Determined Using The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl Research Articles

Topical Formulations of Butterfly Pea Flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) Ethanol Extract by Ultrasound-assisted Extraction: Formulation and Antioxidant Activity Evaluation

The antioxidant action of Butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) is believed to be attributed to its flavonoids, alkaloids and polyphenols components. These chemicals function as antioxidants, effectively neutralising free radicals and providing protection against skin damage caused by UV radiation. The objective of this study was to ascertain the IC50 value of butterfly pea extract and thereafter to evaluate the degree of customer preference and convenience towards pharmaceutical items. This study utilised ultrasound-assisted extraction with a solvent technique employing 96% ethanol to generate extracts. These extracts were then compounded into several topical formulations including cream, gel and face spray. Initial assessments were conducted on all compositions, encompassing organoleptic, homogeneity, pH, viscosity, specific gravity, adhesion, spreadability, wetness and irritation. This study also incorporated acceptance and customer preference as factors. The antioxidant activity of BPF extract was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) technique by estimating the IC50 value. The analysis revealed that the BPF extract had a yield of 38.75%. The IC50 values for the gel, cream and face mist preparations were 97.70, 49.14 and 73.89 ppm respectively. The cream recipe had the highest level of antioxidant activity. The determination of consumer preference has indicated that the majority of consumers favours face mist over other formulations.

Formulation of phytosomes with sun protection factor using Agave americana ethanolic extract

Over-exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays is a major environmental risk factor for skin cancer. Shortcomings associated with the use of synthetic sunscreens can be overcome by the use of herbal based sunscreens. Plant phytochemicals have antioxidant activity and Sun Protection Factor (SPF) activity, however their hydrophilic nature limits their ability to penetrate into deeper areas of the skin thereby affecting their bioavailability. The aim of this study was to formulate phytosomes with antioxidant and SPF activity using ethanolic extracts of Agave americana americana and Agave americana marginata leaves. Soxhlet extraction was used to extract phytochemicals from dried leaves. The presence of phenols, flavonoids, and tannins were confirmed using various tests. The antioxidant activity was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay while SPF activity was determined using UV spectroscopy. Phytosomes were formulated and characterized for size, Polydispersity Index (PDI) and zeta potential. A. americana americana had a higher content of flavonoids, phenols, and tannins which also resulted in better antioxidant activity (IC50) 4.77 μg/ml versus 5.66 μg/ml and SPF activity of 9.95 versus 5.84, when compared to A. americana marginata. The phytosome formulations using A. americana americana had SPF activity of 9.96 to 13.3 with 40 mg extract and 60 mg soy lecithin having the highest activity. This formulation had the smallest particle size of 91nm, PDI and zeta potential of 0.235 and -4.95, respectively. These results indicate the formulation of the extracts into phytosomes enhances their SPF activity.

Ethanolic Extract of Mangifera indica Protects against CCl4-Induced Hepatotoxicity via Antioxidant Capabilities in Albino Rats.

To investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of ethanolic Mangifera indica (M. indica) seed extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. Forty-eight albino rats weighing (100-150 g) were used for hepatoprotective and toxicity experiments. Antioxidant activity was determined using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The toxicity of M. indica seeds on the liver was evaluated by examining wellness parameters, body weight, and liver histological sections. The protective effects of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg of seed extract on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated by evaluating hematological, renal, and liver function parameters, body weight, and liver histological sections. The antioxidant activity of the M. indica ethanolic extract was (92 ± 0.03 RSA %) compared with (91 ± 0.01 RSA %) of propyl gallate, and the IC50 was (8.3 ± 0.01 µg/ml) and (14.1 ± 0.01 µg/ml). No changes were observed in the health indicators, body weights, and liver histological sections following oral administration of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg of M. indica seed extracts. Treatment with M. indica seed extract significantly reduced alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), blood sugar, and urea levels compared with those in the CCl4-treated group. The IC50 of the M. indica ethanolic extract was 8.3 µg/ml, and the M. indica extract is a potential source of natural antioxidants that protect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity.

