Medicinal Plant Extracts Research Articles

Phytosome: An Effective Transdermal Drug Delivery System for Phytoconstituents

Abstract: Herbal medicine and phytochemicals have always been great therapeutic options to treat various diseases due to their compatibility, safety, easy production, low cost and side effects. However, low absorption rate ,and poor bioavailability are notable challenges that have limited the use of most phytoconstituents. To address these challenges, different drug delivery methods have been proposed for generating operative carrier systems for phytochemicals. Among them, transdermal drug delivery (TDD) using nanophytosome has been introduced as a promising candidate for the delivery of insoluble phytoconstituents. Phytosomes can overcome skin barriers, and are therefore effective carriers for herbal medicines. They are generally produced by combining phytoconstituent agents in medicinal plant extracts with phospholipid molecules. They have improved the clinical applications of phytoconstituents such as polyphenols by enhancing their bioavailability and uptake. In this review, main benefits of transdermal delivery systems, advantages of nanophytosome over other lipid nanoparticles in TDD of phytochemicals, and methods of phytosome preparation and characterization are briefly reviewed.

Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE) in an Intermittent Process as an Alternative for Obtaining Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis) Leaf Hydroalcoholic Extract (Tincture)

Tinctures are medicinal plant extracts obtained by extraction with a hydroalcoholic solution (70%) by percolation (PER). This process takes about 26 h to prepare, in addition to using a large amount of solvent. In our research, passion fruit leaf tinctures were obtained using extract with the same pressurized hydroalcoholic solution as in an intermittent process. The objective was to demonstrate that this emerging technology can be economical and profitable. An optimization using Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) was performed to evaluate the influence of process variables on the yields and compositions of the extracts. The temperature (T) was the factor that most influenced the responses. Extraction with pressurized liquid (PLE) provided total yields and total phenolic and flavonoid contents in greater amounts than PER. The optimized conditions of the process variables studied in the CCRD for the highest content of total phenolics (43.2 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (58.8 mg QE/g) were at 100 °C with a rinse volume of 120% of the divided extractor volume in four cycles of the intermittent process. When adjusting the PLE in an intermittent process, and according to the one-dimensional mass transfer by the continuous diffusion of the Fick model, the effective diffusion coefficient (1.28 × 10−12 m2/s) was not affected by T. The kinetic curve of PLE extraction indicates that the adjusted intermittent process occurred in the period of the constant extraction rate when compared to the kinetics of the semi-continuous process. The yielded extracts were rich in isovitexin, and the highest levels were identified in the extracts obtained via PLE, indicating that this intermittent process can bring a product to market with the same quality but with a much shorter production time and the use of fewer solvents. Antioxidant activity, determined by DPPH, FRAP and ORAC, was also higher in extracts obtained via PLE.

Food and medicinal plants from Nigeria with anti-Helicobacter pylori activities induce apoptosis in colon and gastric cancer cell lines

Background: Food and medicinal plants are used traditionally in Nigeria to treat gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and GI-related cancers. We have previously reported that specific extracts of Nigerian food and medicinal plants inhibited the growth of Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium known to cause peptic ulcer disease, as well as gastric and colon cancer. Objective: To determine the effects of three food plants, namely Anogeissus leiocarpus (DC.) Guill. & Perr. (African birch, Combretaceae), Terminalia glaucescens Planch ex Benth. (Nigerian chewing sticks, Combretaceae) and Dillenia indica L. (Elephant apple, Dilleniaceae) used in Nigeria for the treatment of GI disorders and cancer in six colon and gastric cancer cell lines, and two non-cancerous cell lines. Methods: Cancer cells were grown in appropriate media and CellTiter-Glo® 2.0 and ApoTox-Glo™ Triplex assays were used to measure cell growth and apoptosis in SW480, SW620, HCT116, Caco2 cell lines, as well as AGS and NCI-N87 gastric cancer cells. Caspase-Glo® 3/7, and Caspase-Glo® 8 were used to determine caspase activities and apoptosis. Gene expression was measured using quantitative PCR.Results: The methanol extract of A. leiocarpus roots inhibited the growth of HCT-116, SW480 and SW620 colon cancer cells (IC50 of 15.8, 10.0, and 20.8 µg/mL, respectively), but weakly active in the AGS and NCI-N87 cells (IC50 77.0 and >100 µg/mL respectively). The T. glaucescens extract was weakly active in HCT-116 cells (IC50 64.9 µg/ml) and AGS cells (52.2 µg/ml). The D. indica extract was active in SW480 (IC50 15.8 µg/mL), and weakly active in Caco2 (IC50 35.2 µg/mL) and HCT-116 (IC50 53.2 µg/mL). In HCT-116 cells, A. leiocarpus root extract and its aqueous partition increased caspase 8 activity, as well as mRNA expression of p53, while expression of Bcl-2 and HDAC1 mRNA was reduced. Bioassay guided fractionation of the aqueous partition led to the isolation and identification of the known compound methyl gallate.Conclusions: These data suggest that the Nigerian food plants with anti-Helicobacter pylori activities increase the expression of the tumor suppressor p53 and inhibit HDAC1, thereby inducing apoptosis in HCT-116 colon cancer cells.Running Title: Inhibitory Effects of Nigerian food plants on GIT CancersKeywords: African birch, AGS, Apoptosis, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Dillenia indica, Elephant apple, Terminalia glaucescens, Nigerian chewing sticks, HCT-116, SW480, SW620

GC-ToF-MS Profiling and In Vitro Inhibitory Effects of Selected South African Plants against Important Mycotoxigenic Phytopathogens.

The harmful effects following the ingestion of mycotoxin-contaminated food include the induction of cancers, mutagenicity, immune suppression, and toxicities that target organs of the digestive, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems. Synthetic fungicides are generally associated with a high toxic residue in food and the development of excessive fungal resistance. This study aimed to determine the antifungal activities against mycotoxigenic fungi of selected South African plant leaves and potentially develop plant-derived bio-fungicides, and, furthermore, to explore the in vitro antioxidant activity and the phytochemical spectra of the compounds of the selected medicinal plant extracts. The extracts were tested for antifungal activity against phytopathogenic strains using a microdilution broth assay. Bauhinia galpinii extracts exhibited the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against C. cladospoides and P. haloterans at 24 h incubation periods. C. caffrum had good antioxidant activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 0.013 mg/mL while B. galpini had IC50 values of 0.053 against free radicals of 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-suphonic acid (ABTS). The antimycotoxigenic and antioxidant activity exerted by both B. galpinii and C. caffrum may well be attributed to high TPC. In the GC-ToF-MS analysis, all the selected medicinal plants exhibited the presence of Hexadecanoic acid at varying % areas, while both B. galpinii and C. caffum exhibited the presence of lupeol at % area 2.99 and 3.96, respectively. The compounds identified, particularly the ones with higher % area, may well explain the biological activity observed. Although the selected medicinal plants exhibited a notable biological activity, there is a need to explore the safety profiles of these plants, both in vitro and in vivo.

In-vitro Dissolution Study of Gallstone with Medicinal Plant Extracts

Background: Gallstone disease poses a substantial economic burden on healthcare systems globally, necessitating safer alternatives to current treatments like dissolution therapy and cholecystectomy. Natural compounds from plants offer a potential solution, but research on their cholelitholytic activity is limited. In vitro dissolution studies are crucial for identifying effective plant-based therapies. Objective: This study aims to investigate the in vitro cholelitholytic activity of six plants and Ayurvedic medicines, selected based on ethnopharmacological knowledge and folk medicinal practices. Methods: Gallstone samples were categorized as combined cholesterol gallstones (CCGS) or black pigment gallstones based on external morphology and cross-sectional analysis. In vitro dissolution studies were conducted using extracts from Bergenia ciliata, Berberis asiatica, Cuscuta europaea, Kalanchoe pinnata, Teraxacum officinale, Macrotyloma uniflorum, and Ayurvedic medicines (Cystone®, Gokshuradi, and Calcury). The samples were immersed in the extracts and controls separately and incubated in a shaking water bath. The gallstone dissolution capacity was assessed by recording the dry weight of the samples at multiple time points. Results: T. officinale was highly effective in dissolving black pigment gallstones, while B. asiatica exhibited superior efficacy for CCGS. M. uniflorum and C. europaea also demonstrated significant dissolution activity against black pigment gallstones. However, K. pinnata was less effective for both gallstone types. B. ciliata and C. europaea exhibited equal effectiveness against both types. Ayurvedic medicine extracts were less effective compared to plant extracts. Conclusion: This in vitro study showed the plants can dissolve GS effectively. However, the effectiveness of the plant to dissolve GS depends on the type of the stone. The findings from this study serve as a basis for further in vivo research

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Tabernaemontana ventricosa Extracts

Nanoscience and nanotechnology have been rapidly developing due to the increased use of nanoparticles in several fields including health (antibacterial agents), medicine, chemistry, food, textiles, agricultural sectors, and nanofluids. The study aimed to biologically synthesize AgNPs using leaf and stem extracts of Tabernaemontana ventricosa. The AgNPs were successfully synthesized and verified using UV-visible spectroscopy; however, the synthesis of the AgNPs was more efficient using the leaf extracts rather than the stem extracts. The energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis showed that the elemental silver (Ag) content was much higher using leaf extracts compared to the stem extracts. The AgNPs synthesized using both leaf and stem extracts were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and images displayed spherical, ovate, and triangular-shaped nanoparticles (NPs), which varied in particle size ranging from 16.06 ± 6.81 nm to 80.26 ± 24.93 nm across all treatments. However, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) displayed much larger particle sizes ranging from 63.9 ± 63.9 nm to 147.4 ± 7.4 nm. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis observed functional groups such as alcohols, phenolic compounds, aldehydes, alkanes, esters, amines, and carboxylic acids. Our study suggests that medicinal plant extracts can be used for the effective economical production of AgNPs due to their efficient capping; however, further studies are necessary to determine the possible function groups and phytochemicals within T. ventricosa that are responsible for the synthesis of AgNPs.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Benzylpenicillin Using Silver Nanocrystals Modified with Moroccan Plant Extracts

Green chemical routes for the synthesis of colloidal metal nanocrystals have been of great interest, namely in the context of nanosciences associated with biological applications. Among these methods, the synthesis of metal colloids using medicinal plant extracts originates nanocrystals having surfaces modified with chemical compounds of biological origin, which can be further explored in association with conventional pharmaceutics. In this context, the development of spectroscopic methods that seeks for understanding the potential benefits of using formulations that contain natural compounds and metal nanoparticles with therapeutic properties is of relevance. This research describes the chemical synthesis of silver colloids via the reduction of Ag(I) in the presence of distinct aqueous plant extracts. The selected extracts were obtained from Moroccan plants that have been used in traditional therapeutic practices over the centuries. The method led to stable colloids comprising polydispersed Ag nanocrystals that show surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity. As an illustrative scenario, these colloids have been applied to the SERS detection of the natural β-lactam antibiotic benzylpenicillin, also known as penicillin G (PG). Our results indicate that all the Ag colloids tested with the different plant extracts are SERS-active for PG without showing detrimental interference from chemical adsorbates originated from the extracts. Therefore, this spectroscopic method can be further explored for monitoring nanoformulations of pharmaceuticals and metal colloids obtained using biological synthesis.

Microfluidizing Technique Application for Algerian Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf Effects Enhanced Volatile Content, Antimicrobial, and Anti-Mycotoxigenic Properties.

Medicinal plant extracts are a promising source of bioactive minor contents. The present study aimed to evaluate the distinguished volatile content of Algerian Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf before and after the microfluidization process and their related antimicrobial and anti-mycotoxigenic impacts and changes. The GC-MS apparatus was utilized for a comparative examination of Algerian lemongrass essential oil (LGEO) with its microfluidization nanoemulsion (MF-LGEO) volatile content. The MF-LGEO was characterized using Zetasizer and an electron microscope. Cytotoxicity, antibacterial, and antifungal activities were determined for the LGEO and MF-LGEO. The result reflected changes in the content of volatiles for the MF-LGEO. The microfluidizing process enhanced the presence of compounds known for their exceptional antifungal and antibacterial properties in MF-LGEO, namely, neral, geranial, and carvacrol. However, certain terpenes, such as camphor and citronellal, were absent, while decanal, not found in the raw LGEO, was detected. The droplet diameter was 20.76 ± 0.36 nm, and the polydispersity index (PDI) was 0.179 ± 0.03. In cytotoxicity studies, LGEO showed higher activity against the HepG2 cell line than MF-LGEO. Antibacterial LGEO activity against Gram-positive bacteria recorded an inhibitory zone from 41.82 ± 2.84 mm to 58.74 ± 2.64 mm, while the zone ranged from 12.71 ± 1.38 mm to 16.54 ± 1.42 mm for Gram-negative bacteria. Antibacterial activity was enhanced to be up to 71.43 ± 2.54 nm and 31.54 ± 1.01 nm for MF-LGEO impact against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. The antifungal effect was considerable, particularly against Fusarium fungi. It reached 17.56 ± 1.01 mm and 13.04 ± 1.37 mm for LGEO and MF-LGEO application of a well-diffusion assay, respectively. The MF-LGEO was more promising in reducing mycotoxin production in simulated fungal growth media due to the changes linked to essential compounds content. The reduction ratio was 54.3% and 74.57% for total aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OCA) contents, respectively. These results reflect the microfluidizing improvement impact regarding the LGEO antibacterial, antifungal and anti-mycotoxigenic properties.

Green Synthesis of Multifunctional Silver Nanoparticles Using Plectranthus amboinicus for Sensitive Detection of Triethylamine, with Potential In Vitro Antibacterial and Anticancer Activities

Biogenic nanoparticles synthesized using medicinal plant extracts gain significant attention in the field of medicine. Current research reports about a simple, low cost, eco-friendly method to prepare silver nanoparticles (SNPs) using the leaf extract of Plectranthus amboinicus. UV-Visible spectroscopic analysis showed a surface plasmon resonance peak of synthesized SNPs at 410 nm. SNPs had an average hydrodynamic diameter of 111.5 nm with a zeta potential value of –19.4 mV. FTIR spectroscopic measurement revealed the characteristic peaks of SNPs. Electron microscopic analysis showed spherical-shaped nanoparticles. The potency of SNPs as a calorimetric biosensor was evaluated using its ability in detecting triethylamine (TEA)—a toxic organic solvent. A drastic change in color (pale yellow → dark black) was observed when an SNPs was treated with varying concentrations (0.01 to 0.3 mM) of TEA. SNPs showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Furthermore, the biosynthesized SNPs possessed efficient anticancer activity against B16F10 murine melanoma cells, which was evaluated using MTT, scratch wound, and live/dead cell assays. These results prove that SNPs can serve as biosensors and antibacterial and anticancer agents for industrial and biomedical applications.

Impact of the Hydro-Meteorological Disasters in the Upper Beas Basin in the Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India

An investigation exploring the people perception about the impact of the hydro-meteorological events was executed in the upper Beas basin of Kullu district using a semi-structured questionnaire. The selection of the study area was made after conducting preliminary studies, revealing that the region experienced property losses amounting to Rs. 18.61 Cr as a result of disasters occurring between 2017 and 2019.. In the past few decades, the occurrence of the extreme weather events of cloud bursts, flashfloods and heavy rainfall in the Beas Basin has affected the livelihood of the local inhabitants. Therefore the current research is designed for the identification the existing disaster related issues of the inhabitants of the Himalayan region. To assess the community perception towards the disaster events, the one third households of the most prone villages of the region were studied i.e. 251 respondents. To find the community perception , the respondents were enquired about the information regarding the past events of the disaster in their area and perception about the probable causes of such events. It was analyzed that the disasters events has affected the agriculture, water supply, infrastructure, tourism and allied businesses in the region. It was found from the insights of the research that 70.18% respondents agree that hydro- meteorological disasters occurs each year furthermore 75.2% of the respondents believe that among the all types of disasters, the flash floods are the most common type of disaster to the area. In addition to this, the 38.40% and 30.02% respondents believed that impact of disaster has increased due to the climate change and the practices of deforestation respectively. The collected statistical data was further evaluated using Pearson’s Chi Square test and it was noticed that the responses such as anthropogenic role in the increased intensty of disasters and the effect of disasters on this tourism dominated area had a significant association at the 95% confidence interval with the respondents having different educational qualification, gender and age groups. It was examined from the investigation that the activities such as deforestation, over grazing and illegal extraction of medicinal plants in the high altitude areas are the precursors behind the increased impact of the disaster events. The outcomes of this study will assist the policy makers and scientific community for the better understanding of the disasters and planning the risk management strategies for the region.

Inhibitory Effects of Edible and Medicinal Plant Extracts on the Enzymatic Activity of Pancreatic Lipase

Abstract. Plants with a strong activity to reduce the digestion of lipids from the diet are a possible way to prevent and combat obesity. This study evaluated 37 ethanol extracts of plants, some edible, medicinal, or belonging to a family that has the inhibitory activity of pancreatic lipase, aimed at looking for a new anti-obesity agent. Inhibition of pancreatic lipase (PL) was measured in vitro and in vivo assay. The plasma triacylglycerol levels after 1, 2, and 3 h in fasted male Wistar rats fed, by oral administration, with a lipid emulsion were measured. The antioxidant activities were evaluated using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity), FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) and ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid), and the total phenol and flavonoid content were determined. Nine plants exhibited low inhibition (˂41 %), nine showed medium inhibition (41-50 %), eight demonstrated high inhibition (51-60%) and 11 plants had the highest inhibition (≥ 61 %). Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, dried leaves extract displayed the highest inhibitory activity of pancreatic lipase 71.90 % at 400 µg/mL, with a dose-dependent inhibition against PL similar to orlistat. The kinetic study showed uncompetitive inhibition. Moreover, H. rosa sinensis extract also reduced the elevation of plasma triacylglycerol levels after lipid emulsion administration similar as orlistat did. H. rosa-sinensis dried leaves had higher antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds than fresh leaves. H. rosa-sinensis presented the strongest anti-lipase activity and could be used as an anti-obesogenic agent or as a food additive to reduce the absorption of fats from the diet. Resumen. Las plantas con una fuerte actividad para reducir la digestión de los lípidos de la dieta son una posible forma de prevenir y combatir la obesidad. Este estudio evaluó 37 extractos etanólicos de plantas, algunas comestibles, medicinales o pertenecientes a una familia que tiene una actividad inhibitoria de la lipasa pancreática, con el objetivo de buscar un nuevo agente anti-obesogénico. Se medio la inhibición de la lipasa pancreática (PL) in vitro e in vivo, se midieron los niveles de triacilglicerol en plasma 1,2 y 3 h después de la administración oral de una emulsión lipídica a ratas Wistar machos en ayunas. Las actividades antioxidantes se evaluaron utilizando DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl actividad atrapadora de radical), FRAP (poder antioxidante reductor del fierro) y ABTS acido (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonico), también se midió el contenido total de fenoles y flavonoides. Nueve plantas exhibieron una inhibición baja (˂41 %), otras nueve con una inhibición media (41-50 %), ocho demostraron una inhibición alta (51-60 %) y once plantas mostraron la inhibición más alta (≥ 61 %). El extracto de hojas secas de Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, mostró la mayor actividad inhibitoria de la PL con un 71.90 % a 400 µg/mL, con una inhibición dependiente de la dosis contra PL similar a orlistat. El estudio cinético mostró una inhibición acompetitiva. Además, el extracto de H. rosa-sinensis también redujo la elevación de los niveles de triacilglicerol en plasma después de la administración de una emulsión de lípidos similar a como lo hace orlistat. Las hojas secas de H. rosea-sinensis tuvieron mayor actividad antioxidante y cantidad de compuestos fenólicos totales que las hojas frescas. H. rosa-sinensis presentó la mayor actividad anti-lipasa y podría usarse como un agente anti-obesogénico o como un aditivo alimentario para reducir la absorción de grasas de la dieta.

Prospects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized by Justicia secunda aqueous extracts on diabetes and its related complications

The wide range of secondary metabolites in medicinal plant extracts are used to treat and manage various diseases worldwide but more recently plant-mediated bio-nanotechnology is rapidly generating great research interest. Herein, the in-vitro study of the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antiglycation, and antioxidant potentials of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized by Justicia secunda aqueous extracts was evaluated. The synthesized AgNPs was characterized by UV-visible spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antioxidant activity was evaluated via reducing power, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and nitric oxide scavenging assays; antidiabetic activity was evaluated with α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory assays; antiglycation activity was evaluated using fructosamine inhibitory assay, and anti-inflammatory activity was performed using trypsin inhibitory and albumin denaturation assays. The AgNPs from all the plant parts showed good biological potentials investigated compared to the plant extracts however, the synthesized AgNPs using the leaf aqueous extract (AgNPs-JsL) showed a better antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiglycation, and anti-inflammatory potentials with an essential quality absorption band in the ultraviolet region of 410 nm and average size distribution of 50.47nm. In conclusion, all the parts of J. secunda showed substantial antidiabetic, antioxidant, antiglycation and anti-inflammatory potentials with high yield of various bioactive metabolites, however, the AgNPs-JsL was more potent followed by the flower, stem and roots extracts, respectively.

EVALUATION OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK FACTORS IN DIABETIC RATS ADMINISTERED ETHANOL EXTRACT OF Cucumis sativus FRUIT.

It is estimated that by the year 2030, the number of persons with diabetes mellitus (DM) would increase to 366 million. Diabetes mellitus is primarily defined by the level of hyperglycemia which causes micro- and macro-vascular damage. This study evaluated cardiovascular disease risk factors in diabetic rats administered ethanol extract of Cucumis sativus fruit. Male Wistar rats (n = 25, mean weight = 215 ± 15 g) were used. The rats were randomly assigned to five groups (5 rats per group): normal control, diabetic control, metformin, 200 mg/kg body weight (BWT) extract and 300 mg/kg BWT extract groups. Diabetes mellitus was induced via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg BWT). The diabetic rats were then treated for 21 days with metformin (50 mg/kg BWT) or the extract at doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg BWT, respectively. The results showed that STZ-induced DM significantly increased plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), atherogenic coefficient (AC) and cardiac risk ratio (CRR), but it significantly reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p < 0.05). However, treatment of diabetic rats with ethanol extract of C. sativus fruit led to significant reductions in circulating levels of lipid profile (except HDL-C, which increased) as well as AIP, AC and CRR (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the medicinal plant extract has the capacity to protect against cardiovascular events in diabetic rats.

Phytochemical Analysis and Nanoparticles-Based Bioactivity Screening of Five Medicinal Plant Extracts

Phytochemical Analysis and Nanoparticles-Based Bioactivity Screening of Five Medicinal Plant Extracts

Effect of Some Medicinal Plants Extracts and Chemicals on Enzymes and Tissues Liver of Female Rats

The study was carried out on 45 sexually mature female albino rats at the age of 7-8 weeks and weighing 160-180; nine treatments were used in this study, where five rats were isolated for the control treatment (without infection); the remaining rats were injected (Subcutaneous) with Indian-made Alloxan, which was prepared at the time of injection at a dose of 100 mg/kg of body weight. The results showed a significant decrease in liver enzymes AST and the ALP characteristic in T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, and T9, as well as a significant decrease in the ALT characteristic in T3, T5, T6, T7, and T9. Histological effects We notice severe damage to the liver tissue of alloxan-treated rats compared to the proper treatment, represented in the liver tissue by necrosis of liver cells, the presence of a blood clot, the absence of sinusoids, and the thickening of the nuclei. The results have shown that the aqueous extracts positively affect zymes and tissues in female rats.

Antimicrobial potentials of plant extracts against drug resistant bacteria

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious and growing threat to human health. The development of new antibiotics is limited and slow. The tradition of synergy in herbal medicine is being used as a source of research ideas. The in vitro findings were that most of the research reported synergy both within plants and between plants and antibiotics. Whole plant extracts and combinations of compounds were shown to be more effective antimicrobials than isolated constituents. New sources of antimicrobial drugs need to be identified and improved strategy should be developed to combat multidrug resistance problem in pathogenic bacteria. Plant extract and phytochemicals demonstrating antimicrobial action needs to be exploited for their synergistic action between extracts and with antibiotics to exploit it in modern phytomedicine and combinational therapy. In the present study alcoholic extracts of medicinal plants were screened for their antimicrobial efficacy against drug resistant bacteria. The extracts of Hemidesmus indicus,and Carum copticum, showed promising action against one or more drug resistant bacteria with MIC ranged from 0.53 mg/ml to 7.80 mg/ml which has indicated their potential to be exploited in antimicrobial therapy and combination drug therapy after careful evaluation in vivo model.

Larvicidal Potential of Nine Common Medicinal Plants of Tamilnadu, India

Mosquito are one of the most disturbing and blood sucking organisms that disturbs Homosapiens. Mosquito species included in the genera Anopheles, Aedes and culex are vectors for the various disease pathogens like malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis etc., for control of larval stages of mosquito herbal plants extracts are being tried. Nine medicinal plants extracts were collected dried and extracted with ethanol and used for the present study. The successful attempt is made to kill the larvae the premature stage of mosquitoes by using safe and socio-economical herbal plant mixtures. Azadirachta indica+Mentha spicata+ Coriandrum satium, Azadirachta indica + Ocimum tenuiflorum + Lawsonia inermis and Ocimum tenuiflorum +solanum procumbens +Phyllanthus niruri showed highest larvicidal activity. The medicinal plants were easily biodegradable than the synthetic insecticides, the plant products are less hazardous, they afford a rich store house of chemicals of diverse biological activity

Kenyan Traditional Medicine: Exploring Solutions to the Modern Antibacterial Crises through Natural Products Chemistry

Plant extracts of Kenyan medicinal plants inhibited E. coli, P. aeruginosa, B. cereus and M. smegmatis. Further investigation of plant extracts may lead to new therapeutics against infectious bacteria

Extraction, characterization of polyphenols from certain medicinal plants and evaluation of their antioxidant, antitumor, antidiabetic, antimicrobial properties, and potential use in human nutrition.

Dietary medicinal plants are among the most sought-after topics in alternative medicine today due to their preventive and healing properties against many diseases. This study aimed to extract and determine the polyphenols from indigenous plants extracts, i.e., Mentha longifolia, M. arvensis, Tinospora cordifolia, Cymbopogon citratus, Foeniculum vulgare, Cassia absus, Camellia sinensis, Trachyspermum ammi, C. sinensis and M. arvensis, then evaluate the antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial properties, besides enzyme inhibition of isolated polyphenols. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH, Superoxide radical, Hydroxyl radical (OH.), and Nitric oxide (NO.) scavenging activity; the antidiabetic activity was evaluated by enzymatic methods, and anticancer activity using MTT assay, while the antibacterial activity. The results showed that tested medicinal plants' polyphenolic extracts (MPPE) exhibited the most significant antioxidant activity in DPPH, hydroxyl, nitric oxide, and superoxide radical scavenging methods because of the considerable amounts of total polyphenol and flavonoid contents. UHPLC profile showed twenty-five polyphenol complexes in eight medicinal plant extracts, categorized into phenolic acids, flavonoids, and alkaloids. The main polyphenol was 3-Feroylquinic acid (1,302 mg/L), also found in M. longifolia, C. absus, and C. sinensis, has a higher phenolic content, i.e., rosmarinic acid, vanillic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, catechin, luteolin, 7-O-neohesperideside, quercetin 3,7-O-glucoside, hesperidin, rutin, quercetin, and caffeine in the range of (560-780 mg/L). At the same time, other compounds are of medium content (99-312 mg/L). The phenolics in C. sinensis were 20-116% more abundant than those in M. longifolia, C. absus, and other medicinal plants. While T. cordifolia is rich in alkaloids, T. ammi has a lower content. The MTT assay against Caco-2 cells showed that polyphenolic extracts of T. ammi and C. citratus had maximum cytotoxicity. While M. arvensis, C. sinensis, and F. vulgare extracts showed significant enzyme inhibition activity, C. sinensis showed minor inhibition activity against α-amylase. Furthermore, F. vulgare and C. sinensis polyphenolic extracts showed considerable antibacterial activity against S. aureus, B. cereus, E. coli, and S. enterica. The principal component analysis demonstrated clear separation among medicinal plants' extracts based on their functional properties. These findings prove the therapeutic effectiveness of indigenous plants and highlight their importance as natural reserves of phytogenic compounds with untapped potential that needs to be discovered through advanced analytical methods.

Photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of green-mediated Khaya senegalensis-silver nanoparticles and oxidized carbon nanotubes

This study investigated the photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of plant-mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from a medicinal plant extract of Khaya senegalensis (K. senegalensis) and oxygen functionalized carbon nanotubes (oCNTs), respectively. The CNTs were functionalized using acid treatment. The green synthesized AgNPs from K. senegalensis (KS-AgNPs) and oCNTs were characterized by UV–Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission emission microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The formation of KS-AgNPs was confirmed by the UV–Vis absorption spectra, which showed an absorption band at 427 nm with a color change from yellow to brown. The morphology of KS-AgNPs was spherical in shape, with an average particle size of 9.30 nm. The FTIR analyses revealed distinctive functional groups, such as, hydroxyl (O-H), amines (N-H), and carbonyl (C-O), which were directly involved in the synthesis and stability of AgNPs. The XRD spectra was distinctive with five intense peaks at 2theta angles of 38.12°, 44.28°, 64.43°, 77.48°, and 81.54o while oCNTs gave intense peaks at 2theta angles of 26.43o, 42.36o, 44.46o, 54.51o, 59.98o, and 77.40o. The photocatalytic property of green synthesized KS-AgNPs was determined to be 40.7 % higher than that of oCNTs when applied for treatment of industrial waste water. The ability of green-mediated KS-AgNPs to inhibit against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was observed to be that gram (-) bacteria (E. coli) was more susceptible to KS-AgNPs than the gram (+) bacteria (S. aureus), in which case their susceptibility was least in oCNTs for both bacteria, respectively.