Ferric-reducing Potential Research Articles

Analytical comparison of the phytochemical composition and antioxdant actvity of methanol extracts derived from Alchornia cordifolia and Corchorus olitorius

Oxidative stress is an underlying pathological state in cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Medicinal plants are considered to be potential remedies for attenuating oxidative stress in these pathologies because they possess antioxidants. Thus, the quantity and activity of antioxidants in Alchornia cordifolia and Corchorus olitorius methanol leave extracts were evaluated in this study using phytochemical screening, 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)free radical-scavenging ability, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and reducing power assays. Qualitative phytochemical analysis showed that the two plant extracts had alkaloids, saponins, reducing sugar, terpenoids, flavonoids and tannins. While the quantitative phytochemical test revealed a greater presence of total flavonoids and proanthocyanidins (p<0.05) in Corchorus olitorius methanol extract compared to A. cordifolia methanol extract. Contrastingly, the quantities of total tannins and phenols were higher in Alchornia cordifolia methanol extract than in Corhorus olitorius extract. The capacity of Alchornia cordifolia to mop up DPPH (IC50= 0.01μg/mL) was greater than that of ascorbic acid (IC50= 0.055μg/mL) and C. olitorius extract (IC50= 33.10μg/mL) respectively. Ferric reducing potential of C. olitorius (479.80μM Fe(II)/g and A. cordifolia methanol extracts(510 μM Fe(II)/g) were significantly lower (p<0.05) than what was obtained for ascorbic acid (1005μM Fe(II)/g). A. cordifolia methanol extract demonstrated higher reducing power than C. olitorius methanol extract at identical concentrations. Our findings indicated that Alchornia cordifolia could be used as a rich source of antioxidants to alleviate oxidative stress underlying many chronic diseases.
 Keywords: Alchornia cordifolia, Corchorus olitorius, phytochemicals, antioxidants

Preparation and evaluation of food-grade nanoemulsion of tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) essential oil: antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

This study aimed at to formulate a food-grade nanoemulsion of tarragon essential oil (NEO) and investigate its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Oil in water NEO was formed by blending 10% of tarragon EO (TEO), 85% water, and a mixture of 5% surfactants, then antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were evaluated. The main components of TEO were estragole, beta-cis-ocimene, beta-trans-ocimene, and l-limonene. NEO droplet had a diameter of 50nm and a zeta potential of - 30mV. Results of free radical DPPH scavenging activity revealed that hydrogen donating capacity of the nanoemulsion was significantly higher than TEO and at 2.5µg/mL concentration it showed complete inhibitory activity against DPPH. The ferric reducing potential was almost similar for TEO and NEO. NEO showed higher antibacterial potential against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes and Shigella dysenteriae. The results of this work indicated that NEO had higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activity compared with free TEO.

Antioxidant Potential of Glycyrrhiza Glabra L. Roots: In-Vitro Evidences

Background: The study was aimed to determine the mechanism of antioxidant effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (GG) roots using in-vitro assays. Methods: The various extracts of GG roots were prepared and evaluated for DPPH scavenging, reducing effects and nitric oxide inhibiting activities. Prepared extracts were screened for the presence of various phytochemicals and quantified on the basis of phytochemical present therein. Results: The results showed that all the prepared extracts contained phenolic compounds. Also, extract showed appreciable antioxidant effects in all three assays employed. However, among prepared extracts, ethylacetate extract was found to have strong free radical inhibition, ferric reducing potential and nitric oxide inhibitory effects. The reason for high antioxidant activity in ethylacetate extract could be attributed to the significant amount of phenol compounds present in it. Conclusion: Evidently, GG’s capacity to scavenge free radicals, reducing potential and inhibit nitric oxide contributes to its antioxidant effects and thus, could be a strong candidate for developing antioxidant based drug therapy.

