Activity Of Different Fractions Research Articles

Pharmacological Profile Analysis of a Vegetable Crop Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Linn.) Seeds

The seeds of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Linn.) can be utilized as both a conventional and multifunctional dietary constituent. In this study the antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic effects of various fractions such as petroleum ether soluble fraction (PESF), chloroform soluble fraction (CFSF), dichloromethane soluble fraction (DCMSF), and aqueous soluble fraction (AQF) were obtained from crude extract (CE) of the C. maxima seeds were assessed by using 1,1-Diphenyl-2- Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, disc diffusion technique, and brine shrimp lethality bioassay respectively. The results showed that all the fractions have remarkable antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activities. The study revealed that both the AQF and PESF and the CF confirmed significant antioxidant properties. The antibacterial activity of different fractions against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was examined to determine their significant effect. PESF and CFSF fractions exhibited substantial inhibitory activity against Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Bacillus cereus. Bacillus subtilis exhibited significant susceptibility to both CFSF and AQF. Salmonella typhi and Shigella dysenteriae exhibited significant susceptibility to PESF and CFSF, while Escherichia coli was the Gram-negative bacterium most effectively inhibited by CFSF. The IC50 values revealed that the DCMSF exhibited the highest inhibitory activity, followed by other fractions. The new study emphasizes the significance of pumpkin seeds in terms of their pharmacological and biological properties, which may encourage more research on the potential benefits of this plant for human health. Jagannath University Journal of Life and Earth Sciences, 9(1): 7-18, 2023 (June)

Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism for diabetes II treatment by the ethyl acetate fraction of Atriplex halimus L.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the most common metabolic disorder. The undesirable effects of synthetic drugs demand a search for safe antidiabetic agents. This study aimed to assess the antidiabetic activity of different fractions of Atriplex halimus (petroleum ether 60-80, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol) using Drosophila melanogaster larvae. Titers of total glucose and trehalose, as well as larval weight, were measured and compared with those of control and diabetic larvae. The expression of Drosophila insulin-like peptides (DILP2 and DILP3) and adipokinetic hormone (AKH) was evaluated. The results revealed a significant increase in total glucose, trehalose, and a decrease in body weight in the larvae fed a high-sugar diet compared with those in the control. When larvae fed diets containing the tested fractions, the total glucose and trehalose decreased to the control level, and the body weight increased. DILP2, DILP3, and AKH exhibited significant decreases upon treatment with A. halimus ethyl acetate. Metabolomic profiling of the ethyl acetate fraction of A. halimus revealed the presence of flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides. After docking screening to predict the most powerful moiety, we discovered that flavonoid glycosides (especially eriodictyol-7-O-neohesperidoside) have a greater affinity for the pocket than the other moieties. The results indicated the therapeutic activity of the A. halimus ethyl acetate fraction against induced T2D in Drosophila larvae. The antidiabetic activity may be attributed to flavonoids, which are the main components of the A. halimus ethyl acetate fraction.

Pro-apoptotic effect of chloroform fraction of Moraea sisyrinchium bulb against glioblastoma cells

IntroductionGlioblastoma is a common malignant brain tumor, with limited therapeutic options. In our previous study, the Moraea sisyrinchium plant showed cytotoxicity against glioblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Among different parts of this plant (flower, stem, and bulb), the bulb showed better anticancer potential. The present work aimed to test the anticancer activity of different fractions of the bulb extract, to determine its phytochemicals, and to study its mechanism action on glioblastoma. MethodsThe bulb extract was partitioned into different fractions using immiscible solvents. The U87 glioblastoma cells were incubated with the obtained fractions. Then, the cell proliferation assay (MTT), cell migration test (scratch), cell cycle analysis (propidium iodide staining), apoptosis/necrosis assay (annexin V/propidium iodide staining), and real-time PCR (PTEN, Akt, mTOR, BAX and BCL-2 genes) were performed. Phytochemicals were determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. ResultsThe chloroform fraction showed more antiproliferative effect than n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions. Also, chloroform fraction induced cell cycle arrest, increased apoptosis, and inhibited cell migration ability (P < 0.05). The expression of PTEN, mTOR, and BAX genes was significantly up-regulated, while the expression of Akt and Bcl-2 showed down-regulation. The phytochemicals identified in the chloroform fraction were mainly xanthones, phytosterols, and isoflavones. ConclusionThe chloroform fraction of Moraea sisyrinchium bulb inhibits the proliferation and migration of glioblastoma cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by upregulation of the PTEN gene and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. The identified compounds in the chloroform fraction are potential candidates for further investigation as anticancer agents against glioblastoma.

