Crude Flavonoids Research Articles

Applications of choline amino acid ionic liquid in extraction and separation of flavonoids and pectin from ponkan peels

ABSTRACTCholine leucine ionic liquid solution was chosen to simultaneously extract flavonoids and pectin from ponkan peels, which were subsequently isolated by the corresponding K3PO4-based aqueous biphasic systems (ABS). Under optimized conditions of 54% solution for 100 min extraction at liquid–solid ratio 17, the predicted yields of flavonoids and pectin achieved 1.33% and 13.42%, respectively, the flavonoids determined directly after extraction and the pectin after ABS purification, with the two corresponding measured yields of 1.26% ± 0.04% and 12.85% ± 0.51%. Under optimal extraction, crude flavonoids contained maximal total flavonoid content of about 20% ± 1% after purification of the ABS involving 25% K3PO4 and dilution precipitation. What was directly isolated from K3PO4-rich phase was presumed to be a modified pectin.

Cytotoxic and Hepatoprotective Effects of Bupleurum flavum Flavonoids on Hepatocellular Carcinoma HEP-G2 Cells

Aims: In this study, we aimed at investigating the possible cytotoxic and hepatoprotective effects of crude extract, flavonoid mixture and pure flavonoids isolated from the aerial parts of Bupleurum flavum Forsk. (Apiaceae) native to Bulgaria. Methods: For the first time flavon C-glycoside vicenin-2 was isolated from B. flavum. Its structure was identified by LC-ESI/MS/MS analysis in positive ion mode. Cytotoxic effects of vicenin-2, as well as the known flavonoid narcissin and B. flavum crude extract at concentrations ranging from 25 to 400 μg/ml were tested on cultured hepatocellular carcinoma HEP-G2 cells for 72 h by MTT assay. In vitro hepatoprotective activities of B. flavum flavonoid mixture (BFF), and rutin and narcissin isolated from BFF, were evaluated on epirubicin-induced damage. Results: IC50 of 141.7 μM, 195.7 μM and 369.3 μg/ml was calculated for vicenin-2, narcissin and crude extract, respectively. Curcumin was used as positive control with IC50 17.90 μM. At a concentration 0.4 mg/ml of rutin, the strongest cytoprotective effect was verified, discerned by statistically significant (P = 0.05) increase in cell viability by 43.5%. However, incubation with narcissin had no significant hepatoprotective activity. Conclusions: Vicenin-2 showed the most prominent cytotoxic effect at the highest tested concentration. Rutin in BFF had function for the observed protection against oxidative damage caused by the epirubicin. Therefore, B. flavum flavonoids are worth investigating for the potential development of agents against hepatocellular carcinoma.

Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Activities of Flavonoids from Corn Silk on STZ-Induced Diabetic Mice.

Corn silk is a well-known ingredient frequently used in traditional Chinese herbal medicines. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic activities of crude flavonoids extracted from corn silk (CSFs) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. The results revealed that treatment with 300 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg of CSFs significantly reduced the body weight loss, water consumption, and especially the blood glucose (BG) concentration of diabetic mice, which indicated their potential anti-diabetic activities. Serum total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays were also performed to evaluate the anti-oxidant effects. Besides, several serum lipid values including total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were reduced and the high density lipoprotein cholesterol level (HDL-C) was increased. The anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic effect of the CSFs suggest a potential therapeutic treatment for diabetic conditions.

Atividade gastroprotetora do extrato etanólico de Pavonia alnifolia A.St.-Hil.

