Anticancer Activity of Hylocereus undatus Extract Through in vivo Studies

SummaryThis study aims to investigate physical stability and antioxidant properties of spray‐dried red (Hylocereus polyrhizus) and white (Hylocereus undatus) dragon fruit powder upon storage at various relative humidity (RH). Inlet air temperatures of 120 °C (red dragon fruit) and 110 °C (white dragon fruit) as well as maltodextrin concentration of 30% (w/v) were selected as the spray drying conditions as powder was obtained at these minimum conditions. The powder was ranging from 3 to 7 μm in particle size with spherical morphology. The powder had lower antioxidant content and antioxidant activities compared with the control before spray drying. Storage of powder at 43%, 54% or 75% RH at 25 °C for 25 days resulted in structural changes correlating to the depression of glass transition temperatures (Tg) to below storage temperature. At 33% RH, no visible structural changes were observed. Antioxidant properties of the powder remained unchanged after 25 days' storage at the studied RHs.

White dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) contains flavonoids that can inhibit the action of xanthine oxidase enzymes that can reduce uric acid levels. The aim of this research is to know the effectiveness of white dragon ethanol extract in decreasing uric acid level in caffeine-induced mice with dose 0.39 mg/25 g BW (body weight). White dragon fruit samples taken at the age of 50-55 days after the flower appeared. In the effectiveness test, animals were divided into five groups of treatments and induced by caffeine i.e. negatively control group induced only by caffeine, positive control group given allopurinol 0.26 mg/25 g BW, group of dose 0.455 mg/25 g BW, group of dose 0.91 mg/25 g BW, group of dose 1.82 mg/25 g BW ethanol extract of white dragon fruit. Measurements of blood uric acid levels were performed before induction (day 1), after induction or before administration of the extract (day 6) and after administration of the extract on (days 9, 12 and 15). The results showed that ethanol extract of white dragon fruit dose 1.82 mg/25 g BW could significantly lower blood uric acid levels in mice compared to dose 0.455 mg and dose 0.91 mg/25 g BW, but not significantly different with positive control (allopurinol) with percentage decrease of 92.16%.
 Keywords: White dragon fruit extract, blood uric acid, caffeine, allopurinol.

Aji SP, Anandito BK, Nurhartadi E. 2013. Study of addition of various types of honey as alternative sweetener in white dragon (Hylocereus undatus) juice drink. Biofarmasi 11: 13-18. Indonesia is a tropical country, so people tend to consume lots of water to refresh the body. Along with the development of technology and the desire of people to come back to healthy life, it is necessary to manufacture beverage that have functional value. Dragon fruit has a large nutritional content. Dragon fruit contains several bioactive components, such as: anthocyanin, vitamin C, beta-carotene and soluble fiber in the form of pectin. Therefore, the processing of dragon fruit into juice that contains bioactive components is potential. In general, fruit juice beverage use a sweetener based on sucrose, therefore in this study it was used honey as an alternative sweetener that has a functional value. This research aimed to study the making of white dragon juice (Hylocereus undatus) using honey sweetener types of rambutan, kelengkeng and randu, and to analyze its chemical characteristic (vitamin C and antioxidant) and sensory properties (taste, color, aftertaste, overall). In this study, it was used white dragon fruit and various types of honey such as randu honey, rambutan honey and kelengkeng honey with the concentrations of 5%, 10% and 15%, respectively. The results showed that dragon fruit juice with the addition of rambutan honey contained vitamin C and antioxidant greater than the addition of randu and kelengkeng honey. The addition of honey with the different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%) could also increase vitamin C and antioxidant contents in the produced functional beverage. The higher concentration of honey that added, the higher produced vitamin C and antioxidant contents. Meanwhile, the sensory test results of color, taste, aftertaste and overall parameters for dragon fruit juice samples with the addition of rambutan, rambutan and kelengkeng honey, the average of panelists gave a like score. But, the higher concentration of honey that added, the sensory results indicated the panelist preference decreased. According to the results of the panelist study showed the level of fondness in all types of honey at a concentration of 10%.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect (Hepatocurative and antibacterial potential) of Newboulda laevis leaves in alloxan-induced liver damage in Wister Albino Rats. The leaves of Newbouldia laevis was bought from a local market in Wukari, Taraba State. The leaves of Newbouldia laevis was chop and then pulverized into fine powder. The methanol crude extracts andthirty-two albino Wistar rats weighing 90-220 g was used for this research. Liver toxicity was induced in male rats by an intraperitoneal single dose of 150 mg/kg body weight. samples were subjected to biochemical estimation of liver function. The result showed a significant (p≤0.05) increase in serum AST level for group II (60.6 ± 1.12) which was administered high dose of Alloxan and serves as the negative control group, when compared to the normal control group I (35.09 ± 2.07) which only received feed and water. From the result described in table 4.0 above, it showed a significant (p≤0.05) increase in ALT level for group II (58.11 ± 0.42) negative control when compared with group I (20.00 ± 0.41) normal control. Group III (29.98 ± 0.12) which received standard drug showed a significant decrease in ALT which is a sign that there is some level of repair on the liver cells. Group IV (36.22 ± 0.s70), group V (30.00 ± 0.27) and group VI (29.99 ± 0.12) which received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of Newbouldia laevis leaves extract respectively when compared with the negative control group II, showed a significant decrease in ALT level. There was a significant (p≤0.05) increase in ALP level for group II (255.80 ± 1.12) which received Alloxan when compared with the normal control group I (80.21 ± 0.44) providing evidence to support the increase in ALT and AST level in group II, suggestive of liver injury. The treatment groups III, VI, V and VI showed significant (p<0.05) difference, when compared to the negative control group. No significant (p<0.05) difference between group V and VII. It was deduced that the total protein for group II (10.95 ± 0.37) significantly (p<0.05) decreased when compared to the normal control group I (14.13 ± 0.55). This is because low levels of total protein in the blood can occur because of impaired function of the liver. Administration of Newbouldia laevis leaves extract significantly (p<0.05) elevated total protein levels for group IV (10.99 ± 0.41), V (12.76 ± 0.41) and VI (12.98 ± 0.58). Albumin being the most abundant protein in the blood, equally followed same pattern as total protein, with Albumin level of (10.83 ± 0.10), (6.13 ± 0.05), (9.82 ± 0.18) (6.75 ± 0.13), (7.99 ± 0.10) and (9.60 ± 0.13) for group I, II, III, IV, V and V respectively. Thus, emphasizing the potential of the extract as a source agent for medication for ailment and diseases.

