Antimutagenic Activity Research Articles

Chemical Composition, In Silico and In Vitro Antimutagenic Activities of Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts of Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus).

Tigernut, also known as Cyperus esculentus, is said to be high in nutritional and medicinal value. The purpose of this study was to determine the C. esculentus’s antimutagenic activity. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the nut were analyzed for chemical constituents, antioxidants, ultraviolet-visible, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using standard procedures. The extracts contained a total of 17 major compounds that were docked against human RecQ-like protein 5 (RECQL5) helicase protein. The antimutagenic property of the ethanolic extract in vitro was assessed using the Allium cepa chromosome assay. Onion bulbs were pre-treated with 200 mg/kg of ethanolic extract of C. esculentus for 24 h and then, grown in NaN3 (250 μg/L) for 24 h; onion bulbs were also first exposed to NaN3 (250 μg/L) for 24 h before treatment with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of the ethanolic extract respectively. Standard methods were used to determine the mitotic index and chromosomal aberrations. Results revealed that C. esculentus ethanolic extract contained flavonoids (22.47 mg/g), tannins (0.08 mg/g), alkaloids (19.71 mg/g), glycosides, phenol, and tannin and showed high scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyland H2O2. Docking with RECQL5 showed good binding energies (∆G>−7) of five compounds in C. esculentus ethanolic extract. The A. cepa assay results revealed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in chromosomal aberrations and a higher mitotic index in groups treated with the C. esculentus ethanolic extract. The antimutagenic activity of C. esculentus ethanolic extract was attributed to its high levels of phytosterols and phenolic compounds.

CAMPHOR (CINNAMOMUM CAMPHORA) AND ITS MEDICINAL APPLICATIONS: A REVIEW

The aim of this review is to have deep intensive knowledge about the general description and medicinal uses of camphor. It is the drug which is obtained from the wood of camphor tree. This has been used for centuries throughout the world to treat number of diseases. The drug has been in use for treatment of infection, inflammation, pain management, skin diseases and wounds. Recent studies have exhibited that this drug contains number of phyto-chemicals which possesses antimutagenic activities in cancer cells. The drug has been also used for the treatment of skin non healing ulcers. This review article has demonstrated the different chemical constituents imparting in healing of wounds/ulcers.

The Genus Miconia Ruiz & Pav. (Melastomataceae): Ethnomedicinal Uses, Pharmacology, and Phytochemistry.

Species of the genus Miconia are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases, such as pain, throat infections, fever, and cold, and they used as depuratives, diuretics, and sedatives. This work reviewed studies carried out with Miconia species, highlighting its ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological and phytochemical potential. This information was collected in the main platforms of scientific research (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). Our findings show that some of the traditional uses of Miconia are corroborated by biological and/or pharmacological assays, which demonstrated, among other properties, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimutagenic, antiparasitic, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities. A total of 148 chemical compounds were identified in Miconia species, with phenolic compounds being the main constituents found in the species of this genus. Such phytochemical investigations have demonstrated the potential of species belonging to this genus as a source of bioactive substances, thus reinforcing their medicinal and pharmacological importance.

Microbiological Aspects of Unique, Rare, and Unusual Fatty Acids Derived from Natural Amides and Their Pharmacological Profile

In the proposed review, the pharmacological profile of unique, rare, and unusual fatty acids derived from natural amides is considered. These amides are produced by various microorganisms, lichens, and fungi. The biological activity of some natural fatty acid amides has been determined by their isolation from natural sources, but the biological activity of fatty acids has not been practically studied. According to QSAR data, the biological activity of fatty acids is shown, which demonstrated strong antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory activities. Moreover, some fatty acids have shown rare activities such as antidiabetic, anti-infective, anti-eczematic, antimutagenic, and anti-psoriatic activities. For some fatty acids that have pronounced biological properties, 3D graphs are shown that show a graphical representation of unique activities. These data are undoubtedly of both theoretical and practical interest for chemists, pharmacologists, as well as for the pharmaceutical industry, which is engaged in the synthesis of biologically active drugs.

Phytochemical Analysis, Antimutagenic and Antiviral Activity of Moringa oleifera L. Leaf Infusion: In Vitro and In Silico Studies.

Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) leaves are rich in nutrients and antioxidant compounds that can be consumed to prevent and overcome malnutrition. The water infusion of its leaf is the easiest way to prepare the herbal drink. So far, no information is available on the antioxidant, antimutagenic, and antivirus capacities of this infusion. This study aimed to determine the composition of the bioactive compounds in M. oleifera leaf infusion, measuring for antioxidant and antimutagenic activity, and evaluating any ability to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro). The first two objectives were carried out in vitro. The third objective was carried out in silico. The phytochemical analysis of M. oleifera leaf infusion was carried out using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Antioxidant activity was measured as a factor of the presence of the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The antimutagenicity of M. oleifera leaf powder infusion was measured using the plasmid pBR322 (treated free radical). The interaction between bioactive compounds and Mpro of SARS-CoV-2 was analyzed via molecular docking. The totals of phenolic compound and flavonoid compound from M. oleifera leaf infusion were 1.780 ± 5.00 µg gallic acid equivalent/g (µg GAE/g) and 322.91 ± 0.98 µg quercetin equivalent/g (µg QE/g), respectively. The five main bioactive compounds involved in the infusion were detected by LC-MS. Three of these were flavonoid glucosides, namely quercetin 3-O-glucoside, kaempferol 3-O-neohesperidoside, and kaempferol 3-α-L-dirhamnosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranoside. The other two compounds were undulatoside A, which belongs to chromone-derived flavonoids, and gentiatibetine, which belongs to alkaloids. The antioxidant activity of M. oleifera leaf infusion was IC50 8.19 ± 0.005 µg/mL, which is stronger than the standard butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) IC50 11.60 ± 0.30 µg/mL. The infusion has an antimutagenic effect and therefore protects against deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage. In silico studies showed that the five main bioactive compounds have an antiviral capacity. There were strong energy bonds between Mpro molecules and gentiatibetine, quercetin, undulatoside A, kaempferol 3-o-neohesperidoside, and quercetin 3-O-glucoside. Their binding energy values are −5.1, −7.5, −7.7, −5.7, and −8.2 kcal/mol, respectively. Their antioxidant activity, ability to maintain DNA integrity, and antimutagenic properties were more potent than the positive controls. It can be concluded that leaf infusion of M. oleifera does provide a promising herbal drink with good antioxidant, antimutagenic, and antivirus capacities.

Challenges and Perspectives on Plasmid Curing, Medicinal and Pharmacological Traits of Plumbago Zeylanica (Chitraka): A Review

From ancient times of vedas, charaksamhita and sushrutsamhita, to modern day developments and research in medicine, the medicinal importance of Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica) as a wonderful Indian remedy has been upheld through the test of time. Chitraka is used in ayurveda for relief from many ailments, especially digestive disorders, bronchitis, diseases of liver, leucoderma, inflammation, piles, itching, laryngitis, rheumatism, diseases of spleen, many skin disorders etc. The root extracts of P. zeylanica have been incorporated in various Indian indigenous ayurvedic drug formulations. This paper reviews various aspects of Chitraka like different pharmacological activities, medicinal properties including wound healing, antioxidant, antiulcer, anticancer, leishmanicidal, antifertility, antimalarial, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, trypanocidal, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, anti-allergic, larvicidal, insecticidal and anxiolytic activities. P. zeylanica plant contains naphthoquinones, flavonoids, terpenes, alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, triterpenoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, glucopyranoside, sitosterol saponins, coumarins, carbohydrates, fixed oils, fats and proteins having a wide variety of bioactivities. The important compound responsible for bioactivity is plumbagin which is chemically 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone. Studies of P. zeylanica roots resulted in identification of plumbagin and lawsone as an active principle exhibiting the plasmid elimination activity. Due to the toxicity of chemical curing agents like acridine orange or ethidium bromide, there is a constant need of developing novel curing agents which are more effective and at the same time their non- toxic nature. Bacterial strains resistant to multiple antibiotics have emerged to which the invention of new antibiotics has failed to match up. The effects of antibiotic resistance are serious with mortality and morbidity constantly on the rise. Therefore P. zeylanica root extracts containing lawsone and plumbagin would have great potential as drugs of choice in the treatment of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains. The already ineffective antibiotic therapy can be made effective by converting antibiotic resistant bacteria into sensitive ones. The present review for the first time depicts the use of P. zeylanica as antimicrobial and plasmid curing agent in medicinal formulations and it is a novel approach towards the spread of antibiotic resistance especially in the hospital environment.

