Highest Amount Of Flavonoids Research Articles

Typhonium trilobatum Demonstrates Both Antioxidant and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activities In vitro

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the elderly people. Cholinergic dysfunction and oxidative stress have been found to be related with the development of the disease. Typhonium trilobatum L. Scott has been used traditionally in folk medicine as a central nervous system stimulant. In this study, we have investigated the various extracts of T. trilobatum for acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant activities in vitro. All the tested extracts exhibited inhibition against acetylcholinesterase. Petroleum ether extract exhibited the highest inhibition with an IC50 of 255.26 g/ml. Likewise all the extracts were found to possess antioxidant activity. In reducing power assay, petroleum ether extract showed the highest reducing power with an absorbance of 0.874 at 0.1 mg/ml concentration and in DPPH radical scavenging assay, chloroform extract exhibited the highest scavenging activity with an IC50 of 619.54 µg/ml. Phytochemical analyses of the four extracts revealed that the ethyl acetate extract contained the highest amount of flavonoids and petroleum ether had the highest amount of phenolics. These results suggest that T. trilobatum has both antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activities, which may be useful in reducing the risk of AD. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 22(1): 92-98, 2019

Investigation of Iranian pomegranate cultivars for wound healing components.

One of the most important issues which medical science has been facing is wound healing for the tissue repair with the least complications. In this study, we aimed to isolate, purify and quantitate tannins and phenolic compounds from exocarp and pulp of fruits of Iranian pomegranate cultivars. Our findings demonstrate that the highest amount of tannin extracts from ethanol extract of the black peel exocarp was 201.76 ± 1.93. The highest amount of flavonoids from the ethanol extract of Sweet Alac exocarp was119.69 ± 1.02 as well as antioxidant compounds activity in the exocarp and pulp showed that the highest activity is in the ethanol extract of the black peel was 95.65 ± 3.1. The total phenolic activity indicated that the Sour white peel ethanol extract has the highest phenolic activity 327.05 ± 863. Our data suggest that the ethanol extract of pomegranate exocarp has the higher amounts of tannins and flavonoids, compounds that are known to be beneficial for wound healing. Taken together, these data suggest that compounds isolated from Iranian pomegranate cultivars offer new options for managements of wound healing.

NaCl and glucose improve health-promoting properties in mung bean sprouts

The demand for healthy foods with high functional value has encouraged the search for alternatives to enhance beneficial food characteristics. Special attention has been given to edible sprouts due to their high nutritional value. This study conducted on mung bean sprout to assess the effect of various concentration of NaCl (1, 10, 50, 100 mM) and glucose (5, 10, 50, 100, 200 mM) solutions plus a control with distilled water on sprout growth and health-promoting properties—ascorbic acid, phenolic compound and flavonoid contents as well as the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and the antioxidant activities. Low to moderate levels of NaCl (1–50 mM) and glucose (5–100 mM) solutions had no effect on the fresh weight of sprout. Moderate to high concentrations of NaCl and glucose solutions significantly increased the health-promoting properties. The highest phenolic content, PAL and reducing power activities were observed in the treatment of 150 mM glucose (51.30, 34.68 and 42.05% higher than the control, respectively), whereas the highest amount of flavonoid and ascorbic acid as well as radical scavenging activity were recorded in 100 mM NaCl (37.66, 235.21 and 43.55% higher than the control, respectively). Although the sprout fresh weight significantly decreased with 100 mM NaCl and 150 mM glucose treatments, these results suggest that concentrations of NaCl and glucose less than 100 and 150 mM, respectively, were the appropriate treatments for the enhancement of most of the health-promoting properties in the sprout without adverse effects on their yield. These findings indicate that NaCl and glucose could be considered alternative technologies for the production of low-cost functional foods to diversify the bean market.

