Ethnopharmacological Effects of Urtica dioica, Matricaria chamomilla, and Murraya koenigii on Rotenone-Exposed D. melanogaster: An Attenuation of Cellular, Biochemical, and Organismal Markers

Natural antioxidants derived from plants have been proven to have significant inhibitory effects on the free radicals of living organisms during actively metabolization. Excessive production of free radicals increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and motor sclerosis. This study aimed to compare the ethnopharmacological effects of Urtica dioica (UD), Matricaria chamomilla (MC), and Murraya koenigii (MK) on the amelioration of rotenone-induced toxicity in wild-type Drosophila melanogaster (Oregon R+) at biochemical, cellular, and behavioral levels. Phytoextracts were prepared from all three plants, i.e., UD, MC, and MK (aqueous and ethanolic fractions), and their bioactive compounds were evaluated using in vitro biochemical parameters (DPPH, ABTS, TPC, and TFC), UV-Vis, followed by FT-IR and HPLC. Third instar larvae and freshly eclosed flies were treated with 500 µM rotenone alone or in combination with UD, MC, and MK for 24 to 120 h. Following exposure, cytotoxicity (dye exclusion test), biochemical (protein estimation and acetylcholinesterase inhibition assays), and behavioral assays (climbing and jumping assays) were performed. Among all three plant extracts, MK exhibited the highest antioxidant properties due to the highest TPC, TFC, DPPH, and ABTS, followed by UD, then MC. The overall trend was MK > UD > MC. In this context, ethnopharmacological properties mimic the same effect in Drosophila, exhibiting significantly (p < 0.05) reduced cytotoxicity (trypan blue), improved biochemical parameters (proteotoxicity and AChE activity), and better behavioral parameters in the organisms cotreated with phyto extracts compared with rotenone. Conclusively, UV-Vis, FTIR, and HPLC analyses differentiated the plant extracts. The findings of this research may be beneficial in the use of select herbs as viable sources of phyto-ingredients that could be of interest in nutraceutical development and various clinical applications.

Preparation of astaxanthin micelles self-assembled by a mechanochemical method from hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin and glyceryl monostearate with enhanced antioxidant activity

This research aimed to overcome the current challenges in the application of natural carotenoid antioxidants, such as their complex preparation processes, low bioavailability and poor drug stability. Herein, a mechanochemical method was used to prepare an inclusion complex (IC) that self-assembles into micelles in aqueous solution and achieves solid-phase loading of astaxanthin (AST). The NMR analysis, thermodynamics study, particle size analysis and electron microscopy image results showed that AST, hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin (HPβ-CD) and glyceryl monostearate (GMS) formed self-assembled micelles and maintained good stability in aqueous solution. The antioxidant performance experiments showed that the formation of IC increases free radical scavenging activity. The pharmacokinetic studies showed that the bioavailability of the astaxanthin inclusion complex increased 4-fold. The tissue distribution experiments showed that the astaxanthin inclusion complex targets the liver to exert its antioxidant effects. The proposed method uses an innovative preparation technology to produce an efficient drug delivery system without solvents, and it exerts powerful antioxidant activity against astaxanthin.

Antioxidant Activity of Crude Bromelain of Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr) Crown from Subang District, Indonesia

BACKGROUND

Antioxidants are chemical compounds that can donate one or more electrons to free radicals to prevent degenerative diseases. The crown of pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) contains bromelain, that is, a proteolytic enzyme, which can act as an antioxidant.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity of crude bromelain from pineapple crowns that were collected from Subang district, West Java, Indonesia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Antioxidant activity was determined by the method of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with vitamin C as a standard and measured with visible spectrophotometer.

RESULTS

The pineapple crown was produced 0.26% of dried crude bromelain with total protein content 44.10% and IC50 value 3624 μg/mL of crude bromelain, which was equivalent to 1590.18 μg/mL of total protein.

CONCLUSION

Crude bromelain has medium antioxidant activity.

Wheat Seedlings as Food Supplement to Combat Free Radicals: An In Vitro Approach

The present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of 5 organic solvent extracts (petroleum ether, n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol) of wheat grains, 3, 5 and 7 days old wheat seedlings. To determine the antioxidant activity of five extracts of four different samples, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content and ferrous reducing power ability were carried out. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging effect of chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of 3 days old wheat seedlings was higher than wheat grains. Chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of 3 days old wheat seedlings exhibited higher 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging effcet than extracts of other samples. The phenolic content was high in chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extract of 5 days old wheat seedlings. When compared with wheat grain, reducing power ability was high in chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extract of wheat seedlings, especially in 3 and 5 days old wheat seedlings. From the above results, it was concluded that chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extract of 3, 5 and 7 days old wheat seedlings showed better antioxidant activity than the wheat grain extracts. Hence, the results of the present study suggest the intake of wheat seedlings as a food supplement to combat the diseases caused by free radicals.