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) and pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.), impressive advantages with wondrous health-beneficial phytochemicals

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.), belonging to the Asparagaceae family and has substantial medicinal properties. The name for asparagus comes from the Greek meaning sprout or shoot. This review aims to summarize the most important traditional and modern health benefits and pharmaceutical advantages of asparagus. This manuscript included randomized control experiments, review articles, observational and analytical studies, which have been surveyed in Google Scholar, Scopus, Research Gate and PubMed. We screened the articles first by reviewing titles and abstracts and subsequently reading the whole manuscript of those publications deemed suitable. The searches focused on publication from 1980 to January 2022. The most notable volatile organic compounds responsible for the smell are methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethyl sulfone. The most important health benefits of asparagus are antitumor, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, neuroprotective, immunoprotective, antimutagenic and hypoglycemic activities. The major pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) essential oils are pulegone, menthone, isomenthone, piperitone, mentol, neo-menthol and 3-Octanol. The major health benefits of pennyroyal are antiseptic, depurative, digestive, anti-rheumatic, anti-arthritic, antimicrobial, antibacterial, stomachic, astringent, emmenagogue, decongestant and insecticide. Due to its pharmacological activities, asparagus is a high potential medicinal herb and the suggestion is to increases by doing research in both safety and efficacy. Natural herbal medicines which are also non-synthetic drug, super-fruit and functional foods is recommended and medicinal plants could be considered as organic super-fruit in all over the world. The phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics of asparagus show that asparagus is one of the most important medicinal plants in both traditional and modern pharmaceutical sciences. Pennyroyal has notable promising health benefits, and its phytochemical and pharmacological benefits indicate its important to be utilized in modern medicinal studies. This review also suggests more evidences for other researchers to use asparagus and pennyroyal as the ancient efficacious natural drugs.

Review on the Ethnobotany, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile of Senna occidentalis L. (Fabaceae): Potential Application as Remedy in the Treatment of Dysmenorrhea

Senna occidentalis L. has been used in several traditional medicines against various diseases and this is based on its botanical, ethnopharmacology, and phytochemistry profiles. This powerful herb is recognized for its antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, anticancer, antimutagenic, protective, and inflammatory hepatic activity. Multiple chemical compounds, including achrosine, aloe-emodin, emodin, anthraquinones, etc., have been isolated from this plant. The results of this bibliographic research thus presented in this review have demonstrated the ability of certain extracts from S. occidentalis L. to lower the lipid peroxide content, the activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and phospholipase A2 in exudates of the granuloma of cotton pellets, thus resulting in a reduced availability of arachidonic acid, an important precursor in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, which are the only likely source and/or cause of dysmenorrhea. Thus, based on its phytochemical profile and its pharmacological properties, it is therefore suggested that S. occidentalis would be a potential and effective remedy in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.

Benefits of Coffee Consumption for Human Health: An Overview

Background: Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages worldwide and is popular for its characteristic flavor and rich organoleptic properties. Aim: Based on published articles, the aims of this review are i) study the association between coffee consumption and benefits to human health; ii) the effects of coffee consumption on some pathologies; and iii) provide a description of coffee’s bioactive compounds. Discussion: Coffee presents bioactive compounds, which include phenolic compounds, especially chlorogenic acid (caffeoylquinic acid), trigonelline, and diterpenes, such as cafestol and kahweol. These compounds are related to the beneficial effects for human health, including high antioxidant activity, antimutagenic activity, hepatoprotective action, reduced incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, decreased incidence of inflammatory diseases, reduced menopausal symptoms, and others. Coffee’s bioactive compounds are caffeine, chlorogenic acid, trigonelline, cafestol and kahweol, which are closely related to coffee’s beneficial effects. Conclusion: The present review clarified that the benefits of moderate coffee consumption outweigh the associated risks.

