In-Vitro Antioxidant, Hypoglycemic Activity, and Identification of Bioactive Compounds in Phenol-Rich Extract from the Marine Red Algae Gracilaria edulis (Gmelin) Silva

Review of the pharmacological properties of marine macroalgae used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Indonesia

Indonesia is the largest archipelagic country in the world, with 70% of its territory covered by oceans that are rich in various types of biological resources. Indonesia's biodiversity has made it possible to develop natural medicine. Marine algae have enormous potential, but the types of marine algae used still need to be more varied. Research on the pharmacology of marine macroalgae has been conducted in Indonesia, but studies on such topic related to diabetes mellitus (DM) still need to be completed. This study provides a comprehensive dataset of pharmacological anti-diabetic potential of marine macroalgae used for managing DM and reports on preclinical trials that provide pharmacological evidence. Data on the Indonesian marine macroalgae used to lower blood glucose were obtained from online sources. The bioactive chemicals of marine macroalgae have been found efficient at blocking several diabetes enzymes in in-vivo and in-vitro studies, and such chemicals have anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, antioxidant, and other therapeutic benefits. The Google Scholar was used to search for the pharmacological literature with the keywords marine AND macroalgae AND diabetes AND Indonesia. Pharmacological research on the anti-diabetic activity of marine macroalgae has been carried out on five major Indonesian islands, including Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Sulawesi, and Papua, which encompassed 12 provinces: Southwest Papua, South Sulawesi, West Kalimantan, Riau Archipelago, Banten, West Java, North Sulawesi, East Java, Yogyakarta, Maluku, Jakarta, and Bengkulu. Articles on preclinical tests (in vitro and in vivo) were also used for the phytochemical problem section. The results briefly describe which class of algae has been widely used in Indonesia as an anti-diabetic. The findings of this research can be utilized to help find DM treatment drugs based on natural resources from marine macroalgae.

The Ocean's Pharmacy: Health Discoveries in Marine Algae

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent a global health challenge, constituting a major cause of mortality and disease burden in the 21st century. Addressing the prevention and management of NCDs is crucial for improving global public health, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies, early interventions, and innovative therapeutic approaches to mitigate their far-reaching consequences. Marine organisms, mainly algae, produce diverse marine natural products with significant therapeutic potential. Harnessing the largely untapped potential of algae could revolutionize drug development and contribute to combating NCDs, marking a crucial step toward natural and targeted therapeutic approaches. This review examines bioactive extracts, compounds, and commercial products derived from macro- and microalgae, exploring their protective properties against oxidative stress, inflammation, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, metabolic diseases, and cancer across in vitro, cell-based, in vivo, and clinical studies. Most research focuses on macroalgae, demonstrating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, gut health modulation, metabolic health promotion, and anti-cancer effects. Microalgae products also exhibit anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and anti-cancer properties. Although studies mainly investigated extracts and fractions, isolated compounds from algae have also been explored. Notably, polysaccharides, phlorotannins, carotenoids, and terpenes emerge as prominent compounds, collectively representing 42.4% of the investigated compounds.

Seaweed and Seaweed-Based Functional Metabolites as Potential Modulators of Growth, Immune and Antioxidant Responses, and Gut Microbiota in Fish

Seaweed, also known as macroalgae, represents a vast resource that can be categorized into three taxonomic groups: Rhodophyta (red), Chlorophyta (green), and Phaeophyceae (brown). They are a good source of essential nutrients such as proteins, minerals, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Seaweed also contains a wide range of functional metabolites, including polyphenols, polysaccharides, and pigments. This study comprehensively discusses seaweed and seaweed-derived metabolites and their potential as a functional feed ingredient in aquafeed for aquaculture production. Past research has discussed the nutritional role of seaweed in promoting the growth performance of fish, but their effects on immune response and gut health in fish have received considerably less attention in the published literature. Existing research, however, has demonstrated that dietary seaweed and seaweed-based metabolite supplementation positively impact the antioxidant status, disease resistance, and stress response in fish. Additionally, seaweed supplementation can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibit the proliferation of harmful bacteria, thereby improving gut health and nutrient absorption in fish. Nevertheless, an important balance remains between dietary seaweed inclusion level and the resultant metabolic alteration in fish. This review highlights the current state of knowledge and the associated importance of continued research endeavors regarding seaweed and seaweed-based functional metabolites as potential modulators of growth, immune and antioxidant response, and gut microbiota composition in fish.

