Phytoconstituents from Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) of Sikkim Himalaya and their molecular docking interactions revealed their nutraceutical potential as α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors

In this study, antioxidative methanolic leaf extract (MeOH-SIS) of Urtica dioica was characterized for anti-diabetic activity. The extract was purified on a column to yield seven homogenous fractions (F1-F7) which were further determined for DPPH radical scavenging activity. MeOH-SIS and the fraction F1 (selected based on % yield and activity) were evaluated for their in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The results showed inhibition of both enzymes in a dose dependent manner and F1 exhibited relatively higher inhibition than its mother extract MeOH-SIS. GC-MS analyses of both the extracts identified 24 major compounds among which 10 were previously described as bioactive compounds. Among all, 5 compounds demonstrated to have quality pharmacokinetics profiles and were examined for possible binding affinity against the active sites of α-amylase and α-glucosidase using molecular docking. The binding interaction of 2R-acetoxymethyl-1,3,3-trimethyl-4 T-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl)-1 T-cyclohexanol within the active sites of the target receptors was found to be significant among others, and can be developed as a potential inhibitor of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The leaf extract can be utilized to develop food additive for the control and management of oxidative stress induced diabetes.

Evaluation of the photosynthetic parameters, emission of volatile organic compounds and ultrastructure of common green leafy vegetables after exposure to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Understanding the effects of many essential non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on plants is still limited, especially at environmentally realistic concentrations. This paper presents the influence of three of the most frequently used NSAIDs (diclofenac, ibuprofen, and naproxen) at environmentally realistic concentrations on the autochthonous green leafy vegetables: orache (Atriplex patula L.), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Our research was focused on the determination of the photosynthetic parameters, the emission rate of volatile organic compounds, and the evaluation of the ultrastructure of leaves of studied vegetables after exposure to abiotic stress induced by environmental pollutants, namely NSAIDs. The data obtained indicate a moderate reduction of foliage physiological activity as a response to the stress induced by NSAIDs to the selected green leafy vegetables. The increase of the 3-hexenal and monoterpene emission rates with increasing NSAIDs concentration could be used as a sensitive and a rapid indicator to assess the toxicity of the NSAIDs. Microscopic analysis showed that the green leafy vegetables were affected by the selected NSAIDs. In comparison to the controls, the green leafy vegetables treated with NSAIDs presented irregular growth of glandular trichomes on the surface of the adaxial side of the leaves, less stomata, cells with less cytoplasm, irregular cell walls and randomly distributed chloroplasts. Of the three NSAIDs investigated in this study, ibuprofen presented the highest influence. The results obtained in this study can be used to better estimate the impact of drugs on the environment and to improve awareness on the importance of the responsible use of drugs.

Effect of green leafy vegetables powder on anaemia and vitamin-A status of Ghanaian school children

Background

Nutritional anaemia and vitamin-A deficiency are public health issues confronting Ghanaian children. Their adverse effects are likely pronounced during the dry season when green leafy vegetables, rich-sources of iron and provitamin-A are scarce. This study assessed the effect of dried green leafy vegetables on anaemia and vitamin-A status of Ghanaian school children.

Method

This was 3 months pretest, posttest nutrition intervention study. Children 4–9 years were randomized to receive or not receive supplement. High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Haemocue hemoglobinometer were used to determine vitamin-A and haemoglobin concentrations respectively. Malaria-parasitaemia and helminthes were examined by Giemsa-staining and Kato-Katz respectively. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometry. Student’s t-test was used to establish significant differences between groups.

Results

At baseline, the mean haemoglobin concentrations of control and supplemental were 116.9 ± 9.9 g/l and 117.6 ± 12.7 g/l respectively. At end-line, it was 121.9 ± 13.5 g/l for supplemental and 113.4 ± 8.5 g/l for control, significant at p = 0.001. At baseline prevalence of anaemia was 37.3 and 41.5% in control and supplemental respectively. At end-line it was 33.3% in supplemental against 57.5% in control, significant at p = 0.024. At baseline mean retinol concentrations were 16.79 ± 8.74 μg/dl and 16.97 ± 7.74 μg/dl for control and supplemental respectively. Mean retinol concentrations for control and supplemental were 24.35 ± 5.50 μg/dl and 26.96 ± 6.86 μg/dl respectively at end-line. At end-line 60% of control against 64.0% of supplemental had low vitamin-A status. At end-line, anaemic-control had mean retinol concentration of 23.78 ± 5.23 μg/dl and anaemic-supplemental had 27.46 ± 7.28 μg/dl. Prevalence of low vitamin-A status was 64.3 and 84.2% in anaemic-control and anaemic-supplemental respectively at baseline but it became 23.1 and 21.1% respectively, at end-line. The mean haemoglobin concentrations of anaemic-control and supplemental were 105.7 ± 7.5 g/l and 113.6 ± 13.6 g/l respectively at end-line. The change in prevalence of anaemia between the anaemic groups was 12.2%, significant at p = 0.042.

Conclusion

Consumption of green leafy vegetables powder increased mean haemoglobin and retinol concentrations of the study participants. It had the potential to minimize prevalence of anaemia and low vitamin-A status of study participants.