Non-polar Extracts Research Articles

Evaluating polar and non-polar solvents extraction efficiency of gunpowder components by FTIR

Introduction: Crimes involving firearms have been increasing and is a current transnational concern. To face such issues the development of analytical procedures is paramount to increase the efficacy of criminal investigation on homicides and other gun related crimes. The identification of an ammunition type or brand from a simple residue would represent a major contribution for gunshot residues analysis. Such a breakthrough will benefit homicides and war crimes investigation. The composition of gunpowder varies and each ammunition type contains a given formula and often specific components [1–3] suggesting that Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) might be a useful technique for the rapid analysis of gunpowders [2]. Indeed, FTIR has an outstanding discriminatory ability when coupled with chemometrics analysis [3]. Here we present the optimization of the extraction organic solvent for analysis of ammunition contents by FTIR which is an essential step for the discriminatory study of ammunition brands. Materials and methods: An ammunition of caliber .22RL was purchased at Soldiers®. The sample was dissolved in eight different solvents (Acetone, Acetonitrile, Dichloromethane (DCM), Ethanol, Isooctane, Methanol, Methyl Ethyl ketone and n-Hexane), subjected to ultrasound for 30 min and followed by centrifugation. The supernatant was collected and analyzed on a Perkin Elmer 65 FTIR spectrometer coupled to an ATR accessory. A spectral window of 4000-525 cm−1 was used and 32 scans were accumulated at 1cm−1 resolution. Results: Figure 1 shows the FTIR spectra of methanol and n-hexane for the sample used. From the spectra it is clear that methanol is a better extractor than n-hexane. Of the eight solvents used, methyl ethyl ketone, acetone and methanol had the better extraction efficiency of gunpowder (GP) while n-hexane and dichloromethane were not able to extract GP. Figure 1. FTIR spectra of sample E dissolved in methanol (blue) and n-Hexane (red). Discussion and conclusions: This study showed that the best solvents for extraction of GP are the more polar solvents containing carbonyl (C = O) and hydroxyl (OH) groups. The best extraction solvents were Methyl ethyl ketone and acetone followed by methanol.

Antiproliferative Activity of (-)-Rabdosiin Isolated from Ocimum sanctum L.

Background:Ocimum sanctum L. (holy basil; Tulsi in Hindi) is an important medicinal plant, traditionally used in India. Methods: The phytochemical study of the nonpolar (dichloromethane 100%) and polar (methanol:water; 7:3) extracts yielded fourteen compounds. Compounds 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, and 13, along with the methanol:water extract were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against the human cancer cell lines MCF-7, SKBR3, and HCT-116, and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Results: Five terpenoids, namely, ursolic acid (1), oleanolic acid (2), betulinic acid (3), stigmasterol (4), and β-caryophyllene oxide (5); two lignans, i.e., (-)-rabdosiin (6) and shimobashiric acid C (7); three flavonoids, luteolin (8), its 7-O-β-D-glucuronide (9), apigenin 7-O-β-D-glucuronide (10); and four phenolics, (E)-p-coumaroyl 4-O-β-D-glucoside (11), 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) lactic acid (12), protocatechuic acid (13), and vanillic acid (14) were isolated. Compound 6 was the most cytotoxic against the human cancer lines assessed and showed very low cytotoxicity against PBMCs. Conclusions: Based on these results, the structure of compound 6 shows some promise as a selective anticancer drug scaffold.

In vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative effect of the extracts of Ephedra chilensis K Presl aerial parts