Saponin Fractions from Eryngium planum L. Induce Apoptosis in Ovarian SKOV-3 Cancer Cells

(1) The cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of different fractions as well as the pro-apoptotic activity of saponin fractions from Eryngium planum L. in SKOV-3 was investigated. (2) In screening studies, the cytotoxicity of six fractions on SKOV-3 was examined by LDH and SRB assays. The most active fractions—triterpenoid saponins—were selected for further investigation. To determine the mechanism of saponin fractions’ cytotoxicity, their ability to induce apoptosis was examined via Annexin V assay. The effect of the saponin fractions on caspase 3 activity was measured using a Caspase 3 Assay Kit. The expression of 84 apoptosis-related genes was investigated in cancer cells exposed to saponin fractions from the roots. The radical scavenging capacity of different fractions was determined via DPPH assay. (3) The pronounced cytotoxic effects in SKOV-3 were demonstrated by saponin fractions from the leaves and roots. Those saponin fractions were chosen for further investigation. The treatment of cancer cell lines with saponins obtained from the roots provoked a significant increase in apoptotic cells. In the SKOV-3 cells, saponins caused upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes and a decrease in anti-apoptotic genes. The activation of caspase 3 was correlated with an increased DFFA expression level in the treated SKOV-3 cells. The most active fractions were phenolic acids from the shoots and roots. (4) To the best of our knowledge, the current study is the first to demonstrate that the barrigenol-type triterpenoid saponin fraction from the roots of E. planum inhibits SKOV-3 cell proliferation and induces apoptosis, which may be regulated by the expression of genes mostly specific to a mitochondria-related pathway.

Averrhoa carambola leaves prevent dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in a rat model of poloxamer-407-induced acute hyperlipidemia.

Background: The star fruit [Averrhoa carambola L (Oxalidaceae)] is traditionally used in the treatment of many ailments in many countries. It possesses several pharmacological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, it contains the neurotoxic caramboxin and its high content of oxalic acid limits its consumption by individuals with compromised kidney function. This study assessed the anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities of different fractions of the methanolic extract of A. carambola leaves (MEACL). Methods: The antioxidant activity was investigated using FRAP, and ABTS and DPPH radical-scavenging assays and the inhibitory activity toward pancreatic lipase (PL) and HMG-CoA reductase was assayed in vitro. Acute hyperlipidemia was induced by poloxamer-407 (P-407) in rats and different fractions of MEACL (n-hexane, chloroform, n-butanol, ethyl acetate (EA), water, and chloroform) were orally administered. Cholesterol and triglycerides were determined at 0, 12, 24, and 48h and LDL-C, vLDL-C, HDL-C, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidants were assayed after 48h. The expression of ABCA1, ABCG5, ABCG8, LDL-R, SREBP-1, and SREBP-2 and the activity of HMG-CoA reductase were assayed in the liver of P-407-administered rats treated with the EA fraction. Results: The in vitro data revealed potent radical-scavenging activities of MEACL fractions with the most potent effect showed by the EA fraction that also suppressed the activities of HMG-CoA reductase and PL. In P-407-induced hyperlipidemic rats, all fractions prevented dyslipidemia as shown by the decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, vLDL-C and atherogenic index. MEACL and its fractions prevented LPO and boosted GSH, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase in P-407-administered rats. The EA fraction showed more effective anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects than other fractions and downregulated SREBP-2 while upregulated ABCA1 and LDL-R and ameliorated LPL and HMG-CoA reductase in hyperlipidemic rats. Conclusion: MEACL showed in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity and the EA fraction significantly ameliorated dyslipidemia in a rat model of P-407-induced acute hyperlipidemia by modulating LPL, PL, HMG-CoA reductase, and cholesterolgenesis-related factors. Therefore, the leaves of A. carambola represent a safe alternative for the star fruit particularly in kidney disease patients, and the EA is the most effective anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant fraction.

