Hot Aqueous Extract Research Articles

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Ganoderma neo-japonicum Imazeki: a potential cytotoxic agent against breast cancer cells

BackgroundSilver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are an important class of nanomaterial for a wide range of industrial and biomedical applications. AgNPs have been used as antimicrobial and disinfectant agents due their detrimental effect on target cells. The aim of our study was to determine the cytotoxic effects of biologically synthesized AgNPs using hot aqueous extracts of the mycelia of Ganoderma neo-japonicum Imazeki on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells.MethodsWe developed a green method for the synthesis of water-soluble AgNPs by treating silver ions with hot aqueous extract of the mycelia of G. neo-japonicum. The formation of AgNPs was characterized by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, the toxicity of synthesized AgNPs was evaluated using a series of assays: such as cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase leakage, reactive oxygen species generation, caspase 3, DNA laddering, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling in human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231).ResultsThe ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy results showed a strong resonance centered on the surface of AgNPs at 420 nm. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the synthesized AgNPs were single-crystalline, corresponding with the result of transmission electron microscopy. Treatment of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells with various concentrations of AgNPs (1–10 μg/mL) for 24 hours revealed that AgNPs could inhibit cell viability and induce membrane leakage in a dose-dependent manner. Cells exposed to AgNPs showed increased reactive oxygen species and hydroxyl radical production. Furthermore, the apoptotic effects of AgNPs were confirmed by activation of caspase 3 and DNA nuclear fragmentation.ConclusionThe results indicate that AgNPs possess cytotoxic effects with apoptotic features and suggest that the reactive oxygen species generated by AgNPs have a significant role in apoptosis. The present findings suggest that AgNPs could contribute to the development of a suitable anticancer drug, which may lead to the development of a novel nanomedicine for the treatment of cancers.

Structural elucidation of a biologically active heteroglycan isolated from a hybrid mushroom of Pleurotus florida and Lentinula edodes

A water soluble heteroglycan isolated from hot aqueous extract of fruit bodies of an edible hybrid mushroom Pfle1r of Pleurotus florida and Lentinula edodes consists of d-glucose, d-mannose, and d-galactose residues in a molar ratio of nearly 1:1:1. This polysaccharide showed macrophage, splenocyte, and thymocyte activation. On the basis of sugar hydrolysis, methylation, periodate oxidation study, and NMR studies (1H, 13C, DEPT-135, TOCSY, DQF-COSY, NOESY, ROESY, HSQC, and HMBC), the structure of the repeating unit of the polysaccharide was established as:▪

A glucan from an ectomycorrhizal edible mushroom Tricholoma crassum (Berk.) Sacc.: isolation, characterization, and biological studies

A water soluble glucan of average molecular weight ∼1.74×105Da was isolated from hot aqueous extract of the fruiting bodies of an ectomycorrhizal edible mushroom Tricholoma crassum (Berk.) Sacc. The structure of this glucan was elucidated on the basis of total hydrolysis, methylation analysis, Smith degradation, and 1D/2D NMR studies. Based on the above experiments the repeating unit of the glucan was established as: [Display omitted] This glucan showed macrophage activation in vitro by NO production in a dose dependent manner and strong splenocyte and thymocyte immunostimulation in mouse cell culture medium. It also exhibited good inhibition activity toward lipid peroxidation.

Glucan from hot aqueous extract of an ectomycorrhizal edible mushroom, Russula albonigra (Krombh.) Fr.: structural characterization and study of immunoenhancing properties

A water soluble glucan (PS-I) was isolated from the hot aqueous extract of the fruit bodies of an ectomycorrhizal edible mushroom, Russula albonigra (Krombh.) Fr. The total hydrolysis, methylation analysis, periodate oxidation, and NMR (1H, 13C, DEPT-135, TOCSY, DQF-COSY, NOESY, ROESY, HSQC, and HMBC) studies revealed the presence of the following repeating unit in the polysaccharide: [Display omitted] This glucan showed excellent activation of macrophages as well as splenocytes and thymocytes in vitro.

