Crude Ethanol Research Articles

Bioassay-guided isolation and identification of anti-obesity phytochemicals from fruits of Amomum tsao-ko

Amomum tsao-ko (Zingiberaceae), an important traditional medicinal herb, possesses many biological activities, including anti-inflammatory effects. Though the anti-obesity properties of the crude ethanol extract of A. tsao-ko fruits have been reported, the anti-adipogenic properties of its phytochemical constituents have not been reported. Therefore, in the present study, we isolated the active constituents of A. tsao-ko and investigated their anti-adipogenic effects. The bioassay-guided isolation of the phytochemicals from the ethanol extract of A. tsao-ko fruits identified four bioactive compounds, comprising one fatty acid (1), one sesquiterpene alcohol (2), and two phenolic compounds (3 and 4). Their structures were elucidated by a combination of 1D and/or 2D nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. The anti-adipogenic activities of the four compounds evaluated by Oil Red O staining in 3T3-L1 cells revealed that the treatment with the isolated compounds 1 and 3 reduced the lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes more strongly than the compounds 2 and 4, in a dose-dependent manner.

A Blue-Purple Pigment-Producing Bacterium Isolated from the Vezelka River in the City of Belgorod.

Violacein is a biotechnologically significant secondary metabolite due to its antibacterial, antifungal, and other properties. Isolation, research, and identification of violacein producing strains are of interest for the development of biotechnological processes, in order to enhance the biosynthesis of this compound. The purpose of the present work was to study the properties of a newly isolated bacterium capable of synthesizing blue-purple pigment. An aboriginal bacterium was isolated from the coastal zone of the Vezelka River in the city of Belgorod. Based on chemical and spectrophotometric studies of the crude ethanol extract, the pigment was identified as violacein, and the isolate was assigned to the group of violacein-forming bacteria, which includes bacteria of the genera Chromobacterium, Iodobacter, Janthinobacterium, Duganella, Collimonas, and Massilia. Based on cultural, morphological, tinctorial, physiological, and biochemical properties, as well as analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, the new isolated strain was assigned to the genus Janthinobacterium. The isolated strain is capable of suppressing the growth of a number of fungal and bacterial phytopathogens. For representatives of the genus Janthinobacterium, their inhibitory influence on cyanobacteria was shown for the first time.

An assessment of the molluscicidal potential of Cucurbita maxima seed extracts on Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Bulinus globosus snails

Reports of snails’ resistance to niclosamide appeared recently and finding new molluscicides becomes necessary. We investigated the molluscicidal effects of Cucurbita maxima seed extracts on Biomphalaria pfeifferi, and Bulinus globosus snails under laboratory conditions. For B. pfeifferi, we tested seed extracts on juvenile and adult snails while only adult B. globosus were available for testing. Snails were exposed to water and crude ethanol extracts for 72 h and significant concentration-dependent mortality rates were observed. The number of B. pfeifferi juveniles collected was not enough for a comprehensive investigation against both solvents. We, therefore, tested them against water extracts only. A lethal concentration of 0.02 mg/mL killed 50% of the snails (LC50) for both water and ethanol extracts on adult B. pfeifferi snails. Our results suggest that pumpkin seed extracts have a significant molluscicidal effect on B. pfeifferi and B. globosus snails. The LC50 values for all the extracts in B. pfeifferi and B. globosus snails are within the threshold set for potential molluscicides by the World Health Organisation. We propose that C.maxima seed extracts be considered as potential molluscicidal agents in Schistosomiasis transmission control.

Antimicrobial Activity of the Crude Ethanolic Extract of Carrichtera annua DC. Collected from Sinai, Egypt

Carrichtera annua a plant belonging to family Brassicaceae was selected to be evaluated for its antimicrobial activity against a number of microorganisms. The powdered plant was extracted with ethanol until exhaustion. The concentrated ethanol extract was tested against a number of fungi, gram positive and gram-negative bacteria. The results revealed that the extract showed a significant and promising activity towards Aspergillus fumigatus, Proteus vulgaris, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition zones equal 17, 15, 13 and 11 mm. respectively. However, it displayed a weak activity on Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiella pneumonia. In contrast, the extract was inactive against Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum, Bacillus cereus, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Additionally, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined and illustrated that, the most susceptible organisms to C. annua were Aspergillus fumigatus and Proteus vulgaris with MIC of 2.5 mg/mL and 5 mg/mL respectively. Therefore, C. annua could be considered as a promising source for effective antimicrobial agent.

