Cold Maceration Method Research Articles

Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activity of Anacardium occidentale L

Anacardium occidentale, locally known as “pokok gajus” is known for its medicinal purposes. The objectives of this study are to isolate compounds from the stem bark extract of A. occidentale and to study the antioxidant properties of the extracts. Cold maceration method was performed for the extraction of A. occidentale stem bark. Purification of the crude extracts using column chromatography successfully isolated two compounds. The isolated compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic methods including Fourier Transform Infrared and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. These compounds were identified as stearic acid and β-sitosterol. The antioxidant potential of the crude extracts was determined using a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. The results revealed that methanol extract was most effective in the capability to scavenge free radicals as it exhibited the highest radical scavenging activity towards DPPH with an IC50 value of 87.67 µg/mL. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content of the extracts were measured. Both total phenolic and flavonoid contents showed a good correlation with the antioxidant activity indicated that both compounds were the major contributors to the antioxidant capacity of the extracts. Based on the findings, A. occidentale can be considered as an effective source of natural antioxidants.

Phytochemical Screening of Petroleum Ether Fractions by GC/MS and Isolation of Lupeol from Two Different Parts of Iraqi Leucaena leuco-cephala. (Conference Paper )#

Abstract This work is considered the first study for the components of the Iraqi Leucaena leucocephala plant, where the different phytochemical compounds that present in the aerial parts were identified by using the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry technique (GC/MS). The type of the components and their concentration will differ according to the part of the plant used and the method of extraction (hot and cold). This study made a comparison in lupeol concentration that was identified and isolated from petroleum ether fractions of Leucaena leucocephala by using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), and Preparative High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (P-HPLC). The plant leaves and stems were collected in September, dried under shade, and powdered (separately), then extracted by two extraction methods: hot Soxhlet and cold maceration method using 85% ethanol, then the result crude extract was fractionation with petroleum ether by using a separator funnel. The results of GC/MS, HPTLC, and PHPLC indicated that the leaves contain a higher concentration of lupeol than the stems and the cold maceration method is more efficient than the hot Soxhlet extraction method. Lupeol has many pharmacological activities applied in alternative medicine such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-arthritic, anticancer, antidiabetic, and antioxidant activities with wide future applications.

"Carotenoids Content in Plant Organs of Taraxacum Officinale (L.) Species from Two Romanian Regions"

"Carotenoids are pigments that occur naturally in bacteria, algae, fungi and plants and give them their orange or red colour. The most important carotenoids that have beneficial effects on human health are beta-carotene, lutein, astaxanthin, lycopene and zeaxanthin. The main advantage of carotenoids lies in their antioxidant potential, the role of protecting the body's cells from damage by unstable oxygen molecules. The present paper presents the comparative content of carotenoid-type bioactive compounds present in the hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from different plant organs (roots, leaves and flowers) of the species Taraxacum officinale (L.), dandelion. The plant product was collected from the spontaneous flora, the southern area of Dobrogea, Constanța county and from the eastern area of Transylvania, Harghita county, in May 2022. The obtained hydroalcoholic extracts of 10% concentration in 50% ethanol and respectively 70% ethanol, using the cold maceration method, in the dark, for 14 days, were analysed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry to determine the total content of carotenoids, beta-carotene and lutein. Total carotenoids content was higher in ethanolic extracts of roots and flowers of plants collected from the southern area of Dobrogea, and for the leaves the content of total carotenoids was higher in the ethanolic extracts of the plants collected from the eastern area of Transylvania. The differential distribution observed in terms of the carotenoids content present in the various plant organs of the species Taraxacum officinale (L.), may be due to the influence of the climate and the type of soil characteristic of the two studied areas. Enriching the database regarding the concentration of analysed carotenoid-type bioactive principles can contribute to the development and testing of hypotheses about the therapeutic potential of this valuable component of the Romanian spontaneous flora."

PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF CENTRAL ANALGESIC ACTIVITY OF ACACIA CATECHU BY HOT PLATE AND TAIL IMMERSION METHOD

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the analgesic activity of Acacia catechu heartwood extracts on Swiss albino mice using hot plate and tail immersion method. Methods: In this study, we used the aqueous and methanol extracts of heartwood of A. catechu to evaluate its analgesic activity. The aqueous extract was achieved by doubled distillation method and the methanol extract was achieved by cold maceration method. The mice were divided into four groups, each group consisting of six animals. Doses of 50, 100, and 300 mg/kg, p.o. of both the extracts of A. catechu were given to the mice. The responses were noted at 0, 15, 30, and 60 min. Results: The results of both the methods were quick similar but differ based on extracts. The aqueous extract of A. catechu showed a much better yield of analgesic activity as compared to the methanol extract. The data were analyzed by graph using two-way analysis of variance, which showed the dose-dependent pain resistance. Conclusion: The study confirmed the potency of A. catechu in pain management and points the future development to be conducted on it.

Antidiabetic and Renoprotective Effects of Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Mimosa pudica Linn. Leaves Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

Background: Traditional medicine has used Mimosa pudica Linn. for diabetes treatment. This study evaluates the antidiabetic and renoprotective effects of the ethyl acetate fraction of M. pudica leaves on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in mice. Methods: The cold maceration method was used to extract M. pudica leaves with 80% ethanol at room temperature. Ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction was obtained from the M. pudica leaves extract by successively partitioning with different solvents. Mice were induced diabetes type 2 by streptozotocin (STZ) at a low dose and treated with EtOAc fraction of M. pudica leaves at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg b.w for 60 days. After 24 hours of the final dose of therapy, the mice were sacrificed to extract blood and kidney tissues for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Results: The EtOAc fraction of M. pudica leaves showed strong activity in improving glucose concentration in the oral glucose tolerance test. Our results showed that EtOAc fraction significantly decreased levels of glucose, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglyceride (TG) and increased the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and protected kidneys against damage in mice. EtOAc fraction also increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) in kidney tissues. Moreover, the renoprotective effect was also observed in the histopathological analysis. Conclusion: Our findings support the fact that the EtOAc fraction of M. pudica leaves has potent anti-diabetic nephropathy activity by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines and improving antioxidant levels.

Phytochemical profiling, salt impurities removal and in vitro antibacterial evaluation of Calotropis procera twig, leaf and flower extracts

• Hexane, dichloromethane and methanol leaf, twig, and flower extracts of Malaysian Calotropis procera (CP) have been studied first time against 10 Gram-positive and 9 Gram-negative bacteria, and methanolic extracts were found to be potent. • Different in vitro antibacterial methods were carried out and Bacillus sp. , Staphylococcus spp. Klebsiella pneumoniae and proteus vulgaris were found to be sensitives against extracts. • An easy, low-cost, and efficient trituration method was developed for the purification of crude extracts from salt impurities and it has removed salts and other undissolved impurities (approximately 38%). This purification strategy is very important prior to any biological activities especially antimicrobial. • Trituration method was found to be suitable for removing salts and undissolved impurities from crude extracts of plants growing near coastal and high salt concentration regions. • A new HPLC method was developed for the separation of constituents of methanolic C. procera extract and it shows the presence of different types of metabolites. Calotropis procera (family Apocynaceae) is a medicinal plant that is useful against microbial infections. The current work aimed to profile Malaysian C. procera for its phytochemical composition, develop a simple strategy to remove salt impurities from its crude extracts and assess its antibacterial activity in vitro . Ground twigs, leaves and flowers of the plant were extracted in n -hexane, dichloromethane and methanol by successive cold maceration method. Standard qualitative phytochemical tests were applied for phytochemical profiling of the extracts. The crude extracts were then subjected to clean-up procedure (trituration method) for removal of salt impurities. The antibacterial activity of the extracts (3 mg of 100 mg/mL/well) was assessed against 10 Gram-negative and nine Gram-positive bacteria by using the agar well diffusion method. Both minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the potent extracts were determined by the MTT assay and spread plate method, respectively. The potent methanolic extract was analysed by the HPLC for its metabolites pattern. The present findings confirmed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, phenolics, carbohydrates and resins in the crude extracts. The trituration method was effective in eliminating the salt impurities from the crude extracts. The methanolic (MeOH) extracts were more effective (ZOI; 8.5–12.5 mm) against Gram-positive bacteria when compared to the Gram-negative counterparts. The tested bacteria that were most sensitive to the extracts included Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus spp. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus vulgaris . The MIC and MBC values of the MeOH extracts were in the range of 5–40 mg/mL against B. cereus, Staphylococcus spp., K. pneumoniae and P. vulgaris . The antibacterial potential of MeOH C. procera extracts could be attributed to its polar phytochemicals as indicated by the HPLC analyses. The current results warrant in-depth phytochemical and antimicrobial investigations of methanolic C. procera twig, leaf and flower extracts.