Phytochemical Assessment, Antioxidant Activity, and in vitro Wound Healing Potential of Polygonum minus Huds

The increasing prevalence of chronic wounds, associated with aging, obesity, and diabetes, is compounded by bacterial resistance and adverse effects associated with commercial wound care products. Therefore, treatment modalities to accelerate the healing process are constantly being sought. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, and wound healing potential of the aqueous extract derived from the stems and leaves of Polygonum minus. The extract was subjected to phytochemical evaluation to assess the diversity of secondary metabolites. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric and aluminium chloride methods, respectively. The antioxidant activity was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The wound healing effects were evaluated using proliferation and migration assays on human epidermal keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. The phytochemical evaluation of the aqueous extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, steroids, and cardiac glycosides. Furthermore, the extract exhibited high TPC (137.74 ± 0.75 µg/mL GAE) and TFC (177.08 ± 3.16 µg/mL QE) values, as well as radical scavenging activity at 79.50% in the DPPH assay and a FRAP value of 1485.67 ± 0.05 µM/g Fe2+. At the lowest concentration of 7.81 μg/mL, the extract significantly stimulated cell proliferation and migration within 24 hours of treatment. The stimulation of cell migration was comparable with that of allantoin, which was used as a positive control. This study indicated that the P. minus aqueous extract contains a high concentration of phenolic compounds, which could contribute significantly to its antioxidant activity and promote the proliferation and migration of keratinocytes. The findings suggest that the extract may merit further investigation for potential applications in topical therapy related to wound healing.

Physicochemical, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Properties of Three Medicinal Plants from the Western Part of the Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria.

The present study examined the physicochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of three medicinal plants: thyme (Thymus callieri Borbás ex Velen), cotton thistle (Onopordum acanthium L.), and hawthorn fruit (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.) from the Western Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria. The first stage determined the physicochemical characteristics (moisture, ash, carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamin C) of the three herbs. The second stage investigated four types of extracts (aqueous, oil, methanolic, and ethanolic) of each herb and evaluated their total phenolic content, the presence of phenolic compounds (flavonoids and phenolic acids), their antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial properties. Thyme was characterised by the highest ash, protein, and vitamin C content (6.62%, 11.30%, and 571 mg/100 g, respectively). Hawthorn fruit showed the highest moisture and carbohydrate content (8.50% and 4.20%, respectively). The 70% ethanolic extracts of the three herbs exhibited the highest levels of phenolic compounds and, consequently, pronounced antioxidant activity, compared to the other three types of extracts. The aqueous, oil, methanolic, and ethanolic thyme extracts demonstrated the highest total phenolic content-TPC (27.20 mg GAE/g, 8.20 mg GAE/g, 31.70 mg GAE/g, and 310.00 mg GAE/g, respectively), compared to the extracts of the other two plants. These results were consistent with the highest antioxidant activity of the thyme extracts determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, and the hydroxyl radical averting capacity (HORAC) assay (except for the oil extract examined using the DPPH method). The results from the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that the flavonoid quercetin-3-ß-glucoside had the highest concentration in thyme (374.5 mg/100 g), while myricetin dominated in the cotton thistle (152.3 mg/100 g). The phenolic acid content analysis showed prevalence of rosmaric acid in the thyme (995 mg/100 g), whereas chlorogenic acid was detected in the highest concentration in the cotton thistle and hawthorn fruit (324 mg/100 g and 27.7 mg/100 g, respectively). The aqueous, methanolic, and ethanolic extracts showed moderate to high antibacterial potential but limited antifungal activity. None of the oil extracts inhibited the test microorganisms used in the study.