BackgroundEphedra chilensis K Presl, known locally as pingo–pingo, is a Chilean endemic plant used in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory and used in other treatments. However, unlike for the other Ephedra species, there have been no reports on the antioxidant and cytotoxic effects of this plant. The present study aims to explore the potential applications of E. chilensis extract as a cytotoxic agent against in vitro cancer cell lines and to explore the relationship between this extract and antioxidant activity.MethodsTotal anthraquinone, flavonoid, and phenolic contents, as well as antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP, and TRAP assays) and cytotoxic effect on several cancer cell lines (MCF-7, PC-3, DU-145, and HT-29) were measured for the hexane, dichloromethane and ethanol extracts of E. chilensis. In addition, several correlations among the phytochemical content, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxic effect were evaluated. Finally, GC-MS analyses of the most active extracts were carried out to identify their major components and to relate these components to the cytotoxic effect.ResultsAntioxidant activity was found in the EtOH extracts of Ephedra, and the results were correlated with the phenolic content. For the cytotoxic activity, the non-polar extracts of E. chilensis had the highest antiproliferative effect for the MCF-7 and PC-3 cancer lines; the extract was shown to be up to three times more selective than doxorubicin. However, the cytotoxic effect was not correlated with the antioxidant activity. Lastly, the GC-MS analysis showed a high concentration of saturated fatty acids (mainly n-hexadecanoic acid) and terpenoids (mainly 4-(hydroxy-ethyl)-γ-butanolactone).ConclusionThe cytotoxic activity and selectivity of the non-polar extracts of E. chilensis for the MCF-7 and PC-3 cell lines could be related to the terpenic compounds and fatty acids of the extracts or to the synergistic effect of all of the compounds in the extracts. These non-polar extracts can be used for the development of new drugs against breast and prostate cancer.

Anti-quorum sensing and antimicrobial activities of South African medicinal plants against uropathogens

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) primarily affect women and have increasingly become a serious health problem globally. These infections are largely attributed to the quorum sensing (QS)-dependent ability of pathogens to form biofilms in the urinary tract. Microbial pathogenicity can be attenuated by disturbing the QS system of bacteria. The aim of the study was to document the antibacterial and anti-quorum sensing (AQS) potential of medicinal plants that are used as traditional medicine in South Africa to treat UTIs. Of the 70 plant extracts prepared from 14 medicinal plants using solvents of different polarities, only 6 displayed noteworthy activity (MIC < 1 mg/mL) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. Extracts of Hydnora africana, Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Prunus africana displayed good antibacterial activity with MIC value of 0.5 mg/mL against S. aureus, but the methanol extracts of Rhoicissus tridentata and Cryptocarya latifolia were highly active against S. marcescens with MICs of 0.13 and 0.25 mg/mL, respectively. When plant extracts were screened for their ability to inhibit the QS-controlled violacein production by Chromobacterium violaceum, only two species (H. africana and C. latifolia) exhibited AQS activity in the qualitative agar well diffusion assay. However, eight extracts inhibited violacein production by 57–71% in the quantitative dilution assay. The ability of uropathogens to form biofilms upon exposure to the plant extracts was subsequently investigated using the crystal violet assay. It was found that the polar extracts of Cenchrus ciliaris and Eucomis autumnalis, Ranunculus multifidus, Vernonia adoensis, Cryptocarya latifolia, Hydnora africana, Rhoicissus tridentata and Hypoxis hemerocallidea, as well as non-polar extracts of Prunus africana and Hypoxis hemerocallidea were able to reduce initial cell attachment of S. aureus, P. mirabilis and S. marcescens by approximately 50%. However, the preformed biofilm was inhibited less than 30% by the extracts. The study revealed that several South African medicinal plants have antibacterial and AQS properties, validating their use in traditional medicines to treat UTIs to some degree, and indicating that they may be a suitable source of anti-pathogenic drugs to treat urinary infections.

Antioxidant Activity of Bioactive Constituents from Crude Palm Oil and Palm Methyl Ester

Palm oil has many minor components that can act as natural antioxidant. It contains carotenoid and vitamin E. This research was conducted to determine antioxidant activity of non-polar extract from crude palm oil and fatty acid methyl ester. The oil extract obtained from crude palm oil by solvent extraction with hexane (CPO) and transesterification method followed by solvent extraction with hexane (PME). Carotene content from non-polar extracts were analyzed by using UV-visible spectrophotometer, while carotene composition (?- and ?-carotene) and vitamin E (tocopherol and tocotrienol) compositions were analyzed by using high performance liquid chromatography. Glycerides and esters content was analyzed by gas chromatography. Antioxidant activity of oil extract was determined by using 2,2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay method. Result revealed that PME has higher content carotenoid and vitamin E than CPO. As expected, the concentration of carotenoid and vitamin E in PME increased with transesterification process. Results also showed that all of non-polar extracts exhibited antioxidant activity significantly, as proven by inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) of PME and CPO is 5.9 µg mL-1 and 15.6 µg mL-1. It is suggested that the presence of carotenoid and vitamin E may have a potential effect as natural antioxidant.