Roles of Marine Macroalgae or Seaweeds and Their Bioactive Compounds in Combating Overweight, Obesity and Diabetes: A Comprehensive Review

Obesity and diabetes are matters of serious concern in the health sector due to their rapid increase in prevalence over the last three decades. Obesity is a severe metabolic problem that results in energy imbalance that is persistent over a long period of time, and it is characterized by insulin resistance, suggesting a strong association with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The available therapies for these diseases have side effects and some still need to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and they are expensive for underdeveloped countries. Hence, the need for natural anti-obesity and anti-diabetic drugs has increased in recent years due to their lower costs and having virtually no or negligible side effects. This review thoroughly examined the anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects of various marine macroalgae or seaweeds and their bioactive compounds in different experimental settings. According to the findings of this review, seaweeds and their bioactive compounds have been shown to have strong potential to alleviate obesity and diabetes in both in vitro and in vivo or animal-model studies. However, the number of clinical trials in this regard is limited. Hence, further studies investigating the effects of marine algal extracts and their bioactive compounds in clinical settings are required for developing anti-obesity and anti-diabetic medicines with better efficacy but lower or no side effects.

Biology, farming and applications of economically important red seaweed Gracilaria edulis (S. G. Gmelin) P. C. Silva: A concise review

Gracilaria edulis is one of the most studied agarophytes, especially in tropical regions like India because of its natural abundance. Apart from the Indian peninsula, it is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. The taxonomy of G. edulis is evolving; currently G. edulis is the taxonomically accepted name, however several phylogenetic and morphological investigations supported its inclusion in the genus Hydropuntia. In addition to the conventional farming methods like the tube net and raft methods which use clonally propagated seed material, spore-based planting materials like carpospores have been employed to cultivate G. edulis. Co-cultivation with shrimp farm wastewater has also been practised to make the cultivation economically viable and environmentally sustainable as the seaweed could provide an efficient ecosystem service by up taking nitrogen from the shrimp waste. Like other seaweed cultivation systems, farming of G. edulis is also infested by various epiphytes like Ulva, Cladophora, Ceramium, Centroceras, Hypnea and Padina as well as grazed by fishes like Monodactylus, Pelates and Pteroscirtes which decrease the growth and ultimately result in low yield of agar, seaweed sap and other value added products. Food grade agar produced by this seaweed is an important resource and the current review focusses on the latest extraction technologies. Further, there also is evidence based application of plant bio-stimulant derived from G. edulis feedstock which has proven to be highly effective in enhancing the yield by 10-33% in field trials of nine cash crops.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10811-023-02955-8.

Biological activity of algal derived carrageenan: A comprehensive review in light of human health and disease

Carrageenans are a family of natural linear sulfated polysaccharides derived from red seaweeds and used as a common food additive. Carrageenan's properties, impact on health, and aesthetic benefits have all been studied for a long time; however, the mechanisms are still unclear. In pharmaceutical aspects, carrageenan displayed potential antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties in both in vivo and in vitro action. It also contributes to potential disease-preventive activities through dynamic modulation of important intracellular signaling pathways, regulation of ROS buildup, and preservation of major cell survival and death processes which leads to potential drug development. Furthermore, the chemical synthesis of the current bioactive medicine with confirmational rearrangement may increase availability and bioactivity needs diligent examination. In this review, we give an up-to-date overview of recent research on Carrageenan with reference to health and therapeutic advantages. In addition, we have focused on structural conformation and its primary strategic deployment in disease prevention, as well as the mechanistic investigation of how it functions to combat various disease-preventive employed for future therapeutic interventions. This review may get new insights into the possible novel role of carrageenan and open up a novel disease-preventive mechanism and enhance human health.