RESUMO No Brasil, a família Malvaceae está representada por aproximadamente 200 espécies e algumas foram descritas como gastroproteroras. Pavonia alnifolia A.St.-Hil. (Malvaceae) foi selecionada após uma abordagem quimiossistemática, considerando-se sua potencial capacidade em prevenir lesões gástricas. Assim, a atividade gastroprotetora do extrato etanólico de caules de P. alnifolia foi avaliada utilizando o modelo de indução aguda da lesão gástrica por etanol acidificado em camundongos. Além disso, foram quantificados o teor de flavonóides, pelo método de cloreto de alumínio, e de polifenóis, pelo método Folin-Ciocalteu, uma vez que a relação desses componentes com a proteção gástrica foi evidenciada. Os ensaios apontaram redução acentuada das lesões gástricas em camundongos tratados com o extrato da planta em todas as doses ensaiadas (10, 100 e 300 mg/kg). Esse efeito pode estar relacionado com a presença de polifenóis, cujo teor encontrado foi 74,3 ± 7,5 μg equivalente de pirogalol/mg do material vegetal examinado e 82,7 ± 7,1 μg equivalente de pirogalol /mg da amostra no extrato preparado por percolação e teor de flavonoides totais, que por sua vez apresentou um resultado de 17,1 ± 1,4 μg/mg de extrato. O extrato apresentou proteção da mucosa gástrica e este efeito pode estar relacionado à presença dos polifenóis e flavonóides encontrados.

Anticholinesterase and antioxidant investigations of crude extracts, subsequent fractions, saponins and flavonoids of atriplex laciniata L.: potential effectiveness in Alzheimer's and other neurological disorders.

BackgroundAtriplex laciniata L. was investigated for phenolic, flavonoid contents, antioxidant, anticholinesterase activities, in an attempt to explore its effectiveness in Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders. Plant crude methanolic extract (Al.MeF), subsequent fractions; n-hexane (Al.HxF), chloroform (Al.CfF), ethyl acetate (Al.EaF), aqueous (Al.WtF), Saponins (Al.SPF) and Flavonoids (Al.FLVF) were investigated for DPPH, ABTS and H2O2 free radical scavenging activities. Further these extracts were subjected to acetylcholinesterase (AChE) & butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities using Ellman’s assay. Phenolic and Flavonoid contents were determined and expressed in mg Gallic acid GAE/g and Rutin RTE/g of samples respectively.ResultsIn DPPH free radicals scavenging assay, Al.FLVF, Al.SPF and Al.MeF showed highest activity causing 89.41 ± 0.55, 83.37 ± 0.34 and 83.37 ± 0.34% inhibition of free radicals respectively at 1 mg/mL concentration. IC50 for these fractions were 33, 83 and 82 μg/mL respectively. Similarly, plant extracts showed high ABTS scavenging potential, i.e. Al.FLVF (90.34 ± 0.55), Al.CfF (83.42 ± 0.57), Al.MeF (81.49 ± 0.60) with IC50 of 30, 190 and 70 μg/ml respectively. further, H2O2 percent scavenging was highly appraised in Al.FLVF (91.29 ± 0.53, IC50 75), Al.SPF (85.35 ± 0.61, IC50 70) and Al.EaF (83.48 ± 0.67, IC50 270 μg/mL). All fractions exhibited concentration dependent AChE inhibitory activity as; Al.FLVF, 88.31 ± 0.57 (IC50 70 μg/mL), Al.SPF, 84.36 ± 0.64 (IC50 90 μg/mL), Al.MeF, 78.65 ± 0.70 (IC50 280 μg/mL), Al.EaF, 77.45 ± 0.46 (IC50 270 μg/mL) and Al.WtF 72.44 ± 0.58 (IC50 263 μg/mL) at 1 mg/mL. Likewise the percent BChE inhibitory activity was most obvious in Al.FLVF 85.46 ± 0.62 (IC50 100 μg/mL), Al.CfF 83.49 ± 0.46 (IC50 160 μg/mL), Al.MeF 82.68 ± 0.60 (IC50 220 μg/mL) and Al.SPF 80.37 ± 0.54 (IC50 120 μg/mL).ConclusionsThese results stipulate that A. laciniata is enriched with phenolic and flavonoid contents that possess significant antioxidant and anticholinestrase effects. This provide pharmacological basis for the presence of compounds that may be effective in Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders.