Isolation and Characterization of New Compound and its Antibacterial Activities from Stem-Bark Extract of Barringtonia Asiatica

Objective: This investigation involves the extraction, isolation, and characterization of chemical constituents from a Barringtonia family plant, Barringtonia asiatica followed by Antibacterial, cytotoxicity and evaluation of its antioxidant principles. Methods: The dried stem-bark powders were subjected to sequential soaking with polar and nonpolar solvents and extraction using rota-vap. Dichloromethane extract reveals the presence of significant amount of phytochemicals. The dichloromethane extract was subjected to isolation using column chromatographic analysis with solvents such as, dichloromethane, chloroform, hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol. Further, the isolated compound was subjected to thin layer chromatography technique and spectral analysis such as infrared, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, FT-IR, and mass spectroscopy. The antibacterial using agar disc method. Results: The compound was isolated in hexane: ethyl acetate (9:1) and dichloromethane: ethyl acetate in the solvent system in the ratio of 9:1 and 7:3, respectively using column chromatographic technique. On the basis of phytochemical, chromatographic, and spectral analysis, the isolated compounds were identified as Nerolidiol and Heneicosane. Conclusion: This compound was isolated for the first time from the stem-bark of Barringtonia asiatica. The in vitro antioxidant assay of isolated compounds has shown a dose-dependent increase in free radical scavenging activity using DPPH, the antibacterial and artemia salina cytotoxicity testing showed a significant result. The chromatographic separation led to the isolation of Nerolidiol (1) and Heneicosane (2). Their structures were determined by 1H-NMR, 13CNMR, IR and MS data analysis as well as by comparison of their data with the published values.

ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES OF NONPOLAR TO POLAR SOLVENT EXTRACTS OF Sarang Banua (Clerodenrum fragrans Vent Willd) LEAVES

Sarangbanua plant, known as Clerodendrumfragrans Vent Willd, is a division of the Verbanaceae family found in Simalungun district of Indonesia, which is traditionally used as medicinal plants. The antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the C. fragrans leave extract was prepared by dissolving it in non-polar to polar solvents and treated by DPPH (1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazin) and diffusion methods. The results showed that the ethanol (polar) extract of the C. fragrans leaves had the highest antioxidant activity than ethyl acetate (semi-polar) and n-hexane (non-polar) extracts, which had IC50 values of 22.37 ppm, 27.26 ppm, and 88.77 ppm respectively. Vitamin C as a positive controlled with the IC50 value of 20.18 ppm. Furthermore, the ethyl acetate (semi-polar) extract of the C. fragrans leaves had the greatest inhibition value on Gram-positive bacteria of S. aureus (90.0%)with inhibitory zones of 11.25 ± 0.2 mm, meanwhile the n-hexane (non-polar) extract had the greatest inhibition against Gram-negative bacteria of the E.coli(77.21%)with inhibitory zones of 10.5±0.3 mm.

Toxicity study on Clinacanthus nutans leaf hexane fraction using Danio rerio embryos.

Clinacanthus nutans, an herbal shrub belonging to the Acanthaceae family, is traditionally used as a functional food to treat various ailments in Malaysia and Indonesia. Although the polar fraction of this plant shows non-toxic effect, the toxicity of the non-polar extract is not reported so far. The present study aimed to assess the toxic effect and determine the lethal concentration of this non-polar fraction using zebrafish embryos. The n-hexane fraction was partitioned from the crude extract of C. nutans obtained using 80% methanolic solution. After spawning of the adult male and female zebrafish, the eggs were collected, transferred into a 96-well plate and incubated with the n-hexane fraction at concentrations of 15.63 μg/ml, 31.25 μg/ml, 62.5 μg/ml, 125 μg/ml, 250 μg/ml and 500 μg/ml in 2% DMSO. The survival and sublethal endpoint were assessed, the mortality and hatchability rates were calculated based on microscopic observation, while the heartbeat rate was measured using DanioScope software. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of the C. nutans n-hexane fraction, which was determined using probit analysis, was calculated to be 75.49 μg/mL, which is harmful. Moreover, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed the presence of palmitic acid, phytol, hexadecanoic acid, 1-monopalmitin, stigmast-5-ene, pentadecanoic acid, heptadecanoic acid, 1-linolenoylglycerol and stigmasterol in the n-hexane fraction.

