Hexane Leaf Research Articles

Phytochemical analysis and larvicidal potentials of Jatropha curcas L. leaf and stem extracts against Anopheles gambiae

This study determined the bio active substances in the physic nut plant, Jatropha curcas and further examined the larvicidal potentials of its hexane, methanol and aqueous leaf and stem extracts on locally reared larvae of the malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae in accordance with the World Health Organization’s guidelines for laboratory and field testing of mosquito larvicides. Various concentrations (25mg/mL, 50 mg/mL 100mg/mL and 200 mg/mL) of the plant extracts were tested against third instar larvae of Anopheles gambiae. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of the different portions of J. curcas leaf and stem extracts revealed the presence of active toxic compounds including alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, glycoside and tannins. Methanolic extracts were found to be richer in phytochemicals than hexane and aqueous extracts. All plant extracts at the various concentrations showed significant larvicidal activity against Anopheles gambiae mosquito larvae between 30 minutes to 24 hours of exposure. Methanol leaf extract of J. curcas was most effective as it showed larval mortality of 75 to 100% on the test larvae after 30 minutes to 24 hours of exposure while the methanol stem extract showed 60 to 100% larval mortality. Hexane leaf extract showed larval mortality of 65 to 100% after 30 minutes to 24 hours of exposure whereas hexane stem extract had larval mortality of 60 to 100%. However, the aqueous leaf extract had 40 to 100% mortality as the aqueous stem extract showed 35 to 100% mortality after 30 minutes to 24 hours respectively. The methanol leaf extract showed highest toxicity against the test larvae with LC₅₀ value of 2.52 mg/ml; and LC₉₀ value of 218.15 mg/ml while the least toxicity was observed on aqueous stem extract with LC₅₀ value of 70.71 mg/ml; and LC₉₀ value of 1635.76 mg/ml after 30 minutes of exposure respectively. All the test larvae treated with various extracts exhibited 100% mortality after 24 hours of exposure with less concentrations of the extract required to kill the larvae as time of exposure increased. The toxicity of the various leaf extracts on the mosquito larvae were relatively greater than those of the stem. This is supported by the abundance of secondary metabolites. The findings suggest that the hexane, methanol and aqueous leaf and stem extracts of J. curcas have the potential to be used as an effective botanical larvicide.

Anti-inflammatory property and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of ethyl acetate fraction of Crateva adansonii DC leaves

Aims: This study was designed to determine the most active anti-inflammatory fraction of C. adansonii leaves and characterize the bioactive compounds. Methods: Dried and pulverized C. adansonii leaves (CAL) were extracted with 70% methanol, followed by successive solvent partitioning into hexane (CALH), ethyl acetate (CALE), butanol (CALB) and aqueous (CALA) leaf fractions. In vitro antioxidant assays carried out on the extract/fractions were DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), nitric oxide scavenging, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total phenol (TP) and flavonoid (TF) assays. In vitro anti-inflammatory assays investigated were heat-induced bovine serum albumin (BSA) denaturation and human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization against hypotonicity- induced hemolysis. Formaldehyde-induced inflammation model in rats was carried out, followed by paw edema measurement as well as serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities assays. The ethyl acetate (CALE) fraction was subjected to GC-MS analytical method. Results: CAL extract and fractions substantially inhibited BSA denaturation and stabilized HRBC membrane against hypotonicity-induced hemolysis, however CALE exhibited the highest activity. CALE also suppressed formaldehyde-induced rat paw edema and significantly (p

A comparison of antioxidant and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis on extracts of Syzygium guineenses (Myrtaceae)

Background: Syzygium guineenses, (the most common and abundant specie in Nigeria) is a medicinal plant used by traditional practitioners in northern Nigeria for a variety of healing purposes. Objective: The main objective of this project was to carry out a comparison of antioxidant activities and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometric (FTIR) analysis on both methanol and hexane leaf extracts of S. guineenses. Methods: Phytochemical screening, Semi-quantitative DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl)- dot blot assay and FTIR analysis were performed on both extracts to determine antioxidant activity and identify the functional groups present. Results: Phytochemicals tested for, were observed to be more prominent in the methanol extract than hexane. The in vitro antioxidant assay also revealed a more intense yellow colour of inhibition in methanol extract than the hexane extract. The FTIR spectra revealed different characteristic peak values with various functional compounds in both extracts. The methanol extract displayed major peaks of absorption at 3341 cm-1 (-OH) for alcohol, 1736 cm-1 (C=O) carbonyl group, 1161.83 cm-1, 1036.49 cm-1 (C-O) of esters. Other absorption bands like 1452.25 cm-1 and 1612.20 cm-1 for alkenes were present in both extracts. Conclusion: This result shows that the methanol extract of S. guineenseshas a higher potential of phytochemicals, antioxidants and functional groups than the hexane extract.

