Antioxidant Medicinal Plant Research Articles

In Vitro and In Silico Antioxidant Activity and Molecular Characterization of Bauhinia ungulata L. Essential Oil.

Bauhinia ungulata is an antioxidant medicinal plant that has been manipuled in Brazil to lower glycemic index as well is for alternative treatment for diabetes. Therefore, the present hearch has aimed to investigates the antioxidant effects of the essential oil ofBauhinia ungulataL. (EOBU) collected in Amazon region better specified in Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil, located in the Amazon region. Gas chromatography had been used to characterize the components, and antioxidant assays such as DPPH, TAC, reducing power, Fe2+ chelation, and total phenols had also been performed. The major constituents had molecularly anchored with the human catalase (CAT) enzyme, and maltol has showed as a positive control. Among the 25 revealed components, the main ones have been α-bisabolol (27.2 %), β-Caryophyllene (12.5 %) and Epi-γ-eudesmol (13.6 %). The EOBU has comproved a TAC value of 618.79 mg of ascorbic acid equivalent, free radical scavenging capacity (DPPH) around 53.7 % and 65.27 %, Fe2+ chelation capacity of 161±6 and 126.7±39.6, for 0.1 mg.mL-1 and 0.5 mg.mL-1 , respectively. The power around the EOBU has appeared percentages equals to 28.66 %, 44.6 %, and 77.03 % in the concentrations tested. As well as, 96.5 % of total phenols. The compounds α-bisabolol (-5.7±0.4 Kcal.mol-1 ) and β-caryophyllene (-6.1±0.5 Kcal.mol-1 ) have showed good interaction with CAT compared to Maltol (-4.4±0.4 Kcal.mol-1 ). The present work has demonstrated that EOBU functions as a potent antioxidant, capable of scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative stress damage.

COMPARATIVE IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF SOME HERBAL PLANTS

The use of plants in treatment of burns, dermatophytes and infectious diseases is common in traditional medicine. Based on ethno pharmacological and taxonomic information, antibacterial activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of some medicinal plants were determined by in vitro by agar diffusion-method against some human pathogenic bacteria. The leaves of five different plants, belonging to the different family and which have some ethnomedicinal applications were studied for antibacterial activity. Powdered leaf materials of all selected plants were extracted with aqueous and methanol. The solvent extracts were evaporated to dryness using rotary flash evaporator. Dry residue was dissolved in ethanol (1:10 w/v) and tested for antibacterial activity. The antibacterial screening of aqueous and methanol extract carried out in vitro on the following bacteria viz., Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis and Yersinia enterocolitica. It has been showed that the methanol extracts had wider range of activity on these organisms than the aqueous extracts, which indicates that the methanol extracts of all selected plants may contain the active components. This study supports, the traditional medicines (herbal extracts) to cure many diseases like diarrhea, intestinal tract, throat, ear infections, fever and skin diseases. Key words: Antioxidant Medicinal plants Human pathogens

Comparative Evaluation of the Content of Antioxidant Polyphenolic Compounds in Selected Bulgarian Medicinal Plants

Abstract Polyphenols are strong antioxidants of plant origin that exhibit protective role against the development of several chronic degenerative diseases. Quantitative data on the content of polyphenolic antioxidants in Bulgarian medicinal plants are sporadic and unsystematic. The aim of the study is to determine polyphenols content in series of extracts, infusions and decocts of selected Bulgarian medicinal plants and fruits and to compare their polyphenolic profile. Materials and Methods: In the present study 18 Bulgarian medicinal plants and fruits have been analyzed for Total Phenolic and Total Flavonoids content, along with HPLC analysis for their level of the individual flavonoids (+)-Catechin, (-)-Epicatechin and Rutin. Comparative evaluation of the content of antioxidant polyphenolic compounds was performed by hierarchical cluster analysis. The results show that infusions of Hawthorn (Crategus monogyna) flowers have the highest values of Total Phenolic and Total Flavonoids content, forming a separate Cluster in the analysis of the Agglomeration schedule coefficients. Within fruits, data for Total Phenolics and Total Flavonoids content are more homogenic as the cluster analysis shows distribution of 6 elements in a high mean value group. Elderberry (Sambicus nigra) flowers and fruits are the richest source of Rutin in the selected plants studied. Conclusion: In the present study new data for polyphenolic content in selected Bulgarian medicinal plants and fruits are presented and their degree of similarity in methanolic extracts, infusions and decocts have been assessed in order to provide new data for development of effective antioxidant medicinal plant compositions.