Cardanols detected in non-polar propolis extracts from Scaptotrigona aff. postica (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini)

Abstract The propolis produced by stingless bees of the tribe Meliponini is a viscous product that contains the resin collected from buds, leaves and plant exudates, mixed with salivary secretions, wax and soil. The species Scaptotrigona aff. postica (Latreille, 1807), (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponinae) popularly known as “tubi” in Maranhão State, Brazil, does not mix soil to produce its propolis. The propolis from S. postica harvested in Barra do Corda, Maranhão State, is popularly used in the treatment of wounds and respiratory illnesses. The hydroalcoholic extract of this propolis, rich in flavone-6,8-di-C-glycosides (vicenin-2 and schaftoside), pyrrolizidine alkaloids derived from retronecine, catechin and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives exhibited antiviral activity against the herpes simplex and rubella viruses. The aim of this study was to increase knowledge about the chemical composition of the S. postica propolis by analyzing non-polar extracts obtained using hexane and chloroform as the solvents, by GC-EI-MS. A total of 15 constituents were identified comparing their respective mass spectral data with those available in the NIST data bases and those reported in the literature. The main constituents detected were the phenolic lipids, known as cardanols, 3-(4,7-heptadecadienyl) phenol (5), 3-(10-heptadecenyl) phenol (7), 3-heptadecylphenol (9) and 3-pentadecyl phenol or hydrocardanol (13), which predominated in the hexane extract, while the predominant constituents in the chloroform extract were 3-pentadecyl phenol or hydrocardanol (13) and 3-(8-pentadecenyl) phenol (12). The antioxidant, antitumoral, antifeedant, cytotoxic, anticarcinogenic, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, antileishmanial and larvicidal activities of the cardanols have been demonstrated in many studies.

Potential Anti-Cancer, Cytotoxic and Antioxidant of Polar and Non-Polar Extracts of Origanummajorana Linn

Objective: To evaluate the anticancer and cytotoxic activity of the Origanum majorana and also to test its antioxidant potential. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The in vitro anticancer and cytotoxic activity of the Polar (PF) and Non-Polar Fraction (NPF) obtained from a total Ethanolic Extract (EE) of O. majorana were evaluated using the murine myeloma cell lines Sp2/O-Ag14 (ATCC: CRL-1581) and VERO-ATCC-CCL81. The cell viability was measured with the Colorimetric Quantification System of the Transmittance Index (CQSTI) method; a simple ANOVA of the CQSTI values of each cell line treated with the different extracts was carried out. Findings: The preliminary phytochemical analysis determined the presence of tannins, flavonoids and terpenes in the fractions. EE and PF showed a strong DPPH free radical scavenging capacity, 88,8 and 85.9% uptake, respectively. EE and PF displayed promising anti anticancer activity for both cell lines, so, EE, PF and NPF concentrations that produced 50% cell viability included 5.7 mg/mL, 5.8 mg/mL and 35.8 mg/mL, respectively. Application/Improvements: For the first time it is shown that the PF from O. majorana a low concentrations affected myeloma cells but not VERO cells. These results indicate that this fraction has an anticancer activity. In addition, our results demonstrated that the PF has a high phenolic content, this could be related to its cytotoxic activity. Keywords: Anticancer, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Extract, Flavonoids, O. marjorana, Phenolic Compounds

Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds on Different Extracts of Linum Usitatissimum and Its Antimicrobial Properties against Selected Oral Pathogens

Background: Antibacterial agents from natural sources have been suggested as alternatives for treating infectious diseases due to their low side effects. Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) exhibits some antibacterial properties, but its effects against oral pathogens are poorly understood. This study investigated flaxseed extracts' antibacterial effects against such pathogens. Methods: Non-polar and polar extracts of flaxseed, with n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH), were prepared by sequential Soxhlet extraction. All extracts were qualitatively screened through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to detect bioactive compounds. Antibacterial activities of flaxseed extracts with different volumes per disc (Oxoid, Badhoevedorp, Netherlands) (5, 7, 10, 12 and 15 µL/disc) were evaluated against four different oral pathogens: Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei and Enterococcus faecalis, using the disc diffusion method. Flaxseed extracts' inhibitory activities against the tested oral pathogens were examined by measuring the inhibition zone diameter. Results: Polar extract (methanolic extract) demonstrated significant antibacterial activity (p<0.01) against all tested oral pathogens, with inhibition zones comparable to those for penicillin. In contrast, n-hexane and DCM extracts demonstrated variable antibacterial activities. Conclusions: This study suggests that Linum usitatissimum methanolic extract exhibited the best inhibitory activity on all tested strains compared to the other extracts.