Antioxidant Potential of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. roots: In-Vitro Evidences

Background: The study was aimed to determine the mechanism of antioxidant effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (GG) roots using in-vitro assays.Methods: The various extracts of GG roots were prepared and evaluated for DPPH scavenging, reducing effects and nitric oxide inhibiting activities. Prepared extracts were screened for the presence of various phytochemicals and quantified on the basis of phytochemical present therein.Results: The results showed that all the prepared extracts contained phenolic compounds. Also, extract showed appreciable antioxidant effects in all three assays employed. However, among prepared extracts, ethylacetate extract was found to have strong free radical inhibition, ferric reducing potential and nitric oxide inhibitory effects. The reason for high antioxidant activity in ethylacetate extract could be attributed to the significant amount phenol compounds present in it. Conclusion: Evidently, GG’s capacity to scavenge free radicals, reducing potential and inhibit nitric oxide contributes to its antioxidant effects and thus, could be a strong candidate for developing antioxidant based drug therapy.

Optimising extraction of antioxidants from roasted Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves using response surface methodology

Optimal conditions for alcoholic extraction of antioxidants from roasted leaves of Moringa oleifera Lam. were determined using response surface methodology and the phenolic profile of optimised extract determined by HPLC-PDA. The experimental results adequately fitted the second-order polynomial models as indicated by regression coefficient (.90–.95), lack-of-fit >.05, and absolute deviation .01–.04). Using multiple responses optimization and desirability function, the optimal conditions needed to maximize simultaneously antioxidant activity, phenolic content and extract yield were 65%–75% ethanol, 55–65°C and 40 min. The experimental values were not significantly different (p > .05) from those predicted, indicating the suitability of the models in the studied range. HPLC analysis of the extract revealed the presence of quercetin, isoquercetin, caffeic acid, and rutin. Rutin (45 mg/g), a flavonoid, was the major phenolic. The extract exhibited significant antioxidant potential IC50 2,2-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl 1.28 mg/L, ferric reducing antioxidant power 236 mg AAE/g, total phenolic content 176 mg GAE/g and could be used as nutraceuticals. Practical applications Moringa oleifera L. leaves were roasted to improve antioxidant function and optimum conditions for the preparation of extract with optimal antioxidant potential determined using the multiple response optimization procedure. The resulting extract was freeze-dried and its phenolic profile characterized by HPLC-PDA. The powdered extract has good antioxidant (radical scavenging and ferric reducing) potential and contained rutin as the major phenolic flavonoid followed by quercetin, isoquercetin caffeic acid, and vanillin. The extract has potential for use in nutraceutical formulations for the prevention and management of oxidative stress and chronic diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer).

Nanoporous AlSBA-15 catalysed Claisen–Schmidt condensation for the synthesis of novel and biologically active chalcones

Mesoporous AlSBA-15 catalysts (nSi/nAl ratios of 41, 129 and 210) were synthesized by sol–gel method. These materials were characterized by XRD, N2 sorption, FTIR, TPD-NH3, FESEM, EDX, and TEM analysis. XRD analysis of AlSBA-15 catalysts confirmed the existence of well-ordered crystalline structure having p6mm symmetry. N2 sorption isotherm of AlSBA-15 catalysts showed a type IV adsorption isotherm with H1 hysteresis loops. SEM analysis of AlSBA-15 (41) indicated worm-like particle morphology with a size range of 3 μm with co-occurrence of smaller particles of size ca. 1 μm. TEM analysis of AlSBA-15 (41) showed existence of uniform array of tubular nano-channels. The catalytic application of AlSBA-15 catalysts was tested on industrially important chalcones synthesis via Claisen–Schmidt condensation reaction in environment friendly approach. The reaction parameters such as time, temperature, nSi/nAl ratio, catalyst amount, and catalyst stability were investigated. AlSBA-15 (41) catalyst showed an excellent catalytic performance with 98% 1-tetralone conversion with 100% selectivity of compound 1c (91% yield) within 120 min AlSBA-15 (129) and AlSBA-15 (210) catalysts. The anti-oxidant activity of the synthesised chalcones were investigated by various in-vitro procedures, including radical scavenging potentials-1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and ferric reducing potential assay. The new chalcone derivatives synthesised in this work showed a very good antioxidant activity and some were found to be more active than the parent chalcones, (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (compound 8c), and standard antioxidant (curcumin).