떫은감의 재배지역과 품종에 따른 영양성분 특성

The nutritional components of astringent persimmons according to growing region (five different regions) and cultivar (Daebong and Bansi) were analyzed. The analyzed nutritional components were proximate compositions, insoluble and soluble dietary fibers, vitamin C, carotenes (β-carotene and lycopene), free sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), sugar alcohols (xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol), minerals (Na, Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, and Zn), organic acids (tartaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, and succinic acid), tannic acid, total phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. Daebong and Bansi, which are representative cultivars of astringent persimmons grown in Korea, exhibited significant differences in nutritional components. Insoluble dietary fibers, β-carotene, fructose, sucrose, mannitol, potassium, malic acid, succinic acid, and total phenolic compounds were present at higher levels in Daebong as compared to Bansi. On the other hand, Bansi was rich in moisture, crude protein, vitamin C, Ca, Mn, tartaric acid, and flavonoids. Nutritional components were highly influenced by growing region. Daebong grown in region A was greater in β-carotene, sorbitol, mannitol, zinc, and total phenolic compounds among the all other tested persimmons grown in five different regions. The crude protein, Na, Ca, Mn, tartaric acid, and flavonoids were highest in Bansi grown in E region.

Antioxidant and anticholinesterase investigations of Rumex hastatus D. Don: potential effectiveness in oxidative stress and neurological disorders.

BackgroundRumex species are traditionally used for the treatment of neurological disorders including headache, migraine, depression, paralysis etc. Several species have been scientifically validated for antioxidant and anticholinestrase potentials. This study aims to investigate Rumex hastatus D. Don crude methanolic extract, subsequent fractions, saponins and flavonoids for acetylcholinestrase, butyrylcholinestrase inhibition and diverse antioxidant activities to validate its folkloric uses in neurological disorders. Rumex hastatus crude methanolic extract (Rh. Cr), subsequent fractions; n-hexane (Rh. Hex), chloroform (Rh. Chf), ethyl acetate (Rh. EtAc), aqueous fraction (Rh. Aq), crude saponins (Rh. Sp) and flavonoids (Rh. Fl) were investigated against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) at various concentrations (125, 250, 500, 1000 μg/mL) using Ellman’s spectrophotometric analysis. Antioxidant potentials of Rh. Sp and Rh. Fl were evaluated using DPPH, H2O2 and ABTS free radical scavenging assays at 62.5, 125, 250, 500, 1000 μg/mL.ResultsAll the test samples showed concentration dependent cholinesterase inhibition and radicals scavenging activity. The AChE inhibition potential of Rh. Sp and Rh. Fl were most prominent i.e., 81.67 ± 0.88 and 91.62 ± 1.67 at highest concentration with IC50 135 and 20 μg/mL respectively. All the subsequent fractions exhibited moderate to high AChE inhibition i.e., Rh. Cr, Rh. Hex, Rh. Chf, Rh. EtAc and Rh. Aq showed IC50 218, 1420, 75, 115 and 1210 μg/mL respectively. Similarly, against BChE various plant extracts i.e., Rh. Sp, Rh. Fl, Rh. Cr, Rh. Hex, Rh. Chf, Rh. EtAc and Rh. Aq resulted IC50 165, 175, 265, 890, 92, 115 and 220 μg/mL respectively. In DPPH free radical scavenging assay, Rh. Sp and Rh. Fl showed comparable results with the positive control i.e., 63.34 ± 0.98 and 76.93 ± 1.13% scavenging at 1 mg/mL concentration (IC50 312 and 104 μg/mL) respectively. The percent ABTS radical scavenging potential exhibited by Rh. Sp and Rh. Fl (1000 μg/mL) were 82.58 ± 0.52 and 88.25 ± 0.67 with IC50 18 and 9 μg/mL respectively. Similarly in H2O2 scavenging assay, the Rh. Sp and Rh. Fl exhibited IC50 175 and 275 μg/mL respectively.ConclusionThe strong anticholinesterase and antioxidant activities of Rh. Sp, Rh. Fl and various fractions of R. hastatus support the purported ethnomedicinal uses and recommend R. hastatus as a possible remedy for the treatment of AD and neurodegenerative disorders.

Characteristics of Gouda cheese supplemented with fruit liquors.

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the quality characteristics of Gouda cheeses supplemented with fruit liquor (Prunusmume or Cornus officinalis). Fruit liquor was supplemented to Gouda cheeses during preparation. Changes in chemical composition, lactic acid bacterial population, pH, water-soluble nitrogen, sensory characteristics, and proteolysis were monitored in the prepared ripened cheese. The electrophoresis patterns of cheese proteins, fruit liquor functional component concentrations, and the flavonoid content of the cheeses were also determined. The addition of fruit liquor did not affect (p> 0.05) the appearance or sensory characteristics of the cheeses. Higher amounts of crude ash, mineral, and flavonoids (p< 0.05) were observed in the liquor supplemented cheese than in the control cheese. Findings from this study suggest that wine supplemented Gouda could provide additional nutrients while maintaining flavor and quality.