Screening of Amorpha fruticosa and Ailanthus altissima extracts for genotoxicity/antigenotoxicity, mutagenicity/antimutagenicity and carcinogenicity/anticarcinogenicity

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential genotoxic/antigenotoxic, mutagenic/antimutagenic, and carcinogenic/anticarcinogenic effect of Amorpha fruticosa (AF) fruit, Ailanthus altissima bark hexane (AAEH) and methanol (AAEM) extracts on a model system Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Plants were identified and extracted by Ekaterina Kozuharova. Three concentrations of each extract were tested – 10, 100 and 1000 µg/ml. In vitro pro-oxidant/antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH and DNA topology assay. The potential genotoxic/antigenotoxic, mutagenic/antimutagenic and carcinogenic/anticarcinogenic effects were revealed in vivo by: Zimmermman’s test on Saccharomyces cerevisiae diploid strain D7ts1, and Ty1 retrotransposition test on S. cerevisiae haploid strain 551. Zeocin was used as a positive control. Based on the in vitro antioxidant activity the extracts could be arranged as follows: AF&amp;gt;AAEM&amp;gt;AAEH. AAEH possessed moderate oxidative potential. No genotoxic and mutagenic capacity was obtained in vivo for extracts tested. The levels of total aberrants, convertants and revertants were comparable with the control ones. No Ty1 retrotransposition was induced by extracts treatment. Further, the extracts possessed well-expressed antigenotoxic, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activity. Significant reduction of the total aberrants, reverse point mutations and Ty1 retrotransposition was obtained. Only the AF extract was found to reduce the levels of zeocin-induced mitotic gene conversion. The three extracts did not possess any genotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic effect on Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Based on their protective activity, they can be arranged as follows: AF&amp;gt;AAEM&amp;gt;AAEH which corresponds well with their phytochemical composition. Further experiments could provide more detailed information concerning the mode of action of extracts, as well as their main constituents.

Phytochemical Composition and Protective Effect of Vernonanthura polyanthes Leaf against In Vivo Doxorubicin-Mediated Toxicity.

Vernonanthura polyanthes (Spreng.) A.J. Vega & Dematt. (syn.: Vernonia polyanthes Less) is popularly known as “assa-peixe” and its leaves are used in folk medicine mainly to treat respiratory diseases. In this study, we evaluated the cytogenotoxic and anticytogenotoxic potential of the V. polyanthes leaf aqueous extract (VpLAE) and its n-butanol fraction (n-BF) in the presence or absence of doxorubicin (DXR) (pre-, co-, and post-treatments) on a murine model for 24 h or 120 h. The micronucleus test (MN) and the comet assay were used to assess the cytogenotoxic and anticytogenotoxic potential of VpLAE and n-BF (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) administered via gavage to Swiss Webster mice. The chemical profiles of VpLAE and n-BF were assessed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and their metabolites were putatively identified. Lastly, the possible biological activities related to the (anti) cytogenotoxicity of the compounds were predicted using the PASS online webserver. The in vivo results showed that different doses of VpLAE and n-BF did not present cytotoxic activity; however, the MN test revealed a slight mutagenic activity for the 24 h treatments. Moderate genotoxic effects were demonstrated for all treatments in the comet assay. Regarding anticytotoxicity and antimutagenicity, VpLAE and n-BF presented a high cytoprotective potential against DXR toxic effects. In the co-treatment, VpLAE reduced the DXR genotoxicity by ~27%, and n-BF did not demonstrate antigenotoxic potential. In contrast, an antigenotoxic effect was observed for both VpLAE and n-BF in the pre- and post-treatments, reducing DXR genotoxicity by ~41% and ~47%, respectively. Chemical analysis of VpLAE and n-BF showed the presence of eight phenolic compounds, including seven chlorogenic acids and a flavonoid. The PASS online tool predicted antimutagenic, anticancer, antineoplastic, chemoprotective, antioxidant, and radical scavenging activities for all constituents identified in VpLAE and n-BF. V. polyanthes leaves presented a protective effect against DXR cytogenotoxicity. In general, VpLAE and n-BF showed a greater antigenotoxic potential in the pre- and post-treatments. The metabolites putatively identified in VpLAE and n-BF exhibited antioxidant and chemoprotective potential according to computational prediction analysis. Altogether, our results highlight the potential application of V. polyanthes to protect against toxic manifestations induced by DXR.