In silico screening, TLC bioautography and in vivo studies of Zanthoxylum armatum DC. (Indian Prickly Ash) extract as a potential neuroprotective agent

Zanthoxylum armatum DC., a popular spice, and folklore medicine, is widely distributed throughout the Northeastern region of India and practiced by indigenous tribes as a remedy for digestive and nervous system disorders. The study aimed to assess the neuro-protective potentiality of Zanthoxylum armatum extract through different learning and memory paradigms against scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment. For the isolation of the compounds, coarsely powdered shade-dried fruits were extracted with ethanol by the cold maceration method. In silico studies were performed for the isolated compounds. TLC bioautographic enzyme assay was developed to screen acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition by plant extract using donepezil, a known acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Memory retention activities of ethanolic extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg; p.o.) were determined in-vivo , along with an estimation of whole-brain cholinesterase and antioxidant activity. Chromatographic analysis from chloroform fraction resulted in the isolation of three bio-active phytoconstituents, and structural elucidation identified them as β-sitosterol (ZA-01), Stigmasterol (ZA-02), and Lupeol (ZA-03). In silico molecular docking studies revealed stigmasterol has the minimum binding energy with acetylcholinesterase among all the isolated bioactive. The stability of the protein-ligand complex was found satisfactory after performing molecular dynamics simulation studies. Pre-treatment with extract significantly improved transfer latency in maze tests decreased rat brain acetylcholinesterase activity, and showed antioxidant potentiality against scopolamine-induced memory impairment. The combination of neuroprotective, anticholinesterase, and antioxidant effects shown by Z. armatum extract may be what makes it a nootropic drug. These are good signs for the search for natural nootropics from Z. armatum extract. Even so, more research with extracts and isolated compounds will be needed to make the traditional uses of the plant more scientifically sound. • Zanthoxylum armatum is evaluated for its potential as neuroprotective agent. • β-sitosterol, Stigmasterol and Lupeol were isolated from the plant extract. • In silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were performed. • TLC bioautography, in vivo animal tests showed good neuroprotective action of Zanthoxylum armatum extract.

Induction of apoptosis in lung carcinoma cells (A549) by hydromethanolic extract of Acorus calamus L

Acorus calamus L. of the Acoraceae family referred to as 'Sweet flag' is a well-known plant used to treat fever, epilepsy, liver, and renal problems in the traditional Indian and Chinese medicine systems. In the present study, we prepared the hydromethanolic extract by using the cold maceration method and performed its phytochemical screening. Extract of A. calamus L. showed the presence of many secondary metabolites including the phenolics [i.e., 275.51 ± 0.001 (mg/ml) Gallic acid equivalence] as well as showed good antioxidant activities reflected through DPPH and ABTS assay with IC50 16.32 ± 0.31 μg/ml, 27.62 ± 1.53 μg/ml respectively. It also possesses good total Nitric oxide, and Nitrite reducing activities. Furthermore, we have studied the cytotoxic behavior of AC hydromethanolic extract against human lung carcinoma cells (A549). It demonstrated potential cytotoxicity toward the lung carcinoma cell line (A549) with IC50 of 92.83 ± 1.98 μg/ml. Various staining techniques (DAPI, AO/EB, Giemsa) and RT-PCR techniques were used to identify the mechanism of cytotoxicity. We found that the A. calamus L. hydromethanolic extract caused characteristic apoptotic morphological changes, ROS generation, induction of apoptosis through activation of the TRAIL receptors, caspase 9 and 3 and the inhibition of colony formation in A549 cells.

