Crude Extract Research Articles

Eco-friendly Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles of Methanolic Extract of Bauhinia vahlii Leaves and Evaluation of Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activity

Background: The green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using natural materials has gained significant attention in recent years due to their eco-friendliness and potential applications in various fields. Methods: The present study aimed at the green synthesis and anti-hyperpigmentation potential of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using a methanolic extract of Bauhinia vahlii. Furthermore, the green synthesis of the AuNPs was confirmed by UV-visible, FT-IR, XRD, and EMDEX analysis. The size and surface topological significance of green synthesized AuNPs were evaluated through Scanning Electron Microscope and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy. Results: The size of the synthesized AuNPs was found to be in the range of 100-1000 nm. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity of AuNPs was evaluated through the mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory assay method. The tyrosinase inhibitory activities of crude extract, AuNPs, and Kojic acid were found to be 98.7 ±0.7, 75±1.3 and 41±1.1 μg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Hence, green synthesized AuNPs of B. vahlii leaf extract may be used as a potent antihyperpigmentation agent in the market of nano cosmeceuticals.

Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction and Antioxidant Evaluation of Resveratrol from Peanut Sprouts

The orthogonal array design method was used to optimize ultrasonic-assisted extraction of resveratrol from peanut sprouts. The results showed that the highest extraction yield of resveratrol using ultrasonic-assisted extraction could be up to 1.1%. The optimal extraction conditions were liquid to solid ratio of 30:1 (mL/g) and ethanol concentration of 80% (v/v) as solvent for 40 min at the temperature of 70 °C. AB-8 macroporous adsorption resin was used to purify the crude extract and the resveratrol content increased to 47.5% after one treatment run. The optimal adsorption parameters were initial concentrations in the sample solution of 2 mg/mL, a pH of 5.0, a flow rate of 2 mL/min, and a temperature of 25 °C. The optimal desorption parameters were 60% ethanol and a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The chemical composition of the peanut sprout’s resveratrol sample was investigated via HPLC, and the predominant constituents were found to be protocatechuic acid, catechins, caffeic acid, epicatechuic acid, resveratrol, and rutin. The antioxidant activities of the resveratrol were measured via the following different analytical methods: reducing power, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhdrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radical-scavenger activity, superoxide radical-scavenger activity, the β-carotene bleaching test, and the scavenging nitrite test. The results indicated that the resveratrol in peanut sprouts have significant antioxidant activities and can be used as a source of potential antioxidant. And peanut sprout’s resveratrol has the potential and valuable application to be used as a new type of resveratrol resource. The finding of this study can provide some theoretical reference for the comprehensive utilization of peanut resources in the development of antioxidant health foods.

Harnessing Nature's Toolbox: Naturally Derived Bioactive Compounds in Nanotechnology Enhanced Formulations.

The vast diversity of plants in nature offers a rich reservoir of bioactive compounds that have historically played an integral role in pharmacotherapy and continue to serve as a primary source of novel therapeutic agents. Medicinal plants contain a multitude of secondary metabolites with pharmacological potential, making them indispensable in drug discovery and development. These bioactive constituents, inherent in herbal remedies, exhibit a wide range of medicinal properties due to their complex chemical compositions and structural diversity. Despite their therapeutic potential, the clinical application of crude plant extracts is often hindered by limitations, such as poor bioavailability, low biostability, and variable efficacy. These issues can diminish the therapeutic impact of plant-derived compounds. Nanotechnology presents an innovative approach to addressing these challenges through the development of nanoformulations that enhance the efficacy of bioactive compounds. This review examines both historical and recent studies on the synthesis and characterization of bioactive compounds, focusing on their effectiveness in treating various diseases. Additionally, it addresses the risks associated with the direct use of crude plant extracts in medicine, explores extraction and isolation techniques, and reviews research from the past five years on the development of bioactive compounds, their nanoformulations, and their applications in disease treatment. The review also presents recent clinical trials conducted over the last five years on crude extracts and their nanoformulated counterparts, providing insights into the clinical translation of these natural therapeutics.