Leaf Hexane Extracts of Two Turkish Fig (Ficus carica L.) Cultivars Show Cytotoxic Effects on a Human Prostate Cancer Cell Line

Leaf Hexane Extracts of Two Turkish Fig (Ficus carica L.) Cultivars Show Cytotoxic Effects on a Human Prostate Cancer Cell Line

Antimicrobial activity of Ocimum sanctum leaves extracts and oil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of ethanol, Hexane and Chloroform leaf extracts of O. sanctum against pathogenic bacteria to determine their potentials as antibacterial agent. Ocimum sanctum Linn known as Holy Basil is an aromatic plant native to the tropics of Asia and Africa being medicinally important plant in the family Lamiaceae. The family Lamiaceae is one of the most exploited medicinal plant family worldwide not only as a source of medicinal plants but also with its valuable essential oils being used as spices and flavours for various food products. Leaves have petioles, and are ovate, up to 5 cm long, usually slightly toothed. Leaves were separated from the stem, washed in clear water and dried until they were adequately dry to be ground (dried for 7 days). Dried leaves were powdered separately in an electric grinder until a homogenous powder was obtained. Ethanolic, Hexane, Chloroform extract was prepared from the powder obtained using “cold extraction method. The activity of Tulsi extract against K. pneumonia & Staphylococcus aureus was found to be higher at a concentration of 100% followed by 75% & 50% respectively. The maximum zone of inhibition was found to be 21&11mm against Kleibsiella pneumonia and 18&15mm against Staphylococcus aureus. The antimicrobial efficacy of Ocimum sanctum leaves indicates that the plant possesses potent antimicrobial properties as well as Ocimum is widespread in India, it can be recommended as an easily available and renewal source of antimicrobial agent instead of synthetic chemicals.
 Keywords: Ocimum santum, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsialla pneumonia, Disc Diffusion

Alkaloid-Rich Crude Extracts, Fractions and Piperamide Alkaloids of Piper guineense Possess Promising Antibacterial Effects.

Piper guineense is a food and medicinal plant commonly used to treat infectious diseases in West-African traditional medicine. In a bid to identify new antibacterial compounds due to bacterial resistance to antibiotics, twelve extracts of P. guineense fruits and leaves, obtained by sequential extraction, as well as the piperine and piperlongumine commercial compounds were evaluated for antibacterial activity against human pathogenic bacteria. HPLC-DAD and UHPLC/Q-TOF MS analysis were conducted to characterize and identify the compounds present in the extracts with promising antibacterial activity. The extracts, with the exception of the hot water decoctions and macerations, contained piperamide alkaloids as their main constituents. Piperine, dihydropiperine, piperylin, dihydropiperylin or piperlonguminine, dihydropiperlonguminine, wisanine, dihydrowisanine and derivatives of piperine and piperidine were identified in a hexane extract of the leaf. In addition, some new piperamide alkaloids were identified, such as a piperine and a piperidine alkaloid derivative and two unknown piperamide alkaloids. To the best of our knowledge, there are no piperamides reported in the literature with similar UVλ absorption maxima and masses. A piperamide alkaloid-rich hexane leaf extract recorded the lowest MIC of 19 µg/mL against Sarcina sp. and gave promising growth inhibitory effects against S. aureus and E. aerogenes as well, inhibiting the growth of both bacteria with a MIC of 78 µg/mL. Moreover, this is the first report of the antibacterial activity of P. guineense extracts against Sarcina sp. and E. aerogenes. Marked growth inhibition was also obtained for chloroform extracts of the leaves and fruits against P. aeruginosa with a MIC value of 78 µg/mL. Piperine and piperlongumine were active against E. aerogenes, S. aureus, E. coli, S. enterica, P. mirabilis and B. cereus with MIC values ranging from 39–1250 µg/mL. Notably, the water extracts, which were almost devoid of piperamide alkaloids, were not active against the bacterial strains. Our results demonstrate that P. guineense contains antibacterial alkaloids that could be relevant for the discovery of new natural antibiotics.