Evaluation of the mutagenic and antimuutagenic activity of Chlorella vulgaris in a test of Allium cepa

The microalgae Chlorella vulgaris is usually commercialized as nutraceutical although it has potential application in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Therefore, our objective in this research is to evaluate the mutagenic and antimutagenic action of the aqueous extract of C. vulgaris through the Allium cepa assay. Three concentrations of the aqueous extract of C. vulgaris were tested: 0.075, 0.15 and 0.30mg/mL. In the mutagenicity analysis, A. cepa meristematic cells were cultured in the presence of the aqueous extract of C. vulgaris with distilled water as negative control and copper sulfate as positive control. For antimutagenicity, pre-treatment, simple simultaneous and post-treatment protocols were used. 400 cells/treatment were analyzed under optical microscopy (40x). Data were analyzed by ANOVA (one-way) and Tukey tests, considering p&lt;0.05. The aqueous extract of C. vulgaris did not show mutagenicity in any of the three concentrations evaluated. About the antimutagenicity protocols, the harm reduction percentages were 94.7%, 94.1% and 96.2% (pre-treatment); 88.9%, 93.2% and 91.08% (simultaneous simple); and 85.2%, 84.5% and 94.7% (post-treatment) referring to concentrations of 0.075, 0.15 and 0.30 mg/mL, respectively. According to these results, the microalgae C. vulgaris did not show mutagenic action at the tested doses and it reduced genetic damage caused by copper sulfate.

Assessment of genetic diversity, population structure and phytochemical variations in Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle: an endangered medicinal herb

Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle is an important medicinal herb of the family Asparagaceae used to cure several ailments. The rhizome of the species forms an important ingredient of “Chyavanprash” which is identified for its rejuvenating properties. However, P. cirrhifolium is least explored scientifically and systematically till date. Therefore, in this study genetic diversity and phytochemical variations along with antimutagenic activity of P. cirrhifolium populations were evaluated. Antimutagenic activity varied remarkably (p < 0.05) among population and Gagar population with significantly (p < 0.05) higher DNA recovery (84.95%) percentage. Higher genetic diversity (He) was recorded among populations using RAPD (He, 0.30–0.36) and ISSR (0.25–0.38) markers. High intra and low inter population variations were recorded in the species using both kinds of markers. Phenolics (p < 0.05; r = 0.924); tannins (p < 0.05; r = 0.897) and DNA damage inhibition efficiency displayed a highly positive correlation with genetic diversity (estimated using ISSR markers). The population structure analysis of P. cirrhifolium revealed that the greatest value of the K was 3 for studied populations. Gene flow among studied populations was found sufficient to encounter genetic erosion in the species. Therefore, it is recommended that the populations with higher ingredient and genetic diversity can be utilized for conservation priority and management plan of this species.

A Review of Pharmacological and Phytochemical Studies on Convolvulaceae Species Rivea and Ipomea

: The plants of Rivea and Ipomea belong to Convolvulaceae species, identified by their funnel-like flowers and radial-shaped corolla. The stems of these plants are slender and creeper type. The plant of ipomea contains simple leaves. Whereas the leaves of Rivea are velvety in texture and have a shiny appearance. The fruits are like capsule, berry or nut containing only two seeds per one locule. Mostly Convolvulaceae species are eaten as a fresh leafy vegetable, and used traditionally to cure many ailments, such as purgative, skin disease, and as a blood purifier for arthritis, piles and urinary disorder. Both these plants possess therapeutic benefits for treating diabetes, skin infections, snakebite, and ulcer, exert antimutagenic activities, act as an immune booster and help relief respiratory congestion. In terms of phytochemical aspects, both the plants show the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, polyphenols, carbohydrates, alkaloids, sterols and glycosides. As these plants are creepers, tribal people use their leafy parts for their nutraceutical value.