Total antioxidant, polyphenol, phenolic acid, and flavonoid content in Ficus deltoidea varieties

This research aimed to study the antioxidant activities in hot and cold aqueous extracts extracted from fresh leaf of Ficus deltoidea using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Phenolic compounds were measured using total polyphenol, phenolic acid, and flavonoid content. Different extraction conditions significantly affected the total antioxidant activities, polyphenol, phenolic acid, and flavonoid content of the extracts. The decreasing order of antioxidant activities using DPPH method in hot aqueous extracts were as follows: var.kunstleri > var. trengganuensis > var. angustifolia, while cold aqueous extracts: var.kunstleri > var. angustifolia > var. trengganuensis. The total antioxidant content using FRAP method showed the highest activity in hot aqueous extracts of F2 with 2.13 mg Trolox equivalent per gram fresh weight (TE/g FW). Hot aqueous extract for F2 and F11 contained the highest total polyphenol content with 0.88 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g FW, while the lowest in cold aqueous of M6 contained total polyphenol content with 0.47 mg GAE/g FW. Total phenolic acid ranged from 0.54 to 2.19 mg GAE/g FW in hot aqueous extracts, while 0.59 to 1.96 mg GAE/g FW for cold aqueous extract. Total flavonoid content ranged from 0.17 to 0.66 and 0.18 to 0.51 mg catechin equivalents (CE)/g FW in hot and cold aqueous extracts, respectively. All of the antioxidant compounds correlated positively with total polyphenol, phenolic acid, and flavonoid. Key words: Ficus deltoidea, antioxidant, polyphenol, phenolic acid, flavonoid.

Antidiabetic, anti-oxidant and antimicrobial activities of Fadogia ancylantha extracts from Malawi

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCommunities in Chilumba, Malawi use herbal tea prepared from Fadogia ancylantha Schweinf (Rubiaceae) leaves for the management of diabetes, hypertension and alleviation of symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders and pneumonia. The objective of the study was to evaluate the in vitro antidiabetic, anti-oxidant and antimicrobial activities of the crude extracts of the leaves prepared by using three different extraction methods. Materials and methodsEach of the organic, cold and hot aqueous extracts of the herbal tea was evaluated for its effect on glucose uptake in C2C12 muscle and Chang cell lines. Metformin and insulin were used as positive controls. The anti-oxidant activity, based on neutralisation of DPPH free radicals, was determined spectrophotometrically. The Agar serial dilution method was utilised to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts for the selected fungal and bacterial strains. Results and discussionThe organic extract (12.5μg/ml) exhibited the highest in vitro glucose uptake increases in Chang cells (181.24±0.29%) and C2C12 muscle cells (172.29±0.32%) while the hot and cold aqueous extracts gave lower uptakes, 145.94±0.37% and 138.70±0.52% in Chang cells respectively. At 100μg/ml, aqueous extracts gave significantly higher (p<0.01) anti-oxidant activity (range 85.78–86.29%) than their organic counterpart (68.16%). The minimum inhibitory concentration (156μg/ml) was obtained in the organic extract against the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus and moderate growth inhibition was observed with other test micro-organisms. The hot aqueous extract inhibited the growth of all test organisms except Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The cold aqueous extract was inactive against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The differences in the MIC values between the aqueous extracts seem to suggest that raised temperatures, as traditionally practised, facilitate the extraction of secondary bioactive metabolites. ConclusionThese results show that Fadogia ancylantha extracts have high antidiabetic and anti-oxidant properties.

Structural characterization and study of immunoenhancing properties of a glucan isolated from a hybrid mushroom of Pleurotus florida and Lentinula edodes

A water soluble glucan isolated from hot aqueous extract of fruit bodies of an edible hybrid mushroom Pfle1r of Pleurotus florida and Lentinula edodes showed macrophages, splenocytes, and thymocytes activation. The glucan consists of terminal, (1→3,6)-linked, and (1→6)-linked β-d-glucopyranosyl moieties in a molar ratio of nearly 1:1:3. On the basis of acid hydrolysis, methylation, periodate oxidation study, and NMR studies (1H, 13C, DEPT-135, TOCSY, DQF-COSY, NOESY, ROESY, HSQC, and HMBC), the structure of the repeating unit of the glucan was established as: [Display omitted]

Novel isolation of water-soluble polysaccharides from the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms

Novel water-soluble polysaccharides have been isolated from the fruiting bodies of the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus. Three polysaccharide fractions were obtained by ethanol precipitation from cold water, hot water and hot aqueous NaOH extracts. The fractions were purified by size exclusion chromatography showing a unique carbohydrate occurring in each fraction: PC from the cold fraction, PH from the hot fraction and PB from the hot aqueous NaOH fraction. The analysis of the methylated alditol acetates and the NMR studies revealed that all the polysaccharides displayed a linear backbone. PC was formed by α-(1→3),(1→6)-linked galactopyranosyl residues whereas PH and PB consisted of glucose-linked units. PH was exclusively composed of glucopyranosyl units bound by α-(1→4) linkages whereas PB was a β-linked glucan showing (1→3) and (1→6) glycosidic bonds. The analysis of molecular arrangement by complexation with Congo red showed that only the β-linked polysaccharide (PB) displayed a triple helix conformation.