Prospective of Monascus Pigments as an Additive to Commercial Sunscreens

Red and yellow pigments from Monascus purpureus (NMCC-PF01) were evaluated to enhance sun protection factor (SPF) of commercial sunscreens and Aloe vera extract. The extracted Monascus pigments contain rubropunctamine (red pigment) and the mixture of monascin and ankaflavin (yellow pigment) as major components. Antioxidant activity and in-vitro safety of the pigments were assessed by ferric reduction potential and DPPH radical scavenging assays, human keratinocytes (HaCaT), and erythrocytes (RBCs) cytotoxicity assay, respectively. In results, SPF of commercial sunscreens showed an increase of 36.5% with red pigment compared to the 13% increase by yellow pigment. The in-vitro studies showed 67.6% ferric reducing potential and 27% DPPH radical scavenging activity, neither cytotoxic effect against human keratinocytes nor haemolytic activity. These results confirmed the safe nature of the Monascus pigments; however, in-vivo studies merit further research. In conclusion, screened pigments from Monascus purpureus may act as potential candidates to increase SPF of commercial sunscreen naturally.

Phytochemical composition and antioxidant activities of leaf extracts of Viola odorata from Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir

ABSTRACTPhytochemical composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of solvent extracts of Viola odorata leaves were investigated. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profile of stigmasterol in V. odorata leaves was examined. The extracts tested positive for the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, and phenolics, which were present in high quantity in ethanol extract. Greatest radical scavenging activity (EC50 160 µg mL−1) and ferric reducing potential (16.9 equivalent µmol of Fe2+/g sample) was observed in ethanol extract. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) fingerprinting confirmed the presence of stigmasterol in all the extracts as evidenced by their Rf values which was similar to that of standard (0.9). HPLC profiling of ethanol extract revealed the presence of 0.002 µg mL−1 stigmasterol in the leaves.

Preliminary phytochemical analysis, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Smilax zeylanica L. (Smilacaceae)

Objectives: Smilax zeylanica L. is a large, dioecious, scandent climbing shrub and an important medicinal plant belonging to the family Smilacaceae. The present study evaluates antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of leaf and fruit extracts of Smilax zeylanica L. (Smilacaceae). Methods: Extraction of powdered leaf and fruit materials was carried out by maceration process using methanol. Phytochemical analysis of extracts was carried out by standard tests. Antibacterial and antifungal activity was evaluated by Agar well diffusion and Poisoned food technique respectively. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH free radical scavenging assay and Ferric reducing assay. Results: Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids and sterols in both leaf and fruit extracts. Leaf extract was shown to display marked antibacterial activity than fruit extract. Highest and least susceptibility to extracts was observed in case of Bacillus cereus and Salmonella typhimurium respectively. Leaf extract caused highest inhibition of test fungi than fruit extract. Susceptibility to extracts was greater in case of Bipolaris species than Aspergillus niger. Both leaf and fruit extracts scavenged DPPH radicals and exhibited ferric reducing potential in a dose dependent fashion. Leaf extract scavenged DPPH radicals more efficiently with IC50 value 20.80µg/ml than fruit extract (IC50 value 35.85µg/ml). Conclusion: Leaf and fruit extracts of S. zeylanica were shown to exhibit antimicrobial and antioxidant activity which may be attributed to the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids and sterols. Further studies on isolation of active principles from extracts and their bioactivity determinations are to be carried out. Keywords: Smilax zeylanica L., Maceration, Agar well diffusion, Poisoned food technique, DPPH, Ferric reducing

Biomedical potential of horehound extract (Marrubium vulgare, Lamiaceae)