Phytochemical Screening of Rosmarinus officinalis L. as a Potential Anticholinesterase and Antioxidant-Medicinal Plant for Cognitive Decline Disorders.

The inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by cholinergic agents has been promoted as a potent strategy for treating and managing cognitive decline disorders. A wide range of natural products has long been used as potential sources or formulations of cholinergic inhibitors. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate different Rosmarinus officinalis L. (R. officinalis) extracts for their AChE inhibitory activity using galanthamine as a standard AChE inhibitor. In this study, the ethyl-acetate extract (at a concentration of 250 µg/mL) exhibited the greatest inhibitory effect against AChE with significant inhibition of 75%, comparable to the inhibitor galanthamine with an inhibition of 88%. Kinetic analysis revealed that the extracts could induce a mixed type of inhibition, as observed in the case of galanthamine, with the highest increased Km and decreased Vmax values in the ethyl acetate extract. The antioxidant potential of the three extracts tested was found to be in the order of ethyl-acetate > ethanol > aqueous, with IC50 values of 272 µg/mL, 387 µg/mL, and 534 µg/mL, respectively. Ethyl-acetate was found to have the highest total phenolic content in all extracts. Further, in silico study showed structural binding characterization of rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid with human AChE enzyme. Rosmarinic acid showed strong binding and formed two hydrogen-bonding interactions with Ser-293 and Arg-296. In light of this, the ethyl-acetate extract of the plant may provide some novel potential pharmacological leads for treating and managing cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s.

Radiotherapy Radio protective effect of 2- deoxy D-glucose with combination of selective antioxidant medicinal plant Vitis vinifera, Camellia sinensis, and Zingiber officinale extracts in mice

High doses of radiation therapy are used to destroy cancer cells, these high doses of radiations also damage healthy cells and tissues near the treatment area or whole body. At present, major advances of radiation therapy have made it more precise, leading to fewer side effects. The side effects often start during second week of radiation treatment So it is necessary to minimize these side effects with natural available medication. Previous studies shown that, 2- deoxy D- glucose, an analogue of glucose and glycolytic inhibitor, enhances radiation induced damage, selectively in tumour cells while protecting normal cells suggest that 2- deoxy D- glucose can be used as a differential radio modifier to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy and also it is shown that antioxidant medicinal plants like vitis Vinifera, camellia Sinensis, and zingiber officinale have shown protective effect against radiation induced damage in previous studies. So in the present study, we have selected these antioxidant medicinal plant extracts combines with 2- deoxy D- glucose as a treatment, before and after radiation therapy and measured the levels of nitric oxide, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in tissues like blood, liver, kidney and brain tissues of mice after completion of study. In the present study, it is found that the highest effect is found in a group of animals which are on combination of normal diet and feeding of deoxy – D glucose with grape seed extract, green tea extract and ginger extract in proportion of 1:1:1, in this group of animal’s radiation induced micronucleus formation, formation of metamyelocytes and dysplastic myeloid series cells formation is also found significantly decreased.

High resolution UHPLC-MS characterization and isolation of main compounds from the antioxidant medicinal plant Parastrephia lucida (Meyen)

High-resolution mass spectrometry is currently used to determine the mass of biologically active compounds in medicinal plants and food and UHPLC-Orbitrap is a relatively new technology that allows fast fingerprinting and metabolomics analysis. Forty-two metabolites including several phenolic acids, flavonoids, coumarines, tremetones and ent-clerodane diterpenes were accurately identified for the first time in the resin of the medicinal plant Parastrephia lucida (Asteraceae) a Chilean native species, commonly called umatola, collected in the pre-cordillera and altiplano regions of northern Chile, by means of UHPLC-PDA-HR-MS. This could be possible by the state of the art technology employed, which allowed well resolved total ion current peaks and the proposal of some biosynthetic relationships between the compounds detected. Some mayor compounds were also isolated using HSCCC. The ethanolic extract showed high total polyphenols content and significant antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, several biological assays were performed that determined the high antioxidant capacity found for the mayor compound isolated from the plant, 11- p-coumaroyloxyltremetone.

