Identification Of Phytochemicals Research Articles

Phytochemical, in vitro radical scavenging and in vivo oxidative stress analysis of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) leaves extract.

This current work aims to determine phytochemicals, in vitro radical scavenging, and in vivo oxidative stress reduction activities of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) ethanolic extract (PEE). The Clule method was used to determine the phytochemical content. An in vitro antioxidant with radical scavenging activity was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. An in vivo antioxidant with oxidative stress reduction was carried out for 10 days on 25 male Sprague–Dawley rats (divided into five groups). Every day, each group was given positive control, negative control, 5, 10, and 20 mg/200 gr of body weight (BW) of the extract. The blood plasma was taken for malondialdehyde analysis. A phytochemical identification of PEE revealed more compounds, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, essential oils, and tannin. PEE exhibits significant in vitro radical scavenging activity, with an IC50 value of 126.695 µg/mL. In the in vivo antioxidant with oxidative stress reduction experiments, 5 mg/200 gr BW was the most effective dose, as evidenced by a considerable drop in malondialdehyde level (0.312 nmol/mL) after and before treatment. In conclusion, PPE has the potential to be developed as a herbal antioxidant based on in vitro and in vivo test results.

Phytochemical Identification and Comparative Antifungal Efficacy of Dodonaea viscosa L. Fractions against Ceratocystis manginecans

Phytochemical Identification and Comparative Antifungal Efficacy of Dodonaea viscosa L. Fractions against Ceratocystis manginecans

Aquilaria Species (Thymelaeaceae) Distribution, Volatile and Non-Volatile Phytochemicals, Pharmacological Uses, Agarwood Grading System, and Induction Methods.

Agarwood is a highly valuable fragrant wood of Aquilaria spp. (Thymelaeaceae) which has been widely utilized in traditional medicine, religious rites, and cultural activities. This study summarizes a review on the identification of Aquilaria cultivars, volatile and non-volatile phytochemicals, pharmacological uses, and agarwood grading system to determine its quality, and different agarwood induction methods. Due to the highly demanding and depleted natural resources, the research on agarwood is still insufficient, and it has broad research and development prospects in many industries. However, due to the significant scientific nature of agarwood application, developing high-quality products and drugs from agarwood have become highly important, while no one has discussed in detail the phytochemicals uses and provided a summary until now. The main phytochemicals of agarwood include terpenoids, dominated by sesquiterpenes. For centuries, terpenoids have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and have been shown to possess various pharmacological properties, including bacteriostatic, antibacterial, sedation, analgesia, anti-inflammation, anti-asthmatic, hypoglycemic, antidepressant, and many others. Alongside biological activity screening, phytochemical advances and pharmacological research have also made certain progress. Therefore, this review discusses the research progress of agarwood in recent years and provides a reference basis for further study of Aquilaria plants and agarwood.

Identification of Phytochemicals from the Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia Roots using Solid-Liquid and Liquid-Liquid Extraction Based Fractionation Techniques.

Phytochemicals in the water extract of Eurycoma longofolia roots were identified using both solid-liquid and liquid-liquid extraction based fractionation techniques. A reversed phase C18 solid phase extraction (SPE) was used as solid-liquid extraction, whereas solvent partition was applied as liquid-liquid extraction. Total saponin was increased after fractionation. A few known quassinoids; eurycomanone, 13a(21)-epoxyeurycomanone, pasakbumin D, 13β,18-dihydroeurycomanol and 13β,21-dihydroxyeurycomanol were identified from the 40% and 60% methanol fractions of SPE. Solvent partition extract using ethyl acetate was found to have the highest saponin content compared to butanol and chloroform fractions. Subsequent acetone precipitation of the organic fractions recovered a formylated hexose trimer and other saccharide-containing compounds. Ethyl acetate effectively recovered saponins from E. longofolia water extract using liquid-liquid extraction followed by acetone precipitation.

Screening of Hibiscus and Cinnamomum Plants and Identification of Major Phytometabolites in Potential Plant Extracts Responsible for Apoptosis Induction in Skin Melanoma and Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells.