Crude Flavonoids Isolated from the Stem Bark of Annona senegalensis have Antimicrobial Activity

This study was aimed at determining the in vitro antimicrobial activity of crude flavonoids isolated from the stem bark of Annona senegalensis. The study was carried out in the laboratory of Biochemistry department, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria, between July and October, 2013. The antimicrobial activity was carried out using agar well diffusion method. Phytochemical screening of the methanolic stem bark extract of Annona senegalensis revealed the presence of steroids, saponins, anthraquinones, flavonoids, tannins and cardiac glycosides. Crude flavonoid of 1.956g was found to be present in 10g of stem-bark extract of the plant. Streptomycin was used as standard which gave the zones of inhibition of 23mm against Escherichia coli, 26mm against Salmonella typhi and 28mm against Shigella specie while the isolated crude flavonoids from the stem bark of Annona senegalensis gave the zones of inhibition of 18mm against Escherichia coli, 25 mm against Salmonella typhi and 26 mm against Shigella specie. Crude flavonoids exhibited Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) against Shigella specie and Escherichia coli at 100mg/ml while against Salmonella typhi at 50mg/ml. In Original Research Article Jada et al.; JABB, 2(1): 24-29, 2015; Article no.JABB.2015.004 25 conclusion, the crude flavonoids isolated from the stem bark of Annona senegalensis have antimicrobial activity against the test organisms.

聚酰胺树脂层析纯化蜂粮总黄酮的研究

使用聚酰胺对经过大孔树脂层析的蜂粮总黄酮提取液进行进一步纯化。考察了pH值和样液浓度对聚酰胺静态吸附的影响，并进行了动态吸附试验，确定了蜂粮总黄酮分离纯化的最佳条件：上液浓度0.522 mg/ml，pH值8.0，柱高19 cm，洗脱剂为90%乙醇，洗脱流速1.0 ml/min。在最佳条件下，经过两次层析，蜂粮黄酮纯度达到32.6%，回收率达到64.7%。 Bee bread flavonoids extract purified with macroporous resin was purified further with polyamide resin. The influence of different kinds of pH and sample concentration on the features of static absorption of crude flavonoids was compared and dynamic adsorption experiments were conducted. The results showed that the optimum experimental conditions were as follows: loading concentration of flavonoids was 0.522 mg/ml, pH 8.0, the height of column was 19 cm, and the most effective desorption was obtained with 90% of alcohol as eluent with a flowing rate of 1.00 ml/min. After purified under optimum conditions by polyamide resin adsorption chromatography for two times, the content of flavonoids reached 32.6% and the recovery reached 64.7%.

Investigations of anticholinestrase and antioxidant potentials of methanolic extract, subsequent fractions, crude saponins and flavonoids isolated from Isodon rugosus.