“Sustainable synthesis of Camellia sinensis-mediated silver nanoparticles (CsAgNP) and their anticancer mechanisms in breast cancer cells”

The present investigation focuses on synthesizing eco-friendly and cost-effective silver nanoparticles (CsAgNP) utilizing Camellia sinensis ethanolic extract (CsE) as a reducing agent and investigating the potential enhancement in its anticancer efficacy as compared to CsE. The CsAgNP formation was confirmed through the color change from pale green to dark brown and further validated using UV–visible spectroscopy in the 400-450 nm range. The optimal CsAgNP synthesis parameters include 1:4 ratio of CsE: 1 mM AgNO3, 60 min of duration and 50 °C reaction temperature. The morphology and the size of nanoparticles were estimated using AFM, SEM and TEM where the results showed a smooth topography with a size <100 nm. The CsAgNP crystalline form was confirmed through SAED pictures and silver's presence confirmed through EDX analysis. FTIR study ascertained the capping agents and distortion in functional groups compared to CsE. The anticancer potency of CsAgNP and crude extract (CsE) was assessed against the T-47D breast cancer cells by MTT assay. CsAgNP displayed strong activity towards T-47D cells (IC50 8 μg/ml) compared to CsE and relatively low activity towards the normal HEK-293 cells. Further, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry data revealed that the CsAgNP promotes apoptosis and also induces G2-M phase cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, CsAgNP treatment decreases p53 and Bcl-2 protein expression, while increasing Bax, Cytochrome c and Caspase-3 levels, indicating mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway activation. Thus, our research aims to investigate the potential of using Camellia sinensis to synthesize CsAgNP, a potent drug delivery system, to enhance anticancer effectiveness and advance cancer therapy in the future.

Comprehensive genomic analysis of Brevibacillus brevis BF19 reveals its biocontrol potential against bitter gourd wilt

Bitter gourd wilt, a severe vascular disease triggered by the soilborne pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. momordicae (FOM), markedly constrains bitter gourd yield. In this study, a novel strain BF19 of Brevibacillus brevis was isolated and identified, exhibiting strong antimicrobial activity against FOM through in vivo and in vitro experiments. To comprehensively assess the biocontrol potential of strain BF19, we conducted phenotypic, phylogenetic, and comparative genomics analyses. Phenotypic analysis revealed that BF19 exhibited 53.33% biocontrol efficacy and significantly increased the average plant height, root fresh weight, and dry weight. Whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomic analysis revealed numerous potential genes associated with biocontrol mechanisms in BF19. Importantly, the integration of metabolic cluster prediction with liquid chromatography‒tandem mass spectrometry (LC‒MS/MS) revealed the presence of a macrobrevin antibiotic, a product of polyketide synthases (PKSs), predominantly in BF19 fermentation products. The effectiveness of the Br. brevis strain BF19 and its crude extract against bitter gourd wilt has also been confirmed. This study provides a genetic framework for future investigations on PKSs and establishes a scientific basis for optimizing field applications of microbial biopesticides derived from Br. brevis BF19.

Identification and Assessment of Secondary Metabolites from Three Fungal Endophytes of Solanum mauritianum Against Public Health Pathogens