THE ANTIBACTERIAL EFFICACY OF ETHANOL EXTRACTS OBTAINED FROM LEAVES OF SOME THYMUS SPECIES (LAMIACEAE) AGAINST STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS SUBSP. AUREUS STRAIN

A convincing number of investigations that indicate that thymol with other metabolites exhibited potent antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiparasitic properties prompted us to verify the antibacterial efficacy of four species and one interspecific hybrid of the Thymus genus collected in the western part of Ukraine against Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus (ATCC® 29213™) strain. Considering the points highlighted above and based on previous results obtained in our laboratory, in the current study, we decided to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of five ethanol extracts obtained from leaves of Thymus representatives against Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus (ATCC® 29213™) strain. Fresh leaves were washed, weighed, crushed, and homogenized in 96 % ethanol (in proportion 1:19) at room temperature. The extracts were then filtered and investigated for their antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial activity was determined using the agar disk diffusion assay. The ethanol extracts obtained from leaves of Thymus plants showed different antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus (ATCC® 29213™) strain. The antibacterial activity of extracts was greatest for Th. serpyllum followed by Th. pannonicus followed by Th. pulegioides, Th. alpestris, and then by Th. x porcii. Since the antibacterial effectiveness of medicinal plants varies dramatically depending on the phytochemical characteristics of plant families and subfamilies, it is not surprising to note the difference in this efficacy even when using samples taken from the same plant, but from two different regions. The antimicrobial activity of the crude ethanol extracts obtained from leaves of Thymus plants may be attributed to specific compounds or a combination of compounds. The present study lays the basis for future research, to validate the possible use of Thymus species as a candidate in the treatment of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureusin medicine and veterinary.

Crude and Partition Extracts of Newbouldia laevis Leaves Attenuate Excitotoxin-induced Stereotypy in Mice

Aims: This study was designed to investigate the effects of crude ethanol and partition extracts of Newbouldia laevis leaves on excitotoxin-induced stereotypy in mice.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Laboratory of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, between July and October, 2020.
 Methodology: Following pretreatment of mice with graded doses (150 - 600 mg/kg b.w) of crude extract (NLE) and partition fractions [n-butanol partition fraction (BPE), n-hexane partition fraction (HPE) and ethylacetate partition fraction (EAPE)] of Newbouldia laevis leaves, stereotypy was induced by the administration of methamphetamine (35 mg/kg b.w) and apomorphine (5mg/kg b.w.), and stereotypy scores were recorded thereafter. The effects of BPE and NLE on catalepsy were also determined. Statistical significance was taken at P<0.05
 Results: In both apomorphine and methamphetamine models, stereotyped behavior was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the treated mice compared to the control. The degree of protection offered by Newbouldia laevis extracts against excitotoxin-induced stereotypy was in the order: BPE>NLE>EAPE>HPE. In the catalepsy test, BPE (600 mg/kg b.w) significantly potentiated haloperidol-induced catalepsy compared to control (P<0.05). Likewise, NLE significantly increased catalepsy compared to control (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate that crude and partition extracts of Newbouldia laevis leaves attenuated stereotypy in methamphetamine and apomorphine models, and thus could be effective remedy for schizophrenia-like psychosis.

Corrosion Inhibition of Cu-Zn-Fe Alloy in Hydrochloric Acid Medium by Crude Ethanol Extracts from Roots-Leaves Synergy of Solanum melongena

The corrosion inhibition of Cu-Zn-Fe alloy in hydrochloric acid medium by crude ethanol extracts from roots-leaves synergy of Solanum melongena have been studied with chemical methods (mass loss and gasometric methods). At 3.0 grams per litre concentration of the roots-leaves synergy of Solanum melongena, it was observed that a 98.8 % inhibition efficiency was recorded as corrosion rate of alloy was decreasing with inhibitor increase. Temperature evaluation on the inhibitor showed 99.2 > 88.4 > 85.6 % as trial was conducted from 303-323 respectively, and in respect to increasing concentration, corrosion rate was found to be 1.718 > 0.013, 0.0192 and 0.247 at 303, 313 and 323 respectively. All these present a good result for the synergistic inhibitor and a proof of its efficiency in controlling the corrosion of Cu-Zn-Fe alloy in hydrochloric acid medium. Inhibition mechanism was deduced from the activation and thermodynamic parameters that govern the process. Adsorption of extract on the Cu-Zn-Fe alloy was found to obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The phenomenon of physical adsorption is proposed from the obtained thermodynamic parameters.