Solid–Liquid Extraction of Bioactive Molecules from White Grape Skin: Optimization and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

In this work, the solid–liquid extraction of bioactive molecules from grape skin was performed using water as the extraction solvent. The effects of extraction time (t = 60, 75, and 90 min), extraction temperature (T = 40, 60, and 80 °C), solid–liquid phase ratio (S/L = 10, 20, and 30 g/L), and mixing speed (rpm = 250, 500, and 750 1/min) on the total dissolved solids, extraction yield, concentration of total polyphenols, and antioxidant activity were determined using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. According to response surface modeling, the optimal extraction conditions were t = 75 min, T = 80 °C, S/L = 30 g/L, and rpm = 750 1/min, and under optimal process conditions, 8.38 mgGAE/gd.m. was obtained. Furthermore, the potential of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy coupled with artificial neural network (ANN) modeling for prediction of the physical and chemical properties of prepared extracts was also analyzed. The use of ANN modeling demonstrated highly favorable correlations between the NIR spectra and all the variables tested, particularly the total dissolved solids (TDS) and antioxidant activity measured using the FRAP method. As a result, ANN modeling proved to be a valuable tool for predicting the concentration of total polyphenols, the antioxidant activity, and the extraction yield of a plant extract based on its NIR spectra.

Cytotoxicity, Apoptosis Induction, Oxidative Stress, and Cell Cycle Arrest of Clerodendrum chinense Flower Extract Nanoparticles in HeLa Cells

Clerodendrum chinense is a plant containing numerous secondary active metabolites. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-cancer activities of C. chinense flower ethanolic extract and identify the bioactive compounds. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to identify and quantify the bioactive compounds of the extract. The antioxidant activity of the extract was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) free radical scavenging assays and the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay (FRAP). The cytotoxicity of C. chinense flower ethanolic extract against A549, MCF-7 and HeLa cells was determined using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Nanoparticles (NPs) of C. chinense flower extract were fabricated using a solvent displacement method. Then the anti-cancer activities of the extract and NPs were confirmed by cytotoxicity, cell apoptotic induction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, colony formation and cell cycle assays against HeLa cervical cancer cells. C. chinense flower extract and NPs showed significant free radical scavenging activities and ferric-reducing power. As shown by Pearson’s correlation coefficients, the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of C. chinense flower extract and NPs significantly correlated with antioxidant activity. C. chinense flower extract demonstrated antiproliferative activity against A549, MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cells after treatment for 24, 48 and 72 h. The growth inhibition of HeLa cells mediated by C. chinense flower extract and NPs appears to be associated with apoptosis, ROS formation and cell cycle arrest. Thus, this study provided evidence of the anticervical cancer potentials of C. chinense flower ethanolic extract and NPs. Keywords: Natural products, Nanoparticles, Pharmaceutical, Phenolic compounds, Plant extract, Clerodendrum chinense

Phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of various solvent extracts of two varieties of ginger and garlic

There is limited information on the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of ginger and garlic consumed in Uganda. This could have an impact on its widespread use and industrial application. Thus, this study was done to determine the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of two varieties of ginger and garlic commonly consumed in Uganda. Fresh ginger rhizomes and garlic cloves of "local" and "hybrid" varieties were acquired from a local food market, washed, grated, and extracted using acetone, ethanol, methanol, and water. Standard techniques were used to determine the phytochemical composition. Total phenolic and flavonoid content were measured using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride assays, respectively. Antioxidant activity was determined using the 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) assays. Ginger extracts exhibited significantly higher total phenolic and flavonoid content compared to garlic (p˂0.05). The highest total phenolic and flavonoid content was in ethanol and methanol extracts of local ginger: 1968.49 and 2172.65 mg GAE/100 g; 254.24 and 184.62 mg QE/100 g, respectively. Tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and terpenoids were in varying concentrations in the extracts. Levels of Vitamin C were significantly high in aqueous extracts (p˂0.05), 38.34 and 40.80 AAE/100 g in local and hybrid ginger; 33.65 and 35.24 mg AAE/100 g in local and hybrid garlic, respectively. The free radical scavenging activity of extracts varied depending on concentration, with a strong positive correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenolic and flavonoid content. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) ranged from 0.16 to 8.93 mg/ml in local ginger, 4.43–6.44 mg/ml in hybrid ginger, 3.93–5.64 mg/ml in local garlic, and 4.44–5.27 mg/ml in hybrid garlic. The best antioxidant activity was exhibited by ethanol extracts of the local ginger. According to the findings, the two varieties of ginger and garlic have strong antioxidant activity due to their different phytochemical compositions, which could make them useful as natural antioxidants in food and medicine applications.