Introduction. Horehound (Marrubium vulgare, Lamiaceae) is a widely used plant in traditional medicine used for prevention and treatment of various diseases. High content of phenolic compounds makes it a significant source of natural antioxidants. The aim of this research was to examine in vitro antioxidant properties and anticholinesterase activity of horehound water-alcoholic extract, followed by preliminary chemical characterization of horehound. Material and Methods. The in vitro antioxidant potentials of horehound water-alcoholic extract were assessed using several antioxidant testsystems (neutralization of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl, and nitroso radical, determination of ferric reducing potential, as well as inhibition of lipid peroxidation). Preliminary chemical profiling of the extract included estimation of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, while anticholinesterase potential of the examined extract was evaluated by spectrophotometry. Results. The amounts of total phenolics and total flavonoids in the obtained extract were 59.87 ? 7.31 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of dry extract and 14.47 ? 0.54 mg quercetin equivalents/g of dry extract respectively. Furthermore, significant antioxidant potential was noticed in the ferric reducing potential assay (64.07 ? 2.68 mg ascorbic acid equivalents/g of dry extract), while concentrations needed for neutralization of 50% (IC50) of generated 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, nitroso and hydroxyl were 13.41 ?g/mL, 64.86 ?g/mL and 63.99 ?g/mL, respectively. The potential of the extract to inhibit lipid peroxidation process was modest (IC50 = 823.82 ?g/mL), while in the case of anticholinesterase potential, the recorded IC50 value was 2821.15 ?g/mL. Conclusion. Horehound represents a significant natural antioxidant, mostly as a result of high levels of phenolic compounds. In addition, the examined ethanol extract has a certain anticholinesterase activity.

Antioxidative potential of two chemically characterized Ocimum (Tulsi) species extracts

Background: Ocimum sanctum and Ocimum kilimandscharicum are cultivated in Indian subcontinent both for the religious and medicinal properties. Traditionally, the leaves have been reported for their enormous therapeutic potentials but the roots which are otherwise considered as a waste part have not been explored for their pharmacological activity.
 Methods: Total phenolic content, free radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant potential of various extracts from Ocimum sanctum and Ocimum kilimandscharicum were assessed and compared. In vitro antioxidant activity was estimated spectrophotometrically and the most potent ethyl acetate extract was chemically characterized by developing the chemical fingerprint and quantifying the probable constituents with the help of HPLC/LC-MS techniques.
 Results: The ethyl acetate extract of both the species exhibited significant free radical scavenging potential and also reduced the ferric ions. It was observed that ethyl acetate extract have superior ferric reducing potential than other tested extracts, which were evidenced by high ferrous sulphate equivalent value of 77.05 ± 1.54 and 80.98 ± 0.80 at 100 µg/ml for O. sanctum and O. kilimandscharium respectively. The ferric reducing capacity of ethyl acetate extract for both the species was also evidenced by an elevated optical density of 1.64 ± 0.12 and 2.14 ± 0.08. Ocimum sanctum exhibited better antioxidant capacity (11.31 ± 0.20 AScE) as compared to Ocimum kilimandscharium (9.08 ± 0.27 AScE). The total phenolic and flavonoid content were estimated by spectrophotometric method and tentatively characterized by HPLC/LC-MS profiling which revealed the presence of rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid along with its derivatives such as caffeoyl-dihydroxyphenyllactoyl-tartaric acid.
 Conclusion: The ethyl acetate extract of both the species being rich in phenolic and flavonoid contents exhibited potent antioxidant activity. The presence of flavonoid in ethyl acetate extracts further co-relates the antioxidative properties of roots extracts. To the best of our knowledge and understanding this is the first report of comparative chemical profiling by RP-HPLC/LC-MS and antioxidant potential of roots of two Ocimum species.
 Peer Review Details
 
 
 
 
 
 Peer review method: Single-Blind (Peer-reviewers: 02) Peer-review policy 
 Plagiarism software screening?: Yes
 Date of Original Submission: 27 July 2017
 Date accepted: 23 August 2017
 Peer reviewers approved by: Dr. Lili Hami 
 Editor who approved publication: Dr. Phuc Van Pham
 
 
 
 
 

Phytochemical analysis and anti-oxidant activities of Albuca bracteata Jacq. and Albuca setosa Jacq bulb extracts used for the management of diabetes in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