Carcinogenesis is a major concern that severely affects the human population. Owing to persistent demand for novel therapies to treat and prohibit this lethal disease, research interest among scientists is drawing its huge focus toward natural products, as they have minimum toxicity comparable with existing treatment methods. The plants produce secondary metabolites, which are known to have the anticancer potential for clinical drug development. Furthermore, the use of nanocarriers could boost the solubility and stability of phytocompounds to obtain site-targeting delivery. The identification of potential phytochemicals in natural compounds would be beneficial for the synthesis of biocompatible nanoemulsions. The present study aimed to investigate the potential cytotoxicity of ethanol extracts of Hibiscus syriacus and Cinnamomum loureirii Nees plant parts on human skin melanoma (G361) and lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells. Importantly, biochemical analysis results showed the presence of high phenol (50–55 µgGAE/mg) and flavonoids [42–45 µg quercetin equivalents (QE)/mg] contents with good antioxidant activity (40–58%) in C. loureirii Nees plants extracts. This plant possesses potent antiproliferative activity (60–90%) on the malignant G361 and A549 and cell lines correlated with the production of nitric oxide. Especially, C. loureirii plant extracts have major metabolites that exhibit cancer cell death associated with cell cycle arrest. These findings support the potential application of Cinnamomum for the development of therapeutic nanoemulsion in future cancer therapy.

Antimicrobial Activity of Brassica rapa L. Flowers Extract on Gastrointestinal Tract Infections and Antiulcer Potential Against Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats Supported by Metabolomics Profiling.

IntroductionThe gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is vulnerable to various diseases. In this study, we explored the therapeutic effects of Brassica rapa flower extract (BRFE) on GIT diseases.MethodsLiquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) was used for phytochemical identification of the compounds in BRFE. The antibacterial activity of BRFE was investigated, and its impact on the bacterial outer and inner membrane permeability and membrane depolarization (using flow cytometry) was studied. In addition, the immunomodulatory activity of BRFE was investigated in vitro on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity of BRFE was investigated by histopathological examination and qRT-PCR on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats.Results and DiscussionLC-ESI-MS/MS phytochemically identified 57 compounds in BRFE for the first time. BRFE displayed antibacterial activity against bacteria that cause GIT infections, with increasing outer and inner membrane permeability. However, membrane depolarization was unaffected. BRFE also exhibited immunomodulatory activity in LPS-stimulated PBMCs by attenuating the upregulation of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) gene expression compared with untreated LPS-stimulated PBMCs. In addition, BRFE exhibited anti-inflammatory activity required for maintaining gastric mucosa homeostasis by decreasing neutrophil infiltration with subsequent myeloperoxidase production, in addition to an increase in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Histopathological findings presented the gastroprotective effects of BRFE, as a relatively normal stomach mucosa was found in treated rats. In addition, BRFE modulated the expression of genes encoding IL-10, NF-κB, GPx, and myeloperoxidase (MPO).ConclusionBRFE can be a promising source of therapeutic agents for treatment of GIT diseases.

Phytochemical Screening and Identification of Bioactive Constituents of the Chloroform Extract of Icacina trichantha Tuber Peel Oliv


 
 
 This study was carried out to identify the bioactive constituents of the tuber peels of Icacina trichanthalinna of the Icacinales family. This plant is basically selected due to its widespread use in herbal treatment. Nine compounds were identified in the chloroform extract of the tuber peel. Undecane (43.254%),2-hexanone (23.299%), Dodecanoic acid ethyl ester (6.244%) and 9-octadecynoic acid (5.915%) appeared to be the most prevailing compounds and they are known to possess antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, antimycobacterial, hypercholesterolemic activities. Also identified was triarachine which has been reported to have some biological activity.
 
 

New Insights into the Antioxidant Compounds of Achenes and Sprouted Buckwheat Cultivated in the Republic of Moldova

It is well known that both Fagopyrum esculentum species, buckwheat achenes and buckwheat germs, contain flavonoids, and that they can be considered functional foods. In the present study we have analyzed the total content of polyphenols (TPC) and flavonoids (TFC), as well as the antioxidant activity of buckwheat ahcenes originating from the Balti region, Republic of Moldova, and also of the buckwheat sprouts over seven days of germination. The content of phytochemicals in achenes and germinated buckwheat after three and seven days was determined by HPLC–MS analysis. Using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, we recorded an increase in TPC of 360%, and of 436% in TFC after seven days of buckwheat ahcene germination. We aimed to investigate the free radical scavenging properties of methanolic extracts from ahcenes and sprouted buckwheat. We identified and quantified flavonoids and lignans such as rutin, orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, quercetin, quercitrin, isorhamnetin, lutein, apigenin, catechins, coumestrol—which have countless beneficial effects on human health—using HPLC–MS. FTIR analysis also revealed the accumulation of phenolic compounds during germination. This is the first study on the identification and quantification of phytochemicals from buckwheat achenes and sprouts from the Balti region of the Republic of Moldova.