UHPLC-MS/MS phytochemical screening, polyphenolic content and antioxidant potential of Diplorhynchus condylocarpon (Müll.Arg.) Pichon (Apocynaceae), a medicinal plant

Diplorhynchus condylocarpon (Müll.Arg.) Pichon (Apocynaceae) leaves, stem bark, and roots are commonly used as popular folk medicine in Zambia and other African countries. This work aimed to find out the broad categories of phytocompounds present in the plant, screen the polyphenols, and assess the total polyphenolic content and the antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of leaf, stem bark, and roots. Maceration was used to extract secondary metabolites for preliminary phytochemical screening. QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe), based technique was used to recover polyphenols for liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) screening. Standard chemical tests were used for preliminary phytochemical screening. Total phenolic content (TPC) was evaluated using the Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) method at 765 nm. Total flavonoid content (TFC) was evaluated by the aluminum chloride colorimetric assay at 510 nm. Antioxidant activity was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method at 517 nm. The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of antioxidants, polyphenols, and other valuable phytocompounds such as alkaloids, saponins, and terpenoids. The LCMS/MS polyphenolic screening revealed the presence of mainly polyphenolic metabolites. TPC values were higher in the leaf (171.099±0.515 mg GAE/g) and root (88.8093±3.156 mg GAE/g) than in the stem bark (71.061±0.515 mg GAE/g) extracts. Further, the leaf extract contained 129.402±0.407, the root contained 64.672±0.813, and the stem bark had 37.643±0.704 mg QE/g total flavonoids. The leaf extract exhibited in a dose-dependent manner higher DPPH radical scavenging activities (34.250, 50.625, 66.562, 81.406, and 97.344%), followed by the root (16.406, 31.406, 50.781, 65.625, and 82.188%), and the stem bark extract only had the least DPP quenching activities (15.469, 27.969, 40.469, 52.500, and 68.590%) for the concentration of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 µg/mL respectively. Further, the results from the DPPH assay show that the leaf extract had the best IC50 value of 19.973 µg/mL, followed by the root extract with 60.867 µg/mL, and the stem bark extract with 107.150 µg/mL. These antioxidant activities support the traditionally claimed therapeutic benefits of D. condylocarpon leaves, stem bark, and roots in the treatment of oxidative stress-related disorders such as diabetes mellitus, chronic wounds, and diarrhea. This study may lead to the production of new herbal medicines using D. condylocarpon.

Bioactivity assays and phytochemical analysis upon Alcea glabrata; focusing on xanthine oxidase inhibitory and antimalarial properties

Alcea glabrata from the family Malvaceae, was selected for evaluating its xanthine oxidase inhibitory, anti-malarial, and antioxidant activities. In addition, some phytochemical analysis upon different extracts of A. glabrata were performed. Aerial parts of the collected A. glabrata plant material were dried and solvent extracted via soxhlet apparatus using different solvents. Various chromatographic techniques were used for extra fractionation of the achieved extracts. Xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory, antimalarial and antioxidant activity assays upon different A. glabrata extracts and fractions were carried out and reported in terms of IC50s. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the A. glabrata methanol extract (MeOH) were determined using the 2,2-Di Phenyl-1-Picryl Hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, aluminum chloride colorimetric, and Folin-Ciocalteu reagents, respectively. In addition, A. glabrata essential oil was obtained through hydrodistillation by a Clevenger apparatus. Analysis and identification of essential oil compounds were carried out through gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. MeOH extract showed the highest XO inhibitory activity with the IC50 of 0.37 ± 0.12 mg/mL antioxidant activity with the RC50 of 0.24 ± 0.06 mg/mL. While, chloroform extract revealed the strongest antimalarial activity with the IC50 of 0.4 ± 0.05 mg/mL. The total flavonoid and phenolic contents of the A. glabrata methanol extract were 39.8 mg quercetin equivalent and 6.1 g gallic acid equivalent per 100 g of dry plant material, respectively. GC-MS analysis showed that the monoterpenes were prevailing in A. glabrata essential oil where the major constituents: octacosane (30.7%), eugenol (12.3%), and anethole (12.0%). Concerning the results of this study, A. glabrata extracts and its ingredients could be considered as a novel promising herbal medicine in the design and also treatment of new drugs for the relief of gout and malaria diseases.