In Vitro α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity of Green Seaweed Halimeda tuna Extract from the Coast of Lhok Bubon, Aceh

Seaweed belongs to marine biota and contains nutrients and secondary metabolites beneficial for health. This study aimed to determine the antidiabetic activity of extracts and fractions of green seaweed Halimeda tuna. The H. tuna sample was extracted with the maceration method using methanol and then partitioned using ethyl acetate and water to obtain ethyl acetate and water fractions. The methanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction, and water fraction of H. tuna were tested for their inhibitory activity against α-amilase and α-glucosidase. The methanol extract and the fractions with the highest inhibitory activity were phytochemically tested and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction (IC50 = 0.88 ± 0.20 mg/mL) inhibited α-amylase relatively similar to acarbose (IC50 = 0.76 ± 0.04 mg/mL). The methanol extract (IC50 = 0.05 ± 0.01 mg/mL) and the ethyl acetate fraction (IC50 = 0.01 ± 0.00 mg/mL) demonstrated stronger inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase than acarbose (IC50 = 0.27 ± 0.13 mg/mL). Phytochemical testing showed that the methanol extract and the ethyl acetate fraction contained secondary metabolites: alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, and phenol hydroquinone. The compounds in methanol extract predicted to have inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase were Docosanol, Neophytadiene, Stigmasta-7,22-dien-3-ol,acetate,(3.beta.,5.alpha.,22E), Octadecanoic acid,2-oxo-,methyl ester, and phytol, while those in the ethyl acetate fraction were n-Nonadecane, Phytol, Butyl ester, 14-.Beta.-H-pregna, Octadecenoic acid, and Oleic acid.

Phytochemical and Potential Properties of Seaweeds and Their Recent Applications: A Review

Since ancient times, seaweeds have been employed as source of highly bioactive secondary metabolites that could act as key medicinal components. Furthermore, research into the biological activity of certain seaweed compounds has progressed significantly, with an emphasis on their composition and application for human and animal nutrition. Seaweeds have many uses: they are consumed as fodder, and have been used in medicines, cosmetics, energy, fertilizers, and industrial agar and alginate biosynthesis. The beneficial effects of seaweed are mostly due to the presence of minerals, vitamins, phenols, polysaccharides, and sterols, as well as several other bioactive compounds. These compounds seem to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, and anti-diabetic activities. Recent advances and limitations for seaweed bioactive as a nutraceutical in terms of bioavailability are explored in order to better comprehend their therapeutic development. To further understand the mechanism of action of seaweed chemicals, more research is needed as is an investigation into their potential usage in pharmaceutical companies and other applications, with the ultimate objective of developing sustainable and healthier products. The objective of this review is to collect information about the role of seaweeds on nutritional, pharmacological, industrial, and biochemical applications, as well as their impact on human health.

Amino acid sequence of two new milk-clotting proteases from the macroalga Gracilaria edulis

This study is aimed at identifying and characterising the proteases we previously extracted from the red seaweed Gracilaria edulis with the potential as milk-clotting enzymes. The protease extract was first analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and zymography. Two protease bands with a molecular weight of 44 and 108 kDa were identified, and analysed using in-gel digestion and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Eight peptides from the LC-MS/MS analysis matched those in existing protein databases but they were not related to any protease of the genera Gracilaria and Hydropuntia. Further analysis revealed that more than 80% of the peptide sequence of the algal proteases matched with those from members of the bacteria kingdom, including Gallaecimonas and Alteromonas. Among these, twelve matching homolog proteases were identified as metalloprotease and serine protease. The results indicated that the algal proteases have a close relationship with both algae and bacteria, and suggest that the proteases might have resulted from past bacterial colonisation of the algae and subsequent horizontal gene transfer between bacteria and algae.