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF Turnera diffusa WILLD

Turnera diffusa WILLD is a plant used in folk medicine as a natural stimulant, and the objective of this research is to perform the phytochemical analysis of the secondary metabolites of the damiana of occurrence in the Juazeiro region, northern Bahia - Brazil. A phytochemical screening was performed from three Crude Ethanol Extracts (BSE), EEB1: leaves and flowers; EEB2: stems and EEB3: root. A thin analytical layer chromatography was performed using specific developers to detect each chemical class. Alkaloids, coumarins, anthranic derivatives, phenolic compounds, mono, sequi and diterpenes, naphthoquinones, triterpenes and steroids, saponins, hydrolyzed tannins and xanthines were identified in the three extracts. Only in the BSE of leaves and flowers observed the presence of antroquinones and aglycones. The secondary metabolites identified in the study evidence the pharmacological potential of Turnera diffusa. Phytochemical screening concluded the presence of fourteen classes of secondary metabolites in damiana, indicating important medicinal potential with pharmacological effects reported in the literature.

Developmental toxicity of Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum turcz ethanol extract in zebrafish embryo

Ethnopharmacological relevanceClerodendrum cyrtophyllum Turcz has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In spite of its therapeutic applications, research on its toxicity and teratogenicity is still limited. Aim of the studyThe study aimed to investigate the developmental toxicity of the ethanol extract of C. cyrtophyllum (EE) in zebrafish embryo model. Material and methodsMajor compounds from crude ethanol extract of Clerodendron cyrtophyllum Turcz leaves were determined using HPLC-DAD-Orbitrap-MS analysis. The developmental toxicity of EE were investigated using zebrafish embryo model. Zebrafish embryos at 6 h post-fertilization (hpf) were treated with EE at different concentrations. Egg coagulation, mortality, hatching, yolk sac edema, pericardial edema and teratogenicity were recorded each day for during a 5-day exposure. At time point 120 hpf, body length, pericardial area, heartbeat and yolk sac area were assessed. In order to elucidate molecular mechanisms for the developmental toxicity of EE, we further evaluated the effects of the EE on the expression of genes involved on signaling pathways affecting fish embryo’s development such as heart development (gata5, myl7, myh6, has2, hand2, nkx 2.5), oxidative stress (cat, sod1, gpx4, gstp2), wnt pathway (β-catenin, wnt3a, wnt5, wnt8a, wnt11), or cell apoptosis (p53, bax, bcl2, casp3, casp8, casp9, apaf-1, gadd45bb) using qRT-PCR analysis. ResultsOur results demonstrated that three major components including acteoside, cirsilineol and cirsilineol-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside were identified from EE. EE exposure during 6–96 h post-fertilization (hpf) at doses ranging from 80 to 200 μg/mL increased embryo mortality and reduced hatching rate. EE exposure at 20 and 40 μg/mL until 72–120 hpf induced a series of malformations, including yolk sac edema, pericardial edema, spine deformation, shorter body length. Based on two prediction models using a teratogenic index (TI), a 25% lethality concentration (LD25) and the no observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL), EE is considered as teratogenic for zebrafish embryos with TI (LC50/EC50) and LD25/NOAEC values at 96 hpf reaching 3.87 and 15.73 respectively. The mRNA expression levels of p53, casp8, bax/bcl2, gstp2, nkx2.5, wnt3a, wnt11, gadd45bb and gata5 were significantly upregulated by EE exposure at 20 and 40 μg/mL while the expression of wnt5, hand2 and bcl2 were downregulated. ConclusionsThese results provide evidence for toxicity effects of EE to embryo stages and provide an insight into the potential toxicity mechanisms on embryonic development.

The Inhibitory effect of Alcoholic Extracts of Three Weeds on Growth of some Microorganisms

The research included determining the inhibitory effect of crude ethanol extracts of three herbaceous plants in some fungi and bacteria. The plants were Oxalis corniculata, Portulaca oleracea, and Euphorbia prostrata, while the fungi were Aspergillus niger, Alternaria sp., Fusarium sp. and Macrophomina phaseolina, the bacteria were E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The inhibitory efficacy of three concentrations of each plant extract were 5, 10 and 20 (mg / ml) tested against the four fungi by measuring the diameters of the colonies in each concentration in addition to the control treatment, then the percentages of inhibition were calculated, and the effectiveness of the three concentrations against the six bacterial species were tested by measuring diameter of the zone of inhibition around disks saturated with concentrations of extracts as well as comparison with the diameters of inhibition obtained from standard antibiotic disks. It was noticed that the percentages of inhibition of fungi increased by increasing the concentrations of the extracts, so the concentration 5 mg/ ml had the least effect, while the concentration of 20 mg/ ml inhibited the growth of all fungi by 100% and for all three types of extracts. The results also showed that the fungus Alternaria sp. is more sensitive to plant extracts, followed by Fusarium sp., and the results also showed that the extracts of the O. corniculata and the P. oleracea had inhibitory activity against S. aureus, K. pneumoniae and E. coli, while the crude extract of the E. prostrata showed a great inhibition against all bacterial species and in direct proportion with the concentration..