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND CONSTITUENTS OF HEXANE EXTRACT OF MELASTOMA MALABATHRICUM L

Hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and 50 % aqueous methanol extracts of leaf, flower and fruit of Melastoma malabathricum were screened for the presence of different classes of phytochemicals. In phytochemical screening, ethyl acetate, methanol and 50 % aqueous methanol extracts showed the presence of phenolics and flavonoids. Glycosides were found only in the 50 % methanol extract of fruit. Free radical scavenging activity of methanol extract of leaf, flower and fruit was determined using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. Total phenolic content was measured spectrophotometrically using Folin-Ciocalteu, total flavonoids content by using aluminum chloride and total sugar content by using anthrone reagent. Gallic acid was used as a standard for the calibration of phenolics, catechin for flavonoids and glucose for carbohydrates. The highest amount of phenolic was found in the 50 % methanol extract of leaf (242.88 ± 3.52 mg GAE/g extract), the highest amount of flavonoids was found in the ethyl acetate extract of leaf (127.41 ± 6.33 mg CE/g extract). Total sugar in 50 % methanol extract of fruit was found to be 151.12 ± 8.79 mg GE/g extract. Methanol extracts of flower showed the strongest antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 17.23 μg/ml. Silyl derivative of hexane extracts were prepared by using N-methyl-N-(trimetylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide for gas chromatography-mass spectroscopic (GC-MS) analysis. The GC-MS analysis of hexane extract allowed the identification of 17 phyto-constituents by comparing the fragmentation pattern of each component in mass spectrum with the standard NIST mass spectral database.

Quantification of the secondary metabolites by HPTLC, analgesic and antipyretic activity evaluation of Ficus racemosa L. leaves

There have been no reports of simultaneous quantification of kaempferol and quercetin in Ficus racemosa L. Objective of the present work included to perform extraction using petroleum ether (PEE) and ethanol (EE), to perform preliminary phytochemical test, quantitative estimation of phytochemicals and simultaneous estimation of kaempferol and quercetin in Ficus racemosa L. using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method and to assess the analgesic and antipyretic activity of the extracts. PEE and EE obtained from cold maceration technique. Extracts were subjected to qualitative test and estimated quantitatively. Extracts were applied on silica gel G 60 F254 plate; solvent-Toluene: Chloroform: Acetone 4.5:4.5:1 (v/v) and scanned at 254 nm. The extracts were also subjected to analgesic activity (hot plate method and tail immersion method) and antipyretic (Brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia model and Lipopolysaccharide induced pyrexia mode) activity. Findings of preliminary phytochemical test and quantitative estimation of phytochemicals confirms the presence of flavonoids in both the extracts (PEE and EE). The amount of flavonoids in PEE and EE were found to be 24.58 ± 0.60 mg/100 g and 21.01 ± 0.58 mg/100 g respectively. HPTLC system resulted well resolved bands for quercetin (Rf 0.38) and kaempferol (Rf 0.55). The validated HPTLC method was found suitable for kaempferol and quercetin quantification in Ficus racemosa L. Hot plate reaction time response was improved in a dose-dependent manner in a group of rats treated with PEE suggesting its analgesic potential. In view of analgesic potential by tail immersion method, PEE (400 mg/kg b.w.) showed no significant difference in tail flick reaction time as shown by standard treated animal (Aspirin 100 mg/kg b.w.). The findings of antipyretic activity suggested that PEE (400 mg/kg b.w.) have no significant difference in treating pyrexia when compared with Paracetamol (100 mg/kg). PEE (400 mg/kg b.w.) was found to be most potent. It may be due to the presence of comparatively high amount of flavonoids in PEE confirmed by the preliminary phytochemical test, quantitative estimation of phytochemicals and HPTLC quantification the PEE was found to be more effective when compared to EE.

FLORAL EXTRACTS OF ALLAMANDA BLANCHETII AND ALLAMANDA CATHARTICA ARE COMPARATIVELY HIGHER RESOURCE OF ANTI-OXIDANTS AND POLYSACCHARIDES THAN LEAF AND STEM EXTRACTS

Objective: The present study undertakes a comparative analysis of the level of secondary metabolites present in the leaf, flower and stem of the two ornamental plants, Allamanda blanchetii and Allamanda cathartica.Methods: The two plant species, Allamanda blanchetii and Allamanda cathartica were collected, washed, shade dried in room temperature and powered in mechanical grinder. Phytochemicals were extracted from the power with methanol and double distilled water. The estimation of flavonoids, polyphenols, polysaccharide were done by standard methods and the anti-oxidant activity was measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) discoloration assay.Results: Our study reveals that the flower of both species contain highest amount of secondary metabolites in crude methanolic and aqueous extracts. In case of leaf, the methanolic extracts contain higher amount of polyphenol, flavonoid and anti-oxidant property in comparison to aqueous extracts, where as the aqueous extract contain higher amount of polysaccharide content than its counterpart. In stem, crude organic extract has higher amount of polyphenol and flavonoid and the aqueous extract has higher amount of polysaccharide and anti-oxidant property.Conclusion: The flower of Allamanda cathartica and Allamanda blanchetii has higher amount of flavonoids, polyphenols, polysaccharide and the floral extracts display comparatively higher anti-oxidant property.