Evaluation of Anti-Diabetic Property of Methanol Extract of Ficus Exasperata Vahl. (Moraceae)

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from impairments in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. The side effect of orthodox is alarming and expensive. This prompted a search for a cheaper and reliable alternative drug medicinal plant for the management of diabetes.
 Aim: This study aimed at carrying out anti-diabetics evaluation of methanol extract of Ficus exasperata leaves.
 Methodology: The cold maceration method was used to obtain the extract using methanol as solvent. Lorkes method was used to carry out the acute toxicity study on mice, alloxan induced model was used to evaluate the antidiabetic potentials on diabetic rats and blood glucose level was measured using glucometer and statistically analyzed.
 Result: Acute toxicity study indicated no mortality or any behavioral changes even at 5000mg/kg body weight. The extract at 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg exhibited anti-diabetics activity in dose dependent manner. 400mg/kg body weight reduces blood glucose level significantly at p value less than 0.05 when compared to the standard drug.
 Conclusion: The methanol extract of Ficus exasperata leaves have demonstrated a reasonable antidiabetics activity. The research has given an insight in the use of the plant leaves in controlling blood sugar level and substantiate its folkloric uses. Further studies on isolation of bioactive compound, establishment of the mechanism of action for the observed anti-diabetic activity and hepato-renal and hematological effects are recommended.

COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF THE YIELD AND CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF Bryophyllumpinnatum BY COLD MERCERATION AND SOHXLET EXTRACTION METHODS

Bryophyllum pinnatum belongs to the family crassulaceae and is widely used in traditional medicine, especially in tropical areas. In the present study, extract yield and phytochemical constituents of chloroform extracts of Bryophyllum pinnatum leave prepared using two most commonly used extraction techniques known as cold maceration, and soxhlet extraction was investigated. Analysis using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was done on the extracted materials. The extract produced by the cold maceration method yielded ten (10) compounds, whereas the extract produced by the soxhlet extraction method yielded eight (8) compounds. Piperazine, 1-(2-adamantyl)-4-benzoyl, which made up the highest percentage of the 10 compounds found using the cold maceration method, had a concentration of 53.673%, while Pyrazine, 2,6-diethyl, had a concentration of 31.913% in the extract made using the soxhlet extraction method. The GCMS analysis's findings suggest that heat can change the composition of several phytochemical substances. The term thermo-liable compounds refer to those substances that are easily denatured or changed by heat. The variance in yield percentages and phytochemical compositions that has been observed is due to the employment of various extraction methods. The presence of these phytochemicals in B. Pinnatum leaves supports the use of the plants' leaves in the treatment of a variety of illnesses, including leishmaniasis, asthma, and ear pain, as several of the compounds discovered are known to have therapeutic properties.

Pharmacognostic Evaluation and Anti-Diabetic Activity of Ethanol Extract of Triumfetta cordifolia A. Rich (Tiliaceae) Leaves

Aim: The study was aimed at evaluating some pharmacognostic parameters and investigates the anti-diabetic activity of ethanol extract of Triumfetta cordifolia leaf
 Methods: The pharmacognostic profiling of Triumfetta cordifolia leaves was carried out using some standard pharmacognostic tools for crude drug standardization such as qualitative and quantitative microscopy, analytical evaluation and phytochemical screening. The plant material was extracted using cold maceration method in ethanol and fractionation was carried out using n-hexane, ethylacetate and butanol. The acute toxicity study was done following standard method. Diabetes in albino wistar rats was intraperitoneally induced using 120 mg/kg body weight of alloxan monohydrate. The diabetic rats where treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the crude extract and 400mg/kg of each of the fractions. Glibenclamide was used as the standard drug (5 mg/kg) and diabetic rats without treatment as negative control. The procedure was also similarly performed using the non-diabetic rats. The administration of all treatments was done orally, once daily for 21 days and blood sera of the blood samples from rats across the groups were collected at the end of the treatment period and the concentrations of Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were evaluated.
 Results: The results of the qualitative microscopic evaluation of Triumfetta cordifolia leaf revealed paracytic stomata, unicellular trichomes, wavy wall epidermal cells and prismatic calcium oxalate. Quantitative microscopic study gave 23.67 ± 0.58 stomata number, 0.023 ± 0.00058 stomata index, 18.33 ± 1.53 Palisade ratio and 10.67 ± 0.58 vein-islet number while the analytical standard revealed 9.3 total ash, 3.5 water soluble ash and 1.34 acid insoluble ash. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, Tannins, flavonoids steroids and terpenoids in the Triumfetta cordifolia leaves ethanol extract (TCEE). A significant reduction (P≤0.05) in fasted blood sugar level of diabetic rats was observed during treatment with Triumfetta cordifolia leaves extract and the blood sugar level lowering potential was comparable to the glibenclamide’s group. There was improvement of body weight in TCEE treated groups and ethylacetate fraction group. The Leaf extract of Triumfetta cordifolia showed a high significant (P≤0.05) ameliorating potential on liver’s degenerating hepatocytes evidenced by the comparable reduction in AST, ALT and ALP levels with the glibenclamide’s and diabetic’s groups.
 Conclusion: The overall results showed that Triumfetta cordifolia leaf possesses blood sugar lowering and liver hepatocytes regenerating potentials while the pharmacognostic profiling of the plant can serve as a reference and guide for future researchers.