The worldwide development of multi-drug resistant microbial strain is progressively restricting the efficacy of the latest drugs and essentially leads to failure in the treatment of infection. Hylocereus undatus (White dragon fruit) peel extract possesses phytochemicals and antimicrobial properties, namely flavonoid, alkaloids, phenols, and carbohydrate, etc. In this study the antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of Hylocereus undatus peel against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated using disc diffusion and simple dilution. The result showed that the Hylocereus undatus (White Dragon Fruit) extract inhibits the growth of bacteria in the range of 6mm. The results in the disc diffusion method of Hylocereus undatus (White dragon fruit) peel extract showed that there's no significant difference in the effectiveness of antimicrobial components of extracted Hylocereus undatus (White Dragon fruit) peel against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus by the zone of inhibition using ethanol. Thus, these findings could be used further to understand the antimicrobial property of Hylocereus undatus (White dragon fruit) peel.

Dragon fruit is classified as a non-climacteric fruit, so to obtain the best quality, harvesting and storage conditions must be optimized. The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of packaging using Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) plastic and paper during cold storage on the sugar fractions of fructose, glucose, and sucrose in red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) and white dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus). The experiment was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications and involved two factors. The first factor was packaging (no packaging, plastic packaging, and paper packaging), and the second factor was storage temperature at 15°C. Sugar fraction characterization was done using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that paper packaging was the best packaging method to maintain the sugar fractions, particularly fructose and glucose, in both red and white dragon fruit until day 21 of storage compared to no packaging. The fructose content in red dragon fruit with paper packaging was 46% higher, while glucose content did not show significant differences. An increase in both fructose and glucose content also occurred in white dragon fruit with paper packaging, with a 28% increase in fructose and a 17% increase in glucose.