Fungal endophytes, symbiotic microorganisms residing within plants, are renowned for producing bioactive secondary metabolites with diverse beneficial properties. We investigated the antimicrobial potential of fungal endophytes isolated from Solanum mauritianum, an invasive weed, against clinically significant bacterial pathogens. Selected fungal endophytes (Penicillium chrysogenum, Fusarium sp., and Paracamarosporium leucadendri) were isolated from the plant’s leaves and fruits. Their crude extracts were tested against various referenced strains, such as Mycobacterium species (M. smegmatis ATCC 607 and M. bovis ATCC 27290), Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6571, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 11774, Klebsiella species (K. pneumoniae ATCC 10031 and K. oxytoca ATCC 8724), Escherichia coli ATCC 10536, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145, using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Resazurin Microtiter Assay was used for the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration. The chemical nature of the secondary metabolites in the crude extracts produced by fungal endophytes was evaluated using high-resolution liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) using water and acetonitrile gradient. Liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS/MS) was employed for untargeted metabolomics. LC-QTOF-MS/MS identified 63 bioactive compounds across the three endophytes. P. chrysogenum had the highest activity against S. aureus and M. smegmatis (1.15 mg/mL and 0.02 mg/mL, respectively), while P. leucadendri demonstrated moderate activity against M. smegmatis (2.91 mg/mL) and E. coli (1.16 mg/mL). Fusarium sp. exhibited the broadest spectrum of antibacterial activity, with MIC values ranging from 0.03 mg/mL (B. subtilis) to 10 mg/mL (M. smegmatis). P. leucadendri produced 29 metabolites, Fusarium sp. had 23 identified metabolites, and a total of 11 metabolites were identified from P. chrysogenum. The fruits of the plant, accounting for 60%, appeared to be the most abundant in the endophyte diversity when compared to the stems and leaves. This study highlights the potential of fungal endophytes from S. mauritianum as a source of novel bioactive compounds, particularly against multidrug-resistant pathogens, contributing to the ongoing efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.

Natural products that alleviate depression: The putative role of autophagy.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental disorder that severely disrupts psychosocial function and decreases the quality of life. Although the pathophysiological mechanism underlying MDD is complex and remains unclear, emerging evidence suggests that autophagy dysfunction plays a role in MDD occurrence and progression. Natural products serve as a major source of drug discovery and exert tremendous potential in developing antidepressants. Recently published reports are paying more attention on the autophagy regulatory effect of antidepressant natural products. In this review, we comprehensively discuss the abnormal changes occurred in multiple autophagy stages in MDD patients, and animal and cell models of depression. Importantly, we emphasize the regulatory mechanism of antidepressant natural products on disturbed autophagy, including monomeric compounds, bioactive components, crude extracts, and traditional Chinese medicine formulae. Our comprehensive review suggests that enhancing autophagy might be a novel approach for MDD treatment, and natural products restore autophagy homeostasis to facilitate the renovation of mitochondria, impede neuroinflammation, and enhance neuroplasticity, thereby alleviating depression.

Phytochemical Profiling and Comparative Analysis of the Bioactive Compounds in Adansonia digitata, Morinda citrifolia and Tamarindus indica from Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State

Study’s Excerpt A comparative phytochemical analysis of Adansonia digitata stem bark, Morinda citrifolia leaves, and Tamarindus indica leaves was carried out. UV/visible spectrophotometric technique is used for the identification of phytochemical compounds. These plants have considerable potential as sources for drug development and functional foods. Full Abstract For decades, man has utilized plants as traditional medicine to cure various illnesses. The majority of modern medications now available have been generated from plants. This study subjected the ethanolic crude extract of Adansonia digitata stem bark, Morinda citrifolia leaves, and Tamarindus indica leaves to phytochemical analysis. Ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometric techniques were used to quantify the bioactive compounds detected in the plants. Qualitative analysis indicated the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, phenolic compounds, tannins, steroids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, terpenoids, reducing sugars, and quinones in all three plant extracts. Anthraquinones were detected only in A. digitata, while coumarins, though present in M. citrifolia and T. indica, were absent in A. digitata. Adansonia digitata recorded a higher content of anthraquinones (59.3 mg/g), phenols (79.3 mg/g), and tannins (286.1 mg/g) than M. citrifolia and T. indica. Alkaloids (45.5 mg/g), flavonoids (124.0 mg/g), saponins (38.7 mg/g), and triterpenes (23.8 mg/g) were found to be higher in T. indica than in A. digitata and M. citrifolia. Statistical analysis shows significant variation in the concentration of these compounds between the sampled plants (p &lt; 0.05). The high bioactive content of A. digitata and T. indica indicates their potential as outstanding bioactive compound repositories suitable for drug development, purification, and functional food uses.