Lipids Fraction from Caralluma europaea (Guss.): MicroTOF and HPLC Analyses and Exploration of Its Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Wound Healing Effects

Caralluma europaea is a medicinal plant used in Morocco to cure a variety of illnesses. This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition, the antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities of C. europaea lipids. The chemical composition of C. europaea was analyzed using time-of-flight mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant potential was determined using the 2,2-di-phenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests. The antiproliferative effect was evaluated by MTT assay against HL60, K562, Huh-7 cancer cells, and normal Vero cells. The anti-inflammatory potential was conducted against carrageenan-induced paw edema. The wound healing effect was evaluated against skin burns for 21 days. The identified phytochemical compounds were docked for their effect on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, caspase-3, lipoxygenase, glycogen synthase kinase-3-β, and protein casein kinase-1. The results showed the presence of some lipids, such as linoleic acid and vitamin D3. The DPPH (IC50 = 0.018 mg/mL) and FRAP (EC50 = 0.084 mg/mL) of C. europaea lipids showed an important antioxidant effect. For the anti-inflammatory test, an inhibition of 83.50% was recorded after 6 h of treatment. Our extract showed the greatest wound retraction on the 21st day (98.20%). C. europaea lipids showed a remarkable antitumoral effect against the K562 cell line (IC50 = 37.30 µg/mL), with no effect on Vero cells (IC50 > 100 µg/mL). Lignoceric acid was the most active molecule against caspase-3 (−6.453 kcal/mol). The findings indicate the growing evidence of C. europaea as a potential treatment for several diseases.

Changes of polyphenols and antioxidants of arabica coffee varieties during roasting.

Coffee is the most consumed beverage in the world after water. Multiple benefits are attributed to it in human health due to the presence of antioxidant compounds, whose content depends, among other factors, on the processing conditions of the coffee bean. The objective of this study was to determine the kinetics of polyphenols and antioxidants during the roasting of three varieties of arabica coffee. For this, we worked with varieties of coffee, Catimor, Caturra, and Bourbon, from the province of La Convencion, Cuzco, Peru. The samples were roasted in an automatic induction roaster, and 12 samples were taken during roasting (at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 21 min of roasting) in triplicate. For green coffee beans, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, moisture and apparent density were determined. The change in polyphenol content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, and antioxidant activity was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis- (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+) free radical capture technique during roasting. Polyphenol and antioxidant contents increased until minute 5 of roasting and then decreased until minute 20, and in some cases, there were slight increases in the last minute. The model that best described the changes in these bioactive compounds was the cubic model (R 2 0.634 and 0.921), and the best fits were found for the Bourbon variety, whose green grain had more homogeneous characteristics. The changes in the relative abundances of nine phenolic compounds were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In conclusion, roasting modifies phenolic compounds and antioxidants differently in the coffee varieties studied. The content of some phenols increases, and in other cases, it decreases as the roasting time increases. The roasting process negatively affects the bioactive compounds and increases the fracturability of Arabica coffee beans, elements that should be taken into account at the moment of developing roasting models in the industry.

Phytochemical, Metabolite Compound, and Antioxidant Activity of Clinacanthus nutans Leaf Extract from Indonesia