Effect of Astragalus eremophilus on the Growth of Bracharia ramose

Astragalus eremophilus is traditionally used as a potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant medicinal plant. In the present study we proposed to assess an allelopathic property of the aqueous extract of Astragalus eremophilus. Proposed plant of Astragalus eremophilus was collected from the catchment area of University of Science and Technology Bannu in its growing season. The plant parts were dried in shed, grounded to powdered form and saturated with de-ionized water to prepare aqueous crude extract. Promising effects were shown by the crude aqueous extract of Astragalus eremophilus (root and stalk) growth control and least stalk development at high concentration with respect to control. The effect of Astragalus eremophilus on roots and stalk development of Bracharia ramose is as follows; 40% > 30% > 20% > 10%. Astragalus eremophilus could be used as an alternative for weed control as evident by the present study, where further characterization studies are recommended for the production of plant based natural herbicides.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Topically Applied Antioxidant Medicinal Plant Extracts in a Mouse Model of Experimental Dry Eye.

Purpose. To investigate the therapeutic effects of topical administration of antioxidant medicinal plant extracts in a mouse model of experimental dry eye (EDE). Methods. Eye drops containing balanced salt solution (BSS) or 0.001%, 0.01%, and 0.1% extracts were applied for the treatment of EDE. Tear volume, tear film break-up time (BUT), and corneal fluorescein staining scores were measured 10 days after desiccating stress. In addition, we evaluated the levels of interleukin- (IL-) 1β, tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, IL-6, interferon- (IFN-) γ, and IFN-γ associated chemokines, percentage of CD4+C-X-C chemokine receptor type 3 positive (CXCR3+) T cells, goblet cell density, number of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) positive cells, and extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Results. Compared to the EDE and BSS control groups, the mice treated with topical application of the 0.1% extract showed significant improvements in all clinical parameters, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels, percentage of CD4+CXCR3+ T cells, goblet cell density, number of 4-HNE-positive cells, and extracellular ROS production (P < 0.05). Conclusions. Topical application of 0.1% medicinal plant extracts improved clinical signs, decreased inflammation, and ameliorated oxidative stress marker and ROS production on the ocular surface of the EDE model mice.

Clinical Effect of Antioxidant Glasses Containing Extracts of Medicinal Plants in Patients with Dry Eye Disease: A Multi-Center, Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

PurposeTo investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of wearable antioxidant glasses containing extracts of medicinal plants in patients with mild dry eye disease (DED).MethodsFifty patients with mild DED were randomly assigned to wear either extracts of antioxidant medicinal plants containing (N = 25) or placebo glasses (N = 25). Patients wore the glasses for 15 min three times daily. The ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score, tear film break up time (BUT), and Schirmer’s test were evaluated and compared within the group and between the groups at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after treatment.ResultsOSDI score and tear film BUT were significantly improved in the treatment group at 4 and 8 weeks after wearing glasses (all P < 0.001). Compared to the placebo group, the OSDI scores were significantly lower in the treatment group at 8 weeks (P = 0.007). The results of the Schirmer’s test showed significant improvement in the treatment group at 4 weeks (P = 0.035), however there were no significant differences between the other groups or within the groups. No adverse events were reported during the study.ConclusionsAntioxidant glasses containing extracts of medicinal plants were effective in improving in DED both subjectively and objectively. Wearing antioxidants glasses might be a safe and adjunctive therapeutic option for DED.Trial RegistrationISRCTN registry 71217488

Chemical Compositions, Anti-Inflammatory, Antiproliferative and Radical-Scavenging Activities of Actinidia callosa var. ephippioides

