Fruit Of Citrus Aurantium Research Articles

Metabolic profiling and enzyme inhibitory activity of the essential oil of citrus aurantium fruit peel

BackgroundBitter orange (Citrus aurantium) is a fruiting shrub native to tropical and subtropical countries around the world and cultivated in many regions due to its nutraceutical value. The current study investigated the metabolic profiling and enzyme inhibitory activities of volatile constituents derived from the C. aurantium peel cultivated in Egypt by three different extraction methods.MethodsThe volatile chemical constituents of the peel of C. aurantium were isolated using three methods; steam distillation (SD), hydrodistillation (HD), and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD), and then were investigated by GC-MS. The antioxidant potential was evaluated by different assays such as DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, and phosphomolybdenum and metal chelating potential. Moreover, the effect of enzyme inhibition of the three essential oils was tested using BChE, AChE, tyrosinase, glucosidase, as well as amylase assays.ResultsA total of six compounds were detected by GC/MS analysis. The major constituent obtained by all three extraction methods was limonene (98.86% by SD, 98.68% by HD, and 99.23% by MAHD). Differences in the composition of the compounds of the three oils were observed. The hydrodistillation technique has yielded the highest number of compounds, notably two oxygenated monoterpenes: linalool (0.12%) and α-terpineol acetate (0.1%).ConclusionIn our study differences in the extraction methods of C. aurantium peel oils resulted in differences in the oils’ chemical composition. Citrus essential oils and their components showed potential antioxidant, anticholinesterase, antimelanogenesis, and antidiabetic activities. The presence of linalool and α-terpineol acetate may explain the superior activity observed for the oil isolated by HD in both radical scavenging and AChE inhibition assays, as well as in the enzyme inhibition assays.

Neural Circuit Mechanisms of Sinisan formula for the Treatment of adolescent Depression: prefrontal cortex to dorsal raphe nucleus

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSinisan formula (SNSF), documented in the classic books Shanghan Lun, is known for its ability to regulate liver-qi and treat depression. However, its underlying mechanism, particularly its effects on dynamic real-time neuron activity and circuits remains to be fully elucidated. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to investigate the antidepressant effect of SNSF and its central nervous system mechanism on depression-like behaviors, focusing on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) neural circuit in a stress-induced adolescent animal model. Materials and methodsSNSF comprised four herbs, the root of Bupleurum chinense DC., the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall., the fruit of Citrus aurantium L., the rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., in equal propotions. The adolescent depression animal model was induced by maternal separation (MS) and chronic restraint stress (CRS). In-vivo multichannel physiological electrodes were implanted into the PFC on PND 28 and animals were recorded 5 times during PND 35–46. From PND 47, the behavioral tests were performed to evaluate the antidepressant efficacy of SNSF. Subsequently, brain tissue was collected for Western blot and immunofluorescence staining analysis. Retro virus was injected into the DRN to explore sources of projections received by serotonergic (5-HTergic) neurons. And the PFC-to-DRN circuit was activated or inhibited through chemogenetic techniques to investigate the effects of SNSF on depression-like behaviors. ResultsAdministration of SNSF for 18 days effectively alleviated depression-like behaviors in MS&CRS adolescent mice. The PFC emerged as the primary glutamatergic projection source of the DRN5−HT neurons. Following SNSF administration for 13/15/18 days, there was an increase in the firing rate of excitatory neurons and excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) ratio in the PFC. MS&CRS stress let to a reduction in the density of 5-HT+ and CaMKII + neurons in the DRN, accompanied by an increase in the density of GAD + neurons in the DRN, while SNSF administration reversed the alterations. Chemogenetic activation of the PFC-to-DRN circuit rescued the depression-like behaviors induced by MS&CRS, whereas suppression of this circuit attenuated the antidepressant effect of SNSF. ConclusionsSNSF significantly mitigated depression-like behaviors in MS&CRS mice. SNSF exerts its antidepressant effects by increasing the E/I ratio in the PFC and enhancing glutamatergic projections from the PFC to the DRN.

