Pharmacognostical, phytochemical, and in vitro bioassay studies of Osbeckia stellata Buch-ham. leaves

Epiphyllum oxypetalum (E. oxypetalum) is traditionally used to cure liver infections, for wound healing, and to alleviate viral–related diseases. However, as the alcohol and aqueous solvents have low total phenolic and flavonoid content (TPC and TFC), antioxidant, and antibacterial capabilities, a different polarity would be more suitable. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the methanolic extract of E. oxypetalum leaf. The chemical constituents were identified through TPC and TFC, as well as GC–MS analysis. The methanolic extract of E. oxypetalum leaf was evaluated for antimicrobial properties against five bacterial strains - Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and a fungal strain of Candida albicans using the disc diffusion method. The antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of E. oxypetalum leaf was also assessed using DPPH assay. The highest values of the TPC and TFC of the methanolic extract of E. oxypetalum leaf were 179.86 ± 0.17 mg GAE/g and 75.07 ± 0.17 mg QE/g, respectively. The GC–MS had 27 m/z peaks, indicating the presence of various bioactive compounds including phenolic compounds and fatty acids. In the antimicrobial study, the zone of inhibition (ZOI) was between 2.8–3.5 mm for antibacterial activity and there was also a significant antifungal activity of 1.8 mm against Candida albicans. The IC50 DPPH assay value of methanolic extract of E. oxypetalum leaf was 14 µg/ml, indicating high antioxidant properties. This study provides evidence that the methanolic extract of E. oxypetalum leaf possesses significant antioxidant and antimicrobial properties which could be attributed to its diverse chemical constituents. These findings suggest the potential of E. oxypetalum leaf as a natural source of medicine, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.

Most of the locally consumed beans in our vicinity contain excess chemicals of pesticides residues which are harmful to humans and environmental hazards to ecosystem. Investigation of this study revealed contamination level of organochlorine pesticides residues in dried beans originating from Nigeria with a view to controlling them, it also studies crude fiber of beans showed that B4 has the highest fiber content, 27.85% and the order of decreasing value as B4, B5 , B1, B3 and B2. The least percentage of crude fiber was shown by B2 in all the beans samples analyzed. This study also investigated the pesticides residue components of the organochlorinated pesticides test. The presence of pesticide residues in all 14 types of organochlorine pesticides in beans is lower than a previously reported level. Despite this, the amount of organochlorine pesticides tested is more than the permitted levels of 0.01 to 0.2 mg/kg, indicating that the beans consumed in the Gombe metropolis included pesticide residues beyond the permissible limit.

Purpose: A small clinical study was performed to assess the use of a novel poly (urea-urethane) liquid bandage (Nuvaderm, Chesson Labs, Durham, NC) as a post-surgical wound care treatment in patients that underwent skin cancer excision surgery. Nuvaderm is a topical medical device that has been cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Nuvaderm was evaluated for wound healing, moisture vapor permeability, microbial barrier effectiveness, and ease of use. Methods: A prospective, single-arm clinical evaluation was performed with adult subjects with skin cancer on the head or body. Excision surgery was performed to remove the cancer and the lesion was subsequently closed with sutures. Nuvaderm was applied to the surgical site and a pressure dressing was applied on top to control any bleeding. After 24 h, patients removed the pressure dressing and self-treated with Nuvaderm liquid bandage daily for approximately 7-14 days. Clinical assessments were performed at roughly 7 or 14 days after surgery for head and body wounds, respectively. The primary effectiveness endpoints were to assess wound healing and infection rate after daily treatment with Nuvaderm. The primary safety endpoint was free from product-related adverse events for the duration of treatment term. In vitro testing was performed for antimicrobial and microbial barrier properties and moisture vapor permeability. These tests were carried out using ASTM E2315 (Standard Guide for Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity Using a Time-Kill Procedure), ASTM F1608 (Standard Test Method for Microbial Ranking of Porous Packaging Materials), and ASTM E96 (Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials), respectively. Results: Initial in vitro studies demonstrated that Nuvaderm is a biocompatible, durable liquid bandage that functions as a microbial barrier with antimicrobial properties and water vapor permeability. 43 patients (61% males), aged 44 to 85 yrs, with skin cancer on the head or body underwent excision surgery to remove the growth or lesion. All patients applied Nuvaderm daily with no infection or serious adverse events. 17 (39%) patients reported a mild stinging sensation at least once when Nuvaderm was applied to the wound site. Of the 42 respondents, 95% were satisfied with how Nuvaderm aftercare treatment relieved symptoms of their surgery. One patient reported erythema around the wound and two reported the wound felt dry and itchy. Conclusion: This study describes a topical medical device with antimicrobial properties that protects wounds from infection and complements wound healing in patients after skin cancer excision surgery. Nuvaderm liquid bandage compares favorably with current standards of care for post-surgical wound treatments and provides an easy to use wound care system for patients.

Organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) cause great risk to human health as they are used globally. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to determine the total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity of agricultural waste, as well as to control the pesticide residues (diazinon, and parathion) at a laboratory scale level using dried-milled fruit wastes. The pesticide residues parathion and diazinon were used at concentrations of 0.094, and 1.90 mg/mL respectively. The fruit wastes used in this study were orange and banana peels, as well as date stones, and they were used in two concentrations (3 and 9 g/30 mL deionized water). The total phenolic and flavonoid contents and the antioxidant activity were measured in fruit wastes. Also, the Fourier transmitted infrared (FTIR) spectra of fruit wastes were established to figure out the nature of the functional groups found before and after pesticide residues removal. The ability of fruit wastes to remove pesticides residues was determined using Gas Chromatography/Mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Data showed that date stones contained a higher amount of total phenolic content than orange and banana peels. However, orange peels contained a higher amount of total flavonoid contents than those of date stones and banana peels. As for antioxidant activity, banana peels recorded the higher antioxidant activity, followed by orange peels and date stones respectively. Results revealed that there was no relation between total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity. Results also indicated that date stones at a concentration of 9 g successfully reduced diazinon (81.18%), followed by banana (63.86%) and orange peels (43.42%) respectively, whereas parathion was reduced by banana peels at a concentration of 9 g (50.34%), followed by orange peels (45.28%), and date stones (39.52%) respectively. This study demonstrated that agricultural wastes were effective in the adsorption of diazinon from water, and their use is considered safe for the environment.

This study investigates the chemical composition, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, and wound-healing potential of the essential oil extracted from Carthamus caeruleus L. roots using a third-degree burn model in Wistar rats. The essential oil chemotype was analyzed by gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS), identifying 94.76±2.532% of its composition, with methyl linolenate (77.40±1.766%) as the dominant compound, marking the first identification of this chemotype. The oil exhibited strong anti-inflammatory activity, inhibiting bovine serum albumin denaturation with an IC50 of 396.95±0.77 µg/mL. Its antimicrobial properties were confirmed by disk diffusion and microdilution assays against seven standard bacterial strains, showing remarkable efficacy, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus (inhibition zone: 68.00±0.50 mm; MIC: 1 µg/mL). In vivo studies using an essential oil-based ointment showed improved wound healing, with a wound retraction percentage of 80.49±6.28%, while the irritation test yielded a score of 1, indicating barely noticeable erythema. Histopathological analysis revealed advanced tissue regeneration, including reformation of hair follicles and sebaceous glands. In silico docking studies further supported the experimental data, demonstrating strong binding affinities between key oil constituents and biological targets such as DNA Gyrase, Topoisomerase IV, COX-2, and TNF-α. The results highlight the therapeutic potential of C. caeruleus root essential oil as a multifunctional agent with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties, and a promoter of skin appendage regeneration. Overall, findings support the traditional use of Algerian C. caeruleus as an effective natural alternative for skin care.

Luvanda FT, Lyimo ME. 2018. Evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant attributes of Tanzanian honey from two agroecological areas. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 16: 69-82. In order to appraise the characteristic of Tanzanian honey based on antioxidant attributes and antimicrobial activity on bacteria and fungi in relation to its physicochemical attributes, the study was conducted. The examined honey was sampled from two kinds of bees namely stinging and stingless honey bees and was gathered from the western area (Tabora and Shinyanga) and the central area (Singida and Dodoma). They were examined for their antimicrobial activity, anti-oxidant attributes (total phenol, vitamin C) and physicochemical attributes of pH, color, pH, sugar, and minerals. 54 % of tested honey samples inhibited microbial growth but the remaining 46% did not inhibit the growth. Microbial impediment areas range from 8.5 to 14.16 mm (stinging honey bee) and 10.56-15.13 mm (stingless honey bee). Honey yielded by stinging honey bee in the cities of Shinyanga, Bukombe, and Nzega and the cities of Singida and Issuna is more effective in impeding microbial growth than that of other cities. Candida albicans is more sensitive (23.1%) to honey of stingless honey bee, followed by Staphylococcus saprophyticus (33%), Salmonella typhi (32%), Escherichia coli (19.2%) and Aspergillus flavus (16.0%). The substance of antioxidant, total phenol and vitamin C in honey of stingless honey bee were importantly (P <0.05) higher than that of honey of stinging honey bee. Antioxidants (FRAP) ranged from 322.16-973.57 µMFe (II) /100g, total phenols was from 13.87-33.55 mg /100g and vitamin C was from 2.54-10.99 mg /100. At pH value, there was no substantial dissimilarity (P> 0.05) between the two samples of honey. Potassium possesses the highest value while Zn possesses the lowest value in samples of honey of stinging and stingless honey bee. The gradation color of honey of stingless honey bee ranged from extra light amber-light amber while that of honey of stinging bee ranged from white water-light amber. There was a positive and substantial correlation (P <0.001) between the color of honey, antioxidants, total phenol, and mineral substance. Stingless honey bee's honey from the western region is superior to stinging honey bee's honey in antioxidant and antimicrobial attributes and therefore is prompted to be utilized as a valuable diet product, preventive and curative medicine.