Wound healing activity of Ipomoea staphylina leaves extract in Wistar rats

Wound repair is the practice of repairing the skin and other soft tissues after an injury. An inflammatory response is activated after an injury, and cells below the dermis (deepest skin layer) begin to produce more collagen (connective tissue). A scientific assessment was made for the wound-healing potential of Ipomoea staphylina leaves extract, using ethanol. The crude extract was made into a 2.5% and 5% (w/w) ointment and tested for wound healing activity in Wistar rats using excision and incision wound models. In the excision wound model, the period of epithelialization was reduced and an increase in wound contraction rate was observed in the extract treated groups (III and IV). On the tenth day, tissue from the excision wound area was taken and processed for the assessment of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α), and it was found that there was a notable decrease in the TNF-α concentration in the extract-treated animals. In an incision wound model, the breaking strength was significantly increased in animals treated with 2.5% and 5% (w/w) ointment of I. staphylina leaves extract. The extract significantly promoted fibroblast migration in an in vitro experiment (scratch assay), which may have been caused by the presence of flavonoids.

Comparative Effects of Crude Extracts and Bioactive Compounds from Bidens pilosa and Bidens alba on Nonspecific Immune Responses and Antibacterial Activity Against Vibrio sp. in Coculture with Lactic Acid Bacteria in Hybrid Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂).

This study investigated the effect of substances on nonspecific immune responses of head kidney leukocytes, the antimicrobial activity against Vibrio sp., as well as the time-kill of Vibrio sp. by combining the substances with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Pediococcus sp. The substances are B. pilosa hot water extract, B. pilosa powder extract, B. pilosa methanol extract, B. pilosa ethanol extract, B. alba hot water extract, B. alba powder extract, B. alba methanol extract, B. alba ethanol extract, and bioactive compounds, namely cytopiloyne, flavonoid, phenol, ethyl caffeate, luteolin, chlorogenic acid, butein, and linoleic acid. The results showed that some of them were nontoxic to the head kidney leukocytes, which can increase the phagocytic rate, phagocytic index, and respiratory burst. These substances were able to inhibit the growth of Vibrio sp.; they can even completely kill the pathogenic bacteria. The largest of the inhibition zone formed from the EC group at a concentration range of 5-50 µg/mL against V. parahaemolyticus, V. alginolyticus, and V. harveyi with a value of 19.7 ± 0.56, 19.3 ± 1.53, and 20.6 ± 1.53 mm. Furthermore, the time-kill studies showed that the LAB and P. acidilactici can completely kill the Vibrio sp. at 6 h incubation time, mainly in the group of combination with EC.

Exploring the Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Efficacy of Psammogeton biternatum Edgew and Identification of a Novel Quinoline Alkaloid using X-ray Crystallography.