To study the mechanism of the reducing mechanism of hepatotoxicity induced by ethyl acetate fractions of Kansui Radix stir-baked with vinegar in mice. Mice with normal ICR were orally administered with ethyl acetate fractions of Kansui Radix and Kansui Radix stir-baked with vinegar. Their blood and liver homogenate were collected to detect the level of AST, ALT, LDH, SOD, activities of Na(+) -K(+) -ATPase and Ca(2+) -Mg(2+) -ATPase, GSH and MDA. Liver tissues were collected for HE staining and morphological observation under light microscope. According to the results of pathological sections, compared with the control group, all of Kansui groups showed a significant increase in the hepatic tissues injury (P < 0.01). Compared with Kansui groups, all of vinegar-baked groups showed a significant decrease in the hepatic tissues injury (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, all of Kansui groups showed a significant increase in ALT, AST and LDH (P < 0.05, P < 0.001) in serum and hepatic tissues, and significantly decrease in the activity of SOD (P < 0.001) and the content of GSH. They also showed a significant increase in MDA (P < 0.001) and a significant decrease in the level of Na(+) -K(+) -ATPase and Ca(2+) -Mg(2+) -ATPase (P < 0.01) in hepatic tissues, with a certain dose-effect relationship. Compared with all of Kansui groups, all of vinegar-baked groups showed a significant decrease in ALT, AST and LDH (P < 0.05, P < 0.001), and a notable increase in SOD (P < 0.001) and GSH in serum and hepatic tissues. They also showed a remarkable decrease in MDA (P < 0.001), and a significant increase in the level of Na(+) -K(+) -ATPase and Ca(2+) - Mg(2+) -ATPase (P < 0.01) in hepatic tissues, with a certain dose-effect relationship. Being stir-baked with vinegar can significantly reduce the hepatotoxicity of Kansui Radix. Its mechanism may be related to the reduction of the effect of Kansui Radix on the permeability of hepatic tissues cell membranes and the oxidative injury.

Several problems related to determining the quality of dragon fruit quality are: fruit disease, harvest time selection, sorting process and post-harvest grading. Determination sorting dragon fruit quality by observing the appearance of fruit, fruit smoothness, presence or absence of defects and fruit size. However, this quality determination has disadvantages such as longer sorting time and different perceptions of farmers about the quality of dragon fruit. To solve this problem, we need a sorting system that is able to determine the quality of dragon fruit effectively and efficiently without damaging the dragon fruit. In this study, determining the quality of white dragon fruit using digital image processing techniques and intelligent systems. The output of the digital image processing technique is five morphological features such as area, perimeter, length, diameter and metric. This feature is the input of the backpropagation method so that the quality of white dragon fruit is divided into 3 classes such as class A, class B and class C. The results showed the best network architecture model was 5,8,5,3 with the best testing accuracy rate of 86.67%.

The present study was planned at the School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara (Punjab). It was conducted at the ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management (ICAR-NIASM), Baramati (Pune). To determine the physicochemical response of red and white dragon fruit at different storage temperatures, we laid out the experiment in a completely randomized block design with four replications, each containing five fruits. The results revealed that white dragon fruit had a better fruit length (78.81 cm), fruit diameter (67.46 cm), fruit weight (198.60 g), etc., over red dragon fruit at room temperature. Under refrigerated temperature, we also reported similar results for fruit length (76.83 cm), fruit diameter (65.30 cm), and fruit weight (192.40 gm.). However, red dragon fruit performed better than white dragon fruit in terms of biochemical parameters such as TSS (11.95 °Brix), non-reducing sugar (4.33%), reducing sugar (4.67%), total phenol (296.7 mg/GAE/100 gm.), and total flavonoids (92.00 mg CE/100 g). The current study could aid in determining the ideal temperature for fruit storage, thereby reducing post-harvest losses in dragon fruit and potentially doubling the farmers' income.

The object of this research was to determine the antioxidant potential and identify active compounds in the peel extracts of red dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis) and white dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus). Phytochemical tests were conducted to identify flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, coumarins, and saponins. The antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH assay, while vitamin C content was quantified using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and bioactive antioxidant compounds were identified through LC-MS/MS spectrophotometry. The results demonstrated that phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids and alkaloids in both extracts. Antioxidant activity assays indicated that the red dragon fruit peel extract exhibited an IC50 of 32.7 ppm (very active), while the white dragon fruit peel extract had an IC50 of 50.2 ppm (active), with the vitamin C control showing an IC50 of 11.90 ppm. The red dragon fruit peel extract had the highest vitamin C content (1.45%) compared to the white dragon fruit peel (1.04%). LC-MS/MS analysis identified several organic compounds, including the flavonoid isoliquiritigenin and alkaloid compounds such as aporphine, melosmine, 3-carbamoyl-1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-4,5-dimethylpyridinium, and alkaloid group (6-Amino-5-{[2(diethylamino) ethyl]amino}-1-propyl -2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione). These findings suggest that both red and white dragon fruit peel extracts possess significant antioxidant potential, with red dragon fruit peel demonstrating superior activity. This study can be used for further research on food technology in producing food products that are rich in nutrients.