Buckwheat R2R3 MYB transcription factor FeMYBF1 regulates flavonol biosynthesis

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) contains high amounts of flavonoids, especially flavonols (e.g., rutin), which are thought to be highly beneficial for human health. Little is known, however, about the regulation of flavonol synthesis in buckwheat. We identified a buckwheat gene encoding an R2R3 MYB transcription factor, and named this gene FeMYBF1. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence and phylogenetic analysis suggested that FeMYBF1 encodes an ortholog of the Arabidopsis flavonol regulators AtMYB11, AtMYB12 and AtMYB111. Expression of FeMYBF1 in a flavonol-deficient Arabidopsis triple mutant (myb11 myb12 myb111) restored flavonol synthesis. Constitutive expression of FeMYBF1 driven by the CaMV 35S promoter in Arabidopsis resulted in over-accumulation of flavonol glycosides and upregulation of the expression of AtFLS1. Transient expression assays showed that FeMYBF1 activated the promoter of the Arabidopsis gene encoding AtFLS1, and the promoters of buckwheat genes related to anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin synthesis such as dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR) and leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase (LDOX) in addition to genes encoding FLS. The results indicate that FeMYBF1 regulates flavonol synthesis and may have a role in synthesis of other flavonoid compounds, and also that buckwheat may have alternative pathway of flavonol synthesis through DFR and LDOX.

Content of phenolic compounds and vitamin C and antioxidant activity in wasted parts of Sudanese citrus fruits.

Phenolic compounds, vitamin C, and the antioxidant activity of wasted parts of citrus (orange, lemon, and grapefruit) fruits were investigated. Ethanolic extracts from whole fruit, peel, and pulp containing seeds of each type of citruses were prepared. Within each type of citrus, results revealed that peels contained a higher amount of phenolic compound, flavonoids, vitamin C, and antioxidant activity than those of their inner wasted parts (pulp and seeds). Peels of grapefruit had the highest total phenolic content followed by lemon and orange, which was found to be 77.3, 49.8, and 35.6 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g of peels, respectively. In contrast, orange peels contain the highest amount of flavonoids (83.3 mg of catechin equivalent/g) and vitamin C (110.4 mg/100 g) compared to the peels of the other citrus fruit used in this study. In general, the high content of antioxidant capacity and activity of citrus waste, particularly the peels, indicated that they may impart health and nutritional benefit when involving in the food industry as a natural antioxidant.

Phytochemical composition and antioxidant activities of different aerial parts extracts of Ferula communis L.

The present study aimed to assess antioxidant activities of three organs (flower, fruit, and stem) extracts of Tunisian Ferula (F.) communis. Various experimental models were used to characterize the antioxidant activities in vitro as well as on ROS-induced fluorescence using dichlorofluorescein technique from phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated human myeloid cell line HL-60. Results showed that the antioxidant activities varied considerably with organs. Thus, flower exhibited higher DPPH-scavenging ability, reducing and chelating power than stem and fruit. Also, antioxidant capacities using ORAC method and a cell-based assay showed that fruit and stem exhibited statistically similar antioxidant activities. Moreover, F. communis contains high amounts of flavonoids with various health benefits attributed to their antioxidant potential. Likewise, to obtain biologically relevant information, the antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated on cellular models implicating the antioxidant activities; this test generally showed that F. communis flower extracts have the highest antioxidant capacities correlated to the highest total phenolic content. The identification of phenolic compounds in F. communis extracts using RP-HPLC revealed that resorcinol, ferulic, and syringic acids together with coumarin were the major molecules.