Chemical composition, antioxidant activity and antibacterial mechanism of action from Marsilea minuta leaf hexane: methanol extract

BackgroundIn the present study, hexane: methanol (50:50) leaf extract of Marisela minuta has been evaluated for its chemical composition, antioxidant effect and the antimicrobial mechanism of action against food borne pathogenic bacteria.ResultsThe phytochemical evaluation of extract by GC/MS revealed the major abundance of benzoic acid-4-ethoxyethyl ester (43.39%) and farnesol acetate (18.42%). The extract exhibited potential antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties with promising antibacterial activities against the test pathogens with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the most susceptible with maximum inhibition zone (17 mm) and IC50 value of 125 µg, respectively. The significant (p < 0.05) increase in intracellular super oxide dismutase (SOD), protein leakage, extracellular alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase in treated test pathogens suggested an increase in oxidative stress reveling the mechanism of action of phytochemicals. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of treated pathogens also showed swollen and distorted cells. The bioactive molecules in the extract were efficiently docked with virulent enzymes and farnesol acetate showed best energy value of − 5.19 and − 4.27 kcal/mol towards Topoisomerase IV and SHV-2 respectively. Benzoic acid-4-ethoxyethyl ester showed best binding against TEM-72 with low binding energy value of − 4.35 kcal/mol.ConclusionDue to its antioxidant and antibacterial properties, the leaf extract of M. minuta may act as promising natural additives to prevent food spoilage bacteria.

COMPARISON OF ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES LEAVES EXTRACTS OF CERBERA MANGHAS AND LEAVES EXTRACTS OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA AGAINST KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE

Objective: This study aims to determine the potential of neem (Azadirachta indica, Juss) leaves and sea mango (Cerbera manghas, Linn.) leaves against Klebsiella pneumonia. Methods: Hexane and methanol extracts of neem leaves (A. indica, Juss) and hexane and butanol extracts of sea mango leaves (C. manghas, Linn.) were tested antibacterial against K. pneumonia using paper disc and dilution methods, measured the inhibition zone diameter, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), as a comparison used ampicillin.Results: The MIC values for the butanol extract and hexane extract of sea mango leaves against K. pneumoniae were 1.124276 and 1.45958 mg/mL, respectively. While the MBC value of both of them had the same value, i.e. 2 mg/ml. The hexane and methanol extracts of neem leaves did not have potentially against the growth of K. pneumonia. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study have been obtained, that extracts butanol and hexane extract of leaves of sea mango (C. manghas, Linn.) have antibacterial activity strong enough against K. pneumonia, where, extracts butanol leaves of sea mango has antibacterial activity that is more powerful than the extract hexane leaf sea mango, while the methanol extract and hexane extracts of neem (A. indica, Juss) leaves have weak activity against K. pneumonia.

Ethnobotanical survey and antibacterial screening of medicinal grasses in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken from May 2015 to May 2016 to identify grasses used in traditional medicine in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Indigenous knowledge was obtained from sixty traditional healers through questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Thereafter, the different grass species were collected and identified at the herbarium at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Voucher specimens were also kept for preservation and future material reference. The survey revealed that 13 grass species are used for medicinal purposes; these grasses are mostly used as mixtures with other medicinal plants. The documented grass species are mostly used to cure skin diseases, body pains, urinary tract infections, teething troubles, body cleansing, skin diseases, bleeding and eye infections. In this study, the most commonly and frequently mentioned grass species were the Cymbopogon species which are used for skin disease and body cleansing. The 13 grass species identified were evaluated for antibacterial activity against six bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, drug resistant S. aureus, drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis). Coix lacryma-jobi root and leaf hexane extracts, Setaria megaphylla root dichloromethane extract and Cynodon dactylon whole plant hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts had the highest antibacterial activity (0.6 mg/ml) against S. aureus. Cymbopogon species root (dichloromethane) extract had moderate activity (1.3 mg/ml) against three bacterial strains (S. aureus, multi-drug-resistant E. coli and E. faecalis). Overall, these findings partially validate the use of grasses in South African traditional medicine and highlight their potential as remedies against bacterial-related infections.