Sexually Dimorphic Patterns of Episomal rAAV Genome Persistence in the Adult Mouse Liver and Correlation With Hepatocellular Proliferation

Research on the antibacterial test of dragon fruit peel extract carried out by Anggraini &amp; Harris (2017) shows that white dragon fruit extract is able to inhibit the growth of epidermal Staphylococcus bacteria with the lowest concentration, namely 25%, producing an average diameter of the inhibition zone of 13.7 mm, while for the highest concentration, namely 100%, it produces an average diameter of the inhibition zone of 17.7 mm. To determine the more effective antibacterial effect of white dragon fruit peel extract, the research continued to the fractionation stage to separate compounds based on polarity level. The solvents used are water which is a polar solvent, ethyl acetate which is a semi-polar solvent, and n-hexane which is a nonpolar solvent (Yohanes, 2020). Based on the description above, researchers are interested in conducting research on testing the antibacterial activity of ethanol extract and n-hexane fraction of white dragon fruit peel (Hylocereus undatus) against Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria.

The main objective of the study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of selected essential oils on human skin, gastric, and brain cancer cell lines using microculture tetrazolium test. Phytochemical analysis, as well as acute oral toxicity tests, was carried out in female albino mice with cardamom oil, lemon oil, and jasmine oil according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines 425. Anticancer activities of the above test drugs were performed using human cancer cell lines. The studies were carried out at Skanda Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru. Phytochemical analysis has shown the presence of carbohydrates and flavonoids in cardamom oil. While lemon oil has shown the presence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, and tannins, jasmine oil has shown the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, and glycosides. Toxicity studies showed that cardamom oil, lemon oil, and jasmine oil were all found to be safe up to 2000 mg/kg body weight. Results have shown that lemon oil exhibited the strongest cytotoxicity toward three human cancer cell lines, namely skin cancer (A431), gastric cancer (MKN-45), and brain cancer (U-87 MG) cell lines, with higher IC50 values of 62.82 μg/ml, 220.9 μg/ml, and 440.1 μg/ml compared to standard. Jasmine oil exhibited the strongest cytotoxicity toward skin cancer and brain cancer cell lines, whereas cardamom oil has shown stronger cytotoxicity only toward skin cancer cell line but did not show any level of inhibition of growth of brain and gastric cancer cells. Our study reveals that lemon oil, jasmine oil, and cardamom oil possess potent antitumor activity compared to standard. At different concentrations, lemon oil has shown statistically significant (***P < 0.0001) anticancer activity toward all the three human cancer cell lines. While jasmine oil has shown statistically significant (***P < 0.0001) anticancer activity toward skin and brain cancer cell line, cardamom oil has also shown statistically significant (***P < 0.0001) anticancer activity but only toward skin cancer cell line.

Dragon fruit contains oligosaccharides, Including prebiotic ingredients, that are namely raffinose, stachyose, and fructo-oligosaccharides . The heat treatment process like jam producing can affect the functional properties of a food material. The aim of the research w ere to know the effect of jam processing on chemical properties, and their prebiotic properties. Evaluation of the prebiotic properties was conducted by in vivo method i.e. probiotic and enterobacteria population of volunteers faecal (microflora composition), prebiotic index (PI) value and Short Chain Fatty Acid ( SCFA ) profile. The result showed that the processing of dragon fruit into jams decreased water content, β-sianin and dissolved particles but increased the I nsoluble Indigestible Fraction (IIF). The PI value of dragon fruit jam w ere 1.7 0 for white dragon jam and 1.18 for red dragon frui t . The jam processing decreased PI value up to 0.49 (red dragon fruit jam) and 0.54 (white dragon fruit jam). The fresh dragon fruit and the jam produced short chain fatty acid ( SCFA ) i.e. acetic and propionic acid. It can be concluded that prebiotic properties of white dragon fruit better than red dragon fruit.

The dragon fruit peels (Hylocereus undatus) are typically thrown away as agricultural waste. The disposal of bio-wastes, like peels from dragon fruit and microbiological contamination during their mass breakdown, all contribute to environmental degradation. Peel can be used to extract naturally occurring colour for pigments. The objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of using the peel of Hylocereus undatus as a coating material for wound healing. The extraction method and potential uses of the pigments derived from the peel will be explored. The study aimed to determine the phytochemical components of Hylocereus undatus (peel) extract and the peel can be utilized as a raw material for pigment extraction due to the betalain content. With the use of a magnetic stirrer extraction, the peel of Hylocereus undatus was extracted with aqueous extraction. Thin layer chromatographic techniques are used to identify the pigment components. In the present study, we recorded both UV-VIS and FT-IR profile of peel extract to known the various phytoconstituents and determine the functional group present in Hylocereus undatus (white dragon fruit). The pigment needs to be applied to the wound gauze, and the stain resistance should be evaluated by determining how well the wound gauze can withstand contamination from the outside coating. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors are interested in Hylocereus undatus peel due to its components, which may have potential health applications such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-cancer characteristics