The impact of media composition on production of flavonoids in agitated shoot cultures of the three Hypericum perforatum L. cultivars \u2018Elixir,\u2019 \u2018Helos,\u2019 and \u2018Topas\u2019

The aims of the study were to evaluate the effect of media composition on the growth potential and morphology of the in vitro cultured biomass of three cultivars of Hypericum perforatum, and on the production of flavonoids. Agitated shoot cultures were maintained in parallel on Linsmaier and Skoog (LS) and Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 0.1–3.0 mg L−1 of α-naphthaleneacetic acid and 6-benzylaminopurine. Methanolic extracts from the biomass collected after 3-wk growth cycles were analyzed quantitatively, for 21 flavonoids using high performance liquid chromatography. Three aglycones (kaempferol, luteolin, and quercetin) and three glycosides of quercetin (hyperoside, quercitrin, and rutoside) were detected in all of the extracts. The total amounts of the estimated compounds increased from 1.18- to 21.66-fold on LS media variants and from 1.52- to 17.34-fold on MS media variants. The main metabolite was quercetin (max. 210.55 mg 100 g−1 dry weight [DW]). The maximum total amounts of all compounds in the biomass of ‘Elixir,’ ‘Helos,’ and ‘Topas’ were 328.53, 255.70, and 166.58 mg 100 g−1 DW, respectively. The shoots of all cultivars cultivated on the LS and MS media containing low levels of plant growth regulators (0.1 mg L−1) accumulated high amounts of flavonoids. The highest amounts were accumulated in shoots of cultivar ‘Elixir’ grown on MS medium. This is the first comparison of flavonoid production in three cultivars of H. perforatum (‘Elixir,’ ‘Helos,’ and ‘Topas’) cultured in vitro, and the first report of flavonoid production in cultivars ‘Elixir’ and ‘Helos.’

Assessment of Antioxidant Potential and phytochemical screening of Phenolic Compounds of Gleditsia triacanthos L Pods

Objective: The present study aims at the phytochemical screening, the quantification of phenolic compounds of Gleditsia triacanthos L pods (Family Leguminosae) and the assessment of their antioxidant potential by in vitro assays.
 Subjects and Methods: The pods were extracted with 70% methanol and further partitioned with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. The residual aqueous fraction has been also recovered. Colorimetric methods using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, aluminum chloride and Folin-Denis were carried out to estimate total polyphenols, flavonoids and condensed tannins content of extracts. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were used to determine in vitro antioxidant activity.
 Results: In vitro phytochemical screening for all the extracts was tested and shown positive result for flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, sterols and terpenes, saponins and alkaloids. However, all the extracts were free of anthraquinones. The strongest activity against radical scavenging of DPPH was found in the ethyl acetate fraction (IC50= 16,288 ± 0,299 µg/ml) which contains highest amounts of flavonoids (25.160 ± 0.016 mg CE/g), whereas the chloroform fraction showed an important total antioxidant capacity (750,584 ± 129,793 mg AAE/g) with the highest amount of total polyphenols (131.667 ± 2.055 mg GAE/g). When compared to the other fractions, the aqueous fraction presented the lowest antioxidant activity for the two methods.
 Conclusion: These data suggest that the pods of Gleditsia triacanthos L can be a good natural source of antioxidants that can be beneficial for food and human health.

Amelioration of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinogenesis in animal models via knockdown oxidative stress and proinflammatory markers by Madhuca longifolia embedded silver nanoparticles.

In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), primary liver cancer is primarily responsible for inflammation-related cancer as more than 90% of HCCs emerge with regard to hepatic damage and inflammation. Tenacious inflammation is known to advance and intensify liver tumours. Nanomaterials, for example, silver nanoparticles synthesized from plant-derived materials have shown great outcomes in reducing the pre-cancerous nodules and have anticancer properties. The aim of the present investigation was to biosynthesize, characterize and evaluate the anticancer activity of nanoparticles-embedded Madhuca longifolia extract (MLAgNPs) on an experimental model of hepatic cancer in rats. M. longifolia contains a high amount of flavonoids and other phenolic derivative. The silver nanoparticles synthesized by M. longifolia were characterized by various instruments, including UV-Vis spectrophotometry, X-ray beam diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Liver cancer was induced to 36 Wistar rats by a single dose of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) (200 mg kg−1 BW). Hepatic cancer by MLAgNPs dose-dependently limited macroscopical variation compared with the DEN-induced hepatic cancer groups. The serum and liver were taken to measure the antioxidant parameters, proinflammatory cytokines and for a histopathological study. Serum hepatic and serum non-hepatic along with inflammatory cytokines were also assessed. Reduction in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, namely tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB), and improved membrane-bound enzyme activity were also detected. It was found that minor morphological anomalies were identified in the histopathology analysis in the MLAgNPs-treated groups. It could be concluded that silver nanoparticles introduce an extraordinary potential for use as adjuvants in hepatic cancer treatment because of their antioxidant abilities and ability to diminish inflammation in liver tissue by attenuating the NF-κB pathway.