ObjectiveThe bulb of Albuca bracteata Jacq., and Albuca setosa commonly used in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa for the treatment of several types of disease conditions including diabetes, was investigated for their phytochemical contents and antioxidant activities. MethodsThe antioxidant activity was determined by evaluating the effect of various solvent extracts (acetone, methanol, ethanol and water) on 2,2 – diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, 2,2′ – azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid diammonium salt (ABTS), ferric reducing power, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide scavenging activity while the various extracts were also analysed for phytochemical their contents. ResultsThe results obtained indicate that polyphenols, proanthocyanidins, saponins and alkaloids are present in higher concentrations. The composition of phenols (117 mg/g), flavonols (26.28 mg/g), proanthocyanidins (84.85 mg/g) and flavonoids (5.36 mg/g) were significantly higher in the acetone extract while saponin and alkaloids contents were higher in the aqueous extract. Antioxidant studies of the extracts for nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, ABTS and DPPH showed high antioxidant potential in a concentration-dependent manner that was not significantly different from Vitamin C, BHT and Rutin used as standard references. The methanol extract showed higher ferric reducing potential compared to the aqueous extract but was significantly different from Vitamin C, BHT and Rutin. ConclusionThis implies that the bulb of Albuca bracteata may serve as a natural source of antioxidants, which together with the numerous phytochemicals present, could account for its folkloric use as a medicinal plant.

Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity exhibit high intraspecific variability in Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms and correlate well with cultivation performance parameters.

Experimental data related with oyster mushroom production and nutritional properties usually derive from the examination of only one strain, and hence their representativeness/usefulness is questionable. This work aims at assessing intraspecific variability in Pleurotus ostreatus by studying 16 strains, under the same conditions, in respect to essential cultivation and mushroom quality aspects, and by defining the impact of intrinsic/genetic factors on such parameters. Hence, mushroom yield, earliness, crop length, biological efficiency, productivity, and their content in selected macro and microconstituents (e.g. fatty acids, sterols, individual phenolic compounds, terpenic acids, glucans) as well as their antioxidant properties (i.e., antiradical activity, ferric reducing potential, inhibition of serum oxidation) were assayed. The effect of intrinsic/genetic factors was evident, especially as regards earliness, yield of each production flush and mushroom weight, whereas biological efficiency was not particularly influenced by the cultivated strain. Moreover, phenolics, ergosterol and antiradical activity demonstrated significant variability among strains in contrast to what was observed for fatty acids, β-glucans and ferric reducing potential. The observed heterogeneity reveals the limitations of using a low number of strains for evaluating mushroom production and/or their content in bioactive compounds, and as evidenced, it is valuable for breeding and commercial purposes.

Enhancing colour and oxidative stabilities of reduced-nitrite turkey meat sausages during refrigerated storage using fucoxanthin purified from the Tunisian seaweed Cystoseira barbata

The present study investigated the angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity and the antioxidant properties, in vitro and in cured meat sausages containing reduced levels of sodium nitrite, of fucoxanthin extracted from the Tunisian brown seaweed Cystoseira barbata (CBFX). Results revealed that CBFX exhibited great scavenging activities against DPPH free radicals (EC50 = 136 μg/ml), peroxyl radicals in the linoleate-β-carotene system (EC50 = 43 μg/ml) and hydroxyl radicals generated by Fenton reaction (DNA nicking assay). A considerable ferric reducing potential was also recorded for CBFX (EC50 = 34 μg/ml). It is interesting to note that CBFX was found to modulate the ACE activity, which is the key enzyme involved in the blood pressure regulation, with an EC50 of 5 μg/ml. When fucoxanthin was supplemented, the concentration of sodium nitrite added to cured turkey meat sausages was reduced from 150 to 80 ppm, coupled with the enhancement of colour and oxidative stabilities. Thus, CBFX, with noticeable antioxidant and antihyertensive effects, could be used as a natural additive in functional foods to alleviate potential human health hazards caused by carcinogenic nitrosamines formation.

Phenolic compounds from Citrus leaves: antioxidant activity and enzymatic browning inhibition.

