study aimed to enhance the effects of methanolic extracts from Ocimum basilicum, Rosemarinus officinalis, and Thymus vulgaris by loading them onto silica nanobeads (SNBs) for targeted delivery to mitigate the benzene-induced haematotoxic effects. The SNBs, 48 nm in diameter, were prepared using a chemical method and were then loaded with the plant extracts. The plant-extract-loaded SNBs were then coated with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The modified SNBs were characterized using various techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The developed plant-extract-loaded and CMC-modified SNBs were administered intravenously to benzene-exposed rats, and haematological and histopathological profiling was conducted. Rats exposed to benzene showed increased liver and spleen weight, which was mitigated by the plant-extract-loaded SNBs. The differential white blood cell (WBC) count was higher in rats with benzene-induced haematotoxicity, but this count decreased significantly in rats treated with plant-extract-loaded SNBs. Additionally, blast cells observed in benzene-exposed rats were not found in rats treated with plant-extract-loaded SNBs. The SNBs facilitated targeted drug delivery of the three selected medicinal herbs at low doses. These results suggest that SNBs have promising potential as targeted drug delivery agents to mitigate haematotoxic effects induced by benzene in rats.

Antioxidant Activity as an Indicator of the Efficiency of Plant Extract-Mediated Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

The green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using a diverse range of plant species has been extensively reported. Despite the success achieved by biogenic synthesis, there are problems with the control and prediction of the properties of ZnO NPs, due to phytochemical diversity between plant species. In this sense, the main objective of our work was to investigate the effect of the antioxidant activity (AA) of plant extracts on the physicochemical characteristics of ZnO NPs (production yield, chemical composition, polydispersity index (PDI), surface charge (ζ-potential) and average particle size). In order to accomplish this objective, four plant extract with different antioxidant activities were used: Galega officinalis, Buddleja globosa, Eucalyptus globulus, and Aristotelia chilensis. Phytochemical screening, quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity determination of the different extracts were carried out. Chemical species such as catechin, malvidin, quercetin, caffeic acid, and ellagic acid were the dominant components, found in the extracts studied. The A. chilensis extract showed the highest value of total phenolic compounds (TPC) and AA, followed by E. globulus, B. globosa and G. officinalis. Zetasizer, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data show that plant extracts with lower AA leads to a decrease in the yield of ZnO NPs and an increase in the amount of residual organic extract that remains on the particles. The latter caused an increase in the average particle size, PDI and ζ-potential as a consequence of agglomeration and particle coarsening. Our result suggest that it is possible to use the AA as an indicator of the potential reducing capacity of plant extracts. In this way it is possible to guarantee the reproducibility of the synthesis process as well as ensure the formation of ZnO NPs with desired characteristics.

Hydrogel for the Controlled Delivery of Bioactive Components from Extracts of Eupatorium glutinosum Lam. Leaves

This research reported a hydrogel loaded with the ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Eupatorium glutinosum Lam. The E. glutinosum extracts were characterized by phytochemical screening, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and UV/Vis profile identification. This research also evaluated the pharmacological activity of the extracts using antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory assays prior to polymeric encapsulation. Results indicate that extracts inhibit the Escherichia colii DH5-α (Gram negative) growth; excellent antioxidant activity was evaluated by the ferric reducing power and total antioxidant activity assays, and extracts showed an anti-hemolytic effect. Moreover, the cotton and microcrystalline cellulose hydrogels demonstrate successful encapsulation based on characterization and kinetics studies such as FTIR, extract release, and swelling degree. Moreover, effective antibacterial activity was registered by the loaded hydrogel. The overall results encourage and show that Eupatorium glutinosum-loaded hydrogel may find a wide range of bandage and wound healing applications in the biomedical area.

Toxicity Assessment of Curculigo orchioides Leaf Extract Using Drosophila melanogaster: A Preliminary Study

Curculigo orchioides is used in Indian and Chinese traditional medicinal systems for various health benefits. However, its toxicological effects are mostly unknown. This study assesses the potential toxicity of aqueous leaf (A.L.) extract of C. orchioides using Drosophila melanogaster as an experimental model. Preliminary phytochemical tests were followed by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) tests to identify the functional group in the A.L. extract of C. orchioides. Drosophila larvae/adults were exposed to varying concentrations of C. orchioides A.L. extract through diet, and developmental, lifespan, reproduction, and locomotory behaviour assays were carried out to assess the C. orchioides toxicity at organismal levels. The cellular toxicity of A.L. extract was examined by analysing the expression of heat shock protein (hsps), reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and cell death. The FTIR analysis showed the presence of functional groups indicating the presence of secondary metabolites like saponins, phenolics, and alkaloids. Exposure to A.L. extract during development resulted in reduced emergence and wing malformations in the emerged fly. Furthermore, a significant reduction in reproductive performance and the organism's lifespan was observed when adult flies were exposed to A.L. extract. This study indicates the adverse effect of C. orchioides A.L. extract on Drosophila and raises concerns about the practice of indiscriminate therapeutic use of plant extracts.

Romanian Viscum album L.—Untargeted Low-Molecular Metabolomic Approach to Engineered Viscum–AuNPs Carrier Assembly

Viscum is one of the most famous and appreciated medicinal plants in Europe and beyond. The symbiotic relationship with the host tree and various endogenous and ecological aspects are the main factors on which the viscum metabolites’ profiles depend. In addition, European traditional medicine mentions that only in two periods of the year (summer solstice and winter solstice) the therapeutic potential of the plant is at its maximum. Many studies have investigated the phytotherapeutic properties of viscum grown on different species of trees. However, studies on Romanian viscum are relatively few and refer mainly to the antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of mistletoe grown on Acer campestre, Fraxinus excelsior, Populus nigra, Malus domestica, or Robinia pseudoacacia. This study reports the first complete low-molecular-weight metabolite profile of Romanian wild-grown European viscum. A total of 140 metabolites were identified under mass spectra (MS) positive mode from 15 secondary metabolite categories: flavonoids, amino acids and peptides, terpenoids, phenolic acids, fatty acids, organic acids, nucleosides, alcohols and esters, amines, coumarins, alkaloids, lignans, steroids, aldehydes, and miscellaneous. In addition, the biological activity of each class of metabolite is discussed. The development of a simple and selective phyto-engineered AuNPs carrier assembly is reported and an evaluation of the nanocarrier system’s morpho-structure is performed, to capitalize on the beneficial properties of viscum and AuNPs.