Unveiling antioxidant capacity of standardized chitosan-tripolyphosphate microcapsules containing polyphenol-rich extract of Portulaca oleraceae

The medicinal plant Portulaca oleraceae has a long history of usage in traditional medicine. Plant extracts have several interesting pharmacological effects but have some drawbacks that can be addressed via capsulation with chitosan. This work set out to do just that tally up the antioxidant effects of a polyphenol-rich P. olerace extract and see how capsulation affected them. The reflux extraction and response surface methodology (RSM) were carried out to optimize the phenolic and flavonoid content of P. oleraceae extract. Additionally, high-resolution mass spectrometry was employed to determine the secondary metabolite present in the extract. The microcapsules of extract-loaded chitosan were prepared using the ionic gelation method and characterized in terms of size, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and morphology of microcapsules. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was used to observe the successful production of microcapsules with a principal component analysis (PCA) approach. The antioxidant activity of microcapsules was established using the radical scavenging method. According to RSM, the highest amounts of TPC and TFC were obtained at 72.894 % ethanol, 2.031 h, and 57.384 °C. The compounds were employed from the optimized extract of P. oleraceae including phenolics and flavonoids. The microcapsules were secured with a %EE of 43.56 ± 2.31 %. The characteristics of microcapsules were approved for the obtained product's successful synthesis according to the PCA. The microcapsules have antioxidant activity in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.0001). The findings of this study underscored the benefits of employing chitosan as a nanocarrier for extract, offering a promising approach to enhance plant-derived therapies.

The ethyl acetate extract of Vernonia amygdalina leaf ameliorates gemcitabine effect against migration and invasion of PANC-1 cells via down-regulation the VEGF, COX2, and RAS/MEK pathways

Individuals diagnosed with cancer often turn to the use of herbal remedies with the intention of treating and ameliorating the condition, impeding the progression of metastasis, enhancing immune function, mitigating stress, and inducing relaxation. Recently, medicinal plants were combined with conventional chemotherapy to decrease the side effects and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. This study showed the effectiveness of gemcitabine (Gem) was significantly increased after being used together with ethyl acetate extract obtained from Vernonia amygdalina (Eav) leaves. The combination doses of Eav and Gem were determined based on cytotoxic activity using the MTT assay method. The anticancer effect of this combination was identified by several parameters including the apoptosis effect, anti-migration, and anti-invasion activities of PANC-1 cells. Furthermore, this effect was explained via protein expression evaluation using immunohistochemical and flow cytometry. The Eav has a better Inhibitory Concentration 50 (IC50) than Gem of 21.19 ± 0.64 µg/mL and 164.78 ± 1.40 µg/mL. The combination of Eav and Gem at IC50 (1:1) has the strongest activity than Eav and Gem alone at 500.00 µg/mL. The anti-cancer effect of this combination showed significantly increased levels of apoptosis, particularly in the early phase of 17.46 ± 0.35 % (p < 0.0001) than Eav and Gem alone of 7.76 ± 0.25 % and 7.06 ± 0.20 %. A similar impact was evaluated in the migration and invasion of PANC-1 cells after the combination treatment. The % relative migration and cell invasion were significantly decreased compared to the control group and Eav or Gem alone by 21.49 ± 0.96 % and 125.25 ± 5.25 cells, respectively (p < 0.0001). This study found that signature molecules of VEGF, COX2, RAS, and MEK were down-regulated after treatment. Our study suggested that the Eav ameliorates the Gem effect against PANC-1 cells through apoptosis, migration, and invasion influence via RAS/MEK pathways.

Phytochemical Profile and Pharmacological Activity of Vernonia amygdalina Delile Stem Bark Extracts Using Different Solvent Extraction