RANKL EXPRESSION AND METABOLIC CHANGES IN OVARIECTOMIZED RATS AND THE POSSIBLE PROTECTION BY VEGETABLE FORMULA.

Objective: This study was to evaluate complications of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats and the possibility to ameliorate these changes by consumption of vegetable formula. Furthermore, transcription of mRNA of RANKL gene was matched with bone mass density (BMD) and bone formation marker (human procollagen 1 N terminal peptide [PINP]).Methods: Thirty rats were divided into three groups. The first is non ovariectomized control group (NOVXC), the second is ovariectomized control group (OVXC), and the third is ovariectomized rats supplemented with the vegetable formula (OVXT). Animals were fed for 8 successive weeks. Animals were treated and sacrificed under the recommended ethics of laboratory animal’s treatment. The vegetable mixture was formulated with the purpose to correct the bone compromise and supply all the presumed deficient elements and hormone.Results: Chemical analysis showed that the formulated vegetable mixture had a high amount of flavonoids as catechin (100 mg/100 g of dry weight) and polyphenols as tannic acid (1000 mg/100 g dry weight. Furthermore, it had high reducing power (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical showed inhibition percentage of 91.81%.). Several phytochemicals necessary for bone health were demonstrated in the vegetable mixture using high-performance liquid chromatography. RANKL/GAPDH mRNA transcription ratio showed marked an increase in OVXC versus the control NOVXC rats (1.00 vs. 0.199, respectively) accompanied with a drop in BMD (0.157 vs. 0.25 mg/cm2, respectively) and PINP values (27.9±2.8 compared to NOVXC 34±2.4 μ/L, respectively). The vegetable mixture supplementation showed better values of BMD and PINP in OVXT group directed back toward normal (0.183 mg/cm2 and 29.35±3.4 μ/L, respectively). Furthermore, analysis of blood plasma of supplemented group showed lower blood glucose, lipid profile, and oxidative markers if compared to that in OVXC group.Conclusion: It may be concluded that the plant formula was effective to minimize health hazards in ovariectomized rats and maybe for postmenopause women. Perhaps longer time may be needed for more significant and clear effect.

RANKL EXPRESSION AND METABOLIC CHANGES IN OVARIECTOMIZED RATS AND THE POSSIBLE PROTECTION BY VEGETABLE FORMULA.

Objective: This study was to evaluate complications of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats and the possibility to ameliorate these changes by consumption of vegetable formula. Furthermore, transcription of mRNA of RANKL gene was matched with bone mass density (BMD) and bone formation marker (human procollagen 1 N terminal peptide [PINP]).Methods: Thirty rats were divided into three groups. The first is non ovariectomized control group (NOVXC), the second is ovariectomized control group (OVXC), and the third is ovariectomized rats supplemented with the vegetable formula (OVXT). Animals were fed for 8 successive weeks. Animals were treated and sacrificed under the recommended ethics of laboratory animal’s treatment. The vegetable mixture was formulated with the purpose to correct the bone compromise and supply all the presumed deficient elements and hormone.Results: Chemical analysis showed that the formulated vegetable mixture had a high amount of flavonoids as catechin (100 mg/100 g of dry weight) and polyphenols as tannic acid (1000 mg/100 g dry weight. Furthermore, it had high reducing power (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical showed inhibition percentage of 91.81%.). Several phytochemicals necessary for bone health were demonstrated in the vegetable mixture using high-performance liquid chromatography. RANKL/GAPDH mRNA transcription ratio showed marked an increase in OVXC versus the control NOVXC rats (1.00 vs. 0.199, respectively) accompanied with a drop in BMD (0.157 vs. 0.25 mg/cm2, respectively) and PINP values (27.9±2.8 compared to NOVXC 34±2.4 μ/L, respectively). The vegetable mixture supplementation showed better values of BMD and PINP in OVXT group directed back toward normal (0.183 mg/cm2 and 29.35±3.4 μ/L, respectively). Furthermore, analysis of blood plasma of supplemented group showed lower blood glucose, lipid profile, and oxidative markers if compared to that in OVXC group.Conclusion: It may be concluded that the plant formula was effective to minimize health hazards in ovariectomized rats and maybe for postmenopause women. Perhaps longer time may be needed for more significant and clear effect.