Identification of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of Premna microphylla Turcz. stem through UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS

Premna microphylla Turcz. is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine totreatdysentery and appendicitis. Present study is focused to explore antioxidants and other compounds in the Premna microphylla Turcz. stem. Assessment of chemical composition was done with high sensitivity UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS and for Separation Thermo Hypersil Gold (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.9 µm) was used while electrospray ionization (ESI) was used for the mass spectrometry. 18 compounds were identified including Vitexin (1), Schaftoside (2), Vicenin-2 (3), Apigenin-6, 8-di-C-arabinoside (4), Apigenin-7-O-β-d-glucoside (5), Carnosic acid (6), Apigenin-8-C-β-d-xylopyranoside (7), Prostratin (8), Aurantio-obtusin-β-d-glucoside (9), Royleanone (10), 5-hydroxy-7,3′,4′-Trimethoxy flavonols (11), 6-Hydroxy-5,6-dehydrosugiol (12), 14-deoxycoleon (13), Arucadiol (14), Obtusinone-B (15), Trehalose (16), Citric acid (17) and Betaine (18). Among these, 6 compounds including (6), (8), (9), (16), (17) and (18) were identified first time within this genus and plant. Study highlights the importance of Premna microphylla Turcz. stem extract for strong therapeutic potential against oxidation-related diseases.

Phytochemical Profiling, Pharmacological activities, Isolation and Identification of Phytochemicals from Sterculia urens Roxb. leaves

The study is intended to evaluate the pharmacological activities, isolation and characterization of the bioactive phytochemical constituents from the crude leaf extract of Sterculia urens Roxb. The extraction of the phytochemicals from the leaves was carried on Soxhlet extraction apparatus using solvents like hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. Pharmacological activities such as DPPH free radical scavenging assay (antioxidant), α-amylase inhibition assay (antidiabetic), albumin denaturation assay (antiinflammatory), blood clot lysis method (thrombolytic) and well diffusion method (antibacterial) of the crude extracts were evaluated and then the semi-preparative HPLC analysis followed by spectral studies was carried for the purification and identification of bioactive compounds. The methanolic extract showed high DPPH radical scavenging activity, α-amylase inhibition activity and albumin denaturation inhibition activity with IC50 values of 29.51±0.11, 146.85±0.18 and 149.91±0.19 μg/mL respectively. The % clot lysis of the methanolic extract was found higher than the other extracts and all the extracts have potential inhibition on the growth of the bacterial studied. From the leaf methanolic extract, 4 phenolic compounds (2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, methyl 4- hydroxycinnamate, p-coumaric acid and stercurensin) and 3 phenolic compounds (gossypetin, farrerol and quercetin 5,7,3',4'-tetramethyl ether) were isolated and characterised. Based on the results observed, it can be concluded that the leaf extracts of Sterculia urens Roxb are having rich phytochemical constituents with prominent pharmacological activities.

Phytochemical and Network Pharmacology Based Evaluation of Antiepileptic Potential of Identified Metabolites in Argimone mexicana

Pharmacognosy Research,2021,13,4,208-217.DOI:10.5530/pres.13.4.13Published:October 2021Type:Original ArticleAuthors:Vinod Gahlot, and Dinesh Kumar Yadav Author(s) affiliations:Vinod Gahlot1, Dinesh Kumar Yadav2,* 1Department of Pharmacology, SGT College of Pharmacy, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, INDIA. 2Department of Pharmacognosy, SGT College of Pharmacy, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, INDIA. Abstract:Background: Quality-based assessment of herbal drugs or products is being more concerning for their quality, safety and regulatory purpose. A. mexicana is a traditional herbal medicine that has a long history in the treatment of arthritis, anti-fungal anti-cancer and brain disorders. Aim: Due to lack of scientific evidence based on phytopharmacology, the study is aimed for phytochemical and antiepileptic evaluation of identified metabolites in A. mexicana. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical identification was done using MS, FTIR and 1H-NMR and quantitated using HPTLC densitometric analysis. Further, ADME and network pharmacology studies were performed to evaluate biological response of identified metabolites. Results: The resulted outcomes of the spectral analysis suggest isolated compounds as ferulic acid, caffeic acid, berberine and angoline. In HPTLC quantitative analysis, the content of ferulic acid, caffeic acid, berberine and angoline was found as 3.475 ± 0.028, 1.036 ± 0.013, 0.714 ± 0.014 and 0.738 ± 0.081 μg/mg of A. mexicana extract. In ADME analysis, berberine and angoline showed good bioavailable response while in network pharmacology analysis, except angoline, all the metabolites significantly interacted with several genes (SOD1, NOS, MAPK3, UGT1As, G6PD, ACOT2, BAAT etc) associated with brain ischemia, oxidative and inflammatory stress or the genes response for elimination of toxins from the body. Conclusion: Hence, the study enlightens that A. mexicana possess several major and minor metabolites and which can be the key parameter for further quality and regulatory based assessment of A. Mexicana and biological role against oxidative and inflammatory stress induced epileptic seizure. Keywords:ADME analysis, Argemone mexicana L., HPTLC, Network pharmacology, PhytoconstituentsView:PDF (1.81 MB)

