Herbal Samples Research Articles

Basil essential oil: Estragole content and chemical profiles

AbstractBasil (sweet basil, Ocimum basilicum L.) is an aromatic plant known for its culinary and traditional medicinal uses.The content of estragole (methyl chavicol), a compound associated with a potential risk to human health, was determined in the essential oils of 12 samples of basil herb by gas chromatography with flame ionisation and mass spectrometry detection (GC-FID/MS) using an external standard method. The essential oils contained estragole at various levels, from 1.85 to 561.01 mg mL−1. Regarding the chemical profile, among the eleven essential oils, the compound with the highest relative proportion was linalool (29.1–70.3%), while estragole dominated in one essential oil with a relative proportion of 45.2%. All essential oils tested correspond to the European chemotype, which is characterised by a high content of linalool or a combination of linalool and estragole.Given the recommendation for limiting human exposure to estragole, the safety of some essential oils may be of concern due to their high levels of estragole content.The results indicate the importance of the chemical analysis of basil herb samples and the selection of chemotypes with low estragole content.

A Low-cost and Rapid Method for Determination of Five Flavonoids in Herbal Medicines with Rutin by HPLC-UV at Equal Absorption Wavelength

Background: Flavonoid is a type of active constituent in herbs and always used as the quality control markers of herbal medicines. Owing to the extensive diversity of flavonoids, numerous reference compounds are necessitated for the analysis of flavonoids, and some are usually very expensive, which engenders challenges in the analysis of flavonoids in herbal medicines. Consequently, the development of a simple, rapid, and reference compounds saving method is important for the determination of flavonoids in herbal medicines. Objective: In order to develop a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of 5 flavonoids (mangiferin, hesperidin, baicalin, buddleoside, and rutin) in five herbal medicines (Anemarrhenae rhizome, Sophorae flos, Citri reticulatae pericarpium, Scutellariae radix, and Chrysanthemi indici flos) with rutin. Methods: Five herbal medicine samples were prepared according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia which includes ultrasound and reflux methods. The separation of the sample was performed on a PoroShell 120 EC-C18 (4.6 mm×100 mm, 2.7 μm) by gradient elution with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The wavelengths were set as follows: Anemarrhenae rhizome (363 nm), Sophorae flos (256 nm), Citri reticulatae pericarpium (236 nm), Scutellariae radix (263 nm), Chrysanthemi indici flos (354 nm). Results: The method validation showed that the established HPLC method was accurate and stable for quantitative analysis of flavonoids in five herbal medicines. The comparative analysis revealed that the determination results of the current HPLC method and Chinese Pharmacopoeia method are consistent, exhibiting less than 1% relative error. Remarkably, the developed HPLC method needs one cheapest reference compound (rutin) and costs 8 min for sample HPLC analysis. Conclusion: The developed HPLC method for quantitative analysis of five flavonoids in five herbal medicines is simple, rapid, and reference compound saving, which provides a good alternative method for quality control of flavonoids in herbal medicines.

Fluorescence paper sensor meets magnetic affinity chromatography: discovering potent neuraminidase inhibitors in herbal medicines.

Given the inherent complexity of natural medicines, finding a straightforward and efficient method for identifying active ingredients remains a significant challenge, yet it is of paramount importance. Influenza virus neuraminidase (NA), a primary target for anti-influenza drug development, plays a crucial role in the infection process, making it essential to develop rapid and facile methods for screening NA inhibitors. Herein, we developed a novel and efficient analytical technique for the identification of NA inhibitors from complex herbal medicines by integrating dual sensing with affinity chromatography. This approach simplifies the experimental process and highlights the benefits of being quicker, more sensitive, and cost-effective. Regarding the biosensing section, the innovative concept of a 4-methylumbelliferyl-N-acetylneuraminic acid-NA-based fluorescence paper sensor strategy enables the rapid detection of NA inhibitors in complex herbal samples. In affinity chromatography, bioactive compounds were precisely captured, separated, and identified. The efficacy and reliability of the developed method were confirmed using both negative and positive controls. Then, the method was applied to screen for NA inhibitors in 20 different herbal medicines. The results revealed that Bupleurum chinense DC. exhibited the most pronounced inhibitory effect on NA. Subsequent analysis utilizing affinity chromatography identified three bioactive compounds, namely saikosaponin a, saikosaponin d, and baicalin, as the active agents responsible for this inhibitory effect, with IC50 values of 177.3μM, 262.9μM, and 241.4μM, respectively. Molecular docking studies further indicated that these three bioactive compounds exhibit a strong binding affinity with NA. This research provides novel insights into the screening of enzyme inhibitors within herbal medicines.

Three-step anionic micelle-to-cyclodextrin stacking for toxic alkaloids analysis in food and herbal samples using citric acid-assisted capillary zone electrophoresis

Three-step anionic micelle-to-cyclodextrin stacking for toxic alkaloids analysis in food and herbal samples using citric acid-assisted capillary zone electrophoresis

Analysis of The Chemical Content of Paracetamol and Dexamethasone in Pegal Linu Herbal Medicine from "X" Herbal Store in Lamongan Regency

Chemical Drug Substances (BKO) are added to herbal medicines by BPOM because it can cause dangerous side effects. The purpose of this study is to quantify the amounts of dexamethasone and paracetamol in herbal remedies for aches and pains. In Lamongan District, Lamongan Regency, four samples of herbal remedies for aches and pains were employed in the study at herbal medicine shop X. The experiment was conducted using a combination of qualitative analysis and TLC testing. The stationary phase was a silica gel GF254 TLC plate, while the mobile phase was paracetamol made with a combination of ethyl acetate, N-Hexane, and dexamethasone with chloroform.Quantitative analysis uses HPLC with a stationary phase in the form of a Zorbax ODS column 4.6 ID×250 nm (5µm) and the mobile phase is polar, namely using water and methanol and can be detected at a wavelength of 242 nm. The TLC test results showed the presence of BKO paracetamol with Rf values ​​in sample A of 0,46, B=0,46, and C=0,53. Meanwhile, the Rf of dexamethasone for sample A was 0,32, B=0,53, and C=0,58. The results of quantitative analysis for sample A were 25,59 mg/50 mg, B=19,32 mg/50 mg, C=9,40 mg/50 mg, and D=29 mg/50 mg paracetamol in herbal medicine powder. Meanwhile, herbal medicine B contains 19,95 mg/50 mg of dexamethasone and C=24,64 mg/50 mg for herbal medicines A and D which do not contain dexamethasone. It was concluded that the herbal medicine samples containing BKO paracetamol were in herbal medicines A, B, C, and D, while dexamethasone was only in herbal samples B and C.

Microbial Assessment of Herbal Tea Production with Natural Ingredients

Purpose: The study aimed to assess the microbial safety and quality of herbal tea production using natural ingredients. The objectives of the research were to: determine the sensory characteristics of herbal tea produced using lemongrass, cloves, “precise”, and negro pepper. To evaluate critical control points for microbial contamination. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study employed an experimental research design with staff from the Western Regional House of Chiefs as the population. A sample size of one hundred (100) respondents was selected for the study using purposive and convenience sampling methods. The sensory evaluation utilised a 7-point hedonic scale, whilst mineral content and proximate analysis were conducted. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed to evaluate differences among the various tea samples. Findings: Participants showed a strong preference for Lemongrass (201) and Basic tea (204) due to their delightful taste experience, which encompassed appealing attributes such as colour, aroma, texture, and aftertaste. The investigation revealed notable differences in the nutrient composition of the herbal tea samples. Cloves (202) stood out for its higher protein and fat contents, with the highest counts of both aerobic microorganisms and yeast and molds, while Lemongrass was found to have more fibre and carbohydrates. Research Limitation: This research focused on the production of herbal tea using negro, pepper, “prekese”, cloves and lemongrass. Practical Implication: Healthcare systems benefit from validated safety standards for herbal products, reducing the burden of foodborne illnesses and contamination-related health issues. Social Implication: The research contributes to food security by ensuring the safety and reliability of traditional herbal beverages while maintaining their cultural significance. Originality/Value: This research contributes to food safety science by bridging traditional herbal knowledge with modern microbiological assessment methods, potentially influencing industry standards and regulatory frameworks.

Determination of trace heavy metals Content of various herbal drinks marketed in Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria

The study encompasses an evaluation of the health risk and hazard profiles of heavy metals contents in various herbal drinks (AGBO) products marketed in Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria. Twenty (20) herbal drinks samples from four (4) different study (saw-mil, Osere, Oja-oba and Oke-odo) areas were collected randomly, digested and analyzed. Zinc, Lead, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Cadmium, Chromium and Nickel were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The results of this study indicated that most of the heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cu and Mn) in the herbal drinks were below the WHO recommended permissible limits. Chromium (Cr) and Cadmium (Cd) are not detected in all of the herbal drinks analyzed. However, sample C2 and D2 among other analyzed herbal samples contained unsafe concentrations of iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni) that exceeded the WHO recommended permissible limits. From the health point of view, the EDIs value of all the herbal drinks are below the daily reference dose. The non-cancerous (HQ) and hazard index (HI) value of all the herbal samples are less than one (1). Based on the results obtained in this study, there would be a non-carcinogenic health risk and hazard effects to the people taking and consuming the herbal drinks marketed in all the study areas.

Phenolic Characterization and Quality Evaluation of Herbal Coffee from Roasted Juniper Berry Fruits (Juniperus drupacea L.): Elucidating the Impact of Roasting.

Consumers' demand for foods with health benefits and different tastes is on an increasing trend. Juniper berries ("andiz" in Turkish) are the fruits of perennial, aromatic, and resinous Juniperus drupacea trees. In this study, quality properties of herbal coffee samples obtained from juniper berries roasted at three different temperatures (120, 160, and 200 °C) and four different durations (10, 25, 32.5, and 55 min) were elucidated. The herbal coffee samples were prepared from roasted and powdered fruits, and their total phenolic contents (TPCs), sugar profiles, antioxidant activities (AAs), and other quality parameters were examined. The highest AA value was determined as 17.99 and 29.36 mM Trolox/L (DPPH and ABTS, respectively) in the herbal coffee prepared from berries roasted at 120 °C for 25 min. Sucrose and glucose were dominant in all herbal coffee samples. Sixteen phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by a LC-ESI-MS/MS device. The TPC values of the herbal coffee varied from 236.7 to 917.0 g/L, and the procyanidin dimer, amentoflavone, methyl-biflavone, and digalloylquinic acid were dominant in all samples. The hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content of the herbal coffee varied between 0.01 and 0.39 mg/kg. According to a sensory analysis, the herbal coffee obtained from fruits roasted at 120 °C for 25 min was the most appreciated sample. In sum, this work shows that herbal coffee is non-caffeinated and is an alternative to regular coffee drinks derived from juniper berries roasted at lower temperatures and has more significant phenolic and antioxidant contents. It also has the potential to offer innovative and healthy alternatives to the food industry. Future research should focus on investigating how this herbal coffee can be positioned in the market and can influence consumer preference.

Prediction of Moisture Content in Gambir Leaf Herbal Tea Using NIR Spectroscopy

Abstract Gambir leaf herbal tea is an innovative product made from Gambir (Uncaria gambir Roxb.), which can potentially be an export product. Considering its hygroscopic nature, moisture content is an imperative indicator for controlling the stability of Gambir leaf herbal tea quality. This research intends to investigate near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) to estimate the moisture content of herbal tea made from Gambir leaves. We placed powdered Gambir leaf herbal tea samples in a petri dish, using 20-21 g per sample. The number of samples used was 60. We obtained the reflectance of herbal tea from Gambir leaves using NIR spectroscopy at 1000 to 2500 nm. The oven method determined the reference moisture content. A calibration model was developed using the partial least squares (PLS) regression method. Furthermore, the model acquires standard error in the calibration (SEC) and prediction (SEP) are 0.36 and 0.43, respectively. The model had a determination coefficient of prediction set (R2p) of 0.95 and Residual Predictive Deviations (RPD) of 4.38. This study proves that NIR spectroscopy is reliable in presupposing the moisture content of herbal tea made from Gambir leaves.

Analisis Kandungan Sibutramin HCl pada Jamu Pelangsing dengan Metode Spektrofotometri UV-Vis

Background: Plant, mineral, animal, extract (galenic) preparations, or a combination of various ingredients form the basis of jamu, a type of traditional herbal medicine. Herbal medicine has been applied in treatment based on experience, where its benefits and safety have been proven empirically. One type of herbal medicine popular with the public, especially women, is slimming herbal medicine. As the demand for slimming herbal medicine increases, some parties capitalize on this trend by adding medicinal chemicals (BKOs). Sibutramine HCl is a commonly added BKO in slimming herbal medicine. Objective: To qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the sibutramine HCl content in herbal slimming powders circulating in the Yogyakarta city market. Method: This type of research is non-experimental descriptive with a purposive sampling technique. The samples used in this research were 10 herbal slimming powders with various brands circulating in the Yogyakarta City market. Sample analysis was carried out qualitatively using the Thin Layer Chromatography method and wavelength scanning. Meanwhile, quantitative analysis was carried out using UV-Vis Spectrophotometry. Results: The results of qualitative and quantitative sample analysis showed that from 10 samples, 2 samples were positive for containing sibutramine HCl in samples A and B. The sibutramine HCl content in sample A was 2,4377 ± 0,0066%w/w and B was 1,0164 ± 0,0114%w/w. Conclusion: There is BKO sibutramine HCl content in the powdered slimming herbal medicine samples with respective levels of 2,4377 ± 0,0066%w/w and 1,0164 ± 0,0114%w/w.

Findings on the heavy metal content in herbal drugs and essential oils – An updated database evaluation

In order to guarantee the safety of patients and consumers, the European legal framework restricts the content of heavy metals and further elements in plant material used for the production of medicinal and food products. This data evaluation comprises findings on seven elements between 2016 and 2021 which were assessed against the requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph.Eur.) and the ICH Q3D guideline on elemental impurities. !5.328 herbal drug samples from 427 products and 537 essential oil samples from 25 products were included in this evaluation which demonstrates that the Ph. Eur. limits set for cadmium, lead and mercury are considered appropriate. Samples from organic production revealed a lower occurrence of cadmium, lead and mercury as compared to samples from conventional production. With regard to the ICH Q3D requirements, none of the herbal drug samples exceeded the respective limit for cobalt, nickel and vanadium, while for arsenic higher values were observed in individual cases. A comparison of the findings with a former period of evaluation showed an increase in positive findings and also a few more exceedances of the Ph.Eur. limits. For essential oils, it can be confirmed that independent from the production process, the probability of heavy metal contamination is low.

Development of an at-line coupling of LC-QTOF-ESI-MS/MS to steroid 5-alpha reductase inhibition assay, a fast bioactive targeting and guided purification of natural complex sample, Impatiens balsamina Linn.

This study provides a rapid and accurate method for screening steroid 5-alpha reductase (S5αR) inhibitors in Impatiens balsamina Linn (IB). using at-line LC-QTOF-ESI-MS/MS coupling S5αR inhibitory assay. IB (Balsaminaceae) is an annual herbaceous plant cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. It has been used in traditional Chinese and Thai medicine for treatment of hair loss and various skin conditions, potentially through anti-androgenic mechanisms. A combined approach of S5αR inhibitory assay and LC-QTOF-ESI-MS/MS was developed to rapidly screen for target biomarkers and guide their isolation using preparative HPLC. The toxicity of both the extract and isolated biomarkers was evaluated on skin cells, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts. Eight bioactive compounds were identified as two naphthoquinone, two fatty acid derivatives, three nitrogenous compounds and one aromatic derivative. The most potent bioactive markers, identified as 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (2MN) and impateinol, were targeted and isolated using preparative HPLC, yielding 5.0 % and 3.5 %, respectively. These compounds exhibited S5αR inhibitory activity higher than that of finasteride drug by 10 and 2 times, respectively. Both the isolated biomarkers and the extract demonstrated a broad therapeutic index. The developed method in this study proved to be both rapid and accurate, making it suitable for screening and targeting S5αR inhibitors in herbal plants or complex matrix samples. It facilitated the fast-guided isolation of bioactive compounds, highlighting its potential for future applications in drug discovery research.

Molecular authentication of Paeonia species for paeonia radix production using plastid and nuclear DNA markers

Paeonia lactiflora is a perennial herbaceous plant popular in oriental medicine and as an ornamental plant. Two related species, P. veitchii and P. obovata, share several medicinal uses with P. lactiflora. To develop a molecular authentication system for these three Paeonia species, which are used to produce the Chinese herbal medicine Paeonia Radix, we generated super-barcode information. This included complete plastid genomes (plastomes) and 45S nuclear ribosomal DNA (45S nrDNA) from two accessions of P. lactiflora and one accession each of P. veitchii and P. obovata, using whole-genome sequencing data. The four plastomes range from 152,519 to 152,731 base pairs (bp) in length and have the same gene content and order. The 45S nrDNA transcriptional units range from 5879 to 6315 bp in length and show 33 SNPs among the three species. Phylogenetic analyses based on plastome and 45S nrDNA sequences clearly identified each species as a monophyletic group. Inter- and intraspecific polymorphisms were discovered among these three Paeonia species and Paeonia suffruticosa. Four molecular markers were developed to discriminate between P. lactiflora, P. veitchii, P. obovata, and P. suffruticosa, the main species used to produce Paeonia Radix in Korea and China. These markers successfully authenticated the species when applied to multiple herbal samples collected from various origins.

Assessment of Natural Radioactive Nuclides in Different Herbal Remedies Consumed in Katsina Metropolis

The use of herbal remedies to treat various ailments is common practice in developing countries, but the formulation of these products is usually complex, hence, the need for thorough quality checks especially with possible health risks these could pose. The research aimed to assess the natural radioactive nuclides concentrations of herbal formulations sold in Katsina Metropolis and ascertain the radiological implications for humans. The activity concentration of natural radionuclides in the fifteen (15) herbal remedies commonly consumed in the Katsina metropolis. Results from the above table show the activity of natural radionuclides in 15 herbal remedy samples found in the Katsina metropolis. The activity concentration of 40K ranges from 1027.76+51.30, which was found to have the highest radioactivity in the G, and 51.77+2.60 was found to be lowest in K. In 238U which ranges from 72.78+7.67 in O and the lowest concentration of 1.65+0.23 in E then lastly followed by the activity concentration of 232Th activity concentration varies from 20.18+1.13 as the highest and the lowest in B with 1.26+-0.07.

A multifunctional fluorescent probe for monitoring of SO2 and viscosity and its application in food, ferroptosis, and bioimaging

Inflammation is an intrinsic defense mechanism of organisms against tissue injury, characterized by biological pathways such as autophagy, depolarization, and endogenous sulfite production. Ferroptosis, a newly identified form of iron-dependent programmed cell death, leads to the accumulation of excessive lipid peroxides, resulting in changes in viscosity and SO₂ levels. Investigating the dynamic relationship between SO₂ and viscosity in these two conditions is crucial for elucidating the precise regulatory mechanisms of inflammation and ferroptosis. Here, we developed a fluorescent probe, named CNNP, which possesses dual targeting capabilities for lipid droplets and mitochondria. This innovative probe facilitates the simultaneous and precise detection of both SO₂ and viscosity, utilizing distinct emission wavelengths without cross-talk interference. Furthermore, we successfully employed this probe to determine bisulfite levels in food and herbal medicine samples, achieving high recovery rates (99.2 %–104.2 %), thereby demonstrating its practical utility. Notably, CNNP enables both exogenous and endogenous imaging of SO₂ and viscosity within cells. We observed subtle fluctuations in SO₂ levels and viscosity during inflammation and ferroptosis, as evidenced by abnormal changes in process parameters in both in vivo and in vitro levels. These findings introduce new perspective for the diagnosis and treatment of these pathological processes.

Metabolomic Fingerprints: Seasonal and Farm-Specific Differences in Heterotrigona itama Bee Bread

Stingless bees’ products such as honey and bee bread are beneficial to human health. However, the metabolite composition within the products may differ according to spatial and temporal factors. This study aims to investigate the impact of spatial and temporal factors on the significant metabolite composition present in Heterotrigona itama bee bread collected from different seasons and types of bee farms. Thus, tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS) based metabolomics analysis was used to achieve the said goal, focusing on H. itama bee bread samples, followed by multivariate analysis using the MetaboAnalyst platform. Our findings revealed significant metabolites that set bee bread samples apart. In terms of temporal factors, the analysis highlights specific metabolites exclusive to the wet season, such as flavones and flavonoids. However, in contrast, during the wet season, there are no significant metabolites in herbal farm samples. The results also underscore the significance of phenolic compounds in wet season samples and as vital metabolites distinguishing the groups. This study highlights a total of 24 annotated significant metabolites identified in different bee bread samples, as well as their capacity to differentiate between seasons and bee farms. Notably, these results suggest a wide variety of potential plant families as a source of bee bread. These findings shed light on the impact of seasons and diverse plant families contributing to bee bread composition, which may impact the growing meliponiculture industry greatly.

A novel method for the simultaneous determination of flavonoids in Pteridium aquilinum via SPE combined with UPLC-DAD via QAMS

A novel analytical method based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (UPLC-DAD), solid-phase extraction (SPE), and quantitative analysis of multiple components by single marker (QAMS) was developed for the first simultaneous determination of 8 flavonoids in Pteridium aquilinum. The combination of QAMS and SPE demonstrated the convenient and economic advantages of the QAMS method while also exhibiting straightforward and cost-efficient advantages in terms of both the time and solvent usage of the SPE. The contents of the 8 flavonoids in P. aquilinum ranged from 0.59 to 697.08 μg/g. There were no substantial differences in the quantification when comparing the QAMS method and the external standard method (ESM). The standard deviations (SDs, %) obtained by QAMS and ESM were all less than 5 %. SPE increased the concentration of flavonoids by 4.18–18.9 times. The limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) were in the ranges of 0.01–0.15 and 0.06–0.33 ng/g, respectively. Method validation revealed the linearity of the calibration curves (R2 ≥ 0.9989), with recoveries between 97.02 % and 105 %, and the relative standard deviations (RSD) were all lower than 5 %. In addition, rhoifolin (4), apigenin (6), and amentoflavone (8) were first reported in P. aquilinum. The results suggested that this method was simple, reliable, and feasible for determining the flavonoids in P. aquilinum samples and could be further applied to various foods and herbal medicine samples.

Development of a novel ternary MOF nanozyme-based smartphone-integrated colorimetric and microfluidic paper-based analytical device for trace glyphosate detection

Given the significant and potential fatal implications of glyphosate (GLY) residues on human health and the integrity of ecosystems, their presence has garnered substantial global concern and scrutiny. Herein, we introduced a pioneering colorimetric sensing platform, the first of its kind, based on ternary metal-organic frameworks (ZnCo-ZIFs@MIL-101(Fe)). This innovative platform enabled ultra-sensitive, affordable, portable and rapid on-site detection of GLY. This platform achieved a wider linear range for GLY of 0.02–40 μg/mL with an exhibiting remarkable detection limit of 1 ng/mL, which was attributed to the electronic hybridization of the Fe3+, Co2+, and Zn2+ metal centers of ZnCo-ZIFs@MIL-101(Fe), significantly enhancing the composite's catalytic performance. The assay was successfully employed to detect GLY in food and herb samples. Moreover, to meet the demand of in-field detection for GLY, a smartphone detection method based on ZnCo-ZIFs@MIL-101(Fe) with visual, intelligent, and portable features was fabricated. This detection concentration range of GLY was 0–1 μg/mL, and the limit of smartphone detection was 23 ng/mL. Furthermore, this sensor seamlessly integrated with smartphones and paper-based microfluidic chips (μPADs), which constructed a portable test strips-smartphone sensing platform for facilitating real-time and on-site visual quantitative detection of GLY. The detection concentration range was 0–1 μg/mL, and the limit was calculated as low as 75 ng/mL. The assay was highly adaptable in practical applications. In summary, our study paved a novel pathway for the design and utilization of multi-metal MOF nanozymes in on-site pesticide monitoring.

Portable alkaloid discrimination via nanozyme-mediated colorimetric paper-based sensor array integrated with smartphone detection.

Apaper-based colorimetric sensor array mediated by a novel nanozyme (CuCo2O4) was developed using a screen-printing technology. The aim was to facilitate the identification of different kinds of alkaloids. Typically, three chromogenic substrates (3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and o-phenylenediamine) were selected as sensing elements, which can be catalyzed by a CuCo2O4 nanozyme with peroxidase-like activity to yield corresponding oxidized products, thereby inducing color changes. Owing to the varying inhibitory ability of different alkaloids on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), a decrease in choline (Ch) concentration occurs and subsequently results in the restoration of color within the units of sensor array. Color data can be transformed into hue information with a smartphone. The above color variations generated a unique "fingerprint" pattern on five alkaloids (berberine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine, eserine, and harmane), which can be successfully discriminated through linear discriminant analysis in the range0.2 to 20µM. Furthermore, the sensor arrays allowed successful discrimination of the above five alkaloids in Chinese herbal medicine samples and recognition of 22 blind samples. This work presents a novel nanozyme-based paper sensor array, which is a user-friendly and reliable platform for probing different alkaloids. In addition, the developed sensing strategy enables the identification of AChE-related diseases, positively contributing to the screening available of AD-associated drugs.

Analysis of sildenafil citrate in male stamina herbal medicines from the Magelang region, Central Java using thin-layer chromatography and UV spectrophotometry

Background: Male stamina herbal medicines are widely consumed in Indonesia, often believed to enhance sexual performance. However, the illegal addition of medicinal chemicals (BKOs) such as sildenafil citrate in traditional herbal products poses health risks. Objective: To identify and quantify sildenafil citrate in selected herbal medicine samples using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and UV spectrophotometry. Method: Three samples of male stamina herbal medicine were purchased and subjected to organoleptic tests. Ethanol (96%) was used for extraction, followed by TLC analysis using two mobile phases (methanol: chloroform at 4:1 and 1:1 ratios). UV spectrophotometry was employed to determine the maximum absorbance wavelength and quantify sildenafil citrate. Results: TLC analysis revealed that two samples (K and L) contained sildenafil citrate, with Rf values consistent with the standard. UV spectrophotometry confirmed the presence of sildenafil citrate at a maximum wavelength of 292.5 nm. Sample K contained 0.96%, while sample L had 13.766% sildenafil citrate. Conclusion: The presence of sildenafil citrate in two samples violates Indonesian regulations prohibiting medicinal chemicals in herbal products, raising significant safety concerns.