Standardization parameters and synergism of source plant materials for the antidiabetic efficacy of the Rauvolfia-Citrus tea

The introduction of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)-based therapies has greatly improved the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D), as they ensure good blood glucose control and promote weight loss. Ingestion of standardized herbal remedies that promote the same endogenous metabolic processes affected by the GLP-1-based treatments could provide cheaper alternatives in low- and middle-income countries, where there is currently an increase in the incidence of T2D. The focus in this study was to determine quality control parameters and the prime factors for the Rauvolfia-Citrus tea (RC-tea), as used in Nigerian traditional medicine to treat T2D. We have previously shown that the RC-tea that is made by boiling leaves of Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel. and fruits of Citrus aurantium L. causes normalization of blood glucose and reduction of ectopic lipid accumulation in genetic diabetic (BKS-db) mice and in humans with T2D. The standardized RC-tea was made by boiling 40 g dried R. vomitoria foliage and 200 g fresh C. aurantium fruits per litre. The resulting golden-brown extract is free of microbial contamination, has pH 5 and contains ca. 230 mg naringin (marker compound for C. aurantium) and 25 mg robinin (marker compound for R. vomitoria) per litre. In addition, the herbal extract has the characteristic HPLC-DAD fingerprint where the marker compounds, naringin and robinin have retention times of approximately 26.3 min and 26.9 min, respectively, when using the outlined column and gradient elution conditions. Comparative evaluations of the antidiabetic effects of the standardized RC-tea and boiling water-extracts made with C. aurantium fruits alone (CA), R. vomitoria foliage alone (RV) and a combination of CA and RV, (CA + RV) in BKS-db mice, indicate that components from R. vomitoria foliage drive the reductions in ectopic lipid accumulation, since CA-treated mice lacked this effect. However, the normalization of blood glucose arises from combination of components from the two source plant materials as administration of either CA or RV resulted in hypoglycaemia. Interestingly, treatment with the CA + RV mixture, generated by mixing individually produced CA and RV plant extracts, resulted in hyperglycaemia, possibly due to drug-drug interactions of the blood glucose-reducing components in either plant extract. Hence, our data show that the best antidiabetic outcome results from the traditional practice of boiling R. vomitoria foliage and C. aurantium fruits together.

<i>In Silico</i> Computational Analysis of <i>Citrus aurantium</i> of <i>Thurunji manapagu</i> in Inhibiting the Receptor Target of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Against <i>Uratha Pitha Vatham</i> (Hypertension)

Citrus aurantium (Thurunji) is a tree cultivated in various parts of the world. The fruit pulp is used to make juices, marmalade and pickles. It is commonly used by tribes to treat digestive disorders, constipation, heaviness in the chest, prolapse of the uterus, anorexia, chest pain, cold, and cough. In the Siddha system of medicine, Citrus aurantium fruit pulp is used to prepare a formulation, syrup in consistency named Thurunji manapaagu indicated for diseases due to deranged pitha humor. According to the Siddha system of medicine Hypertension termed Uratha Pitha Vatham is an ailment that occurs due to an elevated pitham. Considering the facts an attempt of in silico docking study was done with the selected phytochemicals such as Linalool, Apigenin, Ichangin, Kaempferol, Luteolin, Limonin, Limonene, Myrcene, Diosmetin and Tangeretin of Citrus aurantium against Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) and the results are detailed in this article.

Comparison of Chemical Compositions and Antioxidant Activities for the Immature Fruits of Citrus changshan-huyou Y.B. Chang and Citrus aurantium L.

Quzhou Aurantii Fructus (QAF), the dried immature fruit of Citrus changshan-huyou Y.B. Chang, is similar to Aurantii Fructus (AF), the dried immature fruit of Citrus aurantium L. or its cultivars, in terms of composition, pharmacological action, and appearance. However, potential chemical markers to distinguish QAF from AF remain unknown owing to the lack of a comprehensive systematic chemical comparison aligned with discriminant analysis. To achieve a better understanding of the differences in their composition, this study aimed to identify the basic chemical compounds in QAF (n = 42) and AF (n = 8) using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electron spray ionization and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) were used to further analyze, screen, and verify potential chemical markers; the antioxidant capacity was assayed in vitro. A total of 108 compounds were found in QAF and AF, including 25 flavonoids, 8 limonoids, 2 coumarins, and 73 volatile components. The chemometric analysis indicated that the main components in QAF and AF were very similar. Trace differential components, including 9 flavonoids, 2 coumarins, 5 limonoids, and 26 volatile compounds, were screened as potential chemical markers to distinguish between QAF and AF. Additionally, the antioxidant capacity of QAF was found to be greater than that of AF. This research provides insights into the quality control and clinical application of QAF.