The prevalence of resistance to harmful human pathogens is steadily rising, emphasizing the urgent need to identify novel antimicrobial compounds. For this purpose, plants stand out as a significant source of bioactives worthy of exploration. Among these, alkaloids, a vast and structurally diverse category of plant secondary metabolites, have emerged as a foundation for crucial antibacterial medications such as metronidazole and the quinolones. In the current work, the crude methanol leaf extract of Psammogeton biternatum Edgew collected from District Bannu, Pakistan, was subjected to TLC (indirect) bioautography and X-ray crystallography for the isolation of potential antibacterial agents. From the crude extract, a novel quinoline alkaloid called quinoline dione ((3R,3aS,5aR)-3,5a,9-trimethyl-3a,4,5,5a-tetrahydro-2H-isoxazolo[2,3-a] quinoline-2,8(3H)-dione (C14H17NO3)) was isolated. The crystal information (M = 247.296 g/mol) is as follows: orthorhombic, P212121, a = 7.7339(14) Å, b = 10.7254(19) Å, c = 15.730(2) Å, V = 1304.8(4) Å3, Z = 4, T = 296 K, μ(Mo Kα) = 0.088 mm-1, ρ calc = 1.259 g/cm3, 13928 reflections measured (5.86° ≤ 2Θ ≤ 51.98°), 2478 unique (R int = 0.1613, R σ = 0.1335). The final R 1 was 0.1098 (I ≥ 2u(I)), and wR 2 was 0.2183. The antibacterial activity for both crude extract of leaves and quinoline dione was determined by a well diffusion method. The quinoline dione alkaloid demonstrated excellent inhibition zones against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (18 mm), Bacillus subtills (17 mm), Escherichia coli (20 mm), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (23 mm) compared to the crude extract. The antibiofilm potential was recorded against Pseudomonas aeruginosa by the 96-well microtiter plate method. A dose-dependent biofilm inhibition response was recorded, which increased with the increase in concentration. Moreover, quinoline dione showed a greater antibiofilm effect as compared to the crude extract, which may be linked to the presence of a particular active functional group positioned on the compound isolated in its pure form. Through in silico studies, i.e., molecular docking, quinoline dione shows strong binding energies with the LasR transcriptional regulator (6MVN) at -9.3 and LasR transcriptional activator (3IX4) at -9.2 kcal/mol, as well as moderate affinities with other targets such as AHL synthase LasI (PDB ID 1RO5) and OprM channel (PDB ID 3D5K), indicating its potential as a quorum sensing inhibitor. Thus, the antibacterial and antibiofilm potential of quinoline dione was confirmed.

Genus Zingiber: A Review on Botanical, Major Bioactivities and Genetic Diversity

Zingiberaceae is a perennial plant family that is found across the tropics, particularly in Southeast Asia from low land to hill forests. In Peninsular Malaysia, it is believed that 160 ginger species are widely distributed belonging to 18 genera. Most of the Zingiber species in Peninsular Malaysia are less investigated and less understood taxonomically, thus remaining as under-utilized crops. The description of their morphologies in parallel with phytochemicals and molecular information are crucial to provide valuable information for further discovery of potent compounds, identification of potential new sources of genetic variation, as well as to provide insight into the domestication and breeding of ginger. The majority of Zingiber species are perennial herbs with a fragrant scent, an upright stem, and a fibrous rhizome. The presence of volatile components such as monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpenoids and some non-volatile compounds like gingerols, shagaols, and zingerone have contributed to the strong scent of the ginger oils. Among the dominant components of Zingiber are α-zingiberene, geranial, neral, camphene, neral, neric acid, α-curcumene, and zerumbone. The crude extracts and essential oils of Zingiber have proven to show some biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-bacterial, insecticidal, larvicidal, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulceration, antioxidant, anti-fungal, immunomodulatory, and anti-nociceptive. Most Zingiber species are known to have 22 somatic chromosomes (2n=22) which is the lowest among genera in Zingiberaceae. This study underscores the crucial significance of breeding programs and germplasm conservation, specifically emphasizing the potential of common ginger as a prominent contributor.

Phytochemical and antimicrobial evaluation of Miconia burchellii Triana (Melastomataceae).

Four novel triterpenoid saponins, 1α,3β,23-trihydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-β-glycopyranoside ester (1), 1α,3β,23-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-β-glycopyranoside ester (2), 3-O-β-galloyl-1α,23-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-β-glycopyranoside ester (3) and 3-O-β-galloyl-1α,23-dihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-β-glycopyranoside ester (4) and two new pentacyclic triterpenoids, 3-O-β-trans-p-coumaroyl-1α-hydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (5) and 3-O-β-cis-p-coumaroyl-1α-hydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (6), together with six known compounds were isolated from the ethanolic extracts of Miconia burchellii leaves and stem bark. Their structures were established by HR-MS, 1D and 2D NMR and comparison with literature data. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of the leaves and stem bark extracts and fractions was evaluated using the micro broth dilution technique. The crude extract, the ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of the stem bark were the most active against the tested bacteria, showing growth inhibition of both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report on the antimicrobial activity of M. burchellii.