Algal polysaccharides and derivatives as potential therapeutics for obesity and related metabolic diseases

The potential and challenges of algal polysaccharides and their derivatives as potential therapeutic agents for obesity and its related metabolic diseases.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol and aqueous extracts of Sargassum wightii

Introduction: Antioxidants of natural sources for the treatment of many ailments have taken priority since the last decades. Recently, researches have been focused on marine algae as they are the largest reservoir of bioactive compounds. Hence, the objective of this study was to explore the in-vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Sargassum wightii. Methods: The total phenolics, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid (AA) contents were evaluated informs of gallic acid equivalent (GAE), rutin equivalent (RUE), and AA equivalent, respectively. The aqueous and methanolic extracts were isolated. The antioxidant activities were explored using2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), hydroxyl radical scavenging, and ferric reducing power assays. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was assayed using nitric oxide radical scavenging, inhibition of protein denaturation, and antiproteinase activities. Results: We observed significant changes in DPPH scavenging activity with both methanolicSargassum extract (MSE) and aqueous Sargassum extract (ASE) [IC50: 511.15 µg/mL and 927.05µg/mL, respectively]. Methanolic extract showed a greater SOD scavenging activity [IC50: 369.56µg/mL] and hydroxyl radical scavenging potential [IC50: 668.93 µg/mL] than that of ASE [SOD,IC50: 923.94 µg/mL; hydroxyl ion, IC50: 953.57 µg/mL]. In the Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, MSE and ASE exhibited absorbance of 0.93±0.12 and 0.59±0.08, respectively, at 1200 µg/mL each. Both methanol and ASEs showed NO– scavenging activity having IC50 in order, AA(96.46 µg/mL) <MSE (963.50 µg/mL) <ASE (1974.88 µg/mL). However, the protein denaturation inhibition and antiproteinase activity of both these extracts at 1000 µg/mL were similar. Conclusion: Sargassum wightii has promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and could be a potential candidate for drug development targeting oxidative stress-mediated inflammatory diseases.

In Vitro Antioxidant Properties, Glucose-Diffusion Effects, α-Amylase Inhibitory Activity, and Antidiabetogenic Effects of C. Europaea Extracts in Experimental Animals

Caralluma europaea (Guss.) N.E.Br. (C. europaea), is a medicinal plant used traditionally to treat diabetes mellitus (DM) in Morocco. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro antioxidant properties, glucose diffusion effects, α-amylase inhibitory activity, and pancreatic protective effects of C. europaea in experimental alloxan-induced diabetes in mice. Total phenolic contents were determined by Folin–Ciocalteu colorimetric method, total flavonoid contents were measured by aluminum chloride colorimetric assay, and tannins contents were determined by employing the vanillin method. C. europaea ethyl acetate fraction exhibited high antioxidant potential in terms of radical scavenging (DPPH) (IC50 = 0.22 ± 0.01 mg/mL), β-carotene bleaching activity (IC50 = 1.153 ± 0.07 mg/mL), and Ferric-reducing antioxidant power. Glucose diffusion was significantly inhibited by the ethyl acetate fraction at 60,120and 180 min, while the aqueous extract did not have this inhibitory effect when compared with the control group. Potent α-amylase inhibitory activity was observed in the ethyl acetate fraction and the aqueous extract in vitro and in vivo using STZ-diabetic rats. On the other hand, the administration of the ethyl acetate fraction (60 mg/kg) significantly attenuated alloxan-induced death and hyperglycemia in treated mice. Furthermore, histopathological investigations revealed that the ethyl acetate fraction protected islets of Langerhans against alloxan-induced tissue alterations. These results suggest that C. europaea exhibited an important antihyperglycemic effect via the inhibition of glucose diffusion and pancreatic α-amylase activity. In addition, the antidiabetogenic effect of C. europaea might be attributed to their polyphenol and flavonoid compounds, which could be reacted alone, or in synergy, to scavenge the free radicals produced by the alloxan.