BackgroundBased on the ethnomedicinal uses and the effective outcomes of natural products in various diseases, this study was designed to evaluate Isodon rugosus as possible remedy in oxidative stress, alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. Acetylecholinestrase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities of crude methanolic extract (Ir.Cr), resultant fractions (n-hexane (Ir.Hex), chloroform (Ir.Cf), ethyl acetate (Ir.EtAc), aqueous (Ir.Aq)), flavonoids (Ir.Flv) and crude saponins (Ir.Sp) of I. rugosus were investigated using Ellman’s spectrophotometric method. Antioxidant potential of I. rugosus was determined using DPPH, H2O2 and ABTS free radicals scavenging assays. Total phenolic and flavonoids contents of plant extracts were determined and expressed in mg GAE/g dry weight and mg RTE/g of dry sample respectively.ResultsAmong different fractions Ir.Flv and Ir.Cf exhibited highest inhibitory activity against AChE (87.44 ± 0.51, 83.73 ± 0.64%) and BChE (82.53 ± 0.71, 88.55 ± 0.77%) enzymes at 1 mg/ml with IC50 values of 45, 50 for AChE and 40, 70 μg/ml for BChE respectively. Activity of these fractions were comparable to galanthamine causing 96.00 ± 0.30 and 88.61 ± 0.43% inhibition of AChE and BChE at 1 mg/ml concentration with IC50 values of 20 and 47 μg/ml respectively. In antioxidant assays, Ir.Flv, Ir.Cf, and Ir.EtAc demonstrated highest radicals scavenging activities in DPPH and H2O2 assays which were comparable to ascorbic acid. Ir.Flv was found most potent with IC50 of 19 and 24 μg/ml against DPPH and H2O2 radicals respectively. Whereas antioxidant activates of plant samples against ABTS free radicals was moderate. Ir.Cf, Ir.EtAc and Ir.Cr showed high phenolic and flavonoid contents and concentrations of these compounds in different fractions correlated well to their antioxidant and anticholinestrase activities.ConclusionIt may be inferred from the current investigations that the Ir.Sp, Ir.Flv and various fractions of I. rugosus are good sources of anticholinesterase and antioxidant compounds. Different fractions can be subjected to activity guided isolation of bioactive compounds effective in neurological disorders.

Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activity of Flavonoids from Artocarpus Lowii King

Tyrosinase inhibitory activity was studied on the crude extracts and flavonoids successfully isolated from the leaves and heartwoods of Artocarpus lowii King. The flavonoids were fully characterized spectroscopically as isobavachalcone (1), 4-hydroxyonchocarpin (2), 2',4'-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-3'-prenyldihydrochalcone (3), 2',4'-dihydroxy-3,4-(2",2"-dimethylchromeno)-3'-prenyldihydrochalcone (4), artocarpin (5), cycloheterophyllin (6) and 4',5-dihydroxy-6,7-(2,2-dimethylpyrano)-2'-methoxy-8-γ,γ-dimethyl allylflavone (7). Tyrosinase inhibitory activity of the samples was determined against mushroom tyrosinase using ELISA microplate reader. Cycloheterophyllin (6) exhibited an excellent inhibitory activity against mushroom tyrosinase comparable to the standard kojic acid with the IC50 value of 52.5 µg/mL (88.3%).

In vitro attenuation of thermal-induced protein denaturation by aerial parts of Artemisia scoparia.

The goal of this study was to explore the aerial parts of Artemisia scoparia (crude extract, total flavonoid contents, and aqueous fraction) for protein denaturation potential. The crude extract provoked marked attenuation of thermal-induced denatured protein in a concentration-dependent manner with maximum inhibition of 54.05 μg/mL at 500 μg/mL and IC50 of 449.66 μg/mL. When total flavonoid contents were studied, it illustrated most dominant activity concentration dependently with maximum amelioration of 62.16 μg/mL at 500 μg/mL and IC50 of 378.35 μg/mL. The aqueous fraction also exhibited significant activity with maximum of 56.75% inhibition at 500 μg/mL and IC50 of 445.10 μg/mL. It can be concluded on the basis of the results that the crude extract, flavonoid contents, and aqueous fraction of the plant possessed significant inhibition on thermal-induced denatured protein.

In vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of flavonoids from Panax notoginseng flowers

Panax notoginseng and its flowers are both well-known traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. To date, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of flavonoids from P. notoginseng flowers (PNF) remain unclear. In this study, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of flavonoids from PNF were investigated. The crude flavonoids were purified using a column (25 cm × 1.5 cm) packed with AB-8 macroporous adsorption resin. Compared with ascorbic acid, the purified flavonoids excelled in scavenging activities on 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid, superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals at 0.2–1.0 mg/mL concentration. However, flavonoids exhibited weaker reducing power than ascorbic acid at 20–100 μg/mL concentration. In addition, the flavonoids exhibited obvious inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These results clearly indicate that flavonoids from PNF are effective in scavenging free radicals and have the potential to be used as antioxidants and antimicrobial agents, and also provide the theoretical data for supporting the use of PNF in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.