Novel self-emulsifying formulation of quercetin for improved in vivo antioxidant potential: implications for drug-induced cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity

Quercetin (QT) was formulated into a novel self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) to improve its oral bioavailability and antioxidant potential compared to free drug. Capmul MCM was selected as the oily phase on the basis of optimum solubility of QT in oil. Tween 20 and ethanol were selected as surfactant and cosurfactant from a large pool of excipients, depending upon their spontaneous self-emulsifying ability with the selected oily phase. Pseudoternary-phase diagrams were constructed to identify the efficient self-emulsification regions in various dilution media, viz., water, pH 1.2, and pH 6.8. The ratio of 40:40:20 w/w, Capmul MCM:QT (19:1)/Tween 20/ethanol was optimized based on its ability to form a spontaneous submicrometer emulsion in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. DPPH scavenging assay showed comparable antioxidant activity of QT-SEDDS to free QT. QT-SEDDS was robust in terms of stability against short-term excursion of freeze/thaw cycles and accelerated stability for 6 months as per International Conference on Harmonisation guidelines. A fluorescent dye-loaded SEDDS formulation showed rapid internalization within 1h of incubation with Caco-2 cells as evident by confocal laser scanning microscopy. QT-SEDDS showed a significant increase in cellular uptake by 23.75-fold in comparison with free QT cultured with Caco-2 cells. The SEDDS demonstrated ~5-fold enhancement in oral bioavailability compared to free QT suspension. The in vitro-in vivo relation between in vitro Caco-2 cell uptake and in vivo pharmacokinetics of QT-SEDDS showed a correlation coefficient of ~0.9961, as evident from a Levy plot. Finally, QT-SEDDS showed a significantly higher in vivo antioxidant potential compared to free QT when evaluated as a function of ability to combat doxorubicin- and cyclosporin A-induced cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, respectively.

Spectroscopic studies on the antioxidant activity of p-coumaric acid

p-coumaric acid (4-hydroxycinnamic acid), a phenolic acid, is a hydroxyl derivative of cinnamic acid. It decreases low density lipoprotein (LDL) peroxidation and reduces the risk of stomach cancer. In vitro radical scavenging and antioxidant capacity of p-coumaric acid were clarified using different analytical methodologies such as total antioxidant activity determination by ferric thiocyanate, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH) scavenging, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity and superoxide anion radical scavenging, ferrous ions (Fe(2+)) chelating activity and ferric ions (Fe(3+)) reducing ability. p-Coumaric acid inhibited 71.2% lipid peroxidation of a linoleic acid emulsion at 45μg/mL concentration. On the other hand, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid displayed 66.8%, 69.8%, 64.5% and 59.7% inhibition on the peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion at the same concentration, respectively. In addition, p-coumaric acid had an effective DPPH scavenging, ABTS(+) scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, ferric ions (Fe(3+)) reducing power and ferrous ions (Fe(2+)) chelating activities. Also, those various antioxidant activities were compared to BHA, BHT, α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid as references antioxidant compounds. These results suggested that p-coumaric acid can be used in the pharmacological and food industry because of these properties.

In-vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Xanthium strumarium L. extracts on methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The excessive and repeated use of antibiotics in medicine has led to the development of antibiotic-resistant microbial strains, including Staphylococcus aureus whose emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains has reduced the number of antibiotics available to treat clinical infections caused by this bacterium. In this study, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanolic extract of Xanthium strumarium L. leaves were evaluated on methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) spp.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Antiradical and antioxidant activities X. strumarium L. leaf extract were evaluated based on its ability to scavenge the synthetic 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and by the paired diene method, respectively, whereas the antimicrobial activity was assayed by the disc diffusion method.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Data were subjected to analysis of variance following an entirely random design to determine the least significant difference at P < 0.05 using SPSS v. 11.5.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The IC50 values of the extract were 0.02 mg/mL and 0.09 mg/mL for the antioxidant and DPPH-scavenging capacity, respectively. X. strumarium extract affected both methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA, though antibacterial activity was more effective on methicillin-susceptible S. aureus spp. The antibacterial and antioxidant activities exhibited by the methanol extract may justify the traditional use of this plant as a folk remedy worldwide.