New steroid and other compounds from non-polar extracts of Clusia burle-marxii and their chemotaxonomic significance

Phytochemical investigation of the non-polar extract of Clusia burle-marxii led to the identification of a new steroid (1), along with friedelinol (2), β-sitosterol (3), friedelin (4), stigmast-5-en-3β,7β-diol (5), stigmast-5-en-3β,7α-diol (6), stigmasterol (7), sitostenone (8), betulinic acid (9), butyrospermol (10), euphol (11), betulin aldehyde (12), 2,2-dimethyl-5-hydroxy-7-phenyl-chromane (13), 6-deoxyisojacareubin (14), padiaxanthone (15) and betulonic acid (16). This is the first report of the identification of compounds 5, 6 and 10 in the family, the first report of compounds 14 and 15 in the genus, and the first report of compounds 2, 3, 7, 8, 12, 16 in the species. Chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds is described herein.

Extractos de Persea americana Mill. que retrasan maduración en frutos de aguacate

La mayoría de las investigaciones en poscosecha de los frutos de Persea americana Mill. están enfocadas en retardar su maduración. En este trabajo se estudió el efecto de la aplicación de extractos no polares obtenidos de ramas, pedúnculo y hojas de aguacate variedad ‘Hass’ sobre el retraso de la maduración del fruto con y sin pedúnculo. Además, se evaluó la maduración de frutos de P. americana colectados con sus ramas de tamaño original con hojas (ROH) y sin hojas (ROSH), y ramas a la mitad de su tamaño original con hojas (RMH) y sin hojas (RMSH). Las variables medidas en frutos tratados con extractos no polares fueron firmeza, respiración, diámetro ecuatorial y color. En los frutos con ramas se determinó firmeza, diámetro ecuatorial, longitud y color. La firmeza fue determinada con escala hedónica de 5 a 1, la velocidad de respiración (mL CO2 kg-1h-1) con un medidor de CO2, las variables de color (L,a,b) con la aplicación para android ‘Color Grab’, el diámetro ecuatorial y longitud, se midieron con un vernier digital. De acuerdo con los resultados, la presencia del pedúnculo en frutos tratados con extractos hexánicos atrasó su maduración; con una firmeza promedio de 4.3 y coloración verde a los 10 d poscosecha. Los extractos de pedúnculo a 100 y 200 ppm tuvieron un efecto significativo en mantener la coloración verde de los frutos hasta 10 d después de cosecha. La evaluación de madurez en frutos colectados con ramas, demostró que la presencia de hojas retarda su maduración.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Determination of Organic Fractions and Enzymatic Activity in Forest Spruce Soil of Tatra National Park

Abstract The formation and quality of soil organic matter (SOM) highly depends on the input of organic material and microbial enzymatic activities. Soil extractions with specific nonpolar and polar extractives can be used to identify qualitative changes in SOM. The aim of this paper was to understand the correlations among microbial enzymatic activity and specific organic fractions in acidic spruce forest soil. Klason lignin (KL), acid soluble lignin (ASL), holocellulose (HC), SOM content, and potential enzymatic activity (FDA and phosphatase) was measured and analyzed. We sampled Dystric Cambisol of forest spruce stands (Picea abies) in Tatra National Park (Slovakia). The SOM fractions were determined gravimetrically based on their extractivity in nonpolar (dichloromethane (DME)) and polar (acetone (AE), ethanol (EE), water (WE)) solvents Total extractives content was 0.079% and nonpolar extractives 0.036%. The mean amount of polar extractives tented to increase in the order EE&lt;AE&lt;WE. The total lignin content was determined to be 1.079% and HC 0.774%. FDA negatively correlated with KL (r=-0.873 p&lt;0.05) and DME (r=-0.913 p&lt;0.05). Phosphatase positively correlated with WE (r=0.972 p&lt;0.01) and KL (r=0.957 p&lt;0.01).