Antioxidant Activity and Phytochemicals of Locally Consumed Plant Foods from Baguio City, Philippines

In the Philippines, Baguio City – known as the “City of Pines” – holds the country’s major source of temperate climate vegetables. With increased dietary awareness, the consumption of plant foods rich in antioxidants has become relevant. Twenty-nine methanolic extracts from Baguio-produced plant foods were evaluated for antioxidant potential using DPPH, ferric reduction antioxidant power (FRAP), metal chelation, superoxide anion, nitric oxide, hydroxyl radical scavenging activities, MTT reduction, and phytochemical tests. Fagopyrum tataricum leaves, Vaccinium myrtoides fruit, and Morus alba fruit showed the most effective DPP radical, concentration-dependent reducing power, but low metal chelating activity. Solanum tuberosum tuber (22.86±63.26%) showed effective concentration-dependent chelating activity at 125 μg/mL. Citrus aurantium fruit (26.77±9.24%) and Raphanus raphanistrum root (41.13±0.11%) demonstrated an effective scavenging activity against superoxide anions at 45.5 μg/mL. Significant nitric oxide scavenging activity was observed in some fruits. Brassica oleracea Cab leaves (54.36 ± 2.38%) showed the highest inhibitory activity against hydroxyl radicals at 166.7 μg/mL. Phytochemical analyses showed that most plant samples revealed the presence of glycosides, terpenes/terpenoids, and steroids/phytosterols, while few contained phenolic and tannin components. These phytochemicals may explain the dual behavior as an antioxidant or a prooxidant observed. Thus, determining food antioxidant component types and their concentration is necessary to maximize the potential to scavenge oxidants.

Fructus Aurantii Extracts Ameliorate Intestinal Inflammation and Regulate the Intestinal Barrier through Fc Epsilon RI Signaling Pathway

Fructus Aurantii (FA) is the dry and immature fruit of Citrus aurantium L. and its rutaceous cultivars. FA has been widely used to treat digestive system diseases since ancient China, and it promotes gastrointestinal (GI) motility in functional dyspepsia (FD), but its potential therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. We examined the effects of FA ethanol extracts in an iodoacetamide (IA)-induced FD rat model. Firstly, key FA therapy targets for FD were gathered using systematic pharmacology. Combined with systemic pharmacological analyses, plasma metabolomics based on UPLC-QTOF-MS were conducted. Then, MetaboAnalyst was used to jointly analyze systemic pharmacology targets and metabolomic metabolites to select key metabolic pathways. Finally, the key path is verified by experiments. FA exerted distinct therapeutic effects in anti-inflammation and promoting gastrointestinal motility in our IA-induced FD rat model. When compared with the model group, FA down-regulated the inflammatory factors interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor-α. At the same time, FA up-regulated tight junction proteins in the intestinal epithelial barrier. Through the integrated analysis of metabolomics and systemic pharmacology, we conducted experimental verification on Fc epsilon RI signaling pathway. When compared with the model group, FA down-regulatedphospho-mitogen activated protein kinase, phospho-extracellular signal regulated kinase1/2, myosin light chain kinase, and phospho-myosin regulatory light chain protein levels. Thus, FA ameliorated FD by regulating the Fc epsilon RI signaling pathway. Our integrated strategy identified underlying FA mechanisms toward FD treatment and provided a foundation for FA development as a clinical agent for FD.

Evaluation of Cutaneous Wound Healing Activity of Citrus aurantium Fruit Peel Extract-based Ointment in Albino Rats

The current study was aimed to evaluate the wound healing activity of ethyl acetate extract of fruit peels of Citrus aurantium. An ethyl acetate extract of fruit peel of Citrus aurantium was loaded into an ointment base with three different concentrations (0.25% w/w, 0.5% w/w and 1%w/w) and tested for wound healing activity using excision wound model by measuring the healing area and dermal toxicity. Wound healing activity and histopathology studies confirmed that all the tested three concentrations of extract accelerate the wound healing process by decreasing the surface area of the wound and increases the muscle tensile strength. Out of tested ointments, 5% w/w concentration showed comparative activity with the standard. Hence, natural Citrus aurantium peel-based ointment is an alternative ointment in wound healing.