BACKGROUND: Vernonia amygdalina is a native plant from Africa which is widely distributed to Asia, especially in Indonesia. Parts of V. amygdalina such as roots, leaves, and bark are used by the community as traditional medicines such as antidiabetic, antibacterial, and anticancer. AIM: This study aims to show the effect of solvents in the V. amygdalina stem bark extraction process on phytochemical’s content and their correlation with pharmacological activities. METHODS: V. amygdalina extract from stem bark in this study was obtained using the maceration method with different solvents. The extracts were investigated for total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC) using calorimetry assay. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to grouping the extracts based on Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) data. Antioxidant activity of the extracts was done using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethyl benzhothiazoline sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assay. While, the cytotoxic activity of the extracts was carried out using MTT assay on PANC-1 cell line. The correlation phytochemical content and pharmacology activities of extracts were analyzed using person correlation method. RESULTS: There were significantly different TPC and total flavonoid content of extracts (p < 0.05). The ethyl acetate extract was identified to have the highest TPC, TFC, DPPH, ABTS, and cytotoxic values of 3.61 ± 0.03 mg GAE/g dry powder, 25.12 ± 0.09 mg QE/g dry powder, 27.12 ± 0.65 μg/mL, 67.02 ± 0.23 μg/mL, and 33.83 ± 0.82 μg/mL, respectively (p < 0.05). This is supported by PCA analysis which shows that there are differences in extracts based on FTIR data and there is a strong correlation between TPC and TFC values with antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. CONCLUSIONS: This study report that each extract of V. amygdalina stem bark gives a distinct phytochemical profile (TPC, TFC, and FTIR spectrum) that contributes to the antioxidant activity and cytotoxic activity.

Saurauia vulcani (Korth.) As Herbal Medicine Potential From North Sumatera, Indonesia: A Literature Review

According to some studies, two-thirds of the world's plant species have therapeutic worth. Saurauia vulcani (Korth.) is one of them. This is something that can be found in Indonesia. Traditionally, this herb was known as pirdot and was used to cure diabetes. This article examines the scientific activities of pirdot leaves as well as their safety for usage. This study used a literature review article as its design. Searching for related publications using data from Pubmed, Proquest, Ebsco, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for the last ten years (2011–2021) yielded 141 articles. There are 14 pertinent articles that explore their substance and application in health. The content of secondary metabolites that have been reported proves that pirdot has properties as an antidiabetic, immunostimulant, antidiarrhoea, anticholesterol, and hepatoprotective.

A Review on Phytochemicals and Pharmacological Activities as Ethnomedicinal Uses of Duku (Lansium domesticum Corr.)

BACKGROUND: Lansium domesticum Corr. is a plant that is easily found in Indonesia. People use the fruit to be sold because it has a good taste. Some people use other parts of the plant as medicine. This plant has great potential to be developed as a standardized traditional medicine. AIM: This article review aims to collect information on secondary metabolite compounds from L. domesticum Corr. and its pharmacological activities as antioxidants, antibacterials, and cytotoxics. METHODS: Data on L. domesticum Corr. or duku were sought and collected for this miniature estimate and perspective. We use the major search engines with specific keywords such as L. domesticum Corr.; duku; morphology; pharmacological effects; secondary metabolites; in vitro; and in vivo. RESULTS: This review shows that L. domesticum Corr. have antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activity of various compounds based on the test method used. CONCLUSIONS: Some parts of L. domesticum Corr. such as leaves, fruit, fruit skins, and seeds contain secondary metabolite compounds. The most common type of active compound is the steroid/terpenoid group. These compounds are responsible for their pharmacological activities such as antioxidants, antibacterials, and cytotoxics.

The Outcome of Complex Pelvic Fracture after Internal Fixation Surgery

Introduction: Complex pelvic fracture, which has a very high mortality and even higher morbidity, needs internal fixation surgery as an integral part for its management. It was necessary to conduct a study regarding outcome of complex pelvic fractures after internal fixation surgery. Material & Method: Twenty-six patients with complex pelvic fractures that had been treated with internal fixation surgery during 2011-2014 were enrolled. These patients had an open pelvic fractures or Tile type B or C pelvic fracture who had undergone internal fixation surgery with at least 6 months follow-up. Evaluation of the morbidity and functional scoring was performed using Majeed and Hannover Score. Results and Discussions: Average of age was 31 years old and follow up time was 25 months. There were 7 patients with open pelvic fracture and 19 with closed fracture. Excellent Majeed Score were found on 78.6% cases in Tile B fractures and 50% in Tile C. Good Hannover Score was found in 64.3% Tile B cases and 80% Tile C cases. Fracture type was statistically insignificant with acquired sexual dysfunction (p>0.05), but significant with the chronic pain (p=0,.017). We also found that urogenital injury is associated with sexual dysfunction (p=0.005). Conclusions: The outcome of complex pelvic fracture after internal fixation surgery was excellent. More than 90% patients got an excellent and good result on Majeed Score, and also very good and good result on Hannover Score.