Secondary metabolites from Stachys tetragona Boiss. & Heldr. ex Boiss. and their chemotaxonomic significance

From the dichlormethane and methanol extracts of the aerial parts of Stachys tetragona Boiss. & Heldr. ex Boiss. sixteen secondary metabolites were isolated, namely one triterpenic acid and two sterols from the nonpolar extract, as well as three flavonoids, one phenolic acid, six phenylethanoid glycosides, one neolignan and two iridoids from the polar extract. Structural elucidation was mainly based on 1D & 2D NMR spectra. Comparing the flavonoid pattern of S. tetragona with previously investigated Stachys taxa growing wild in Greece, it can be seen that S. tetragona is similar to S. ionica, as both produce isoscutellarein derivatives, while from the rest of the taxa only chrysoeriol derivatives have been isolated. To the best of our knowledge, kaempferol, lamiophloside A and (7S,8R)-urolignoside are isolated for the first time from the genus Stachys L.

Screening of five Sri Lankan endemic plants for anti-cancer effects on breast cancer stem cells isolated from MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines

Purpose: To screen selected endemic plants grown in Sri Lanka on breast cancer stem cells (bCSCs) for their anti-cancer propertiesMethods: Breast-CSCs expressing CD24-/CD44+ surface markers were isolated from MDA-MB-231 cells by magnetic-assisted cell sorting method and validated using flow cytometry. A panel of forty extracts from barks and leaves of Doona nervosa, Garcinia quaesita, Garcinia zeylanica, Memecylon rostratum and Schumacheria castaneifolia were obtained by sequential solvent extraction and tested on bCSC-mammospheres derived from MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells and normal mammary epithelial (MCF-10A) cells. Proliferation and cell stemness were analyzed using WST-1 cell proliferation assay and alkaline phosphatase assay.Results: Hexane and chloroform extracts of G. zeylanica and G. quaesita barks showed dosedependent reduction in proliferation and stemness in both bCSCs tested with less effect on MCF-10A cells. Hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of S. castaneifolia bark selectively inhibited mammospheres of triple negative bCSCs cells.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the non-polar extracts of G. zeylanica and G. quaesita, S. castaneifolia barks inhibit the proliferation of bCSCs of triple negative and estrogen-progesterone positive breast cancers. Findings of the present study may useful for developing a future anti-cancer therapeutics which can target bCSCs.Keywords: Cancer stem cells, Garcinia zeylanica, Garcinia quaesita, Schumacheria castaneifolia, Mammospheres

Metabolite Profiling of Commiphora wightii (Guggul) with Respect to Seasons

Aim of the study was to undertake comprehensive metabolic profiling of plant parts of Commiphora wightii during two contrasting seasons i.e. summer and winter; compared seasonal metabolic variations; and assess antioxidant activity of fractions for commercial applications. Leaves, young stems and gum-resin extracts from summer and winter seasons were analyzed using GC-MS, HPLC and NMR spectroscopy. The antioxidant activity on each set was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Complete metabolic profiling from two contrasting seasons identified one hundred and four major known and unknown metabolites. Also, two alkylated phenols, 2,4-di- tert-butyl phenol and 3-(3,5-di- tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propanoic acid not reported earlier from this taxon were isolated from the vegetative part. Comparative analysis of seasonal metabolic profiles of leaves, young stems and gum-resin revealed significant variations in concentrations of several metabolites. Multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) showed significant qualitative and quantitative variations in the polar (glycine, quinic acid and myo-inositol) and non-polar metabolites (alkylated phenols, guggulsterones and α-tocopherol) between the two seasons. Variation amongst metabolites such as myo-inositol, quinic acid α- tocopherol and alkylated phenols that are important for nutraceutical industry in the two contrasting seasons is a useful finding. These metabolites are of medicinal and nutraceutical importance and are commonly used in nutraceuticals and dietary supplement industry. DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 values) of polar and non-polar extracts varied significantly between summer and winter seasons. The antioxidant activity can be attributed to major polar metabolite, quinic acid biosynthesized in excess during winter, and to non-polar metabolites like alkylated phenols and α-tocopherol present during the summer season. The study shall be useful for medicinal, nutraceutical and dietary supplement industry for selection of polar or non-polar extracts from a particular season for obtaining targeted products with optimized functionality.