Anti-Plasmodial Effects of Different Ecotypes of Glycyrrhiza glabra Traditionally Used for Malaria in Iran.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43450-022-00353-8.

Optimization of the Extraction Process and Antioxidant Activity of Polysaccharide Extracted from Centipeda minima.

The purpose of this study is to optimize the extraction process and study antioxidant activity of Polysaccharide extracted from Centipeda minima. The Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology was adopted to optimize the extraction process of polysaccharides from Centipeda minima. We purified the crude polysaccharides from Centipeda minima, as well as determined the purity, monosaccharide composition, and molecular weight of the purified fraction. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to analyze the structural features of the polysaccharides. Further, we investigated the antioxidant activities of different fractions of polysaccharides. Consequently, the results showed that the optimum extraction conditions for polysaccharides were: a liquid-solid ratio of 26 mL/g, extraction temperature of 85.5 °C, and extraction time of 2.4 h. Moreover, the yield of polysaccharides measured under these conditions was close to the predicted value. After purification, we obtained four components of Centipeda minima polysaccharides (CMP). The purity, monosaccharide composition, molecular weight, and structural characteristics of CMP were different, but with similar infrared absorption spectra. CMP exhibited a typical infrared absorption characteristic of a polysaccharide. Besides, CMP displayed good antioxidant activity, with potential to scavenge DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, and superoxide radical. Therefore, this study provides a reference for future research on the structure and biological activity of CMP, and lays a theoretical foundation for food processing and medicinal development of CMP.

Antioxidant, thrombolytic, cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of leaves of Vitex peduncularis

Vitex peduncularis (Verbenaceae), a perennial tree, is locally utilized for possessing multifaceted pharmacological properties including analgesic, antimalarial, anti-angina, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective. Hence, this study aims to evaluate their antioxidant, thrombolytic, cytotoxic and antibacterial activities from the methanolic crude extract and its various solvent fractions. Data from antioxidant and thrombolytic assay displayed that Kupchan partitioned chloroform soluble fraction revealed the maximum phenolic content (73.39 mg of GAE/g of extract), DPPH free radical scavenging activity (26.69 μg/ml) and thrombolytic activity (37.35%). In brine shrimp lethality evaluation, the LC50 values indicate that the most cytotoxic compound was found to be from ethyl acetate soluble fraction (LC50 6.73 μg/ml). Finally, antibacterial activity of different fractions showed that both chloroform and methanolic fraction possessed mild activity against the tested bacteria. The potential biological effects of the crude fractions have been demonstrated demanding future studies of the isolated compounds to assess these activities. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 57(4), 239-246, 2022

Phytochemical Compounds, Antioxidant, and Digestive Enzymes Inhibitory Activities of Different Fractions from Ginkgo biloba L. Nut Shells

This study was designed to investigate the phytochemical compounds, antioxidant, and digestive enzymes inhibitory activities of the free (F), esterified (E), and insoluble-bound (IB) fractions from Ginkgo biloba L. nut shells. Results showed that a total of twelve compounds were detected in G. biloba nut shells by using UHPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS, including two kinds of organic acids, three kinds of phenolic acids, three kinds of flavonoids, and four kinds of terpene lactones. The F fraction contained all identified compounds and had the highest contents of the total phenolics and total flavonoids. All of the three different fractions exhibited good DPPH radical and ABTS radical cation scavenging activities and strong inhibitory effects on the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, these three fractions also had good inhibitory effects towards α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase. Among the three fractions, the F fraction possessed the strongest bioactivities. The findings obtained in the current study may provide some insights and bases for the further investigation and application of G. biloba nut shells in clinical medicine or the nutraceutical industry.