Identification and quantification and antioxidant activity of flavonoids in different strains of silk cocoon, Bombyx mori

Silk cocoon is produced from silkworm (Bombyx mori) to protect itself from outer environment. Various strains of cocoon contain different forms and amounts of flavonoids, which may affect on their antioxidant activity. Moreover, the extraction method would influence the amount of flavonoids extracted. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to identify and quantify the flavonoids in 3 strains of bivoltine Bombyx mori silk cocoon (Chul 1/1; white cocoon, Chul 3/2; greenish cocoon, and Chul 4/2; yellow cocoon) extracted by 6 different solvents including acetone, ethyl acetate, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethanol, methanol, and purified water. The flavonoids extracted were identified and quantified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The antioxidant activity of flavonoids extracted was also investigated by visible spectroscopy at 517 nm. The results showed that Chul 3/2 silk cocoon contained the highest amount of flavonoids. Purified water seemed to be the best solvent that preserved most antioxidant activity of the flavonoids extracted. Flavonoids in Chul 1/1 and Chul 4/2 silk cocoon were rarely found, however they contained some antioxidant activities. The data from this study can provide basic information for flavonoid extraction from silk cocoon which can also apply for other flavonoid-containing natural biomaterials.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) induced interstitial nephritis

Herbal medicine has grabbed the public interest and there is a general belief of their safety and life compatibility. There are growing proportion of reported side effects of herbal medicine in past years. We reported a 62-year-old woman who developed acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) accompanied by autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), three weeks after daily ingestion of heat extract of fenugreek. The patient’s renal, hematologic and liver panels were improved after steroid pulse therapy and fenugreek discontinuation. Fenugreek contains high amount of flavonoid which might be a main culprit for AIN and AIHA.

Evaluation of Polyphenolic Content, Antioxidant and Diuretic Activities of Six Fumaria Species.

Romanian traditional medicine describes the use of aerial parts of Fumaria species to treat hepatobiliary diseases as well as diuretic agents. The present study aims to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant properties, and diuretic effects of several Fumaria species. LC/MS analysis revealed that Fumaria species contain phenolic acids and high amounts of flavonoids with rutin and isoquercitrin as main compounds. Concerning antioxidant capacity, the most significant results were obtained for F. capreolata and F. vailantii. Both species showed a good correlation between the antioxidant capacity and a high amount of flavonoids. Furthermore, the extracts of F. officinalis and F. schleicheri produced a strong increase in urinary volumetric excretion of saline-loaded rats, 24 h after the oral administration of a single dose of 250 mg/kg bw. Moreover, both extracts of F. officinalis and F. schleicheri increased the urinary excretion of Na+ and K+. Results from the present study offer a new perspective concerning the chemical composition and bioactivities of traditionally used fumitory species.

Studies on wound healing potential of polyherbal formulation using in vitro and in vivo assays