Background Phenolic compounds from Citrus are known to be a topic of many studies due to their biological properties including antioxidant activity. Methods Methanolic and aqueous extracts were isolated from Citrus leaves of different species (C. clementina, C. limon, C. hamlin, C. navel, C. aurantifolia, C. aurantium and C. grandis) harvested in Algeria. Results The results showed that aqueous extracts of all species are rich in total phenolic compounds and flavonoids (from 68.23 to 125.28 mg GAE/g DM) and (from 11.99 to 46.25 mg QE/g DM) respectively. The methanolic and aqueous extracts were examined for in vitro antioxidant properties using various antioxidant assays. For aqueous extracts, C. limon showed an important DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 35.35 µg/mL), and C. clementina exerted the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity (1,174.43 µM ET/g DM) and a significant ferric reducing potential (30.60 mg BHAE/g DM). For methanolic extracts, C. clementina showed the highest antioxidant activity for all the realized assays (IC50 41.85 µg/mL, 378.63 µM ET/g DM and 13.85 mg BHAE/g DM) for DPPH, ABTS radicals scavenging activities and ferric reducing potential respectively. Antiperoxidase and antipolyphenol oxidase activities of these samples were also evaluated. Conclusions In this investigation, the assessment of antiperoxidase activity proved that the leaves extracts of different species were able to inhibit peroxidase activity. However, this inhibition varied with the species and the source of these enzymes. On the other hand, the aqueous extracts of different species showed moderate inhibition of polyphenol oxidase, while no effect on these enzymes was obtained with methanolic extracts.

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF FOURTEEN EULOPHIA SPECIES TRADITIONALLY KNOWN AS AMARKAND

<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Amarkand is a group of medicinal plants, of which tubers are regularly consumed by the tribal people in India as food and medicine. It has a strong background of regional ethnopharmacological and food uses. Thus it can be effectively utilized as a source of natural antioxidants. The present study, of fourteen <em>Eulophia</em> species which are predominantly considered as “Amarkand”, were focused for their antioxidant potential and polyphenolic content which facilitates the contribution of the traditional knowledge of plants from India.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power and anti-lipid peroxidation assay were used to evaluate the antioxidant potential. In addition, total phenols, flavonoid and proanthocynidins were estimated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results showed that all the studied amarkand species have promising antioxidant potential. <em>Eulophia epidendrea </em>(J. Koenig ex. Retz.) C. E. C. Fisch. (EE) and <em>Eulophia mannii</em> (Rchb. f.) Hook. f. (EM) had highest free radical scavenging potential among all. <em>Eulophia epidendrea </em>have highest ferric reducing potential which may be due to high flavonoid and proanthocyanidin content present<em>.</em></p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The data clearly demonstrated that EE and EM may serve as a good natural antioxidant source against oxidative stress and related diseases.</p>

In vitro membrane stabilizing, thrombolytic and antioxidant potentials of Drynaria quercifolia L., a remedial plant of the Garo tribal people of Bangladesh.

BackgroundDrynaria quercifolia L. (Family- Polypodiaceae) is a fern grows in Bangladesh used in traditional healing by the Garo tribe of Mymensingh district. In the current study, rhizomes and fertile foliage fronds of this plant have been investigated comprehensively to assess their in vitro membrane stabilizing, thrombolytic and antioxidant properties.MethodsRhizomes and fertile foliage fronds of D. quercifolia were collected, dried, powdered and extracted with methanol. Later on, crude methanol extracts of the plant parts were fractionated into petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions. The extractives were then subjected to membrane stabilizing, thrombolytic and antioxidant assays.ResultsIn membrane stabilizing assay, crude methanol extracts of rhizomes and fertile foliage fronds and their petroleum ether fractions were found to be very effective for stabilizing erythrocyte membrane in hypotonic solution. In case of thrombolytic study, crude methanol extract of rhizomes and its aqueous fraction exhibited noticeable clot lysis. However, in antioxidant assays, crude methanol extracts of the tested plant parts and their aqueous fractions exhibited potent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide and 2, 2’-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity. Besides, these extractives also displayed substantial ferric reducing potential in ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Crude methanol extracts of the plant parts and their aqueous fractions were also found rich in phenolics.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the medicinal potentials of D. quercifolia and justifies the local uses of it by the Garo tribal people of Bangladesh for multiple disease management.