Assessment of the antidiarrhoeal properties of the aqueous extract, the 80% methanol extract and its soluble fractions of the leaves of Alstonia congensis Engl. (Apocynaceae) in Wistar rats

Aim of the studyTo evaluate the antidiarrhoeal properties of Alstonia congensis leaves claimed to be effective for the treatment of diarrhoea by traditional healers during our ethnopharmacological investigation conducted in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Materials and methodsThe aqueous extract (decoction), and the 80% hot methanol extract (Soxhlet extraction) were obtained. This last extract was fractionated. The antidiarrhoeal activity was evaluated using castor oil and magnesium sulphate-induced diarrhoea in animals. The potential antibacterial activity of all samples was also assessed in vitro. ResultsAt all oral doses of 100 and 200mg/kg body weight, all A. congensis samples showed significant and dose-dependent antidiarrhoeal activity in treated Wistar rats characterised by significant increase of onset time and decrease of all other diarrhoeal parameters at various degrees compared to untreated groups in both models. At the highest oral dose of 200mg/kg bodyweight, the 80% hot methanol and aqueous extracts produced 79.8±2.1% and 78.6±0.5%, and 75.0±2.1% and 71.4±2.1% inhibition of defecation and diarrhoea respectively against castor oil-induced diarrhoea, and 75.0±1.2% and 73.3±1.2% inhibition of diarrhoea respectively against magnesium sulphate-induced diarrhoea. The 80% hot methanol and aqueous detannified extracts showed low activity (42–47% inhibition of defecation and/or diarrhoea in both tests) suggesting that tannins may be responsible for the observed activity. At the same oral doses, the total alkaloid extract, the chloroform soluble fraction rich in alkaloids, the 80% methanol and the alkaline aqueous soluble subfractions produced more than 50% inhibition of defecation and/or diarrhoea in both tests. From the antibacterial testing in vitro, results indicated that all A. congensis samples exhibited an antibacterial activity mainly against bacteria implicated in diarrhoea with MIC and MBC values in the range of 15.6–500μg/ml. The most active samples were the aqueous (decoction) and the 80% hot methanol dried extracts, the chloroform subfraction rich in alkaloids and the total alkaloid extract (MIC: 15.7–125μg/ml, MBC: 31.2–250μg/ml). Proteus varibilis was found to be the most resistant microorganism. ConclusionThese reported results can partly support and justify the traditional use of extracts from Alstonia congensis leaves for the treatment of diarrhoea in tradittional medicine.

Arabica and Robusta Coffees: Identification of Major Polar Compounds and Quantification of Blends by Direct-Infusion Electrospray Ionization–Mass Spectrometry

Considering that illegal admixture of robusta coffee into high-quality arabica coffee is an important task in coffee analysis, we evaluated the use of direct-infusion electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) data combined with the partial least-squares (PLS) multivariate calibration technique as a fast way to detect and quantify arabica coffee adulterations by robusta coffee. A total of 16 PLS models were built using ESI± quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) and ESI± Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) MS data from hot aqueous extracts of certified coffee samples. The model using the 30 more abundant ions detected by ES+ FT-ICR MS produced the most accurate coffee blend percentage prediction, and thus, it was later successfully employed to predict the blend composition of commercial robusta and arabica coffee. In addition, ESI± FT-ICR MS analysis allowed for the identification of 22 compounds in the arabica coffee and 20 compounds in the robusta coffee, mostly phenolics.

Toxicopathological study of aqueous extract of beetle cocoon Larinus maculatus F. on some internal organs in male albino mice

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of oral administration of hot aqueous extract of beetle cocoon Larinus maculatus Faldermann, in a two doses 50and100mg/Kg/Bw for 25 and 45days respect- tively on some organs such as liver, lung, kidney, intestine, heart, spleen, and brain in male mice Mus musculus. The results indicated that there were toxicopathological changes in many tissues of experimental animals. Histo -pathological changes was dose and period dependent . It was found that the aqueous extract of beetle cocoon has undesirable effect at the administered doses, since the raw extract of this cocoon is currently being used in Folk medicine as treatment for cough, bronchitis in Iraq. This study revealed that the low doses of this extract have some deleterious effects on certain organs, so it should not be used for long durations in control of respiratory disease.