Evaluation of sub-acute toxicity profile of methanol extract of Adansonia digitata leaves in Wistar rats

This study evaluated the sub-acute toxicity profile of methanol extracts of Adansonia digitata leaves on Wistar rats. Cold maceration method was used to prepare the methanol extract of Adansonia digitata leaves (MEADL). Twenty-four (24) adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Group A (control) received 5% dimethylsufoxide (DMSO) at 5 ml/kg, while groups B -D received MEADL at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. All treatments were administered orally and once daily for 28 consecutive days. The weight, haematological and lipid profile, antioxidant status as well as liver and kidney function tests were evaluated. The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) caused a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the triacylglycerol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of the treated groups when compared with the control group. The platelet count of the MEADL treated groups were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated when compared with the control group. The extract did not cause significant (p > 0.05) change in the serum markers of liver and kidney function test, but produced histopathological changes in the kidney and liver section of the treated rats in a dose-dependent manner. These findings justify its use in folkloric medicine for treatment of several diseases, but caution should be exercised as it is associated with histopathological changes in the liver and kidney at high doses.

Therapeutic potential of Ipomoea asarifolia on infected Swiss albino rats with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus

Introduction: Curative misuse of medicinal plants are worrisome with the paucity of histological information. This led to the investigation of Ipomoea asarifolia in Swiss albino rats infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: Extraction was done using the cold maceration method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the extracts were determined using the micro-dilution method. Swiss albino rats of 6 sub-groups with 6 animals each (36 animals/organism) were administered with 0.3 ml single oral dose of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus respectively. The animals received treatment for 5 days as follows: 0.5 ml of 5% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) (negative control), 250 mg/kg of amoxicillin (positive control), 2 mg/kg of whole plant extract, 4 mg/kg of whole plant extract, 2 mg/kg of leaf extract, and 4 mg/kg of leaf extract, respectively. The packed cell volume (PCV) and white blood count (WBC) of the animals were determined before and after treatment with histology examination of vital organs. Results: MIC for S. aureus was 2 mg/mL; the mortality in S. aureus group at 2 mg/kg was 66.7%. The PCV values (50.5±0.5, 45.0±1.0, and 50.5±1.5) decreased after infection, and a corresponding increase in the PCV was observed after treatment with the extracts. Also, a significant increase in the WBC values (3.40±0.35, 4.10±0.15, and 3.30±0.40) following infection and a corresponding decrease after treatment were observed. Congestion of vessels in the kidney was also observed. Conclusion: I. asarifolia has a dose-dependent antibacterial and curative activity, and could enhance innate immunity.