Molecular docking assisted biological functions and phytochemical screening of Amaranthus lividus L. extract

In this study, the phytochemical content of Amaranthus lividus extract and its multi-biological activities were investigated. Total protein, phenol, flavonoid, saponin and condensed tannin contents were determined for phytochemical analysis. In addition, GC–MS and HPLC analyzes were carried out for the determination of the active components of the extract. In determining the multi-biological activities, radical scavenging, anti-mutagenic, anti-proliferative and anti-microbial activities of the extract were investigated. GC–MS analysis revealed that the leaf extract of A. lividus contains phytol and β-sitosterol as major compounds and the presence of gallic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, vanillin and kaemferol compounds were determined with HPLC analysis. The radical scavenging effect of A. lividus extract was determined as 75.6% against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 85.2% against superoxide. In anti-bacterial studies, it was determined that A.lividus extract formed different inhibition zones against all tested bacteria. The highest inhibition zone was 14.3 ± 0.7 mm against Bacillus subtilis. In addition, the anti-microbial activity of the extract was demonstrated by molecular docking studies of the binding of gallic acid and phytol to aquaporin and arginase enzyme of bacteria, and the mechanism of anti-microbial activity was explained. A. lividus extract, which provided a 68.59–33.13% reduction in the formation of chromosomal aberrations such as unequal distribution of chromatin, micronucleus formation, fragment, sticky chromosome, bridge and vagrant chromosome, exhibited a strong anti-mutagenic effect. A. lividus extract has a reducing effect on the number of dividing cells and exhibits an anti-proliferative effect of 25.7% compared to the control group. The antiproliferative mechanism of action was investigated by molecular docking and it was determined that the gallic acid and phytol in the extract decreased proliferation by interacting with telomerase. As a result, A.lividus extract consumed as food is a potential natural anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-mutagenic and anti-proliferative source with its rich phytochemical content.

A Concise Review on Toxicity and Pharmacological Aspects of Foeniculum vulgare with Emphasis on Anti-Cancer Potential

The recent advancements in field of genomics and synthetic biology has paved the way for determination and utilization of pharmaceutical properties of beneficial plants. Foeniculum vulgare is a member of Apiaceae family, commonly known as fennel. It is globally distributed aromatic medicinal herb. F. vulgare falls in the category of World’s most important medicinal herb because of its economic status and pharmaceutical industrial applications. It has been used as herbal treatment for a longer period of time as an effective medicine to cure different ailments such as liver pain, kidney disorders, swollen stomach, abdominal pain, and mouth ulcerand no documented severe side effects reported. Essential oil, flavonoids and phenolic compounds are major chemical constituents of F.vulgare. Volatile and non-volatile compounds of this plant are responsible for its biological activities. The Pharmacological experiments performed by in vitro and in vivo models, revealed that F. vulgare has strong therapeutic effects. This review is supposed to shed the light on anti-bacterial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antifungal, antimicrobial, antianxiety, hepatoprotective, memory protective, acaricidal, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-mutagenic activities.

ANTIMUTAGENIC ACTIVITY OF ALCOHOLIC EXTRACTS OF MEDICINAL HERBS MENTHA PIPERÍTA L. AND THYMUS VULGARIS L. FAMILY LAMIACEAE

The global pollution of environment urges the screening of effective natural protectors for the correc-tion of toxic and genotoxic action of xenobiotics. Medicinal herbs contain a complex of biologically ac-tive compounds that are the potential sources of such a protective agent. In current study the mutagenic and antimutagenic activity of alcoholic extracts of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), family Lamiaceae, was studied using the chromosome aberration assay (metaphase cytoge-netics) in barley. The ability of extracts to significantly reduces methyl methanesulfonate-induced mu-tagenesis under preliminary or subsequent tinctures exposure was established (p&lt;0.05). The modifying effect of peppermint and thyme tinctures was also studied under the exposure to rocket fuel unsymmetri-cal dimethylhydrazine (UDMH, 1,1-dimethylhydrazine) which possess mutagenic and genotoxic activ-ity. Subsequent test-object treatment with tinctures and UDMH significantly decrease the frequency of induced aberrant cells and number of chromosomal aberrations (p&lt;0.05). In case of both mutagens, the rate of mutagenesis inhibition depended both on the order of tinctures and mutagen treatment and extracts concentration. The efficacy of antimutagenic activity of Mentha piperita L. and Thymus vulgaris L. tinctures was assessed with reduction factor (RF) which in both experiments exceeded 40% testifying to inhibition of MMS and UDMH induced mutagenesis. Data obtained indicate the antimutagenic ac-tivity of extracts of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) conditioned on the presence of biologically active compounds of various nature.Key words: medicinal herbs, biologically active compounds, induced mutagenesis, antimutagenic activity, chromosomal aberrations.