In vitro Anti-oxidant, Alpha-Amylase, and Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibition Studies of Physica aipolia (Ehrh.ex Humb.) Furnr

Background: Diabetes prevalence is progressively rising everywhere, particularly in developing countries. Lichens have evolved into a rich source of innovative bioactive chemicals with their anti-oxidant capabilities, widening the scope of well-documented and effective diabetes treatment. Objective: The main objectives of this study were to perform in vitro alpha-amylase, alphaglucosidase inhibition analysis, and anti-oxidant of lichen Physica aipolia. Method: Folin Ciocalteu’s reagent was used to determine the total phenolic content for biological activities. The Aluminum trichloride method was used to determine total flavonoid content, and the free radical assay method was used to determine the antioxidant activity of P. aipolia using 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Moreover, substrate 2-Chloro-4-nitrophenyl-α-D-maltotrioside (CNPG3) and substrate-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranose (p-NPG) were used for the determination of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition activities respectively, and molecular docking was performed by Auto Dock Vina. Results: Total phenolic and flavonoid contents present in P. aipolia were 37.41 ± 2.87 mg GAE/g and 5.53 ± 0.95 mg QE/g, respectively. For anti-oxidant inhibition activity, crude extract of methanol showed an IC50 value of 15.324 ± 0.80 μg/mL. Furthermore, a methanolic crude extract showed significant inhibition activities against alpha-amylase (IC50 = 178.50 ± 1.10 μg/mL) and alphaglucosidase (IC50 = 76.10 ± 0.91 μg/mL). During in silico analysis, zeorin showed an effective binding affinity with -7.9 kcal/mol, and Atranorin showed -7.4 kcal/mol in the orthosteric site of the protein. Conclusion: Physica aipolia exhibits the potential to impact biological functions, demonstrating antidiabetic properties, as confirmed by molecular docking analysis in silico.

Anti-Aging Activities and LC-MS Analysis of Chrysophyllum cainito Leaves Extract

Star apple (Chrysophyllum cainito L.), or Apple-nam in Thai, is a medium-sized tree in the Sapotaceae family. It is native to Middle America and distributed in Thailand and Southeast Asia. It has antioxidation, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties. The active compounds in star apples are flavonoids. This research aimed to study the biological activities and chemical constituents of crude extract and active fractions from the leaves of star apples. The leaf powder was defatted with dichloromethane and further extracted with ethanol using ultrasound-assisted extraction. The ethanol extract was separated by quick column chromatography given 7 fractions (CCE1-CCE7). The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the extract and chromatographic fractions were determined. The active fractions were further studied for tyrosinase inhibition, collagenase inhibition and cell proliferation properties. The result showed that the highest total phenolic content was observed in ethanol extract. The high polar fraction, CCE6, displayed the highest antioxidation activity with radical scavenging of 0.34 ± 0.01 mg AAE/mL in the DPPH assay and a FRAP value of 1.36 ± 0.01 mg AAE/mL in the FRAP assay. The CCE6 also exhibited the highest anti-tyrosinase and anti-collagenase activities with a percentage of 67.14 ± 1.34 and 70.32 ± 2.88, respectively and showed the best activity in cell proliferation with a percentage of 24.68 ± 2.94. The analysis of the components using the negative ionization LC-MS technique revealed that gallic acid and quercetin-3-galactoside are the major constituents in the ethanol extract. While the fraction CCE6 showed glucosyl (2E,6E,10x)-10,11-dihydroxy-2,6-farnesadienoate and p-mentha-1,3,5,8-tetraene as the predominant compounds. HIGHLIGHTS The ethanol extract was prepared using ultrasound-assisted extraction. The first report of tyrosinase and collagenase inhibition, as well as cell proliferation properties, of the cainito leaves extract and chromatographic fractions. The major components of the ethanol extract of cainito leaves in Thailand and its active fraction by LC-MS technique were reported for the first time. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Optimization of Polysaccharide Extraction from Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua by Freeze–Thaw Method Using Response Surface Methodology