In vivo Trypanocidal Activity of Ethanolic Crude Extract and Phytochemical Fractions of Garcinia kola Seeds

Aim: To determine the trypanocidal activity of the crude ethanolic extract and phytochemical fractions of Garcinia kola seeds in Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected rats. Study Design: Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected rats were treated with the ethanolic crude extract, alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin and cardiac glycoside fractions of Garcinia kola seeds. Parasitaemia and Packed cell volume (PCV) were measured. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria between June and October 2011. Methodology: 11 groups of four rats each were used. Group A rats were infected but not treated. Groups B, C, D, E and F were infected but treated with 50mg/kg crude extract, alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin and cardiac glycoside fractions respectively, while groups G, H, I, J and K were infected but treated with 100mg/kg of the extracts respectively. Parasitaemia levels of rats were observed daily under Light microscope at x100 magnification. PCV values were determined on days 4 and 8 using microhaematocrit centrifuge at 10,000xg for 5 min. Results: At 50mg/kg the crude extract brought about a 37.50% reduction in the parasitaemia of infected rats, the alkaloid fraction 76.70%, flavonoid fraction 53.45% and saponin fraction 76.70%. At 100mg/kg the crude extract and the alkaloid, flavonoid and Research Article Annual Research & Review in Biology, 4(1): 212-222, 2014 213 saponin fractions reduced parasitaemia of infected rats by 84.50%, 92.25%, 61.20% and 68.98% respectively. Treatment with the cardiac glycoside fraction showed no improvement in parasitaemia. Significant increases (P=.05) in PCV values were observed in all the treated groups on days 4 and 8 when compared with the untreated ones. Conclusion: Available results from this research shows that ethanolic crude extract of Garcinia kola seeds and its alkaloid, flavonoid and saponin fractions at 50 and 100mg/kg demonstrated activities against Trypanosoma brucei brucei in rats.

Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activity of Crude Flavonoid Fraction from the Fruits of Hybrid Variety of Momordica charantia (Bitter Gourd)

Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International (ISSN: 2456-9119) is dedicated to publish high quality papers in all areas of pharmaceutical Science including pharmaceutical drugs, community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, compounding pharmacy, consultant pharmacy, internet pharmacy, veterinary pharmacy, nuclear pharmacy, military pharmacy, pharmacy informatics, pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry, pharmacognosy, pharmacotherapy, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical pharmacology, neuropharmacology, psychopharmacology, pharmacogenetics, pharmacogenomics, pharmacoepidemiology, toxicology, theoretical pharmacology, posology, pharmacognosy, behavioral pharmacology, environmental pharmacology, medicine development and safety testing, drug legislation and safety, pharmaceutical microbiology, pharmaceutical molecular biology, pharmaceutical biotechnology. The journal also encourages the submission of useful reports of negative results. This is a quality controlled, OPEN peer reviewed, open access INTERNATIONAL journal.

Effects of crude extracts from medicinal herbs Rhazya stricta and Zingiber officinale on growth and proliferation of human brain cancer cell line in vitro.

Hitherto, limited clinical impact has been achieved in the treatment of glioblastoma (GBMs). Although phytochemicals found in medicinal herbs can provide mankind with new therapeutic remedies, single agent intervention has failed to bring the expected outcome in clinical trials. Therefore, combinations of several agents at once are gaining increasing attractiveness. In the present study, we investigated the effects of crude alkaloid (CAERS) and flavonoid (CFEZO) extracts prepared from medicinal herbs, Rhazya stricta and Zingiber officinale, respectively, on the growth of human GBM cell line, U251. R. stricta and Z. officinale are traditionally used in folkloric medicine and have antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and free radical scavenging properties. Combination of CAERS and CFEZO treatments synergistically suppressed proliferation and colony formation and effectively induced morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis in U251 cells. Apoptosis induction was mediated by release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, increased Bax : Bcl-2 ratio, enhanced activities of caspase-3 and -9, and PARP-1 cleavage. CAERS and CFEZO treatments decreased expression levels of nuclear NF-κBp65, survivin, XIAP, and cyclin D1 and increased expression level of p53, p21, and Noxa. These results suggest that combination of CAERS and CFEZO provides a useful foundation for studying and developing novel chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of GBM.