Phenolic characterization, antioxidant and α-glycosidase inhibitory activities of different fractions from Prinsepia utilis Royle seed shell using in vitro and in silico analyses

Phenolic characterization, antioxidant and α-glycosidase inhibitory activities of different fractions from Prinsepia utilis Royle seed shell using in vitro and in silico analyses

Antidepressant Activity of Different Fractions of Cassine albens in an Olfactory Bulbectomized Mouse Model

Abstract: Background: Tribal peoples in north Maharashtra used Cassine albens for a range of illnesses, including some psychosomatic conditions. For treatment, these indigenous people employed a very raw form of this plant. The goal of this study is to test the traditional claims of antidepressant effect in an olfactory bulbectomized mice using a chloroform and ethyl acetate fraction of Methanolic extract of C. albens. Materials and Methods: For 28 days, olfactory bulbectomized mice were administered Ethyl acetate and Chloroform fractions of Methanolic extract of leaf of Cassine albens (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg). The forced swim test, open field test, and splash test were used to assess antidepressant efficacy. Throughout the study, imipramine (10 mg/kg) was used as a reference standard. Results: After a 28-day treatment, chloroform and ethyl acetate diminish hyperexcitation in an open field apparatus by reducing the number of lines crossing. When compared to the control group, the Chloroform fraction 400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg demonstrated a significant (p< 0.0001 and p< 0.05) decrease in hyperactivity. In the FST, Chloroform fractions 200 mg/kg (p< 0.01) and 400 mg/kg (p<0.01) significantly reduced immobility time when compared to the control group, and in the Splash test, Chloroform fraction 400 mg/kg significantly increased grooming time (p<0.001) when compared to the control group. Conclusion: Cassine albens chloroform fractions (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) have considerable antidepressant effect. Keywords: Olfactory bulbectomy, Splash test, Immobility period, Open Field, Forced swim test, number of line crossing

Discovery and molecular elucidation of the anti-influenza material basis of Banlangen granules based on biological activities and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry

Ethnopharmacological relevanceTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a wide range of applications, including human healthcare-associated treatments and bioactive compound discovery. However, complex chemical systems present a significant challenge for chemical-material-based research and quality control. For instance, Banlangen (BLG) granules is a well-acknowledged TCM preparation widely used in clinical treatment of virus infection. However, its chemical basis of anti-influenza efficacy remains unclear.Aim of the study: In the present study, a systematic discovery strategy for identifying anti-influenza molecules based on biological activities and chemical analysis was established to contribute to the molecular elucidation of the anti-influenza material basis of Banlangen granules. Materials and methodsHemagglutinase inhibition (HAI) and neuraminidase inhibition (NAI) assays were used to compare the anti-influenza activities of different fractions of BLG granules against H1N1, H5N1 and H7N9 viruses. A comparative qualitative analysis of the chemical constituents in BLG granules and their fractions was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS), in which a multiple mass spectrometry database platform and three compound identification strategies were used. The association between anti-influenza activities and chemical constituent characteristics was analyzed using multiple stoichiometries and data comparison strategies. ResultsThe results showed that the chromatography fractions F3 and F4 of the BLG granules had the highest anti-influenza activity. A total of 88 compounds were identified in the BLG granules, including 31 alkaloids, 16 organic acids, 10 nucleosides, 8 phenylpropanoids, 6 sulfur-containing compounds, 5 amino acids, 4 aromatic compounds, 3 aldehydes and ketones, 2 flavonoids, 1 alcohol, 1 carbohydrate, and 1 aliphatic compound. Out of these, 31 characteristic compounds were identified in fractions F3–F4 as candidate compounds with anti-influenza activity. Additionally, 6-methoxyquinoline and 4-guanidinobutanal were identified in BLG granules and its raw material (Isatidis Radix) for the first time. ConclusionIn this study, we proposed a systematic discovery strategy to thoroughly investigate the anti-influenza activity, chemical identification, and constituents-activity relationship of BLG granules. These data not only provided a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanism of the activity of BLG granules, but also presented a basis for the discovery of potential novel drug candidates and quality evaluation and control of BLG granules.