Effect of Artocarpus altilis on Carbohydrate Hydrolyzing Enzymes and Glucose Uptake by Yeast Cells: An Ex-vivo Study

Medicinal plants are known to posses therapeutic properties and have been used since ancient times to treat various human diseases/disorders effectively. In the present study, the effect of Artocarpus altilis leaves (AL), bark (AB), and fruit (AF) on glucose hydrolyzing enzymes α-amylase, α-glucosidase, sucrase, and effect on glucose uptake by yeast cells was investigated. Inhibition of all three enzymes by the cold and hot aqueous extracts of AB was the highest followed by AL and AF. AL and AB in powder form increased the activity of α-glucosidase. The highest glucose uptake by yeast cells was by AL followed by AB and AF. The enhancement of glucose uptake was dependent on both the sample and glucose concentration. The results suggest that the possible mode of action of A. altilis as hypoglycemic agent is by inhibiting carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes and by facilitating the glucose diffusion through cell membrane, hence can be effectively utilized as therapeutic agents in the management of type II diabetes.

Carrot (Daucus carrota), garlic (Allium sativum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) extracts as bacteria selective agents in culture media

Extracts of carrot, garlic and ginger as selective agents in basal bacteriological media were carried out on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 15313, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 2522,Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 using a standard method. Ethanolic extracts, aqueous cold and hot extracts of the experimental plant products were made at the concentration of 200 mg/ml (2 g/10 ml). The ethanolic extracts inhibited the growth of all the test bacterial isolates. The cold aqueous extracts of garlic had inhibitory effects on the S. aureus and L. monocytogenes bacterial isolates but selectively allowed the growth of E. coli. The hot aqueous extract of ginger had no effect on any of the test bacteria. The hot garlic extract selectively allowed the growth of L. monocytogenes and E. coli. Phytochemical analysis of the carrots, garlic and ginger contained saponnin, resins, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids and terpenes in varied proportions. We assume these products may have influenced the actions of the extracts on the test organisms. The results of this preliminary study suggest that aqueous extracts of carrots, garlic and ginger when incorporated in appropriate concentrations can serve as alternative selective agents in bacteriological culture media for bacterial isolation from highly contaminated biological specimens or separation of mixed cultures of bacteria in the laboratory. Key words: Carrot, garlic, ginger, selective agents, bacteria, culture media

Ficus deltoidea: A Potential Alternative Medicine for Diabetes Mellitus

Ficus deltoidea from the Moraceae family has been scientifically proven to reduce hyperglycemia at different prandial states. In this study, we evaluate the mechanisms that underlie antihyperglycemic action of Ficus deltoidea. The results had shown that hot aqueous extract of Ficus deltoidea stimulated insulin secretion significantly with the highest magnitude of stimulation was 7.31-fold (P < 0.001). The insulin secretory actions of the hot aqueous extract involved K+ ATP channel-dependent and K+ ATP-channel-independent pathway. The extract also has the ability to induce the usage of intracellular Ca2+ to trigger insulin release. The ethanolic and methanolic extracts enhanced basal and insulin-mediated glucose uptake into adipocytes cells. The extracts possess either insulin-mimetic or insulin-sensitizing property or combination of both properties during enhancing glucose uptake into such cells. Meanwhile, the hot aqueous and methanolic extracts augmented basal and insulin-stimulated adiponectin secretion from adipocytes cells. From this study, it is suggested that Ficus deltoidea has the potential to be developed as future oral antidiabetic agent.

Antibacterial activity of fruits ofTerminalia chebulaandTerminalia belericaagainst mastitis field isolates

Mastitis is the most damaging disease of dairy industry worldwide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial effects of hot aqueous extract (HAE) of the fruits of Terminalia chebula and Terminalia belerica on field isolates of mastitis. Hot aqueous extract of the fruits of the selected plants as well as a mixture (1:1) of these two extracts were used for their synergistic/antagonistic effect. Their antibacterial potential against all the bacterial isolates was determined by disc diffusion method. The zones of inhibition with the mixture of two extracts revealed no synergistic or antagonistic effect. The decrease in the zone of inhibition after a period of 24h proved the effect as bacteriostatic rather than bactericidal. The findings justify the use of Triphala as a compound or Harad (Terminalia chebula) and Bahera (Terminalia belerica) separately to treat the cases of bovine clinical/sub-clinical mastitis. A dose of 20 mg was considered as effective for the treatment of the cases of mastitis.