Identification of Bioactive Phytochemicals from Six Plants: Mechanistic Insights into the Inhibition of Rumen Protozoa, Ammoniagenesis, and α-Glucosidase.

Simple SummaryRumen protozoa have some contribution to feed digestibility in the rumen, but Entodinium, the most predominant genus, is the main culprit of inefficient nitrogen utilization in ruminants. Using chemical drugs, many studies have attempted to inhibit the rumen protozoa, but few of the approaches are either effective or practical. In this study, we investigated the nutritional and functional properties of Adansonia digitata (baobab), Flemingia macrophylla (waras tree), Kalimeris indica (Indian aster), Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis (bok choy), Portulaca oleracea (common purslane), and Calotropis gigantea (giant milkweed) for their potential as feed additives in animal husbandry. The plants were also analyzed for their major phytochemicals using reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and then evaluated for their ability to inhibit rumen protozoa, ammoniagenesis, and microbial α-glucosidase activity in vitro. C. gigantea inhibited the rumen protozoa and reduced the wasteful ammoniagenesis, thereby indicating improved nitrogen utilization. A. digitata also reduced the microbial α-glucosidase activity that can potentially contribute to rumen acidosis. The tested plants, especially C. gigantea and A. digitata, could be used as potential alternatives to chemicals or antibiotics to ensure sustainable and green animal husbandry.Rumen protozoa prey on feed-degrading bacteria synthesizing microbial protein, lowering nitrogen utilization efficiency in ruminants. In this in vitro study, we evaluated six plants (Adansonia digitata, Flemingia macrophylla, Kalimeris indica, Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis, Portulaca oleracea, and Calotropis gigantea) for their potential to inhibit rumen protozoa and identified the phytochemicals potentially responsible for protozoa inhibition. Rumen protozoa were anaerobically cultured in vitro in the presence of each plant at four doses. All of the tested plants reduced total rumen protozoa (p ≤ 0.05), but C. gigantea and B. rapa were the most inhibitory, inhibiting rumen protozoa by 45.6 and 65.7%, respectively, at the dose of 1.1 mg/mL. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a disruption of the extracellular structure of protozoa cells. Only C. gigantea also decreased the wasteful ammoniagenesis (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, the A. digitata extract inhibited α-glucosidase activity by about 70% at 100 µg/mL. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis detected quercetin, anthraquinone, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, astragaloside, and myricetin in the tested plant leaves. These plants may hold potential as feed additives to reduce rumen protozoa and α- glucosidase activity. Future research is needed to identify the specific anti-protozoal compound(s), the effects on the rumen microbiome, and its fermentation characteristics.

Identification of antiviral phytochemicals as a potential SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) inhibitor using docking and molecular dynamics simulations

Novel SARS-CoV-2, an etiological factor of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), poses a great challenge to the public health care system. Among other druggable targets of SARS-Cov-2, the main protease (Mpro) is regarded as a prominent enzyme target for drug developments owing to its crucial role in virus replication and transcription. We pursued a computational investigation to identify Mpro inhibitors from a compiled library of natural compounds with proven antiviral activities using a hierarchical workflow of molecular docking, ADMET assessment, dynamic simulations and binding free-energy calculations. Five natural compounds, Withanosides V and VI, Racemosides A and B, and Shatavarin IX, obtained better binding affinity and attained stable interactions with Mpro key pocket residues. These intermolecular key interactions were also retained profoundly in the simulation trajectory of 100 ns time scale indicating tight receptor binding. Free energy calculations prioritized Withanosides V and VI as the top candidates that can act as effective SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors.