BackgroundThe use of herbal plant extracts in wound healing is known through decades, but it is necessary to provide scientific data through reverse pharmacology. ObjectiveThe aim of the present study is to find the mechanism behind the healing of wounds using in vitro and in vivo assays. Material and methodsThe study was designed to determine proliferation and mobilization of fibroblast and keratinocytes at the site of injury, angiogenesis at the site of healing and reduction in oxidative stress while healing. In our earlier studies it was observed that herbal extract of Vitex negundo L. (VN), Emblica officinalis Gaertn (EO), and Tridax procumbens L. (TP) showed rapid regeneration of skin, wound contraction and collagen synthesis at the site of injury in excision wound model. In the present study the cell mobilization was monitored in the scratch assay on L929 fibroblastic cell line and HaCaT keratinocytes cell line under the influence of aqueous plant extracts and its formulation. This formulation was also assessed for its angiogenic potential using CAM assay. Study was carried out to probe synergistic effect of polyherbal formulation using excision model in rat. ResultsThe formulation was found to contain high amount of flavonoids, tannins and phenols which facilitate wound healing. At 20 μg/ml concentration of formulation, significant increase in tertiary and quaternary vessels were observed due to angiogenic potential of formulation. Formulation at the concentration of 3 μg/ml and 5 μg/ml showed significant mobilization of keratinocytes and fibroblasts respectively at the site of injury. Polyherbal formulation showed rapid regeneration of skin and wound contraction. Biochemical parameters like hydroxyproline, hexosamine and collagen turnover was increased in test drug treated animals as compared to untreated, whereas antioxidants such as catalase and GSH were increased significantly and decreased amount of tissue MDA was observed. ConclusionPolyherbal formulation prepared from the plant extracts accelerates wound healing process by proliferation and mobilization of fibroblast and keratinocytes, and angiogenesis at the site of injury. It also shows fast contraction of wound with its beneficial improvement in tissue biochemical and antioxidant parameters.

Characterization and stability study of cranberry flavonoids in lipid liquid crystalline systems

The main objective of the present study was to investigate mixtures of soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC) and glycerol dioleate (GDO) as encapsulation matrices for cranberry flavonoids. The effects of flavonoids loading into non‐aqueous formulations, non‐lamellar liquid crystalline phases, and their colloidal dispersions were studied by using synchrotron small angle X‐ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering. Flavonoids incorporation is discussed with respect to the lipid aggregation behavior, self‐assembled nanostructure, and chemical stability by using antioxidant activity assay. The obtained results show that SPC/GDO‐based formulations can incorporate relatively high amounts of flavonoids and serve as liquid crystalline delivery vehicles in the form of bulk phases or colloidal dispersions.Practical applications: Our results show that SPC/GDO‐based formulations can incorporate relatively high amounts of cranberry flavonoids. The effect flavonoid extracts on the nanostructure of bulk SPC/GDO LC phases are lipid weight ratio‐dependent. Flavonoids loaded into SPC/GDO‐based formulations and LC phases retain their antioxidant properties. The self‐assembled lipid liquid crystalline systems protect bioactive compounds from degradation. These facts are important for the community working in the field of self‐assembly of lipid structures, food chemistry, and delivery vehicles of nutraceuticals.Soy phosphatidylcholine lipids (SPC) and glycerol dioleate (GDO) formed lipid‐based liquid crystal systems can be successfully applied for entrapment of natural cranberries flavonoids. After full hydration LC formulations can easily create self‐assembled non‐lamellar LC systems with different nanostructures. The stability studies have shown that the flavonoids loaded in SPC/GDO‐based systems retain their antioxidant properties at least up to 30 days.

Measurement of Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) and Microalgae Spirulina platensis Extracted by Steeping, Ultrasonic and Microwave Methods

Now-a-days more attention is drawn to the use of natural compounds over synthetic ones in the production of food dyes and pharmaceutical additives. Among the most important and effective components in diets are antioxidants which protect the body from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. In this study, extracts of microalgae Spirulina platensis: and pennyroyal were prepared via steeping, microwave and ultrasonic methods using two solvents, water and ethanol under controlled conditions. Six treatments including water-steeping, water-microwave, water- ultrasound, ethanol-steeping, ethanol-microwave and ethanol-ultrasound, were prepared and triplicate experiments were performed to determine the following components: flavonoid, total phenols content as well as antioxidant capacity (IC50) of the extracts based on Alcl, follin-ciocaltuea and absorption of radical DPPH (2,2-diphenyl -1-ipicryl hydrasil). The data was analyzed by SPSS version 24 and the means were compared using a multi-range Duncan test at 5% level (p<0.05). The results showed that the ultrasound method had the best efficacy for the extraction of phenolic and antioxidant compounds. The use of the water-ultrasound treatment in the extraction of microalgae resulted in the highest amounts of flavonoids and total phenols and the lowest amounts of IC50 (the greatest radical scavenging activity) compared to the five other treatments. The use of the ethanol-ultrasound treatment in the extraction of pennyroyal produced similar results to the waterultrasound extracted microalgae, showing high amounts of flavonoid, total phenol, and radical scavenging activity. These results revealed that a combination of different extraction methods and different solvents is needed to obtain the best results.