The antioxidant properties from medicinal plants have protective effects against oxidative stress-linked diseases. Their antioxidantcapacities are related to phenolic compounds, including phenols and flavonoids.Clinacanthus nutans, a native to Asia, includingMalaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, are used for treating diabetes and other diseases, but the exploration of the plant in Indonesia isstill limited. Therefore, this study aimed to reveal the phytochemical constituents, metabolic compounds, and antioxidant activityofC. nutansextracts. Dried leaf powder was extracted with 70% ethanol and aqueous, each extract was subjected to qualitativephytochemical screening. Subsequently, total phenolic and flavonoid content was calculated using Folin-Ciocalteu and AlCl3colorimetric assay. The antioxidant activity was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavengingmethod. Theprofilesofphenolicandflavonoidcompoundsof70%ethanolicextractwereinvestigatedbyLC-MS/MS.Phytochemicalscreening showed that the extracts contain phenolic, flavonoid, tannin, and saponin. The total phenolic content of the 70% ethanolandaqueousextractwas4.14±1.9%mgGAE/gand3.89±3.2%mgGAE/g, respectively. Meanwhile, thetotalflavonoidcontentobtainedwas 0.19±1.0% mgQE/g and 0.03±0.5% mgQE/g for 70% ethanol and aqueous extracts, respectively. Both extracts showed highantioxidant activity, with DPPH IC50 30.57 𝜇g/mL for 70% ethanol and 37.24 𝜇g/mL for aqueous extract. LC-MS/MS analysis of70% ethanol extract revealed 5 phenolic and 3 flavonoid compounds, where DL-glutamic monohydrate and Boesenbergin B werethe most dominant based on the percentage of area under the curve.C. nutansoriginating from Indonesia can be a good source ofnatural antioxidants because 70% ethanol and aqueous extract show high phytochemical content and antioxidant activity.

Variation in chemical composition, insecticidal and antioxidant activities of essential oils from the leaves, stem barks, and roots of Blighia unijugata (Baker) and B. sapida (K. D. Koenig)

Blighia unijugata (Baker) and B. sapida (K.D. Koenig) (Sapindaceae) are forest trees widespread in Tropical Africa. They are used in folk medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, cardiovascular diseases, yellow fever, dysentery, and epilepsy. The essential oils of the air-dried leaves, stem bark, and roots of the plants were extracted using the hydrodistillation method and were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical method using α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid as standards. The insecticidal activity of the oils was investigated by determining the percentage mortality of the grain insects (Sitophilus zeamaise). Results showed that the yield of the colorless oils (% w/w) from the leaves, stem bark, and roots of the plants were 0.91%, 0.42%, and 0.34% for B. unijugata and 0.67%, 0.32%, and 0.48% for B. sapida, respectively. The most abundant compounds in B. unijugata leaves were pentadecanoic acid (14-methyl-, methyl ester) (38.34%), carbonic acid, propyl-en-2-yl undecylpropyl ester (36.79%), and 9-octadecanoic acid (Z)-methyl ester (24.86%). The stem bark was rich in 1,3-dimethoxybenzene (79.01%) while the root contained limonene (20.51%), trans-13-octadecanoic acid (16.74 %), and cis-vaccenic acid (9.50%). The leaf essential oil of B. sapida had hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (21.43%), phytol (20.45%), geosmin (16.258%), and α-ionone (8.271%) as the major constituents. The stem bark had cholesterol (38.66%) as the major constituent while the root contained nonanal (18.09%) and 4-cyclopropyl carbonyl tetradecane (11.6%). The antioxidant analysis revealed that B. unijugata root had 83.96% inhibition at 100 mg/ml, while B. sapida stem had 79.73% inhibition, better than α-tocopherol. No significant insecticidal activity was observed in the essential oils of the plants against S. zeamaise except for B. sapida stem which showed 50% toxicity to the maize weevils. However, the two plants can be the source of antioxidant agents against oxidative stress and related diseases.

Tyrosine-βcyclodextrin inclusion complexes of cobalt and copper as biocompatible radical scavengers

In this study, the cobalt and copper complexes of tyrosine (Tyr) were encapsulated in β-cyclodextrin (βCD) to improve their water solubility. The resulting inclusion complexes (Co-Tyr/βCD and Cu-Tyr/βCD) were characterized by FT-IR, UV–vis, EDX, ICP-OES, TGA, Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), and Photoluminescence (PL). TGA results indicated that approximately 35 wt.% and 41 wt.% of (Co+Tyr) and (Cu+Tyr) were encapsulated within the βCD cavity. The antioxidant activity of the samples was determined using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method. Co-Tyr/βCD was found to have better antioxidant activity than Cu-Tyr/βCD. The non-cytotoxic nature of the prepared samples was confirmed by the MTT assay.