Evaluation of sub-acute toxicity profile of methanol extract of Adansonia digitata leaves in Wistar rats

This study evaluated the sub-acute toxicity profile of methanol extracts of Adansonia digitata leaves on Wistar rats. Cold maceration method was used to prepare the methanol extract of Adansonia digitata leaves (MEADL). Twenty-four (24) adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Group A (control) received 5% dimethylsufoxide (DMSO) at 5 ml/kg, while groups B -D received MEADL at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. All treatments were administered orally and once daily for 28 consecutive days. The weight, haematological and lipid profile, antioxidant status as well as liver and kidney function tests were evaluated. The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) caused a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the triacylglycerol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of the treated groups when compared with the control group. The platelet count of the MEADL treated groups were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated when compared with the control group. The extract did not cause significant (p > 0.05) change in the serum markers of liver and kidney function test, but produced histopathological changes in the kidney and liver section of the treated rats in a dose-dependent manner. These findings justify its use in folkloric medicine for treatment of several diseases, but caution should be exercised as it is associated with histopathological changes in the liver and kidney at high doses.

Antioxidant and antibacterial potential of Ulva lactuca species from Romanian Black Sea Coast

Abstract Green algae biomass represents an important natural resource found in marine environments which could offer new applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industries. The paper aim was to characterize some fluid extracts of Ulva lactuca L. green macroalgae species, in the Ulvaceae family, from Romanian Black Sea Coast, through physical, chemical and biological methods. For biomedical applications it is important to study how the difference between the marine environment specific conditions, from which they are harvested, can influence the chemical composition of macroalgae. Another important aspect which could affect the bioactive green macroalgae extracts composition, is the influence of applied extraction method. In this way, the less distructive cold maceration method in different solvent concentrations was chosen, according with literature data. The extracts have been studied in order to determine total polyphenols content, total antioxidant capacity by photochemiluminescence method and antibacterial activity. The results emphasized an antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the studied macroalgae extracts, which can be improved in mixture with other bioactive natural substances, in order to obtain new pharmaceutical preparations for topical applications. The valuable obtained results offer the possibility to propose this natural resource for next studies as biomaterial in tissue engineering, wound dressing and drug delivery systems. We consider that Ulva lactuca L. green macroalgae species of Romanian Black Sea Coast, could be an important source of marine bioactive compounds with various uses in the biomedical field.

Phytochemical and Anti-Termite Efficiency Study of Guibourtia tessmanii (harms) J. Léonard (Kévazingo) Bark Extracts from Gabon

This study aimed to explore the biodiversity of chemical compounds found in the bark of Guibourtia tessmannii from Gabon, commonly called Kévazingo, and evaluate their anti-termite activity to determine their potential values as a source of development of anti-termite products that can be valued in the fields of fine chemicals and wood preservation. Extraction of G. tessmannii bark powders was carried out using the cold maceration method with trichloroethylene, acetone, ethanol, and water. Phytochemical screening made it possible to highlight groups of chemical families present in the extracts. Anti-termite activity was tested on the wild termites “Cubitermes sp” of the genus Isoptera. The yield of the extracts were 17.11% for the buttress and 13.42% for the height at 6 m. Phytochemical tests revealed that alkaloids, polyphenols, sterols, tannins, reducing compounds, flavonoids, saponins, and anthraquinones were present in the extracts. Results of anti-termite activity indicated that anti-termite activity varied with the different parts of the bark studied, extraction solvent, and concentration (50/50) and (25/75) of the extracts used. The extracts at 50/50 concentration showed a slightly better anti-termite activity compared to the 25/75 concentration. In addition, the buttress Kévazingo or buttress showed the strongest anti-termite activity for the aqueous extract with a survival rate of 0% after 2 days.

The Usefulness of Common IVY (Hedera helix L.) Extracts Against Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens Found in Local Hospitals

The current study was carried out to highlights the antibacterial and antifungal activity of Hedera helix L. by using its different fractions. Both activities were carried out under agar well diffusion method, while for fractions obtaining the cold maceration method was followed which were tested against four fungal species including Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus flavors, P. pallidum and Alternaria alternate and four bacterial strains, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Serratia marcescens and Methicillin resistance, Staphylococcus aureus. The fractions which were extracted from the Hedera helix shown different zone of inhibition (ZOI) against both the fungal and bacterial strains. Chloroform and n-hexane extracted samples showed the highest antifungal activity against Polyspondylium pallidum with complete inhibition zone and the least activity was shown by an aqueous fraction. In the antibacterial activity, the crude methanolic extracts have shown the highest inhibition zone (46-57%) against the selected bacterial strains, while the lowest activity was reported from aqueous fractions (21-26%). The other fractions moderately inhibit the growth of the selected strains but were significant.