Antioxidant and apoptotic effects of Callistemon lanceolatus leaves and their compounds against human cancer cells

Callistemon lanceolatus (Myrtaceae) has been utilized in folk medicine and its pharmacological properties are widely studied. Phytochemicals are effectively recognized as bases of pharmacologically potent drugs for the development of anticancer therapeutics. The free radical scavenging potential of numerous extracts of C. lanceolatus leaves, Hexane leaf extract (HLE), Chloroform leaf extract (CLE), Ethyl acetate leaf extract (ELE), Methanol leaf extract (MLE), and Aqueous leaf extract (ALE)) were determined by Biochemical assay. We evaluated the anticancer activity of C. lanceolatus leaves extracts against different human cancer cell lines viz liver cancer cells (HepG2), breast cancer cells (MCF7), and normal human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cell line. The ELE and MLE extracts of C. lanceolatus leaves showed potential antiproliferative effects on HepG2 cells. On the basis of free radical scavenging potential and cytotoxicity studies, ELE and MLE extracts of C. lanceolatus leaves are further evaluated in detail for numerous biological activities. ELE and MLE extracts reduced the cell growth, ROS generation, lowering the potential of cell migration and inhibits the metastatic activity in HepG2 cell lines. ELE and MLE extracts treated HepG2 cells showed down-regulation of STAT3 and up-regulation of p53 and inhibition of cdk2 and cyclin A activity. Phytochemicals analysis have shown that the ELE and MLE possess some anticancer compounds like 4-Fluoro-2-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid, neopentyl ester; fumaric acid, di(pent-4-en-2-yl) ester; 2,3-Dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one and 2-Furancarboxaldehyde,5-(hydroxymethyl). Molecular docking results demonstrate that interactions of compounds present in ELE and MLE extracts with the SH2 domain of STAT3, might be responsible for their inhibitory effects. We have further concluded that the ELE and MLE extracts of C. lanceolatus arrests the cells at S and G2/M phase and subsequently induced cell death by regulating the DNA damage in HepG2 cells.

Cytotoxicity, antitumor-promoting and antioxidant activities of Annona muricata in vitro

Annona muricata or soursop belongs to the family Annonaceae and is a plant enriched with annonaceous acetogenin. This plant had been traditionally used for the treatment of various infectious and inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to determine the cytotoxicity, antitumor-promoting and antioxidant activities of Annona muricata various extracts and its isolated acetogenin, annonacin in vitro. All samples were subjected to the inhibition of Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation assay induced by the tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) on Raji cells. Prior to EBV-EA assay, [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay was performed to determine the samples’ cytotoxicity against Raji cells. Antioxidant activity was performed via 2, 2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays. Annonacin exhibited remarkable cytotoxic activity with IC50 of 2.9 ± 1.3 μM. Inhibition against EBV-EA activation occurred in the following order: hexane leaf > annonacin > aqueous fruit> dichloromethane leaf > methanol leaf > aqueous leaf > ethanol leaf. Methanol leaf extract demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity in all assays and exhibited the most powerful free radical scavenger (87%). Annonacin consistently displayed the lowest antioxidant activity in all assays performed. The findings reported for the first time the antitumor-promoting effects of various extracts of Annona muricata and annonacin in vitro, thus validating their promising anticancer potential.

ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS ALONG WITH ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIAL OF TARENNA POLYCARPA LEAF FRACTIONS

Objective: The aim was to investigate the physicochemical analysis, preliminary phytochemical screening and further evaluation of its antibacterial activity from morbesi-besi (Tarenna polycarpa) leaf ethyl acetate and hexane fractions (HF).Methods: The physicochemical parameters were carried out as per the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline from its ethanolic extract. The phytochemical screening was performed as per Indonesia Pharmacopoeia and conventional method on its ethyl acetate and HF. Ethyl acetate and HF at different concentration were evaluated using agar well diffusion assay.Result: The plant was found to be free from contaminations. Morbesi-besi leaf fractions are composed of flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, steroids, and triterpenoids. The phytochemical screening showed only ethyl acetate of lotus leaf extract contains the flavonoids. The antibacterials assay showed that ethyl acetate fraction was better than HF from the inhibition zone.Conclusion: From the outcomes of this study, morbesi-besi leaf (T. polycarpa) possess potential antibacterial activity.

Antimicrobial Activity and Phytochemical Analysis of Moringa oleifera Lam. Crude Extracts Against Selected Bacterial and Fungal Strains

The n- Hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and distilled water Leaf, Stem, Flower and Fruit extracts of Moringa oleifera were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against six Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive bacteria and antifungal activity against seven fungal strains using Ciprofloxacin, Doxycycline, Fluconazole and Ketacozole as positive control. The activity was analyzed by well diffusion and two-fold serial broth dilution method of different extract. The study revealed that all the extracts irrespective of their types, in different concentrations inhibited growth of the test pathogens to varying degrees. Ethyl acetate extract showed maximum activity against all the bacterial strains followed in descending order by methanol, n-.Hexane and distilled water extracts. Ethyl acetate extract showed high antibacterial activity against Serratia marcescens (22mm) Methanol and n-Hexane extract were effective against Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus subtilis (10mm) respectively. Aqueous extract showed maximum number of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (27mm) and Micrococcus luteus (18mm). Ethyl acetate extract showed maximum inhibition against Trichoderma harzianum (16mm) than other extracts were ineffective against selected fungus. MIC values were recorded as 0.125 to 4mg/ml. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols and flavonoids. Expression to these results it may be concluded that M. oleifera may be a potential source for the curing of various infectious diseases caused by the resistant microbes