Polygonatum cyrtonema polysaccharides have a variety of pharmacological effects. The commonly used extraction methods include traditional hot water extraction, alkaline extraction, enzymatic hydrolysis method, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, etc., but there are problems such as low yield, high temperature, high cost, strict extraction conditions, and insufficient environmental protection. In this study, crude polysaccharide extraction from the Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua was performed using the freeze–thaw method. Response surface methodology (RSM), based on a three-level, three-variable Box–Behnken design (BBD), was employed to obtain the best possible combination of water-to-raw material ratio (A: 30–50), freezing time (B: 2–10 h), and thawing temperature (C: 40–60 °C) for maximum polysaccharide extraction. Using the multiple regression analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA), the experimental data were fitted to a second-order polynomial equation and were used to generate the mathematical model of optimization experiments. The optimum extraction conditions were as follows: a water-to-raw material ratio of 36.95:1, a freezing time of 4.8 h, and a thawing temperature of 55.99 °C. Under the optimal extraction conditions, the extraction rate of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua polysaccharide (PCP) was 65.76 ± 0.32%, which is well in close agreement with the value predicted by the model, 65.92%. In addition, PCP has significant antioxidant activity. This result shows that the freeze–thaw method can improve the extraction efficiency, maintain the structural integrity of polysaccharides, simplify the extraction process, promote the dispersion of polysaccharides, and is suitable for large-scale industrial production.

Development and Evaluation of the Acaricidal Activity of Xantan Gum-Based Hydrogel and Polymeric Nanoparticles Containing Achyrocline satureioides Extract.

The Rhipicephalus microplus tick causes enormous economic losses in livestock farming around the world. Despite several promising studies carried out with plant extracts such as Achyrocline satureioides against this ectoparasite, a major obstacle is related to pharmaceutical presentation forms. There is no study showing xantan gum-based hydrogel and polycaprolactone nanoparticles containing A. satureioides extract against R. microplus larvae. The objective of this study was to incorporate A. satureioides extract to develop a nanoformulation (AScn) and a hydrogel (ASlh) and evaluate them against R. microplus larvae with the purpose of increasing the contact time of the extract with the larvae and improve the effectiveness. The ethanolic extracts were incorporated in polycaprolactone nanoparticles and characterized via analysis of the mean hydrodinamic diameter and polidispersity index. The xanthan gum-based hydrogel formulation was prepared with crude extract of A. satureioides 40 mg/mL, 0.25% xanthan gum, and 8% poloxamer, to determine the bioadhesiveness of the formulation in bovine leather and the flow rate of the formulation in the animal. The results in larvae demonstrated that when evaluated in the form of a hydrogel (ASlh), mortality was higher, with 91.48% mortality at a concentration of 20 mg/mL presenting itself as an interesting alternative for controlling this ectoparasite.

Behavioural Response of Aromia bungii Adults to Volatile Compounds Emitted by Prunus persica at Different Physiological Statuses

ABSTRACTAromia bungii is a serious wood borer damaging Prunus persica and other numerous economic tree species. Host plant volatiles play a key role in pest population monitoring and trapping. To ascertain the influence of volatile organic compounds emitted by P. persica at varying physiological statuses on the host‐searching behaviour of A. bungii adults, we initially collected and identified the volatiles emitted by P. persica leaves infested with A. bungii using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Subsequently, we evaluated the behavioural response of A. bungii adults to the crude extracts, single compounds and blends of these compounds by Y‐tube olfactometer bioassay. Results showed that volatiles emitted from P. persica infested with A. bungii larvae at Grade I were more attractive to females, but males were more attracted to volatiles from P. persica infested with A. bungii larvae at Grade IV. Five compounds were identified and showed relatively high levels from both infested plants at Grade I and Grade IV. Among them, 3‐carene, cis‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol and cis‐3‐hexenyl acetate were attractive to females, and a blend of the three volatiles in a ratio of 3:91:6 for Grade I infestation was more attractive to females than a ratio of 3:83:14 from Grade IV infestation. The compounds, 3‐carene, cis‐3‐hexenyl acetate, cis‐3‐hexene‐1‐ol and benzaldehyde, were attractive to males and a blend in a ratio of 3:81:13:3 from Grade IV infestation was more attractive to males than a ratio of 3:89:6:2 from Grade I infestation. The results show that the kinds and ratios of volatiles emitted from P. persica infested with A. bungii larvae play important roles in host‐searching behaviour of A. bungii adults.