Yeni Tür Yeşil Korozyon İnhibitörü Olarak Citrus aurantium Meyve Kabukları Ekstraktının HCl Çözeltisindeki Yumuşak Çelik Korozyonu Üzerine Kararlı Etkisi

The role of Citrus aurantium fruit peel extract solution in the existing research is to investigate the effect as corrosion inhibitor on mild steel in the atmospheric environment with its eco-friendly and green effect. It was studied the inhibitor effect of Citrus aurantium utilizing linear polarization (LPR), potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods. The working electrodes were immersed in HCl solutions containing various concentrations of Citrus aurantium fruit peels extract in order to equilibrate the metal-solution interface for one hour before each measurement. The bitter orange fruit peels extract indicated a potent inhibitor influence as a consequence of one hour electrochemical tests, and with the raise of extract concentrations of Citrus aurantium fruit peels, the protection influence of mild steel electrodes in HCl solutions also enhanced. Finally, the surface morphologies of the working electrodes in aggressive HCl solutions without and with bitter orange fruit peels extract after one-hour immersion were analysed by an optical microscopy, it was concluded that the mild steel surface in the Citrus aurantium fruit peels extract solution had a flawless surface compared to the blank one. Experimental data and surface morphology results are highly consistent with each other.

Online Extraction-DPPH-HPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS System for Efficient Screening and Identification of Antioxidants from Citrus aurantium L. var. amara (Rutaceae): Integrating Sample Preparation and Antioxidants Profiling.

The lack of a direct connection between solid edible or medical natural products and bioactive compound profiling is a bottleneck in natural product research and quality control. Here, a novel integrated system, online extraction (OLE)–2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)–HPLC−DAD−QTOF-MS, was fabricated to extract, screen, and identify antioxidants from the whole fruit of Citrus aurantium L. var. amara (CAVA, Rutaceae) simply, rapidly, and efficiently. The system consumes less sample (1.0 mg of CAVA powder) and requires a shorter analytical time (45 min for sample extraction, antioxidants screening, separation, and identification). Eight antioxidant flavonoids were screened and identified, and six available flavanones were sensitively, precisely, and accurately quantified. Two major flavanone glycosides, naringin (50.37 ± 0.43 mg/g) and neohesperidin (38.20 ± 0.27 mg/g), exhibit potent DPPH scavenging activities with IC50 values of 111.9 ± 10.06 and 178.55 ± 11.28 μg/mL. A minor flavanone aglycone, hesperitin (0.73 ± 0.06 mg/g), presents stronger DPPH scavenging activity (IC50, 39.07 ± 2.51 μg/mL). Furthermore, density functional theory calculations demonstrated their electron transport ability and chemical reactivity, which confirmed the screened results. The results indicate that the developed OLE–DPPH–HPLC−DAD−QTOF-MS system provides new perspectives for analysis of antioxidants from complex natural products, which also contribute to the quality evaluation of CAVA.

Acute and Sub-chronic Toxicological Studies of Citrus aurantium Fruit Juice in Wistar Rats

Citrus aurantium remains an excellent source of vitamins and phytochemicals. C. aurantium has been associated with lots of medicinal uses ranging from weight management to the treatment of nausea, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. This study therefore aimed at determining the acute and sub-chronic toxic effects of C. aurantium (Lemon) fruit juice in Wistar rats. The median lethal dose (LD50) for the extract was determined by Lorke’s method. A total of 20 rats of mean weight of 125 ± 5 g randomized into 4 groups of five rats each was used for the study. Groups B, C and D were administered 2ml/kg, 4ml/kg and 8ml/kg bodyweight of the extract for 3 months while group A served as the control. Random blood glucose levels of rats were monitored on monthly basis. Blood samples were collected for various biochemical assays like kidney and liver functions, serum lactate dehydrogenase enzyme activity, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation and electrolyte levels using standard diagnostic methods. Results showed a lethal dose of 70ml/kg body weight. Creatinine and urea levels were observed to decrease markedly in groups C and D against control. Significant reductions in the liver function parameters were noted for the test groups when compared with the control with a comparative significant (p<0.05) increase in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase within the test groups. There was also a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides within the test groups as compared with the control. The findings suggest that prolonged administration of C. aurantium does not exert any serious chronic toxicity involving tissue and organ damage. It can also be inferred that the fruit juice of C. aurantium could be employed to remedy numerous maladies that affect the body based on the lethal dose.

Simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of 10 bioactive flavonoids in Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (Zhishi) by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry combined with chemometric methods.

Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (Zhishi in Chinese) is the dried young fruit of Citrus aurantium L. (CA) and its cultivated varieties or Citrus sinensis Osbeck (CS). The content of flavonoids in different varieties of Zhishi may be significantly different. However, there is confusion about the botanical origin of Zhishi, and there is no reliable and systematic method to control Zhishi quality. We aimed to establish an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography method coupled with diode-array detection and high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-HRMS/MS) for the quantitative analysis of 10 flavonoids in Zhishi that could be used for quality control and botanical origin identification. A UPLC-DAD-HRMS/MS method was established for simultaneous identification and quantification of 10 flavonoids. Separation was performed on a Waters Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column (100 mm × 2.1mm, 1.8μm) with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile as mobile phase under gradient elution. MS was performed in positive and negative ionisation modes. The flavonoids in 41 batches were isolated and quantified. Zhishi of different botanical origins were identified by chemometrics. The results showed that the established method for the determination of 10 components was reliable and accurate. Chemometrics could be used to distinguish Zhishi of different botanical origins. There were significant differences in the contents of 10 flavonoids in samples of different botanical origins. The quantitative analysis method in this study can be used to accurately determine the content of 10 flavonoids and provide a chemical basis for quality control and botanical origin identification of Zhishi.

Investigating the Contributions of Citrus Aurantium Fruits and Rauvolfia Vomitoria Foliage to the Antidiabetic Efficacy of the Rauvolfia-Citrus Tea

Investigating the Contributions of Citrus Aurantium Fruits and Rauvolfia Vomitoria Foliage to the Antidiabetic Efficacy of the Rauvolfia-Citrus Tea

The Effect of Environmentally Safe Nanosynthesis with Copper Particles by using Citrus aurantium Fruit Extract Against Harmful Mosquitoes

The global agricultural sector suffers from the damage due to insect pests on plants all over the world, forcing farmers to indiscriminately use mineral fertilisers and chemical pesticides that are toxic and affecting the environment, plants and animals, as well as causing serious health problems to farmers and consumers. Therefore, scientists and researchers were forced to investigate and discover new methods until they explored the field of nanoscience, which shows great potential for applications in diverse fields, including agriculture, chemicals and plant protection by controlling harmful insect pests. Therefore, a biological method was used to synthesise the laboratory-prepared copper nanoparticles that were tested on both eggs and larvae phases in mosquitoes as nanocides using acidic Citrus Nargin broth (10%). A total of 1 mM aqueous CuSO4 of the plant extract was reduced and synthesised into stable copper nanoparticles with an average size of less than 450 nm. Then, the composition, size and percentage of the synthesised nanoparticles were determined using ultraviolet spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, FTIR, SEM and AFM techniques. The results of this study showed high mortality and a significant difference (P ≤ 0.01) for mosquito eggs and larvae when exposed to the nanocide, than those found in the extract of bitter leaves and the regular copper sulfate insecticide used in agriculture against insects. The results also showed a high relative efficiency of 100% with a highly significant difference (P ≤ 0.01) after exposure of insects and their different stages to the nanocide after 72 hours. We conclude from this study the possibility of synthesising nanoparticles using mineral compounds with natural, safe and environmentally friendly bio-plant extracts as insecticides for various agricultural pests.

Potential areas for the establishment of citrus leprosis virus vectors, Brevipalpus spp., in Mexico.