Nootropic potential of Bauhinia variegata: A systematic study on murine model

Objectives: Bauhinia variegata Linn (leguminosae) is one of the important medicinal herbs used traditionally to treat fever, as tonic, astringent, diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhoids, piles, edema. Recent findings on Bauhinia variegata Linn have demonstrated its antioxidant, anti-hyperlipidemic, and hepatoprotective potential. The present work is focused to evaluate nootropic potential of Bauhinia variegata Linn in rats. Materials and Methods: The leaves of Bauhinia variegata were collected in the month of January from Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh). Leaves were subjected for isolation of crude flavonoids and characterized by total flavonoid content assay. Flavonoid-rich extract of Bauhinia variegata was studied for acute oral toxicity as per revised Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development guidelines No. 423. Nootropic activity was determined by elevated plus maze, rotating rod apparatus, baclofen-induced catatonia, diazepam-induced amnesia. Results: Flavonoid-rich fraction of Bauhinia variegata caused no alteration in locomotion in animals. In the current study, animals treated with flavonoid-rich fraction of Bauhinia variegata (400 mg/kg) showed a significant decrease in transfer latency as compared to the control group, which indicates cognitive enhancement effect flavonoid-rich fraction of Bauhinia variegata. In rota rod studies, flavonoid-rich fraction of Bauhinia variegata increased fall of time as compared to diazepam. In baclofen-induced catatonia, administration of flavonoid-rich fraction of Bauhinia variegata demonstrated protective effect on rats. Over all, flavonoid-rich fraction of Bauhinia variegata was found to enhance the performance of murine models. Conclusion: Thus, it could be concluded that flavonoids from Bauhinia variegata possess nootropic potential. However, more systematic studies are required to determine its exact mechanism of action.

Quality control method for commercially available wild Jujube leaf tea based on HPLC characteristic fingerprint analysis of flavonoid compounds

Flavonoids are the main active components of natural medicinal plants with many physiological functions. In this study, an HPLC fingerprinting method based on the distribution and relative amount of 11 bioactive flavonoids was established for the quality evaluation of commercially available wild Jujube leaf tea (JLT) from China. Separation of the crude flavonoid extract was achieved on a column filled with C18 material with a high carbon content. The flavonoids in wild JLT were identified based on UV spectroscopy and accurate mass measurements by TOF-MS. Twenty-one batches of practical samples collected from different habitats were analyzed by using the developed HPLC method to construct the HPLC characteristic fingerprint of wild JLT. Then, combined with clustering and similarity analyses, the HPLC characteristic fingerprint was used for the authentication and quality evaluation of commercial wild JLT. Results indicated that the proposed HPLC characteristic fingerprint reflected the inherent characteristics of wild JLT collected from different regions. Authenticity identification and quality control of commercially available wild Jujube tea were achieved based on the HPLC characteristic fingerprint analysis. This new approach to bioactive component profiling provided a promising reference method for the quality evaluation of commercial wild flower and plant tea.

Antimicrobial activity of Calotropis procera Ait. (Asclepiadaceae) and isolation of four flavonoid glycosides as the active constituents

Antimicrobial activity of solvent extracts and flavonoids of Calotropis procera growing wild in Saudi Arabia was evaluated using the agar well-diffusion method. A bioassay-guided fractionation of the crude flavonoid fraction (Cf3) of MeOH extract which showed the highest antimicrobial activity led to the isolation of four flavonoid glycosides as the bioactive constituents. Structure of compounds have been elucidated using physical and spectroscopic methods including (UV, IR, (1)H, (13)C-NMR, DEPT, 2D (1)H-(1)H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY). Compounds were found to be the 3-O-rutinosides of quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin, besides the flavonoid 5-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone-4'-O-β-glucopyranoside. Most of the isolated extracts showed antimicrobial activity against the test microorganisms, where the crude flavonoid fraction was the most active, diameter of inhibition zones ranged between 15.5 and 28.5 mm against the tested bacterial strains, while reached 30 mm against the fungal Candida albicans. The minimal inhibitory concentrations varied from 0.04 to 0.32 mg/ml against all of the tested microorganisms in case of the crude flavonoid fraction. Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside showed superior activity over the remainder flavonoids. The Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) were more susceptible than the Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enteritidis) and the yeast species were more susceptible than the filamentous fungi. The study recommend the use of such natural products as antimicrobial biorationals.