Identification and pharmacokinetics of bioavailable anti-resorptive phytochemicals after oral administration of Psoralea corylifolia L.

Osteoporosis and resulting bone fractures are the major health issues associated with morbidity in the aging population; however, there is no effective treatment that does not cause severe side effects. In East Asia, dried seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. (PC) have traditionally been used as an herbal medicine to manage urinary tract, cutaneous, and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as bone health. However, the mechanism of action and active biocomponents of PC are unclear. Here, we adopted a pharmacokinetic (PK) study aiming to identify the bioavailable phytochemicals in aqueous and ethanolic extracts of PC (APC) and (EPC), respectively. In addition, we aimed to determine anti-resorptive constituents of PC, which accounted for its beneficial effects on bone health. To this end, we used ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). A rapid, sensitive, and reliable UPLC-MS/MS method was developed and determined the 17 PC ingredients. In the PK study, nine components (two chalcones, two coumarins, one coumestan, two flavonoids, and two isoflavonoids) were observed between 36 and 48 h after oral administration of APC or EPC. Among the bioavailable ingredients, four PC constituents (psoralidin, isobavachin, corylifol A, and neobavaisoflavone) inhibited M-CSF-and RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow-derived macrophages. In addition, two chalcones and two isoflavonoids markedly inhibited cathepsin K activity, and their binding modes to cathepsin K were determined by molecular docking. In summary, our data suggest that bioavailable multicomponents of PC could contribute to the management of bone health.

Larvicidal Effect of Vitex ovata Thunb. (Lamiales: Lamiaceae) Leaf Extract towards Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae)

According to the WHO there are more than 700,000 deaths every year involving vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, Chagas disease, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis. Aedes aegypti, the principal vector of the dengue virus, is of great concern in various parts of the world, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. Vector control through insecticide application is one of the best ways to control the disease’s transmission. Thus, insecticide resistance in Ae. aegypti poses a significant threat to public health worldwide. The use of plant natural product-based insecticides that are less harmful to the environment, and without known resistance development, constitutes an alternative to chemical insecticides. Given this, a methanolic extract from Vitex ovata plants was prepared and tested for its larvicidal effect against Ae. aegypti. A susceptibility test on Ae. aegypti larvae was conducted using the standard WHO method. Results showed that the methanolic extract of V. ovata had larvicidal activity against Ae. aegypti with LC50 values of 2114 mg/L, and achieved 84% mortality with the highest concentration at 10,000 mg/L. This study showed that the crude extract of V. ovata bioactive molecules could be potentially developed as biolarvicides for Aedes mosquito vector control. This study recommends future research on using different solvents in the isolation of active ingredients from V. ovata, identification of phytochemicals with larvicidal properties, a toxicity study and lastly, an evaluation of the effectiveness of controlling Aedes in small-scale field trials for environmentally safe botanical insecticide intervention.

Identification of Berbamine, Oxyacanthine and Rutin from Berberis asiatica as anti-SARS-CoV-2 compounds: An in silico study

Owing to the shortage of specific medicines, the global pandemic of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been the greatest challenge for the science community. Researchers from all over the world developed some drugs which failed to completely suppress the contiguous disease. SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), an important component in viral pathogenesis, is considered as a prospective drug target to stop SARS-CoV-2 infection. Since identification of phytochemicals with anti-Mpro activity has been carried out to develop the potential drugs against SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, the present study was conducted to screen phytochemicals of Berberis asiatica for anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. Through text mining, thirty phytochemicals were reported from B. asiatica, of which, three phytochemicals (Berbamine, Oxyacanthine, and Rutin) show high affinity with the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and exhibited favorable intermolecular interactions with the catalytic residues (His41 and Cys145) and other essential residues. The molecular dynamics simulation showed that Mpro-phytochemical complexes are more stable, less fluctuating, more compact, and moderately extended than the Mpro-X77 (Reference) complex. The number of H-bonds and MMPBSA results also demonstrates that Berbamine, Oxyacanthine, and Rutin are potent Mpro inhibitors having free energy of −20.79, −33.35, and −31.12 kcal mol−1 respectively. The toxicity risk prediction supports all phytochemicals for drug-like and non-toxic nature. From the result, we propose that binding of these phytochemicals could hamper the function of Mpro. This work suggests that selected phytochemicals could be used as novel anti-COVID-19 drug candidates, and might act as novel compounds for in vitro and in vivo study.