<p><strong>Amelioration of cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity by <em>Phyla nodiflora</em> (L.) Greene</strong></p>

Phyla nodiflora (Verbenaceae), commonly called frog fruit and locally, jal bhuti , is the traditional folk medicine accepted in the Indian Medicine as well as the Traditional system of Chinese Medicine (TCM) for various treatments viz., urinary disorder, lithiasis, knee joint pain, diuresis and swelling. In the present study, we tried to standardise crude Phyla nodiflora ethanol extract (PNE) using HPTLC and also evaluated its protection against cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in rats. HPTLC quantification of rutin and fingerprinting profile was performed. Serum kidney toxicity markers, renal tissue antioxidant and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were assessed followed by DNA fragmentation assay and histopathological examination of renal tissue. Rutin concentration in ethanol extract was found to be 5.35% w/w. In HPTLC fingerprinting 12 peaks with R f ranges from 0.08 to 0.86 were confirmed. Serum biochemical parameters, renal tissue antioxidants and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels were found to be restored. The results demonstrated the nephroprotective activity of P. nodiflora ethanol extract (400 mg/kg, p.o.) as evidenced by protection of kidneys from cisplatin induced DNA fragmentation and damage tissue architecture.

Characterisation of secondary metabolites from Rhinacanthus nasutus L (Kurz) for the identification of novel antibacterial leads.

The bioactivity of R. nasutus leaf extracts was assessed on Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Crude chloroform, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol and methanol extracts were screened by disc diffusion method. Promising crude extract was further subjected to the column fractionation followed by the screening of the antibacterial activity of individual fractions. Biologically active pure fraction was subjected to the advanced analytical studies like HPLC, LC-MS, IR and NMR for characterisation of the bioactive compound. Ethanolic extract exhibited the maximum antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae with the maximum of 35±0.42 mm zone of inhibition. The biologically potent column fraction from ethanol extract with 40±0.42 mm zone of inhibition upon subject to the HPLC, LC-MS, IR and NMR revealed that the active compound is rhinacanthin-C, a naphthoquinone.

Anticonvulsant activity of Valeriana edulis roots and valepotriates on the pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceFor many centuries, Mexican Valerian (Valeriana edulis ssp. procera) has been an important plant in folk medicine. It has been considered useful to control epilepsy; however, electroencephalographic evidence of its anticonvulsant activity is missing in literature.Aim of the study: In the present study, in situ electroencephalographic (EEG) analysis was performed along with administration of a crude ethanol extract of V. edulis and its valepotriate fraction on the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsive behavior in rats. Materials and methodsExperiments were performed using male Wistar rats with nail-shaped electrodes implanted in the frontal and parietal cortices for EEG recording. All animals received a single dose of PTZ (35 mg/kg, i.p.) to test the anticonvulsant activity of V. edulis crude extract and valepotriate fraction (100 mg/kg, i.p.) 15 and/or 30 min after administration. EEG recordings were obtained from the cortices and were evaluated to assess ictal behavior over 60–75 min. Chromatographic analysis of the valepotriate fraction and in silico predictions of pharmacodynamic properties were also explored. The latency, frequency and duration of seizures evaluated using EEG recordings from the frontal and parietal cortices of rats showed significant changes demonstrating the inhibition of paroxystic activity. ResultsThe spectral analysis confirmed the reduction of excitatory activity induced by V. edulis extract, which was improved in the presence of the valepotriate fraction as compared to that induced by ethosuximide (a reference anticonvulsant drug). The presence of valepotriates such as: isodihydrovaltrate (18.99%), homovaltrate (13.51%), 10-acetoxy-valtrathydrin (4%) and valtrate (1.34%) was identified by chromatographic analysis. Whereas, not only GABAA receptor participation but also the cannabinoid CB2 receptor was found to be likely involved in the anticonvulsant mechanism of action after in silico prediction. ConclusionsOur data support the anticonvulsant properties attributed to this plant in folk medicine, due to the presence of valepotriates.