Maternal Oxidant and Antioxidant Status in the Third Trimester of Gestation and its Relation to the Birthweight

The aim of this study was to determine if the behavior of redox status indicators and their relation to birthweight, previously reported, was dependent only on the period between 30 and 36 weeks gestation, or if it was a characteristic of the third trimester. The present study was done in pregnant women between 25 and 29 and between 30 and 36 weeks of gestation; in addition, a reference group with non-pregnant women was formed. Ferric reducing potential, uric acid, albumin, vitamins C, E, A, erythrocyte reduced glutathione concentrations, total extracellular superoxide dismutase and catalase activity were measured as antioxidant indicators, and serum malondialdehyde plus 4-hydroxynonenal concentration as a lipoperoxidation indicator. No significant differences between the values of the indicators of redox status between the two groups of pregnant women were found. Significantly lower maternal serum Ferric Reducing Potential and albumin concentration were noted in pregnant women between 25 to 29 and 30 to 36 weeks, respectively. However, extracellular superoxide dismutase activity and erythrocyte reduced glutathione concentration were increased in gestational groups compared to nonpregnant group. Malondialdehyde concentrations plus 4-hydroxy-nonenal correlated significantly and inversely with birthweight, while erythrocyte reduced glutathione correlated significantly and directly in the two groups of pregnant women; however, the activity of the total extracellular superoxide dismutase correlated with birthweight only in the group of pregnant women between 30 and 36 weeks. We conclude that the behavior of the indicators of maternal redox status and its influence on birthweight is similar for both groups of pregnant women with gestational age studied.

Synthesis, Characterization, Antioxidant Status, and Toxicity Study of Vanadium-Rutin Complex in Balb/c Mice.

A new trend was developed for the formation of a complex between vanadium and flavonoid derivatives in order to increase the intestinal absorption and to reduce the toxicity of vanadium compounds. The vanadium-rutin complex was characterized by several spectroscopic techniques like ultraviolet (UV)-visible, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), NMR, mass spectrometry, and microscopic evaluation by scanning electron microscopy. The mononuclear complex was formed by the interaction between vanadium and rutin with 1:2 metal to ligand stoichiometry. Antioxidant activity of the complex was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl, ferric-reducing power, and 2,2'-azin-obis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid methods. It was shown that radical scavenging activity and ferric-reducing potential of free rutin was lower as compared with vanadium-rutin complex. The study was also investigated for oral acute toxicity and 28days repeated oral subacute toxicity study of vanadium-rutin complex in balb/c mice. The vanadium-rutin complex showed mortality at a dose of 120mg/kg in the balb/c mice. In 28days repeated oral toxicity study, vanadium-rutin complex was administered to both sex of balb/c mice at dose levels of 90, 45, and 20ppm, respectively. In addition, subacute toxicity study of vanadium-rutin complex (at 90ppm dose level) showed increase levels of white blood cell (WBC), total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen and decrease level of total protein (TP) as compared with control group. Histopathological study of vanadium-rutin showed structural alteration in the liver, kidney, and stomach at 90ppm dose level. No observed toxic level of vanadium-rutin complex at 20ppm dose level could be good for further study.

Structural, physicochemical and antioxidant properties of sodium alginate isolated from a Tunisian brown seaweed

An original sodium alginate from Tunisian seaweed (Cystoseira barbata) was purified and characterized by circular dichroism (CD) and ATR-FTIR spectroscopies. ATR-FTIR spectrum of C. barbata sodium alginate (CBSA) showed the characteristic bands of mannuronic (M) and guluronic acids (G). The M/G ratio was estimated by CD (M/G=0.59) indicating that CBSA was composed of 37% mannuronic acid and 63% guluronic acid. The analysis of viscosity of CBSA showed evidence of pseudoplastic fluid behaviour. The emulsifying capacity of CBSA was evaluated at different concentrations (0.25–3%), temperatures (25–100°C) and pH (3.0–11.0). Compared to most commercial emulsifiers, the emulsion formulated by CBSA was found to be less sensitive to temperature changes and more stable at acidic pH. CBSA was examined for antioxidant properties using various antioxidant assays. CBSA exhibited important DPPH radical-scavenging activity (74% inhibition at a concentration of 0.5mg/ml) and considerable ferric reducing potential. Effective hydroxyl-radical scavenging activity (82% at a concentration of 5mg/ml) and potent protection activity against DNA breakage were also recorded for CBSA. However, in the linoleate-β-carotene system, CBSA exerted moderate antioxidant activity (60% at a concentration of 1.5mg/ml). Therefore, CBSA can be used as a natural ingredient in food industry or in the pharmaceutical field.