Evaluation of Antiulcer Properties of Ethanolic and Hot Aqueous Stem Extracts of Synclisia scabrida on Experimentally Induced Ulcer Models in Albino Mice.

Background:The treatment of peptic ulcer disease poses therapeutic challenges to both patients and physicians alike because of the tendency of ulcers to relapse. Drugs used in the treatment of this disease are either costly or are associated with high incidence of adverse effects. Synclisia scabrida is a plant used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of various forms of stomach disorders and menstrual pains. The medicinal properties of the plants are claimed to reside in the roots, stems, and the leaves.Aim:This study, therefore, is to verify this claim and elucidate the probable mechanism of action by using crude stem extracts of this plant on drug- and stress-induced ulcer models in albino mice.Materials and Methods:Crude ethanol and hot water extracts, EE and HWE respectively, of the stem were prepared. These extracts were fractionated and separated by chromatographic methods and the fractions pooled together as fractions (PF-1, PF-2, PF-3 respectively) based on their chromatographic mobility and color reactions. Phytochemical analysis was done on the extracts. Ulcer models were induced in albino mice by means of indomethacin, histamine, and stress after prior cytoprotection with orally administered crude extracts and control (cimetidine).Results:Phytochemical analysis of the crude extracts and their fractions revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides (+++), tannins (+++), saponins (+), flavonoids (++), carbohydrates (++) and alkaloids (+++). Acute toxicity study on the crude extracts and their fractions revealed relative safety at the dose of 5000 mg/kg. The crude extracts (EE and HWE) and their fractions (PF-1, PF-2, PF-3) significantly (P = 0.001) protected against indomethacin-, histamine- and stress-induced ulcers. The decrease in GIT motility produced by these extracts was comparable to that produced by atropine sulfate.Conclusion:The findings suggest that these extracts of Synclisia scabrida possess antiulcer and antispasmodic properties, which justify the claims for its use in the treatment of various forms of stomach disorders.

Preparation of Decoction of Medicinal Plants: A Self-Help Measure?

Dear Editor: Ethnobotanical studies have shown use of decoction (hot aqueous extract) of local plants to be a preferred mode.1,2 In fact, preparation of plant-based remedies at the household level is often seen as a self-help measure. However, our recent field experiences with Psidium guajava (guava) leaf decoction (PGLD) as an antidiarrheal remedy revealed that preparation of a home-based remedy could be a limiting factor toward use of local medicinal plants. We had identified PGLD as an efficacious antidiarrheal plant through an ethnobotanical survey of Parinche valley, Pune, India3 followed by laboratory studies.4 Subsequent to the popularization of PGLD in the valley through community health workers (CHW), patients with diarrhea willing to share their experiences (n=23) were interviewed. A number of reasons for using and not using PGLD were identified (Box), most of which are similar to those reported elsewhere. These include dissatisfaction with other available treatments,5–7 recommendations from relatives or friends,5 financial constraints,8,9 and a pluralistic approach for faster and/or better cure.5 To the best of our knowledge, the preparation of a decoction restricting the use of local medicinal plants has not been reported. Hence, this parameter was analyzed in detail. The CHW prepared PGLD on a kerosene stove and on a chulha (traditional earthen stove with wood as a fuel). Approximately 170 mL of kerosene was required to prepare PGLD for an adult per day, and time required was 38 minutes. The cost for preparing PGLD using kerosene for an adult for 5-day treatment, the recommended duration, was $0.19–$0.48 ($0.04–0.09 per day), depending on whether it was purchased from government-subsidized ($0.22 per liter) or privately owned ($0.56 per liter) shops. On the other hand, the amount of wood for preparing PGLD for an adult/day was estimated to be approximately 514 g, and the time required was 1 hour 10 minutes. The cost of wood (if purchased) is $0.09 per kg. Thus, the cost for preparing PGLD using wood for an adult for 5 days would be $0.22 ($0.04 per day). It is not feasible to prepare and store the decoction for 5 days since it is prone to bacterial and fungal contamination in the absence of adequate storage facilities such as refrigerator. The average household income in the valley ranged between $2.23 and $6.68 per day. As a result, the preparation of decoction may cost up to 4% of the daily income, which is relatively high for people living under the poverty line. Hence, at times, subject to accessibility/availability of transport, going to a government-run primary health center (PHC) where treatment cost would be minimal ($0.04 per case paper) would be preferred over spending the estimated amount for preparing PGLD. However, compared to the cost, the time taken for preparing PGLD (40–60 minutes) seems to be a greater concern. Other problems encountered during the preparation such as smoke, irritation of the eyes, constant stirring to avoid spillage, and need for arranging the wood in the chulha every 5–10 minutes further contribute to this. Box. Reasons for Using and Not Using Psidium guajava Leaf Decoction (PGLD) Based on Interviews with Patients with Diarrhea Reasons for using PGLD Reasons for not using PGLD Presence of P. guajava trees in immediate vicinity Absence of P. guajava trees in immediate vicinity Impact of dissemination programs Taste of PGLD Word of mouth: encouragement by good experiences of others Lack of time Faith in alternative medicine and willingness to spread information Lack of faith in alternative medicines Anticipation of a faster cure Dependence on others for preparing the decoction Treatment expenses/limited household income Poor memory: failure to recollect the “recipe” for preparing the decoction Time spent on traveling to government-run primary health center (PHC) Problems encountered during preparation of the decoction including cost of fuel and time taken for its preparation Inaccessibility of PHC Accessibility of PHC View it in a separate window Our observations have shown that preparation and use of plant decoctions at the household level can have several limitations. The standard procedure mentioned in Ayurveda10 for decoction preparation requires that the plant material be boiled until the original volume is reduced to one fourth. Alternate methods such as cold infusion, heating at lower temperature (e.g., 60°C), or chewing of plant material may be considered. However, if these methods are to be employed, they need to be tested before they are advocated, since any change in the recommended method of preparation may alter its efficacy and/or toxicity profile. A single-dose formulation prepared from standardized plant material can also be considered, but problems related to its distribution/availability in PHCs (as in the case of allopathic drugs) may be rewitnessed.

Chemical analysis of an immunostimulating (1→4)-, (1→6)-branched glucan from an edible mushroom, Calocybe indica

An immunostimulating water-soluble glucan was isolated from hot aqueous extract of fruit bodies of an edible mushroom Calocybe indica. Structural investigation of the glucan was carried out using acid hydrolysis, methylation analysis, and NMR studies ( 1H, 13C, DEPT-135, TOCSY, DQF-COSY, NOESY, ROESY, HMQC, and HMBC). On the basis of above-mentioned experiments, the structure of the repeating unit of the polysaccharide was established as ▪ This glucan stimulated the splenocytes and thymocytes.

Atividade antioxidante de Hibiscus sabdariffa L. em função do espaçamento entre plantas e da adubação orgânica

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos do espaçamento entre plantas na linha e da aplicação ou não de cama-de-frango em cobertura no solo, na atividade antioxidante, teor total de fenóis e flavonóides em extrato etanólico e extrato aquoso quente de folhas de rosela (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.). Os tratamentos consistiram de cinco espaçamentos entre plantas (0,30; 0,35; 0,40; 0,45 e 0,50m) e do uso ou não de cama-de-frango em cobertura do solo, na dose de 10t ha-1, arranjados como fatorial 5x2, no delineamento blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os teores de flavonóides e fenóis totais aumentaram no extrato etanólico (18% e 11%, respectivamente) e no extrato aquoso quente (16% e 11%, respectivamente) entre a aplicação ou não de cama-de-frango em cobertura no solo. A atividade antioxidante foi influenciada significativamente pelo método de obtenção dos extratos, sendo no extrato etanólico 263% maior que o resultado obtido para o extrato aquoso quente.

Phytochemical screening and evaluation of in vitro angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity of Artocarpus altilis leaf

This study investigates the effect of Artocarpus altilis leaf extracts on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity. Among the extracts tested, hot ethanol extract exhibited a potent ACE-inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 54.08 ± 0.29 µg mL−1 followed by cold ethyl acetate extract (IC50 of 85.44 ± 0.85 µg mL−1). In contrast, the hot aqueous extracts showed minimum inhibition with the IC50 value of 765.52 ± 11.97 µg mL−1 at the maximum concentration tested. Further, the phytochemical analysis indicated the varied distribution of tannins, phenolics, glycosides, saponins, steroids, terpenoids and anthraquinones in cold and hot leaf extracts. The correlation between the phytochemical analysis and ACE-inhibitory activity suggests that the high content of glycosidic and phenolic compounds could be involved in exerting ACE-inhibitory activity. In conclusion, this study supports the utilisation of A. altilis leaf in the folk medicine for the better treatment of hypertension. Further studies on isolation and characterisation of specific ACE-inhibitory molecule(s) from ethyl acetate, ethanol and methanol extracts of A. altilis leaf would be highly interesting.