Exploring marine resources against neurological disorders– the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory potential of the brown seaweed Bifurcaria bifurcata

Oxidative stress is strongly involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson´s disease (PD). Particularly, an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) released by the cells promotes an oxidative stress condition, which is a main cause of tissue injury leading to nervous system dysfunction. In this work, the antioxidant, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities of different fractions from the brown seaweed Bifurcaria bifurcata are presented and related with their chemical profile. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. Neuroprotective capacity was evaluated to prevent neurological cell death mediated by the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on SH-SY5Y cells, and their anti-inflammatory effects on RAW 264.7 macrophages. The ethyl acetate fractions (100 µg mL−1) exhibited significant antioxidant and neuroprotective activities in the in vitro models assayed. Furthermore, two of the most polar fractions obtained with methanol and water also evidenced a significant neuroprotective potential. Bifurcaria bifurcata fractions treatment decreased ROS production, mitochondrial dysfunction, and Caspase-3 activity. Regarding the anti-inflammatory potential, five fractions (100 µg mL−1) inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production and reduced the interleukin – 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) levels. Mannitol, identified as the major component of the most bioactive fraction, protected SH-SY5Y cells against the 6-OHDA neurotoxicity mediating ROS generation mitigation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and DNA damage, together with the Caspase-3 activity inhibition. Results suggest that B. bifurcata is a relevant source of neuroprotective agents, with particular interest for preventive therapeutics.

Antioxidant Capacities and Enzymatic Inhibitory Effects of Different Solvent Fractions and Major Flavones from Celery Seeds Produced in Different Geographic Areas in China.

To extend the application of celery (Apium graveolens L.) seeds, the antioxidant and enzymatic inhibitory activities of different fractions and their main flavones were investigated. The n-butanol fractions possessed the highest total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) values. The n-butanol fractions from Northeast China samples exhibited the strongest free radical scavenging (DPPH IC50 = 20.27 μg/mL, ABTS IC50 = 15.11 μg/mL) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP 547.93 mg trolox (TE)/g) capacity, while those collected from Hubei China showed the optimal cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) values (465.78 mg TE/g). In addition, the dichloromethane fractions from Jiangsu samples displayed a maximum Fe2+ chelating capacity (20.81 mg ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)/g). Enzyme level experiments indicated polyphenolic compounds might be the main hypoglycemic active components. Subsequently, the enzyme inhibitory activity of nine main flavones was evaluated. Chrysoeriol-7-O-glucoside showed better α-glucosidase inhibitory activity than others. However, apigenin showed the best inhibitory effect on α-amylases, while the presence of glycosides would reduce its inhibitory effect. This study is the first scientific report on the enzymatic inhibitory activity, molecular docking, and antioxidant capacity of celery seed constituents, providing a basis for treating or preventing oxidative stress-related diseases and hyperglycemia.

Antioxidant Activity of Different Fractions from Freeze-Dried Broccoli and Its Effect on Storage Properties of Emulsion-Type Pork Sausage

Antioxidant Activity of Different Fractions from Freeze-Dried Broccoli and Its Effect on Storage Properties of Emulsion-Type Pork Sausage

Preparation and Antioxidant Properties of Germinated Soybean Protein Hydrolysates.

In this study, soybeans during different germination stages were described and compared with regard to morphology, water content, protein, amino acids, and isoflavones. The optimal conditions for the hydrolysis of proteins obtained from germinated soybeans were determined using the response surface methodology. Gel filtration chromatography was used to separate germinated soybean protein hydrolysates after ultrafiltration, whereas 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ABTS•+, and FRAP assays were used to assess the antioxidant activity of different fractions. Findings of this study revealed that protein and isoflavone contents were high in soybean at 24 h following germination (the bud was about 0.5–1 cm). The proteins from germinated soybeans were hydrolyzed and separated into five fractions (G1–G5) and evaluated in terms of their molecular weight and antioxidant activity. Interestingly, the antioxidant activity was found to be higher in germinated soybean protein hydrolysates than in other soybean protein hydrolysates derived from soybean meal protein. This suggests that germination can effectively improve the utilization rate of soybean proteins. The antioxidant activity of G3 was best among G1–G5. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that germination for 24 h when the bud length is about 0.5–1 cm can be applied as a special pretreatment of plant seeds in the development of germinated foods. These findings can be used to identify the structure of the potential antioxidative hydrolysates for their possible exploitation in functional foods.

Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Different Fractions Obtained from Endophytic Fusarium solani F01 Isolated in Catharanthus roseus Collected in Vietnam

Abstract: Aim: Finding out the biological sources is essential for pharmaceutical field. Materials and Methods: Endophytic fungus was isolated from Catharanthus roseus originated in Vietnam and then identified by comparing, phylogeny analyzing its 18S sRNA sequence using Blast search and GenomeNet. The supernatant and sonicated mycelia were fractionated with methanol, ethyl acetate, hexane. All the fractions were used to test antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxicity activities. Antimicrobial activities on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Serratia marcescens ATCC 14756, Vibrio parahaemolyticus ATCC 17802, and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 were performed by well diffusion method. In terms of antioxidant activities, reducing power and DPPH radical scavenging assay were done. The purification from methanol extract was performed. The purified compounds were used to test antioxidant activity. For cytotoxicity activity, sulforhodamine B assay was used to test the extracts and purified compounds on the breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). Results: Fusarium solani F01 was identified. The treated methanol extract from cell-free supernatant showed the highest activities and wider spectrum than ethyl acetate and hexane extracts. Mycelial extracts in these solvents did not show activities except ethyl acetate extract. The methanol crude extract from cell-free supernatant gave the higher reducing power (1.416 ± 0.067) than ascorbic acid (0.577 ± 0.01) while others were very low at the concentration (100 μg/ ml). Only methanol extract obtained from supernatant showed moderate scavenging activity when comparison of their IC50 (9.17 g/ml) with IC50 of ascorbic acid (1.28 g/ ml). Four compounds were obtained that showed antioxidant activities, but there was one purified compound showed low effects on MCF-7 while methanol extract gave the highest inhibition (80.34 ± 1.28). Conclusion: The study suggested fungus isolated from Catharanthus roseus could show and give many biological compounds that will be a potential source for pharmaceutical field. Key words: Catharanthus roseus, Identification, Molecular analysis, Biological activities, Extraction, Purification.

Antimicrobial, antioxidant and antileishmanial activities of Ziziphus lotus leaves.

The aim of this study was to investigate antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of different fractions obtained from edible Tunisian Ziziphus Lotus leaves of Tozeur region. Different organic extracts were tested: cyclohexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water. Bio-guided fractionation revealed that dichloromethane fraction is the most active against S. aureus and Methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains. Moreover, this fraction showed the highest antileishmanial activity with IC50 values of 20.55 ± 0.34μg/mL and 15.37 ± 0.17μg/mL against L. major and L. infantum, respectively. The potentialities of antibacterial and leishmanicidal activities found in dichloromethane could be explained by the presence of major flavonoids such as catechin, rutin and luteolin 7-O-glucoside as revealed by HPLC system. The observed moderate antifungal activity, which was only given by butanolic fraction against pathogen fungi, may be attributed to the presence of chlorogenic acid. Furthermore, dichloromethane and butanolic fraction showed a good DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl) scavenging activity and Ferric reducing power. These results suggest that Ziziphus lotus leaf fractions might be used as antioxidant and antimicrobialagent.

Identification of Potential Targets for Thymidylate Synthase and Amp-C β-lactamase from Non-alkaloidal Fractions of Moringa oleifera Leaves.