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and ionic liquids (ILs) offer novel opportunities for several pharmaceutical applications. Their tunable properties offer control over their design and applications. Choline chloride (CC)-based DESs (referred to as Type III eutectics) offer superior advantages for various pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications. Here, CC-based DESs of tadalafil (TDF), a selective phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) enzyme inhibitor, were designed for implementation in wound healing. The adopted approach provides formulations for the topical application of TDF, hence avoiding systemic exposure. To this end, the DESs were chosen based on their suitability for topical application. Then, DES formulations of TDF were prepared, yielding a tremendous increase in the equilibrium solubility of TDF. Lidocaine (LDC) was included in the formulation with TDF to provide a local anaesthetic effect, forming F01. The addition of propylene glycol (PG) to the formulation was attempted to reduce the viscosity, forming F02. The formulations were fully characterised using NMR, FTIR and DCS techniques. According to the obtained characterisation results, the drugs were soluble in the DES with no detectable degradation. Our results demonstrated the utility of F01 in wound healing in vivo using cut wound and burn wound models. Significant retraction of the cut wound area was observed within three weeks of the application of F01 when compared with DES. Furthermore, the utilisation of F01 resulted in less scarring of the burn wounds than any other group including the positive control, thus rendering it a candidate formula for burn dressing formulations. We demonstrated that the slower healing process associated with F01 resulted in less scarring potential. Lastly, the antimicrobial activity of the DES formulations was demonstrated against a panel of fungi and bacterial strains, thus providing a unique wound healing process via simultaneous prevention of wound infection. In conclusion, this work presents the design and application of a topical vehicle for TDF with novel biomedical applications.

The research aims to study pesticide residues on potatoes and grapes to improve and develop the management of integrated control programs, reduce economic losses and do not harm human health, To achieve this, the research relied on the results of the sample data collected from some local markets of some governorates of the Republic, Pesticide residues were evaluated and potential risks assessed for food containing pesticide residues exceeding the maximum allowable limit for each crop. The most important results of the study: - The results of the analysis of the sample of the study, which included 79 samples, potato yield 44 samples, grapes 35 samples, showed that the number of samples free of pesticide residues 31 samples represents 39.24% of the total samples, The number of samples contaminated with pesticide residues was 48 samples representing 60.76% of the total samples. The number of samples exceeding the maximum allowable residues (MRLs) of 16 pesticides represented 33.3% of the total samples contaminated with pesticide residues. - The study also showed the emergence of some organic chlorine pesticides banned since 1972 in some potato crop samples in Assiut governorate. - The results of the study show the presence of some pesticides that exceeded the limit allowed daily intake (EDI), according to what the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Health Organization (WHO): Carbofuran with a risk index of about 1128%, or more than the daily intake of about 1028%, followed by the pesticide dezynone with a risk index of about 168% more than the daily intake of 68%. Recommendations:To tighten control on pesticides that are not allowed to be used and to track smuggled pesticides to prevent their circulation in local markets. 2- Raising awareness and training for farmers in the Upper Egypt governorates to rationalize the use of pesticides and methods of applying them with optimum economic efficiency to reduce pollution and the absence of pesticide residues beyond the permissible limits. 3- Continued pesticide residue monitoring programs in all food products to provide and update a database through which future strategies for pest control and consumer protection can be implemented through random exposure to pesticides. 4- Directing the producers of the grapes to rationalize the use of pesticides because they use large amounts and different types of pesticides, which leads to pollution of the crop and thus causing significant economic losses.

Although green leafy vegetables are a great source of micronutrients, they can also often include harmful heavy metals and pesticides. Hence, the objective of this paper was to assess the levels of heavy metals and pesticide residues in Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra), Amaranthus cruentus (Spinach), Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) and Cabbage vegetable samples from Agricultural Area of Boronji Jimeta, Adamawa State, Nigeria using Atomic Adsorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) respectively. Result show that the detected heavy metals include Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, and Cu whereas pesticide residues include Dichlorvos, Dimethoate, Chlorpyrifos Lambda.-Cyhalothrin and Imdacloprid. The concentration of Cd 0.62mg/kg, 0.47mg/kg, 0.56mg/kg and 1.93mg/kg in spinach, Roselle, okra and Cabbage. Pb 0.60mg/kg, 0.35mg/kg and 0.32mg/kg in spinach, Roselle, and okra and pesticide residues in Dimethoate in cabbage 0.202mg/kg and Lambda.-Cyhalothrin 0.067mg/kg and Chlorpyrifos 0.195mg/kg in okra were found to be above the establish permissible limit. Pesticide residues and heavy metal levels fluctuated, showing distinct patterns even though they were mostly below the established maximum permissible limit. These heavy metals and pesticide residues can be harmful to human health, especially if consumed in excess. They can come from both naturally occurring and man-made sources.

Aim: The polyherbal siddha formulation veppampoo Mathirai is effective in regulating blood pressure but its safety is not known. The heavy metal, aflatoxins, pesticide residue, microbial count have not been evaluated so far. The current study evaluated the above parameters. The present study was aimed to evaluate the safety parameters (heavy metal, aflatoxin, pesticide residue and microbial profile) of Veppampoo Mathirai.
 Materials and Methods: According to AYUSH [Ayurveda, yoga, unani, siddha, naturopathy] Pharmacopoeial laboratory for Indian medicine (PLIM) guidelines, the formulation was evaluated for its safety parameters at Noble research solutions, kolathur, Chennai, accredited with ISO 9001: 2015.Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) was used for testing heavy metals and aflatoxins were tested using Thin layer chromatography(TLC). The Pesticide residues content was estimated by GC/MS while microbial count by pour plate method.
 Results: The study revealed presence of heavy metals mercury, arsenic, lead and cadmium within the recommended limit as per AYUSH Pharmacopoeial Laboratory for Indian Medicine Guidelines whereas presence of Aflatoxin, pesticide residues and microbes were absent in the sample which showed the formulation Veppampoo Mathirai (VPM) was free from toxicity.
 Conclusion: VPM showed heavy metal content below the permissible limit as per PLIM guidelines of AYUSH. Aflatoxins and pesticide residue were not detected while the microbes and specific pathogens were absent in the current batch of VPM. Hence, the present study ensures the formulation was safe for therapeutic use.

The bioactivity of two kiwifruit's cultivars growing under organic and conventional conditions were studied and compared. The bioactive compounds were extracted with water and ethanol using similar conditions which are applied in pharmaceutical applications and for daily fruit consumption such as tea drink. Antioxidant radical scavenging assays [ferric-reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP); cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC); 2, 2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS)], fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and ultraviolet spectroscopy, two (2D-FL) and three-dimensional (3D-FL) fluorometry were used for the detection of biologically active metabolites derived from kiwifruits (total phenols, flavonoids, chlorophylls, carotenoids and ascorbic acid). The correlation between the total phenol content (TPC) and other bioactive compounds, and their total antioxidant capacities (TAC) was calculated for studied kiwifruit's extracts. The interaction between drugs and human serum albumin (HSA) plays an important role in the distribution and metabolism of drugs. The properties of kiwifruit's phenol extracts showed their ability to quench HSA, forming the complexes similar to the ones between the proteins and pure flavonoids such as quercetin. The cultivar 'Bidan' exhibited significantly higher TAC than the classic 'Hayward'. In conclusion, for the first time 'Bidan' organic kiwifruit was analyzed and compared with widely consumed 'Hayward', using its bioactive and fluorescence properties. The influence of physiologically active kiwifruit's compounds on human health, through our investigations in vitro and scientifically proven information, was explained. Relatively high content of bioactive compounds, high antioxidant and fluorescence properties of kiwifruit justify its use as a source of valuable antioxidants.

Water, methanol and mixtures (20–80%) thereof have been used for the extraction of phenolic compounds from Irish brown seaweed Himanthalia elongata for studying its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The 60% methanolic extract exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) the highest value of yield (6.8 ± 0.24%), total phenol (286.0 ± 4.61 mg gallic acid equivalents/g), flavonoid (109.8 ± 2.68 mg quercetin equivalents/g) and condensed tannin content (35.6 ± 1.03 mg catechin equivalents/g). Antimicrobial activity of 60% methanolic extract tested from disc diffusion and broth dilution methods was effective against various food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria studied. The same extract exhibited statistically highest reducing power and antioxidant capacity against DPPH radical, metal ions, lipid peroxides and hydrogen peroxide radicals. The UV-visible spectroscopy showed absorption maxima at 205 and 260 nm and the presence of hydroxyl group (3,431 cm−1) and an aromatic ring (around 1,465, 1,505 and 1,624 cm−1) in Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, suggested the presence of phenolic compounds in the extract. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS In recent years, much attention has been focused on the use of natural preservatives to enhance the quality, safety and stability of ready-to-eat food products. These products also undergo gradual changes during storage, due to autoxidation, which releases reactive oxygen species including free radicals into the food. The consumption of seaweed as food and nutraceutical has been well known in the East. Nowadays, increasingly seaweeds are being investigated for the biological activity of their extracts which are finding hundreds of applications in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and food preservatives. The present study demonstrates that H. elongata contains excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties which can provide opportunities for the application of seaweed extract as natural food preservative or nutraceutical for possible application in food and dietary supplemental products for health promotion.

BACKGROUND: The higher consumption of vegetables and fruits could be a practical approach to the management of oxidative stress. The present study sought to compare the antioxidant properties of polar and non‐polar constituents of some tropical green leafy vegetables (Struchium sparganophora, Amaranthus cruentus, Telfairia occidentalis, Ocimum gratissimum, Talinium triangulare, Cnidoscolous aconitifolius and Vernonia amygdalina).RESULTS: The polar antioxidant constituents (total phenol (3330–17 572 mg kg−1), total flavonoid (1668–4306 mg kg−1) and vitamin C (224–642 mg kg−1)) were higher than the non‐polar antioxidant constituents (total phenol (703–3115 mg kg−1), total flavonoid (130–1303 mg kg−1) and carotenoids (132–1303 mg kg−1)). Furthermore, the polar extracts had a significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging ability (except T. triangulare), total antioxidant capacity, reducing power (except T. triangulare and A. cruentus) and Fe(II) chelating ability (except C. aconitifolius and S. sparganophora). However, the polar and non‐polar extract of O. gratissimum had the highest antioxidant properties while that of T. triangulare had the least antioxidant properties.CONCLUSION: The polar extract of most of the vegetables had higher antioxidant properties than the non‐polar extract, with O. gratissimum extracts having the highest antioxidant properties. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry

Echinops spinosissimus Turra subsp. bovei (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant in western Algeria. Traditionally, roots and inflorescences are employed as hypertensive agents and in the treatment of hemorrhoids. The current study evaluates the chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties of the root methanolic extract from E. spinosissimus subsp. bovei. The content of total phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins was determined. In addition, the phenolic profile was typified. The studied plant extract resulted in being primarily composed of Apigenin, Kaempferol, and their derivatives. The total phenolic content was equal to 95.31 ± 2.90 mg GAE/g DW, while the number of flavonoids and condensed tannins was 16.01 ± 0.16 mg CE/g DW and 8.30 ± 0.65 mg CE/g DW, respectively. The methanolic extract was found to exhibit antioxidant activity towards the DPPH radical, with an IC50 of 7.99 ± 0.28 mg/mL and a TAC of 30.30 ± 0.54 mg AAE/g DW, as well as an antibacterial effect, especially against P. aeruginosa. No significant wound-healing property was observed, even though the histopathological observations showed enhanced wound-healing quality. According to our evidence, E. spinosissimus could represent a source of phytochemicals with potential beneficial effects for human health in terms of antioxidant and antibiotic properties, although further investigations on this species are needed.

Ferula galbaniflua (Bārijeh) is renowned for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, making it valuable in traditional medicine for treating skin conditions, promoting wound healing, and enhancing collagen synthesis. Its active compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, contribute to these beneficial effects, supporting its use in various pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. This study investigates the medicinal plant F. galbaniflua Boiss. (Bārijeh), a traditional herbal remedy in Iran, for its effects on skin inflammation through its active compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids. We compared the efficacy of F. galbaniflua to zinc oxide ointment through experiments on rats. The evaluation included an assessment of the active compounds' antioxidant activity using the iron-reducing method (Folin test) and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. We also measured the antimicrobial activity of F. galbaniflua resin, focusing on its active constituents, using the disk diffusion method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against specific bacteria. Clinical studies assessed wound healing and collagen synthesis over time. The methanolic extract of F. galbaniflua exhibited the highest DPPH inhibition (44.23%±55.89%) and iron-reducing power (953.23±1.011µg/mL). Results indicated a significant increase in collagen synthesis in treated groups (p<0.0001). F. galbaniflua exhibits promising antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which support its traditional use in treating skin inflammation through its bioactive macromolecules.