Antidiabetic Effect of Urena lobata: Preliminary Study on Hexane, Ethanolic, and Aqueous Leaf Extracts

Chronic hyperglycemia is one of the signs of human type-2 diabetes mellitus due to insulin resistance and depletion. This study aimed to evaluate hexane, ethanolic, and aqueous leaf extracts of Urena lobata as antihyperglycemic agent. Design of this study was a post-test only control group using 25 male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into 5 groups. High fructose diet (HFD) ad libitum and single dose of intraperitoneal streptozocin (STZ) (25 mg/kgBW) were administered to induce diabetes in rats. Three groups of the diabetic rats orally received 500 mg/kgBW of only a type of leaf extract of U. lobata for 4 weeks. Insulin serum levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Size, shape, and density of the islet cells were observed by light microscope. Blood glucose level and the area under curve (AUC) of serial oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were measured. The U. lobata leaf extracts of three types of solvent all increased serum insulin level and improved β cells condition, also decreased the AUC of the OGTT series in diabetic rats. Values were compared with untreated diabetic rats (p&lt;0,05). The aqueous leaf extract of U. lobata was the best in increasing insulin serum level, recovering islet cells condition, and correcting blood glucose level. The hexane extract showed poor results when compared to the other soluble agents.

PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY ANALYSIS OF CALAMUS ROTANG LINN LEAF EXTRACTS

Objective: The present study was aimed at phytochemical screening, quantification, and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis of hexane, chloroform and ethanol leaf extracts of Calamus rotang.Methods: Leaf extracts were prepared according to the polarity of the solvents, i.e., hexane, chloroform, and ethanol. Preliminary phytochemical screening involved the qualitative methods to detect the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, etc. Quantitative estimation of alkaloids using boldine as standard, phenols using gallic acid as standard, and flavonoids using quercetin as standard were done. HPTLC analysis was done with all three extracts along with quercetin and rutin standards using mobile phase for flavonoids, i.e., 90:10 ratio of chloroform and methanol solvents.Results: Phytochemical screening showed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, etc. Hence, quantification was done for these phytochemicals. Alkaloids were present significantly more in hexane leaf extract, i.e., 2.54±0.216mg boldine equivalents/g. Phenols were present significantly more in ethanolic leaf extract, i.e., 49.04±0.364 mg gallic acid equivalents)/g. Flavonoids were present in significant amount in ethanolic leaf extract, i.e., 458.85±5.74 mg quercetin equivalents/g. HPTLC analysis of hexane, chloroform, and ethanolic extracts showed the presence of flavonoids such as quercetin, rutin, and some unknown flavonoid compounds.Conclusion: Ethanolic leaf extract showed a high amount of phenols and flavonoids. Hence, the extract can be further exploited further for in vitro and in vivo research work.

Bio-efficacy of EC formulations of Strychnos nux-vomica extracts against Plutella xylostella Linn. in Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis)

The extracts from different plant parts viz., leaves, seeds, stem bark, root bark and fruit rind of Strychnos nux-vomica, extracted in different solvents viz., ethanol, methanol, hexane, acetone, chloroform were evaluated against P. xylostella. In field condition, it performed more or less similar to the standard check, emamectin benzoate. Maximum reduction of P. xylostella over control (ROC) was recorded in emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 11 g a.i.ha−1 treated plot (58.79%) followed by treatments hexane seed 4%, hexane leaf 4%, neemazal 1%, hexane seed 3%, hexane seed 2%, hexane leaf 3% and hexane leaf 2% recording 52.97, 52.85, 41.14, 40.37, 38.43, 34.78 and 25.48% respectively.

Cytotoxic activity of Acalypha indica L. hexane extract on breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7)

Cancer is the name given to a collection of related diseases. In all types of cancer, some of the body’s cells begin to divide without stopping and spread into surrounding tissues. Cancer can start almost anywhere in the human body, which is made up of trillions of cells. Research advances over the past two decades have changed the landscape of breast cancer care. Genetic testing, targeted treatments and more precise surgical techniques have helped boost survival rates in some cases while helping to support breast cancer patients’ quality of life. The herb Acalypha indica which belongs to Euphorbiaceae family has multiple medicinal properties which include anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-helmintic, anti-ulcer, anti-venom, anticancerous, and neuro-protective activity. The present study emphasises cytotoxic activity of hexane leaf crude extract of Acalypha indica Linn. On mcf-7cell lines by MTT (3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2)-2,5- Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay method using Cisplatin as a positive control. Hexane Crude extract of different concentrations (10µg/ml, 25µg/ml, 50µg/ml and 100µg/ml) were treated with cell lines, Out of these concentrations 50µg/ml showed maximum inhibitory effect (IC50 value). Hence the present study is taken up to systematically evaluate the anti-cancer properties of the extracts and also to isolate and characterize the active principles of Acalypha indica.

ANGIOTENSIN I-CONVERTING ENZYME INHIBITORY ACTIVITY, TOTAL PHENOLIC AND FLAVONOID CONTENT OF EXTRACT AND FRACTION OF JAM FRUIT LEAVES (MUNTINGIA CALABURA L.)

Objective: Hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases. Inhibitory activity of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) is effective on giving hypotensive effect. Jamfruit leaf (Muntingia calabura L.) was reported to have an excellent hypotensive effect. This research was aimed to test in the manner of in vitro the inhibitory activity of ACE.Methods: This research used ACE kit-WST, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid from jam fruit leaf ethanol extract, hexane, ethyl acetate, and butanol fraction.Results: The result showed that Jamfruit leaf extract had ACE inhibitory activity and the most active fraction was ethyl acetate fraction. Inhibitory concentration 50% value of the most active fraction, ethyl acetate fraction was 0.63 μg/mL. Ethyl acetate fraction also provides most flavonoid and phenolic content with a value of 10.91 mg/g extract quercetin equivalent and 74.90 mg/g extract gallic acid equivalent.Conclusions: Ethyl acetate fraction of jam fruit leaf had most flavonoid, phenolic compound, and ACE inhibitory activity.

Investigation on the antimicrobial activities of gingers (Etlingera coccinea (Blume) S.Sakai & Nagam and Etlingera sessilanthera R.M.Sm.) endemic to Borneo.

To investigate the antimicrobial properties of Etlingera coccinea and Etlingera sessilanthera and to isolate and identify the antimicrobial compounds. Extracts were obtained via sequential solvent extraction method using hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. Antimicrobial activity testing was done using broth microdilution assay against 17 strains of bacteria. The leaf hexane extract of E. coccinea and rhizome hexane extract of E. sessilanthera showed best antimicrobial activities, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 0·016 to 1mgml-1 against Gram-positive bacteria. From these active extracts, two antimicrobials were isolated and identified as trans-2-dodecenal and 8(17),12-labdadiene-15,16-dial with MIC values ranging from 4 to 8μgml-1 against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Etlingera coccinea and E. sessilanthera demonstrated good antimicrobial activities against clinically relevant bacteria strains. The antimicrobial compounds isolated showed low MIC values, hence suggesting their potential use as antimicrobial agents. This study is the first to identify the potent antimicrobials from these gingers. The antimicrobials isolated could potentially be developed further for use in treatment of bacterial infections. Also, this study warrants further research into other Etlingera species in search for more antimicrobial compounds.

AAS and GC-MS Analysis of Phytocomponents in the Leaf, Stem and Root of Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Dongoyaro)

Objective: To determine the mineral component using AAS and screen for the presence of bioactive phytoconstituents in hexane extract of Azadirachta indica A. Juss leaf, stem and root using the GC-MS technique. Methods: Mineral analysis was carried out using AAS. The leaf, stem and root hexane extracts of A. indica were prepared by standard procedure and concentrated at 40oC using hot air oven. The concentrated hexane extracts were subjected to phytochemical analysis using GC-MS. Results: The result of mineral analysis shows that Azadirachta indica A. Juss leaf, stem and root contain potassium, iron, copper, calcium, magnesium and sodium. The GC-MS analysis of the neem leaf, stem and root extract revealed the existence of the GC-MS chromatogram of twenty three peaks present. Ten chemical constituents were identified in the leaf of A. indica, six were found in the stem while seven were identified in the root of the plant by Gas Chromatogram Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Conclusion: The result of the analysis showed that the plant contains important minerals and many pharmacologically important bioactive compounds. The presence of various bioactive compounds justifies the uses of Neem for various traditional medicines.