Citrus leprosis is a viral disease vectored by the mites Brevipalpus californicus and Brevipalpus yothersi. This work aimed to determine the potential areas for establishment of both mites and viruses in Mexico, based on the geographical distribution of the hosts and the climatic suitability for the vectors. Life tables of both mites were constructed to determine their thermal requirements-base temperature and degree-days required to complete life cycle-and population growth parameters-net reproduction rate, generation time, and intrinsic growth rate. For this, the mites were confined in Citrus aurantium fruits at 20, 22.5, 25 or 30°C, 60 ± 5% RH and L14:D10 h photoperiod. Maps were generated where the climatic suitability for establishment of the mites and the citrus leprosis viruses was estimated in citrus-producing municipalities. The climatic suitability was determined through historical temperature records to calculate the potential number of generations per year, and ecological niche modeling based on collecting localities and bioclimatic variables using the algorithm Maxent. The base temperature was 9.5°C for B. californicus and 10.2°C for B. yothersi; degree-days required to reach adulthood were 372.1 and 331.7°C, respectively. Potential sites for establishment of B. yothersi are mostly lowlands, whereas for B. californicus they are both lowlands and highlands. Temperature data indicate that B. californicus has fewer sites where it can develop > 16 generations per year than B. yothersi. According to our results, the sites where citrus leprosis is most likely to present high incidence are the sweet orange cultivars bordering the Gulf of Mexico.

Phenolics in Citrus aurantium fruit identified by UHPLC-MS/MS and their bioactivities

Sour orange (Citrus aurantium) is a popular fruit with health benefits. Phenolics are the dominant bioactive compounds in this fruit. However, the full phenolics composition remains unclear. In this work, UHPLC-MS/MS was used to qualify and quantify the phenolics in sour orange fruits of cv. Morocco (MSO) and United (USO). Fifty-eight phenolics, including 26 flavonoid glycosides, 22 polymethoxylated flavonoids, 8 coumarins and 2 phenolic acids, were identified. Four limonoids were characterized. Flavonoid glycosides were the leading phenolics in MSO, while polymethoxylated flavonoids (including nobiletin, tangeritin and sinensetin) were dominant in USO. The phenolic extracts showed good antioxidant activities. USO extract had a significantly (p < 0.05) stronger neuroprotective activity than MSO extract. Auraptene, nobiletin and tangeritin were highly responsible for the neuroprotective activity. The results were helpful for the development of functional foods with sour orange.

GC-MS Analysis and Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Essential Oils Extracted From Fruit Peel of Citrus aurantium L. (Rutaceae) Grown in the West Anatolian Area

In this study, chemical composition and in vitro antibacterial and antifungal effects of essential oils extracted from fruit peel of Citrus aurantium L. grown in West Anatolian ecological conditions, were investigated. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were determined with the use of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) method. Essential oils were obtained in a clevenger apparatus and their compositions were analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). According to the GC-MS results, dl-limonene (72.51%) and hexasiloxane (13.28%) were the major components in the essential oil obtained from C. aurantium Central population. Limonene (77.27%) and hexasiloxane (6.19%) dominated in the samples originated from Germencik region. Limonene (79.77%) was found to be in the highest concentration in the essential oil obtained from C. aurantium Kocarli population. Limonene (95.70%) followed by β‑myrcene (0.76%) were the major components of the essential oil obtained from Citrus aurantium Nazilli population. MIC values ranged from 2.5 to 5 µL/mL for gram (−) bacteria and from 0.3125 to 5 µL/mL for gram (+) bacteria. Essential oil from Germencik region generally showed the best effect against fungi. Essential oil obtained from Citrus aurantium fruit peel could be an alternative to synthetic antimicrobial agents.