An Overview to the Health Benefits of Seaweeds Consumption

Currently, seaweeds are gaining major attention due to the benefits they give to our health. Recent studies demonstrate the high nutritional value of seaweeds and the powerful properties that seaweeds' bioactive compounds provide. Species of class Phaeophyceae, phylum Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta possess unique compounds with several properties that are potential allies of our health, which make them valuable compounds to be involved in biotechnological applications. In this review, the health benefits given by consumption of seaweeds as whole food or by assumption of bioactive compounds trough natural drugs are highlighted. The use of seaweeds in agriculture is also highlighted, as they assure soils and crops free from chemicals; thus, it is advantageous for our health. The addition of seaweed extracts in food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and industrial companies will enhance the production and consumption/usage of seaweed-based products. Therefore, there is the need to implement the research on seaweeds, with the aim to identify more bioactive compounds, which may assure benefits to human and animal health.

Study on extraction methods of polysaccharides from a processed product of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx

Traditional Chinese medicine PaoTianXiong (PTX) is a processed product of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx. with polysaccharide as the main ingredient. The properties of PTX polysaccharide (PTXP) may be affected by different extraction methods. To develop and utilize PTXP better, it is of great significance to study the extraction methods of PTXP. Thus, we extracted PTXPs with dilute alkaline water extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, cellulase-assisted extraction, and hot water extraction (HWE), respectively. The characterizations of PTXPs extracted by different methods were analyzed based on purity determination, infrared analysis, molecular weight and monosaccharide composition. And antioxidant experiments of PTXPs were conducted. The results showed that PTXPs extracted by the four extraction methods were all glucan. After purification, the PTXPs showed similar antioxidant activity in vitro. The molecular weight of polysaccharides extracted by the cellulase-assisted method was different from that extracted by the other three methods. Our results showed that not only the yield but also the effect of extraction methods on the properties of PTXP should be considered when selecting the best extraction method. Therefore, HWE was considered to be the best extraction method of PTXP. The yield and purity of purified PTXP were 24.5% and 97.1%, respectively. The optimized extraction conditions were: an extraction temperature of 90 °C, extraction time of 2.17 h, solid-liquid ratio of 1 : 29 (g mL^-1), and number of extractions of 2.

Characterization of an Agarophyton chilense Oleoresin Containing PPARγ Natural Ligands with Insulin-Sensitizing Effects in a C57Bl/6J Mouse Model of Diet-Induced Obesity and Antioxidant Activity in Caenorhabditis elegans

The biomedical potential of the edible red seaweed Agarophyton chilense (formerly Gracilaria chilensis) has not been explored. Red seaweeds are enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids and eicosanoids, which are known natural ligands of the PPARγ nuclear receptor. PPARγ is the molecular target of thiazolidinediones (TZDs), drugs used as insulin sensitizers to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Medical use of TZDs is limited due to undesired side effects, a problem that has triggered the search for selective PPARγ modulators (SPPARMs) without the TZD side effects. We produced Agarophyton chilense oleoresin (Gracilex®), which induces PPARγ activation without inducing adipocyte differentiation, similar to SPPARMs. In a diet-induced obesity model of male mice, we showed that treatment with Gracilex® improves insulin sensitivity by normalizing altered glucose and insulin parameters. Gracilex® is enriched in palmitic acid, arachidonic acid, oleic acid, and lipophilic antioxidants such as tocopherols and β-carotene. Accordingly, Gracilex® possesses antioxidant activity in vitro and increased antioxidant capacity in vivo in Caenorhabditis elegans. These findings support the idea that Gracilex® represents a good source of natural PPARγ ligands and antioxidants with the potential to mitigate metabolic disorders. Thus, its nutraceutical value in humans warrants further investigation.