Network Pharmacology Analysis of the Identification of Phytochemicals and Therapeutic Mechanisms of Paeoniae Radix Alba for the Treatment of Asthma.

BackgroundPaeoniae Radix Alba (PRA), the root of the plant Paeonia lactiflora Pall., has been suggested to play an important role for the treatment of asthma. A biochemical understanding of the clinical effects of Paeoniae Radix Alba is needed. Here, we explore the phytochemicals and therapeutic mechanisms via a systematic and comprehensive network pharmacology analysis. Methods Through TCMSP, PubChem, GeneCards database, and SwissTargetPrediction online tools, potential targets of active ingredients from PRA for the treatment of asthma were obtained. Cytoscape 3.7.2 was used to determine the target of active ingredients of PRA. Target protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed through the STRING database. The Gene Ontology (GO) biological process and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were analyzed through the biological information annotation database (DAVID). Results Our results indicate that PRA contains 21 candidate active ingredients with the potential to treat asthma. The enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG pathways found that the treatment of asthma by PRA may be related to the process of TNF (tumor necrosis factor) release, which can regulate and inhibit multiple signaling pathways such as ceramide signaling. Conclusions Our work provides a phytochemical basis and therapeutic mechanisms of PRA for the treatment of asthma, which provides new insights on further research on PRA.

Phytochemical Investigation, Antioxidant Properties, and Identification of Organic and Inorganic Compounds from the Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Fruit

Phytochemical Investigation, Antioxidant Properties, and Identification of Organic and Inorganic Compounds from the Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Fruit

In-silico screening and identification of phytochemicals from Centella asiatica as potential inhibitors of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 for treating diabetes

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) is a major transport protein responsible for reabsorption of glucose from the kidney back to the bloodstream. Inhibiting this protein effectively lowers the glucose level of diabetic patients; however, the use of synthetic SGLT-2 inhibitors has been linked to some serious adverse effects. There is a need to identify safer alternatives that are equally or more effective as the current inhibitor drugs. Phytochemicals are known for their efficacy as herbal remedies, but these molecules remain underexplored as source of therapeutic agents. In this study, we performed in silico screening to identify potential SGLT-2 inhibitors from the 21 phytochemicals from Centella asiatica. Docking results identified eleven compounds with estimated binding energies comparable to that of known inhibitors drugs. The stability of the complexes was then elucidated using 100 ns MD simulations. From our dynamic binding free energy calculations using MM/PBSA, asiaticoside, betulinic acid, centellasapogenol, methyl brahmate, and rutin exceeded at least one of the binding energies of the reference compounds, which highlights their strong affinity towards SGLT-2. Among the five, betulinic acid, centellasapogenol, and methyl brahmate maintained their structural stability to the same extent as the references and exhibited better oral bioavailability and excellent drug-like properties. Because of these results, it is recommended to prioritize betulinic acid, centellasapogenol, and methyl brahmate in future in vitro and in vivo studies to verify their potential as inhibitor drugs for diabetes therapies. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Aloe vera and Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) accelerate healing process in domestic cat (Felis domesticus) suffering from scabies

The objective of this study is to know the formula in making Aloe vera gel cream with VCO to create a scabies medicine and know which treatment gives the fastest healing effect of scabies in domestic cats in Mojokerto. The first step is to extract Aloe vera by infundation method, phytochemical identification test, making Aloe vera cream, testing the washing power of the cream, and testing the effect of Aloe vera gel cream on 32 cats suffering from scabies in Mojokerto, then the skin of cats suffering from scabies scraped and observed under a microscope to observe the ectoparasites that cause scabies in cats. Cats were divided into 4 treatments namely A, B, C, and D. The results of this study indicated skin scrapping on 32 cats scabies in Mojokerto, exist 26 cats that were positive for Notoedres cati, 2 cats positive for Sarcoptes scabieiand 4 cats are negative. Formulas used for the manufacture of creams included stearic acid, triethanolamine, adeps lanae, paraffin liquid, VCO, nipagin, nipasol, aquades, and Aloe vera. The results of the three groups of cream formulas B, C, D caused a significant cure in cats suffering from scabies compared to control group A.