Anti-Hyperglycemic Effects of Thai Herbal Medicines

This study aims to investigate selected medicinal plants’ anti-oxidative and antihyperglycemic activities to develop an effective remedy for lowering blood glucose levels and/or reducing diabetes complications. Thai medicinal plants, reported to have blood sugar-lowering effects, were selected for the study: Coccinia grandis, Gymnema inodorum, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Momordica charantia, Morus alba, and Zingiber officinale. Each species was extracted by Soxhlet’s extraction using ethanol as solvent. The ethanolic crude extract of each species was then evaluated for its phytochemicals, anti-oxidant, and antihyperglycemic activities. The results showed that the extract of Z. officinale gave the highest values of total phenolic and total flavonoid content (167.95 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g and 81.70 mg CE/g, respectively). Anti-oxidant activity was determined using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity. Among the ethanolic extracts, Z. officinale exhibited the highest anti-oxidant activity with IC50 values of 19.16 and 8.53 µg/mL, respectively. The antihyperglycemic activity was assessed using α-glucosidase inhibitory and glucose consumption activities. M. alba and G. pentaphyllum demonstrated the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity among the ethanolic extracts, with IC50 values of 134.40 and 329.97 µg/mL, respectively. Z. officinale and H. sabdariffa showed the highest percentage of glucose consumption activity in induced insulin-resistant HepG2 cells at a concentration of 50 µg/mL with 145.16 and 107.03%, respectively. The results from α-glucosidase inhibitory and glucose consumption activities were developed as an effective antihyperglycemic remedy. Among the remedies tested, the R1 remedy exhibited the highest potential for reducing blood glucose levels, with an IC50 value of 122.10 µg/mL. Therefore, the R1 remedy should be further studied for its effects on animals.

Insights into Osteogenesis Induced by Crude Brassicaceae Seeds Extracts: A Role for Glucosinolates.

Background/Objectives: Crude extracts from the Brassica genus have recently emerged as promising phytochemicals for preventing bone loss. While the most documented evidence suggests that their general biological activity is due to glucosinolates' (GLSs') hydrolysis products, the direct activity of GLSs is beginning to be uncovered. However, the contribution of GLSs to the bone-sparing activity of crude Brassicaceae extracts has seldom been addressed. Here, we aimed to gain insights into this gap by studying in the same in vitro model of human osteogenesis the effect of two Brassica seed extracts (Eruca sativa and Lepidium sativum) obtained from defatted seed meals, comparing them to the isolated GLSs most represented in their composition, glucoerucin (GER) and glucotropaeolin (GTL), for Eruca sativa and Lepidium sativum, respectively. Methods: Osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) was assessed by alizarin red staining assay and real-time PCR, respectively, evaluating mineral apposition and mRNA expression of specific osteogenic genes. Results: Both Brassica extracts and GLSs increased the osteogenic differentiation, indicating that the stimulating effect of Brassica extracts can be at least partially attributed to GLSs. Moreover, these data extend previous evidence of the effect of unhydrolyzed glucoraphanin (GRA) on osteogenesis to other types of GLSs: GER and GTL. Notably, E. sativa extract and GTL induced higher osteogenic stimulation than Lepidium sativum extract and GER, respectively. Conclusions: Overall, this study expands the knowledge on the possible application of Brassica-derived bioactive molecules as natural alternatives for the prevention and treatment of bone-loss pathologies.