Screening and GC-MS profiling of ethanolic extract of Tylophora pauciflora

Ameliorative potential of ethanol extract of Calyptrochilum emarginatum leaves on scopolamine-induced amnesia in male swiss mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Calyptrochilum emarginatum (Afzel. Ex Sw.) Schltr. (Orchidaceae) is a traditional medicinal plant known for its antimicrobial properties and efficacy in managing convulsive fever and menstrual disorders and addressing conditions such as malaria, tuberculosis, and cough.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aims to examine the memory-enhancing and neuroprotective properties of ethanol extract of Calyptrochilum emarginatum leaves (EECEL) in scopolamine-induced amnesia mice model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-two male mice were divided into six groups (n = 7). Group 1 served as control, administered distilled water (10 mL/kg, p. o), group 2 received scopolamine only (3 mg/kg, i. p.), groups 3 to 6 received pretreatments of EECEL (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, p. o.) and donepezil (1 mg/kg, p. o.) 30 min before scopolamine (3 mg/kg), for seven days. Following treatments, behavioral (learning and memory) assessments were carried out, while biochemical (acetylcholinesterase activity, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines markers) and histological evaluations were done after euthanasia.

RESULTS

Scopolamine significantly impaired spatial, long term and recognition memory. Nevertheless, administration of EECEL (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg orally) enhanced memory function in mice, as observed in the Y maze [F (5, 30) = 20.23, p < 0.0001], Morris water maze [F (10, 90) = 3.105, p = 0.0019; [F (5, 30) = 21.13, p < 0.0001]], and novel object recognition tasks [F (5, 30) = 37.22, p < 0.0001)]. Scopolamine-treated mice exhibited significant dysfunction in the cholinergic system, as evidenced by elevated AChE activity [0.099 ± 0.005 vs. 0.063 ± 0.004 mol/min/g] with an elevation in oxidative stress. On the other hand, administration of EECEL counteracted these consequences by reducing AChE activity, mitigating oxidative damage, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and preventing degeneration of neurons.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated that EECEL effectively mitigates scopolamine-induced memory impairment via an oxido-inflammatory mechanism and modulation of the central cholinergic system.

Probing Antibacterial and Anticancer Potential of Selenicereus undatus, Pistacia vera L. and Olea europaea L. against Uropathogens, MCF-7 and A2780 Cancer Cells

Urinary tract infection is an infectious disease that requires immediate treatment. It can occur in any age group and involves both genders equally. The present study was to check the resistance of some antibiotics and to assess the antibacterial potential of three extracts of three plants against notorious bacteria involved in urinary tract infections. Along with assessing the antibacterial activity of plant extracts, we checked for the anticancer potential of these extracts against the cancer cell lines MCF-7 and A2780. Cancer is the leading cause of mortality in developed countries. Determinations of total flavonoid content, total phenolic content, total alkaloid content, total tannin content, total carotenoid content, and total steroid content were performed. The disk diffusion method was used to analyze the antibacterial activity of plant extracts. Ethanolic extract of Selenicereus undatus showed sensitivity (25-28 mm) against bacteria, whereas chloroform and hexane extracts showed resistance against all bacteria except Staphylococcus (25 mm). Ethanolic extract of Pistacia vera L. showed sensitivity (22-25 mm) against bacteria, whereas chloroform and hexane extracts showed resistance. Ethanolic extract of Olea europaea L. showed sensitivity (8-16 mm) against all bacteria except Staphylococcus, whereas chloroform and hexane extracts showed resistance. Positive controls showed variable zones of inhibition (2-60 mm), and negative control showed 0-1 mm. The antibiotic resistance was much more prominent in the case of hexane and chloroform extracts of all plants, whereas ethanolic extract showed a sensitivity of bacteria against extracts. Both cell lines, MCF-7 and A2780, displayed decreased live cells when treated with plant extracts.

A comprehensive review on the ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological aspects of the genus Malvastrum

The genus Malvastrum, from the family Malvaceae, is a small genus of twenty four species, distributed worldwide. Some of the species have a long and rich history of ethnobotanical and traditional medicinal uses. Few reports of systematic scientific studies can be found in the literature which highlight the rich chemical profile and pharmacological properties of the genus. This is the first ever attempt to compile the available literature and provide a critical overview for future studies on the genus. For this purpose, several databases, such as PubMed, Scifinder, Elsevier, Google Scholar, and others were utilized. Literature records the presence of bioactive metabolites in the genus, effective against dysentery, gastrointestinal distress, fever, enteritis, hepatitis, cough, sore throat, arthritis, and diabetes. Seventy four biologically active secondary metabolites have been identified from different species of Malvastrum, including four pure isolates. Furthermore, this report also documents their potential properties. This article may prove as a milestone for new researchers, eager to work on Malvastrum species and perform further in-depth studies on this genus.

In Silico and In Vitro Analysis of Tacca Tubers (Tacca leontopetaloides) from Banyak Island, Aceh Singkil Regency, Indonesia, as Antihypercholesterolemia Agents

Tacca leontopetaloides (T. leontopetaloides) contain a number of active compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, steroids, and alkaloids. The active compounds from plants have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzym A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity. This study aims to investigate the potential active compounds in the ethanolic extract of Tacca tubers (T. leontopetaloides) from the Banyak Islands, Aceh Singkil Regency, Aceh Province both in vitro and in silico. Tacca tubers contain secondary metabolites including flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, steroids and saponins, according to phytochemical screening. In vitro investigation of ethanolic extract of Tacca tuber revealed inhibitory activity of HMG Co-A reductase with an IC₅₀ value of 4.92 ppm. Based on the in silico study, active compound from the extract, namely Stigmasterol with the highest binding affinities with HMG Co-A reductase (-7.2 kcal/mol). As a comparison, the inhibition of HMG Co-A reductase activity by simvastatin with an IC₅₀ 4.62 ppm and binding affinity -8.0 Kcal/mol. Our findings suggest that the ethanolic extract of Tacca tuber (T. leontopetaloides) from Banyak Islands, Aceh Province has the potential to inhibit the activity of HMG Co-A reductase.

Network Pharmacology- and Molecular Docking-Based Identification of Potential Phytocompounds from Argyreia capitiformis in the Treatment of Inflammation

The methanolic extract of Argyreia capitiformis stem was examined for anti-inflammatory activities following network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking study. Based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, 49 compounds were identified from the methanolic extract of A. capitiformis stem. A network pharmacology analysis was conducted against the identified compounds, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and Gene Ontology analysis of biological processes and molecular functions were performed. Six proteins (IL1R1, IRAK4, MYD88, TIRAP, TLR4, and TRAF6) were identified from the KEGG pathway analysis and subjected to molecular docking study. Additionally, six best ligand efficiency compounds and positive control (aspirin) from each protein were evaluated for their stability using the molecular dynamics simulation study. Our study suggested that IL1R1, IRAK4, MYD88, TIRAP, TLR4, and TRAF6 proteins may be targeted by compounds in the methanolic extract of A. capitiformis stem to provide anti-inflammatory effects.