Aurantii Fructus: a systematic review of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology

Aurantii Fructus (called Zhiqiao, ZQ in Chinese), the dried unripe fruit of Citrus aurantium L. or its cultivated variety, is a common traditional edible-medicinal herb in regulating visceral functions for thousands of years. As a widely used ethnomedicine in Asia including China, Japan and Korea, ZQ possesses ideal therapeutic effect on digestive system diseases, and is also used as a condiment in food for regular consumption to benefit health. Amounts of investigations on different aspects have been done for ZQ in the past decades. However, there has no literature systematic comparison on the similarity concerning research achievements of ZQ. Herein, this review comprehensively presents the up-to-date information on botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, clinical use, quality control and toxicology of ZQ to identify their therapeutic potential and directs future research opportunities. So far, about 62 compounds has been isolated and identified from ZQ, in which flavonoids, alkaloids and coumarins would be the main bioactive ingredients for its pharmacological properties, such as regulating gastrointestinal motility, anti-gastric ulcer effect, regulating blood pressure, cardioprotective effects, anti-atherosclerotic activity, anti-vascular damage activity, anti-depression activity, anti-obesity activity, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, immunomodulatory activity and affecting enzyme activities. Even so, the variety of sources and origins, ZQ has defects in quality control and clinical application.

Protection of neuronal cell lines, antimicrobial and photocatalytic behaviours of eco-friendly TiO2 nanoparticles

Eco-friendly synthesis of nanoparticles is promising as a futuristic alternative for chemical and physical protocols. In the present investigation, TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesised using the peel extract of Citrus aurantium fruit for the first time. The biosynthesised TiO2 nanoparticles were characterized by various techniques such as X- ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis spectrophotometer, Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDAX), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). The crystal structure and phase purity of TiO2 nanoparticles were analysed using XRD. The optical properties and functional groups of TiO2 nanoparticles were investigated with the help of UV visible absorption and FT-IR analysis. The morphology and topography of TiO2 nanoparticles were examined through FE-SEM, TEM and AFM measurements. Biosynthesised TiO2 nanoparticles were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis (Gram-positive), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia (Gram- negative), Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger (Fungi) using agar well method. In addition, cytotoxicity study was performed through MTT assay, the cell cycle analysis, and apoptosis assays of cells by flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation analysis. The photocatalytic behaviour against methylene blue dye was studied. Results of the present study revealed that biosynthesised TiO2 nanoparticles with an average size of 34 nm showed excellent antimicrobial, cell viability in PC12 cell lines (a combination of neuroblastic and eosinophilic cell lines) with IC50 ranged between 31.2–62.5 μg/ mL and excellent photo degradation property. Therefore, the present study concluded that biosynthesised TiO2 nanoparticles have potential antimicrobial, anti-apoptotic and photocatalytic behaviours towards neuronal cell lines.

Chemical variability, pharmacological potential, multivariate and molecular docking analyses of essential oils obtained from four medicinal plants

Essential oils (EOs) hold tremendous medicinal attributes and are greatly exploited industrially worldwide. In the present study, the chemical composition of five EOs prepared from four aromatic plants were revealed together with their inhibitory activities against five key clinical enzymes (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase). Limonene (84.3%) and sabinene (38.1%) were the most dominant constituents present in Citrus aurantium fruit peel and leaf EOs respectively. Turmerone (31.4%), ar-turmerone (16.1%), and turmerol (14.6%) were the principal components identified in Curcuma longa rhizome EO. Additionally, Morinda citrifolia fruit EO was abundant in octanoic acid (78.9%), while carvacrol (17.9%), δ-3-carene (15.2%), and camphor (12.9%) were predominant in Plectranthus amboinicus EO. The investigated EOs were all active inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase, amylase, and tyrosinase. Morinda citrifolia and P. amboinicus EOs inhibited butyrylcholinesterase exclusively, while M. citrifolia and C. aurantium fruit peel EOs displayed inhibition against glucosidase as well. Due to strong interactions with their active sites, molecular docking showed turmerone followed by carvacrol to have the highest binding affinities with target enzymes. Moderate to strong antioxidant potential was also demonstrated by all EOs. However, P. amboinicus EO presented the most potent antioxidant capacity and contained the highest amount of phenolics, while M. citrifolia EO was the weakest among all. Besides, a strong positive correlation was noted between EOs’ antioxidant capacities and total phenolic content. With the exception of C. aurantium leaf and C. longa EOs which showed similar bioactivities and were grouped together, the other EOs were subdivided into distinct groups by principal component analysis. Altogether, this study highlighted interesting pharmacological properties of the investigated EOs that could serve as sources of bioactive ingredients with potential industrial applications.