Potential Acetylcholinesterase, Lipase, α-Glucosidase, and α-Amylase Inhibitory Activity, as well as Antimicrobial Activities, of Essential Oil from Lettuce Leaf Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Elicited with Jasmonic Acid

Enzyme Inhibitory, Physicochemical, and Phytochemical Properties and Botanical Sources of Honey, Bee Pollen, Bee Bread, and Propolis Obtained from the Same Apiary

Bee products are an important source of nutrients and bioactive phytochemicals. This study aimed to determine the chemical composition (proximate composition, general phytochemical composition, sugar, and phenolic profiles) of four different products (honey, bee pollen, bee bread, and propolis), obtained from the same apiary, as well as to assess their biological activity through antioxidant and enzyme inhibition assays (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase, AchE, neuraminidase, angiotensin-converting enzyme, urease, trypsin, tyrosinase, carbonic anhydrase, thioredoxin reductase, adenosine deaminase). Clear differences were observed among the samples in terms of both chemical composition and biological activity. The analysis revealed that bee pollen exhibited the highest carbohydrate content (87.9%), while propolis was identified as the richest source of phenolic compounds (14,858.9 mg/kg) among the analyzed samples. Propolis exhibited the highest biological activity in all applied antioxidant assays (CUPRAC, DPPH•, and ABTS•+) and in most enzyme inhibition assays. Notably, the α-glucosidase inhibition activity of propolis was comparable to that of the reference standard. In addition, honey exhibited remarkable trypsin inhibition, also comparable to the applied standard. These findings highlight the diverse bioactivities of hive products, which could play a key role in promoting health and preventing diseases.

Exploring of Chemical Profile and Biological Activities of Three Ocimum Species From Comoros Islands: A Combination of In Vitro and In Silico Insights

Ocimum species have a great interest in different traditional medicinal systems. This study examined the chemical composition, antioxidant properties, enzyme inhibitory effects, and antibacterial and antifungal activities of the aerial parts of Ocimum gratissimum, Ocimum americanum, and Ocimum basilicum from the Comoros Islands. The extracts were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) to determine their chemical composition. Antioxidant activity was assessed using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), chelating ability, and phosphomolybdenum radical scavenging assays. Enzyme inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butrylcholinesterase (BChE), tyrosinase, amylase, and glucosidase were evaluated using spectrophotometric methods. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were tested using the broth microdilution method against selected pathogenic microorganisms. The selected enzymes and proteins were evaluated using in silico methods with biomolecules from these plants. In addition, 111 different metabolites were identified in the tested extracts using advanced HPLC/MS techniques. The most significant number of detected compounds were derivatives of hydroxycinnamic acids, followed by flavonoid glycosides and aglycones and derivatives of hydroxybenzoic acids. All three Ocimum species exhibited significant antioxidant activities, O. gratissimum exhibited the best-reducing abilities in CUPRAC and FRAP assays. In addition, enzyme inhibitory assays revealed that O. americanum had the most potent inhibitory effect on tyrosinase (48.01 ± 3.89 mg kojic acid equivalent [KAE]/g), and amylase (1.08 ± 0.02 mmol acarbose equivalent [ACAE]/g). Antibacterial and antifungal tests demonstrated that the extracts possess broad-spectrum activity. Molecular docking results showed that compounds exhibited remarkable binding energies with target enzymes and proteins. The molecular dynamics simulations identified chicoric acid with MurE of Staphylococcus aureus complex as the most promising drug candidate. These findings support their traditional medical and nutraceutical uses and suggest possibilities for natural functional applications.

Natural Compounds with Antimicrobial Properties in Cosmetics

Currently, the cosmetic industry is a very intensively growing part of the economy. Consumer demands are adapted to the current lifestyle, which is based on technological innovations and awareness of the impact of various factors on human health and fitness. There is growing interest in cosmetics based on environmentally friendly natural compounds exerting health-promoting effects. Chemicals with antimicrobial properties used as ingredients in cosmetics ensure their durability and safety. Polyphenolic compounds, peptides, essential oils, and plant extracts characterized by these properties are natural ingredients that can replace synthetic components of cosmetics. The advantage of these compounds is that they exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties, enhancing the product value in addition to their antimicrobial properties. This review article describes the antimicrobial properties of natural compounds that can protect cosmetics and can replace previously used preservative agents. Various studies indicate that the use of these compounds increases consumer interest in these products and has a positive impact on the environment.

Phytochemical analysis and comprehensive evaluation of pharmacological potential of Artemisia brevifolia Wall. ex DC

Multitude of diseases and side effects from conventional drugs have surged the use of herbal remedies. Thus, the current study aimed to appraise various pharmacological attributes of Artemisia brevifolia Wall. ex DC. Extracts prepared by successive solvent extraction were subjected to phytochemical and multimode antioxidant assays. Various polyphenolics and artemisinin derivatives were detected and quantified using RP-HPLC analysis. Compounds present in methanol (M) and distilled water (DW) extracts were identified using high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Extracts were pharmacologically evaluated for their antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, antileishmanial and antidiabetic potentials. Moreover, cytotoxicity against Artemiasalina, human cancer cell lines and isolated lymphocytes was assessed. Genotoxicity was evaluated using comet, micronucleus and chromosomal aberration assays. Lastly, anti-inflammatory potential was determined through a series of in vitro and in vivo assays using BALB/c mice.

Maximum extract recovery (5.95% w/w) was obtained by DW extract. Highest phenolics and flavonoids content, total antioxidant capacity, total reduction potential, percentfree radical scavenging, β-carotene scavenging and iron chelating activities were exhibited by M extract. RP-HPLC analysis revealed significant amounts of various polyphenolic compounds (vanillic acid, syringic acid, emodin and luteolin), artemisinin, dihydro artemisinin, artesunate and artemether in ethyl acetate (EA) extract. Total 40 compounds were detected through HRMS. A noteworthy antimicrobial activity (MIC 22.22 µg/ml) was exhibited by EA extract against A. fumigatus and several bacterial strains. Maximum antimalarial, antileishmanial, brine shrimp lethality and cytotoxic potential against cancer cells was manifested by EA extract. None of the extracts exhibited genotoxicity and toxicity against isolated lymphocytes. Highest α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition capacities were demonstrated by DW extract. Various in-vivo anti-inflammatory models revealed significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory potential of M and DW extracts. In conclusion, present findings divulged theremarkable pharmacological potential of A. brevifolia and endorse its richness in artemisinin.