Medicinal Importance, Pharmacological Activities and Analytical Aspects of a Flavonoid Glycoside 'Nicotiflorin' in the Medicine.

Herbal products are derived from different natural sources, mainly used as a source of food material and medicine in the health sectors since ancient times. Herbal products have gained popularity in modern medicine due to their beneficial health properties and pharmacological activities. Flavonoids are an important class of secondary metabolites found to be present in medicinal plants and their derived products. Flavonoids have been known for their anti-allergic, anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-proliferative, anti-mutagenic, antithrombotic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-oxidant and hepatoprotective activities in the medicine. Nicotiflorin is a flavonoidal class phytochemical, found in medicinal plants, including Traditional Chinese medicine. Scientific data on the medicinal importance and pharmacological activities of nicotiflorin have been collected and analyzed in the present work in order to know the therapeutic importance of nicotiflorin in medicine. Scientific data have been collected from Google, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed and Scopus and analyzed in the present work. Analytical techniques data of separation, isolation and identification of nicotiflorin have also been collected and presented in the current work. Further biological importance of flavonoidal class phytochemicals was also discussed in the present work to understand the biological importance of nicotiflorin in medicine as it belongs to the flavonoid class. Scientific data analysis revealed the therapeutic importance and pharmacological activities of nicotiflorin. Nicotiflorin has significant biological potential against coronavirus, ischemia, renal impairment, hepatic complication, memory dysfunction and myocardial infarction. The biological potential of nicotiflorin against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes, multiple myeloma cells and insulin secretion has also been discussed in the present work. Analytical data revealed the significance of modern analytical tools in medicine for the isolation, separation and quantification of nicotiflorin. Scientific data analysis of different research works revealed the biological importance and therapeutic potential of nicotiflorin in medicine.

Recent advances in synthesis of quinazoline‐2,4(1H,3H)‐diones: Versatile building blocks in N‐heterocyclic compounds

AbstractQuinazoline‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione is a significant class of N‐fused heterocyclic with a wide range of biological functions, including anti‐HIV, anticancer, antifungal, antibacterial, antimutagenic, anticoccidial, anticonvulsant, anti‐inflammatory, antidepressant, antimalarial, antioxidant, antileukemic, and antileishmanial activities, and other activities, and has attracted great attention in organic and medicinal chemistry. As a result, all chemists and pharmaceutical chemists must be aware of many methods to make quinazoline‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione. This review paper focuses on various methods for producing quinazoline‐2,4(1H,3H)‐diones, such as green methods and homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts from various precursors under varied conditions.

Sakuranetin exerts anticonvulsant effect in bicuculline-induced seizures.

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by an abnormal, spontaneous, and synchronized neuronal hyperactivity. Therapeutic approaches for controlling epileptic seizures are associated with pharmacoresistance and side effects burden. Previous studies reported that different natural products may have neuroprotector effects. Sakuranetin (SAK) is a flavanone with antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antiallergic, and antioxidant activity. In the present work, the effect of SAK on seizures in a model of status epilepticus induced by bicuculline (BIC) in mice was evaluated. Male Swiss mice received an intracerebroventricular injection (i.c.v.) of SAK (1, 10, or 20 mg/kg-SAK1, SAK10, or SAK20). Firstly, animals were evaluated in the open field (OF; 20 min), afterwards in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test (5 min). Next, 30 min prior the administration of BIC (1 mg/kg), mice received an injection of SAK (1 or 10 mg/kg, i.c.v.) and were observed in the OF (20 min) for seizures assessment. After behavioral procedures, immunohistochemical analysis of c-Fos was performed. Our main results showed that the lowest doses of SAK (1 and 10 mg/kg) increased the total distance traveled in the OF, moreover protected against seizures and death on the BIC-induced seizures model. Furthermore, SAK treatment reduced neuronal activity on the dentate gyrus of the BIC-treated animals. Taken together, our results suggest an anticonvulsant effect of SAK, which could be used for the development of anticonvulsants based on natural products from herbal source.