Evaluation of Toxicity and Antioxidant Property of Cassia fistula Stem Bark Extracts in Zebrafish

Abstract Objective This study was aimed at evaluating the toxicity and the antioxidant property of Cassia fistula stem bark extracts in zebrafish. Materials and Methods Crude aqueous and ethanol extracts of C. fistula stem bark were obtained following a standard solvent-based extraction method. The toxicity of these extracts on zebrafish embryonic development was determined and the LC50 values were calculated. Finally, the antioxidant property of C. fistula stem bark extracts was determined in arsenic-induced oxidative stress models of zebrafish. Results The aqueous extract of C. fistula stem bark showed a slightly larger LC50 value (213.6 ppm) compared with the ethanol extract (LC50 = 63.5 ppm), suggesting a lower toxicity of the aqueous extract. A significant reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) signal was observed in arsenic-exposed embryos treated with the aqueous extract, but not the ethanol extract, indicating that the antioxidant activity is present only in the aqueous extract of C. fistula stem bark. Conclusion Identification of antioxidants from natural sources is desirable because of increasing safety concerns associated with synthetic antioxidants. This study demonstrated that aqueous extract from C. fistula stem bark possesses antioxidant properties, which can be further characterized for mechanism of action and potential applications.

Studies of dietary phytoestrogen from momordica charantia Linn. Seeds

Phytoestrogens are secondary plant metabolites produced by plants that are similar in structure of estrogen. Human consumption of these compounds has been associated with many health benefits. In this study, we investigated the potential phytoestrogen content of dietary Momordica charantia Linn. (Bitter melon) seeds were collected from the Hyderabad-Karnataka regions of India. A phenolic dietary phytoestrogen has been isolated from the crude ethanol extract of Bitter melon seeds. After preparative HPLC whitish amorphous compound was yielded. The HPLC purified compound is subjected to spectral analysis using IR, NMR and MS. The spectral data revealed that the phenolphthalein a phytoestrogenic molecule is present in the ethanol extract of dietary Bitter melon seeds.

Enzymatic transesterification of coconut oil by using immobilized lipase on biochar: An experimental and molecular docking study.

Guava seed biochar appears as a new alternative of the effective support to the immobilization of Burkholderia cepacia lipase (BCL) by physical adsorption. The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of this immobilized biocatalyst in the transesterification reaction of crude coconut oil and ethanol and to understand the mechanism of the reaction through the study of molecular docking. The best loading of BCL was determined to be 0.15genzyme /gsupport having a hydrolytic activity of 260U/g and 54% immobilization yield. The products of transesterification reaction produced a maximum yield at 40°C under different reaction conditions. The monoacylglycerols (MAGs) conversion of 59% was using substrate molar ratio oil:ethanol of 1:7 with the reaction time of 24H. In addition, the highest ethyl esters yield (48%) had the molar ratio of 1:7 with the reaction time of 96H and maximum conversion of diacylglycerols (DAGs) was 30% with the molar ratio of 1:6 with the reaction time of 24H. Molecular Docking was applied to clarify the mechanisms of transesterification reaction at the molecular level. MAGs and DAGs are compounds with excellent emulsifying properties used in industrial production of several bioproducts such as cosmetic, pharmaceuticals, foods, and lubricants.

In Vitro Anti-bacterial Activities of Aqueous, Ethanol and Chloroform Crude Extracts of Olinia rochetiana and Vernonia myriantha

In the past with the advent of antibiotics, bacterial diseases have been under control. However rapid spread of antibiotic-resistant this success is reversing and searching for newer antibacterial agents is currently a top priority. This study was, thus, aimed at assessing the anti-microbial activities of two traditional medicinal plants: Vernonia myriantha and Olinia rochetiana. The crude extracts were tested for their in vitro antibacterial activities and phytochemical content. The extracts were tested against selected 3 clinical and 4 standard test bacterial strains by using agar well-diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC). The ethanol leaves and stem-bark extracts of O. rochetiana inhibited the growth of all bacterial strains at a concentration of 250mg/mL. The inhibition zones ranged from 20.33±0.57mm for clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa to 25.66±0.57mm for standard Salmonella typhi strains. The values for these same extracts were 20.66±2.51mm and 24.33±1.15mm for standard P. aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus strains respectively. The chloroform extract was similarly effective against all of the strains with inhibition zones between 19.00±1.73mm against P. aeruginosa and 22.66±2.51mm for S. aureus. Comparatively, the ethanol extract of O. rochetiana had the highest MIC (7.81mg/mL) and MBC (62.50mg/mL) were noted against P. aeruginosa. On the other hand, chloroform extract of O. rochetiana leaf showed the highest MIC (15mg/mL) and MBC (125mg/mL) were recorded against P. aeruginosa. The ethanol extract of V. myriantha showed growth inhibition only on S. aureus (21.00±1.7mm). Both plants tested for terpenoids and glycosides showed positive result, but none for resin.