Epicatechin and quercetin exhibit in vitro antioxidant effect, improve biochemical parameters related to metabolic syndrome, and decrease cellular genotoxicity in humans

Metabolic syndrome is a condition whose incidence has been increasing around the world. It promotes a metabolic state of chronic systemic inflammation, correlated to cellular stress and genetic mutations, and subsequently with deadly chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. A randomized placebo-controlled study (n = 156) was conducted to determine the effects of consuming an enriched bread with 0.05% of a 1:1 mixture of (-)-epicatechin and quercetin on anthropometric and biochemical parameters of the participants. As a result, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, total triglycerides, and fasting plasma glucose significantly decreased after three months of daily enriched bread consumption. Nuclear abnormalities in buccal epithelium cells also decreased (15.8 ± 3.2 down to 8.3 ± 1.0), showing a genoprotective effect. The antioxidant properties of these compounds were observed by monitoring changes in the cytoplasmic redox tone of intact Caco-2 cells expressing HyPer, a fluorescent redox biosensor. The combination of (-)-epicatechin and quercetin changes the cytoplasmic redox ambient in living cells and significantly improves biochemical parameters related to metabolic syndrome, and decreases the number of cell abnormalities in buccal epithelium cells of patients.

Antimicrobial activity of Plumbago indica and ligand screening of plumbagin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

In this study, the antimicrobial properties of Plumbago indica root bark against bacterial strains and a fungal strain were investigatedusing the disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration assays. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, and column chromatography analyses were conducted to identify and isolate the active compounds. A docking study was performed to identify possible interactions between the active compound and DNA gyrase using the Schrödinger Glide docking program. Both methanol extract and the ethyl acetate fraction of the root bark showed significant antimicrobial activity against the gram-positive bacteria than against the gram-negative bacteria and the fungal strain. The active compound was identified as plumbagin. A disc diffusion assay of plumbagin revealed potent antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Molecular docking of plumbagin revealed high specificity towards the DNA gyrase binding site with a high fitness score and a minimum energy barrier of -7.651 kcal/mol. These findings indicate that P. indica exhibits significant antimicrobial activity, primarily due to the presence of plumbagin. The specificity of plumbagin toward DNA gyrase in S. aureus indicates the feasibility of utilizing P. indica for developing new drug leads against drug resistant microbial strain. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Special Issue "Plant Extracts: Biological and Pharmacological Activity"

The use of plant extracts for therapeutic purposes knows a wide diffusion [...].

Therapeutic Efficacy of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Flowers to Inhibit Proliferation of Acute and Chronic Primary Human Leukemia Cells, with Adipocyte Differentiation and in Silico Analysis of Interactions between Survivin Protein and Selected Secondary Metabolites

Although the antidiabetic efficacy of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis flowers has been reported, antiproliferative and anti-obesity activities are yet to be explored. We examined the anti-obesity and antiproliferative potentials of different fractions (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol) of N. abor-tristis flower extract for the first time using 3T3-L1 cells, primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from healthy and adult acute myeloid (AML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients, recombinant Jurkat T cells, and MCF7 cell lines. The in vitro hypoglycemic activity was evaluated using the inhibition of α-amylase enzyme and glucose uptake by yeast cells. The percentage glucose uptake and α-amylase inhibitory activity increased in a dose-dependent manner in the crude and the tested fractions (hexane and ethyl acetate). Inhibition of the 3T3-L1 cells’ differentiation was observed in the ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions, followed by the hexane fraction. Antiproliferative analyses revealed that Nyctanthes exerted a high specific activity against anti-AML and anti-CLL PBMC cells, especially by the hexane and ethyl acetate fractions. The gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis indicated the presence of 1-heptacosanol (hexane fraction), 1-octadecene (hexane and chloroform fractions), and other organic compounds. Molecular docking demonstrated that phenol,2,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) and 4-hydroxypyridine 1-oxide compounds showed specificity toward survivin protein, indicating the feasibility of N. abor-tristis in developing new drug leads against leukemia.