Phytochemical composition and bioactivities of Crataegus aronia as antioxidant, antibacterial and antioxidative stress in red blood cells – Is it a window of hope for children with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

BackgroundCrataegus aronia (C. aronia) extracts have been used medicinally since ancient times and are often utilized in traditional Arab medicine. An extensive study has revealed that Crataegus species have antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and hypotensive properties. ObjectivesThis work was performed to explore the phytochemical contents of C. aronia extract, as well as its antioxidant and antibacterial properties, and to assess the lipid peroxidation level as an oxidative stress biomarker in erythrocytes. MethodsChemical constituents in the methanolic extract of C. aronia were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and their relative concentrations were determined. The antioxidant activity of C. aronia extract was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The effect of C. aronia on the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the erythrocyte hemolysates was studied. Also, the crude extract was assessed for its antimicrobial activity through agar diffusion and microbroth dilution assays. Key findingsThe DPPH IC50 value of the extract showed that the antioxidants activity was equal to (14.3 μg/mL) and according to FRAP assay, the antioxidant activity was in the range of 33.9 μmol–82.86 μmol Fe+2/g dw. The extract exerts a protective effect against oxidative stress in RBCs and shows a 50% inhibition of malonyldialdehyde (MDA) at 39.48 μg/mL extract. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were found in the range of 800–1000 μg/mL of leave extracts. The phytochemical analysis showed that the total phenols, flavonoids, and flavonols content were 494.071 mg GAE/g extract, 155.251 mg RE/g extract, and 103.2049 mg RE/g extract). C. aronia extract contains alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and steroids. Crude extract of C. aronia was more potent in inhibiting the growth of B. subtilis, S. aureus and M. luteus with MIC and MBC values of 800,800 and 1000 μg/mL, respectively. According to GC-MS, 20 compounds were identified: dihydro-3-methylene-5-methyl-2-furanone (14.71%), hexanoic acid (6.57%), ethyl 3,5-ditert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (6.4%), N, N-dimethylheptadecan-1-amine (4.91%), methyl 2-oxobutanoate (4.14%), glyceraldehyde (3.98%), and 2-methoxy-1-(2-nitroethenyl)-3-phenylmethoxybenzene (3.16%), were the major constituents. ConclusionThis study may open a window of hope for children with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase disorder by possible utilization of the active ingredients of C. aronia to minimize both oxidative stress and infection which negatively impact the disease sequelae.According to these in vitro experiments, this plant extract has a significant amount of natural antioxidants, which may aid in the protection of various oxidative stresses. As a result, employing the active components of C. aronia to minimize oxidative stress and infection, both of which have a detrimental impact on disease sequelae, may bring hope to children with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase disorder.

Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Activity of the Dillenia suffruticosa Leaves against the Lung (A549) and Cervical (CaSki) Cancer Cell Lines

Background: Dillenia suffruticosa (Griff.) Mart. has been traditionally used to promote wound healing, relieve rheumatism, fever and some cancerous growths. The leaves of the local variety of D. suffruticosa lack scientific studies on its biological applications in the context of antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of the leaves of D. suffruticosa from Brunei Darussalam. Methods: The leaves were extracted using 80% (v/v) methanol, 80% (v/v) ethanol and aqueous. The antioxidant capacities were determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride colorimetric assays were also used to evaluate the total phenolic and flavonoid contents. The antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of the extracts were determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion and MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) cell proliferation assays. Results: The methanolic extract of the D. suffruticosa leaves displayed the highest antioxidant activity despite having comparable phenol content when extracted using the ethanol extraction solvent. The methanolic extract also demonstrated antibacterial activity on Staphylococcus aureus at a concentration of 50 mg/mL or above. The cytotoxicity of the methanolic extract was higher against the CaSki cell line than the A549 lung cancer cell line in the first 24 h but became more cytotoxic against A549 than CaSki at 48 h and 72 h. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the methanolic extract of the leaves of D. suffruticosa from Brunei Darussalam has significant antioxidant and antibacterial activity against S. aureus and moderate cytotoxicity against A549 and CaSki cell lines.

Advanced oxidative chemical recycling of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic using hydroxyl radicals and accelerated by radical initiators

We herein report a method for the chemical depolymerization of the epoxy resin present in a carbon composite through an advanced oxidation reaction using hydroxyl radicals. It was found that decomposition of the epoxy resin by the hydroxyl radicals generated from NaOCl was complete within 2 h at 100 °C and ambient pressure in an aqueous solution. The effects of different radical initiators (i.e., potassium persulfate (KPS) and 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid) (ACVA)) on the acceleration of hydroxyl radical generation from NaOCl were also evaluated. More specifically, the rate of hydroxyl radical formation in the presence and absence of a radical initiator was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical method, and it was confirmed that the radical generation rate was increased by up to 3 times when the KPS radical initiator was employed (c.f., in the absence of an initiator). Interestingly, it was confirmed that the reaction rate constant (k) increased by up to 5.3 times when the combination of NaOCl and radical initiator KPS was applied to the recycling of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Field-emission scanning electron microscopy observations of the reclaimed carbon fiber demonstrated that no significant damage occurred during the reaction. This result is expected to lead to novel methods for enhancing the rate of CFRP chemical recycling processes.

Galangal extract of an antimicrobial model for predicting the reduction in histamine concentration in minced pork

Histamine concentration increases in meats, such as fresh pork, when contaminated with some bacteria. Galangal extract, known for its antimicrobial properties, was studied to determine its effects in reducing bacteria in minced pork artificially inoculated with Histamine-Producing Bacteria (HPB) such as Lactobacillus plantarum and to predict the DR value for the Weibull model. Antioxidant activities were determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Galangal extract was prepared by ethanol distillation and used at 10% and 15% dilutions in distilled water. Bacterial inhibition was evaluated at 4 °C and 8 °C using filter papers soaked in the extract and placed on a minced pork surface. The extract at both concentrations effectively inhibited bacterial growth for 5 days. On the 6th day, the histamine levels detected in food samples stored at 8 °C and exposed to 10% and 15% extract dilutions were 0.9935 and 0.9825 μg/g, respectively. The DR value of the Weibull model, the concentration of galangal extract required for more than 90% reduction in HPB population in minced pork, was determined to be 2.3516 mg/mL (R2= 0.9793). The detected and predicted histamine levels in minced pork were safe. The findings of this study can be used to reduce HPB in food by galangal extract application in packaging and suggest histamine safety levels in pork.

An evaluation of the phytochemical composition, antioxidant and cytotoxicity of the leaves of Litsea elliptica Blume - An ethnomedicinal plant from Brunei Darussalam.

Litsea elliptica is traditionally believed to prevent and treat stomach ulcers, cancer, fever and headaches. This study investigates the phytochemical composition, antioxidant and cytotoxic effects of L. elliptica leaf extracts. The phytochemical content was determined via GCMS analysis and total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were analysed using the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium-chloride assays. Antioxidant activities were determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging and ferric-ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, whereas cytotoxicity was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and calcein/ethidium viability assays. The mechanism of cytotoxicity was investigated using Annexin V/propidium iodide. Modifications in the mitochondria were investigated using MitoTracker Red CMXRos. Ten and twenty-six compounds were characterized in the young-leaf and mixed-leaves extracts, respectively. The young-leaf methanolic extract demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacity of at least four-folds greater than the mixed-leaves and ethanolic extracts. The methanolic extract also had higher TPC and TFC values compared to the ethanolic extract. Although the mixed L. elliptica leaves had lower antioxidant capacities compared to the young leaves, the mixed leaves extract has demonstrated greater cytotoxicity against the A549 cancer cell line. Further investigation revealed that the L. elliptica leaves-induced cytotoxicity on A549 cells was possibly via the non-inflammatory mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway. Overall, our results showed the potential of the L. elliptica leaves possessing cytotoxic activities against carcinoma cells where the compounds present can be further investigated for its therapeutic application.