Promising effects on ameliorating mitochondrial function and enhancing Akt signaling in SH-SY5Y cells by (M)-bicelaphanol A, a novel dimeric podocarpane type trinorditerpene isolated from Celastrus orbiculatus

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathological processes of various neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of (M)-bicelaphanol A, which has been the first dimeric podocarpane type trinorditerpene isolated from Celastrus orbiculatus, against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced injury in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Our study showed that cells pretreated with (M)-bicelaphanol A significantly attenuated H2O2-induced cell viability reduction and cell apoptosis. These neuroprotective effects of (M)-bicelaphanol A were associated with a reduction of reactive oxygen species and an increase in the level of adenosine triphosphate. In addition, (M)-bicelaphanol A pretreatment markedly increased the phosphorylation level of Akt in SH-SY5Y cells. In conclusion, our results for the first time demonstrate that the protection of (M)-bicelaphanol A on SH-SY5Y cells against H2O2-induced oxidative stress may attribute, at least partially, to its attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction and activation of Akt signaling pathway. Above results shed more light on the molecular mechanisms involved in the neuroprotective effects of (M)-bicelaphanol A, which could be a potential drug candidate for the treatment of oxidative stress-associated neurodegenerative diseases.

Cytoprotective and antioxidant effects of the edible halophyte Sarcocornia perennis L. (swampfire) against lead-induced toxicity in renal cells

Lead (Pb) exposure is considered as a risk factor responsible for renal impairment in humans. On the other hand, the halophyte Sarcocornia perennis is a fresh vegetable crop suitable for leafy vegetable production. This study was designed to evaluate the in vitro protective activity of S. perennis against lead-induced damages in HEK293 kidney cells. Morphological and biochemical indicators were used to assess cytotoxicity and oxidative damages caused by Pb treatment on the cells. Our results showed that lead induced (1) a decrease in cell viability (MTT), (2) cell distortion and cohesion loss, (3) superoxide anion production and lipid peroxidation. Conversely, addition of S. perennis extract to the lead-containing medium alleviated every above syndrome. Thus, cell survival was increased and the production of reactive oxygen species caused by Pb treatment was inhibited. Taken together, our study revealed that S. perennis has potent cytoprotective effect against Pb-induced toxicity in HEK 293 cell. Such action would proceed through the decrease in ROS levels and resulting oxidative stress, which suggests a potential interest of this halophyte in the treatment of oxidative-stress related diseases.

Nitrosylhemoglobin in photodynamically stressed human tumors growing in nude mice

The role of nitric oxide in human tumor biology and therapy has been the subject of extensive studies. However, there is only limited knowledge about the mechanisms of NO production and its metabolism, and about the role NO can play in modern therapeutic procedures, such as photodynamic therapy. Here, for the first time, we report the presence of nitrosylhemoglobin, a stable complex of NO, in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 tumors growing in situ in nude mice. Using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy we show that the level of nitrosylhemoglobin increases in the course of photodynamic therapy and that the phenomenon is local. Even the destruction of strongly vascularized normal liver tissue did not induce the paramagnetic signal, despite bringing about tissue necrosis. We conclude that photodynamic stress substantiates NO production and blood extravasation in situ, both processes on-going even in non-treated tumors, although at a lower intensity.

Chemical composition, toxicity and antioxidant activities of essential oils of stem bark of Nigerian species of guava (Psidium guajava Linn.)

Essential oil from the stem bark of Nigerian species of Psidiumguajava of the family Myrtaceae was obtained by hydro-distillation using an all-glass Clavenger apparatus. GC and GC/MS analysis were carried out on the essential oil and was found to contain 62 compounds constituting 99.98 % of the total oil composition. The principal constituents are hydrocarbons, amines, amides and esters with 3,6-dioxa-2,4,5,7-tetraoctane,2,2,4,4,5,5,7,7-octamethyl (11.67 %) and cyclononane (10.66 %) dominating the total essential oil. Brine shrimp lethality test was carried out to determine the toxicity of the oils to living organisms (shrimps). LC₅₀ value (µg/ml) of 1.0009 obtained showed that the essential oil of P. guajava stem bark was toxic. The antioxidant property of essential oil was investigated by measuring the decrease in absorption at 517 nm of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) in a UV/visible spectrophotometer. The oil showed better activity as a radical scavenger than α-tocopherol. The oil activity was 71.83 % at 0.2 mg/ml and the absorption is stoichiometric with respect to the number of electron taken up. Thus, the results of this study showed that the essential oil from P.guajava was not only toxic; it possessed antioxidant activity, which could exert beneficial actions against pathological alterations caused by the presence of highly reactive free radicals. The toxicity of the oil can be taken advantage of in the therapy of diseases involving cell or tumor growth.