Dose Response Study of Aqueous Extract of Dialium Guineense Stem Bark

Background and Objective: What distinguishes a poison from a remedy is dose. The safety of plant-derived bioactive compounds has become a global concern. The present study investigated the dose response of aqueous extract of Dialium guineense stem bark using Wistar rats. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (n=30) weighing 160-180 g (mean weight =170 ± 20 g) were randomly assigned to six groups of five rats each. The aqueous extract of the medicinal plant stem bark was obtained using cold maceration method. The rats received varied doses of extract (200-2000 mg/kg body weight, bwt) orally with the aid of gavage for a period of 28 days (4 weeks). Concentration of Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) was used as the therapeutic index. Results: Aqueous extract of D. guineense stem bark significantly reduced the FBG levels of normal Wistar rats (p<0.05). The graded and quantal dose response curves showed that 1000 mg/kg bwt was effective in reducing the blood glucose of rats (produced the best hypoglycemic effect).

Phytochemical investigation and cytotoxicity study of Indigofera zollingeriana crude extract

This study aimed to identify the phytochemical constituents in Indigofera zollingeriana (I.zollingeriana) leaves crude extracts and their cytotoxicity activity against different cell lines. The I.zollingeriana leaves were extracted using the cold maceration method, where the leaves were macerated in the ethanol, acetonitrile, acetone, and chloroform separately at room temperature. The total phenolic content (TPC), total tannin content (TTC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of the crude extract were determined spectrophotometrically. Ethanol extract gave a higher value of TPC, TTC, and TFC (71.38, 50.06, and 8.43 mg/g, respectively) compared to the other solvents. In GC–MS analysis, ethanol extract showed the presence of 59 compounds, while LC-MS analysis showed the abundant presence of triphenylphosphine oxide (95.00%). The cytotoxicity of the ethanol crude extract against different cell lines namely human lung fibroblast (MRC5), African green monkey kidney (Vero), human epithelium lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines were determined. The cytotoxicity results revealed that the IC50 for ethanol extract against cancer cells (A549 and MCF-7) were 49.26 and 75.70 µg/ml, respectively. The IC50 value for ethanol extract against Vero cells was 58.98 µg/ml, while for MRC5 cells was declared non-toxic with IC50 value was > 100.00 µg/ml.

The Effect of Pre-Extraction Preparation on Antioxidant Compounds of Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr. Leaves Extracts

Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr. (Phyllanthaceae) is a green vegetable. It is rich in natural antioxidant compounds such as phenolics and flavonoids. The pre-extraction preparation can affect the results of extracting compounds from natural materials. This study aims to determine the effect of pre-extraction procedures, including sample form (fresh/dried), drying process (oven-drying/indirect sunlight-drying/air-drying), and particle size (ground/powdered) on total phenolic and flavonoid levels of ethanolic extracts of S. androgynus leaves and their antioxidant activity against DPPH radicals. S. androgynus leaves were extracted using the cold maceration method. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extract were determined by the colorimetric method using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Antioxidant activity was measured based on the ability of the extracts to reduce DPPH free radicals. The results showed that the pre-extraction preparation influenced the antioxidant components obtained in S. androgynus leaves. According to sample form, fresh leaves contained a higher phenolics and flavonoids (33.66 mg GAE/g and 11.61 mg QE/g, respectively) than dried leaves. Whereas according to particle size, powdered dried leaves have higher phenolics and flavonoids content (45.12 mg GAE/g and 12.54 mg QE/g, respectively) than ground dried leaves. The leaves drying method that produced the highest phenolic content was oven-drying (47.08 mg GAE/g), while the one with the highest flavonoid content was air-drying (8.87 mg QE/g). All extracts had IC50 values against DPPH radicals around 85.71-93.91 ppm. Pre-extraction preparation in optimum condition makes the extraction process more efficient and effective in obtaining the target compounds with antioxidant activities.