ANTICANCER AND ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL OF BARLERIA PRIONITIS LEAVES ETHANOL EXTRACT

Objective: The present study was focused to screen traditionally used Barleria prionitis for anticancer effects against various cell lines and antimicrobial effect against various pathogenic strains of bacteria and fungi.Methods: Extraction of Barleria prionitis leaves in ethanol was done by the Soxhlet method. After extraction, phytochemical estimation of these seven secondary metabolites like alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, saponins, terpenoids, tannins, and cardiac glycosides was done as per the protocols of Kokate. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) effect of Barleria leaf ethanol (BLE) was done by the dilution method on five bacterial and five fungal strains. Further analysis (anticancer activity) was done with SRB (Sulphorhodamine B) assay. Statistical analysis of antimicrobial and anticancer activity was done by using MS Excel 2007 to±standard deviation and student t-test.Results: Barleria leaf extract with ethanol is a non-polar solvent extract and considered as the best solvent to extract the maximum number of secondary metabolites like alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, and tannins. BLE extract gave excellent MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) effects against pathogenic bacteria and pathogenic fungal strains. BLE had highly effective activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with 1.25 mg MIC, the OD value of the sample was 0.02±0.0005 (±SD) with 0.0211-0.0245 range. MIC against fungal strains had effective activity against Candida vaginitis with 6.25 mg, the OD value of the sample was 0.02±0.0003 (±SD) with 0.0213-0.0232 range. BLE extract had given more than 70% inhibition against breast cell lines (MCF-7) and 75.16% inhibition of DLD1 cell lines; it was near to Doxorubicin antibiotic (81%). Breast metastatic cell line (MDMAMB-468) was found 60% inhibited with BLE extract and there was a great difference in the results of Doxorubicin. Out of six experimented cell lines, BLE gave very good inhibition for two cell lines, i.e. Breast (MCF-7) and Colon cell lines (DLD-1).Conclusion: BLE extract had shown the best antimicrobial and antifungal effect, against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida vaginitis respectively. BLE also showed an anticancer effect against Lung cell lines (A549), Breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), Breast metastatic cell line (MDMAMB-468), Colon cell line (DLD-1) and lung metastatic cell line (NCIH358) at a statistically significant level (p=&lt;0.05). It did not give any significant results against the colon metastatic cell line (SW620).

Assessing the effects of Awba dam sediment (Nigeria) on the steroidogenesis of H295R cells using different extraction methods

In the present study, H295R human cells were used to investigate the endocrine disruptor potential of three different sediments extracts taken from a Nigerian tropical freshwater dam (Awba Dam), using three extraction methods that allowed a selective consideration of contaminants based on their binding affinity, which is mainly driven by polarity, to sediment particles. After exposure to different concentration of each extract, H295R cells were evaluated for the expression profiles of 10 steroidogenic enzyme genes and estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) levels. Our results showed a comparable concentrated-related increase in the expression of 17β-hsd1, 3β-hsd2 and cyp21 in cells treated with the polar and non-polar extracts. The star, hmgr, cyp11b2 and 17β-hsd4 were slightly decreased, in an apparent concentration-specific manner, after treatment with the polar extract and decreased in the non-polar treatment. The cyp11a and cyp17 showed an opposite trend in the polar and non-polar treatments. E2 was significantly higher in cell treated with the non-polar extract. Elutriate exposure produced less pronounced variation in mRNA and hormones levels. Overall the extract with non-polar compounds produced the most severe effects in H295R cells. Thus, direct ingestion of detritus and mud from fishes and other benthonic organisms represent possible transfer of contaminants in the trophic web, and mainly account for alteration of the endocrine system previously observed in fish from the same study site.

Component Analysis and Antifungal Activity of the Compounds Extracted from Four Brown Seaweeds with Different Solvents at Different Seasons

The polar and nonpolar extracts of Colpomenia sinuosa, Padina pavonia, Cystoseira barbata and Sargassum vulgare collected during spring, summer and autumn were evaluated for their antifungal activities. The phytochemicals of unexplored seaweeds were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometric (GC/MS). The algal extracts were tested for their antifungal activities against Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Penicillium parasiticus, Candida utilis and Fusarium solani. Phytochemicals were extracted from the four seaweeds with various solvents including methanol, ethanol, acetone, chloroform and dimethyl ether. Among the various extracts, methanolic extract showed the highest inhibition activity on all fungal species. Seasonal variation in antifungal activity was studied, while methanol extracts showed the best antifungal activity in spring. Cystoseira barbata was the most effective seaweed, having antifungal activity throughout the whole year. The UV-Vis phytochemical procedure and GC-MS analysis of the methanol extracts from tested species indicated the existence of different constituents. In conclusions, the compounds with antifungal activity were identified as indoles, terpenes, acetogenins, phenols, and volatile halogenated hydrocarbons.