The aim of present investigation is to identify the potential targets for Thymidylate Synthase and Amp-C β-lactamase from non-alkaloidal fractions of Moringa oleifera leaves. Bioactive constituents from medicinal plants, either as pure compounds or as crude forms, provide vast opportunities for new drug discoveries. Due to an increasing demand for chemical diversity in screening programs, seeking therapeutic drugs from natural products, mainly from edible plants, has grown throughout the world. Moringa oleifera has an impressive range of medicinal uses with high nutritional value. Therefore, this medicinal plant has been used widely in traditional Indian medicine for anti-inflammation, anticancer and antibacterial infections. The primary objective is to identify the phytoconstituents present in the maximum proportion in non-alkaloidal fractions of ethanolic leaf extract of Moringa oleifera. Then, the identified phytoconstituents were used to ensure the potential target molecules for binding affinity towards the target proteins viz. Thymidylate Synthase (1HVY) and Amp-C beta-lactamase (1FSY) by docking analysis. In present investigation, ethanolic extract of Moringa leaves was prepared and then fractionated on the basis of presence/absence of alkaloids. The antimicrobial activity of different fractions of ethanolic leaf extract was evaluated against various pathogens. Later, after this, bioactive molecules present in the non-alkaloidal fractions of ethanolic leaf extract were accomplished through GC-MS analysis, and finally, the identified phytocompounds were analyzed through docking studies to evaluate their affinity for target proteins viz. Thymidylate Synthase (1HVY) and Amp-C β-lactamase (1FSY). The antimicrobial activity of non-alkaloidal fractions of ethanolic leaf extract was evaluated against various pathogens which exhibited significant antimicrobial activity. Twenty phytocompounds were identified as gas chromatogram of non-alkaloidal fractions (chloroform and ethyl acetate) of leaf extract of M. oleifera; Four most prominent compounds having highest peak area percentage were identified as Ethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloro, (46.45%) 2-Propanone, 1,1,3-trichloro, (13.77%) Heptasiloxane, 1,1,3,3,5,5,7,7,9,9,11,11,13,13-tetradecamethyl (17.87%) and 2,4-Dichlorodiphenylsulfone (17.64%). Other notable compounds were 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z) (14.06%), Oleic acid, 3- (octadecyloxy)propyl ester (12.41%), Fluoranthene (6.98%), Phenol, 2,4-bis( 1,1-dimethylethyl) (4.16%) and Phthalic acid, butyl nonyl ester (3.47%). Only, five compounds viz. 2,6-Bis(1,1- dimethylethyl)phenol(C1), Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane(C2), Chlorodimethylethylsilane(C3), Fluoranthene(C4) and Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester(C5) showed the maximum interaction with 1HVY with highest docking score of -178.51Kcal/mol, - 231.65Kcal/mol, -129.18Kcal/mol, - 173.10Kcal/mol and -220.78Kcal/mol, respectively. In addition, three compounds viz. Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane( C2), Fluoranthene(C4) and Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester(C5) showed the maximum interaction with 1FSY with highest docking score of -137.23Kcal/mol, -54.34Kcal/mol and -153.84Kcal/mol, respectively. Moringa plant may provide incredible capabilities to develop pharmacological products. The present finding demonstrated that Moringa oleifera is an excellent plant candidate to be used for improving the health of communities.

Antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity of free, conjugates and bound phenolic compounds from tomato and industrial tomato by-product.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity of different fractions of phenolic compounds from tomato and tomato by-product. Soluble free phenolics and bound phenolics (BP) fractions from saladette tomato and industrial tomato by-product as well as, conjugated acid-hydrolysable phenolics (AHP) and alkaline-hydrolysable phenolics (AKHP) from saladette tomato, grape tomato and industrial tomato by-product, were tested. The scavenging effects of phenolic fractions on superoxide anion were determined using the PMS-NADH-NBT system. The myoglobin protection ratios of samples against hydroxyl radical were evaluated and the anti-proliferative effects in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line were determined. AHP fraction from tomato by-product and AKHP fraction from grape and saladette tomato showed the highest inhibitory capacity of the superoxide anion (p ≤0.05). All samples had a myoglobin protection ratio from 30 to 50%. Regarding to cytotoxicity assays, all phenolic fractions from tomato by-product, as well as, BP, AHP, AKHP from saladette tomato and AHP from grape tomato showed important anti-proliferative activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line (IC50 <20μg/mL). From the results, we can conclude that tomato and tomato by-product are a good source of natural compound with important antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity.