Crude Dichloromethane Extract Research Articles

Monoterpene Hydroxy Lactones Isolated from Thalassiosira sp. Microalga and Their Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities.

Two monoterpenoid lactones, loliolide (1) and epi-loliolide (2), were isolated from the crude dichloromethane extract of a microalga, Thalassiosira sp.). The structures of loliolide (1) and epi-loliolide (2) were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR analysis, as well as a comparison of their 1H or/and 13C NMR data with those reported in the literature. In the case of loliolide (1), the absolute configurations of its stereogenic carbons were confirmed by X-ray analysis, whereas those of epi-loliolide (2) were determined by NOESY correlations. Loliolide (1) and epi-loliolide (2) were tested for their growth inhibitory activity against two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212) and two Gram-negative (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853) bacteria, as well as one clinical isolate (E. coli SA/2, an extended-spectrum β-lactamase producer-ESBL) and two environmental isolates, S. aureus 74/24, a methicillin-resistant (MRSA), and E. faecalis B3/101, a vancomycin-resistant (VRE) isolates. The results showed that none of the tested compounds exhibited antibacterial activity at the highest concentrations tested (325 μM), and both revealed low antioxidant activity, with ORAC values of 2.786 ± 0.070 and 2.520 ± 0.319 µmol TE/100 mg for loliolide (1) and epi-loliolide (2), respectively.

In vivo Studies on the Effect of Warburgia ugandensis Crude Extracts Against Bacterial wilt in Tomato

Tomato plants are susceptible to Ralstonia solanacearum, a pathogen responsible for bacterial wilt, a severe soil-borne disease with no available cure. Warburgia ugandensis crude extract has shown biocontrol capabilities against pathogenic fungi and bacteria in animals, but data on its effectiveness in plants is limited. The current study was done to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of W. ugandensis crude extracts against R. solanacearum in tomato plants. W. ugandensis leaf and stem bark crude extracts were obtained using ethanol, methanol, hexane, and dichloromethane. The obtained crude extracts were tested against R. solanacearum in tomato at the greenhouse in triplicate. The data collected on bacterial wilt incidence, severity, stem diameter, height, and the number of branches and fruits set were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a 5% significance level. Tukey’s test was employed to determine significant differences between means at the same significance level. Tomato plants established in soil inoculated with R. solanacearum and treated with dichloromethane crude extract of W. ugandensis stem bark showed no sign of bacterial wilt disease and were comparable to the positive control. Tomato plants established in soil inoculated with R. solanacearum but treated with W. ugandensis leaf ethanol crude extract had the highest average height of 62.50 cm which was similar to positive control. Tomato plants grown in R. solanacearum-inoculated soils and treated with methanol crude extracts from W. ugandensis stem bark produced a significantly higher average number of fruits, 22.00, compared to those treated with crude extracts from other solvents. The study proposed that W. ugandensis crude extract has the ability to be used as antibacterial biocontrol against R. solanacearum. Further research is important to determine the bioactive compounds against R. solanacearum.

Phytochemical Profiling Studies of Alkaloids and Coumarins from the Australian Plant Geijera parviflora Lindl. (Rutaceae) and Their Anthelmintic and Antimicrobial Assessment.

Phytochemical profiling followed by antimicrobial and anthelmintic activity evaluation of the Australian plant Geijera parviflora, known for its customary use in Indigenous Australian ceremonies and bush medicine, was performed. In the present study, seven previously reported compounds were isolated including auraptene, 6'-dehydromarmin, geiparvarin, marmin acetonide, flindersine, and two flindersine derivatives from the bark and leaves, together with a new compound, chlorogeiparvarin, formed as an artefact during the isolation procedure and isolated as a mixture with geiparvarin. Chemical profiling allowed for a qualitative and quantitative comparison of the compounds in the leaves, bark, flowers, and fruit of this plant. Subsequently, a subset of these compounds as well as crude extracts from the plant were evaluated for their antimicrobial and anthelmintic activities. Anthelmintic activity assays showed that two of the isolated compounds, auraptene and flindersine, as well as the dichloromethane and methanol crude extracts of G. parviflora, displayed significant activity against a parasitic nematode (Haemonchus contortus). This is the first report of the anthelmintic activity associated with these compounds and indicates the importance of such fundamental explorations for the discovery of bioactive phytochemicals for therapeutic application(s).

Inhibition of Ralstonia solanacearum by Warburgia ugandensis stem bark and leaf crude extracts obtained using organic solvents

Ralstonia solanacearum is a soil-borne bacterial pathogen that poses significant threat to the Solanaceae family and other crops. It causes widespread bacterial wilt, a devastating disease that affects the plant's water transport system, leading to wilting and death. Numerous chemical agents and treatment methods have been employed in attempts to control R. solanacearum, but are ineffective. The study aimed to determine the in vitro efficacy of W. ugandensis stem bark and leaf crude extracts against R. solanacearum. W. ugandensis stem bark and leaf crude extracts were obtained using organic solvents viz. methanol, ethanol, dichloromethane and hexane. In vitro, antagonistic activities against R. solanacearum of all organic crude extracts of W. ugandensis were determined by standard agar well diffusion assay on Kelman’s 2, 3, 5- triphenyl tetrazolium chloride medium in triplicates. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used in the statistical analysis of the mean diameter inhibition zones. All the organic solvents crude extracts of W. ugandensis were inhibitive against R. solanacearum. However, the stem bark crude extracts exhibited significantly higher efficacy against R. solanacearum compared to the leaf crude extracts. The crude extracts were subjected to a serial dilution to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). W. ugandensis stem bark dichloromethane crude extracts had the lowest MIC of 1 mg/ml. W. ugandensis stem bark dichloromethane crude extracts were most effective against R. solanacearum. Further research is important to determine the bioactive compounds against R. solanacearum in W. ugandensis stem bark dichloromethane crude extracts.

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and α-pyrones isolated from Cantinoa stricta.

This study evaluated the composition and the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of the crude extracts and two isolated compounds, anamarine (ANA) and 10-epi-olguine (eOL), obtained from the leaves of Cantinoa stricta (Lamiaceae). Crude ethanolic extract (EEt) and dichloromethane extract (DCM), selected based on NMR data, were submitted to pharmacological tests in male Swiss mice. The oral administration of EEt and DCM significantly reduced the second phase of formalin-induced nociception (60%), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mechanical hyperalgesia (90%), and carrageenan (Cg)-induced edema (25%). ANA and eOL, the major compounds in EEt and DCM extracts, administered orally or locally (in the paw), also reduced the LPS-induced mechanical hyperalgesia (Oral ID50 1.9 and 3.9mg/kg; Local ID50 93.4 and 677.3ng, respectively) without changing the thermal acute nociception or the motor performance of the animals. Local administration of ANA and eOL also reduced Cg-induced edema (40 and 23%, respectively). These isolated compounds did not change the mechanical hyperalgesia induced by tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, prostaglandin E2, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, or forskolin but reversed the hyperalgesia induced by dopamine, epinephrine, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The hyperalgesia induced by epinephrine was reversed in male but not in female mice, in which this response is not dependent on protein kinase C (PKC). These results suggest thatC. strictaextracts possess antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity which is related to the presence of ANA and eOL. Differently from the known analgesics, these substances seem to exert their action mainly interfering with the sympathetic component of pain, possibly with PKC.

Phytochemical characterization by GC-MS and in vitro evaluation of antiproliferative and antimigratory studies of Leucas aspera leaf extracts on MDA-MB-231 cell line.

Breast cancer is the most recurrently identified and one of women's prominent causes of death. Currently, researchers have turned their focus on natural chemicals from synthetic chemicals due to their environmental, economic, and health benefits. Considering this, the medicinal plant Leucas aspera was chosen for the current study. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize secondary metabolites from L. aspera and determine the antiproliferative and antimigratory activities in the MDA-MB-231 cell line under in vitro conditions. Phytochemicals from L. aspera were isolated through sequential extraction using hexane, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate. These extracts were qualitatively screened, subjected to FT-IR, and analyzed using GC-MS. The antiproliferative activity was determined through the MTT assay. Scratch assay was utilized to determine the antimigratory activity of the plant extracts. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of steroids, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, galactose, tannins, saponins, and amino acids in the extracts. The results of the cell viability assay indicated that the crude dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts inhibited cell proliferation, with inhibitory concentrations of 5 and 3 μg/ml, respectively. In contrast, the crude hexane extract did not exhibit any cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the scratch assay results showed that the plant extracts had cell migration inhibitory properties. The outcomes of the current study conclude that L. aspera possesses active therapeutic agents with strong anticancer potential, effectively impeding the proliferation and invasion of MDA-MB-231. Further studies are needed to identify the potential active agents that contribute to these activities.

Extractives from Artemisia afra with Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Fungal Properties.

Secondary metabolites were isolated using chromatographic techniques after being extracted sequentially from the roots of Artemisia afra using organic solvents such as ethanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and n-hexane. The isolated compounds were evaluated for anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and cytotoxicity activities. Spectroscopic techniques, including Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), were used to elucidate the structures of the isolated compounds. The phytochemical investigation of A. afra led to the isolation of eight (A-H) compounds which were identified as 3β-taraxerol (A), 3β-taraxerol acetate (B), dodecyl-p-coumarate (C), ferulic acid (D), scopoletin (E), sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (F), 3,5-di-O-feruloylquinic acid (G) and Isofraxidin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (H) based on spectroscopic data. Compounds A, B, C, F, G, and H are known but were isolated for the first time from the roots of A. afra. The isolated compounds and extracts from A. afra exhibited good anti-fungal and anti-bacterial activity with dichloromethane and ethyl acetate crude extracts (0.078 mg/mL) and compound E (62.5 µg/mL) showed good activities against Escherichia coli. Compounds C and F also showed good activity against Enterococcus faecalis with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 62.5 and 31.25 µg/mL, respectively. Extracts and compounds (A-H) exhibited anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties and showed no toxicity when tested on Vero monkey kidney (Vero) cells.

Nitric Oxide Inhibitory Activity of Crude Extracts and Extraction Time and Temperature Optimization of Pectin from Cissampelos pareira Leaves

This research studied crude extracts of Cissampelos pareira leaves using fi ve solvents as hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and ethanol for nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity and maximize pectin yields from facile green extraction. Five crude hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and ethanol extracts were obtained from the leaves of C. pareira at 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.3%, 3%, and 1%, respectively. The hexane, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate extracts showed the most potent decrease in NO production with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 49.85±5.07, 56.26±1.49, and 64.55±2.37 (μg/mL), respectively. Concentrations of all crude extracts of C. pareira indicated no cellular toxicity. Pectin was aqueously extracted at 40 to 90 °C for 15 to 120 min and yields and quality were examined. Highest pectin yield (36.12%) was obtained after 60 min at 60 °C, with quality meeting the criteria established by the International Pectin Producers Association (IPPA) and categorized as high methoxyl pectin.

Anti-Multidrug resistant activity of endophytic fungi isolated from the stem of Tradescantia pallida against Gram-positive pathogens

The present study aimed at the isolation and in vitro anti-MRSA and antioxidant properties of endophytic fungi derived from the stem of Tradescantia pallida. The fungal endophytes were isolated in a PDA agar medium. A total of seven isolates were recovered. Sequential solvent extraction was done using different polarity solvents and the crude extracts obtained were tested for their antagonistic activity against drug-resistant bacteria. In vitro, the antioxidant activity of the potent fungus was carried out by DPPH assay. Crude extract from TPS2 isolate displayed maximum inhibition towards Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 and 700699. It also exhibited free radical scavenging activity in the range of 30 to - 85%. The potential isolate was identified as Aspergillus niger. Thus, we conclude that the dichloromethane crude extract of A.niger fungal can produce antibacterial and antioxidant compounds. Hence the bioactive metabolites can be probed as antibacterial agents in treating infectious diseases.

Isolation and Characterization of Compounds from Ochreinauclea maingayi (Hook. f.) Ridsd. (Rubiaceae) with the Aid of LCMS/MS Molecular Networking

Phytochemical investigation of the dichloromethane crude extract from the bark of Ochreinauclea maingayi with the aid of LCMS/MS-based molecular networking guided the isolation and accelerated the elucidation of known and new indole alkaloids. The molecular networking analysis produces two main clusters, along with 41 non-prioritized clusters and self-loop nodes. Each cluster has several nodes which depict the fractions contained within those nodes. An implementation of a fraction mapping for each node represents the molecular weight and key fragment data of each compound. From the analysis of each cluster and node, we can deduce the indole alkaloids are the scaffold of interest. Indole scaffold can be found between F5 and F10 that contain several types of indole alkaloids. In total, we have successfully purified nine indole alkaloids, including 9H-β-carboline-4-carboxylate 2, norharmane 3, harmane 4, naucledine 10, neonaucline 15, 1,2,3,4-tetranorharmane-1-one 16, naulafine 19, cadambine 9, and a new monoterpene indole alkaloid dihyrodeglycocadambine 7 from F5 to F10 using a chromatographic technique. Their structures were confirmed by 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR, UV, IR, LCMS, and MS2LDA. Several clusters and nodes contain ions that could not be annotated, suggesting that they may possess novel compounds that are yet to be discovered.

Phytoconstituents and Antimycobacterial Activities of Root Extracts and Fractions from Vernonia glabra, (Steetz) Vatke

Vernonia glabra is used by Malawian traditional healers to treat a myriad of ailments including shingles, diabetes, dysentery, diarrhoea, cough, wounds, gonorrhoea, and gastrointestinal problems. This study evaluated phytoconstituents and the in vitro antimycobacterial activities of the crude extracts and fractions from roots of Vernonia glabra. Agar disk diffusion and modified broth microdilution assays were used to determine the antimycobacterial activities of dichloromethane (DCM) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) crude extracts and fractions from the roots. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses were used to characterise the major compounds in the crude extracts and fractions. The EtOAc fraction exhibited the highest antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. The EtOAc fraction achieved a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 4.88 μg/mL and a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 38.37 μg/mL, whereas gentamycin, a standard drug, achieved MIC and IC50 values of 3.13 μg/mL and 3.88 μg/mL, respectively. GC-MS and FTIR analyses of the EtOAc fractions revealed the presence of hexadecenoic acid, methyl ester (0.39%), diisooctyl phthalate (24.56%), oxalic acid, allyl undecyl ester (4.66%), bis(2-ethylhexylphthalate) (5.41%), octacosane (51.12%), tetradecane (12.63%), phenol, 3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) (0.07%), and 2-hydroxy-4-methylbenzaldehyde (6.47%). The identified compounds are reported in the literature to possess antimicrobial and anticancer activities. It was evident from the comparison of the hill slope (HS) values of the dose-response curves of the fraction (−1.005) and its crude extract (−1.322) that repeated fractionation improved the activity. Therefore, this study showed that the roots of Vernonia glabra present a potential source of new leads for antimycobacterial drugs.

BIOACTIVITY, HEMOLYTIC EFFECT AND ANTIBACTERIAL SCREENING OF METHANOL, ETHANOL AND DICHLOROMETHANE CRUDE EXTRACTS FROM THE FIRE CORALS, Millepora dichotoma AND Millepora platyphylla OF MARSA ALAM, RED SEA, EGYPT

Preliminary investigation on crude extracts from two fire coral species, Millepora dichotoma (Md) and Millepora platyphylla (Mp), those found along the Egyptian Red Sea coast of Marsa Alam, were collected for bioactivity screening. The bacterial activity and hemolytic effect of the methanol (MeOH), ethanol (EthOH) and dichloromethane (DCM) crude extracts of Md and Mp coral species were tested for their activity against various bacteria, namely; Klebsiela sp., Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus, while hemolytic effects of the crude extracts were tested on human red blood cells (RBC). The results showed differential effects of all coral crude extracts on the tested bacteria, while no hemolytic signs were detected among all the RBC samples. It is recommended to enhance the crude extracts studies form fire corals species as it could be a challenge to use them in safe medical and pharmaceutical applications.

In vitro Antioxidant activity, FTIR analysis and Total Phenolic content of Endophytic Fungus Penicillium sp. isolated from Boerhaavia diffusa L.

Endophytes from medicinal plants are a significant source of various novel biologically active secondary metabolites. Endophytic fungi are a group of fungi that colonize the internal part of the plants without causing any immediate harmful effects. Our study mainly focuses on the isolation and identification of endophytic fungi from the medicinal plant Boerhaavia diffusa Linn belonging to the family Nyctaginaceae. Penicillium sp., a fungal endophyte isolated from Boerhaavia diffusa L. leaves for their bioactive potential. The fungal culture was further grown and extracted by various solvents such as dichloromethane (DCM), butanol and methanol. Different crude extracts were used to study their phytochemical composition, total phenolic content, 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The present study reveals that phytochemical screening of different fungal crude extracts indicates the presence of phenol, flavonoids, saponins, tannin, and terpenoids. Dichloromethane crude extract exhibited the highest total phenolic content of 14.4±0.018mg of GAE/g of extract and DPPH scavenging activity of 96% when compared to other solvent extracts. FTIR analysis revealed various functional groups of the compounds present in the extracts. The results indicated that the endophytic fungi Penicillium sp. isolated from medicinal plant Boerhaavia diffusa L. could be a significant source of bioactive compounds.

Repellency and Toxicity of Selected Fractions, Identified Compounds and Blends of Commiphora africana Resin Against Bedbugs

Bedbugs are blood-feeding arthropods that cause anemia in humans upon heavy feeding. Control measures are unsuccessful due to resistance to development, environmental pollution, and cost. There is a need to explore natural herbal-based phytochemicals to combat bedbugs. In this study, compounds from Comiphora africana resin were sequentially extracted, fractionated, identified, and evaluated against bedbugs as individual compounds and in combinations. The chemical constituents of the most active fraction were identified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Results showed that the dichloromethane crude extract had the highest mean repellency (98.5% with an LC50 of 4.96 mg/L after 24 and 72 h of exposure time, respectively), similar to the positive control (neocidol). Column chromatographic separation of the dichloromethane extract yielded 9 fractions where “FR7” (eluted with 60% n-hexane in ethyl acetate) demonstrated the highest mean repellency of 79.0% with an LC50 of 10.12 mg/L after 2 and 24 h exposure times, respectively. From the identified compounds of FR7, cedrol had significantly ( P < .05) higher mean repellency (80.5%) after 6 h of exposure and toxicity (27.43 mg/L) after 24 h exposure. A six-constituent blend of compounds from FR7 [9-octadecenoic acid-ethyl-ester, octadecadien-1-ol, citronellyl formate, cedrol, n-hexadecanoic acid, (1,2)-dihydro-6-methoxy-naphthalene] had the highest mean repellency (93.4% after 12 h exposure) and toxicity (8.83 mg/L after 72 h exposure) than the other blends and individual compounds. This study reports fractions/compounds that can be used in bedbug control measures.

α-glucosidase inhibition activities of crude extract and mitragynine from Mitragyna Speciosa Korth

The capability in holding the activities of α-glucosidase (1U/mL) of crude extract and mitragynine from Mitragyna speciosa Korth 10 mg/mL. Crude ethyl acetate extracts 61.52±0.47% (IC50 = 17.28 mg/mL) which closed to acarbose 78.94±2.97% (IC50 = 15.74 mg/mL). Minimum density acarbose 0.1562 mg/mL, 4.95±5.96%, crude hexane extracts 2.5 mg/mL, 0.78±11.52%, crude dichloromethane extracts 2.5 mg/mL, 4.40±7.73%, crude ethyl acetate extracts 0.3125 mg/mL, 0.51±5.20 %, crude ethanol extracts 1.25 mg/mL, 0.29±2.54%, crude methanol extracts 0.625 mg/mL, 0.71±0.49%, fractions c (Mitragynine) 5 mg/mL, 1.54±4.50%, crude water extracts, fractions a and b, it was found that there was no activity holding of glucosidase enzyme which meant that korth had the ability to hold the activity of α-glucosidase enzyme in extracting by ethyl acetate. It was also another treatment option and to reduce adverse effects from medication in patients with type 2 diabetes. According to research, the effects of consuming korth leaves should be cautious. Studies on the neuroprotective effects of mitragynine showed that mitragynine could stimulate the nervous system just like cocaine, thereby causing nausea and vomiting. Additionally, korth leaf extract had been reported to be toxic to the liver and kidneys.

Cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of isolated compounds from Monsonia angustifolia and Dodonaea angustifolia

Ethnopharmacological relevanceMonsonia angustifolia is traditionally used to treat anthrax, heartburn, diarrhea, eye infections and hemorrhoids. Dodonaea angustifolia is frequently used as a treatment for dental pain, microbial infections and jungle fever. The two plant species were selected due to the presence of secondary metabolites such as coumarins, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and polyphenolics from the crude extracts, which exhibit pharmacological significance. The pure isolated compounds from the crude extracts are known for their diverse structures and interesting pharmacophores. AimTo isolate and identify antibacterial and antifungal chemical constituents from Monsonia angustifolia and Dodonaea angustifolia plant extracts and evaluate the cytotoxicity of pure compounds from the crude extracts. Materials and methodsExtractives from M. angustifolia and D. angustifolia plants were isolated using chromatographic techniques and structures were elucidated based on NMR, IR and MS spectroscopic techniques. A microplate serial dilution method was used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of extracts and pure compounds against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. The cytotoxicity was determined using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. ResultsThe dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol crude extracts from the plants exhibited significant inhibition of microbial growth. The phytochemical investigation of these active crude extracts led to the isolation of five pure active compounds, 5-methoxyjusticidin A (1), cis-phytyl diterpenoidal fatty acid ester (2), stigmasterol (3), β-sitosterol (4) and 5-hydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyflavone (5). Stigmasterol (3) showed good antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans with a minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 25 μg/mL and Candida albicans (MIC = 50 μg/mL). ConclusionCompounds (1–5) isolated from Monsonia angustifolia and Dodonaea angustifolia showed antibacterial and antifungal activities and were non-toxic against Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and VERO monkey kidney (VERO) cells.

In-vitro anti-gonorrheal activity of a sesquiterpene lactone, xerantholide, isolated from the leaves of Pechuel-loeschea leubnitziae

Gonorrhea is the second most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the world. The global increase in the spread of gonorrhea is due to the fact that Neisseria gonorrhoeae has developed resistance to antimicrobials used as first-line treatments. In the search for new anti-gonorrheal agents, this study seeks to validate the use of a medicinal plant, namely, Pechuel-loeschea leubnitziae, for which both the root and the leaf extracts are commonly used as a remedy for gonorrhea. Bioassay guided fractionation of dichloromethane and methanol crude extracts (MIC50 = 0.730 - 3.07 mg/mL) was carried out. From the most active fraction F6, nearly colorless crystals were isolated and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis identified the compound as a known sesquiterpene lactone, xerantholide. The compound showed activity against N. gonorrhoeae (MIC50 = 0.095 mg/mL) comparable with tetracycline, a positive control. This study shows that P. leubnitziae extracts have in-vitro anti-gonococcal activity and that xerantholide is the active anti-gonorrheal ingredient. The finding supports the traditional use of this plant to treat gonorrhea. This is the first report on the activity of xerantholide isolated from P. leubnitziae crude leaf extract against N. gonorrhoeae.

Phytochemicals and Bioactivities of Syzygium filiformevar. filiforme

Syzygium filiforme var. filiforme is a plant variety from dicotyledonous plant family (Myrtaceae). Phytochemical studies on S. filiforme var. filiforme stem bark have successfully isolated and characterized arjunolic acid (1), alphitolic acid (2), betulinic acid (3), ursolic acid (4), ursolic acid 3-methyl ester (5), β-sitosterol (6) and stigmasterol (7). The inhibitory activities against free radical, starch, and bacteria for major compounds were tested by using DPPH, α-glucosidase and minimum inhibitory and bacterial concentration assays, respectively. No promising antioxidant activity was shown on tested samples except methanolic crude extract. For antidiabetic activity, methanolic and dichloromethane crude extracts displayed potent activity compared to 1-deoxynojirimycin. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bacterial concentration (MBC) assays for antibacterial activity were evaluated on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis. All crude extracts and major compounds displayed weak and no promising activities for MIC method, respectively. Meanwhile, for MBC method, hexane crude extract and compound 1 showed inhibition against B. subtilis.

In Vivo and In Vitro Evaluation of Preventive Activity of Inflammation and Free Radical Scavenging Potential of Plant Extracts from Oldenlandia corymbosa L.

Aims: The present study evaluates the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of the crude dichloromethane (CDCME), ethyl acetate (CEAE), and methanol (CMeE) extracts from the plant Oldenlandia corymbosa L. Background:Oldenlandia species have been popular among the people of the Indian subcontinent to treat several types of internal and external inflammation for a long time. Plant decoctions have been used to battle inflammation in cases of tonsilitis, pneumonia and cholecystitis, among others. Objective: The present work designed to demonstrate the properties of the previously mentioned plant extracts to prevent inflammation both in vivo and in vitro. This work is the first investigation of such extracts from this species and their relationship with anti-inflammatory activity. Method: The anti-inflammatory properties of the Oldenlandia corymbosa L. extracts were evaluated in vitro with the Red Blood Cell (RBC) membrane stabilization method and the protein denaturation method and in vivo with the carrageenan-induced paw oedema method. Furthermore, the free radical scavenging activity of the extracts was carried out with the 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical oxidation, total antioxidant capacity and iron reduction assay. Result: Both in vivo and in vitro studies showed that CDCME had the most predominant effects with the value of 80.5% for RBC membrane stabilization, 60% for inhibition of protein denaturation at the concentration of 1000 µg/mL and 63.28% (after 3 h, * p < 0.05) for inhibition of paw oedema (300 mg/kg bwt) compared to carrageenan-induced mice. The free radical scavenging activity was studied by DPPH, total antioxidant and reducing activity assay. CDCME showed scavenging activity in all the methods and an IC50 value of 473.86 µg/mL for DPPH method. Conclusions: The findings of the study remarked that CDCME of the plant has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that validate the traditional use of the plant to get remedy from pain. Other: The plants Oldenlandia corymbosa L. were provided by the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratory campus, Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Experiments on animals were conducted by ethical permission of Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh (license no: 225/320-IAMEBBC/IBSc).

Oral toxicity of various Stemona collinsiae crude extracts against nymph and adult stages of American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (Dictyoptera: Blattodea)

Stemona collinsiae exhibits insecticidal resistance against various pests and insect vectors. However, insecticidal activity of S. collinsiae roots has not been tested for some insect vectors, including the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana. The synanthropic insect P. americana is a reservoir of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms and a cause of infectious diseases and cockroach allergy. This important vector transmits microorganisms to animals and humans to cause vector-borne diseases. This research involved detection of the nymphicidal and adulticidal activities of S. collinsiae root extracts against P. americana through oral administration. The effects of hexane, dichloromethane, ethanol, and water crude extracts were tested on final instar nymphs and adult P. americana. After P. americana ingested bait containing hexane and dichloromethane crude extracts, signs of toxicity occurred, such as hind leg shaking, whole-body tremor, immobility, abdomen swelling, and death. At 48 h, the nymphs and adult P. americana that ingested dichloromethane crude extract-containing bait showed corrected mortality of 65%–100% and 20%–100%, respectively. Whereas none of the nymphs and adult P. americana that ingested the water crude extract-containing bait died (0% corrected mortality). When we dissected alimentary canals of the dead P. americana that had ingested dichloromethane and hexane crude extract-containing baits, the foreguts were found to be swollen. TLC analysis showed the dichloromethane and hexane crude extracts contained the alkaloid didehydrostemofoline and unknown fluorescent substances. Phytochemicals from crude extracts were detected in extracts of dissected alimentary canals using thin-layer chromatography, and didehydrostemofoline alkaloid and unknown fluorescent substances were found in cockroaches that ingested dichloromethane- and hexane-containing baits. The cause of death of P. americana may be attributed to alkaloids and synergistic effects of other substances in S. collinsiae root extract. Mechanisms of action might include several pathways involved in nervous system function. Thus, dichloromethane and hexane crude extracts can be developed as alternative active ingredients in a natural insecticide for cockroach control.