Evaluation of Toxicity and Antiangiogenic Activity of Murraya koenigii Leaf Extracts in Zebrafish

Abstract Introduction This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity and the antiangiogenic activity of Murraya koenigii leaf extracts in zebrafish. Materials and Methods Crude aqueous and ethanol extracts of M. koenigii leaves were obtained following a standard solvent-based extraction method. The toxicity of these extracts on zebrafish embryonic development was determined and the LC50 values were calculated. Finally, the antiangiogenic activity of the M. koenigii leaf extracts was evaluated in a transgenic zebrafish (Tg [fli1: GFP]) that express GFP under the control of fli1, a transcription factor involved in vasculogenesis. Results The LC50 value of the aqueous extract of M. koenigii leaves was much larger (2,450 ppm) compared with that of ethanol extract (9.85 ppm), suggesting a lower toxicity of the aqueous extract. The antiangiogenic activity was evident only in aqueous extract, with significant effects in formation of intersegmental vessels and subintestinal veins in treated Tg (fli1: GFP) zebrafish embryos. Conclusion This study demonstrated the biological activity of M. koenigii leaf extracts as angiogenesis suppressor, suggesting its therapeutic potential as an angiogenesis inhibitor. Identification of active components from natural sources with potent antiangiogenic activity could lead to the development of anticancer agents.

English

An in-vitro evaluation of the antioxidant activities of wild Palestinian Pistacia palaestina extracts was done. In parallel, the total phenolic content (TPC) and the total flavonoids content (TFC) were measured. The antioxidant activities were determined spectrophotometrically by DPPH, FRAP, CUPRAC and the ABTS methods. The phenolic and flavonoid contents were separated and identified using LC-PDA-MS. The P. palaestina extract was found to contain many phenolic and flavonoids that enhance its reducing activity and free radical scavenging ability. Total phenolic content, and total flavonoids contents were found to be 66.5 ± 2.2 mg Gallic acid/g, and 20.3 ± 1.1 mg catechin/g, respectively. Antioxidant activity represented as FRAP, CUPRAC, DPPH and ABTS was found to be 23.5± 1.2 mmol Fe+2/g, 4562 ± 63 µmol Trolox/g, 344 ± 11 µmol/g, 53.1 ± 6.6 µmol/g, respectively. The aim of the study is therefore to employ different antioxidant tests to evaluate the antioxidant activities of crude ethanol leaf extracts of P. palaestina, and to determine its phenolic and flavonoids content. Key words: Pistacia palaestina, flavonoids, antioxidants, Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS).  

In-vitro Antimicrobial Activities and Phytochemical Screening of Selected Plant Extracts against Some Medically and Agriculturally Important Pathogens

In Ethiopia, many plants are used for medicinal drive-by old-style naturopaths without any scientific justification for their therapeutic values. The principal aim of this study were to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of the leaf, root and stem bark extracts of Rhamnus prinioides (gesho), Justicia schimperiana (sensel) and Ruta chalepensis (Tena adam) against some common pathogenic species of bacteria and fungi. The results of this study shown that the crude extracts of ethanol, methanol, hexane and water crude extracts had antimicrobial activities on most bacterial and fungi species of some solvent extracts. Ethanol and methanol crude extracts had the highest growth inhibitory effects as compared with those of the aqueous and hexane crude extracts. But, the four solvent crude extracts had fewer antimicrobial activities than commercially available drug(chloramphenicol and clotrimazole). Campylobacter jejuni and Staphylococcus aureus were found to be the most vulnerable microbes to the crude ethanol (99.5%). The growth-inhibitory events of the crude extracts were found to be significantly dissimilar for both concentrations (30 and 60 mg/ml) in all plant parts (p < 0.05). In general, this study did not only indicate that the antibacterial activities of R. prinioides (gesho), J. schimperiana (sensel) and R. chalepensis (Tena adam). It also accesses a scientific justification for its old-style use against some diseases.