Oxidative stress and inflammation are related to several chronic diseases including cancer. Actinidia callosa var. ephippioides (ACE) is a special folk medicinal plant from Taiwan. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities of the methanol extract and fractions from the stem of ACE. Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, total phenolic content, flavonoid content, inhibition on nitric oxide (NO) productions by LPS-induced RAW264.7 cell, and on lung cancer cell proliferation were employed. Among all fractions, ethyl-acetate fraction (EA-ACE) showed higher TEAC, DPPH radical scavenging activities, polyphenol and flavonoid contents, respectively. EA-ACE also decreased the LPS-induced NO production and expressions of inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) in RAW264.7 cells. EA-ACE had the highest antiproliferative activity with an IC(50) (The concentrations required for inhibition of 50% of cell viability) of 469.17 ± 3.59 μg/mL. Catechin also had good effects in the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Catechin might be an important bioactive compound in the stem of ACE. The above experimental data indicated that the stem of ACE is a potent antioxidant medicinal plant, and such efficacy may be mainly attributed to its polyphenolic compounds.

Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Antiproliferative Activities of Taxillus sutchuenensis

Inflammation is related to several chronic diseases, including cancer and atherosclerosis. Taxillus sutchuenensis (Lecomte) Danser is a special folk medicinal plant in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities of the aqueous-thanol extract from T. sutchuenensis (AETS) and its fractions. TEAC, DPPH radicals, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoid content, inhibition of NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, and inhibition of cancer cell proliferation were tested. Among all fractions, the ethyl-acetate (EA) fraction showed the highest TEAC and DPPH radical scavenging activities. The EA fraction also had the highest polyphenol and flavonoid content. The EA fractions also decreased LPS-induced NO production and the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in RAW264.7 cells. The antiproliferative activities of the aqueous/ethanol extract and fractions were studied in vitro using A549 cells, and the results were consistent with their antioxidant capacities. EA fractions had the highest antiproliferative activity with an IC(50) of 454.38 ± 1.48 μg/ml. Quercetin also had antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities. Quercetin might be an important bioactive compound in T. sutchuenensis. The experimental data indicated that T. sutchuenensis is a potent antioxidant medicinal plant, and such efficacy may be mainly attributed to its polyphenolic compounds.

English

The aim of this study was to examine the antioxidant activities and phenolic components of the crude extracts of 10 Desmodium species from Taiwan. In this study, DPPH free radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical monocation scavenging activity, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and reducing power of the 10 Desmodiumspecies were evaluated for their antioxidant activities. The results showed that, of all the samples, Desmodium sequax was the most active in ABTS, DPPH, FRAP and reducing power assays. The total polyphenol, total flavonoid and total flavonol contents of the crude extract were calculated. The correlation coefficient (R2) values of TEAC with phenolic compounds indicated strong positive correlations, except for total flavonoid content. Furthermore, HPLC chromatographic fingerprints were established, and chlorogenic acid and vitexin in D. sequax were quantified. Chlorogenic acid was confirmed to express strong antioxidant activities in ABTS, DPPH, FRAP and reducing power assays. The present study indicated the antioxidant activities of the 10Desmodium species were related to their phenolic components. D. sequax is a potent antioxidant medicinal plant, and chlorogenic acid may be an important factor in the antioxidant activity of this plant. Key words: Desmodium, antioxidant activity, chlorogenic acid, vitexin

Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory and Antiproliferative Activities of Kalanchoe gracilis (L.) DC Stem

Oxidative stress and inflammation are related to several chronic diseases including cancer and atherosclerosis. Kalanchoe gracilis (L.) DC is a special folk medicinal plant in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities of the methanolic extract and fractions of the stem of K. gracilis. TEAC, total phenolic compound content, total flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power, inhibition of NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, and inhibition of cancer cell proliferation were analyzed. Among all fractions, the chloroform fraction showed the highest TEAC and DPPH radical scavenging activities. The chloroform fraction also had the highest content of polyphenols and flavonoids. Chloroform fractions also decreased LPS-induced NO production and expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in RAW264.7 cells. The antiproliferative activities of the methanolic extract and fractions were studied in vitro using HepG2 cells, and the results were consistent with their antioxidant capacities. Chloroform fractions had the highest antiproliferative activity with an IC(50) of 136.85 ± 2.32 μg/ml. Eupafolin also had good pharmacological activity in the antioxidant, anti-inflammation and antiproliferative. Eupafolin might be an important bioactive compound in the stem of K. gracilis. The above experimental data indicated that the stem of K. gracilis is a potent antioxidant medicinal plant, and such efficacy may be mainly attributed to its polyphenolic compounds.

Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Desmodium triflorum (L.) DC

This study evaluated the antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of the crude extract and fractions of Desmodium triflorum (L.) DC. The total phenolic content, 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), reducing power, total flavonoid content of D. triflorum were evaluated for the exploration of its antioxidant activities. Furthermore, its antiproliferative activities were investigated through the MTT method. It was compared with the antioxidant capacities of known antioxidants, including catechin, alpha-tocopherol, trolox and ascorbic acid. Among all fractions, ethyl acetate fraction was the most active in scavenging DPPH and TEAC radicals, of which 0.4 mg was equivalent to 186.6 +/- 2.5 microg and 82.5 +/- 2.1 microg of alpha-tocopherol and trolox respectively. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the crude extract were equivalent to 36.60 +/- 0.1 mg catechin and 45.6 +/- 0.6 mg rutin per gram respectively. In the reducing power assay, 1.25 mg of crude extract was similar to 61.2 +/- 0.3 microg of ascorbic acid. For the assessment of the safety and toxicity of D. triflorum, LD(50) of the crude extract was greater than 10 g/kg when administered to mice through gastric intubation. The above experimental data indicated that D. triflorum was a potent antioxidant medicinal plant, and such efficacy may be mainly attributed to its polyphenolic compounds.

In vitro models for antioxidant activity evaluation and some medicinal plants possessing antioxidant properties: An overview

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a class of highly reactive molecules derived from the metabolism of oxygen. ROS, including superoxide radicals, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide molecules are often generated as by products of biological reactions or from exogenous factors. There is extensive evidence to involve ROS in the development of degenerative diseases. Evidence suggests that compounds especially from natural sources are capable of providing protection against free radicals. This has attracted a great deal of research interest in natural antioxidants. It is necessary to Screen out medicinal plants for their antioxidant potential. Therefore an attempt has been made to review different in vitro models for estimating antioxidant properties of natural products from medicinal plants. All the models are described along with the different standards that can be used for estimation. In the end, a large number of plants showing in vitro antioxidant activity are listed but in vivostudies are lacking. Key words: Antioxidant assay, in vitro models, antioxidant medicinal plants.

Pharmacological Evaluation of Bangladeshi Medicinal Plants for Antioxidant Activity

A growing body of evidence suggests that cellular damage or oxidative injury arising from production of free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical causative factors in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders, inflammatory conditions, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders. Results from biological and phytochemical studies indicate that medicinal plants have profound antioxidant potential that can be exploited further in the prevention and treatment of these devastating disorders. Here we have summarized the pharmacological and phytochemical investigations of 49 Bangladeshi medicinal plants representing 36 families with proven strong antioxidant properties. The medicinal plants were found to have profound antioxidant effect that can explain and justify some of their use in traditional medicine. These antioxidant medicinal plants may be considered as future leads to novel drug development for the management of various neurodegenerative and inflammatory disorders associated with oxidative cellular damage.

Photoprotection by topical application of Achyrocline satureioides (‘Marcela’)

It has been demonstrated that the use of topical antioxidants can contribute to controling the free radicals excess produced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of the skin, being beneficial for processes such as photo aging and eventually cancer. Some plant extracts, particularly because of their polyphenolic constituents, can be beneficial for skin photo damage. Plant extracts of Achyrocline satureioides (AS) and Epilobium parviflorum (EP), potent antioxidant medicinal plants, were mixed with a cosmetic base and applied to the back skin of rabbits. Afterwards the skin was exposed to 1 h of UV irradiation from a known source. The production of the hydroxyl (OH.) radical was assessed in the skin after UV by measuring 2,3-dyhydroxybenzoic acid (2,3-DHBA), produced by the hydroxylation of sodium salicylate, previously injected intracutaneously (i.c.) in the irradiated areas. The UV provoked a marked increase in 2,3-DHBA that was significantly decreased by the AS cosmetic preparation. The EP extract did not show any effect on 2,3-DHBA production. It is concluded that the cosmetic preparation containing the AS extract is able to scavenge OH. production likely to be due to the presence of high concentrations of flavonoid aglycones such as quercetin, luteolin and 3-O-methylquercetin.